Rev - ch4 The Throne Room

What we cover tonight

Teaching on worship in Chapter 4 is immense - central to the life of believers. But we will only get started at looking at the the participants in the scene tonight.

Welcome

(Opener for each class ) who am I: Ken Geer

Thanks for visiting our church. If your a member of another church, you remain a member of that church, and we bless your church, and thank you for joining us for this study. We look foreword to more unity in the body of Jesus.. each church of Jesus is a candle in the dark and we are praying that we may all grow brighter, in these end times. we must all work together.

Other churches may have slightly different perspectives on Revelation . That is just fine. I am comfortable with that . It is OK to have differences. I will give you my view, and why I hold my view. I will do my best to accurately represent other major views. we are looking to study the Bible, not confirm our bias. so we must be willing to study.

Our desire is to be like the good Bereans. they were challenged with a strange new teaching that Jesus was the messiah and had been crucified. they had to deal with a pretty unsettling set of thoughts. but they got through it.

If you do have corrections for me. you may briefly state you concern in the class in the form of a question, but it would be best for others if we hold our discussion/or disagreements on these things till after class. - I am happy to learn and grow. I am not the final authority on revelation. For that I refer you to Jesus.

Pray

Invite the Holy spirit, ask him to give us a spirit of humility unity and love. Make us more like Jesus.

Jesus let us know and LOVE with our whole heart: “Your word, your Will and your Ways”

Intro

This is a chapter that has much teaching on Christian Worship.

MUSIC: Majesty - Jack Hayford.

Majesty, worship His Majesty! Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise. Majesty, Kingdom authority, Flows from His throne, unto His own, His anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King. Majesty, worship His Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

Here is how Jack Hayford describes how this song was “birthed”...

In 1977 my wife Anna and I spent our vacation in Great Britain, traveling throughout the land from the south country and Wales to the northern parts of Scotland. It was the same year as the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, and symbols of royalty were abundantly in evidence.

For years I have been convinced that the provisions of Christ for the believer not only include our forgiveness for sin; but provide restoration to a royal relationship with God as sons and daughters born into the family through His Majesty, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Within that relationship, as people of The Kingdom, I felt the Bible disclosed a new dimension of dominion over “all the works of the devil” bequeathed to us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

While visiting many of the castles of the land, I began to sense the influence one might feel if raised as a child in such regal settings. For example, while at Blenheim – where Churchill was raised – it became quite credible how a person, accustomed to such an environment, might more likely conceive of themselves as being bred to influence their world. Of course, Churchill was not directly of the royal family, but the sense of regal destiny pervades many of those sites and influences many of those people.

One day, as Anna and I drove along together, the opening lyrics and melody of “Majesty” simply came to my heart. I continued driving, asking Anna to jot the words and melody line in the notebook she had beside her. (Because of this, she still laughingly insists that she “wrote” “Majesty”!)

So powerfully did the sense of Christ Jesus’ royalty, dignity, and majesty fill my heart; I seemed to feel something new of what it meant to be His! The accomplished triumph of His Cross has not only unlocked us from the chains of our own bondage and restored us to fellowship with the Father, but He has also unfolded to us a life of authority over sin and hell and raised us to partnership with Him in His Throne – now! (Ephesians 2:1-6).

It would not be until returning to our home in California that I would complete the song. Nevertheless, the Spirit-borne influence bringing the concept so vividly to my soul is as described above. “Majesty” describes the kingly, lordly, gloriously regal nature of our Savior – but not simply as an objective statement in worship of which

He is fully worthy. “Majesty” is also a statement of the fact that our worship, when begotten in spirit and in truth, can align us with His Throne in such a way that His Kingdom authority flows to us – to overflow us, free us, and channel through us.

He has birthed us into His eternal Kingdom, with dynamic implications for the present and for eternity. We are rescued from death, restored to the inheritance of sons and daughters, qualified for victory in battle against the Adversary, and destined for the Throne forever in His presence!

