The Lord God Almighty - Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11

Introduction

Today’s lesson pictures Heaven in terms of a royal throne room. The one seated on the throne is the king of Heaven and earth. The ones allowed access into the throne room have a certain derivative honor based on their proximity. John’s vision of this scene is overwhelming for him - almost indescribable. Yet he does his best to explain what he sees, and we are thereby rewarded when we consider his words.

Many theories exist as to how Revelation should be interpreted. Some believe it is prophetic of future events, primarily those of the end times. Others think it presents a panorama of church history. Still others think that Revelation is entirely symbolic, a story that portrays the timeless struggle of good versus evil.

Whatever one’s view, there are some important details about Revelation that should be kept in mind while studying the book. One concerns the historical setting of the book. The apostle John was exiled on the barren island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea because of his unwavering loyalty to Jesus () Patmos was situated about 50 miles southwest of Ephesus, off the coast of modern Turkey. Ephesus was likely the city from which John was exiled. The church at Ephesus is the first of the seven churches addressed by Jesus in ; .

The most probable time of writing is AD 90-96. It is remarkable that this elderly man was seen as such a threat to the Roman Empire that he would be banished in his 80s r 90s! He must have been a tireless and effective preacher. In addition, we should remember that the book of Revelation is narrative, a story told by a narrator. John tells what he experiences: marvelous divine visions given to him in exile by Christ. The best way to read Revelation, then, is as a story with various scenes in which the content is connected.

We need symbols to convey meaning as we try to understand God. Symbols are incredibly important in our rituals, as they pack a tremendous amount of meaning into a small amount of space.

The primary overall message of the book is that despite how intense the opposition to God’s people may be, in the end they triumph and evil is vanquished for entirety. As today’s lesson begins, John has already state that “on the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit” (). He then experienced a marvelous vision of “someone like a son of man” (1:12-16) just before receiving Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 opens up a new dimension of John’s experiences.

Vision of Heaven -

Revelation 4:1–2 NRSV

After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! 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 there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne!

The Scriptures describe heaven as a place located above the earth, behind a covering described as the “vault” (, ; ). This covering blocks any direct view of Heaven, so access requires Heaven to be open. In John’s vision, he is looking up into the sky; and he sees what appears to be an open door, an entry into Heaven itself.

The glimpse is marvelous all by itself, but John’s account does not end there. John hears a trumpet-like voice inviting him to come up here. This is identified as the voice I had first heard, therefore that of the risen Christ who previously spoke in a trumpet-like voice and then gave John the messages for the seven churches of Asia. The voice beckons John to join the speaker in Heaven. The speaker promises to reveal what must take place after this, events that have yet to happen.

In verse 2 the reference to being in the Spirit, is a reference where John’s vision places him in heaven itself, and the first thing he sees is a throne. In Bible times thrones were more than expensive chairs for kings. Palaces had elaborate throne rooms that served as audience halls. The king would enter with pomp and ceremony. The throne was the king’s seat of authority, recognized as such by all.

The word throne could serve as a metaphor for the one who was authorized to sit on it. Judgments issues from the throne were absolute. The throne was synonomous with royal power, and such is the case here. The throne John sees is occupied, indicating that the royal court of Heaven is in session; and the King has taken his seat. Something dramatic is about to happen, and we can imagine the anticipation John feels at his opportunity to witness it.

What further steps can we take to conduct ourselves in light of the fact that God is King? Regarding ways that others can see; regarding ways that others cannot see.

Arrangement of Heaven -

Revelation 4:3–6 NRSV

And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:

Verse 3 speaks of the one who sat on the throne. We are to understand that the one on the throne is God, the King of Heaven. John can offer only comparisons to describe the scene before him. Jasper is a red stone that can be polished highly and is prized for its beauty. A ruby is also red in appearance. The imagery John uses to capture the radiance of God is that of precious jewels in all their brilliance.

As is the characteristic of the visions of John, he sees something familiar and different at the same time, something both known and gloriously unknown. The rainbow that encircled the throne is not the familiar multicolored kind. Rather, it reminds John of an emerald in having a brilliant shade of green. This is like no throne John has ever seen.

