Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in
heaven, and the same voice I had heard before, which sounded like a mighty
trumpet blast, spoke to me and said, “Come up here and I will show you what
must happen in the future!”
2And
instantly I was in spirit there in heaven and saw—oh, the glory of it!—a throne
and someone sitting on it! 3Great bursts of light flashed forth from
him as from a glittering diamond or from a shining ruby, and a rainbow glowing
like an emerald encircled his throne. 4Twenty-four smaller thrones
surrounded his, with twenty-four Elders sitting on them; all were clothed in
white, with golden crowns upon their heads. 5Lightning and thunder issued
from the throne, and there were voices in the thunder. Directly in front of his
throne were seven lighted lamps representing the sevenfold Spirit of God.a
6Spread out before it was a shiny crystal sea. Four Living Beings,
dotted front and back with eyes, stood at the throne’s four sides. 7The
first of these Living Beings was in the form of a lion; the second looked like
an ox; the third had the face of a man; and the fourth, the form of an eagle,
with wings spread out as though in flight. 8Each of these Living
Beings had six wings, and the central sections of their wings were covered with
eyes. Day after day and night after night they kept on saying, “Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty—the one who was, and is, and is to come.”
9And when the Living Beings gave glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four Elders fell down before him and worshiped him, the Eternal Living One, and cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 11“O Lord, you are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for you have created all things. They were created and called into being by your act of will”[1] Revelation 4:1-11 (LBP).
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VISION TWO, Revelation 4:1–16:21 |
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1. John Was Given The Vision (Revelation 1–2). |
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VISION TWO, Revelation 4:1–16:21 Chapter
4 III. The
Picture of Things Hereafter, Revelation 4:1–5:14 A. The Throne of God: The Focal Point of
History, Revelation 4:1–11 |
|
|
1. John
Was Given The Vision a. He saw an open door in heaven b. He heard a commanding voice c. He was called to “Come up here”: To see
things that must take place |
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 show thee things which must be hereafter. |
|
d. He was in the Spirit e. He saw the astounding sight of God sitting
upon His throne |
2 And immediately I was in the
spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. |
|
2. The
One on the throne a. His position:
Was sitting as the sovereign Majesty of the universe b. His description:
Indescribable |
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. |
|
3. The
24 elders a. Were seated upon
thrones that surround God’s throne b. Were clothed in
white c. Wore crowns of
gold |
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. |
|
4. The
majesty of God a. There was
lightning & rumblings of thunder b. There were seven
blazing lamps: The seven spirits of God |
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. |
|
c. There was a sea
of glass, like crystal 5. The
four living creatures surrounding the throne a. Their position:
They are the beings closest to God, guardians of His throne &
holy presence b. Their
description |
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. |
|
c. Their function:
To glorify & honor God |
9 And
when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the
throne, who liveth for ever and ever, |
|
6. The
function of the elders who surround the throne a. To show total
submission & subordination b. To worship the
Lord c. To show the
supreme worthiness of the Lord |
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, |
|
d. To praise the
Lord |
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. |
DIVISION III
THE
PICTURE OF THINGS HEREAFTER, Revelation 4:1–5:14
A. The Throne of God: The Focal Point of
History, Revelation 4:1–11
(Revelation 4:1–11)
Introduction—Vision—Revelation,
Outlined—End of the World: this begins a new vision, the second great vision
given to John the Apostle. The Lord’s personal message to the individual
churches is now over. He has told them who He is, pointed out their failures,
and warned and counseled them to correct their failures. He has also given them
the great promises of heaven if they will only overcome.
Now it is time for the churches
to see the future events that are coming upon the earth. It is time for the
churches to know that Jesus Christ is
coming back to earth. He is going to end the world and establish the kingdom of
God forever and ever in a new heavens and earth. Remember the brief outline
of the Revelation given by John:
“Write the things which thou hast seen,
and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter” (Re. 1:19).
⇒ “The
things which thou hast seen” (the vision of the glorified Christ).
⇒ “The
things which are” (the churches upon earth, their state and condition and the
Lord’s personal message to them).
⇒ “The
things which shall be hereafter” (the future events that are to happen at the
end of the world and throughout eternity).
The
present passage, this vision of John, begins the future events. “The things
which shall be hereafter” are now revealed. And note how much God
reveals to us, nineteen great chapters—an enormous amount of detail about
coming events (chapters 4–22).
