For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The first 3 chapters of Revelation take place on the earth. While imprisoned on the island of Patmos, John heard an angelic voice and turned around to see Jesus. After introducing Himself, Jesus delivered brief and distinct messages to the 7 churches of Asia. Collectively, these churches represent all Christian churches during the Church Age and highlight various characteristics of each.
As previously stated, the Church Age will end when Jesus returns for His church at an event called the Rapture. Someday the trumpet shall sound, Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout, all Christians - both living and dead - will rise up to meet Him in the air, and together they will all ascend back into Heaven. In an instant, “the twinkling of an eye”, millions of people will vanish from the earth.
In the immediate aftermath of the Rapture, there will be a brief season of confusion and chaos on the earth. Families will be inexplicably missing loved ones, businesses will be missing workers, and churches will be largely empty. The world’s economy will suffer a heavy blow. However, as is often the case following catastrophic events, a spirit of goodwill and cooperation will break out between the unsaved peoples and nations that remain. This short, unspecified span of time is the prelude to the Tribulation.
Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation provide a picture of what happens in Heaven from the time of the Rapture until the beginning of the Tribulation. The imagery and descriptions given in these chapters is similar to those found in the Old Testament books of Isaiah and Ezekiel. As we study God’s word this morning, try to imagine for yourself what John was seeing...
I. GOD ON HIS THRONE (Revelation 4:1-3)
After his lengthy encounter with Jesus discussing the 7 churches, John looked up and saw a door standing open in heaven silently beckoning. The angel who had first spoken to him (Revelation 1:10-11), whose voice sounded like a trumpet, invited him to come up and see the things which were yet to take place. Immediately, in his vision, John was transported to Heaven. His sudden relocation from earth to Heaven, accompanied by the trumpet-like voice of the angel, paints a clear picture of the Rapture.
Upon his arrival in Heaven, John began describing the incredible things that he saw. There was a throne and Someone glorious was seated upon it. The One sitting on this throne had the appearance of 2 precious jewels or stones - jasper and sardius. An emerald rainbow encircled the throne as well. To his amazement, John was standing in a heavenly throne room, and God the Father was seated there in front of him!
Some commentators have suggested that the colors of the stones are meaningful. Jasper is clear, like a diamond, perhaps referring to God’s purity and perfection. Sardius is ruby red, portraying God as our Redeemer. Interestingly, these 2 stones are the first and last on the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20), alluding to God as “The beginning and end”. As for the emerald rainbow, green is the color of life and the rainbow a symbol of God’s promise to Noah. It is possible that this symbol represents God’s promise to believers of eternal life.
II. OTHERS AROUND THE THRONE (Revelation 4:4-8a)
There were several others present with God in His heavenly throne room. John saw 24 smaller thrones that were spaced out around God’s throne. On these thrones sat 24 elders, each in white garments and wearing a golden crown. The white garments represent righteousness and the crowns are symbolic of victory. Though these elders are never specifically identified, it stands to reason that they will be Christians who have just been raptured. Some people believe that these 24 elders are the 12 apostles and the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. This view seems somewhat unlikely to me, seeing that the Rapture is exclusively for the Church and does not include Israel.
Flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, depicting God’s almighty power, were emanating from His throne. Before the throne were 7 burning lamps of fire, which are identified as “the 7 spirits of God”. John uses this figurative expression 4 times in the book of Revelation, and as we’ve already discussed, it most likely refers to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we see that the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit is now in Heaven rather than on earth indwelling believers - yet another indication that the Rapture has already taken place.
John also saw something like a sea of glass or crystal. Many think this refers to a large, translucent, ocean-like body of water that spread out before the throne room. Finally, around the throne and in the center he saw 4 living creatures. These creatures had eyes all around, in front and behind. They each had 6 wings, like the Seraphim angels (see Isaiah 6:2). John described the first creature as a lion, the second as a calf, the third as a man, and the fourth as an eagle. There are several theories as to what these different creatures represent, and I myself remain uncertain.
III. WORSHIPING THE LORD ALMIGHTY (Revelation 4:8b-11)
In addition to all that he saw, John heard the 4 living creatures continually worshiping God. They did not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Perhaps God’s greatest characteristic is holiness. He is absolutely perfect in every way, infinitely good, all powerful, set apart, highly exalted, and unlike any other. Furthermore, He is eternal - without beginning or end - and self-existent.
As he watched, John saw the 24 elders who were seated around God cast their crowns before His throne, fall down, and begin to worship Him. They said, “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.” These elders recognized God’s immeasurable worthiness and acknowledged Him as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
The main point is that everyone present in the heavenly throne room was worshiping the LORD. God is completely holy and righteous, and deserving of all worship and praise. In fact, the primary purpose of mankind (and all of creation for that matter) is to love and worship Him. While critics decry God as insecure for constantly needing affirmation and strokes of affection, they don’t grasp His gloriously divine nature. God alone is worthy of worship, and to Him all praise and honor is due forever.
CONCLUSION
This heavenly throne room will be the primary setting from which John witnesses the numerous events of Revelation to follow. From this lofty vantage point, he will describe things that happen both there and on the earth below. As we continue through this book, we will discover other furnishings and structures that are located in or nearby the throne room. We will also see other characters who appear there.
As we close today’s service, I invite you to consider how sincere your worship for God truly is. Do you praise and honor Him wholeheartedly and continuously? Do you believe that He is worthy of such worship? Let’s wrap things up by taking a few moments to exalt the LORD and glorify His wonderful name!
