Worship Before the Throne

Worship Before the Throne

Year was somewhere late in the 1st century, probably AD 95:

· It is a dark time for the Church….

· The church is faced with false teachers and heresies,

· Continued zealous persecution by the Jews.

Adding greatly to their distress, under the reign of Emperor Nero and Domitian, the church is facing heavy persecution by the Romans.

· Emperor worship and state mandates that Christians make sacrifices to the Roman gods has pitted Roman rule against the Christians….

· Christians are forced to either confess “Caesar as Lord” or else face execution

All the apostles but John have been martyred, John himself has been exiled on the Isle of Patmos.

· The call to the young church was to stand firm in the face of fierce opposition and hardship….

The question of the day, WHO is worthy of worship?

· It was the question of their day, was it the emperor, was it the multitude of pagan gods?

· It is also the question of our day…. Who is worthy of worship?

o Is it the Hollywood stars, is it the media elites, is it the TV idols

o Is it the god of self, of pride, or even government

o Is it a political party, or ideology to which we should bow the knee…

The Bible is very clear of that answer, there is only one worthy of worship.

And it is at this pivotal time in the Church that John is given this mighty/faith strengthening vision/the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

READ

As we walk through the chapter, Lord willing, we will see truth and faith strengthening power in the vision given to John.

Outline:

1. The Commanding Voice

2. The Heavenly Throne

3. The One Seated on the Throne

4. The Gathering Storm

5. His Covenant/Promises Kept

6. Worship of the Worthy One

#1st The Commanding Voice:

V1 John says that he LOOKED, and he SAW

Behold, this was an unexpected, an amazing sight, “a door standing open in heaven!”

· And he hears the voice, like a trumpet speaking to him

· This voice is the voice of our Risen Lord Jesus, The Voice of God the Son, the SAME that John describes in:

o (ESV) THIS IS [13]… one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, [15] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

· This voice is:

o THE voice of power, full of strength, authority and of irresistible and awesome command.

o The voice of command that spoke creation into existence

· What John is commanded to see v1 is “what must take place after this”

o What MUST take place…

o What John is to see from here to the end of the book is

§ not a matter of possibilities

§ It is not a matter of potentiality

§ It is not a matter of probability

§ It is not a maybe

§ But IT IS a CERTAINTY!

· And we today, Lord willing, though John’s heavenly vision are also able/privileged to see…

o And not only to see but to hear, to understand, to be strengthened by this Revelation

§ Growing deeper in faith and trust in God

Next We are to see…#2 The Heavenly Throne

[2] At once (immediately) I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

§ John instantly enters a vast/astounding/infinite space

o This striking transition from the Isle of Patmos to Heaven itself must have felt like an electric shock to John

§ And there…. captivating his vision, what dominates his view….is the imposing/massive fixture… right at the center/at the very heart of heaven

o And it is the throne of God

o This word Throne is key to ch 4 and is used 14 times in this chapter alone

§ When we think of a throne, we usually think some kind of velvet and golden chair, set a few steps up at the back of a palace court

§ But the word throne here in revelation 4, pictures for us a symbol of a seat of authority, which reserved for ones who rule

o And THIS Throne/The Throne that John sees

§ Is the seat of all power, the seat of all sovereignty, the seat of all authority

§ And in Revelation ch 4, we see that everything in heaven finds itself in relation to this throne

· We are told what is AROUND THE THRONE

· WHAT IS COMING FROM THE THRONE

· WHAT IS BEFORE THE THRONE

· WHAT IS ON EACH SIDE OF THE THRONE

§ Not only everything in Heaven but we must by extension realize that all creation ultimately finds ITSELF in relation to the Throne of God

· This is the “Control Center” and power source, of the universe

o And this is the same Great White Throne, the Judgement Seat that John sees in Revelation ch 20

Don’t miss this, what John saw, LOOK AT the end of v2,

§ No matter what you have been told, no matter what the world has said, continues to say, or will say in the future

[2] … behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

We are to see…#3 The One Seated on the Throne

o John saw that there is ONE SEATED ON this throne of ultimate power, authority, and sovereignty

§ The throne of heaven is NOT EMPTY

§ The throne of heaven is NOT VACANT

· GOD is NOT DEAD

· HE is NOT ABSENT

· HE has NOT stepped down, stepped aside, or walked away

§ God Almighty is ENTHRONED in all HIS GLORY

· Our GOD RULES

· OUR GOD REIGNS/ Undeterred and Uninterrupted

· He has from Eternity Past and will continue to do so into Eternity FUTURE

§ And John next stretches the limits of the human language as he tries to describe Him who is seated on this Great Throne [3] And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian

o A jasper stone, is most likely a diamond, it is a radiant crystal, a rare and costly jewel

o And carnelian, is a semi-transparent stone like the color of rusty red, like blood

o The image of the diamond and carnelian here would still be unlike any we have seen, instead of reflecting the light

