A Vision of Christ in Heaven

RECAP OF SERIES

Revelation 1:1-8 - Revelation is a book that is all about the Resurrected Jesus Christ. He is writing to bring hope and comfort to the elect Children of God.

Revelation 1:9-20 - The end of Revelation 1 gives us our first look at the resurrected Christ in Heaven. Even in the middle of our suffering and hardship the Church can look to the risen Christ to receive encouragement to persevere.

Revelation 2:1-29 - The first 4 Churches that Jesus addresses. The term Christian in our modern day context is anyone who has any appearance of ties to Christ no matter how pathetic it might be. What drives your passion and how committed are you really to Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:1-22 - The final 3 Churches brought us full circle with the Church from the Church at Sardis that had the appearance of life but was actually dead and on its way to the grave; to the Church at Philadelphia who appeared to be the weakest in number and resources but the strongest in faith; to the Church at Laodicea which makes Christ sick to his stomach because they choose to neither be hot or cold but settle for the mediocrity of the middle.

Now we will look at Revelation 4:1 - 5:14.

You have a picture of the glorified Christ who holds the scroll in His right hand with the seven seals that are about to be unleashed on the earth.

Note: you could call this the interval or between Act 1 and Act 2 of the writing.

Imagine seeing Jesus in all of His glory and majesty and being in His presence for all eternity. What thoughts and feelings come to your mind?

Christians and Non-Christians alike seem to have been fascinated these days with the afterlife.

Hollywood has spent billions of dollars on movies and t.v. series attempting to depict what life must be like after death. The programs attempt to explore the supernatural, often focusing on angels or demons and their alleged interaction with humans. Many people even claim to have had near-death experiences.

In contrast to such fanciful, bizarre, and often fabrications made by those who supposedly claim to have visited heaven and even seen and talked with Jesus in His resurrected state. There are only two people which the Bible records are taken into that celestial place by the Spirit of God. In 2 Cor. 12 the apostle Paul wrote of being transported to the third heaven. But, he was forbidden to speak of what he had seen there.

John not only had the privilege of visiting heaven, but he was permitted to give a detailed description of his encounter.

Revelation 4 ESV

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! 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.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

1. Heaven stands Ready in Worship

Now John links the vision in Revelation 4-5 to the action of the first scene by using the phrase ‘After this I looked’. The apocalypse of the heavenly throne room is now assembled the court is introduced ‘I looked and behold. The prophet seer sees the truths of God unveiled in front of his eyes.

We have the verb hearing frequently in the apocalypse to describe John’s vision; and on three occasions ‘hearing’ and ‘seeing’ are associated together.

*We Worship Him as King over all things.

Corrie ten Boom, who hid Jews from the Nazis and went to prison for her efforts, says it well: “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.” She is right. This is the first thing John draws our attention to.

His plan demands our Worship (Rev. 4:1)

John heard Jesus speaking like a loud trumpet from Revelation 1:10.

“come up here and I will show you what must take place after this.”

The Chronology which John was asked to write in:

What you have seen.

What is Happening

And what will take place after this.

John is about to see what is to take place after this. We must always remember that Jesus has a key perspective from His royal throne. A vantage point unlike any other. Jesus has the whole world in His hands.

God is in control and He has a perfect plan and is ready to exact that plan on His creation. God has no problems only plans.

Note: What is the difference between John’s vision and that of other prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel. More than anything else, the book of Revelation lifts the veil that keeps us from seeing what is really going on in creation.

Today’s passage is a great example of this reality. John hears a voice “like a trumpet,” calling Him up to heaven in order to hear and see what is taking place. As with other prophets such as Isaiah, John’s commissioning to the prophetic task occurs in heaven itself. Our Lord calls John up to heaven, where he sees “a door standing open.” The Lord does not keep His truth hidden from His people but gives us an open door to them through John and the other prophet whom God revealed Himself.

