1. Revelation: Apocalypse
Heavenly Throne (4:1-11)
© 2009 John Rothra Ministries

2. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.

3. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

4. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

5. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within;

6. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,

7. Revelation 4:1-11 (NASB)
10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “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.”

8. John Called to See Future
Voice from heaven calls John
John enters a dream-like “ecstatic” state
Not a physical transportation
A spiritual state, similar to OT prophet’s dreams
Not the rapture; reasons:
Called for specific purpose: see the future
God calls, not archangel
Immediately in heaven, not with Jesus in clouds
Same call given to witnesses; not two raptures

9. Description of Heavenly Scene
Seven Parts
One on throne
“Rainbow” band
Elders
Thunder/lightning
Lamps/Spirit of God
Glass-like sea
Four living creatures

10. Description of Heavenly Scene
One on Throne (vv. 2-3)
God, person unknown
Stones have no clear symbolism; possible:
Jasper = holiness
Carnelian/sardius = judgment
Most likely descriptive of God’s majesty/glory

11. Description of Heavenly Scene
“Rainbow” Band (v. 3)
Word translated “rainbow” means colored band
Partial or complete circle
Not spectral light rainbow
Emerald descriptive, not symbolic; possibly patience, mercy

12. Description of Heavenly Scene
24 Elders (v. 4)
Angelic beings; not believers
Song in 5:9-10 divides the two
7:9-11; 14:3; 19:1-4 combines Elders with heavenly beings
Purpose: worship, adore God who judges, redeems, about to bring all to conclusion

13. Description of Heavenly Scene
Thunder/Lightning (v. 5)
Present with God appeared in glory in OT
Occurs with seventh seal, trumpet, and bowl: Second Coming

14. Description of Heavenly Scene
7 Lamps/Spirits (v. 5)
7 = fullness of God
Seen in 1:12, 20; 2:1
Represents Holy Spirit displayed in fullness
Does not imply division
Descriptive of God’s absolute fullness

15. Description of Heavenly Scene
Glass-like Sea (v. 6)
Likely descriptive
Role unclear in text
Symbolically could mean:
God’s omniscience
Uninhibited vision or knowledge

16. Description of Heavenly Scene
4 Living Creatures (vv. 6-7)
Cherubim/Seraphim of Ezekiel/Isaiah
Symbolism:
Eyes = all knowledge/vigilance
6 wings = swift movement
Faces = wild beasts, domesticated beasts, man, flying creatures
Depicts totality of creation

17. Description of Heavenly Scene
4 Living Creatures (vv. 6-7)
Three possible roles:
Show creation worships God
Help execute divine orders, judgments
Both
Often associated with Gospels
Intriguing, but speculative
Text does not show this

18. The Songs: Vision’s Purpose
Song of the 4 Living Creatures (v. 8)
Worship God for his necessary attributes
God is “Holy, holy, holy”
God is he “who was who is who is to come”
Sung day and night
Meaning: God is eternality
Reminds John that whatever happens, God is eternal
The world can pass away, God will never pass away

19. The Songs: Vision’s Purpose
Song of the 24 Elders (vv. 9-11)
Follows song of the living creatures
Humble themselves before God
Worship God for his reign over creation
God “created all things”
Creation exists “because of Your [God’s] will”
Meaning: God is sovereign over creation
Reminds John whatever happens, God’s in control
Nothing happens outside God’s control or rule

20. The Songs: Vision’s Purpose
Both songs reveal purpose/meaning of the vision
Points to God’s eternal reign over all he created
Behind all creation, even in tribulation, is the eternal God

21. What it Means for Us Today
Even in dark times, God is still in control
The world can change, God never does
God’s glory, majesty greater than anything this world can offer
Remain focused on him