Revelation 4



A Visit to Heaven

I like the breakdown that Jim McGuiggen has on this section. Chapters 4 and 5 strike at the heart of the book. "These two chapters are the door to the central teachings of the book which are victory by the church over her enemies, Satan and Rome." During this struggle and persecution, the church has occasion to quake and fear but these chapters tell them that no matter how scary things are, God is in control. As Milligan says, chapter 4 says, Believe in God, and chapter 5 says, Believe also in me.

Chapter 4 speaks of the creator and chapter 5 speaks of the Redeemer. Chapter 4 speaks of power and chapter 5 speaks of love and mercy.

Chapter 4 tells us that the throne that rules the universe is not in Italy and chapter 5 says that the ruler of the universe is an all sacrificing lover of the saints.

Here is the message. Worship, glory, and honor ought to be given to the Father and the (once dead) Lamb and not to some earthly ruler in Rome.

Questions to Consider:

1.Has there been a transition in context from earth to heaven?

2. What does it mean to be "in the Spirit" in verse two?

3. Do you know the Old Testament source of the imagery of verses 4ff?

(Hint, see Ezekiel chapter one)

4. Where in the Old Testament do we find the "Holy, Holy, Holy, praise of God (Hint, Isaiah 6:3).



A Visit to Heaven

 1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.

 3And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

 5Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;6and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.7The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.8And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME." 9And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,10the 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, saying, 11"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."



a. Verse 1___The KJ falsely translates this passage as "after this I say." It is after these things. The context is after John saw the vision concerning the seven churches. (Chapters two and three). We move from earth to heaven.
 John sees a door opening into heaven. (See Matt. 3:16 and Acts 7 where heaven is open). John "hears." John then is commanded to "come up here and be shown what will take place after these things." If we remember, chapters two and three were centered on surviving the persecution.

b. Verse 2___John being "in the Spirit" and opposed to being "in the body" tells us how John was involved in this vision. John is in the very throne room of God and One is on the throne.

c. Verse 3___ The Japser stone. John sees no form for God in this vision. Exodus 24:10). The Jasper was the first of the twelve stones place in the foundation of the new Jerusalem (Rev.21:19). It was also used in the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21:18). This same stone was also used in the breastplate of the High-priest (Ex.28:20). The Sardius was the 6th stone in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev.21:20). It's name comes from where it was discovered, that is "Sardis." "And there was a rainbow round the throne..." "like in appearance to an emerald." (See Ezekiel1:26, 28 for the phrase round the throne). In fact, most of the material is borrowed from the OT (Isaiah 6:1ff..., Ezekiel 1:1ff; and Daniel 7:1ff.).

d. Verse 4___Around the throne were the "24" Elders sitting (i.e. continually sitting). The number 24 occurs in Revelation and with respect to these Elders (see 4:4, 10; 5:8; 11:16; 19:4). Whoever they are, they are royal and they are sitting on thrones. They are dressed in white garments which are the righteous deeds of the overcoming saints (2:4,5).

The number 24 is the same as the courses of the priest of the OT. (See 1st Chron. 24:7-18). These are "priestly" in regard to their activity (see 5:8). In short, these 24 Elders represent the kingdom of God. They are the "royal priesthood." They would include the descendants from the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. (24)

e. Verse 5___ Throughout the Bible the image of lightening and sounds (thunders) are associated with God's judgment (Ex. 19:16). In 1:4 we have already discussed the "seven lamps" of fire. Here the 7 lamps are identified as the 7 spirits.

f. Verse 6-8___The imagery of this verse comes from Ezekiel 1:5-10; 10:5-20 and Isaiah 6:2-3. It is not appropriate to get lost in the details of the image. John is trying to describe the throne room of God in human language. See below for description of the predators. The "crystal sea" is before the throne of God. This is a transcendent God. The sea separated John from his congregations and likewise, the sea kept man away from God. In Revelation 21:1_______we are told that the "sea is no more."

g. Verse 7-8___ John now speaks of the 4 creatures found in verse 6. These are cherubim. They are defenders of God's holiness. They are vindicators of His honor. They are God's war wagon. 1st Chronicles 28:18 calls them just that, "the chariot." Psalm 18:10 speaks of God riding a cherub. We cannot forget Ezekiel chapters 1 and 2.

1. They stand between Adam and the way to the tree of life.

2. They are woven into the veil which stands between man and God.

3. They are standing over the ark of the covenant looking down toward the law.

4. These are the servants of God to administer justice.

The "eyes" speak of "all seeing." Now they are represented by the king of predators, the lion. The king of the airborne predators, the eagle. The powerful and full of fury bull calf. The shrewdest of all God's earthly creation is man. There is an appropriate mixture of the dispensation of justice. We have the predators at work full of power and fury but this is balanced with the thinking aspect of man. We do not have blind savagery at work when justice is dispensed. These creatures are the judge of all who enter the presence of God. The high-priest could not enter the holy of holies unless he passed by the cherubim__covered by the spotless blood of a victim. Thus, holy, holy, holy.

h. Verse 9-11__This vision of God on His throne is concluded by a song of praise (9-11). First, the four creatures speak of glory, honor, thanks (Summers) and thanks to the sovereign eternal God. In chapter 4 we have a song praising God for His great creative power. In chapter 5 there is a song praising God for His Re-creation (redemption).

In summary. God is the creator, He is eternal, and He protects His people and visits punishment on the disobedient. He is on His throne watching. Suffering received by the people of God is only temporary.

by Lane Rogers