Listen to a symphonic recording of “Majesty”

Read A “Majesty” Moment in Israel

© 1986, 1992, 2011 Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hayford Ministries

Last Week’s Summary

Last week I gave a complete summary from the intro to the end of chatper 3 so I will limit my summary to only a few points:

1. It is so touching the see this picture of Jesus among the lampstands in Chapter 1. and how this transitions into the 7 letters to the churches… It shows that Revelation is a Book about Jesus and his pastoral care for the church. This is a key theme to help us understand The book of revelation. Jack Hayford taught a "Jesus Lord of the Church" 8 week series of Jack Hayford on the 7 churches of revelations. He points out that

Jesus Move among us (the church) in Worship

Jesus Move among us to pour out the Holy spirit

Jesus call us to repent (Repentance = clear headed thinking) say to the person on your left and right. But since there are people that think they are wise and are foolish we must add more to the definition (Repentance = clear headed thinking about God’s will God, his word, and his ways.)

Jesus and relationship with him, is our reward for overcoming the tests and chalanges that face us in our life.

This Jesus that you crucified has poured for what you now see and hear (Peter in Acts 2)

AN ignition of the real fire of God.

2

p this:

It’s all about Jesus…

If your off course, he is the way back. He loves you… key verse to unlocking much of revelation:

Discipline in Revelation:

Revelation 3:19 ESV

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

If your on course he is the reward, so keep pressing in to Him. If you want more than him....

Wanting more of Him

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Read Aloud and be Blessed

Revelation 4 ESV

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.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 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. 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. 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, 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: 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. 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!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 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, “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.”

This is one vision with chapter 5, and when we cover chapter 5 we will read them together.

This vision is the start for everything that comes later it will show us our Savior Jesus the center of Revelation, and as He opens the Scroll it “reveals” the seals, bowls trumpets, in the rest of revelation.

Jack Hayford says in (Studies in the book of Revelation 1991 pg 4)

“Our viewpoint is one at the center of “all power.” The Sovereign God, Who “has the whole world in His hands,” is seen with the document determining earth’s destiny.” Perspective on this world’s affairs is never gained apart from seeing things from “on high” (Eph. 2:6).— Jack Hayford.

The Open Door v1-2

can you imagine what this must have been like for John, alone and exiled on the island of Patmos? to come into the throne of heaven were there are thousands upon thousands in attendance, and 10,000 x 10,000 t times.

Revelation 4:1–2 ESV

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.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

What happens Just before this chapter is important I think. I imagine that John has been thinking about the messages Jesus gave the churches… Especially the final words:

Revelation 3:19–20 ESV

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus wants to spend time with you. “If you want me, just open the door.”

Jesus gave Christians an invitation… and John desires to open that door and meet with Jesus… so he imagines the open Door, and Jesus calls him to join him. we know it is Jesus because, it is the same trumpet voice that that told him to write what he saw and send it to the 7 churches. the voice that was

Revelation 1:13–16 ESV

and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

It is this Jesus that is knocking on the door of our hearts, and Jesus desires each of us to open that door to be with us.

Of course God is present everywhere: (his omnipresence is part of his Godly attributes). David recognizes this in his Psalm:

Psalm 139:7–12 ESV

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

So Jesus is always with us “in general” But this call for us to open a door is for something much deeper and more intimate.

This is an invitation to experience him in a much more personal way personal way with his Manifest presence.

We must Open the door, Jesus waits and Knocks. it is up to us!

after the end of chapter 3 I imagine that perhaps John begins to meditate on the door - and desires to open it. Then ass he is meditating he sees or imagines the open door, and as he does see it in a vision. Then he is

Then he is in the Spirit!

Is something hidden in JOHN’S MOVEMENT “IN THE SPIRIT” (4:2)?

Some think the call to “come up here” (v1) depicts the Church’s movement to heaven at Christ’s coming and that it portrays the rapture of the Church.

This is a good example of a theory in search of support and a distortion of good Biblical interpretation.

A straight forward reading of the text would not bring you to this conclusion. On the face of it is looks like a description of John’s own experience, as he is captivated by this heavenly vision so thoroughly that he is “there” in the Spirit of God.

.

