The Throne Room

v.1:

Chapter 4 focuses on the throne room.

What had started as a vision of heaven, became an open door invitation.

The voice of invitation is the same voice which John heard in Revelation 1:10. It is the voice of Christ.

John is told to "come up here". This is not a reference to the rapture (although we will soon see the raptured saints).

This is a literal invitation to visit heaven, a very rare event reserved for a very select few, and with a specific message and purpose in mind.

In fact, John is one of only four people in the Bible to see a vision of heaven - Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul and John.

Two other Biblical figures caught a glimpse of heaven Micaiah, Stephen), but what they saw is merely mentioned, not described.

2 Chronicles 18:18

Acts 7:55-56

Only three of these men actually wrote about what they saw - Isaiah, Ezekiel and John.

Paul never wrote about what he saw. He simply writes that he was caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2

The purpose here, was to show John the "things which must take place after this", after the letters to the churches… So now begins a description of the events that will follow the church age.

v.2:

Chapters 1-3 were focused on John's present time, where the rest of the book is focused on future events.

John sees an inhabited throne. He who sits on the throne is in complete control of what John is about to see.

God is always on His throne, and always in control.

v.3:

Jasper and Sardis will be the foundation of the New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:19-20

Revelation 21:19–20 NKJV

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

Also, the description of a rainbow in connection with God is not unusual.

Ezekiel 1:28

From the time of Noah, the rainbow became a sign of God’s faithfulness to His word, His promise.

However, there is no need to attempt to find symbolism is each of these descriptors.

John never actually attempts to describe the one who sits on the throne, he is simply painting a picture of His glory.

v.4:

Who are these elders?

The same white robes are given to the tribulation saints.

Revelation 6:11

They wear crowns, which differentiates them from angels.

Crowns are the promised rewards of the saints.

James 1:12

James 1:12 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 5:4

1 Peter 5:4 NKJV

and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Elders refers to leaders in both Israel and the church.

Numbers 11:16

Numbers 11:16 NKJV

So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.

Titus 1:5

Titus 1:5 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

The time frame that John is witnessing is just prior to the tribulation. Therefore, Israel has not yet been perfected.

Only one group will be complete and glorified at that point—the church. So here, the elders represent the church.

The conclusion is that the 24 elders are the raptured saints, who represent the entirety of God's church, and their focus is on the Lord.

Why 24? two possibilities:

It is possible that 12 represent the tribes of Israel and 12 the apostles of Christ, mirroring the reference in the new Jerusalem

Maybe 12 represent the tribes of Israel and 12 the apostles of Christ

Revelation 21:12

Revelation 21:12 NKJV

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Revelation 21:14

Revelation 21:14 NKJV

Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Also, there were 24 orders of priests in the Old Testament Temple.

1 Chronicles 24:3-5

1 Chronicles 24:18

v.5:

This lightning and thunder is not the thunder and lightning of nature, but a firestorm of righteous fury about to come from an awesome, powerful God upon a sinful world.

This is nothing less than the wrath of God which is about to be unleashed.

This thundering is the voice of God pronouncing judgment, which is fearful

It is truly a fearful thing for a sinner to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:31

Hebrews 10:31 NKJV

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The seven lamps are the seven spirits, or the seven-fold character of the Holy Spirit:

7 lamps/spirits - the Holy Spirit has seven distinct characteristics

Isaiah 11:2-3

Isaiah 11:2–3 NKJV

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

v.6:

The floor of God’s throne stretches out like a glistening sea. . . a sea of glass, and the throne is surrounded by four “living creatures”

These four living creatures bear resemblance to both the cherubim of Ezekiel and the Seraphim of Isaiah.

Ezekiel 1:5-10

Ezekiel 10:20

They have 6 wings and praise God like the Seraphim in Isaiah

Isaiah 6:2-3

Their exact identity remains a mystery, and it is possible that they are a new order of creatures which had not yet been revealed.

As we pull the curtain back on the throne of God, it wouldn’t be surprising to see what has never been seen before.

v.7:

The physical likeness of each of these four creatures represents a part of God's nature.

The lion represents Christ as King

Revelation 5:5

Revelation 5:5 NKJV

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

The Calf or Ox (a beast of burden) represents Christ as a servant

Deuteronomy 25:4

Deuteronomy 25:4 NKJV

“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.

Man represents the humanity of Christ

The flying eagle represents the deity of Christ

Exodus 19:4

Exodus 19:4 NKJV

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

Deuteronomy 32:11–12 NKJV

As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, So the Lord alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him.

An interesting side note:

If these four creatures are cherubim (which we don't know for sure), it is interesting to note the living creatures which they represent.

Lion - Wild animals

Ox - domesticated animals

Eagle - birds

Man - head of all creation (humanity)

Note that reptiles are not represented.

Satan, the serpent (reptile), is a cherub.

Ezekiel 28:14

If these creatures are cherubim, then satan is the fifth cherub, who no longer has a place in front of God's throne.

v.8:

It seems that the sole purpose of these creatures, is to give praise and worship to the triune God.

"Holy, Holy, Holy", this speaks to the trinity.

"Who was and is and is to come", this speaks to the eternal nature of God, and refers to Christ.

v.9:

We've seen the worship of the four living creatures, now we see how the elders (the church) worships God.

v.10:

They fall before Him.

Knowing that God alone is responsible for the rewards they have received, they forgo themselves of all honor and cast their crowns at the feet of their King.

Though they have fallen before His feet, they lift up His name in praise.

Too often, we let our pride take control, but the position of the believer should be one of humility before God.

As the elders fall before God, we should humble ourselves before Him

Matthew 18:3-4

Matthew 18:3–4 NKJV

and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

v.11:

They verbally acknowledge His greatness and holiness.

They verbally acknowledge His role as creator.

They verbally acknowledge His will as supreme.

Why do we so often remain silent, rather than verbally acknowledge the attributes of God?

The point of this chapter is summed up in this verse:

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.”

All creatures in heaven and earth will praise and honor God because he is the creator and sustainer of everything.

So why are we silent?