Title: Come up Here”
Heaven – the holy place of the holy God.
…”holy of holies”
Text: Revelation 4-5
Subject: Who is able to meet our (existential) hopes and is therefore worthy of our allegiance and worship?
Complement: the one who sits on the highest throne and holds the keys of life and death.
…Purpose: seeing God’s throne room will inspire hope, allegiance and worship.
…Main Idea - Only (the invisible) God (made visible in Jesus) is worthy of ultimate trust and therefore worship.
4 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast.
The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God.
6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, (1X)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down (2X) and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, (1X) to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
5 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
(this is the expression of hope lost…lament…universal disappointment – false gods…idols…ideologies)
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, (birth Narr) has won the victory. (crucifixion/resurrection). He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (3X). Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign[d] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. (4X)
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: (5X)
“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” (5X) And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Note the following:
1. Chs. 4-5 are strategically placed: Everything else issues from the throne of God (seal judgments, trumpets, bowls, etc.).
2. God is worthy of worship. The key question in 4-5 is: who is worthy of worship? John does not describe the one on the throne – he describes what is around him. This guards God’s transcendence.
3. “Throne” will occur in chs. 4-5 as the dominant motif. It suggests rulership and sovereignty. In the context of Revelation, this contests the claim of Caesar and the Roman empire to be the center of all. The true source of your well-being, salvation, justice is God!
4. Revelation 4 is the setting for Revelation 5 where the main action happens!
5. Jesus as a slain lamb (arnion) is the dominant image in the book for Jesus. John hears about the Lion and he turns to see a lamb (5:5-6).
6. The pivot point of chapter 5 is verse 7 – The Lamb takes the scroll.
7. Jesus died to create a multicultural kingdom of God (5:9) --This kingdom will one day rule the world (5:10).
GET ATTENTION… why do we sing so much in church ???
• Great music
• CCM (1970’s…)
• Sandi Patti… Amy Grant…Imperials…Bob Dylan… Larry Norman…Randy Matthews
*Problem – on earth everything else is worshipped ? sports stars…actors…the rich…money…power and the powerful… technology…science…capitalism…socialism…liberalism…
** but all of these cannot satisfy our hopes and longings… the history of the world is one of “over promise and under deliver.’
**Utopia is a dream that has never been realized.
**Our next great hope is “AI” … robots to work for us – so we don’t have to – the alleged elimination of scarcity. (REALLY?)… economic prosperity for everyone – even the poorest nations will join the ranks of the middle class – and beyond… no more malnutrition…no more pollution via green house gases… I expect even the great mystery of cancer will be solved.
The world is currently experiencing an absence of hope… political hope is extremely low…institutions are being attacked… war in Ukraine has all of Europe on edge…tariff threats have the world economy on edge…global warming has the weather in upheaval… floods… and fires have become the new normal… war in Israel and Gaza is not only tragic but also polarizing.
Human beings are worshippers!!! (we’re always looking for “better”…something/ someone to hope in.
• Get their Autographs…
• We “follow” these people
• Youtubers
• Line up to catch a glimpse of them…
…this is not what is going on in the earth. How does that heavenly scene become an earthly reality?
God’s invitation…”come up here, John.”
*Come into the restricted area…
Here are some personal examples…
House tours…
Dreamliner factory (Washington state)
Restaurant kitchen ? Schneider’s meat pies facility – ( I had an intern with me – so I showed him how to do an “on the job site visit”…we walked right in… found our church member (Angelo) …he freaked out – instead of saying so great to see you – he said “what are you doing here?” (do you want to get me fired?
How did you get in?
who let you in?
…“This is a food production facility… we have to suit up and wear gloves and a mask and a hair net – you just can’t walk in here!
God says to John … “come up here”!!! (and see the true reality)!!!
**The voice is like a trumpet – and was the same voice John heard at the beginning of this revelation…
1:17-18 “I am the first and the last. I am the living one; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Why?... what the point of all this?
Recall with me…
• God said to Moses – 24:12 “come up here” (Mt Sinai)
• Ezekiel 1:1 and 3:12 and 8:3, 24 and 43:5 and 11
• *MT of Transfiguration – Peter James, John: “…They saw his glory”
• *After his resurrection – Jesus reveals himself again… “Come and have breakfast”
• After his resurrection he appears to Thomas – “John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
• Paul – 2 Cor 12 “ I was caught up to heaven… and I saw things unlawful to tell. (not to mention his Damascus Rd revelation of the risen Jesus )
1. …Now John sees the Throne – occupied by the creator and king
– king of the universe…
“king of kings”
**Throne is found 40 X in revelation…
The throne is occupied by a brilliant and glorious KING …encircled by a glowing rainbow – Creation/ new creation
**This throne is the book’s great “revelation”.
But there’s more -- 24 thrones – 24 elders – white with gold crowns
…Lightning & thunder come from the throne
o 7 torches (Holy Spirit)
o Sea of glass in front of the throne (Baptism is pictured…)
2. ** Now We See The Choir Of Worshippers** - Engaged In Non-Stop Praise And Adoration
Remember church ? we come to worship at God’s invitation. (Call to worship)
4 creatures in the center (6)
…lion (Noble)
...ox( Strong)
…human being
...eagle (flight)
…( 6 wings) and eyes all around = all seeing and fully mobile
What are they saying and singing??? … (let’s listen …)
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”
a. 24 elders fall down… ?
b. Worship is our greatest honor and dignity
c. Human beings worship – someone or some thing (everyone)
d. Worshippers sing!!!
