![[20240501-RevelationHeader.jpg]] ![[The Throne Room of Heaven 4.1-11#^022a97|Revelation 4:1-11]] > [!note] > To assist in understanding the vision of John in Revelation chapter 4, it is helpful to read [[Ezekiel 1.1-28|Ezekiel chapter 1]] as there are a number of parallels or similar observations in Ezekiel’s vision. There is a shift in John’s writing from epistles to churches to an apocalyptic revelation. ***How does this change in literary style or type affect our approach to understanding the text?*** We recognize that the contents of the vision are highly subjective. They include symbolism and metaphor and may not be meant to be understood literally. The author is communicating his vision using the best language he can. His language is poetic and descriptive. It is also worth noting that the details he shares are important in his mind. He left things out or did not share those details because they weren’t relevant to the message he was trying to communicate. ***What is the overall scene that John sees?*** The Lord was seated on the throne and the hosts of heaven are worshipping Him there. > [!hyperlinks]- Hyperlink: Living Creatures Worshipping > The Prophet Isaiah had a vision in which he saw the Lord and living creatures praising God. This experience is captured in [[Isaiah 6.1-8]]. ***What similarities or differences do you notice?*** ***How does Isaiah’s vision help us understand John’s?*** ***How was John brought into this vision?*** First, he heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet and then was brought up *in the Spirit*. The “first voice” was the voice of the Spirit who brought him into this vision (verse 1-2). ***What is the first thing that John describes that he sees?*** He sees a throne. ***What does a throne represent?*** A throne represents the authority of the king. ***Is the throne empty or occupied?*** It is occupied by God Himself. ***What are we meant to understand from this observation?*** It is possible that we are meant to recognize that God is seated in a heavenly throne, above the earth, with power and majesty. He is in control over the heavens and the earth. Even though John was being exiled and the church was persecuted for the testimony of Jesus, God still reigned supreme over it all (cf. [[Revelation 1.9|Revelation 1:9]]). ==This initial observation is essential for establishing the authority of the rest of the vision.== The message that John is communicating, and revelation he is sharing, comes from God Himself and not from his own will or imagination. God is characterized by different types of precious stones. One like a diamond, one a red stone. ***What could these descriptions imply about God?*** A diamond is known for its clarity and purity. This stone could be representing the purity of God (cf. [[Leviticus 19.2|Leviticus 19:2]]). A red stone could reflect the blood of Jesus or the Passion of the Lord for His people (cf. [[Exodus 34.14|Exodus 34:14]]). > [!hyperlinks]- Hyperlink: Gems > There are some other places in the Bible where precious stones are referred to. They are used in the High Priest’s breastplate of judgment ([[Exodus 28.15-21]]). They also are used to adorn the foundation of the walls of the New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven (cf. [[Revelation 21.19-20]]). Another thing that John noticed was a rainbow imbued with an emerald glow around the throne. **What could that emerald rainbow represent?** When God made a covenant with Noah and all flesh that He wouldn’t flood the world again in judgment, He put a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise ([[Genesis 9.13-16|Genesis 9:13-16]]). The color green could represent new life or the eternal life of God. Ezekiel described the **glory of God** revealed in the likeness of a rainbow in the sky on a cloudy day ([[Ezekiel 1.28|Ezekiel 1:28]]). Again, the purpose of this initial description is to *declare the preeminence of the glory and splendor and authority of God. John then turns his attention to the 24 thrones and the 24 elders on those thrones. ***Who or what do these thrones and elders represent?*** It is possible that these 24 elders are representative of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb. It could be symbolic of the marriage or unity of the Old and New Testament, with the tribes and the church, of natural Israel and spiritual Israel. Elders were representatives for the people in Israel. ***What are the elders doing?*** They were worshipping before the Lord. They had a crown and white robes, symbolizing authority and righteousness (cf. [[Psalm 132.9|Psalm 132:9]]). But they were laying down their authority before the throne of God. ^d1ab19 John continues and says that from God’s throne “proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.” ***What do these events signify?