The Throne in Heaven
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Revelation 4
As we go into Revelation chapter four, we are coming out of the letters to the Seven Churches, and now John is taken to another vision.
This is a move through time.
Now there are some wild things that we are introduced to in chapter four, and sometimes our minds will focus on that, the stuff we don’t understand rather than the main point of the passage.
Don’t miss the main point of this passage!
I saw a pastor, Pastor Peter Hubbard, give an illustration of this and I’m going to steal that illustration.
I’m going to read a paragraph to you, it will be on the screen here:
John reluctantly decided to take an Uber to Fresh Market in order to pick up some lettuce, quinoa, pomelo, and jicama because his car needed a new catalytic converter, and his friend was on Fuerteventura.
Where did your mind go? What’s an Uber…what’s a pomelo, or a jicama, what is Fuerteventura?
Sometimes our minds go to the things we don’t understand and it distracts us from the main point.
What is the main point? John went shopping.
The details may be important - But they are not the main point.
How did he go shopping - he took an Uber
Why did he take an Uber - His car was not working and his friend was away.
What was his attitude - reluctant
But what was the purpose - food
As we approach Chapter 4, the book of Revelation makes a shift in emphasis.
Let’s read chapter four real quick and see if we can find the main point.
I’ll give you a hint…there is one word that is repeated 12 times in this chapter - a total of 17 times in chapters 4-5 together.
Read Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
What is the word that is repeated 12 times?
Throne - we are shifted in chapter 4 to an emphasis from the church to the throne in Heaven.
The Main Idea is that God is on His throne!
This is a significant statement, because chapters 4 and following lead us to understand the power of God and His coming judgment upon the earth.
However, the word “church” is not mentioned again until chapter 19.
Thus, we see a quick picture of the pre-tribulational rapture of the church.
Chapter 2-3 — Church Age overview
Chapter 4-5 — A vision of Heaven
Chapter 6 — Introduces the Tribulation Period
Based on this we believe that the rapture of the church happens prior to chapter six.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The Church of Philadelphia— would not see the “hour of temptation.”
And again there is no mention of the church until chapter 19
Chapter 4-18 uses O.T. terminology (altar/trumpets/scale)
The mention of trumpets reminds me of I Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Some will say the word “rapture” is not in the Bible — but neither is the word “Trinity” therefore, we would believe the same God who took Enoch can take us!
Charles Ryrie in Pre-Millennial Faith quotes Hugh Latimer (1535): “Peradventure, it may come in my days, old as I am, or in my children 's days, the saints shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air, and so shall come down with Him again.”
As we begin Chapter 4, the Apostle John tells us that a door was opened in Heaven.
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Hereafter we see...
I. The Vision of the Throne
I. The Vision of the Throne
This is the 2nd great vision of Revelation.
There is first an open door and a word of invitation.
I don’t think this is necessarily a portal, but just a view into another time.
John is shown a time after the church age, a time when the Tribulation is about to begin.
Notice a few things that John sees about this throne.
A. On the Throne
A. On the Throne
God Is on His Throne
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
He is described with Jasper (often used as a picture of righteousness)
the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica says of Jasper, "The jasper of antiquity was in many cases distinctly green, for it is often compared with the emerald and other green objects. Jasper is referred to in the Niebelungenlied (an ancient German epic poem from the 1200’s) as being clear and green."
and Sardine Stone (some Bibles say Carnelian, but they are often used interchangeably. (often used as a picture of holiness —red).
Seeing this one is brownish red, perhaps the jasper is the red variety as well…however others believe it is a clear stone, like a diamond…it would all be conjecture at this point.
However, Old Testament priests according to Exodus 28:17-20 wore twelve stones on their breastplate.
The first was Jasper, the last was Sardine.
B. Around the Throne
B. Around the Throne
Around His Throne Was a Rainbow
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
Symbolic of Perfect Judgment - the rainbow in Noah's day was a reminder of God’s mercy, the emerald rainbow around God’s throne symbolizes perfect judgment…He will be fair…he has had mercy, but He is also on the throne of judgment.
C. From the Throne
C. From the Throne
From His Throne Came Lighting and Thunder
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices...
Indicating power.
Thunder and lightening occured on Mount Sinai when God came down to give Moses the Ten commandments.
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
D. Before the Throne
D. Before the Throne
Before the throne were the Seven Spirits of God
5b ... and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Isaiah 11:2-3 reveals these as the complete attributes of the Holy Spirit
Not only are the Seven Spirits before the throne, but also a...
A Sea of Glass
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Those who had victory over the beast are said to stand upon this sea.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts, we will look at this in a moment as we look at...
II. The Visitors at the Throne
II. The Visitors at the Throne
First we see...
A. The Twenty-Four Elders
A. The Twenty-Four Elders
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
(clothed in white)
This is the same number of Elders David chose to represent the Levitical priesthood.
4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
Some see a connection there...
Some believe these are angelic beings because various verses depict them surrounding the throne.