The first 3 chapters of Revelation take place on the earth. While imprisoned on the island of Patmos, John heard an angelic voice and turned around to see Jesus. After introducing Himself, Jesus delivered brief and distinct messages to the 7 churches of Asia. Collectively, these churches represent all Christian churches during the Church Age and highlight various characteristics of each.
As previously stated, the Church Age will end when Jesus returns for His church at an event called the Rapture. Someday the trumpet shall sound, Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout, all Christians - both living and dead - will rise up to meet Him in the air, and together they will all ascend back into Heaven. In an instant, “the twinkling of an eye”, millions of people will vanish from the earth.
In the immediate aftermath of the Rapture, there will be a brief season of confusion and chaos on the earth. Families will be inexplicably missing loved ones, businesses will be missing workers, and churches will be largely empty. The world’s economy will suffer a heavy blow. However, as is often the case following catastrophic events, a spirit of goodwill and cooperation will break out between the unsaved peoples and nations that remain. This short, unspecified span of time is the prelude to the Tribulation.
Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation provide a picture of what happens in Heaven from the time of the Rapture until the beginning of the Tribulation. The imagery and descriptions given in these chapters is similar to those found in the Old Testament books of Isaiah and Ezekiel. As we study God’s word this morning, try to imagine for yourself what John was seeing...
I. GOD ON HIS THRONE (Revelation 4:1-3)
After his lengthy encounter with Jesus discussing the 7 churches, John looked up and saw a door standing open in heaven silently beckoning. The angel who had first spoken to him (Revelation 1:10-11), whose voice sounded like a trumpet, invited him to come up and see the things which were yet to take place. Immediately, in his vision, John was transported to Heaven. His sudden relocation from earth to Heaven, accompanied by the trumpet-like voice of the angel, paints a clear picture of the Rapture.
Upon his arrival in Heaven, John began describing the incredible things that he saw. There was a throne and Someone glorious was seated upon it. The One sitting on this throne had the appearance of 2 precious jewels or stones - jasper and sardius. An emerald rainbow encircled the throne as well. To his amazement, John was standing in a heavenly throne room, and God the Father was seated there in front of him!
Some commentators have suggested that the colors of the stones are meaningful. Jasper is clear, like a diamond, perhaps referring to God’s purity and perfection. Sardius is ruby red, portraying God as our Redeemer. Interestingly, these 2 stones are the first and last on the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20), alluding to God as “The beginning and end”. As for the emerald rainbow, green is the color of life and the rainbow a symbol of God’s promise to Noah. It is possible that this symbol represents God’s promise to believers of eternal life.
II. OTHERS AROUND THE THRONE (Revelation 4:4-8a)
There were several others present with God in His heavenly throne room. John saw 24 smaller thrones that were spaced out around God’s throne. On these thrones sat 24 elders, each in white garments and wearing a golden crown. The white garments represent righteousness and the crowns are symbolic of victory. Though these elders are never specifically identified, it stands to reason that they will be Christians who have just been raptured. Some people believe that these 24 elders are the 12 apostles and the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. This view seems somewhat unlikely to me, seeing that the Rapture is exclusively for the Church and does not include Israel.
Flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, depicting God’s almighty power, were emanating from His throne. Before the throne were 7 burning lamps of fire, which are identified as “the 7 spirits of God”. John uses this figurative expression 4 times in the book of Revelation, and as we’ve already discussed, it most likely refers to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we see that the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit is now in Heaven rather than on earth indwelling believers - yet another indication that the Rapture has already taken place.
John also saw something like a sea of glass or crystal. Many think this refers to a large, translucent, ocean-like body of water that spread out before the throne room. Finally, around the throne and in the center he saw 4 living creatures. These creatures had eyes all around, in front and behind. They each had 6 wings, like the Seraphim angels (see Isaiah 6:2). John described the first creature as a lion, the second as a calf, the third as a man, and the fourth as an eagle. There are several theories as to what these different creatures represent, and I myself remain uncertain.
III. WORSHIPING THE LORD ALMIGHTY (Revelation 4:8b-11)
In addition to all that he saw, John heard the 4 living creatures continually worshiping God. They did not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Perhaps God’s greatest characteristic is holiness. He is absolutely perfect in every way, infinitely good, all powerful, set apart, highly exalted, and unlike any other. Furthermore, He is eternal - without beginning or end - and self-existent.
As he watched, John saw the 24 elders who were seated around God cast their crowns before His throne, fall down, and begin to worship Him. They said, “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.” These elders recognized God’s immeasurable worthiness and acknowledged Him as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
The main point is that everyone present in the heavenly throne room was worshiping the LORD. God is completely holy and righteous, and deserving of all worship and praise. In fact, the primary purpose of mankind (and all of creation for that matter) is to love and worship Him. While critics decry God as insecure for constantly needing affirmation and strokes of affection, they don’t grasp His gloriously divine nature. God alone is worthy of worship, and to Him all praise and honor is due forever.
CONCLUSION
This heavenly throne room will be the primary setting from which John witnesses the numerous events of Revelation to follow. From this lofty vantage point, he will describe things that happen both there and on the earth below. As we continue through this book, we will discover other furnishings and structures that are located in or nearby the throne room. We will also see other characters who appear there.
As we close today’s service, I invite you to consider how sincere your worship for God truly is. Do you praise and honor Him wholeheartedly and continuously? Do you believe that He is worthy of such worship? Let’s wrap things up by taking a few moments to exalt the LORD and glorify His wonderful name!