The Son’s Eternal Home

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We look and wonder - have a sentimental feeling about the love of God - and that’s all good. But I want to tell you, this morning, we cannot adequately treasure the wonder of the coming of the Christ, in the manger born to the virgin, teenage peasant girl, UNTIL first of all, we grasp a little, at least, of the wonder of what the baby in the manger, came FROM.

We look and wonder - have a sentimental feeling about the love of God - and that’s all good. But I want to tell you, this morning, we cannot adequately treasure the wonder of the coming of the Christ, in the manger born to the virgin, teenage peasant girl, UNTIL first of all, we grasp a little, at least, of the wonder of what the baby in the manger, came FROM.

I want us to take a journey, this morning - a journey into heaven itself - where the Son lived, from eternity past - until He condescended to take on our human flesh - and allow Himself to be laid in a manger.

The Son’s Eternal Home

With Christmas now just over a week away – I hope you are, like me, looking forward to worshiping together next Sunday morning – and preparing to be here on Christmas Eve at the Candlelight Service. Worshiping God and reflecting on the gift of His Son, our Savior.

I love Christmas - INCLUDING its trappings … the trees, the lights, the gifts, the manger scenes and the kids singing, ‘Away in A Manger’.

Inevitably – at this time of year, we gather around the manger scene and look at the baby in a feeding trough and thank God for sending His Son to save us. In Christ, God has come to earth. One of my favorite new Christmas carols is the one we sang last week - “Who Would Have Dreamed?” “Who would have dreamed, or ever foreseen that we could hold God in our hands?” What a wonder? But here’s my concern - that we tend to focus on the ‘we could hold God IN OUR HANDS’ - - - when the focus needs to be … ‘we could hold GOD in our hands.”

Danger we face every, single, Christmas. Danger is that the trappings can too easily overtake the truth. We can gather around the tree and open our gifts - while somewhere, in the room, there’s a baby Jesus, safely in a manger - sweet, nonthreatening … harmless. Jesus Christ is anything but harmless.

Theologian David Wells - - “God now rests too inconsequentially on the church. His Christ, if He is seen at all is impoverished, thin, pale and scarcely capable of inspiring awe and His riches are entirely searchable. It is God the Church needs most. God in His grace and truth … God’s awesome and holy presence.”

How do we fix that? One thing is sure: We cannot adequately treasure the magnificence of the coming of the Christ in the manger – UNTIL we comprehend a little of the glory that the Son descended FROM, when He came to our world. For that reason, I want to take you on a journey this morning and next Sunday – a journey to the heaven where God the Son lived for eternity – BEFORE He took on our human flesh in Mary’s womb.

We cannot adequately treasure the magnificence of the coming of the Christ in the manger – UNTIL we comprehend a little of the glory that the Son descended FROM, when He came to our world. For that reason, I want to take you on a journey this morning and next Sunday – a journey to the heaven where God the Son lived for eternity – BEFORE He took on our human flesh in Mary’s womb.

Context: and 5 belong together. The 2 chapters constitute 1 vision and this vision is programmatic for the rest of the book. If you understand this vision – the rest of the book begins to unpack. Divided into 2 parts (at chapter break).

Chapter 4 sets the scene for what takes place in chapter 5. In chapter 4, there is really no storyline - - it is a vision of what heaven is like – the curtains of heaven pull back and there’s a vision of the transcendent God. In chapter 5 – you have a vision of the redeeming God. A storyline begins to develop in which God’s redeeming purposes are unpacked.

This week and next we are going to look at this vision. And we are going to focus our attention on the full and glorious identity of the one who was laid in Bethlehem’s feed trough. So come with me and let’s take a tour

1. Introduction

vv. 1-2a “After this I looked.” After what? After chapters 1-3 – Letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. Most of us are familiar with the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. Lots of people look at the practical, almost mundane directions given to regular, earthy churches in the first century in the letters that end at the end of chapter 3 - and then they see the vision into heaven that begins at the beginning of chapter 4 - and they want to draw a big bold line between the 2 chapters and make a big division - as if the first 3 chapters are some kind of disconnected introduction to the weirdness of Revelation that goes from chapter 4 to the end of the book.

But they are very connected. The vision of God in chapters 4-5 IS the answer to the problems the churches are facing in chapters 2 and 3.