In this vision two great things
are seen: first, the throne of God is seen. Second, God Himself
is seen holding a book which contains the destiny of the world in the end
times. However the book is sealed, and no one is found worthy to open and
reveal the contents of the book. This discourages John, for the possibility of
seeing the destiny of the world had excited him. But just as John despairs, One
steps forward who is worthy to open the book. That Person is the Lamb of God,
the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth, Jesus Christ Himself.
Now to the present passage: the
throne of God. John is transported into heaven and the very first thing that he
sees is the throne of God. He sees God Himself seated upon His great throne.
1. John Was Given The
Vision (Revelation 4:1–2).
2. The One on the throne (vv.2–3).
3. The twenty-four elders (v.4).
4. The majesty of God (vv.5–6).
5. The four living creatures surrounding the
throne (vv.6–9).
6. The function of the elders who surround the
throne (vv.10–11).
1 (Revelation 4:1–2) Heaven—Door, Spiritual—Vision: John is given the vision. Five quick
things happened to John.
1. He
saw a door opened in heaven. What he was about to see was coming from heaven,
from God Himself. The future events were not of his own imagination. They were
to be of God, of the very Word of God itself.
Thought 1. This
means we can trust the events written down in Revelation. They will happen as
recorded. It is the Word of God.
Thought 2. There
are three doors mentioned in
Revelation.
1) There is the open door for evangelism and missions, the door which God opens
to the churches for bearing witness to the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is the opportunity that God opens for them to carry the gospel to
their neighbors, communities, cities, states, and countries and world—even to
the uttermost part of the earth.
“I know thy works: behold, I have set
before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Re. 3:8).
“But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth” (Ac. 1:8).
2) There is the door of the human heart. When believers carry the message of
the gospel to their neighbors, it is then up to the individual person to open
the door of his heart and receive the gospel. The decision is the neighbor’s.
Every person has a door that has to be opened before Christ will enter—the door
of his heart.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me” (Re. 3:20).
3) There is the door of revelation. Once a person has opened the door of his
heart to Christ, Christ reveals the glorious things of Himself, of God, of
heaven, and of this world. In addition, Christ reveals some of the events that
are to take place as history unfolds itself—some of the events that surround
the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end time.
“I looked, and, behold, a door was
opened in heaven” (Re. 4:1).
“Now we have received, not the spirit
of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things
that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1
Co. 2:12–14).
2. John
heard a commanding voice, the very same voice he had heard in the first vision
(Re. 1:10).
3. John
was called to come up here into
heaven. Note why! The reason is clearly stated: to see future events,
things that must take place. The word
must is a most important word. The
events of world history are not by chance. They do not simply happen. They are
of God, of His will—things that must happen. God works them out. They are
according to His divine will. God is sovereign. He rules over the world.
History is in His hands and under His ultimate control.
4. John
was immediately in the spirit: he was
having a deep, intense spiritual experience with God; he was in an ecstatic
state with his mind and spirit taken up and above this earth into heaven.
5. John
saw the most astounding sight imaginable: God and the throne of God. John
emphatically declares that He saw God sitting on the throne of God.
Thought 1. The picture being dramatized is this: the throne in heaven, God’s throne, is the throne above all thrones. It is the supreme seat of honor and majesty, of sovereignty and power. God is the supreme Majesty of the universe, the One who controls and holds all the events of history in His hands. He is the Supreme Authority over all the world and the coming events of the end time. No person can cause the events to take place but Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is returning to earth and the events of the end time are going to happen. But they are going to happen because of Him and because of Him alone. And note: the throne is “set in heaven.” That is, the events are set forever. God rules and reigns forever. There will never be an end to His rule. (This is great security to the believer. God has promised to deliver and keep the believer from the hour of trial, the great tribulation [Re. 3:10]).[2]
Revelation 4
This chapter begins the
third, the largest, and the final division of the book of Revelation based upon
threefold division of Revelation given in Revelation
1:19 which told John what to write. The three parts of Revelation,
according to Revelation 1:19, are as
follows:
×
Part
One: “The things which
thou hast seen.” This takes in Revelation 1.
×
Part
Two: “The things which
are.” This is the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3.
×
Part
Three: “The things which
shall be hereafter.” This starts with this fourth chapter of Revelation and
goes through the rest of the book of Revelation. It is the main theme of
Revelation and is prophetic in nature. Revelation 4 and 5 are both introductory
to this last section. Revelation 4 can be divided into three major parts as
follows:
A. The Precept (Revelation
4:1, 2)
B. The Place (Revelation
4:2–8)
C. The Praise (Revelation
4:8–11)
A. THE
PRECEPT
Revelation 4:1, 2
This chapter begins with a precept
that summons John to move in spirit from earth to heaven to obtain the
prophetic message.
