Revelation 4

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Rev. 4:1-2: “Take place after this” signifies a looking beyond the present church age in which John is living (ch. 2-3) to focus on the importance of what is to come (Rev. 1:19; Rev. 4:1).

The next two chapters (4-5) are glimpses into the glory of Christ. It is here that we will see the Throne Room of Heaven with God on his Throne, as he orchestrates John’s recorded events.

Be affirmed today, that the world is not spinning out of control come and that the God of creation will carry out his plans as Christ initiates the final victory over the forces of evil.

How appropriate it is for John to show us Heaven , before showing us earth… because “if God is for us who can be against us.” [Rom. 8:31]

Rev. 4:1-2 the text tells us that the voice of Jesus, like a trumpet , (1:10-11) summoned John through the door of heaven and in the Spirit he not only sees the throne of God, but the Lord Almighty being adored by the host of heaven.

“In the Spirit” means that the Holy Spirit was giving him a vision - showing him situations and events that he could not have seen with mere human eyesight. John finds himself “in the Spirit” four times in (Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10.)

Rev. 4:3 - John’s description of God’s glory is somewhat reserved (as were Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s) as he tries to put words to what he saw. The colors of jasper, carnelian, rainbow and emerald are submitted to us but precise descriptions of God’s features are avoided.

Man’s temporal words lack the ability to describe the Eternal God.

Though there is some debate about who makes up the 24 elders of verse 4, the foremost option is as follows:

12 Tribes + 12 Apostles = 24 Elders

This would symbolize the unity of God’s people, by bringing together the heads of the 12 tribes Israel in the OT and the 12 apostles of the NT . [Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 20:4]

Rev. 4:5: Lightening and Thunder display the terrifying splendor of God’s glory, as seen on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19:16.

Rev. 4:6: The “Sea of Glass ” appears in prophetic visions throughout the Bible [Ex. 24:10; Ez. 1:22; Rev.15:2].

How humbling it is to think that the floor of Heaven that lies before the Throne of God, is also the ceiling of the universe.

Rev. 4:7-8: The four creatures described in the text exhibit features of Cherubs or cherubim angels [Is. 6:2-3; Ez. 1:10,18]

FYI: Throughout scripture one of the main responsibilities of the Cherub is the worship and praise of God and magnifying His holiness and power . They are a visual of the majesty and glory of God due to their beauty and serve as a reminder of God’s abiding presence among His people.

Daily Double: The agent of evil that once held his place as a Cherub in Heaven. Who is Lucifer/Satan ?