A U.S. Navy submarine was on duty in the Mediterranean Sea. They were avoiding many ships that were passing overhead. The submarine had to make a large number of noisy maneuvers to avoid threatening collisions of underwater structures which also would give their position away.
The captain was in his quarters, and because there was such a sudden and unusual amount of movement he went to the bridge to find out what was going on. “Is everything all right,” he asked.
“Yes sir!” came the reply.
The captain took a quick look around and then started back out through the hatch to leave the bridge. As he disappeared he said, “It looks alright to me too.”
All around that submarine was potential danger. It was enough to make the crew concerned. But that danger was all outside. (Gordon MacDonald, Ordering Your Private World, p. 20)
As we come to Revelation chapter 4, it’s about Heaven’s throne room. When there is trouble outside, in the control room of the universe, there’s assurance. Believers should find comfort that Jesus is in absolute control.
It was important what Jesus revealed to John and us this vision. We have chapter 4 to tell us that…
JESUS IS FOR US.
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.” – Revelation 4:1
There are a couple of details to share concerning this verse.
First, John saw a door open in heaven indicating that access to heaven was granted to him. This open door symbolizes that John had approved access, and the relationship and authority to enter. One important detail about an open door at the time of the writing of this book was that an open door meant acceptance, inclusion and protection. In this era, if we were invited into a Jewish or Arab home that meant you were like family. As much as possible, the owner of the dwelling would commit to protect you and keep you safe from enemies.
Secondly, verse 1 sounds similar to the apostle Paul’s description in 1Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The unbelieving world might scoff at this information just as they did to Noah in his day. But the idea behind being called up is that we are to “be ready” any moment so be watching…be working for Jesus!
When we are called up to heaven, what would happen…what would we see…what would we hear? We can learn more about our future by what John sees…First he sees…
JESUS ON THE THRONE
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. – Revelation 4:2
First, what John saw was that all of creation is under the authority of Jesus Christ. Not only does the location of the throne represent ultimate power and rule, but the title “heavenly throne” announces universally sovereign rule and it is highlighted by the fact that it is in heaven.
The second significant image that John sees is there is a Being on the throne. John’s description of the One seated on the throne is very impressionistic. Notice how John perceives Jesus in verse 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. – Revelation 4:3
This isn’t a new concept for John, in the book of Ezekiel chapter 1 it tells of a colorful and brilliant display associated with a theophany, a visible manifestation of God.
This incredible sight has nothing to compare. There is no art work that can really represent this. Yet, John keeps saying “it was like” as if he was grasping for images that would fit this experience. Remember John had seen a lot when Jesus lived on earth. John 21:25 and I paraphrase: if everything Jesus did were written the world itself could not contain the information.
Sometimes we try to envision what heaven or seeing Jesus will be like? John saw Him on earth, but this is what he saw in heaven.
Three realities of Heaven:
- JESUS’ GLORY
The description of Jesus in His glory is like jasper and carnelian “sardine” stone with an emerald rainbow. These jewels and sights display the brilliance and splendor of Jesus. Now this sight is not like looking at a small gem stone that we would wear as jewelry. These descriptions are more like a person size object. The sight is that the whole being is brilliant.
The entire scene surely overwhelmed and awed John and it should do that for us. The sight John observes is the majesty and mysteriousness of Jesus. However, the bible does not assign individual meaning to these stones: There are some suggestions to consider.
Jasper stone is found in a variety of colors: green, blue, black, red, white, yellow, orange, grey and brown with glass like appearance. The carnelian “sardine” stone is a deep red color, some commentators like to symbolize this as the blood of Christ.
When the description of stones is seen in the Bible in Ezekiel 1, 28 and Exodus 28 and Revelation 4:3, they represent majesty and glory. In the Old Testament, the high priest wore a breastplate…in it were 12 stones, representing the people of God, the 12 tribes of Israel. The 1st and last stones in that breastplate were these carnelian “sardine” and jasper!
This image is not only a sight of great glory, but also the awe of great grace, notice at the end of verse 3 there is a rainbow that looks like an emerald that surrounds the throne. The second reality of heaven is:
- JESUS’ GRACE
After God destroyed the world with the flood, He made a covenant with man, and put in the sky His symbol of that covenant…the rainbow, a symbol of God’s grace.
Yet most rainbows are multi-colored, but this one is emerald green. There are some commentators that suggest that this represents the color of life…eternal life. There is a song that matches the idea.
“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus, life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race, ‘til we see Christ!”
We’ll see Him on the throne, in great glory, transmitting great grace, and we’ll bow to His authority. The third reality of heaven is that Jesus will rule.
