The Throne of God

Introduction:

Do you ever think about Heaven and what it’s going to be like? The book of Revelation tells us a lot about the future on earth, but it also tells us a lot about Heaven. Today’s chapter begins a section in Revelation that tells us what will be “hereafter.” It’s interesting to note, with all the focus on the churches before this chapter, that the focus now becomes about what will take place AFTER....

Scripture Introduction:

After the message to the seven churches John sees an open door (v. 1) in heaven. He is invited to come through that open door and is supernaturally transported through that open door to see the things that are to come in the future.

However, before all the future events are unfolded, He catches a glimpse of the throne room of heaven, and it is an awe-inspiring sight to behold.

Then he hears a voice...notice Revelation 4:1

Revelation 4:1 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

He tells us that it was the same voice that is mentioned in Revelation 1:10-11

Revelation 1:10–11 NKJV

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Of course we know who this is...the is the Lord Jesus Christ...so the Lord Jesus invites the beloved Apostle to come through this door to grasp this supernatural glimpse into the throne room of heaven and also see the things that are to take place in the future.

There is one other thing we need to take note of...

Revelation 4:2 NKJV

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

John says that he was “in the Spirit.” You may remember he said something similar at the beginning of his vision in Revelation 1:10

Revelation 1:10 NKJV

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

John was enabled by the Holy Spirit to be transported through this doorway in order to see things and experience things that otherwise He would not be able to see and experience. It appears that John’s body remained on earth, while his spirit was caught away to heaven… “an out of body experience?”

It may have been very similar to what Ezekiel experienced in Ezekiel 3:12

Ezekiel 3:12 NKJV

Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!”

most likely similar to what Paul described in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NKJV

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Paul said that what he saw, felt, and experienced was so real and powerful he was unable to tell if it was “in the body or out of the body.”

While he is “in the Spirit” pay careful attention to what he sees...

Revelation 4:2–3 NKJV

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

The One on the Throne (vv. 2-3)

The Throne

It’s interesting that the word “THRONE” is used 46 times in Revelation, and 14 times in this chapter alone.

It is comforting to know that God is on the throne of the universe, and no matter what happens He is in control.

One described God’s throne as a “control tower” from which the omniscient and omnipotent God sovereignly governs His creation. It is from here He exercises His infinite knowledge, wisdom, and power to sustain His creation and consummate His eternal plan.

Is Occupied by ONE

The throne isn’t occupied by me or you.

The throne isn’t occupied by a world leader: no Caesar, no President, no earthly King...past, present, or future.

The throne isn’t occupied by a board of governors

THE THRONE IS OCCUPIED BY ONE AND ONLY ONE...GOD THE FATHER IS SEATED ON THE THRONE!

The Description Given

Think about the appearance that John describes...

Beautiful, sparkling, conglomeration of jewels and exquisite colors

The stones that are mentioned are the first and last stones on the breastplate of the High Priest

He’s encircled by a rainbow...a reminder of the grace and mercy He extended to the world after the flood

Tozer said: you have a vision of God’s majesty, splendor, glory, and faithfulness. He is beyond description in appearance and utterly reliable in His promises. He is awesome, magnificent, transcendent, and spectacular. There is no God like our God!

This is an amazing portrait of the glory of God. How breathtaking, magnificent, this scene must have been and to think that one day we will be in the very presence of God’s throne room in our glorified bodies is almost unimaginable.

Not only do we get a glimpse of the throne but we also get a glimpse of...

The Participants Around the Throne

First we are introduced to

Twenty-Four Elders Surrounding the Throne

Notice Revelation 4:4

Revelation 4:4 NKJV

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

We are not specifically told who these 24 elders are, but through the years there has been much speculation. I do not want so spend a lot of time on WHO they are, because I suppose if that were important Scripture would have emphasized who they were. But I think we have a hint at who they are in

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 NKJV

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

In Revelation 21 we are given the description of the city of New Jerusalem. This city has 12 gates and it also has 12 foundations. There are names inscribed upon these gates and foundations—24 of them in total. 12 of the names are the 12 tribes of the Children of Israel and 12 of them are the 12 apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 12 + 12 = 24.

Many believe that these 24 elders are the same as the 24 names that are inscribed on the city’s gates and foundations and I tend to agree.

If that it the case many see this as a representation of ALL the OT saints, represented by the 12 tribes of Israel, and ALL the NT saints, represented by the 12 apostles.

Another suggestion is that the number 24 is the number of representation. In the Law of Moses there were 24 orders of the priesthood, and and King David appointed 24 elders to REPRESENT the entire Levitical priesthood.

We know from 1 Peter 2:9 that EVERY BELIEVER in Christ is now a priest, so maybe these 24 represent all of us...

