Revelation Series #4 8/31/14

Intro: Key Verse: Revelation 4:8b- “…Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Outline- This chapter begins the 3 rd main section of the book. Rev. 1:19- “The things which shall be hereafter.” See 4:1- “things which must be hereafter.” Time line The Church Age is over (chapters 2 and 3) The Rapture has now taken place “elders” (explained later) The Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ has taken place “crowns” References (I Cor. 3:14; 9:25; I Thess. 2:19; II Thess. 2:1-12; I Thess. 4:13-19)

I. The Throne This chapter deals with the Throne, and those around that Throne. The Place of the Throne “heaven”- the 3 rd heaven The Call to the Throne “first voice”- the voice of Rev. 1:10- Christ’s invitation to John. This is after the rapture- not the rapture itself.

The Occupant of the Throne “One sat on the Throne”- Who was that one? Clues are… “Like a Jasper”- clear like diamond- purity- also stands for the 1 st tribe of Israel. Reuben which means “behold a Son” representing God’s covenant faithfulness. “Sardine”- red- redemption- also stands for the last tribe of Israel- Benjamin, which means “Son of My right hand”- again God’s covenant faithfulness- the first and last tribes were symbolized, showing his representation of all the tribes of Israel. “Rainbow”- like an emerald- green- God’s mercy in judgment (Gen. 9:13-17, Noah) Who was he, the question was asked? God the Father- the emphasis was on His glory, not His “anthropomorphic” representation God the Son- the Lamb is seen in the next chapter.

II. Those Around the Throne (vs. 4-8) The 24 Elders (vs. 4) “Seats”- thrones “sitting” “white raiment”- righteousness of Christ “crowns”- not regal crowns, but victor crowns (I Cor. 9:25; II Tim. 4:8) Crowns of endurance, rewards, victory (stephanos) not rulers crowns (diadems). Who were the elders?- not angels or Israel. They had not been judged and rewarded at this time But the church represented by their leaders- elders (Acts 15:6, 20:17, 28; Ja. 5:14) The entire church is present here. “lightnings and thunderings and voices” (Ex. 19:16) God’s moral judgments God’s work of tribulation on the earth.

The Seven Spirits (vs. 5) This is the Holy Spirit represented to John as “seven lamps of fire”- “seven” referring to the completeness or fullness of the spirit. The HS is always represented by something visible: dove, tongues of fire, lamps. The Four Living Creatures (vs. 6-8) “beasts”- “living ones” Most likely- representations of God’s attributes seen by: “full of eyes”- omniscience and omnipresence “lion”- majesty and omnipotence “calf”- or “ox”- patience of labor “man”- intelligence and rationale “eagle”- sovereignty and supremacy Note could represent the 4 gospels’ representations of Christ. “Lion of Israel”- Matthew; etc. could represent angels who are seen as different forms in Scripture- emphasizing God’s great attributes (Isa. 6:3)

III. Worship Directed to the Throne (vs. 9-11) The “Living Ones” or “beasts” or God’s attributes praise the greatness and worthiness of God. God’s attributes (“beasts” or “living ones”) can show forth the greatness of God- but God desires that worship is done by the church, also. The “elders”- or the Church God allows us- His redeemed people- to worship Him. We not only will recognize and praise His attributes, but will worship Him for His great works. “thou hast…” (vs. 11) We will “fall down” and “cast… crowns” True worship will give back what He has given us. That is thankfulness. Thankfulness is evidence of true worship. The worldly man benefits from God’s goodness, and lives in this created world, BUT IS NOT INTERESTED IN WORSHIP. Let us worship Him here to get warmed up for the great time of worship prophesied here in this passage. Get started NOW!

Chapter 4 is the worship of the Creator God (vs. 11). Chapter 5 will be the worship of the Redeemer.