§ The Glory of God is the source of the light, streaming forth FROM Him

§ In we are told that we will have no more need for the sun or moon because the glory of God will give us all the light, there will be no more darkness at all

§ 4 Living Creatures

o [V6b]…And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures

§ (these are a kind of angel, perhaps the seraphim from -- but also described in

§ we can see in them

· God’s power/completeness in creation,

o 4 being the number of completeness in creation,

· and also we can see through them a reflection of the Glory of God),

[v6c]…full of eyes in front and behind:

§ Reflecting God as all seeing/omniscience

o The descriptions of them as “like a lion”, “like an ox”, “with the face of a man”, and “like an eagle in flight”

§ Speak to majesty and courage, strength, intelligence, grace and swiftness in action

§ Look in v8 at what they ascribe to God

§ [8] These living ones …day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

o Our God is the absolute perfection and standard of Holiness

§ The Lord, in his sovereignty

§ God, as creator

§ Almighty, in his strength

§ Eternal in His existence

We are to see next #4 The Gathering Storm

John’s vision is kind of the reverse of stepping into a dark room

§ Where first you only are able to see maybe the night light on the wall but as your eyes adjust you begin to see more detail of the things all around the room starting from those nearest the light

o The reverse is true in John’s case he has stepped into a brilliantly lit expanse where no shadow can exist and his eyes are locked on the sight of God on His Throne

o But as his vision adjusts, he begins to share more details of what is happening from and around the Throne

[5] From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder

In the description of these elements, lightning flashes/thunder and rumblings we get a sense of a great growing storm that is coming from the throne.

To the ancient audience, the natural elements, the fury of the storm, were the most powerful experiences they could imagine.

· This gathering storm, represents the building wrath of God that is ready to be unleashed and will be unleashed upon the earth.

o We see beginning in Ch 6, a mighty earthquake with the 7 seal judgements

o We see lightning, thunder, rumblings, and an earthquake in ch 8 as the 7 trumpet judgements are executed on the earth

The storm imagery is at its height as Ch 16 reveals the pouring out of the Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath onto the earth

· (ESV) [18] And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.

· This is part of what MUST come from v1, before the New Heavens and the New Earth can come in ch 21, before the perfected eternal state described at the end of Revelation

o Judgement day will come, perfect Justice before the throne will come, the end MUST come

o Every single sin/every wrong/every evil whether in thought or deed that has EVER been committed must be paid

§ God’s perfect righteousness and justice requires it

· All sin, yours and mine will either, BY FAITH, be counted paid in full by the Blood of Jesus on the cross

· Or it will be paid for by the sinner himself or herself for all eternity

#5. His Covenant/Promises Kept

That is a hard message, but one we must hear and know. But I want you to not miss this here. The promise of a final end, and of the coming judgement is true, and He alone knows the time that is fixed.

· BUT At this very moment, the storm of the wrath of God, is being restrained for a time by His patient and loving grace

· It is like His own hand restraining and holding back judgement so that many can be saved and brought into the kingdom

o The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

o Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

Our God, in his love/mercy/and grace has made the one and only way to be saved….

· We are all, every one of us sinners and in dire need of his mercy…

· And because of His love, he gave his Son to die in our place, that all who receive Him by faith will be received into His Kingdom…

Your sins in an instant… forgiven…washed away…. And instead of being the just recipient of God wrath, you become the recipient of unmerited mercy.

This is the New Covenant – this is the promise of salvation and we can see that promise played out before the throne..

Did you notice the rainbow in v3?

[3b] …and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

· The rainbow, this beautiful majestic rainbow that fully encircles the throne in heaven

· It is the symbol of what? God’s covenant promise given to Noah after the flood

o Immediately surrounding/encircling the throne is the symbol of his promise

§ AS if it is ever before him

Just look at those surrounding the throne

o [4] Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, (like lower thrones – places of power and authority derived from the throne of God) and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

o Seated there are the 24 Elders – the word Elder – presbuteros

§ is used all throughout the New Testament referring to leaders of the Church and leaders/forefathers of Isreal – as in

· The many mentions of “the chief priests, scribes, and elders”

§ There are 24 of them….

§ The description if the New Jerusalem in ch 21 says that the Heavenly City will have 12 gates – “and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Isreal were inscribed.”