Who He is Demands our Worship.

vs. 2-3

The Scene in Heaven

Can you imagine what the scene in Heaven must looked, felt, and tasted like at this very moment? Notice the urgency with which the spirit moves John to the throne room. God is sitting on the throne a sign of authority and judgement. Sovereign kings do not sit on chairs but on thrones. Judges sit on thrones. Those in proper authority and sovereignty sit on thrones.

John’s interest in thrones is evident he mentions the word throne fourty-seven times out of a total of sixty-two times in the New Testament.

He had the appearance of Jasper and Carnelian (Sardius)

Clear crystal stones like diamonds with which light could shine. We have a picture of the luminosity of the brilliance of God’s glory.

A Rainbow which resembles an emerald.

Around the throne John see’s a rainbow which resembles an emerald. Likely the rainbow is present to assure John. Just as the rainbow we see on earth reminds us that the Lord will not destroy the world by flood (Gen. 8-17). The covenant God gave to Noah of His faithfulness. Put them all together and you have a vision of God’s majesty, splendor, glory, and faithfulness.

He is beyond description in appearance and completely reliable in His promises. There is no God like our God.

The Privilege of Ruler-ship Demands our Worship

24 small thrones surround the throne

Surrounding the throne of God there are twenty-four smaller thrones, on which twenty-four elders are seated.

There is some debate as to what the twenty-four thrones represent and who i sitting on these thrones.

Are these human or heavenly beings on the thrones?

Angels are not called elders in scripture, nor do they wear crowns of sit on thrones in the Bible. White clothing in Revelation is always worn by the saints.

I would suggest after careful study that it is unlikely that the 24 elders are angels, it is far more likely that they represent the church, the redeemed and chosen of God who are promised to rule and reign with Him. The fact that they sit on thrones identifies them as ruling and reigning with Christ. Nowhere in Scripture do angels ever rule or sit on thrones.

The Church is repeatedly said to rule and reign with Christ.

The golden crowns worn by the elders also indicate these are men, not angels. Crowns are never promised to angels, nor are angels every depicted wearing them. The word crown here refer’s to the victors crown, worn by those who have successfully competed and won the victory, as Christ promised.

Note: The number 24 is most relevant to the twelve tribes in the OT and continued with the twelve apostles in the NT period in Biblical history. The faithful dead are portrayed as priests offering their worship to God.

Revelation 1:6 ESV

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Note: the arrangement here is also significant that they would often sing or dance in circles; amphitheaters surrounded stages; and the Jewish Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle with the “High Priest” in the Middle.

His Awesome Power Demands our Worship

Flashes of lightening and Peals of Thunder are seen coming from the Throne of God.

This scene must remind us of God’s descent at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:16-20. Lightening and Thunder appear four times in Revelation. Notice that in Revelation the scenes of lightening and thunder are always connected with the temple scene and marked an event of unusual importance.

As Heaven stands ready in worship, the “thunder of judgement’ is about to be unleashed on the earth, but God is currently in a state of mercy as he seals them up (10:4).

2 Peter 3 The Day of the Lord Will Come

Peter declares that in the last days there will be scoffers who will come following their own sinful desires. They will say, where is the promise of his coming? For since the time that the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.

Peter reminds the scoffers that they deliberately overlooked one significant fact that the heavens existed long bore the earth was every created. However, the same heavens and earth that now exist he says are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the ungodly.

2 Peter 3:7 ESV

7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Peter reminds his readers that God is not slow in fulfilling his promises as some consider slow. He is patient toward you.... i.e. showing mercy, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

“But the Day of the Lord will come.....”

John also sees “seven burning torches…burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.” We see again the perfect light-bearing Spirit. The Spirit who convicts us of sin and changes our heart in regeneration is now the same Holy Spirit who is forever ablaze before the throne of God.

The same Holy Spirit described on the day of Pentecost which appeared as flaming tongues before His people.

*We Worship Him in the Holiness of His Nature.

Holiness defines the very character of God that it can be said to encompass all of the other divine perfections all rolled up together as well.... Holiness in the absolute sense belongs only to God, since only God is untouched by evil.

