Study No. 6 The Throne Room of God Revelation 4 and 5
Jesus has said to John in chapter 1:19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”
In the first chapter John recorded what he saw. In chapters 2 and 3 he wrote ‘what is now’, that is what was current to him at the time. However, the ‘what is now’ section can also apply to the ministry of the church right up to the time of the final ‘count down. In the chapter before us is the last section called ‘what will take place later’.
In chapter one John heard a voice behind him much like a trumpet. Now that same voice comes from heaven. The voice calls for him to ‘come up here’ to see future things.
John Describes the throne of God in Heaven 4:1-3
John was transported up to heaven through an open door. Some read into this that John symbolizes the church being raptured up to heaven. There is no statement to this effect. The Apostle Paul was also called up to heaven 2 Cor. 12:2 but again, there is nothing in scripture to indicate anything symbolic. We have no reason to believe it is anything other than God showing them things that He wanted them to know.
John describes his consciousness of travel as ‘being in the spirit’.
In heaven he sees a throne with someone on it. The One sitting on the throne appeared the colour of Jasper and carnelian.
(see slide)
Jasper is often variegated and can be of various colours. In biblical terms it stands for a diamond. Diamonds shine in various colors. Carnelian is blood red. The impression we get is of incredible rays of many colors with a very red glow emanating from the throne. At the end of the book of Revelation, at the end of the millennium the throne is totally white. Why the difference? Here at chapter 4 we see God prepared to execute wrath on the ungodly on earth. At the end of the book we see God righteously judging the world, white symbolising total holiness.
John describes an emerald rainbow around the throne. The rainbow is symbolic of the promise of protection God made to Noah. The message seems to be … God is about to bring his storm of wrath upon the wicked, but his storm will not touch his children.
Surrounding the throne are 24 elders on thrones. (v4)
Are they angels, as some commentators suggest? No, later in chapter 5 we will read that they have been redeemed from the earth. When we think of the number, 24, immediately we should remember there are 12 tribes of Israelites and there were 12 apostles. In chapter 22 we will discover that the New Jerusalem has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes inscribed and there are 12 foundations with the names of the apostles. So what are we to make of the 24 elders? One message we can get from this is hinted at in the following verse in Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We can’t say for sure that the 12 apostles were on thrones. For one thing, John is standing there looking on. Surely he would not be looking at himself sitting on one of those thrones. But it would seem that these are 24 actual elders … humans, now redeemed.
As a rule, we don’t often hear about the kingdom of God. In our normal ‘church language’ we talk about preaching the Gospel to the world. Jesus meant the same thing when He said, ‘The gospel of the kingdom’ will be preached in all the world, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:14)
Jesus preached the kingdom of God
Philip preached it. Acts 8:12
Paul preached it. Acts 19:8
He told us to seek it … first - Matt 6:33
He said the kingdom must be received like a little child would receive it … or we will not enter it. Luke 18:17
John saw 24 Elders, each having a throne and a crown. I see this as a representation of the Kingdom of God. God is King, Jesus is called King of kings and Lord of lords. And Jesus has said a number of times that his faithful ones, the overcomers, would rule with Him. The 24 represent the combination of Jews and Gentiles in the same church, the same kingdom.
Paul said there was a mystery kept hidden for generations, but had just been revealed in his time. Eph 3:3-6
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel
Again, the 24 elders represent Israel’s and our part in the kingdom of God … old testament and new.
What about the fact that John saw them together … back in his day? Actually, we can not say that John saw any heavenly thing … in his day. Once he is caught up to heaven, he is not only in a different realm, he could be in a different time. To me it looks like he sees Israel and the church together as a ‘done deal’ but the actual timing of their coming together is only completed in chapter 10:7, right at the end of the seven year ‘tribulation period’.
Are the elders human? Are they only symbolic? I believe we need to understand them to be real people in heaven.
Later, in chapter 5 there is a little discrepancy in the use of pronouns (we or they?), depending on which Greek text is used. We can look at that in more detail shortly.
Verse 5 -Although the throne is surrounded by God’s promise of protection to us (the rainbow), the flashes of lightning, the rumbling and thunder give us a strong sense of something awesome and awful that He is about to do.
The Holy Spirit is there.
Verses 6 - 11 And before the throne, a sea of clear crystal or glass. What I gather from this ‘picture’ is that God, seated on the throne, looks down on the earth through the ‘window’, and what He sees results in his elevated anger at the wicked. The storm is building.
John describes four ‘living creatures’ seated on the four sides of the throne. They appeared as a Lion, an Ox, one as having a mans face, and the last one as an Eagle. Various thoughts exist on who these creatures are or what they represent.
