Around the Throne of God
Notes
Transcript
I wonder if you have ever seen a “throne”. I suspect that for most of us in our American context, we have not. After all, our government is established with an emphasis on DE-centralizing power.
I have told many times about being invited to dinner with Dr. Albert Von Oldenburg. His grandparents had been royalty in Oldenburg, Germany, and he had his grandmother’s tiara and his grandfather’s throne. He insisted that Karen put on the crown and have her picture made sitting on the throne. But truth is, it was just a chair by then.. No monarch or ruler to sit on it, no power or authority behind it.
A throne is a fancy chair and supporting platfom.
What makes a throne a throne is the authority and power associated with it. In other words, a throne would just be a chair, were it not for the one seated on it.
The throne of God is a major focus of the book of Revelation and it is certainly the theme of chapter 4, being mentioned 13 times in one chapter.
Beginning in chapter 4, there is a radical change in the story line of Revelation It reflects Revelation 1.19
19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.
what you have seen. Chapter 1.
The things that are. Chapter 2-3
The things to come. Chapter 4 and following.
I want to draw attention to the fact that 2-3 was written to the church, and in chapter 4 and following the church is not mention. I would not want to make an argument based on this silence alone, but I believe that it is demonstrable from the Scripture that the church is raptured out of the world before the Tribulation.
We will see this more fully beginning in chapter 6.
The Majesty of the Throne
The Majesty of the Throne
1 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that 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 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne,
John looked- in verse 1 and 2 is the word “there” in the HCSB. It’s the word behold.. or look.. or we might say “Check this out” PAY ATTENTION. So in verse 1 and 2 there is the word “looked” and then exclamation “look” twice!
What are we to behold or check out?
An open door to heaven. John moved from here to there “In the Spirit” He was beckoned there by Jesus Himself… Come UP here to where I am and I will show you things to come.
A throne SET in heaven. I’ve already mentioned that the throne was a seat of power. A throne in heaven is the seat of ABSOLUTE AND SOVEREIGN POWER. Contrast this with the language of today about the force of the universe. Just this past week, I was was listening to Albert Mohler explain the concept of “manifesting” which is basically meditating on whatever you want to happen until the UNIVERSE brings it to being. John saw a THRONE in heaven, not the force of the universe and what made that throne a throne was the one seated on it.
The Majesty on the Throne
The Majesty on the Throne
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne,
3 and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.
Seated- the position of ruling (with ease)
Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne. Ezekiel and Daniel as well.
Like jasper and carnelian would describe brilliant and perhaps flashing light. Jasper has many colors including green and red and the Sardius or Carnelian would be red.
A rainbow (or halo) glowing around the throne that was brilliant green (A rainbow reminds us of God’s grace to Noah and his descendants to never destroy the world by flood again)
John tries his best to describe the indescribable nature, awesomeness, and power of the God of the universe.
The Multitude around the Throne
The Multitude around the Throne
4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.
I believe these are representative of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why 24? I don’t know.
Elders- Older Men, in the New Testament these Presputeros are men who are well seasoned leaders of the church.
They are “ruling” with Jesus.
They are dressed in white- depicting purity and holiness from the Lord.
They have gold “victors” or “overcomers” crowns on their heads. This word for crown is one that is given to someone who wins a race or some other athletic contest. These elders are victorious. nikeo.
Remember that the thought of Christians as victorious, or overcoming is strong throughout the Book of Revelation.
The Mixture around the Throne
The Mixture around the Throne
There is an amazing amount of characters and action going on around the throne.
I’m calling it a mixture, not because its not all important, but because its coming at us so rapid-fire.
5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne.
7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.
There is
Flashings of light- Reminds me of Mt. Sinai
Fullness of Spirit- Isaiah says this 7-fold represented wisdom, counsel, understanding, strength, knowledge, reverence, and deity.
Flow of glass
Four living Creatures. Central to the throne. These are a special group of created beings, often referred to in the angelic order. This scene hearkens back to the Cherub of Ezekiel’s Vision and the Seraphim of Isaiah’s Vision.
Two things to know about these creatures.
They are involved in the upcoming judgments in Revelation.
They are involved in leading out in worship .
Application.
Application.
Our ideas about heaven and the God of heaven are TOO sentimental and TOO informed by the fanciful and silly. We should not ever find more comfort from the extra-biblical accounts than we do the Bible itself.
Our God us often TOO small in our minds and hearts. John saw Him sovereignly ruling from Heaven. I’ve been preaching this for almost a year now, but it is more true than ever, WE HAVE TO HAVE FAITH OVER FEAR. Our God is bigger. He’s stronger. He goes with us, before us, and behind us. As one church member reminded me this week, nothing ever gets to us that didn’t go through God first.
Our victory is in Jesus. We are more than conquerers because He has conquered death, hell, and the grave.
Do you know Him?
Are you walking with Him?