The four living creatures give never ending praise in proclaiming the holiness of God: “Holy, holy, holy.” With the rare threefold expression of His holiness calls our ultimate attention to the infinite holiness of God.

Full of Eyes: Although not omniscient an attribute reserved only for God alone - these four living creatures, angels, have a comprehensive knowledge and perception.

First … like a lion: John compares these four beings to God’s earthly creatures. Ezekiel indicates that every cherub has these four attributes. The Likeness of a Lion Symbolizes strength and power.

Second … like a calf: The calf symbolized that these creatures render humble service to God.

Third … Face like a Man: Their likeness to man shows they are rational beings.

Fourth … like a flying Eagle: They fulfill their service to God with the swiftness of the wings of an Eagle.

*We Worship Him Face-down

vs. 9-11

Have you ever been compelled to worship by the worship of others? When you see and hear true worship what does it do to your heart?

Apparently upon hearing the creatures give glory and honor and thanks giving to God they have a three fold response.

Fall down at His feet

Worship Him who lives forever

Cast our crowns before the Throne.

Anything that we should gain from the Father is nothing compared to the glory that is awaiting us on the other side of the veil.

However, this is many times the opposite of the current Christian worldview today. The number one enemy of becoming a fully formed, informed, and transformed follower of Christ is what A.W. Tozer calls the empty self.

Tozer explains what He calls the Placebo effect of Christianity

When a doctor administer a placebo to someone instead of the real medicine what are they doing? They are attempting to trick the human mind into administering healing without the real thing.

Many Christians get a healthy dose of placebo Christianity everyday.

We must tell Him that we Believe He is Worthy of all our Worship (4:10-11)

Does God need our praise in order to be worthy?

No absolutely not, we know that Jesus uses the illustration that if we do not praise Him the very rocks will cry out. Luke 19:40

Luke 19:40 ESV

40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Notice the singular use of the word worthy One is worthy to receive all 1) Glory (gk. doxia), Honor (gk. Timen), and Power (gk. Dunamin)

Why? Because He has created all things in heaven and on earth. Only God is eternal; the universe is not. Only God is eternal; matter is not.

Had God not willed it nothing you see and experience today would be possible. God wills it and creation continues. Every breath of air you breath in and exhale out is from God. Paul declares that “In Him you Live, move, breath, and find your Being.

If He does not continue to will it then it does not exist. “If you woke up this morning and you are still here, then God still has a plan for your life. “That alone is worthy of all our Honor and Praise.”

Revelation 5 ESV

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

2. Heaven stands ready with the Lion, the Lamb, and the World

The German liberal Rudolf Bultmann said,

“We cannot claim to know the end and goal of history. Therefore, the question of meaning in history has become meaningless” (Presence of Eternity, 120).

I had a humanities teacher in High School that I asked the question “what do you believe the future holds for mankind?” She responded, “I’m not very optimistic, she said, when I look at history, I discover man has not treated man very well. When I look at the contemporary world, I discover not much has changed.

I’m not hopeful about the future. She concluded as we were studying evolution that the future holds for mankind certain destruction and potential annihilation. I have no reason to be encouraged about the future.”

If I had the same worldview as my atheist teacher, I would agree with her prediction 100 percent. If humanity can only trust and hope in themselves, and if man must save himself as both Humanist Manifestos I and II affirm, then I too believe the future holds for humanity certain destruction and annihilation.

This is where Revelation 5 enters the seen of apocalyptic literature. Revelation 5 teaches us that the Lamb of God is a missionary Lamb who is in control and who is supremely worthy.

*Jesus is Lord of all History because He has the perfect plan.

Chapter 5 now focuses on God the Son and His redemption plan. God has the authority and the right to do with the world as he pleases. He Created the World, He Redeemed the World, and Now He is bringing the world to its final Conclusion.