*** Consider the appearance of God at Mount Sinai where He gave the Law to Moses and the people. He appeared in a dark cloud and there were thunderings and lightnings and fire and the sound of a trumpet. And then God spoke ([[Exodus 19.16-19|Exodus 19:16-19]]). In addition to this, he says that the seven lamps of fire and the seven Spirits of God are before the throne. As we’ve seen, these are the seven churches. ***Up to this point, what would our takeaways be?*** God reigns on the throne. The same God who made the covenants with Noah and with Israel is the same God that John saw in heaven. Israel and the Church bowing before the Lord, bringing glory and honor to Him along with the angels and living creatures in heaven. These things should create within us a sense of awe in the greatness of God and prompt us to worship Him. > [!bible] **Revelation 4:6-11 NKJV** > > **6** Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. **7** The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. **8** The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” **9** Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, **10** the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: **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.” ***What might the sea of glass represent?*** It may represent a couple of things. The “bronze sea” was used in Solomon’s Temple for the priests to wash in ([[2 Chronicles 4.2-6|2 Chronicles 4:2-6]]). Additionally in Scripture, the “sea” was used to symbolically represent nations (especially those in turmoil or unrest as in [[1 Chronicles 16.32|1 Chronicles 16:32]]). The sea of glass could reflect the idea that there are those from every tongue and tribe and nation who have been cleansed and are able to stand before the Lord ([[Revelation 5.9|Revelation 5:9]], [[Revelation 7.9|Revelation 7:9]]). It also could show the fact that God is above the firmament, reminding us that Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool (see [[Ezekiel 1.22-25|Ezekiel 1:22-25]], [[Isaiah 66.1|Isaiah 66:1]]). ***What about the living creatures that are around the throne?*** There are a number of theories. First, these recall us to the living creatures found in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6. These are specifically described as having faces like a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle. In Judaism the rabbis thought these animals represented the orders of animals and thus here it could be representative of Creation. This would indicate that Some of the early church fathers, like Irenaeus, looked at these as representatives of the “four evangelists” or the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Among our group it was also considered that these could represent phases of Jesus life: He came as a Man, He was a sacrifice like the calf, He has authority like the lion, and divinity represented by the eagle. ***What are the living creatures doing and how is that instructive to us?*** They are worshipping day and night. First they say, “holy, holy, holy” following the pattern seen in [[Isaiah 6.3|Isaiah 6:3]]. The repetition is likely for emphasis: God is *most* holy. Secondly, they declare that He is Lord God Almighty.” This signifies that God is all-powerful above all others. The last quality that they ascribe to God is that He is “who was and is and is to come” ([[Revelation 1.4|Revelation 1:4]], [[Revelation 1.8|Revelation 1:8]]). This speaks to the eternality of God. He has no beginning and no end. He is and always has been and always will be God (as He revealed to Moses when He said that His name was I AM in [[Exodus 3.6|Exodus 3:6]]). > [!bible] **Revelation 4:11 NKJV** > > “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 elders join the living creatures in worshipping God. ***What does their declaration tell us about the worship of God?*** God is worthy of worship because He is God. He created everything. Everything exists by His will. This is why He is worthy. Aside from all of the redemptive things He has done for us and creation, He is worthy. These things add to His glory and splendor in our lives, but He is worthy no matter what because He is the God who created all things because He chose to. We are the beneficiaries of His will and His action. ***In conclusion, what does Revelation chapter 4 offer to us?*** Revelation 4 is the transition from Jesus speaking to the churches to speaking of things to come. Here, in chapter 4, we are meant to see that God is over all things and what is to come is going to occur by His will and authority. He is worthy of worship no matter what is to come. And those who worship Him anticipate a future before Him in eternity. --- [[Studies]] | [[Revelation]] | [[Revelation Chapter 3]] | [[Revelation Chapter 5]]