1.
The Sequence in the Precept (Revelation 4:1)
“After
this” (Revelation 4:1). This
shows the sequence of the revelation to John (cp. Revelation 7:1, 9; 18:1;
19:1). After the letters to the churches, prophetic events are revealed to
John.
2.
The Situation for the Precept (Revelation 4:1)
“I
looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven” (Revelation 4:1). The situation John saw prepared
him for the precept to come to heaven to learn of the prophetic truths. Divine
providence is used to prepare us for the revealing of the will of God for our
lives.
3.
The Speaking of the Precept (Revelation 4:1)
“The
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which
said” (Revelation 4:1). The
speaking to John came in the form of a trumpet. The manner of the speaking to
John was one that would arrest his attention and inform him that what was said
was very important.
4.
The Specifics of the Precept (Revelation 4:1)
“Come
up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 4:1). John was ordered to come to
heaven to hear the prophetic message. The prophetic message is going to be from
heaven’s point of view, not from the earthly prognosticators. Therefore the
message will be much different than the message the world would give us. The
world tells us things are getting better, but heaven says they are getting
worse. The world says we are headed for peace; heaven says we are headed for
war; the world says we are going to experience prosperity; heaven says we are
going to experience punishment (judgment). So it is important that John get his
message in heaven if he is to have the true message. Preachers can learn from
this; they need to get their message from God’s Word, which is the message of
heaven, if they would have a true and faithful message for man.
5.
The Subjection to the Precept (Revelation 4:2)
“Immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven” (Revelation 4:2). John was immediately translated to heaven in his spirit, not his physical body. This is not the same as the expression in Revelation 1:10 which speaks of the attitude of mind and heart not of the attributes of a person. This speedy translation indicates that John was completely submissive here and offered no arguments or resistance.[3]
REVELATION 4
THE
GLORIOUS THRONE / REVELATION 4:1–11
The book now shifts from the seven churches in Asia to
the future of the worldwide church. John saw the course of coming events
similar to the way Daniel and Ezekiel had seen them. Many of these passages
contain clear spiritual teachings, but others seem beyond our ability to
understand. The clear teaching of this book is that God will defeat all evil in
the end. Meanwhile, we must live in obedience to Jesus Christ, the coming
Conqueror and Judge.
Revelation 4–5 provide glimpses into Christ’s glory. Chapter 4 is John’s vision into the throne
room of heaven, and chapter 5 is
John’s vision of the Lamb and the scroll. The events described in chapters 6 and 7 occur as the seals on the scroll are broken.
Therefore, chapters 4–8 contain one
continuous vision.
God is on the throne, orchestrating all the events that John recorded. The world is under his control, and he will carry out his plans as Christ initiates the final battle with the forces of evil.
After this I
looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had
heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you
what must take place after this.” Revelation
4:1
NRSV
After
writing the letters to the seven churches, John looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. Ezekiel said, “The heavens were opened to me, and I saw
visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1 nlt). It is God who opens the
door, so this is God revealing these visions to John and to us. This first voice that sounded like a trumpet was the voice of Christ (Revelation
1:10–11). The voice spoke again and told John to “come up here.” From there, Christ would
show John what must take place after
this—that is, after the time of the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3.
These would be visions of the end of the world and the beginning of Christ’s
kingdom.
Some who subscribe to the pre-Tribulation theory see a veiled reference to the rapture of the church in the words of Christ to “come up.” But the text indicates that John alone was commanded to be transported in the Spirit to heaven. The Rapture is not mentioned specifically in the book of Revelation. For more on the Rapture, see 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17.
And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it! The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Revelation 4:2–3 NLT
Four times in the book of
Revelation, John wrote that he was in the Spirit (Revelation
1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). This
expression means that the Holy Spirit was giving him a vision—showing him
situations and events that he could not have seen with mere human eyesight. All
true prophecy comes from God through the Holy Spirit (Revelation 1:10; 2
Peter 1:20–21).
John saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting
on it (compare with 1 Kings 22:19;
Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 1:1). The throne of God is mentioned
forty times in the book of Revelation. In Jewish mysticism God was pictured as
ruling all of creation from a celestial throne. The throne symbolizes God’s
absolute authority. For the first-century readers, the most powerful throne in
the world would have been Caesar’s throne. Caesar sat on the most glorious
throne in the world and had control of one-half of the gross national product
of the Roman Empire. His glory and wealth, however, were nothing compared to
God’s. God’s throne was as brilliant as
gemstones. Jasper and carnelian were semiprecious stones. Caesar’s pomp and
splendor were nothing compared to the glow
of an emerald that circled God’s
throne like a rainbow. The stones
symbolize great wealth—God owns all the riches of the entire world. These
gemstones were the most pure elements known at that time—and God transcends
even these. John did not describe this person on the throne, other than to
mention the brilliant light around him. God alone is sovereign; Caesar is not a
god. Only God is God.
|
PRAISE THE LORD! |
|
John
describes the majestic throne room of God and all those who were praising him
there. Praise is saying thank you to God for each aspect of his divine
nature. Our inward attitude becomes outward expression. When we praise God,
we help ourselves by expanding our awareness of who he is. As you read
Revelation, look for names and attributes or characteristics of God for which
you can praise him. [4] |
THINGS WHICH MUST BE HEREAFTER.
However, nearly expositors may approximate in their interpretation of the Book of Revelation up to the close of the third chapter, yet, when the “things which must be hereafter” begin to be unfolded, they part company, and diverge into so many different paths and by-paths, that it will not be possible for us to trace out all of them. Nor is it desirable. OUR PURPOSE IS A PURELY HOMILETIC ONE, viz. to unfold the principles of the Divine method and government, so as to help those who minister to the instruction and building up of the people of God.[5]
I. There is in the book a clear general plan. Its key-note is, “Behold, I come quickly.” Its disclosures end with the in-bringing of the new heavens and the new earth. Its historic starting-point is the exile of the beloved apostle. Its conception is that all forces in nature, incidents in history, and movements of providence, are preparing the way of the Lord. The standpoint of the apostle is not earth, nor is it heaven. He is caught up in the Spirit. Looking down, he sees earth in trouble and storm; looking up, he sees heaven in glory and rest. And if we look behind the symbolic drapery of the book, we shall find in each paragraph or section some principle indicated which will give us a clue to the higher spiritual meaning of the whole. Historic incident is among, things “seen and temporal;” principles are among things “unseen and eternal.” If we can seize hold of these, and thereby get some clearer view of the methods of God’s working, we shall look with a far more intelligent gaze on “the ways of God towards man.”
II. The unfolding's of the book as to the conflicts of earth are a great stay to our faith. Suppose we were without the Apocalypse: when we look over all the desolations of earth, and think of the slow progress Christianity makes, should we not be often ready to despair? But when the conflict in all its fierceness and wildness is set forth here, we can refer to our chart, and say, “We were told of it beforehand.” We understand the Master’s words, “Now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” Without this book “the events of Christian history would be to us shortsighted creatures a very serious and painful obstacle to faith; but by the help of this book these very events confirm our faith.”44
III. The issue of the whole in the glory of the new Jerusalem is a stimulus to our hope. However dark the passage, the end of it is light and glory. The King shall yet reveal himself as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is emphatically “the blessed hope.” It revives our courage by the way.
IV. Certainty as to issue, but uncertainty as to time, is the only condition of our life which is consistent with the due performance of everyday duty. To know the moment when the stop should be put on all things would paralyze human exertion. Not to know that “all is working for good” would be the death-blow to our joy in the Lord. The blended certainty and uncertainty are the very best conditions for us, the most calculated to lead us to watch and pray that we may “be ready,” and may not be ashamed before Christ at his coming.[6]
Revelation 4:1-11 “Come Up Here And I Will Show You What Must Happen In The Future!”
a 4:5 the
sevenfold Spirit of God, literally, “the seven spirits of God.” But see
Zechariah 4:2-6 where the lamps are equated with the one Spirit; also in 5:6.
[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible,
Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[3] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible
Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
NRSV Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the
New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of
Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
United States of America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
nlt Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
NLT Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
[4] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation.
Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL:
Tyndale House Publishers.
[5] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1909. Revelation.
The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
44 Cf. ‘Exposition of the Book of Revelation,’ by Rev. W.
Robinson, of Cambridge, pp. 11–13; Bishop Boyd Carpenter’s ‘Commentary on the
Revelation,’ introduction to ch. vi.; Dr. Milligan’s ‘Baird Lecture,’ 2nd
edit., pp. 146–160.
[6] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1909. Revelation.
The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