God has a Plan

5:1

John now see’s God who is seated on the throne. This is the ultimate place of sovereignty, ownership, and authority. In His right hand, the hand of authority. John see’s a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. The scroll is filled to the edges with information. Legal documents were often roughly sealed with wax seals to prevent anyone from tampering with what was written on the document.

The question you may be asking is what is the scroll? And what is written on the scroll? Here are several of the thoughts.

A title deed to the earth.

a last will and testament

Ezekiel’s book of Lamentation, mourning, and woe.

the sealed book of the end time in Daniel 12:4.

There could be a much simpler answer: it is the remainder of the book of Revelation to be revealed. The book surely is that which contains the world’s destiny, and its contents are revealed to us as the seals are broken.

Daniel Akin and David Platt (3 categories of history)

Judgement: seals (ch.6), trumpets (ch.8-9), bowls (ch. 15-16) lake of first (20:11-15)

Salvation: Jew and Gentile (chs. 7;14;19:1-10)

Restoration: new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem (chs. 21-22)

*Jesus is Lord of Heaven’s Problem because He is Worthy

5:2-4

John now see’s a mighty angel demanding in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

Here is the desperate state of the sinful condition. There is no one righteous not one in heaven or on the earth is able to open the scroll or for that matter, “even to look at it.”

John’s response should be our response to the sinful state of humanity. John cried, and cried because no one was found worthy.”

For this very moment in the time of the world and history no one possesses the merit necessary to approach God, take the scroll from his mighty right hand, and usher in the ending of this time as we know it.

Not Abraham, not Moses, not Elijah, not Jeremiah or Ezekiel, or Daniel a man who fasted and prayed three times a day and spent the night in a den of lions.

Not Peter, James, or Paul. Not even the archangel Gabriel. A universal search is made for one worthy. Heaven has a problem folks. This is the same problem that humanity has searched for from the very beginning. How can we be made worthy apart from God alone.

*Jesus is Lord of the Answer because He has the Power.

An Elder points John to Jesus

That is the job of the church today to always point people to Jesus the one who holds all the power in His hands.

“The Lion from the Tribe of Judah”

This is a Messianic title drawn from Genesis 49:9-10

Genesis 49:9–10 ESV

9 Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

It will be said of the saints of heaven that they have conquered, triumphed, prevailed, and overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 12:11 ESV

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

*Jesus is Lord of the victory because he was slaughtered

When it comes to the slaughtered Lamb of God no one is prepared for this picture.

Note: We are told to look at the mighty lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David. We are looking for a great and mighty King.

This however is not what we see in the surprising story of salvation. John is slow and dramatic in his presentation. he builds suspense! We are not disappointed in what unfolds.

THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB OF GOD

He holds the victory because he was slaughtered. A more literally reading might go something like this:

“Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. Both the lamb and His death are pushed back for effect and emphasis.

Job working at the Meat Packing Plant: I still remember the first day walking pat the shoot where the animals were slaughtered. I think in our mind this is a helpless picture we are seeing of the mighty King of kings and Lord of Lords. But, in reality this is the most powerful position that he could be in that He allowed himself to be slaughtered.

The word SLAUGHTERED is in the present tense. There is permanence about the scars of His sacrifice. There is a once-and-for-all nature with abiding results to His sacrifice. The sacrifice was also seen as the substitute for us in the slaughter shoot.

The slaughtered Lamb is rich in the grand redemptive story in Scripture.

Genesis 22:8 (Abraham and Isaac) “God himself will provide the Lamb for the burnt offering.”

Exodus 12:5 (Passover Lamb) “Your lamb shall be without blemish.”

Isaiah 53:7 (The suffering servant of the Lord) “Like a Lamb led to the slaughter”

John 1:29 (the declaration of John the Baptist) - “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

He is victorious because he is standing

“Standing speaks to His Resurrection.” His dead body got up and walked out of the tomb leaving behind the penalty of sin and death. Jesus stands in victory today, and will stand until the end of time.

He is victorious because He is Strong.

Notice that the Lamb had seven horns which in the Old Testament is frequently used as a symbol of strength. Seven is the number of perfection, so it indicates the perfect mighty Lamb of God.

