Apr. 17, 2024

“REVELATION”

4:1-11

It was no coincidence that the first thing to happen after John has described the seven churches is he is being taken up to heaven. (4:1-2)

1 John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Everyone knows God is in heaven, and Jesus ascended to heaven where He sits today at the right hand of God.

Philippians 1:23, Colossians 2:5

“rapture”-greek word, “harpazo”-means caught up, raptured, or snatched up. 

There are at least four reasons for locating it here:

1. The Location for the Event is Right for the Rapture
2. The absence of the mention of the Church in the rest of Revelation indicates that it is not on the earth during the Tribulation. 
3. The extensive use of Old Testament language and symbols in chapters 4-18 is an indication of Israel, not the Church. 
4. There is much similarity between the events in Revelation 4:1-2 and other scriptural teaching on the Rapture, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.

Chart of Tribulation vs. Second Coming Passages

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8

The Throne of God- Revelation 4:1-11

The Bible teaches us that there are three heavens. The first, the atmospheric heaven, where “the prince of the power of the air” holds forth, and will one day be destroyed. The second heaven is the stellar heaven, known to us as the universe. The third heaven, into which John was caught up in verse 1, is the heaven of God.

This may well be the Judgment Seat of Christ before which all Christians will stand (Romans 14:2, 2 Cor. 5:10) immediately after the Rapture to receive their rewards (1 Cor. 3:10-15) or have them burned up, depending on how faithfully they served our Lord.

Seven Things Around the Throne:

1. The Triune God- vs.2-3

All three members of the trinity are mentioned here.

vs.2 the Holy Spirit- God “One sat on the throne”

vs.3- God the Son- He is seated at the right hand of God- “the one who sat there was like jasper, and a sardius stone in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” 

2.   The Twenty-Four Elders- vs.4

Surrounding the throne was twenty-four elders, sitting, clothed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

“elders”-are always chosen representatives and leaders of the people, both in Israel and in the church.

“white raiment” promised to overcoming believers- Rev. 3:5

“crowns” also promised to overcomes in Rev 2:10,3:11

3.   The Signs of Judgment- vs.5

4.   The Seven Spirits of God- vs.5

Before the throne seven lamps of fire, were burning, which are the “seven Spirits of God.” We saw this in Rev. 1:4 where John was apparently referring to the sevenfold characteristics of the Holy Spirit. 

Isaiah 11:2 “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

1. The Spirit of the Lord.
2. The Spirit of wisdom
3. The Spirit of understanding
4. The Spirit of counsel
5. The Sprit of might or power
6. The Spirit of knowledge
7. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord

This is seven characteristics of the one Holy Spirit not seven different Spirits.

5.    The Sea of Glass- vs.6

“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal…”

6.   The Four Living Creatures- vs.6

These four living creatures are seraphim, described by Isaiah in his vision of the throne of God (Isaiah 6:1-3). They have six wings and cry “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” vs.8 

vs. 7- “a lion”- leader of the kingdom of wild animals (majesty and power)

vs.7- “a calf”- leader of domestic animals (faithfulness)

vs.7- “a man”- leader of angelic host responsible for the human race (intelligence)

vs.7- “a flying eagle”- leader of the kingdom of the fowls of the air (sovereignty)

7.   The Heavenly Worship of Christ- vs.9-11

The Lord Jesus is the object of worship in heaven. He is the one who sits on the throne, the object of their affection.

vs.11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

The song these celestial beings sing is a song of glory and honor to God because He is the Creator of all things. 

John 1:3 “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”