The Throne Room

Intro

Things are not always as they seem

*Use Gandalf’s quote as Frodo reveals his coat of mithril*

This is part of the great hope of Revelation: Things are not as they seem; there is more than meets the eye.

For those that received this letter, things seemed dire

The battle seemed lost, chaos reigned, hope was far away; everything seemed out of control

Cf. Psalm 11:3-4 “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne”

The vision of the Throne Room in Rev. 4-5 is perhaps the most important vision of the entire book

Things are not what they seem; chaos and evil has not won; God is on His throne.

Pray

Set the Stage

Revelation 4-5 belong together; 2 songs of praise at the end of each chapter are the high point

Read Rev. 4:11.

Why is the Lord worthy to receive glory and honor and power? Because He created all things

Creation is at the very heart of this vision; the God who is enthroned is deeply aware of and interested in His Creation

Not only does God hold everything together by His will, but He has a plan for Creation; an end goal

What is God’s will (purpose/plan) for Creation?

Read Rev. 5:13.

This is God’s plan! That EVERY creature in all of Creation would worship and praise Him

How can this be? Things do not appear to be headed this way

The Throne Room vision answers the question of how we get from the worship song in Rev. 4:11 to the worship song in Rev. 5:13.

In Rev. 4, this is a song that has been sung since the dawn of Creation (and is being sung even now)

In Rev. 5 we see a glimpse of the future, the new heaven and new earth as God intends it to be

What happens in between changes everything

The Throne in Heaven

John is given a glimpse into the heavenly reality (read Rev. 4:1-11)

First, he sees a throne

“Throne” is mentioned 47 times in Revelation!

There is Someone on the throne

Appearance like precious gems; dazzling beyond description

From the throne came lightning, thunder and torches of fire

All symbolize God’s awesome presence (Cf. Exodus 19:16)

Also symbolizes God’s judgement (after 7 seals, trumpets and bowls)

Incredible, awe-inspiring power

Behind the throne was a rainbow

Reminder of covenant with Noah in Gen. 9:13 (Creation is still in focus)

Somehow, this rainbow looked like an emerald… how?

Before the throne:

The seven spirits = the complete fullness of the HS

A sea of crystal glass

“Sea” used in Revelation to speak of chaos and everything that opposes the will of God (where the Beast arises in Rev. 13)

“Before the throne, chaos is stilled; chaos is subdued” (Darrell Johnson, p. 143)

Around the throne:

24 elders (12 tribes of Israel + 12 apostles)

Connection made with 12 gates (tribes) and 12 foundations (apostles) of New Jerusalem in Rev. 21.

They represent the redeemed people of God… you and me too!

4 living creatures

4 is the number of Creation in Scripture: 4 corners of the earth, 4 winds, etc.

Living creatures also resemble created beings

Similar to Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 1:10 (you should read the whole thing!); lion, ox, eagle, human

Covered in eyes (see all that is happening on earth)

The Lord is constantly praised and worshipped

By the four creatures (re-read verse 8)

Just like Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6:1-3.

By the 24 elders (for Creation and His will for Creation)

Re-read verse 11

This throne is the seat of ultimate power, authority and control

All of Creation, all of God’s people worship Him upon the throne

All is not as it seems; This is happening right now!

Even when the world seems crazy, chaotic and broken: God is on His throne

It didn’t look like that to the church; they were being hunted!

*Humboldt tragedy on April 6, 2018; 16 killed (show video clips)*

Who do you believe is in control?

The Scroll and the Lamb

The second vision opens with the One on the Throne holding a scroll

Completely filled and sealed with seven seals (no, not THOSE kind of seals)

Seven = completion = God’s complete will for His creation; What His plan and purpose has always been (worship)

But no one is worthy to open the scroll; no one is worthy to see God’s plan through to completion

This is tragic! John weeps at the thought; has all of this hardship been for nothing?

“Weep no more!” There IS one who is worthy!

John hears the elder declare, “behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered”

Both messianic titles (Lion = Gen. 49:9 and Root = Isaiah11:1-2.)

The Lion has conquered! He has overcome!

But John doesn’t see a Lion; he sees “a Lamb that was slain”

Not a lion… but a lamb. A lamb slain by violence. This is the One who is worthy; this is the one who conquered

Lamb was not weak (seven horns = complete strength)

Lamb was not foolish (seven eyes = complete wisdom)

Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

The Lamb has conquered through complete self-sacrifice

Not military might (against expectations) or political influence, or extreme charisma.... through laying down His life

And He did conquer! Just look at what happened to the Roman Empire and the church from this point forward

If we are to overcome the powers of darkness in the world today, we need to follow the way of the Lamb

*Talk about Roe v. Wade being overturned; come alongside women considering abortion*

You turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give the shirt off your back… and transform the world by relying on the strength and wisdom of the Lamb that the world calls weakness and foolishness

Jesus (the Lion and the Lamb) is worthy to bring Creation to its fulfillment

He takes the scroll and the four living creatures (Creation) and 24 elders (people of God) sing a NEW song

Re-read verses 9 - 10.

Using the language of the Exodus; this time all nations

The circle of praise gets bigger as a multitude of angels join in

R-read verse 12

The Lamb is worthy of all that the Lord is worthy of (glory, honour, power)

The Lamb was also in the midst of the elders, living creatures… and the throne

Just like by describing the Son of Man as the Ancient of Days, John is reiterating that “Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, the slaughtered Lamb comes from and stands in the very center of the being of the Almighty God” (Johnson, p. 154)

The circle of praise is widened again as we get a glimpse of the glorious fulfillment of history:

Re-read verse 13

God’s will and plan for all of Creation will come to completion because of the slaughtered Lamb.

Jesus has assured it; He is worthy

Our only response is to imitate the elders and the creatures

Read verse 14… we fall down and worship

Communion

Today we take communion; our act of worship to remember the Lamb that was slain

He is worthy of power, honor and glory

He has assured that God will bring all of Creation to its complete fullfillment; eternal worship without blemish, brokenness, sin or sorrow

Jesus accomplished this through the great power of unconditional love and pure self-sacrifice… the way of the Lamb

*Give communion instructions*