Chapter 4: Before the Throne

 Ephesus—the Lost Love ◦ Don’t forget where you came from!  Smyrna—the Suffering Church ◦ Endure persecution to the end  Pergamum—the Compromising Church ◦ Don’t compromise the teachings of Christ for anyone!  Thyatira—the Tolerant Church ◦ Beware what you allow into the church, and deal with false teachings when they arise

 Sardis—the Dead Church ◦ Make every effort to stay alive ◦ Always remember what we’ve been given  Philadelphia—the Working Church ◦ Don’t be intimidated by numbers or odds ◦ Christ gives the victory  Laodicea—the Lukewarm Church ◦ We mustn’t settle or fall into a rut ◦ Don’t forget where our true riches lie

 Introduction (4:1) ◦ John sees the door ◦ John hears the voice  The Throne (4:2-4:6a) ◦ The appearance of God ◦ The twenty-four elders  Around the Throne (4:6b-4:11) ◦ The living creatures ◦ Glory and honor

 The door ◦ Transition chapter ◦ “Believe in God…” (John 14:1)  “Heaven” ◦ See 13:6 ◦ Eph. 2:6, Phil 3:20  “…after this” ◦ Recall our time context  So, was John actually in Heaven?

 Thrones refer to royalty, authority ◦ Mentioned 38 times ◦ Rev. 22:1-2, Eze. 43:6-7 ◦ Heaven as a state of being  Parallels to the Tabernacle ◦ Lamps (Ex. 25:37) ◦ 24 elders—priests? (1 Ch. 24) ◦ Or, 12 tribes and 12 apostles? ◦ The throne is not on earth

 The appearance of God ◦ “Anthropomorphism” ◦ Jasper = a gem stone  The rainbow ◦ Symbolizing mercy ◦ Also denotes a covenant (Gen. 9:17)  Twenty-four thrones ◦ Again, authority ◦ Pure garments, crowns of victory

 Thunder and lightning ◦ Apocalyptic symbols ◦ Demonstration of God’s power, wrath  Seven lamps ◦ “Torch”, not the same as lampstands ◦ Another tabernacle reference  Sea of glass ◦ Solomon’s temple (2 Ch. 4:2-6) ◦ Glass instead of metal

 Four living creatures ◦ Ref. Ezekiel 1 and 10 (1:10 specifically) ◦ Thought to be cherubim ◦ Often called a chariot ◦ Judgment, war ◦ 6 wings instead of 4  Full of eyes ◦ Judgment ◦ Watching (like the ark)

 The four animals ◦ Lion  Strength, royalty ◦ Eagle  Divinity ◦ Bull  Service ◦ Man  Intelligence

 The Door ◦ The letters are complete ◦ We are now in the vision  The Throne ◦ God is ruling ◦ God’s power and authority  Around the throne ◦ Judgment ◦ Holiness and worship