Some have said they represent the gospel of God. Mathew represented by the Lion, Mark – the ox, Luke representing the humanity of Jesus, and finally John elevating Jesus as the eagle.
Another view is that these creatures were placed around the throne much in the way that sculptors have done on earth to embellish a throne or some other place of prominence. In this case they are seen as living creatures. Each representation is saying something about God. For example – God, the Lion, is King of Kings. God, the ox, (a beast of burden) is our burden bearer, and God – the son of man …. Became man to identify and sympathise with us. Finally God, the eagle, brings us to be seated with Him in heavenly places.
Another view is that these living creatures are special angels.
The living creatures have eyes everywhere. One message we are reminded of, is that we all are visible to God at all times. The creatures are saying Holy, holy, holy and the elders worship.
Chapter 5: John realizes he has been called to an all important meeting in heaven. 5:1,2
John notices that the One seated on throne has in His right hand, a book – rather a scroll.
It had writing on both sides, and was sealed with seven seals.
An angel told Daniel, (over 600 years earlier) "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Daniel 12:9
What was purposely sealed in Daniel’s day is about to be revealed to John.
- The book (or scroll) locked with seven seals.
(see slide)
Some commentators have called this ‘The Title Deed to the Earth’. John McArthur is one who promotes this. He says it was Roman custom to seal a last will and testament with seven seals.
I do not believe that God necessarily follows Roman custom or law. If we want to call this scroll the title deed to the earth, I don’t think it really changes anything or affects any of our understanding of the rest of the book. But, to remain consistent with the type of study I wish to promote, I do not find it necessary to label the scroll. As we read further we will learn all we need to about the scroll.
The purpose of this meeting is the opening of the scroll
A strong angel calls for someone to come and open the scroll.
A search is made for a worthy person to open the book. 3-4
John is intensely frustrated when no one is found.
John says that he wept much. Or like the NIV puts it, “I wept and wept”. John is a grown man. He is likely in his 90’s. I read some information on the web that said he was born in 06 and probably died about 100ad. That would make him 91 or 92 years old at the time he was called to the heavenly meeting. John was known for his emotional displays. He was dubbed by Jesus as one of the Sons of Thunder because of the anger he displayed toward a Samaritan town. His emotions were ‘visible’ at the last supper as he leaned on Jesus, and referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. So, I suppose this emotional outbreak is in keeping with who he was.
Verse 5 -One of the Elders speaks to John, telling him that a worthy person has been located; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. (see slide)
What John sees next is a lamb with either a wound or a scar, indicating that it had be killed. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. Verse 6 (See slide)
Verses 7-10 The moment that Jesus takes the book, the 24 Elders break out in song; a new song. Without having to first compose the words … they just sing. The words of the song are praise to Jesus. They acknowledge the work of salvation that Jesus accomplished for us. They use the words, ‘purchased us’ in some translations, and ‘purchased men’ in others. The ‘Textus Receptus’ uses ‘purchased us’. To me this makes better sense. Notice, ‘We shall reign on the earth’ indicates a future time. (who said that time does not exist in heaven?)
In the previous chapter we see the elders laying their crowns before the throne. This does not mean that they are giving up the crown just given to them. It is their way of showing gratitude and humility for having been chosen to wear the crown. As we have just read in this chapter, the crown represents a responsibility … reigning … and they have, in their praising, just acknowledged that they will reign.
We also read that the elders each had a golden bowl of burning incense, and we are told that the incense represents the prayers of God’s people on earth. No doubt the Catholic Church has developed from this the practice of praying to a saint in heaven, who then will see that the prayer reaches the Father. However nowhere in scripture are we ever told to pray to anyone other than God. Also, notice that our scripture does not say that the Elders are interceding. What their role is exactly, as concerning their holding the bowls, is uncertain.
Verse 11-12 Suddenly an entire heavenly choir fills the air with praise! Living creatures, the elders, and many thousands of angels!
(see slide)
“Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, to receive …” What a list is given here: power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing![1]"
Added to the heavenly group … now John hears praise come from every quarter of the earth! Verse 13, 14
Extra Study
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.
What event is verse one describing?
What is another name for this event according to verse two?
According to verse three what events must precede the event in verse one?
[1] (For what its worth, notice that the group does NOT say, “You are worthy to receive OUR (or MY) honor, glory, blessing or praise.” Why do I make this observation? Simply because one of our worship songs that we sing regularly says, ‘You are worthy of my praise’. A phrase like this is never found in scripture. The reason being, even though we mean well by it, the phrase can be analysed like this: “Jerry is not worthy of my praise. Sam is not worthy of my praise. My praise too important and valuable to waste it on them. My praise is really something … however, I will offer it to You.” The moment we add the word ‘my’ or ‘our’ we have just changed the focus to ourselves. When I sing this song I change it to 'You are worthy of ALL praise. )
In the first chapter John recorded what he saw. In chapters 2 and 3 he wrote ‘what is now’, that is what was current to him at the time. However, the ‘what is now’ section can also apply to the ministry of the church right up to the time of the final ‘count down. In the chapter before us is the last section called ‘what will take place later’.
