sf842 - A Vision Of Government The Throne Of God

Revelation 4:1-11

INTRODUCTION

Background - Revelation 1:19

A Vision of Glory (chapter 1)

A Vision of Grace (chapter 2-3)

A Vision of Government (4-ff)

“Things which will take place after this…”

This section deals with Israel and the Gentile nations and not the church.

4:1 - Is a picture of the rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NKJV) 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The Church will not go through the Great Tribulation

We will not face the wrath of God!

Before God pours out judgement He takes out His own.  (turn to Matthew 24:36-42)

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Notice what John saw... He saw a throne

Ø       Throne is used 12 times in this chapter, 41 times in the book.

1A.      THE PERSON UPON THE THRONE

1B.       He is great in glory (2-3)

“Jasper” = describes his purity and beauty like a diamond: also symbolizes the hardness/firmness of the kingdom of God.

“Sardius” = “sardine (sardis) stone” - Blood red, ruby red - blood sacrifice; holiness and love.

Together they suggest the humanity connected to the government of God.

Ø       High Priest wore a breastplate studded with twelve precious stones.  The first and last stones were the jasper and sardius stones (Exodus 28:15-21)

Ø       These two stones are meant to remind us of the hardness and holiness in the Judgement of God.

2B.       He is great in grace (3b)

“Rainbow” = it was a complete circle, perfection.  Pictures God’s grace and flawless judgement.

Green the color of life.  Eternal life!

Symbol of God’s covenant with Noah - the end of the storm!  (Genesis 9:11-17)

“Usually, a rainbow appears after the storm; but here, we see it before the storm.”  WW

3B.       He is great in government (4-5)

God’s formal judgement is pictured  (4)

Ø       This is a courtroom scene

God’s fearful judgement is pictured  (5a)

Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

2A.      THE PERSONS BEFORE THE THRONE (4)

1B.       Who they are not...

They are not angels

Ø       Angels are never pictured as sitting on thrones.

Ø       Angels are never pictured as wearing crowns or singing (5:8-9)

Ø       Angels have not been saved (5:9)

2B.       Who they are...

These are the saints that were caught up in the rapture!

Ø       Twenty-four symbolize all the saints of all the ages not limited to twenty-four people literally.

Ø       Twelve tribes (OT) plus twelve apostles (NT) = all of God’s people

Ø       There were twenty-four groups of priests in the Old Testament temple (1 Chronicles 24:3-5, 18; and Luke 1:5-9)

Ø       White clothing = we have been redeemed; we are priest

Ø       Crowns - we are in His royal family

Revelation 1:6 (NKJV) 6…has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

3A.      THE PRAISE AROUND THE THRONE

1B.       This is a Place of Worship - Parallels the Earthly Temple

2B.       God’s Spirit is essential to true worship.  (5b)

“Seven spirits” = Perfect Spirit of God

“Seven lamps” = the perfect work of the Holy Spirit

3B.       God’s Word is essential to true worship.  (6)

“Sea of glass” = Vessel of glass - Laver, basin in the Temple was there for the priest to wash, pictures the Word of God.

Ø       Here it is glass no need to wash in it we now stand upon it!

4B.       God’s creation is included in true worship.  (6b-8)

“Four” = the number of the earth, symbolizes all the earth praising God!

Four categories of creatures with which God made a covenant...

Genesis 9:9-10 (NKJV) 9“…, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you….

Ø       Lion = Wild animals

Ø       Ox = Livestock

Ø       Face like a man = Man

Ø       Eagle = Birds

These four can also speak of the four gospels

Ø       Matthew - lion, King Jesus

Ø       Mark - Ox, Jesus suffering servant

Ø       Luke - Man, Virgin birth, Deity became a man

Ø       John - Eagle, the heavenly origin of Jesus!

5B.       The twenty-four elders instruct us in true worship.  (9-11)

The humility of their posture  (10a)

The generosity of their offering  (10b)

The theology of their praise  (11)

Ø       We worship Him because He is worthy.

Ø       We worship Him because He is the creator and sustainer of all life.

APPLICATION

This could be 15 seconds away!

Where will you be?

A VISION OF GOVERNMENT:  The Throne of God
Sunday, July 18, 1999 - Revelation 1:19; 4:1-11

1A.      THE _____________________ UPON THE THRONE

1B.       He is great in _______________________ (2-3)

Together they suggest the ____________________ connected to the government of God.

2B.       He is great in ________________________ (3b)

___________________ the color of life.  Eternal life!

Symbol of God’s covenant with Noah - the end of the ______________________!  (Genesis 9:11-17)

3B.       He is great in __________________________ (4-5)

God’s _________________ judgement is pictured  (4)

God’s ________________ judgement is pictured  (5a)

2A.      THE _______________ BEFORE THE THRONE (4)

1B.       Who they ____________...

They are not ______________________

2B.       Who they are...

These are the __________________ that were caught up in the rapture!

Ø       Twenty-four symbolize all the ___________ of all the ages not limited to twenty-four people literally.

Ø       There were twenty-four ______________ of priests in the Old Testament temple (1 Chronicles 24:3-5, 18; and Luke 1:5-9)

Ø       Twelve tribes (OT) plus twelve apostles (NT) = all of God’s people

Ø       White clothing = we have been redeemed; we are _________________________

Ø       Crowns - we are in His royal family  (1:6)

3A.      THE __________________ AROUND THE THRONE

1B.       This is a Place of _____________ - Parallels the Earthly Temple

2B.       God’s _________ is essential to true worship.  (5b)

“Seven spirits” = Perfect spirit of God; “Seven lamps” = the perfect work of the Holy Spirit

3B.       God’s __________ is essential to true worship.  (6)

“Sea of glass”

4B.       God’s creation is included in true worship.  (6b-8)

________________ categories of creatures with whom God made a covenant...  (Genesis 9:9-10)

Ø       Lion = Wild animals; Ox = Livestock; Face like a man = Man; Eagle = Birds

These four can also speak of the ___________ gospels

Ø       Matthew - lion, King Jesus

Ø       Mark - Ox, Jesus suffering servant

Ø       Luke - Man, Virgin birth, God made a man

Ø       John - Eagle, the heavenly origin of Jesus!

5B.       The twenty-four elders __________________ us in true worship.  (9-11)

The ______________________ of their posture  (10a)

The ______________________ of their offering  (10b)

The _________________________ of their praise  (11)