Sermon Tone Analysis

Revelation

We just went through the message to the seven churches, ending with the church of Laodicia - now we enter the Throne room of God - What an appropriate time for John to see it.

If your a dispensationalist the church is lukewarm - neither cold not hot and what does it need?

It needs a vision of the Throne room.

That should automatically get it fired back up.

Not only a picture of the throne but knowing Jesus is also in the middle of it and he is deeply concerned with His church.

After this

- after Jesus dictated the seven letters

Looking Up - He sees a door in heaven.

Remember ( Jesus said God an open a door that no one can open or close a door no one can close- Door represents entrance.

With the entrance comes an invitation - AMEN

God is inviting John to witness a powerful scene in heaven and that scene is one of worship

Remember John is in the Spirit again- He sees beyond the natural- He sees into the spiritual.

He sees spiritually discerned things and he hears spiritual things.

The term COME UP is significant -we will look up and see the throne room also we will look up and see Jesus.

as we come up we enter His presence which has a very definite location and a very definite vantage point - AMEN When we are raptures we will go up.

He then hears the sound of a trumpet - Jesus or an angel- many times Gods voice is like the sound or a trumpet

trumpets in a throne room hail the soon arrival.

Gods presence thunders from the throne room just as it did at the top of the mountain Moses ascended.

The Theme of this chapter is the throne room- mentioned 46 times in the book of revelation and in every chapter but chapter 3 - used 17 times just in chapters 4-5

It is elevated with steps leading up to it..

Stephen had a glimpse of it in Acts 7:54-56

What John saw was amazing.

He saw the Father in all His glory

Jasper - probably a diamond -translucent and clear like a diamond - The high Priest wore these colored stones - represents holiness

Carnelian- Red like a Ruby - Judgement

Emerald - Rainbow - actually a green bow - represents Mercy.

In the midst of all this beauty The presence of God

Ezekiel 1:22–28 (ESV)

Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.

And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another.

And each creature had two wings covering its body.

And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army.

When they stood still, they let down their wings.

And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads.

When they stood still, they let down their wings.

And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.

And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around.

And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

In the midst of all this you have 24 elders on twenty four thrones

Twenty Four Elders

24 is 12 X 2 - representing the early church Patriarchs and the New covenant church fathers( Apostles).

The nation of Israel in all its completeness and the church the bride of Christ.

These 24 rulers are in subjection to the supreme ruler

Interesting to note - that John doesn’t recognize who they are - And John himself would be one of the Apostles, so who was in his seat?

White robes and golden crowns - Not just what the elders are wearing but representative of your victory in Christ Jesus - for those of the redeemed - to those who overcome they will sit with him, as victors and to them rulers in the millenium and beyond.

The sea of glass - looks like a shiny clear expanse and the sea represents the cleansing the the bronze bowl meant for cleansing

This also is representative of a clear, clean, beautiful environment.

Like I said earlier it is a picture of Worship - It involves the Trinity- The Father on the Throne - The seven lamps of fire representing the Spirit - and Jesus as the lamb of God -

4 Living Creatures

Lion - King - Mighty and Majesty - Prov 30:30

Ox - Strength or ability and power Prov 14:4

Eagle - Swift - powerful- able to access the heavens - Ex 19:4

Man - Wisdom or intelligence - the image of God - Genesis 1:27-28

They have wings and eyes that seem to see everything and they sing

Are they actual creatures or just representations of something else - I believe they are actual created beings.

Why not?

Another vision Ezekiel 1:4-14 ( Cheribum)

We also see this a picture of a cherub in Ezekial Ch 41

and Isaiah 6:1 ( He sees Seraphim)

I saw a representation of this in the Bristish Museum in London - It was the Assyrian Lamasu

These creatures have been represented numerous times in History - Babylon, Egypt, Assyriathey are seen as holding up the throne.

Or they look like they are guarding the throne.

They represent what sits on the throne.

They are represented in the temple and the tabernacle

At the entrance to the inner sanctuary

With all this going on lets not lose sight of the Theme

In the Throne Room there is Worship

These are all reference to beings of Worship

The heavenly trinitarian chant is Holy, Holy, Holy.

They fall down before Him in reverence , awe and majesty.

They cast their crowns before the throne

and shout Worthy - The Lord is worthy to receive glory and honor and power

It is only this God who created all things and they exist only by Him - WOW

CONCLUSION:

Worship means to “ascribe worth”

All of heaven’s praise came because the Lamb took the scroll from the Father’s hand.

God’s great eternal plan would now be fulfilled and creation would be set free from the bondage of sin and death.

Soon the Lamb will break the seals and put in motion events that will eventually lead to His coming to earth and the establishment of His kingdom.

As you share in these heavenly worship services, do you find your own heart saying “Amen!” to what they have sung?

You may believe in Christ as the Creator, but have you trusted Him as your Redeemer?

Do you see Him as worthy to receive glory honor and praise?

If not, will you do so right now?