Behind the Open Door in Heaven

The Apocalypse Act 1: The Seven Seals

Behind the Open Door in Heaven

The disasters and catastrophes coming to the creation will not be done randomly

Not out of a vacuum

But coming from a place of ultimate sovereignty over all that exist

Revelation 4:1-11

Revelation 4:1–11 NKJV

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

1. When

Explain millennial views

Describe where we are in premillennial timeline

2. Where

Throne room

V.2

Third Heaven

3. Who

One sitting on throne

V.2

Appearance

V.3

Jasper

Compare with Re 21:11

Bright as crystal

Similar to diamond?

Could be used to refer to purity of God

Sardius/Carnelian

Bright red stone

Could be used to refer to God’s redemptive purpose

Could refer to relationship with tribes of Israel

One proceeding from the throne

V.5

Seven lamps of fire

Seven Spirits of God

Referring to Zc 4:2-6

Zechariah 4:2–6 NKJV

2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

Judgments of God

Lightning

Rumblings

Thunder

Voices

From Those tending to the throne

Vv.6-9

Four living beings

Full of eyes in front in back

All-seeing, all-knowing God

Each living being had a distinct form

Representing God’s qualities and attributes

Personified in Jesus in the Gospels

Lion

King

Majesty and omnipotence of God Jesus described as King in Matthew

Calf

Greatest domestic animal

Patience and continuous work

Christ as Faithful Servant in Mark

Man

Greatest of God’s creation, esp in intelligence and rational power

Christ as Son of Man in Luke

Eagle

Greatest bird Represents sovereignty and supremacy

Christ as incarnate Son of God in John

Primary purpose

To give glory and honor and thanks to God

24/7

Twenty-four elders

V.4

Sitting on twenty-four thrones

Around the throne

Referring to the glorified church

2 Ti 2:12

Endurance rewarded with reigning

Those who hang in there

Live according to the will and purpose of God

Could also refer to believing Israel

12 sons

Plus 12 apostles representing faithful obedient church

Another possibility

Instead of people, these are angelic beings as the 4 living beings are angelic in nature

Clothed in white

V.4

Descriptive of their purity 1 Jn 1:7

Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin Possessing crown of the victor

V.4

Crowns that have been given by the One sitting on the throne

Therefore, those crowns really belong to Him

So the 24 elders cast those crowns at the foot of His throne as they kneel before the throne

Regardless of what your circumstances are right now

They are not necessarily indicative of your level of obedience to the purpose and will of God Obedience is not always tied to earthly prosperity

Disobedience not always tied to earthly poverty Whether or not you are sitting in the throne room

Having been given a victor’s crown

Now What?

If you do not know Jesus Christ as the Savior of your soul

The One to whom you have asked forgiveness for your sin If life were to end for you today

You would not be here You would face Jesus later

As Judge

Great White Throne

Re 20

You will have to kneel there

But then it will be too late

If Jesus Christ is your Savior

He needs to be followed as Lord of your life

Regardless of how difficult that might become In order to receive these crowns of victory

Promised to those who love Jesus

Those who love Jesus obey His commands