Others believe they were the 12 Old Testament Patriarchs and the 12 Apostles.
On the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem is written the names of the 12 apostles.
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Some believe it is representative of all believers.
Rev 2-3 the victorious believers were promised to be...
Seated on thrones
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Wearing white garments
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
wearing crowns
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
So it is possible these 24 are representatives of all saints.
B. The Four Beasts
B. The Four Beasts
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Very similar to the description given by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1, and are identified as cherubim in Ezekiel 10— Highest rank of the angelic order.
But notice first of all they are...
1. Distinctive in Form
1. Distinctive in Form
a. Lion
a. Lion
The lion is purported to be the king of animals, so it is a fitting symbol of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew that was written to present Jesus as Israel's king.
We find in Matthew's Gospel many references to Israel's king and his kingdom.
b. Calf
b. Calf
or the ox (Ezekiel)- The ox, used in Bible times for sacrifice and service, is an appropriate symbol for Mark's Gospel that presents Jesus as having come to earth "to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
c. Man
c. Man
The third living creature had a man's face.
This creature symbolizes Luke's presentation of Jesus as the perfect man.
Often the Gospel of Luke calls Jesus "the son of man.”
d. Eagle
d. Eagle
The fourth living creature to catch John's eye was a flying eagle.
The eagle flies high above other birds and typically builds its nest in a lofty crag.
As such, it aptly portrays Jesus in John's Gospel as the Son of God.
Jesus is high above mortals, but He descended from this home in heaven to give Himself as the sacrifice for our sins
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
But also secondly these creatures were...
2. Specialized in Function
2. Specialized in Function
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
They have to functions
Worship
Declares His holiness
The eyes in front and in back point to guard duty being by the throne.
This, of course would be symbolic, since God does not need a guard.
Then the third thing that John sees, is a view of a future day and that is a view of ...
III. The Victory at the Throne
III. The Victory at the Throne
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
This is symbolized by the response of the elders.
The automatic response of a saint of God that realizes their own forgiveness, and the response of all created beings in the presence of such holiness is...
A. Worship
A. Worship
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever.
To worship means to — Ascribe worth — in awe
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
They worship the eternal one! - liveth for ever and ever.
The second response of all created beings, but especially these 24 elders is...
B. Thankfulness
B. Thankfulness
and cast their crowns before the throne...
This speaks of giving thanks through a physical act of giving back to the One who has given us so much!
Worship is more than a few songs and a cup of coffee.
He gives us the privilege of service and reward.
The third response is...
C. Praise
C. Praise
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
12 What shall I render unto the Lord For all his benefits toward me?
Oh we need to praise the Lord - and we will!
We have a tradition in our family, on someones birthday, the birthday person gets to choose what we eat for dinner, and what we watch together.
Ellie chose a new movie that she had seen an advertisement for.
It was called Journey to Bethlehem
We watched it, and we enjoyed it, but I had multiple problems with it, first, they turned it into a kind of rocky musical.
But there were some areas where I think they took too much creative license with the story.
but there was one thing that I noticed that grabbed my mind and imagination.
King Herod, a power hungry and cruel King was singing a song about His power and kingdom and in the chorus of the song he began to sing a very familiar tune from The Lord’s Prayer, but they changed the words to:
Mine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever.
Instantly I felt the shock of sacrilege, and quickly realized this is the cry of every ruler who odes not yield to God’s Kingdom and power and glory.
A lie from the very beginning of sin, from Lucifer crying out, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the most High.”
to the serpents lie in the garden, “ye shall be as gods...”
We know this verse well, so I think we take it for granted, but it is quite shocking to our Christians heart to hear someone claim for themselves this glory that only God is worthy of!
If we looked at it and flipped it and ascribed it to the worst of humanities powerful…Hitler, whoever...
Thou art worthy,...to receive glory and honour and power…we would be more than troubled, and we should!
But so many times we do this with ourselves…oh not by word…but certainly by deed!
Our actions cry out, I am worthy, to receive glory (I deserve that raise and promotion)
I am worthy of the honor (no one notices or thanks me for the countless hours that I work for this church. No one pays any attention to the years I have taught, the years I have given, the years I have supported…)
We cry out, I am worthy of the power (so we seek position, we seek control, we seek power).
But only He is worthy!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
How can we worship,
How can we show thankfulness,
How can we praise our God more effectively?
We can do it by gathering faithfully with the church and praise him in song.
We can do it by giving to God of our time, our talents and our treasure.
We can obey Him by witnessing for Him, so others may join us in our praise, we can edify one another so that we will not cease praising Him, we can walk with Him so that we truly see His worth
THOU ART WORTHY
Thou art worthy,
Thou art worthy,
Thou art worthy, O Lord.
To receive glory,
Glory and honor,
Glory and honor and power.
For Thou hast created,
hast all things created,
Thou hast created all things.
And for Thy pleasure
they are created;
For Thou art worthy, O Lord.