Each letter to each church is marked by the charge for that church to ‘Conquer’ - (‘overcome’ in some translations). So how do you do that? Like Nike says: “Just do it!” Just overcome.

These letters are to churches struggling to keep faithful to their Savior –as they’re being buffeted by persecution from the outside.

In John’s day, it is hard to be a Christian. Rome’s government is becoming more and more corrupt and tightening its grip, more and more relentlessly around the necks of Jesus’ disciples. In AD 57, the Emperor Nero begins feeding Christians to the lions Peter and Paul are martyred during that time and by the time John is writing this book – 40 years have passed. The Emperor Domitian is in the middle of his “reign of terror” and is in the process of slaughtering more than 40,000 Christians. John himself writes this book while he is exiled to the desolate island of Patmos - left to rot there on the rocks.

Oh, but the Christian struggle is not just with those outside the Church: As we are reminded in the first 3 chapters – God’s people are also

. . . . Pounded by opposition within the visible church – false teachers have slithered in

. . . . Seduced by immorality -

. . . . Buffeted by opposition from within their own hearts and tempted as those in the church in Ephesus - to lose their first love - to be busy about the business of ‘church’ - but falling out of love with the Savior.

Can you identify?

So how do you conquer, Christian? You read chapters 4 and 5 - - you lift your eyes from your earthly circumstance - you take a look behind heaven’s curtain and get a breathtaking glimpse of the Lamb - you see what TRUE reality looks like.

After the reminder of the struggle - - “. . . after this”, John says, in v. 1 … “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.’” The voice belongs to Jesus – He is the one who has been speaking to John. This heaven is his home. Don’t give an invitation to tour a place you don’t belong.

What does John see? 3 Major Things I want to make sure we grab hold of. Each of them work together to magnify the glory of Jesus Christ.

1. A THRONE

V2b-3: “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven with one seated on the throne.”

First thing he sees – “A THRONE” It is at the very center of the stage – This throne is central to heaven. Don’t miss the importance of this throne - - - The suffering Christians at the end of the first century surely get the good news of it. There are lots of thrones in this world –

There are thrones at home – Wherever dad sits is his ‘throne’. Kids don’t always like it – Growing up - lots of chairs in our home … plenty of chairs around the dining room table … but there was one chair I never sat in … it was the one at the head of the table . Dad’s chair. Head of the house. It was his THRONE …

There they went, hair nicely combed, dressed in their Sunday best, no smiles, but dutifully trudging to the piano teacher’s door – Why? Because the decree had come down from dad’s throne – and he is the boss (for now).

There was a throne in Rome – and it seemed to be determining the affairs of the earth at the end of the first century. There are thrones all over this world today – Ottawa, Washington D.C., Your boss’ office

There was a throne in Rome – and it seemed to be determining the affairs of the earth at the end of the first century. There are thrones all over this world today –

But the throne in heaven reminds us that things are not what they seem - - Above every earthly throne – no matter how strong or enduring they may appear – Above them all - - there is One throne. It is in heaven. It is the eternal home of the Son of God.

Actually it is not the throne itself, it is the One sitting on the throne that dominates. Verse 2 doesn’t leave us content to see an EMPTY throne … John points us to the ‘One seated on the throne.’ That’s the message of the entire Bible.

, “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.”

John describes what he sees: v. 3, “... And He who sat there had the appearance of ....”. Now stop right there. – how do you describe the indescribable?

The closer you get to God - the harder it is to describe him. D.A. Carson tells about his sister and her husband, who went as missionaries to Papua New Guinea - to at tribe that was so remote - so removed from western technology - that it was PRE- Stone Age. They didn’t even use stone on their arrowheads; they used a hard wood like ebony or teak on bamboo shafts.

Suppose you spent time with the tribe, learning the language … you mastered it - were fluent. Then you had the assignment of trying to explain to that tribe exactly what electricity is. No visuals allowed - just words. How would you do it?

Start by saying, “let me tell you about … well, you don’t have a word for it. Let’s just give you our English word - it’s called, ‘electricity’. Now electricity is like a powerful spirit that runs along hard things - (no word for ‘wires’) like vines. Only these vines aren’t something that grows - they’re something we make. We string these vines from tree to tree. Actually, we cut down the trees and take off all the branches and then plant them in the ground again, but we string these vines and pump in a whole lot of this powerful spirit at one end.

