The Throne Room
Notes
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Intro
Intro
TS: In this passage, it John is either taken directly into heaven, or has a vision of heaven while “in the Spirit” on the isle of Patmos. The word used in the Greek seems to indicate he was transported into heaven to see the events unfold.
Either way, we are given an awesome privilege of sharing in a glimpse of heaven and what was to come.
RS:
RS:
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.”
Called to Heaven
Called to Heaven
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.
EX: Here we see John called to heaven and the window is opened for us to behold God Throne room.
John is called by God to heaven
Did he bodily enter heaven? Did his flesh remain on earth and his spirit go? One can never know.
Paul could relate to the experience and that it was hard to discern the mechanics:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
Some evangelicals believe the command ”come up here” is a foreshadowing of the rapture.
Some evangelicals believe the command ”come up here” is a foreshadowing of the rapture.
It is reasoned that the timing of this indicates that the events which unfold in the rest of the book of Revelation all refer to the Great Tribulation, and that it immediately follows the pre-tribulational rapture of the church.
After the rapture, the last 7 years of earth unfold before the return of Christ to reign on earth.
God ‘s plan was to show John what would take place in the future.
God inspired John to record these things to remind the churches which were going through difficult times, that ultimately, He was in control and working out His ultimate plan.
No matter how dark things might seem on earth, God was still on His throne and sovereign over all kings and nations.
The Glory of God
The Glory of God
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 view of God
John attempts to describe the indescribable
any human words fall far short of the reality of God
God is pictured sitting upon the throne and looks similar to Jasper and Carnelian
The Greek words used are hard to identify with a modern gemstone.
having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
These are used to bring to mind brilliance and splendor.
think flashing white light of a diamond and burning glowing red of the carnelian.
majesty and judgment joined in magnificent display
Throne surrounded by a glowing rainbow which appeared like emerald.
Emerald green glow, aura, around God
The jewels remind us of the divine attributes of God
This whole glimpse of God present to us His holy, glorious majesty and the righteousness and judgment over the universe.
a. Green bow
The Elders
24 elders sit around the throne.
It has been suggested that these are the 12 leaders of Israel (1/tribe) and 12 apostles
Elders is a term used for both leaders of Israel and leaders in the churches
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Jesus said to them, “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.
The Bible doesn’t officially name the 24 elders, but the verses shared and others seems to indicate some are from Israel and some from the church.
The Bible doesn’t officially name the 24 elders.
,
The Bible doesn’t officially name the 24 elders.
These “presbyters”, elders, are clothed in white garments and wear crowns of gold.
white is used often to symbolize holiness
gold crowns indicate shared authority
The authority is God’s, but He has shared it with the elders and have them act as His representatives.
Out of the throne:
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,
Rev 4:
Tremendous manifestations flow from the throne.
Once again the focus is on God’s omnipotence
Lightnings, sounds, and thunder over the earth.
Note
A Psalm of David.
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
7 spirits- torches
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
A depiction of the Holy Spirit and His work in the world.
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
John saw God’s power on full display and though God’s inspiration, we too see it this very evening.
John saw God’s power on full display and though God’s inspiration, we too see it this very evening.
The Elders
The Worship of God
The Worship of God
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.”
Rev. 4:
EX: There is but one response to the glory of God: WORSHIP!
The 4 living ones represent all living things. They are special creatures to stand before GOD and praise Him.
This vision is primarily a display of God’s glory and power.
These creatures show how all creation declare His praise and worship Him.
The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation The Throne, Chapter 4
The order is significant: lion—young bull—face of a human being—flying eagle. The lion represents the wild places of earth; the young bull the cultivated parts; the human countenance the cities, towns, etc.; the flying eagle the whole expanse of air and sky. Lange’s idea of the four forms of the divine government is one of the best of the many offered although it is too abstract.
These agents of God’s rule declare His holiness continuously
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God the Almighty!”
The elders join these magnificent living creatures:
The Worship
Bow before the throne and cast down their crowns.
They give Him the glory, honor and thanksgiving which is right and of which He alone is worthy.