Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Scripture Reading Revelation 4 This series largely follows Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Have you ever wondered why 2 people can look at the very same thing and arrive at different conclusions? One says the glass is half full. One says the glass is half empty.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! We all wear glasses. Glasses [perspectives] made by our past experiences. They colour the way we see reality,

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! One sees life’s situation as hopeless. One sees hope in the same situation. It all depends of perspective.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! John writes down the visions he receives and sends it to the churches. Churches faced with persecution. -Faced with daily evidence of Rome’s superior might. - statues, temples, armies

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! To these people who with their naked eyes saw only the power of the oppressor, Jesus through John gives the vision of the throne.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Look! A Throne! [17x in Rev 4-5, 40x in Revelation] Notice who is seated on it, Or who is not seated on it. Not the Roman emperor. Not their persecutors.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! To those who are uncertain about what the future will bring, God gives them a vision of a throne in heaven. Let us look more closely at this throne. What’s on it, comes from it, behind it, before it, and around it.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was [Look!] a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.” v.2 Great news! The throne of the universe is not empty.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! It can often feel like there is no one in control. Can you imagine how the early Christians felt? By 95 A.D. Emperor Domitian had 40,000+ Christians killed.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Someone is on the throne. Who is that someone? v.3 “And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian” -Compared to the brilliance of precious stones

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne I Timothy 6:15-16: “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.”

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne Day and night the four living creatures praise him: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” v.8

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” v.8 Holy = wholly other, totally pure Lord = ruler God = Almighty = pantocratos all powerful Was, is, is to come =always present

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne The 24 elders lay their crowns before the throne saying: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” v.11

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! On the Throne "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” v.11 God created and will recreate again Rev 21:5 “Look! I make all things new.” “By your will they were created and have their being.” All owe their ongoing existence to God

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! From the Throne Rev 4:5: “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.” Exodus 19: 16-18: On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast… Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! From the Throne Rev 4:5: “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.” Darrell Johnson points out that we see this echoed in the judgments of God. 7 th Seal: “peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Rev. 8:5 7 th Trumpet: “flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.” 11:19 7 th Bowl: “flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake” Rev. 16:18

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! From the Throne Rev 4:5: “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.” God has the right to judge evil. God is able to overcome evil.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Behind the Throne “A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.” 4:3 Rainbow a symbol of God’s promise and faithfulness Reminder of God’s saving mercy: God welcomes sinners

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! In Front of the Throne “Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits [sevenfold spirit] of God.” v.5 “Seven Spirits of God means the Spirit of God completely there, completely available, completely complete.” Johnson. p. 136

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! In Front of the Throne “ Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. ” v.6 Various interpretations -Basin as in the temple - a sea we must travel through to get to God [like the Red Sea]

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! In Front of the Throne “ Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. ” v.6 The Sea = chaos The Sea is used in Revelation to represent all that opposes God. The beast arises out of the sea.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! In Front of the Throne “ Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. ” v.6 To the church, “like a little boat being tossed on stormy waters” [p.137] this was good news – chaos will not win. With Revelation 4 glasses, we see that nothing can overcome the One on the throne!

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Around the Throne “Surrounding the throne were twenty- four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads…. around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.” vv.4,6

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Around the Throne 24 Elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles - The redeemed people of God who were promised that they would rule with Christ

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Around the Throne The four living creatures most likely represent all creation. All are worshipping Worshipping the One on the Throne!

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! How does looking at the Throne change your view of your reality? With Revelation 4 glasses, we see clearly that our circumstances no matter how bad will not have the final say

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem – Look! A Throne! Therefore we join the worship that is already happening, praising our awesome God.