· The Heavenly City with have 12 foundations, - “an on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” ,

§ Jesus promised just a few verse before in to “the one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne”

· Here these 24 elders are seated with God on 24 lower thrones linked to The Throne

§ Jesus promises in “The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments”

· These elders in v4 are described with the exact same wording - they are “clothed in white garments”

§ Jesus promises in “Be faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life” – stephanos – the victor’s crown

· our Lord says “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” – the same – the victor’s crown

· Here these elders wear the golden crowns - victor’s crowns – the kind of crown worn in the victor’s circle at the Olympic games

o not the kingly/imperial diadem that Christ is said to wear

o I believe that the 24 elders represent all those redeemed by God in his covenant promises

§ The 12 tribes of Israel of the Old Covenant

§ And the 12 apostles representing the redeemed of all nations/tribes/tongues in the New Covenant

o I think we must see here that God keeps his promises, his word is true, you can stand on the Word of God

§ You can/you must, by faith, give your life to Christ and trust him to receive you – as sons and daughters of the King!

· You can know for sure that He will keep his promise of salvation to all who come – all who receive the Son

· That he will then come along side you, that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct you all the rest of your days into an eternity of worship and adoration before him

§ You can trust Him, fully, as you submit your life to Christ

§ You can lean the whole weight of the most precious gift He himself gave you, your life, on His promised redemption

That brings us lastly to #6

#6. Worship of the Worthy One

When the four living creatures cry out v8 “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

When “glory” “honor” and “thanks” are given to God, look at the response of the twenty-four elders in v10

· They “fall down before him… and Worship Him”

· Then what? end v10 “They cast their crowns before the throne”

o How could they do this!?

o The most treasured item – the crown of life – tossed at His feet

o Many will have suffered for this

§ Many were martyred

§ Many gave up their earthly comforts

§ All who would come must die to self, take up their cross….

o Yet in this act of worship they recognize that even in their victory it was all God’s doing

§ Salvation is by Grace through faith

§ [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

§ If you are in Christ today, It is the gift of God,

§ If you are one of the redeemed it is because of the grace of God

· Have you overcome hardship, it is the grace of God

· Have you conquered sin, it is the grace of God

· Every moment lived for Christ, is the grace of God

· Every effort done in His name, is enabled/empowered by God

· Look at what they say: v11 “Worthy are you, (NOT -- LOOK AT US, Look at what we did, at what we accomplished, 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.”

Ultimately we all submit ourselves to worship, the question is not of whether or not we worship but who/what we worship:

o In we see that:

o God alone is worthy of worship

§ Not the Emperor,

§ Not the Hollywood stars

§ Not the media elites,

§ Not the TV idols

§ Not yourself,

§ Not the government

§ Not a political party or fashionable ideology

Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna – Born in the year 69AD – The 12th Christian Martyr in Smyrna

· He was said to have been personally discipled by the Apostle John

· And was a good and godly man, who

o his 80’s was a honored teacher and leader in the church

o And when he learned that the Roman authorities where coming for him - he stayed, desiring “God’s will be done”

· When they came for him they came with weapons and horsemen as if he was a hardened criminal

o They then took him to the arena to face his inquisitor

· The Proconsul at his trial tried to persuade him due to his age to deny Christ and live

o Saying “Swear, reproach Christ, and I will set you free.”

o Where Polycarp replies his famous reply “86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

· The Proconsul looking for a way out of executing this elderly man

o Says to simply say “Away with the atheists” to the Christians there who Rome considered as atheists for not worshipping their host of pagan gods

§ But Polycarp turns instead to the angry/mocking Roman mob that had come to witness his execution

· Pointing to them he says “Away with the atheists”

· The Proconsul, angered, threatens him with being burned alive

o To which Polycarp replies “You threaten fire that burns for an hour and is over. But the judgment on the ungodly is forever.”

· They prepared the fire lit the fire, Polycarp lifts his eyes to heaven and prays to be received as acceptable in God’s sight

To Polycarp, God alone was worthy of worship, he would not be moved – and he received the victor’s crown.

We also must consider tonight carefully…. to whom have you devoted your worship?

To whom do you bow the knee?

· Is it truly God or are you actually devoted to another?

o Is your faith placed in the things of this world that are passing away

§ Or on “the one who was and is and is to come”?

· Have you committed your life to Him or are you still holding back?

o Are you still standing at the door but afraid to knock?

o Or are you standing on the promises of God?

· Have you trusted in Him

o Knowing that one day you will stand before him and be received into his eternal kingdom –

§ One of the Justified – One of the Redeemed

I pray that this revealing of God Almighty seated on the Throne will strengthen you.

That it will grow your faith and resolve to follow Him, to obey Him, to worship Him, and to love Him forever.