The Throne room in heaven v1-11

Jesus trumpet voice tells us that what comes next in revelation is about what the future after the revelation to John in 93 AD.

Revelation 4:1 ESV

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.”

God’s Throne

Revelation 4:2 ESV

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

What is a throne?

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Throne

THRONE (כֶּסֶא, kese'; θρόνος, thronos). A chair or seat occupied by one who possesses great honor. Symbolizes authority, rule, and power.

Solomon's throne was described and gives a sense of the authority that is signified by a throne:

1 Kings 10:18–20 ESV

The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom.

The God’s Throne in Heaven

We know from worship literature like Psalms that God is depicted as king seated on a throne in heaven (much much higher than the sky) over creation:

Psalm 113:5–6 ESV

Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

God’s throne is in Heaven, and Earth is a foot stool the proper understanding of our place in the larger stage of supernatural reality.

Psalm 103:19 ESV

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Isaiah 66:1 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?

Jesus teaching included references to this as well...

Matthew 5:34–35 ESV

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Ezekiel's vision of the throne room

Revelation is not the only place in scripture the discloses a vision of the heavenly throne room.

Read and see Ezek 1

Isaiah’s vision of the throne room:

Isaiah 6:1–3 ESV

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Daniel’s vision of the throne room:

Daniel 7:9–10 ESV

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

it goes on to tell of the destruction of the antichrist “little horn” more on that when we cover the Antichrist. But for now we will continue with the arrival of the Messiah Jesus.

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

God’s Throne one day on Earth

We also have Prophetic clues that one day God’s throne will be on earth in Jerusalem

Jeremiah calls Jerusalem itself the throne of God

Jeremiah 3:17 ESV

At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.

Ezekiel prophesies the throne will be in Jerusalem’s temple. this is clearly a reference to after Jesus 2nd coming.

Ezekiel 43:4–7 ESV

As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places,

The 3 Persons of God

The persons of the Triune God are present

Revelation 4:3–6 ESV

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. 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. 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, 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:

Here is God the Father V3:

Revelation 4:3 ESV

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.

Ezekiel saw a human form on the throne as well. Eze 1:26 clothed in gleaming metal, and fire and brightness.

Daniel saw him as the “Ancient of Days” Dan 7:?

Lightning & THunder

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder. This is seen again later in revelation Rev 8:4 (associated with a censer filled with fire from the altar thrown to the earth) Rev 11:19 (temple in heaven), and Rev 16:18 (asassociated with The Great Earthquake ).

when have we seen Lightning and thunder in God’s presence?

At Mt. Sinai Ex 19:16 & Dan 10:6 & Eze 1:13.

So clearly associated with the throne room seen and the the nearest mass public encounter of people with God at Mt. Sinai.

also seen in Psalms! they are like gleeming and arrows.

Here is God the Spirit: 7 lamps (v5)

Revelation 4:5 ESV

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,

It says torches , but the Greek is clearly using the word “lapades”, for lamp. for a lamp in those days meant a burning shining light.

7 lamps of fire = 7 spirits.

(Remember: 7 lampstands = churches, 7 stars = 7 angles of the 7 churches)

7 means complete and god’s number and the holy spirit is complete

The 7 spirits are before the throne of God. They appear to be 7 lamps of fire before the throne. Rev 4:5.

The Holy spirit is associated with Fire - remember the tongues of fire above the believers on Pentecost. a lamp will have a tongue of fire coming out of it to shine the light.

Going back to a earlier biblical reference of 7 lamps and the spirit of God we find that 7 lamps were seen by Zechariah in Zech 4:this was seen in Zech 4:1-2. he saw a lampstand of gold but with a bowl on top of it, with 7 lamps on it (with 7 lips on each of the lamps), when the angel asked him what they are, and he said he did not know, the Angle quoted ““This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” there fore the 7 lamps with 7 spouts(lips) is the Spirit of God.

Zechariah 4:6 ESV

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

This helps connect the idea of the Church being lampstands.... the church is not the fire, we are a stand to hold the lamp. the lamp, we hold, is the hold the oil for the

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Zec 4:6.