In chapter one John heard a voice behind him much like a trumpet. Now that same voice comes from heaven. The voice calls for him to ‘come up here’ to see future things.
John Describes the throne of God in Heaven 4:1-3
John was transported up to heaven through an open door. Some read into this that John symbolizes the church being raptured up to heaven. There is no statement to this effect. The Apostle Paul was also called up to heaven 2 Cor. 12:2 but again, there is nothing in scripture to indicate anything symbolic. We have no reason to believe it is anything other than God showing them things that He wanted them to know.
John describes his consciousness of travel as ‘being in the spirit’.
In heaven he sees a throne with someone on it. The One sitting on the throne appeared the colour of Jasper and carnelian.
(see slide)
Jasper is often variegated and can be of various colours. In biblical terms it stands for a diamond. Diamonds shine in various colors. Carnelian is blood red. The impression we get is of incredible rays of many colors with a very red glow emanating from the throne. At the end of the book of Revelation, at the end of the millennium the throne is totally white. Why the difference? Here at chapter 4 we see God prepared to execute wrath on the ungodly on earth. At the end of the book we see God righteously judging the world, white symbolising total holiness.
John describes an emerald rainbow around the throne. The rainbow is symbolic of the promise of protection God made to Noah. The message seems to be … God is about to bring his storm of wrath upon the wicked, but his storm will not touch his children.
Surrounding the throne are 24 elders on thrones. (v4)
Are they angels, as some commentators suggest? No, later in chapter 5 we will read that they have been redeemed from the earth. When we think of the number, 24, immediately we should remember there are 12 tribes of Israelites and there were 12 apostles. In chapter 22 we will discover that the New Jerusalem has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes inscribed and there are 12 foundations with the names of the apostles. So what are we to make of the 24 elders? One message we can get from this is hinted at in the following verse in Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We can’t say for sure that the 12 apostles were on thrones. For one thing, John is standing there looking on. Surely he would not be looking at himself sitting on one of those thrones. But it would seem that these are 24 actual elders … humans, now redeemed.
As a rule, we don’t often hear about the kingdom of God. In our normal ‘church language’ we talk about preaching the Gospel to the world. Jesus meant the same thing when He said, ‘The gospel of the kingdom’ will be preached in all the world, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:14)
Jesus preached the kingdom of God
Philip preached it. Acts 8:12
Paul preached it. Acts 19:8
He told us to seek it … first - Matt 6:33
He said the kingdom must be received like a little child would receive it … or we will not enter it. Luke 18:17
John saw 24 Elders, each having a throne and a crown. I see this as a representation of the Kingdom of God. God is King, Jesus is called King of kings and Lord of lords. And Jesus has said a number of times that his faithful ones, the overcomers, would rule with Him. The 24 represent the combination of Jews and Gentiles in the same church, the same kingdom.
Paul said there was a mystery kept hidden for generations, but had just been revealed in his time. Eph 3:3-6
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel
Again, the 24 elders represent Israel’s and our part in the kingdom of God … old testament and new.
What about the fact that John saw them together … back in his day? Actually, we can not say that John saw any heavenly thing … in his day. Once he is caught up to heaven, he is not only in a different realm, he could be in a different time. To me it looks like he sees Israel and the church together as a ‘done deal’ but the actual timing of their coming together is only completed in chapter 10:7, right at the end of the seven year ‘tribulation period’.
Are the elders human? Are they only symbolic? I believe we need to understand them to be real people in heaven.
Later, in chapter 5 there is a little discrepancy in the use of pronouns (we or they?), depending on which Greek text is used. We can look at that in more detail shortly.
Verse 5 -Although the throne is surrounded by God’s promise of protection to us (the rainbow), the flashes of lightning, the rumbling and thunder give us a strong sense of something awesome and awful that He is about to do.
The Holy Spirit is there.
Verses 6 - 11 And before the throne, a sea of clear crystal or glass. What I gather from this ‘picture’ is that God, seated on the throne, looks down on the earth through the ‘window’, and what He sees results in his elevated anger at the wicked. The storm is building.
John describes four ‘living creatures’ seated on the four sides of the throne. They appeared as a Lion, an Ox, one as having a mans face, and the last one as an Eagle. Various thoughts exist on who these creatures are or what they represent.
Some have said they represent the gospel of God. Mathew represented by the Lion, Mark – the ox, Luke representing the humanity of Jesus, and finally John elevating Jesus as the eagle.