**Object of worship ? the one sitting on the throne. (9) “You are worthy, O Lord our God”
Now we also see that God, on his throne – holds a scroll!
3. It is a sealed Scroll – that must be opened and read: 5:1-2
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
“Scroll” in this age/culture would mean God’s word or aracle of judgement.
**See scroll of Ezekiel …
36:1 During the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king in Judah,[a] the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: 2 “Get a scroll, and write down all my messages against Israel, Judah, and the other nations. Begin with the first message back in the days of Josiah, and write down every message, right up to the present time. 3 Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.”
Scroll = (1) God’s word…(2) God’s judgement against sinful humanity
2 Chronicles 34:21
“Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.”
Malachi 3:16 - Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
4. An Angel announces the call for someone to open this scroll …
– no one can open it!
(John weeps): 5:4
… the “Lamb” steps forward (looking bloodied…slaughtered)
** Q. what makes him and him alone worthy?
• His Divinity
• His Incarnation
• His Sinless life
• His crucifixion and resurrection – that is his defeat of the evil one and death itself (our great advasary)
The Lamb’s credentials…(as per Revelation)
• Revelation 1:5 “….Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
• Rev 1:18 “I am the living one; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
**See also Hebrews 5:8-9
8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 8:1-2
8 … We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
Heb 9:11-12
12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Heb 10:19-22
…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God …
Colossians 1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation
The call is made to open the scroll...
…no one else is able to open the scroll and bear its weight.
• No religion
• No empire
• No demon
• No angel
***amid all the glory and splendor of heaven – only one is found worthy – he is both a lion (of Judah) and a slaughtered lamb.
• Jesus is…Worthy thru his obedience
• Jesus is…Worthy thru his love for friend and foe.
• Jesus is…Worthy through his divinity
• Jesus is…Worthy by the Father’s will
• Jesus is…Worthy by his victory over sin and temptation and deception
• Jesus is…Worthy by despising the pain and the shame of the cross and willingly drinking that bitter cup.
…Even in his last gasps of breath he redeemed a lost soul – a convicted thief no less.
What an odd combination. – lion and lamb!
Lion of Judah – Judah was a smallest of tribes – yet it produced David - and David, a dynasty.
A lamb was weak and prone to being lost and defenseless against wolves… was slaughtered in OT offerings for sin at Passover
…yet Jesus became a lamb… but though slaughtered achieved victory over death and rose a lion…mighty and noble – a true conqueror.
Jesus our redeemer and victor!
**Make no mistake – Jesus is not just one of the many religious figures of history …
**he stands alone in his uniqueness…
he has no peer…
he has no rival…
he has none that can usurp his place.
• Not Mohammed…
• not Buddha…
• not Hinduism and its pantheon of gods…
…not modern or post-modern philosophy …
today’s No. 1 philosophy - “SELF” - self glorification …
we live in a secular society – where God is only tokenly mentioned, if at all… and rarely identified as Jesus our Lord…
…and into this spiritual vacuum some other god will be created and worshipped… the bible calls these false gods “idols”
idols abound in this culture as they always have.
*** o yes, my friends…this vision of heaven - and the throne -and of Jesus points powerfully to the centrality and supremacy of Christ.
See Colossians 1
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault
5. John (in this vision) discovers that heaven is the place of power and authority and holiness – not the UN…not NATO…not the EU…not Russia…not the USA
? and this results in continual worship around the true throne!
**There are 5 expressions of this worship here in ch 5…
(1) Day after day and night after night they ( 4 beings) keep on saying, (1X)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
(2) 10 the twenty-four elders fall down (2X) and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, (1X) to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
(3) The 4 & 24 Elders now bow before him too!
…A “NEW SONG” is heard!!! ? a Christo-centric song!
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
(4) …Millions of angels sing in worship!!!
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. (4X) 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
(5) All humanity worships!!!
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: (5X)
“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
Conclusion: remember the Lord’s prayer – “your kingdom come – your will be done…”
This vision of the heavenly throne room assures us that God restore his reign and rule on earth as it is in heaven!!
We see this described in Chapters 21-22.
It’s when God creates all things new.
All people will worship!
God re-establishes his presence with them—without a physical temple.
Be thou my vision o Lord of my heart
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.
3. Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r;
Raise thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.
4. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
5. High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Only (the invisible) God (made visible in Jesus) is worthy of ultimate trust and therefore worship.
Rev 3:20 – Invitation to repentance and salvation...
I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
Only (the invisible) God (made visible in Jesus) is worthy of ultimate trust and therefore worship.