Then in Rev 5:6, as we see the Lamb that was slain before the throne, we are told that the 7 spirits are now seen as 7 horns and 7 eyes on the Lamb. And they are sent out into all the earth.

Horns are a symbol for Power nearly everywhere they are seen in the Bible. And especially true in apocalyptic books like Daniel and Revelation. The “horn” was a symbol of royal power, a few examples Luke 1:69, Ps. 132:17, Deut 33:17.

Eyes are for seeing. Jesus said if our eyes are healthy our entire body is full of light. Matt 6:22. And at the disciples lack of understanding and wisdom at his teaching and miracles, Jesus marvels that there eyes are not seeing, and hears are not hearing in Matt 8:18. This shows that our eyes are for understanding, and wisdom. 7 Eyes are for complete seeing, complete understanding and complete wisdom.

A complete 7-fold Spirit, that is both around the throne as torches of fire. yet going out into ALL the earth with complete power and complete understanding, and what appears to be omnipresence. The Holy Spirit.

The 7 spirits are none other than the Holy SPirit. - It is odd to see the count of 7 but 7 is the number of God, so from a symbolic Point of view this is perfectly acceptable.

Next session , we will focus on the Eyes, the horns and being sent out into the world.

Verse 5:6: Here is God the Son: The Lamb of God

More on the Lamb next session when we cover chapter 5!

Revelation 5:6 ESV

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.

between the Throne and the living creatures

Yet Jesus is described in other places as being at the right hand of the throne, a place of great honor and power. Mark 14:62; Col. 3:1; Heb. 8:1; 12:2).

Mark 14:62 ESV

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Colossians 3:1 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 8:1 ESV

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Among the elders (Jesus walks about the lampstands/churches)

Lamb standing

with 7 horns & 7 eyes

Those who worship at the throne

Elders Worship

Revelation 4:4 ESV

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.

The 24 thrones and 24 elders… with white garments and crowns…

who could they be?

is 24 the max number of thrones, or are they symbolic of the complete NT and OT believers?

Such a great mystery… right? not if we look closely…

If we were paying attention to the last 2 chapters… lets piece together the obvious clues… what to do the overcoming Christians receive? Crowns, true riches, white garments, a throne, ruling nations… and this is how the elders are described, and except for the limited number (24), fit the overcomers to a “T”.

Crowns - the overcomers get Crowns - we discussed this when they were mentioned to the church of Ephesus in Rev 2:10, that if they would be faithful unto death (like Jesus) they would have a “crown of Life”. This is not an empty promise! The word is not Diadem as a Kings crown but a Wreath Crown stephanos given to an overcomer, a victor, one who has won a race. Elsewhere in scripture we see the crown promised described with different words. A Crown of Life to those who love Jesus that have stood the test (James 1:12), An Imperishable crown given to those who by discipline run the race of the spirit-lead life fulfilling God’s purpose in their life without being disqualified. 1 Cor 9:19-25. A crown of joyful boasting When Jesus comes again for having a hand in salvation through the gospel by God’s power 1 Thes 2:19-20. A Crown of Righteousness for finishing the race while keeping the faith 2 Tim 4:6-7. A Crown of Glory when the chief shepherd appears that will not fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4. Described a bit differently, but with many similarities: given at end of life at jesus appearing /judgement, imperishable, requiring faithfulness,righteousness, or love till the end. The simplest explanation is that we will receive an imperishable crown of Life, Glory, and Righteousness indicating our Righteousness and Glory in Jesus our Messiah. It will be a crown that is a natural consequnce like fruit form a healthy tree, that connects to our works of love done in and for Jesus that resulted in the Salvation and Growth of others in God’s kingdom. Jesus tell us that there are reward in heaven. And we can loose them, when we have wrong motives. The hypocrites who act religious in order to be seen publicly; have their reward already, but the Father will reward those who act in secret, or are not looking for an earthy reward or advantage (Matt 6:1–18). They were disqualified for their reward and crown. In Prov 22:4 , it said that God gives a reward (ʿēqeb) for humility in the form of riches, honor, and life. This sounds very much like this crown! In Psalm 58:11, reward (pĕrî) refers directly to a reward for the righteous from God. God promises blessings if Israel stays loyal to the covenant. The Hebrew word for reward here (pĕrî) is the word for FRUIT This helps explain why the rewards in heaven are not really Gold and silver and crowns and cold metal things that have value on earth but are destined to perish. Instead they are things that grow as a consequence of our righteous walk with God and act according to his ways.