Another view is that these creatures were placed around the throne much in the way that sculptors have done on earth to embellish a throne or some other place of prominence. In this case they are seen as living creatures. Each representation is saying something about God. For example – God, the Lion, is King of Kings. God, the ox, (a beast of burden) is our burden bearer, and God – the son of man …. Became man to identify and sympathise with us. Finally God, the eagle, brings us to be seated with Him in heavenly places.
Another view is that these living creatures are special angels.
The living creatures have eyes everywhere. One message we are reminded of, is that we all are visible to God at all times. The creatures are saying Holy, holy, holy and the elders worship.
Chapter 5: John realizes he has been called to an all important meeting in heaven. 5:1,2
John notices that the One seated on throne has in His right hand, a book – rather a scroll.
It had writing on both sides, and was sealed with seven seals.
An angel told Daniel, (over 600 years earlier) "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Daniel 12:9
What was purposely sealed in Daniel’s day is about to be revealed to John.
- The book (or scroll) locked with seven seals.
(see slide)
Some commentators have called this ‘The Title Deed to the Earth’. John McArthur is one who promotes this. He says it was Roman custom to seal a last will and testament with seven seals.
I do not believe that God necessarily follows Roman custom or law. If we want to call this scroll the title deed to the earth, I don’t think it really changes anything or affects any of our understanding of the rest of the book. But, to remain consistent with the type of study I wish to promote, I do not find it necessary to label the scroll. As we read further we will learn all we need to about the scroll.
The purpose of this meeting is the opening of the scroll
A strong angel calls for someone to come and open the scroll.
A search is made for a worthy person to open the book. 3-4
John is intensely frustrated when no one is found.
John says that he wept much. Or like the NIV puts it, “I wept and wept”. John is a grown man. He is likely in his 90’s. I read some information on the web that said he was born in 06 and probably died about 100ad. That would make him 91 or 92 years old at the time he was called to the heavenly meeting. John was known for his emotional displays. He was dubbed by Jesus as one of the Sons of Thunder because of the anger he displayed toward a Samaritan town. His emotions were ‘visible’ at the last supper as he leaned on Jesus, and referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. So, I suppose this emotional outbreak is in keeping with who he was.
Verse 5 -One of the Elders speaks to John, telling him that a worthy person has been located; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. (see slide)
What John sees next is a lamb with either a wound or a scar, indicating that it had be killed. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. Verse 6 (See slide)
Verses 7-10 The moment that Jesus takes the book, the 24 Elders break out in song; a new song. Without having to first compose the words … they just sing. The words of the song are praise to Jesus. They acknowledge the work of salvation that Jesus accomplished for us. They use the words, ‘purchased us’ in some translations, and ‘purchased men’ in others. The ‘Textus Receptus’ uses ‘purchased us’. To me this makes better sense. Notice, ‘We shall reign on the earth’ indicates a future time. (who said that time does not exist in heaven?)
In the previous chapter we see the elders laying their crowns before the throne. This does not mean that they are giving up the crown just given to them. It is their way of showing gratitude and humility for having been chosen to wear the crown. As we have just read in this chapter, the crown represents a responsibility … reigning … and they have, in their praising, just acknowledged that they will reign.
We also read that the elders each had a golden bowl of burning incense, and we are told that the incense represents the prayers of God’s people on earth. No doubt the Catholic Church has developed from this the practice of praying to a saint in heaven, who then will see that the prayer reaches the Father. However nowhere in scripture are we ever told to pray to anyone other than God. Also, notice that our scripture does not say that the Elders are interceding. What their role is exactly, as concerning their holding the bowls, is uncertain.
Verse 11-12 Suddenly an entire heavenly choir fills the air with praise! Living creatures, the elders, and many thousands of angels!
(see slide)
“Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, to receive …” What a list is given here: power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing![1]"
Added to the heavenly group … now John hears praise come from every quarter of the earth! Verse 13, 14
Extra Study
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.
What event is verse one describing?
What is another name for this event according to verse two?
According to verse three what events must precede the event in verse one?
[1] (For what its worth, notice that the group does NOT say, “You are worthy to receive OUR (or MY) honor, glory, blessing or praise.” Why do I make this observation? Simply because one of our worship songs that we sing regularly says, ‘You are worthy of my praise’. A phrase like this is never found in scripture. The reason being, even though we mean well by it, the phrase can be analysed like this: “Jerry is not worthy of my praise. Sam is not worthy of my praise. My praise too important and valuable to waste it on them. My praise is really something … however, I will offer it to You.” The moment we add the word ‘my’ or ‘our’ we have just changed the focus to ourselves. When I sing this song I change it to 'You are worthy of ALL praise. )