Then this vine comes into our mud huts and it goes into (no word for stove) … square things we also make with round bits on top. this spirit-like thing, electricity - goes around so fast it makes something like a fire, so you can boil water without actually having any smoke in your mud hut. It also goes into other round things that you hang from your thatched roof - that makes little suns inside - so you can stay up late at night if you want to.”

How’s the explanation so far? We haven’t even mentioned AC or DC, or dams or, watts, or volts or anything else.

What’s the problem? Are these people not very smart? That’s not it - not at all. If they immigrate to Canada, their children will probably beat ours in school. They aren’t dumb. Children of immigrants often beat the Westerners for awhile. It takes a couple of generations to slow them down. Immigrants often try harder. So what’s the problem? The problem is that they have zero experience with electricity - they have no categories to understand these things.

So how on earth can we talk about the throne room of God? We have no categories to understand the place where God dwells. One day we will! But not yet. Even when Isaiah gets the privilege of catching a glimpse of the heavenly temple - do you remember what he saw? He saw the hem of the robe of God, as it were.

Back to verse 3, “And he who sat there had the appearance of ...

Jasper – probably the generic name for a number of translucent stones - - stones like the diamond. Glitter and shine – reflect the light.

Carnelian – a brilliant, fiery-red stone.

“… and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.”

Emerald – Like ours – green. And surrounding the throne is a rainbow.

The Rainbow – A prism of color – a spectacular display of glory that anyone who knows Scripture will automatically associate with Noah and God’s covenant with him – a reminder of God’s mercy in spite of being provoked by our sin.

The impression here is a fiery, spectacular, entrancing beauty - like the crown jewels in the Tower of London.

D. A. Carson Sermon Library Vision of a Transcendent God (Revelation 4)

you are allowed to stop and just stare at these jewels. Crowns that must weigh 75 pounds. Swords with jeweled handles that are scintillatingly beautiful. The wealth is meaningless. The beauty of their glory is spectacular. If you stop and stand still and stare at one of these jeweled handles, the light refracts and you see this spectacular glory.

You stand perfectly still and move your head a couple of millimeters to the right. Then a centimeter to the left. Then three or four centimeters to the right and back to the left and back and forth. The light dances and shimmers. It’s full of glory, spectacular beauty, like the most amazing kaleidoscope of sheer glory.

In other words, what John sees is some being on the throne surrounded by shimmering, spectacular glory.

v. 5 “From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder.” This is a frightening place. Remember Mount Sinai, in Exodus? When God’s presence descended there to give Moses the Law for Israel - - There are flashes of lightning and peals of thunder - signs of His ‘otherness’ … His ‘Glory’ – and the people are terrified - - even too fearful to look at the radiant face of Moses when he came down from his meeting with God. This throne is a place you don’t carelessly stumble into – It’s a place of majesty – holiness.

Human language trying to describe the Infinite glory of God on His throne:

How do you describe a God who is whiter and more pure (morally speaking) than the freshly fallen snow?

How do you describe a God who is more magnificent than the most stunning sunset?

How do you describe a God who is more entrancing than 10 million twinkling stars in a clear night sky?

How do you describe a God, the knowledge of whom is more nourishing than a banquet table prepared for the king in his palace?

How do you describe a God whose love is more faithful, and understanding and sensitive and self-giving than the ideal mother?

How do you describe a God who is more awesome than all of the unleashed forces of nature?

“God covers himself with light as with a garment” ;

, “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever.”

Maybe you describe Him using terms of light and color … the most gloriously dazzling brilliance that eyes have ever beheld.

Verse 5 tells us Seven Lampstands are blazing – That is the perfect – fullness of the Holy Spirit is there.

Then — Verse 5 tells us, “… before the throne were burning Seven Torches of fire, which are the seven spirits (or sevenfold Spirit) of God.” – This is the perfect – fullness of the Holy Spirit is there.

v. 6 – “… and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.” What is that? Over and over in Scripture, the sea symbolizes chaos – we see it in the Gospels - disciples on the sea, the storm rages and they are frightened for their lives. The Jews were not a sea-faring people. The vast Mediterranean is the western border of the nation - and it is a dangerous place. We see it here in Revelation - - The Beast comes out of the sea- - - It is a dangerous place – a place that is hostile to life. The chaotic sea - -

And you’re thinking - “I don’t get a lot of the symbolism here in Revelation - but I get that one. I know all about chaos!” Oh, how many of us feel much like the Church of John’s day - - like a little rowboat on a stormy sea - tossed and turned by raging waves - waves of disease … waves of cancer and broken bodies and the death of loved ones and financial fears .... the waves are so much bigger than my little lifeboat. With ordinary sight - it all seems hopeless … but if you put on glasses .... then you can see what John sees. You can see reality.