White Garments - the overcomer get white garments

Thrones - the overcomers get thrones. and Paul mentions in Ephesians 2:4–6 (ESV) that God loved all christians (gentile or Jewish) so that even when we were dead in our trespasses, he has “ made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

Ruling nations - the overcomers get to rule nations. Jesus said to his disciples: Matthew 19:28 (ESV) “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” and again in Luke 22:30. That covers 12 thrones for 12 disciples… (The disciples knew it was important to preserve this number after Judas was doomed to destruction so in Acts 1:12-26 Matthias took his place), and perhaps 12 for the 12 tribes of Israel.

A problem with the limiting number 24. A whole tribe can’t sit on a throne right? (that unfortunately is literal thinking and we are quite obviously in a vision were there symbolism is being used. In apocalyptic sections like Daniel and revelation we see places were Kings and Kingdoms are often interchanged, and in this case the 12 thrones could be symbolic of a much larger number of places of authority that started with both the Jewish Tribes (12) that will believe in Jesus, and Christians that are descended form the 12 disciples.

Daniel 7:27 makes it clear that by the time the Antichrist is being judged that the saints of the most high will be governing the kingdoms of this world. The worlds system of governments thought to remove Christians from the system by canceling them, persecuting them and destroying them. BUT it is God’s justice that allows them to now reign over all the nations instead. He flips that around. And the outcome will be so much different — it will become obvious that to be ruled by followers of the Messiah is infinitely better than being ruled by godless or satanic leaders.

Jack Hayford: The 24 elders probably represent the complete “believing communities” of both the OT and NT. But not perhaps a critical detail.

Living Creatures Worship

Jack Hayford: The 4 living creatures are of the cherub order; angels who direct and sustain worship at God’s Throne.

The Activity: Worship

From Jack Hayford “Studies in the Book of Revelation Study Guide” pg 5

The place of worship, praise, and prayer must be perceived if we are to grasp the deeper message contained in this passage. Worship (4:8), Praise (4:11; 5:9-10, 12-13), and Prayer (5:8) are the keys to the release of The Purpose. Throughout this book at crucial turning points, worship, praise, and prayer appear in conjunction with each new “step” of redemption’s advance in delivering earth from evil. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,” is our assigned prayer of this genre. Note: 5:8–

no prayer is forgotten!!

Thinking about Time in Heaven (rabbit trail)

is heaven outside time and space?

It is a spiritual place and as such I think that it is likely in another dimension or extra dimensional in some way.

I think we must be careful about assuming a chronological timeline in the revelation!

the timing elements in Revelation pertain to the order of the VISION and not necessarily the actual chronology of the events described.

New Spirit-Filled Life Bible: Notes The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Lord summoned John to come in order that he might receive a heavenly perspective of things which must take place on Earth. John did not record the events in chronological order.

The recurrences of the after these things (for example, v. 1; 7:1, 9) and such phrases as “and I saw …” (10:1), “Then I was …” (11:1), and “Now a great sign …” (12:1) refer only to the sequence of John’s receiving them. This is the same as is commonly found among all biblical prophets, who report when they saw a vision (for example, Is. 6:1; Jer. 25:1; Ezek. 20:1). The order in their reporting the prophetic vision is not necessarily intended to suggest a sequential order with the occurrences of fulfillment.

Worship (4:8) Holy Holy Holy.

Revelation 4:8 ESV

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!”

nothing is more Holy, than God.

nothing is even remotely like God

Nothing is so Good, so Right, so Bright.

Praise (4:11; 5:9-10, 12-13)

Revelation 4:11 ESV

“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.”