Regardless of who these are, I feel confident that they are surrounding the throne TO REPRESENT ALL BELIEVERS OF ALL AGES (INCLUDING YOU AND ME)...if that is the case then we see ourselves there in the representation of these 24 elders.

Right off the bat we notice something about them:

They are Clothed in White Robes

White robes are tightly associated with VICTORY and the REDEMPTION that we have in Christ! Notice:

Noticed what the saints are promised in Revelation 3:4

Revelation 3:4 NKJV

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Then notice...

Revelation 7:13–14 NKJV

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Not only are they wearing “robes of white” but...

They are Wearing Golden Crowns

Some see the significance of these crowns in a variety of ways:

Crowns are often associated with royalty

We know that God’s people called “kings and priests” in Revelation 1:6

Revelation 1:6 NKJV

and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We are called a “royal priesthood” in...

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

It’s also important to recognize the significance of the TYPE of crown these are. The Greek word that is used to describe these crowns is the word: “stephanos”. It is a VICTOR’S CROWN.

This was similar to the prize given to the victors in the Greek games.

While there is a sense of royalty involved in being a child of God, it doesn’t appear that this the significance of this crown. This is a crown that is a reward...a reward for FAITHFULNESS.

If John had wanted to convey the idea of royalty here he could have used a different word for crown, but he chooses to use the word that means a “victor’s crown.”

Remember what God had said to the seven churches? He gave a promise to each one:

Revelation 2:7 NKJV

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Revelation 2:11 NKJV

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

Revelation 2:17 NKJV

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

Revelation 2:26–28 NKJV

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 3:5 NKJV

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12 NKJV

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 3:21 NKJV

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Could it be that these 24 elders represent the Old and New Testament saints that had overcome. Could this vision be a picture of what is waiting for us on the other side? I believe it may be. I believe these 24 elders are simply REPRESENTATIVE of all the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT saints that have been redeemed and trusted in Jesus until He welcomed them home.

As a result, they received a white robe and a gold crown, among other things, to signify God’s faithfulness to His promises.

But I want you to notice what they do with these crowns...Revelation 4:10-11

Revelation 4:10–11 NKJV

the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “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.”

The Worship of the One on the Throne

They Cast Their Crowns Before Him

What is the significance of this? I asked myself this same question and after doing some research the answer was so powerful.

In the ancient world, when one king would conquer another, the conquered king would take off his crown and offer it to the victorious king.

Dear friend...we have been conquered by LOVE, by GRACE, by MERCY, by LONGSUFFERING...and we realize that we are not deserving of the crown He offers, so we offer it back to Him.

These elders acknowledge that the One on the throne is TRULY the King of kings and Lord of lords!

I think about this scene, that one day, in God’s presence, we will be so overwhelmed by His goodness and grace that we will take these crowns that we are presented with and we will say God, we don’t deserve these, You alone are worthy...You have conquered us with Your love, we offer them back to YOU!

But then I ask...why wait? Why should we wait until Heaven to offer to God what is rightfully His?

It’s His breath in our lungs, should we not praise Him

It’s His resources in our possession, should we not glorify Him

It’s His grace that Has saved us, should we not magnify Him

They Verbally Express their Praise

In this verbal expression they say, “You are WORTHY.”

They offer Him reverence and respect

They do so because He is the omnipotent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe

They Recognize that all Glory, Honor and Power Belong to Him

When it says that they “give” God these things it does not mean they are giving God something He doesn’t already have, but rather they are acknowledging that God not only has these things, but He is the SOURCE of these things.

We can’t add to God, we can only recognize WHO God is and then confess this acknowledgement in praise!

Application

Seek to Cultivate A Deep, Consistent Life of Worship and Appreciation of WHO God is and WHAT God has done

Rest in God’s Omnipotence and Sovereignty

Never forget WHERE God is...He is on the THRONE

Never forget WHAT God is doing...He is ruling and reigning the UNIVERSE

Nothing takes God by surprise, nothing catches God off guard, we can realize that He is in CONTROL!

Live in Humble Submission to His Authority

What do you need to cast at the Lord’s feet?

You may not have a crown on your head today, but you do have time on your clocks, you do have breath in your lungs, you do have resources at your disposal, you do have talents and blessings He’s entrusted you with.

He also invites you to “cast your cares on Him!” What a glorious King we have!

Take His Holiness and Ours Seriously

Day and night they cry “Holy, holy, holy.” We should HATE sin and LOVE the Savior after all sin has done to Him and to us, and after all His grace and mercy has extended to us...why do we coddle sin?

Maintain Hope

As we have seen this morning there is a better day coming!

Song: Worthy of it All

Salvation

Rededication

Baptism

Church Membership