The twenty-four occupied thrones now catch John’s attention. They surround the main throne, but are clearly lower in status and less glorious. Although those who occupy the 24 thrones are wearing crowns of gold, they are not called kings or princes. Instead, they are elders, a term used for leaders in the church or synagogue. The fact that they are religious rulers rather than political authorities is indicated by their white clothes, a sign of faith more than royalty. The white robes indicate the saved of the church of Heaven (; , ).

When a church comes to view itself as people of the King, how should its members conduct themselves, individually and collectively? In worship; in ministry priorities; in ministry leadership.

In verse 5 we here of the lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder John experiences is something parallel to the occasion when God descended upon Mount Sinai before the Israelites (). We later see a more orderly type of lighting in the area in front of the throne. John helps us with the symbolism here. The reference to seven spirits does not require us to understand divisions or multiplicity in the Holy Spirit, but gives the sense of perfection and wholeness. We see evidence and activity of the Holy Spirit on the earth among the people of the church, but in Heaven is the fullness of the Holy Spirit found.

What steps can we take to identify and eliminate things that work against the activity of the Holy Spirit in the here and now? In terms of sin against the Spirit; in terms of resistance to the Spirit; in terms of what quenches the Spirit.

Action in Heaven -

Revelation 4:6–11 NRSV

and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and 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 a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, “You are worthy, 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.”

John’s description of four living creatures is a generic description that implies that while they may have human or angelic characteristics, they are not quite human or angels. The creatures are watching the entire earth; nothing is hidden from them. They symbolize the all-knowing nature of the Lord, or his omniscience.

How would we live differently were we to accept fully the fact of God’s omniscience? Regarding observable behavior; regarding thought processes; regarding relationships.

Like the six-winged seraphim of Isaiah’s vision (), the creatures here declare God’s holiness. But it is not enough to say God is holy; he is holy, holy, holy - absolutely pure. The title Almighty emphasizes God’s omnipotence; he is all-powerful. God is eternal - there is no beginning or end either to his omniscience, his holiness, his omnipotence, or he himself.

In verse 9 we see the fact that the living creatures lead in worship indicates they are intelligent, speaking beings. Worship for them consists of the praise words of glory, honor and thanks, all directed to the one seated on the throne. Accompanying these words of worship is another expression of the Lord’s eternal nature: he lives for ever and ever.

In verses 10 and 11 our attention is turned back to the 24 elders, who now rise from their thrones and fall down in the classic posture of worship. The elders engage in an additional act of reverence as they lay their crowns at the foot of the throne. This is one of the most unforgettable scenes in the Bible and should challenge us to lay ourselves in service before the Lord.

On a scale from 1 (most important) to 4, how would you rank-order the talking points below for enabling you to cast yourself in service before God? Why? Considering the examples others have set; considering how you have benefited from the service of others; considering how others may benefit from your service; considering passion in worship.

The words of the elders offer a concise lesson on the nature of worship. Worship means “to ascribe worthiness.” The elders acknowledge God’s worthiness by saying that he alone should receive humanity’s expressions of glory and honor and power. The elders offer rationale for this expression of worship: the identity of God as Creator of all things. We rightly praise God as Redeemer, but we should not forget that before he was Redeemer, he was Creator.

The contenders for power, whether the Roman emperors of John’s day or the dreadful beasts who come later in Revelation, have no power to create ex nihilo (from nothing) as God does. When we begin to grasp the omniscience, the holiness, the eternality, and the omnipotence of the Lord, worship is the only reasonable response.

Conclusion

Revelation has much to teach us about worship and about the nature of God. In our desire to understand the prophetic message of the book, we sometimes miss additional insights. The more we know about God, the more we are compelled to worship him and the more genuine our worship becomes. Let us worship God in his holiness, his power, his eternality, and his knowledge. Let us worship the Lord God Almighty.

Prayer

Lord God Almighty, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. May you reign forever in all creation and in our hearts. In the name of Jesus, by whom all things are created, we pray. Amen.