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Prayer (5:8)

More on this next week…

The prayers of the saints are in heaven’s throne, and are an integral part of the atmosphere.

Revelation 5:8 ESV

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.

Summary

The vision of Heaven did this to Daniel:

He was Greatly Alarmed, but he kept the matter in his heart (meditating on it.)

Daniel 7:28 ESV

“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

But this is not to alarm us now… it is to draw us into the love, worship, prayer, and purposes of God.

Next week

Basic approaches in interpreting Revelation

Chapter 5 - The lamb and the scroll - Jan 10

The revelation of Christ’s Right and Claim to Earth (the lamb receives the title to his planet) What is there to weep over?

Scroll = the will of GOD, (because in history a Roman scroll with seven seals was a Last will and testament will)

Lamb - arriving at that point (fresh marks of slaughter) - healed by visible by color — Could we be seeing the arrival of Jesus from the resurrection?

Outline of revelation

Intro

5 LESSONS: Bible is one unified story, Keys to eschatology 1,2,3,4 Matt 24, Daniel 9, Matt 25.

ch1 The Introduction: The revelation of Christ’s Person, Authority, and Presence

1 LESSON: Its all about Jesus

ch2, 3 The Epistles to the Churches: The revelation of Christ’s Administrating of His Church

7 LESSONS: Each of these Letters from Jesus are important! Dont speed past these.

ch4, 5 The Throne of God in Heaven: The revelation of Christ’s Right and Claim to Earth (The Lamb receives title to this planet.)

3 LESSONS: Basic approaches to Rev, Throne in heaven, Lamb of God,

ch6 The Breaking Open of Seals 1-6: The revelation of Christ’s Ministry as Savior and Judge (Savior, “going forth”; Judge, “great wrath”)

ch7 The 144,000–The Redeemed Host: The revelation of Christ’s Own: Sealed and Delivered (Both are the Church; on earth/in heaven)

ch8, 9 The 7th Seal–the first 6 trumpets : The revelation of Christ’s People Precipitating release Through Prayer (Opening a mighty concept)

??? NOTE: The 7th Trumpet–The Last Trump 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess.4:16–appears as Revelation 11:15-19.

ch10 The Mighty Angel Announcing the End: The revelation of Christ as Consummator of History and as Commissioner of the End Times’ Message

ch 11, 13 Two Witnesses Christ’s, The Wonder Woman, The Beast: The revelation of Christ’s Church in Confrontation with Evil (In persecution, in spiritual warfare, and in conflict with the world-system)

ch 14 The 144,000 and Six Angelic Actions: Christ’s Own Redeemed in Triumph (Each angelic action indicating victory)

ch 15, 16 The 7 Vials of God’s Wrath: Christ’s Commission Unto Final Judgment (Set in an atmosphere of worship)

ch 17, 18 The Destruction of Babylon: Christ’s Sovereign Triumph Over Evil’s Spiritual and Economic Control of Mankind

ch 19, 20 The Two Last Battles: Christ’s Final Triumph Over and Banishment of All Evil (Pre- and post-millennial)

ch 21, 22 The New Heaven and New Earth: Christ’s Ultimate and Eternal Union With His Own Bride

Tribulation

Wrath

How long is the tribulation?

Is the Tribulation 7 yrs? or 3.5 years? or longer? Good teachers have decide there is a credible proposition that it could be much longer. (Jack Hayford). Jack thinks the tribulation started with Jesus leaving. In the World you have “tribulation” but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.

Come Quickly (for god it is quick)… and if you are upset about it that he has waited 2000 yr, it is not His fault. It is your fault for not recognizing that it could be up to him to decide what it means.

Rapture

Who will be taken when the Lord returns? Question Jack Hayford asked his mom as a young boy. His Mom came back with this after prayer. Those that are taken up with him now, will be taken up with him then.

Cessationism (distortion of scripture)

Often caused Christians to be filled with hate. Came up with the idea of Dispensation. Dispensationalism, is been given such a great spotlight, but not well defended by scripture. filmsy.???