The Revelation of Jesus Christ Part 3
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Chapter 4 provides a deliberate contrast from the chaos of earth to the control of heaven.
Chapter 4 provides a deliberate contrast from the chaos of earth to the control of heaven.
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1 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.”
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
Please note that the church is not called to heaven, just John.
Please note that the church is not called to heaven, just John.
This is not a picture of the rapture of the church just the ongoing process of revelation for John.
John becomes our eyes and ears in a place where we can’t immediately experience.
John becomes our eyes and ears in a place where we can’t immediately experience.
What is the significants of the image John sees first in heaven?
What is the significants of the image John sees first in heaven?
The Throne is central to John’s picture of heaven.
The Throne is central to John’s picture of heaven.
The central truth of Heaven is that God has all authority.
The central truth of Heaven is that God has all authority.
This reminds me of psalm 103:19
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
The central truth of Heaven is that God has all authority.
The central truth of Heaven is that God has all authority.
These churches needed to know that there was a power greater than Caesar’s Power!
Those seven churches that John was writing to needed to know that God is on the throne.
He has all authority over the issues in our lives, our world, our church. He has all authority.
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.
Rev 4
How man tribes of Israel?
How man tribes of Israel?
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12
How man Apostles of Jesus?
How man Apostles of Jesus?
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12
This is probably a representation of the Covenant People of God made up of both Old and New Testament Saints.
This is probably a representation of the Covenant People of God made up of both Old and New Testament Saints.
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 Spirit of God is present in heaven.
The Spirit of God is present in heaven.
In biblical literature the sea often represents chaos.
In biblical literature the sea often represents chaos.
That is why Israel feared the sea.
But this is a picture of tranquility and calm. There is no chaos in heaven - there is perfect peace. The sea doesn’t toss and foam and rage - it is as glass.
Worship is central to John’s picture of heaven.
Worship is central to John’s picture of heaven.
The four beings probably represent the creatures of God’s creation.
The four beings probably represent the creatures of God’s creation.
In heaven worship is perpetual.
In heaven worship is perpetual.
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!”
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In heaven worship is humble.
In heaven worship is humble.
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,
Rev 4
In heaven worship is central.
In heaven worship is central.
What is centerstage in heaven? Worshiping the one on the throne!
Central to John’s view of Heaven is God’s plan of redemption.
Central to John’s view of Heaven is God’s plan of redemption.
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
No one can move God’s plan of redemption to consummation.
No one can move God’s plan of redemption to consummation.
This is a picture of a scroll with multiple seals to enclose it.
We see desperation.
We see desperation.
The most fundamental question of all time is “who can save, who can redeem, who can deliver?”
The most fundamental question of all time is “who can save, who can redeem, who can deliver?”
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5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
We see jubilation.
We see jubilation.
Christ comes into focus and with him hope for God’s redemptive plan.
Christ comes into focus and with him hope for God’s redemptive plan.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
What does the image of Christ as a standing-slain lamb mean?
What does the image of Christ as a standing-slain lamb mean?
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
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It means that the work of Christ alone moves God’s redemptive plan forward.
It means that the work of Christ alone moves God’s redemptive plan forward.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
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It means that in heaven both Father and Son are worshipped.
It means that in heaven both Father and Son are worshipped.
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb is an expression worship of Father and son as equals.