Revelation 4:1-11; The Right Point of View

Sermon in a sentence: Seeing God on the throne puts everything in perspective.

4:1-2

We see that John has a prophetic vision similar to Ezekiel (1) , Daniel (7), Peter (Acts 11), and Peter ( 2 Cor 12:2-3)

Schreiner pg 599

Hebrews–Revelation Comment

John’s vision continues with a revelation of the throne room of God. The language used here is full of symbolism and must not be interpreted literally, as if we have a literal picture of God’s throne room. The opening of heaven means God is about to disclose a matter of great importance to all mankind (cf. Luke 3:21; John 1:51; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev. 19:11). The parallel in Ezekiel is particularly apt, for Ezekiel says the “heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God” (Ezek. 1:1). So too here, the voice John first heard booming like a trumpet (cf. Rev. 1:10) speaks to him again, summoning him to come to heaven. Clearly this is not the rapture of the church, for what happens here is confined to John alone. Indeed, the book of Revelation never mentions a “rapture.” Presumably, John went to heaven in a visionary state, not literally. God reveals to John what will occur “after this.” The temporal reference is quite general, for much in the subsequent chapters relays events that are already happening or have already happened (e.g., the events in 12:1–6).

Beale pg 99-100

Revelation: A Shorter Commentary God Is Glorified Because He Is Sovereign Judge and Redeemer over Creation at Its Inception and throughout History (4:1–11)

It becomes clear, therefore, that all the visions about to unfold concern events throughout the church age, past, present, and future. Some may have already unfolded, others await their fulfillment, and yet others have multiple fulfillments throughout the church age. In this connection, the NT is both consistent and clear in its view that the “last days” or “latter days” started already with the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:17–21, citing Joel 2:28–32 as fulfilled; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 1:20; Heb. 1:2; Jas. 5:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18, etc.).

We need to remember that prophetic visions and dreams are often not a linear chronology but often a cyclical chronology. God gave dreams to a cupbearer, a baker, and a Pharoah. These dreams were recapitulatory in nature.

We need to wrestle with these words: “I will show you what MUST TAKE PLACE AFTER this. AT ONCE I was in the Spirit.” These events cannot be a merely future historic timeline.

God is on the throne of heaven.

4:3

God’s appearance is beyond human comprehension or description.

The temple scene borrows from the vision Ezekiel is given. The stones here are not meant to be described from a geologist perspective. However, it does some to have a connection to Exodus 28:17-20. He is the God clothed in unapproachable light (light from a rainbow which symbolizes God’s covenant with mankind- the Noahic covenant) and glory.

Schreiner pg. 600

Hebrews–Revelation Comment

The stones in Revelation and the vision in Ezekiel demonstrate that the purpose of the description is to emphasize the unparalleled and indescribable beauty and glory of God. Seeing him, as Ezekiel records, casts us down on our faces

4:4

Roloff pg. 69-70

Revelation Commentary

Rather, everything favors the notion that the elders signify not transfigured human beings but angelic figures, specifically, the members of the heavenly council with which the Old Testament is acquainted (1 Kgs. 22:19–22*; Isaiah 6). The thrones on which they sit are symbols of sovereignty. Their mention is reminiscent of the primitive Christian hymn in Col. 1:16*, where the term “throne” serves to describe angelic beings subordinate to God. The number twenty-four is most easily explained as a reference to the number of hours in the day; accordingly, the elders represent before God the fullness of time and their purpose is to praise God ceaselessly, day and night (cf. v. 10*).

I believe the 24 elders are a part of God’s hierarchical structure for angelic beings. Along with representing God’s supremacy over time (24 elders and 24 hours with v. 10), I also believe they represent the fullness of God’s people. They serve as representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles, both these groups represent God’s people.

4:6-11

The image of “as it were a sea of glass” has numerous possible interpretations. This is heightened by the fact that John does not say he sees an actual sea, but something that appears to be a sea.

The four living creatures appear to be another type of angle, similar to the cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision and the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision.

I believe that these angelic beings are a picture for us to learn from. They have eyes all over, which I take to be a reference to their heightened knowledge and sight of things in heaven and earth. They can see what is happening in creation and they still praise God because he is on the throne.

The living creatures and the 24 elders worship God. The elders even take off their crowns as a symbol of their acknowledgment that their royalty and power comes from God.

Schreiner pg. 603

Hebrews–Revelation Comment

The suffering church, under pressure from Rome and Jewish opponents, is reminded that God is the sovereign creator of all things, and therefore deserves their worship, thanks, and praise. Worship must be given not to the emperor or the beast but to God alone. The churches in Revelation are to hallow God’s name on earth, just as it is hallowed in heaven by the twenty-four elders and four living creatures (Matt. 6:9–10).

Hebrews–Revelation Response

Christians who are suffering, indeed all Christians, are prone to forget about God. The circumstances of life can overwhelm us, so that we fix our attention entirely on ourselves. Revelation 4 lifts our eyes to the most important being in the universe and summons us to behold our God. And this God is sitting on his throne. Despite the evil in the world, God reigns and rules. When we see God, we realize he is indescribably majestic, beautiful, lovely, and awesome. And we confess that the God we worship is infinitely holy. None of us is worthy to stand in his presence, and hence there is a great gulf between us and God, breached only by Jesus Christ. God is glorious and deserves all worship as creator of all things. How easy it is for us to take for granted what it means for him to be the creator of everything. For God to create all things means he has breathtaking power and authority. We are mere creatures, weak and finite, but he is Almighty God, the Holy One of Israel, the maker of all things, the one who deserves all our worship and praise.