Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Scripture

Outline

Revelation 1 - Introduction

Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction

Revelation 1:4-8 - Epistolary Introduction

Revelation 1:9-20 - A Vision of the Son of Man

Revelation 2-3 - The Seven Churches

Revelation 2:1-7 - The Letter to Ephesus

Revelation 2:8-11 - The Letter to Smyrna

Revelation 2:12-17 - The Letter to Pergamum

Revelation 2:18-29 - The Letter to Thyatira

Revelation 3:1-6 - The Letter to Sardis

Revelation 3:7-13 - The Letter to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:14-22 - The Letter to Laodicea

Revelation 4-5 - The Throne Room

Revelation 4:1-11 - A Vision of the Throne Room

Revelation 4:1-3 - God Seated on the Throne

Revelation 4:4-11 - Around the Throne

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Main Point

John sees a glorious vision of the throne room.

The Father, in all glory and majesty, sits on his throne being continually worshiped by the living creatures and the twenty-four elders.

Backdrop of Revelation 4-5 in the Old Testament

Daniel 7:9-28

1. Introductory vision phraseology (Dan.

7:9 [cf.

7:2, 6–7]; Rev. 4:1)

2. The setting of a throne(s) in heaven (Dan.

7:9a; Rev. 4:2a [cf.

4:4a])

3. God sitting on a throne (Dan.

7:9b; Rev. 4:2b)

4. The description of God’s appearance on the throne (Dan.

7:9c; Rev. 4:3a)

5. Fire before the throne (Dan.

7:9d–10a; Rev. 4:5)

6. Heavenly servants surrounding the throne (Dan.

7:10b; Rev. 4:4b, 6b–10; 5:8, 11, 14)

7. Book(s) before the throne (Dan.

7:10c; Rev. 5:1–7)

8.

The “opening” of the book(s) (Dan.

7:10d; Rev. 5:2–5, 9)

9.

A divine (messianic) figure approaches God’s throne in order to receive authority to reign forever over a “kingdom” (Dan.

7:13–14a; Rev. 5:5b–7, 9a, 12–13)

10.

This “kingdom” includes “all peoples, nations, and tongues” (Dan.

7:14a MT; Rev. 5:9b)

11.

The seer’s emotional distress on account of the vision (Dan.

7:15; Rev. 5:4)

12.

The seer’s reception of heavenly counsel concerning the vision from one among the heavenly throne servants (Dan.

7:16; Rev. 5:5a)

13.

The saints are also given divine authority to reign over a kingdom (Dan.

7:18, 22, 27a; Rev. 5:10)

14.

A concluding mention of God’s eternal reign (Dan.

7:27b; Rev. 5:13–14)

Ezekiel 1-2

Isaiah 6

WHY IS JOHN PULLING FROM THESE PLACES????

God is issuing judgment from His throne where He rules over ALL of creation

Upon judgment redemption is thus found

Revelation 4:1-3 - God Seated on the Throne

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!

After this I looked, and behold,

A door standing open in heaven

Not a literal door, but symbolic revealing God is going to disclose information

And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

Like a trumpet

Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this

Come up here

Command

Must take place

After this

Not necessarily chronological, but revealing the next sequence of visions

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

At once I was in the Spirit

Signifies a second vision

A throne stood in heaven

The word throne is used 38x between 4-22 and 17x in 4-5

One seated on the throne

God reigns on his throne despite the cosmic evil ever abounding

And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

He who sat there

Appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald

Jasper

Carnelian

Rainbow appearance of an emerald

These stones are not to be taken individually, but collectively

Collectively they represent God’s unmatched glory, majesty, and beauty

Revelation 4:4-11 - Around the Throne

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

***Daniel 7:9-28 and Ezekiel 1:26-28 serve as the backdrop to the throne room vision***

Twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders

Celestial beings that are always mentioned alongside the four living creatures in Revelation

Sum of the 12 patriarchal leaders and 12 apostles symbolizing all of priesthood of believers

Clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads

White garments

Signifies purity

Golden crowns

Signifies rulership