Revelation 4 – Things to Take Place after This

(Rev 1:19 NKJV) "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

(At the time John was writing; that is, the seven churches—These we have just studied)

(3) “and the things which will take place after this.” – That’s where we are ready to begin:

(Rev 4:1 NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

We are now in the part described as “the things which must take place after this..” – the future!

(Rev 4:2 NKJV) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

(Rev 1:10 NKJV) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

Basically the same statement is in Rev_1:10 (Perhaps here: sequel or result, not entrance), “At once I found myself in the Spirit” A.T. Robertson – Word Pictures in the New Testament.

Who is sitting? From what follows, I think it is pretty clear that it must be Almighty God, or God the Father if we need that clarification.

(Rev 4:3 NKJV) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance;

Of the Jasper: “Rev_21:11, Rev_21:18., and here, only N.T. examples), Some even take it for the diamond. Certainly not our cheap modern jasper. The carnelian or other red stone, derived from Sardis (Pliny).” – A. T. Robertson -- Obviously, we don’t have too much to go on as to exactly what the stone was.

“A sardius (sardiōi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Rev_21:20.” – A. T. Robertson

(Rev 4:3 b NKJV) and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

(Ezek 1:28 NKJV) Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.”

The Rainbow is a peaceful symbol: No more flood! – “in appearance like an emerald.” – also a peaceful color.

(Rev 4:4 NKJV) Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

Details! I don’t really know who they are or who they represent, or if they represent anyone. Perhaps their only purpose is to glorify God.

Twenty-four as a symbolic number occurs only in this book and only for these elders (Rev_4:4, Rev_4:10; Rev_5:8; Rev_11:16; Rev_19:4). We do not really know why this number is chosen, perhaps two elders for each tribe, perhaps the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles (Judaism and Christianity), perhaps the twenty-four courses of the sons of Aaron (1 Chron 24:1-19), perhaps some angelic rank (Col_1:16) of which we know nothing. Cf. Eph_2:6. – A.T. Robetson

(Rev 4:5 NKJV) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Seven Spirits of God were introduced in Chap. 1.

(Rev 1:4 NKJV) John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

A common interpretation is that the seven Spirits is representative of God’s Holy Spirit. If this is true, we have the Father and the Holy Spirit already referred to.

(Rev 4:6 NKJV) Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst [center] of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

More details! Again, I don’t really know who they are or who they represent, or if they represent anyone. Perhaps their only purpose is to glorify God. More of the throne room and its occupants are being described.

They are “Living Creatures”, not “Beasts” as the Old King James badly translates.

(Rev 4:7 NKJV) The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

(Ezek 1:5 NKJV) Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. {6} Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. {10} As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle.

“The four forms represent whatever is noblest (lion), strongest (calf or ox), wisest (man), and swiftest (eagle) in nature” (Swete).

I really don’t think it is important that we understand what is represented here. As soon as we venture into interpretation here we are probably in trouble. If strongest is the meaning, why not an elephant?

(Rev 4:8 NKJV) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"

(Isa 6:1-3 NKJV) In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. {2} Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

{3} And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

One thing is clear: Heaven is filled with the praise of Almighty God. They have many eyes. Some have suggested this is to see what needs to be done, and they have wings to expedite God’s will.

(Rev 4:9-10 NKJV) Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, {10} the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: {11} "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

3. They cast their crowns before the throne, which always causes me a bit of concern when we sing, “I want a robe and a crown.”

(Rev 4:11 KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Θέλημα thelēma Thayer Definition: 1) what one wishes or has determined shall be done

Tonight we have had the opportunity to get a glimpse into heaven itself – the very throne room of God! The center of the universe. The great power house of all creation. And then I hear Jesus say:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Mat 6:10 NKJV)

(Rev 1:3 NKJV) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

May God bless us in the reading and study of His Word, especially as we study a book that has been surrounded by much controversy and confusion.