(Rev 4:1-4) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

in heaven Come up hither shew thee things (Rev 4:1) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The 3 HEAVENS

HEAVEN # 1

HEAVEN # 2

HEAVEN # 3

The T h r o n e

throne Rev. 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

I. T HE T HRONE IS THE THEME OF IT ALL

 It is the theme of Revelation 4  It is the theme of all of History  It is the theme of Heaven (I Kings 22:19; Ezk. 1:26; Isa 6:1  It is the theme of the Book of Revelation (55 times the word is used in the N.T., 40 in this book)  It is the theme of your life.

A. The description of what is ON the throne

Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 1 Tim 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. Psa. 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

jasper Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Rev 21:10-11 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

jasper Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Rev. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Breastplate

Ex.28:17-21 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

 The breastplate had 12 precious stones, representing the 12 tribes Israel. And each stone was assigned to a Tribe.  The Sardius was the 1 st and the Jasper was the Last  The Sardius was Reuben’s (Behold a son)  The Jasper was Benjamin’s (Son of my right hand)

Heb 1:5 & 8 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

B. The description of what is AROUND the throne

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

 When most people think of the throne and the rainbow they think of an arch over the top of the throne.  The term used by John is “round about” the throne. That term is used 285 times in the bible to describe circling around, not over

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

 On the High priest Breastplate Emerald represented Judah who means “Praise”  Green is also a representation of the Earth

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

 Many people try to say these 24 Elders represent the Angels  Some people try to say that they represent the 12 patriarchs and the 12 Apostles  Some try to say they are the the Old Testament Saints and the New Testaments Saints

Rev. 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. The next time they show up Rev. 19

 Look at there position

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders SITTING, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Rev. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Hebrews 4

 Look at there position  Look at their clothing

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev. 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean

 Look at there position  Look at their clothing  Look at what is on their head

Rev. 4 : 3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their HEADS CROWNS OF GOLD.

1.The incorruptible crown: 1 Cor. 9:24,25 2. The crown of rejoicing: 1 Thess. 2:19, The crown of life: James 1:12 & Rev. 2: The crown of righteousness: 2 Tim. 4:8. 5. The crown of glory: 1 Pet. 5:1~4.

 Look at there position  Look at their clothing  Look at what is on their head  If this is the Church why then is there 24?

I Chronicles 24 and 25

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;