In heaven John sees that before the Lord - - there is a sea - - but it is as calm as glass - - - the chaos is completely still - - In fact God’s throne is above it. This is the eternal home of Jesus, the Son of God. Before the Incarnation - this is His existence. But he steps down into the sea and enters our chaotic world - to lay down His life. That’s love.

2. The Spectacular Heavenly Beings v. 4

Now, the throne is at the center of the scene. In verse 4, we start to expand our vision out a little from the throne on which God sits - - and the second thing you notice in heaven are the magnificent beings surrounding the throne - v. 4, “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.

Who are these elders? Could they be saints of Jesus Christ who have gone before us – and have had their clothes washed white in the blood of Jesus? Could be. Could they represent the 12 tribes of Israel plus the 12 apostles - - in other words – 12 + 12 - symbolically representing the whole people of God - OT and NT? Could be.

It is most likely – 24 elders are angelic beings. God is often portrayed in heaven as surrounded by a council of heavenly angelic beings:

- “(6) … Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, (7) a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him ...” - “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

- “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

- “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

he is more awesome than all who surround him.

(NIV)

These 24 elders are a company of angels who surround the throne of God, Who help execute God’s rule and represent the Church in God’s presence – in chapter 5:8 - John describes these elders as lifting up golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

These 24 elders are a company of angels who help execute God’s rule and represent the Church in God’s presence –

- “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

So there is the throne, radiating the glory of the very presence of God - around the throne are 24 smaller thrones, thrones of the angelic rulers, representing the you and me, Christian - representing us in the presence of the Lord Himself.

10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.a

Verse 6 tells us that in addition to the 24 elders, there are Four Living Creatures They are in the center, literally, ‘in the midst’ – in the immediate vicinity, like an inner circle around the throne. These are the cherubim of – these are the angels who are symbolized by the angels God instructed to be formed and placed on the top of the ark of the covenant – the most holy place in all of Israel – guarding the mercy seat.

Verse 6 tells us that in addition to the 24 elders, there are Four Living Creatures They are in the center, literally, ‘in the midst’ – in the immediate vicinity, like an inner circle around the throne. So, who are these 4 Living Creatures? These are the cherubim of – who cry out ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ - these are the angels who are symbolized on the ark of the covenant. Remember when God gave instructions to Moses, for Israel’s worship - the most holy item in all of the nation’s worship - was the Ark of the Covenant - inside were the 10 commandments, Aaron’s staff that budded and a jar of manna. the top of the ark was called the Mercy Seat. And God told Moses to make sure that graven into the lid of the ark itself - were 2 angels. These are those angels – guarding the mercy seat.

Verse 6 tells us that in addition to the 24 elders, there are Four Living Creatures They are in the center, literally, ‘in the midst’ – in the immediate vicinity, like an inner circle around the throne. These are the cherubim of – these are the angels who are symbolized by the angels God instructed to be formed and placed on the top of the ark of the covenant – the most holy place in all of Israel – guarding the mercy seat.

John describes them, at the end of v. 6, “… full of eyes in front and behind” - - - nothing escapes their gaze.

v. 7, ‘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.’

What kind of hideous things are these? Again, let’s not fall into the trap of trying to take this literally. If you try to draw a picture, you miss the point. Notice what these creatures all have in common - each of them has one of the characteristics that are most noble in all of nature: The strength of a lion; the ability to serve of an ox; the intelligence of a man; the swiftness to serve of an eagle.

These living creatures are a highly exalted order of angels who are immediate guards of the throne of God. See what’s going on here? Don’t miss the circles of beings around the throne of God.

If you dropped in at my house, on a Saturday morning, unannounced - you would probably find me in sweatpants and a sweatshirt - my hair may or may not be brushed. And I might say to you - ‘Do you want to come in for a coffee?”