He is Victorious because He is Searching

Notice that He has seven eyes which represent wisdom and knowledge. Seven again means perfect. Therefore, He is perfect in His wisdom and knowledge.

If that is true then why would we not trust Him with our future.

The seven spirits are being sent out in all directions to gather his people together. The Elect Children of the Most High God.

The Lamb of God Slain from the foundations of the Earth now takes the scroll out of the Hand of God.

No one else can do this, no one who even attempts this would live.

One man reflecting on this truth put it into a familiar nursery rhyme like this:

Mary had a little Lamb,

His soul was white as snow.

And anywhere His Father sent,

the Lamb was sure to go.

He came to earth to die one day,

the sin of man to atone.

And now He reigns in heaven alone.

He’s the Lamb upon the throne!

*Jesus is the Lord of Glory because He puts a new song in our Hearts

The redeeming blood of the Lamb is no embarrassment in heaven. Not only are they not ashamed to talk about it; they love to sing about it.

3 songs Being sung in Heaven

Song being Sung by the Saints (vs. 8-10)

Song being sung by the Angels (vs. 11-12)

Song being sung by all of Creation (vs. 13-14)

He is Praised By the Saints

Jesus takes the scroll and all of Heaven breaks Loose! The four living creatures and 24 Elders fall facedown in worship.

They have in their possession “harps” the instrument of praise. (The same instrument David played to calm the wild beast in Saul).

They have golden bowls full of incense and the prayers of the saints in their hands.

The New Song

Their praise is voiced in a new song (Gk. ‘kainos’ indicating newness of kind or quality of song).

“The song of Redemption” the Lamb is declared worthy.

1. Because you were slaughtered

2. Because you ransomed your people by your blood.

3. Where from: Every tribe, language, and tongue.

Dr. Rodney Woo “The Color of Church”

Wilcrest Baptist Church in North Houston went from a predominately white congregation to representing over 44 nations. Woo suggests that when you get down to the heart of the matter this was Christs vision for church all along. Woo admits at the heart of the change was all about our worship.

4. You made them a kingdom of priests. (As kings we reign with him as joint heirs of the kingdom of God.)

He Is Praised by the Angels

Be careful that you do not get caught up in trying to figure out the exact number of the angels worshiping and miss the main point.

Worthy to receive: 1) Power; 2) Wealth; 3) Wisdom; 4) Mighty; 5) Honor; 6) Glory; and 7) Blessing.

NOTE: Neither us nor the angels are able to give him the first four things listed. These are only possible by the perfect Lamb of God.

The last 3 indicate that as long as we have breath we should seek to Honor, Glorify, and bring Blessing to God in all that we say or do, no matter what happens in life.

This is a life of bringing God Glory!!!!

1. How are you daily Honoring God with your life?

2. How are you daily Glorifying God with your life?

3. How are you daily Blessing God with your life?

This is what it means to offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God.

He is Praised By all of Creation

The redeeming work of the Lamb brings the praise of all of creation as it longs for the day when it will be set free once and for all from the bondage and corruption that the fall brought to creation.

Romans 8:21 ESV

21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

The Creatures in Heaven are responding in Agreement:

“We Believe It;” “Oh Yes;” “We Agree;” “Let it be Done.”

CONCLUSION

If the governor were to walk into the room this morning the appropriate thing to do would be to stand and acknowledge his position as our governor.

If the President of the United States were to walk it would be right to stand and applaud whether you agree with his politics or not.

But, if the Lord Jesus Christ the slaughtered Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, suddenly walked in the room to merely stand would seem inadequate and to applaud would appear to be an arrogant and shallow response.

In light of fully knowing who He is and what He has done the only response that should be made is to do what you see in verse 14; The fell face down on the ground and worshiped the one who lives forever and ever.

When is the Last time you had a face down experience with God?

When is the last time you have been so in awe of Him that you Honored - Glorified - and Blessed Him with your Life?

If not, why not today?