Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 4 KJV

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Intro: AT GRADUATION there are levels of honor bestowed on those who have done a good job. There is cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. In the realm of giving praise, there is high praise, higher praise, and highest praise. Your friends can get high praise, and some folk who blessed you or have been merciful may deserve a higher praise, but God is the only one who deserves the summa cum laude of the highest praise. This kind of praise should be reserved for Him. – Evans 697

Declaration: The Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of the highest praise.

Proposition: Is He getting what He deserves?

Transition:

I. The Open Door - vs. 1

A. Voice

Talked

Like a trumpet

Come up - picture of rapture

Parallels I Thess. 4:15-18

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 KJV

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

B. Vision

I will show thee

II. The Occupied Throne – vs. 2

A. Described

1. 46 of 61x’s “throne” is used in Revelation

As the scene in heaven opens, the central focus is on the Throne

We must not loose that focus as we continue the book.

Christ is central in Chapter 1 (“hast seen”

Christ is central in Chapters 2-3, the letters to the seven churches - a unique description of Himself in each letter

Christ is central in Chapters 4-22, He is the only One worthy to take the book (chapter 5) from the Father and to open the book (Chapters 6-22).

2. Jasper – clear stone like a diamond

3. Sardine – fiery ruby red

a. 1st stone on the priestly garments/breastplate – Ex. 28:17-21

Exodus 28:17–21 KJV

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

b. Signifying the relationship between God and His people

III. The One Who Sat on the Throne – vv. 2-3

A. The Father

B. The Rainbow

Represents the Faithfulness of God – Gen. 9:12-17

Genesis 9:12–17 KJV

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

An important reminder as the world globally is about to be judged yet once again by the God of heaven.

C. The Appearance

Like an emerald – green hue

III. The Ones Around the Throne - vs.4

A. Named

Twenty-four elders

B. Described

White

C. Identified

The 24 elders are the Raptured Church

6 factor identification

1. The number 24 is representative – I Chron. 24:3-19; Ez. 8:16; Ez. 11:1

1 Chronicles 24:3–5 KJV

And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:19 KJV

These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

Ezekiel 8:16 KJV

And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Ezekiel 11:1 KJV

Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord’s house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

2. They sit on “smaller thrones” – 4:4; Rev. 1:6; 2:26

Revelation 1:6 KJV

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

“us” - the seven churches

Revelation 2:26 KJV

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

3. They wear white raiment – 4:4; Rev. 3:4-5

Revelation 3:4–5 KJV

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

4. They wear crowns (victor’s) of gold – 4:4; I Cor. 3:11-15; 9:25; II Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; I Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:11

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 KJV

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

2 Timothy 4:8 KJV

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

James 1:12 KJV

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 5:4 KJV

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Revelation 2:10 KJV

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 3:11 KJV

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

5. They sing a new song of redemption – 5:9

Revelation 5:9 KJV

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

6. They testify that they were “Made… unto our God kings and priests” – 5:10; I Peter 2:9 ; Rev. 1:6

Revelation 5:10 KJV

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 1:6 KJV

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

IV. The Ominous Storm

From where does the storm/judgment originate? The Throne

A. Out of the Throne

proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices – storm of righteous fury about to be unleashed

B. Before the Throne

Sea of glass like crystal (pavement)

Spirit of God as seven lamps of fire burning

Seven = complete workings of the Spirit

Fire = judgment

The coming storm of judgment that is about to proceed from the throne of heaven

John 16:8 KJV

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

V. The One Who is Holy - vs. 6-8

of the One Who Sat on the Throne – vs. 6-8

VI. The Ones Who Worship - vv. 9-11

A. The Object of Worship

The Everlasting Father

B. The Leaders of Worship

The beasts = living creatures

The four beasts are 4 angels

C. The Actions of Worship

Casting Crowns

Crying Voices

D. The Cause for Worship

He is the Creator

Who else was at creation that deserves praise?

Who else was there for them to be well - pleased?

We are the Creature

pleasure - your gracious disposition toward us

will, not demand