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Saturday, June 24, 2023

Revelation 4:1-11 “Come Up Here And I Will Show You What Must Happen In The Future!”

 

 

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). 

VISION TWO, Revelation 4:1–16:21

1.         John Was Given The Vision (Revelation 1–2).

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.

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