A Glimpse into Heaven

A Glimpse into Heaven

Revelation 4:1-11

Introduction:

            This begins the second section of Revelation 1:19

                        *Chapters 2 & 3 “the things which are”

                        *Chapters 4 + “the things which shall be hereafter”

                        *See 4:1b

            John is given a vision of Heaven

            John is told to “come up hither”

                        *this is not the rapture of the Church but I believe before the events that

                          John will talk about in the rest of the book the rapture of the Church will

                          take place.

                        *The Church is not in view again after chapter 3

                                    Church mentioned in:

                                                1:4, 11, 20:  2:1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 29

                                                3:1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 22

                                                22:16 in summary of book

                                    Church not mentioned in what John is about to see

I.               John sees who is on the throne  vv. 2-3 Significant that this is the first thing seen

1.      Who it is:  God the Father

Spirit is pictured in 4:5

Son is pictured in 5:6

2.      What He sees:  believe that what he sees is beyond description

          *Like a jasper stone:

                      -Rev. 21 described as clear as crystal

                      -Picture like a diamond

                                  +awe inspiring

                                  +clear = purity, holiness, and glory of God

          *Like a sardine stone:  similar to a ruby

                      -beautiful red

                      -may refer to the redemption of God

3.      What is the significance?

          *Each tribe of Israel had a stone representing them on the breastplate of

            the high priest:  He represented all Israel before God

                      -Exodus 28:17-21 Jasper and sardine stones were 1st & last

          *Ezekiel 28:11-15  describes the majesty of the king of Tyrus

                      Here it points to the majesty and greatness of God

          *I believe that what John saw was beyond description

                      -How would you begin to describe God??

II.            What He saw around the throne

1.      A rainbow about v. 3

Emerald green:  Matthew Henry described as a pleasant green

                   To me symbolizes life:  Ill. Of green grass saw traveling

Completely circled the throne:  in heaven all is complete

                                                  Reminds of God promises

                                                  Reminds of God’s mercy

2.      The 24 Elders

          In OT 1000’s of priests:  couldn’t all minister at the same time

                      Divided into 24 orders:  each represented by 1 priest

                      When came together only 24 gathered representing all priests

          This group is a representative group

          Who does it represent?  Many ideas:

                      Angels:  These are always listed as a separate group 5:8-11

                      Israel

                      All believers:  Note praise on their lips  5:8-10

          Their description:

                      *clothed in white raiment v. 4  see 19:7-8

                      *crowns of gold on their heads v. 4  later cast before Him v. 10

                      both speak of victory:  given to believers in Christ 1 Jn. 5:4-5

          Their action:  Worship vv. 10-11

                      *Involved humility:  falling down

                      *Involved giving:  cast crowns at His feet:  all belongs to Him

                      *Recognizing attributes and works of God

                      *Involved focus:  all on God not on self

                                  Too much worship today is us centered

                                  What feels good to us, what helps us, etc.

3.      Four Beasts:  Living creatures vv. 6-8

          Their description:

                      *Full of eyes:

                      *Like four different creatures

                                  A lion, a calf, a man, an eagle

                      Each represents something concerning God

                                  *A lion:  king of beasts:  majesty and power

                                  *A calf or ox:  patience and continuous labor

                                  *A man:  God’s greatest creation:  In His own image

                                  *An eagle:  Represents sovereignty and supremacy

                      Each also represents a Gospel:

                                  *Lion:  Matthew presents Christ as King

                                  *A calf:  Mark presents Christ as a servant

                                  *A man:  Luke presents Christ as the Son of Man

                                  *An Eagle:  John presents the deity of Christ:  Son of God

          Their activity: vv. 8-9

                      They worshiped God

                      Reminds of the Cherubim of Isaiah 6

III.         Coming Out of the Throne  v. 5

Thunder and lightning:  Indication of the coming storm of judgment

See 8:5 10:3 11:19 16:18 these all are reminders that God would judge

Our world today likes to look at the rainbow and not the judgment

Cross shows both:  Love of God and promise of rainbow as well as the holiness of God and the promise of wrath upon sinners.