- JESUS’ GOVERNMENT
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. – Revelation 4:4
The definition of an elder is simply a spiritually mature person. Unfortunately, religion has made this term into too much. Accepting this definition for an elder, the context of verse 4 can be understood as a reference to the Old Testament and the New Testament believers. The number 24 has been used to describe the twelve tribes of Israel together with the twelve disciples representing all the people of God, also coming up in our study in chapter 5:9-10 makes it clear that these “24 elders” represent the redeemed people of the earth.
The New Testament was written to congregations which were made up of Jews and Gentiles, they were encouraged to faithfully witness and work for Jesus on earth to obtain rewards in heaven. Here are those charges to believers…
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. -2 Timothy 2:12
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? – 1Corinthians 6:2-3
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; —Revelation 2:26-27
The significant basis of our reign and rule with Christ is not for our glory but it is more of our continued testimony of His authority over us. We are at His side when He judges the world, which is the idea of the next verse.
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. – Revelation 4:5
What a change! Believers in heaven are beholding His glory and a rainbow representing eternal life and peace, and at the same time there is lightning flashing, thunder crashing and voices!
For believers the storms of life are over, yet for those down on earth the storms are brewing like never before, as God’s righteous judgment goes forth upon the earth from His mighty Throne.
When we are called up to heaven like John, what would we see…what would we hear? We will witness how special Jesus is…
JESUS IS SPECIAL
All creation owes their existence to Jesus. He created us so that we might know Him and knowing Him means we will honor and praise Him with our existence. The unredeemed world neglects or refuses to worship God in Spirit and in truth. They do not honor Him, though we all benefit from His creation and goodness. But that will not go on forever.
There is a day that JESUS as the Creator and Sovereign over all will be recognized and honored by His creation.
A special kind of creatures know this fact…
“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.” – Revelation 4:6
The throne of God is more amazing and beautiful than any sight in all of earth! John eyes the expansive crystal sea. It was completely void of darkness, shadows, and flaws. In the center and encircling the throne are four living beings (ζῶον zṓon – living ones, not beasts. The English word zoology has its origin from this word).
These living ones are full of eyes. The eyes which move within every portion of the beings indicating their amazing ability to see and watch. They are all-seeing taking in what God is doing. Notice their description in the next verses.
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. 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 is and who was and is to come the almighty.” – Revelation 4:7-8
John records these amazing beings surrounding the throne. Their many eyes indicate their ceaseless vigilance and intense intelligence. They have supernatural discernment. They praise Jesus for His past, present, and future, which may indicate they witnessed how Jesus is very special.
Their six wings indicate more than swiftness of movement. The wings may well indicate an ability to travel inter-dimensionally from the spiritual to the physical world. (Only this ability would allow them to be in the center of the throne, 4:6, or space already occupied by the throne). As they are in God’s presence they have no need to rest from unceasing praise.
Their repetition of holiness is impressive and is impacting. The beings are conveying that Jesus’ holiness is of first importance and it is the basis of their worship. The word holy means that God is separate from all and He is pure, and totally and completely undefiled. Their praise to Jesus is explained in verses 9 and 10 as worthiness.
When we are called up to heaven, what would we hear?
JESUS IS WORTHY
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever.” – Revelation 4:9
The grammatical construction of this verse stresses the changelessness and eternality of Jesus. His power and eternal being guarantee that His holiness will triumph over all evil. (Leon Morris, Revelation of St. John, Tyndale NT Commentaries, p.47-48).
There are three significant facts that these beings are communicating:
- The beings are affirming that Jesus is the Lord Almighty and that real power and authority resides not with evil and deception, but with a holy God.
- Their words convey that the person of Jesus demands that sin will not be allowed to endure.
- These beings acknowledge that Jesus’ holiness and power existed before the beginning of time and His holy character is impossible to fade with time.
These beings constantly give glory, and honor, and praise, and thanksgiving to God, similar to the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision (6:3). The ministry of the living beings is to designate and proclaim the holiness and eternality of God Almighty.
And their praise is accompanied by the representatives of God’s redeemed people.
“The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne”. – Revelation 4:10
Though the elders may have thrones and crowns, there is no doubt as to Whom is Sovereign in Heaven. In authentic worship the elders bow, literally fall prostrate, before Him who sits on the throne of eternity. The elders also join in with another act of worship given to Jesus. They lay their crowns before the throne, ascribing all glory to JESUS as the Sovereign. The crowns they have represent their striving and persevering in serving the Lord Jesus on earth. (see James 1:12, Revelation 2:10, 1Corinthains 9:25, 2Timothy 4:8, 1Peter 5:4, 1Thessalonians 2:19, and Philippians 4:1)
What a grand privilege it will be to take a crown that we have received for persevering in Christ and cast it at His feet!
Verse 10 communicates that this culminating and climatic act shows that living for Jesus was worth it, along with the anthem of all who are in heaven in verse 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.” – Revelation 4:11
The point of chapter four is summed up in this verse. All creatures will give glory and honor and praise to God because He is the Creator and Sustainer of everything.