The Court of Thrones

Text: Revelation 4:1-11

Thesis: God is the holy sovereign creator.

Application: Live as if God is at the center of your universe.

Reading of the Word

Revelation 4:1-11

Intro

Opening Notes:

Revelation’s cyclical structure (see picture by Joseph Greene and Craig Koester)

Basic Cycle Outline:

The people of God proclaim Christ as King

The people of God face tribulation

What is tribulation? -> Temptation and Persecution

The forces of evil appear to be mighty

God displays His power, glory, and victory

The universe bows before the Lord of Creation

God’s Throne

OT References:

Ezekiel 1:26-28

The Throne - A Sign of Power

As the churches face temptation and persecution, they must remember that it is God who is on the throne.

His throne is the ultimate throne; there is none greater.

The Colors - A Sign of Glory

This scene leads us to imagination, awe, and wonder about the glory of God.

We get a glimpse into God’s glory which is simultaneously revelatory but too lofty for our comprehension.

Psalm 139:5-6:

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”

The Rainbow - A Sign of Control, Justice, and Mercy

When we encounter the rainbow we encounter God’s perfect justice and perfect mercy.

God is in control, even when it feels like the universe is falling apart.

The Elders’ Thrones

The Number of Elders - 12 x 2

Why are there 24 elders?

24 -> 12 x 2

Multiplication is a method of adding an “exclamation point” to a numerical symbol.

Example: Jesus’ command to forgive 7 x 70 times.

These elders represent the people of God - those who have overcome and sit on thrones (Rev. 3:21).

White Garments

-These elders have received the promise from Rev. 3:5.

-The white garments represent purity, a purity received from Christ.

Golden Crowns

-Just as the elders have received the promise of thrones and white garments, they also have kept their crowns (Rev. 3:11) which they received from Christ.

-They have been lifted up -> call back to Genesis’ gifting of dominion and co-rule.

The Living Creatures

OT References:

Ezekiel 1:1-14

Isaiah 6:1-3

Covered in Eyes

-They see all around, and yet where is their attention? God.

Covered in Wings

-They can move all around, and yet where do they plant themselves? Before God.

Strange Beings Which Initiate Worship

-These angels never cease to say “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

-Their entire existence glorifies their Creator and declares the truth about Him.

-The worship of the angels then prompts the elders to worship in a similar way, showcasing that both the heavenly creatures and the earthly creatures (“may your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

Outro

God is at the center of the universe

“Theology is the study of God and it's very important Doxology is an expression of praise to God So, the point here is that all theology Should ultimately lead to doxology If theology doesn't lead to doxology Then we've actually missed the point of theology So if you have theology without doxology You just have dead, cold orthodoxy Which is horrible, right? On the other side, we have people who say "Ugh! Forget theology; I just wanna praise!" Right? But, if we have doxology without theology, we actually have idolatry! Because it's just a random expression of praise But it's not actually informed by the Truth of who God is So, God is concerned with both! He's concerned with an accurate understanding of Him And that accurate understanding of Him Leading to a response of praise, adoration and worship towards Him”

-Shai Linne (Intro to Doxology)

When we encounter and believe the truth of God, we naturally respond in worship.

Loving God cannot be detached from knowing God. Likewise, you cannot truly know Him without loving Him.

May this scene of the heavenly throne room remind us of the truth of God’s glory, power, authority, majesty and centrality.

And as we encounter the truth of our Creator, may we respond in worship.