Now suppose instead, you dropped in at the White House, unannounced. If you get close enough to ring the doorbell - what are the chances that Donald would open the door and say, “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you - but Melania just put on the coffee pot - come on in.”? There’s no way - and what are the chances of arriving at Buckingham Palace and having the queen open the door, with her housecoat on and invite you in for tea?

See, the higher up the ladder of power and importance you are - the more likely you are to be separated from the masses. You don’t just come and go as you please. And here, in , see God in His otherness - - - you don’t just saunter into his presence … you wouldn’t - - His throne is terrifying. And around the throne are the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures.

Notice their primary function - they have a lion’s strength, an ox’s strong determination, a man’s intelligence and an eagle’s speed to serve - - not to mention that they have eyes that miss nothing. Wouldn’t you think that with all of those capabilities, they would be sent OUT - to do God’s work in His universe - be on patrol as a heavenly police force? But no - look at their job .... it is to lead worship. What a reminder: there is no higher calling for a human being, created by God - than to be in His presence - worshiping.

3. The Worship of Heaven

In verse 8 and following, John gives us a glimpse of what is going on around heaven’s throne – and it is worship – never ending worship. The living creatures day and night, night and day, give glory, honor and thanks. They never stop saying: “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come!” There is no limit to Him. HOLY HOLY HOLY - - -

Whenever they do – see what the 24 elders do?

vv. 9-10 – “And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever ..... (10) the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.” They prostrating themselves before God and (end of v. 10), “They cast their crowns before the throne ...”.

What’s the proper response to a God so majestic that words are hopeless to fully describe?How do you respond in the presence of a Holy, Sovereign, Eternal God? You fall down - just as these angelic beings do. The very word worship originally involved the idea of prostrating self before deity to kiss his feet or the hem of his garment.

Casting down their crowns is acknowledgment that all their authority comes from Him - - it is delegated authority and they are delighted to give back the honor to the One who alone is worthy of it.

If you are a church about to enter a periods of severe testing and persecution – what do you need, so that you can overcome the trials? You need the very same thing that every Christian needs, to make it through the storms of life - - testings, the heartache of loss, the fear that threatens .....

You need to have the strength inspiring, perseverance fueling reminder that God is ENOUGH … His power is unlimited –

You need to be reminded of His holiness (he will not turn His back, nor will He allow sin to reign);

You need to be reminded of His eternity – (the present suffering is but for a little while). – Christ offers His protection (cf. )

It was from THIS SCENE, that the Son stepped into our world …

v. 11 The worship of the elders: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God.”. Taken from the political language of the day: “Worthy are you!” greeted the triumphal procession of the emporer.

“Our Lord and God” – was introduced into emporer worship by Domitian.

If you are a Christian in Rome, at the end of the first century and your brothers and sisters are being slaughtered by the thousands - - -can you see what this vision of the heavenly worship scene would do for you?

It shrinks the Emporer of Rome to his rightful place. Only the One upon the heavenly throne is worthy of worship. All other claims to it are blasphemous - and NOT to be feared.

V. “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”. The wording is important here - reminds us that before anything was created - - God’s will existed - - He is eternal and brings everything into being at the time He decides.”

CONCLUSION

Stop right there. Can you imagine even a miniscule amount of the unfathomable glory that draws out never-ending worship LIKE THIS from these 4 living creatures?

I know we have some video game lovers here. Maybe some of you are wanting a Christmas gift along those lines. If you asked for a video game system for Christmas – and Christmas morning comes - you open up the box - it’s a big box and when you get the wrapping off - you read the words, “PONG” - I’m pretty sure you are going to be disappointed. Some of you don’t even know what that is, because you aren’t old enough. But if you are over 40 – you remember that was the cutting edge – game.

You’ve seen games that are in 3-D, in HD and virtual reality. So a pixelated block going back and forth across a black and white screen, just isn’t going to do it for you anymore.

The 4 living Creatures see everywhere, stronger than any other creatures, more intelligent than anyone else – they help God carry out His rule - - nothing any of us do could impress them. But never do they stop their worship.

This is where Jesus stepped out of when he stepped into a smelly stable to begin life in our world.

In fact – As we will see next week – the Son of God is not merely ‘there’ in heaven – he is the object of the worship of heaven.

a Some manuscripts heaven. The Son of Man came to save what was lost.