The Throne Of God Chapter Four

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. Rev. 4:1a

Observations of the throne Both phrases are the exact same Greek words 1. The sequence of events “After this” 4:1a “I will show you what must take place after this” 4:1b Both phrases are the exact same Greek words "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Rev. 1:19 This is the natural outline of the whole book

The exact phrase of 4:1a & 4:1b (“after this”, “take place after”. What you have seen – Rev. 1 The vision of Christ What is now – The seven churches Rev. 2&3 What will take place later – Rev. 4-22 The exact phrase of 4:1a & 4:1b (“after this”, “take place after”. It is interesting to note that the things that are written for things to come are written after the message to the church “What is now” “What will take place” maps out the tribulation.

Seeing the sequence of events in John’s vision are very important This could be a divine implication of the separation of the mystery of the church and Daniel’s 70th week which is distinctly Jewish. "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Dan 9:24 Seeing the sequence of events in John’s vision are very important

Question – Was John actually taken to heaven, or was it mere visions? Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the events “I looked” Gr. 70x in Rev. Question – Was John actually taken to heaven, or was it mere visions? And he carried me away in (the) Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City Rev. 21:10 (see Rev. 1:10 ; 4:2 and Ezekiel 37:1)

Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard

And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.“ 4:1b

4. The Symbolism “Come up here” Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism “Come up here” “After this” 4:1 – Vision of the Seven churches

Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6

Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. 4:6a

Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne

At once I was in (the) Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. Rev. 4:2

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and sardius And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and sardius. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4:3

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne 1. His Holiness Like a Jasper What does a jasper look like?

All are opaque

Something doesn’t add up? Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; REV 21:11

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne 1. His Holiness Jasper 2. His Justice Sardius

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne 1. His Holiness – Jasper 2. His Justice 3. His Love

Exodus 28 & 38 Sardius Topaz Carbuncle Turquoise Sapphire Emerald Jacinth Agate Amethyst Beryl, Onyx Jasper Rueben Benjamin Rueben – Behold, a Son – Benjamin -The Son of my right hand

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne 1. His Holiness – Jasper 2. His Justice 3. His Love A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4:3 4. His Faithfulness

Our God Is a Just God Is a Holy God Is a Loving God Is a Faithful God

Observations of the throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens 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. Rev. 4:4

They are called Elders – Presbyterians None of them were in the great tribulation Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:13,14 They are not angels All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God Rev. 7:11 (See the distinction)

They are Not Israel – I Chron. 24-25 Who are They Then? Some helpful hints

They sit on thrones “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Rev. 3:21 They are clothed in white raiment “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.” Rev. 3:5 They had crowns of gold on their heads Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life Rev. 2:10

Is all this co-incidence I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Rev. 3;11 Is all this co-incidence or perhaps some clues?

Observations of the Throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. 4:5a

9. The Position of the Seven Angels Observations from the Throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 9. The Position of the Seven Angels

Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Rev. 4:5b

10. The Presence of the Four Living Creatures Observations from the Throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 9. The Position of the Seven Angels 10. The Presence of the Four Living Creatures

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. Rev. 4:6b

The Cherubim of Ezekiel One and Ten Four Faces and Four Wings

The first living creature was like a lion, 4:7a

the second was like an ox, 4:7b

the third had a face like a man, 4:7c

the fourth was like a flying eagle. Rev. 4:7d

Some say they represent character attributes of God or of the angels Some say they are pictures of Jesus in the four gospels I believe they are a picture of encampment around God – His desire to be in the midst of His people - He is the Divine center

Judah W Ephraim N Rueben Dan S E Mannaseh Benjamin Asher Simeon Gad Naphtali Zebulon Issachar Judah E "Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father's house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. Num 2:2

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. 4:8a

Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, Who is, and is to come 4:8b

11. The Praise of the Elders Observations from the Throne 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 9. The Position of the Seven Angels 10. The Presence of the Four Living Creatures 11. The Praise of the Elders

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 4:9

the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. 4:10a

They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 4:10b

"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." 4:11