A Vision of Heaven Revelation 4:1-11

NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso

Introduction

As you may remember, there have been four basic interpretations of the book of Revelation by Christian theologians (see intro to Revelation). Chapters four and five mark a major transition for all four interpretations. Everyone agrees that the focus now moves from Jesus addressing His church to Jesus receiving worship in heaven. There is much activity here and many disagreements upon what exactly is happening. There is also disagreement concerning the identity of some of the characters in this scene. We will contemplate some of the possibilities. But first, let’s consider the differences between the four interpretations of these next two chapters…

The HISTORICISTS interpret theses chapters and the unsealing of the scroll to represent the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire.

The PRETERISTS see the unsealing of the scroll as the beginning of God’s judgment upon Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Most FUTURISTS see the rapture taking place at 4:1 and the unsealing of the scroll in chapter five as the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

The SPIRITUAL approach sees these chapters as God’s dealings with mankind in martyrdoms, judgments, and cycles of war throughout history.

In your study groups everyone will have the opportunity to discuss their opinion of the best way to interpret these chapters. Feel free to express your thoughts. No one should be judged for his or her opinion. Remember, there have been good Christians through the ages who have held very conflicting views concerning this book. Therefore, welcome open conversation and encourage clear thinking. As much as possible support your reasoning with scripture rather than preconceived notions or personal prejudice.

Before beginning these study notes read this entire chapter out loud with your group.

STUDY NOTES: verses 1-2 v. 1 After These Things I Looked, and Behold, a Door Standing Open in Heaven - Remember that most Futurists view Revelation 1:19 as the outline of this book. According to this view we have already read about “the things which were” (history past) and “the things which are” (the church age). From the Futurist perspective, chapter four of Revelation now begins to reveal to the reader the “things which will take place after this.” The phrase in 4:1 “after these things” indicates a chronological order in John’s writings. And if the theory of the seven churches representing the seven church ages is accurate, then this phrase would certainly indicate that what we are about to read will take place after the church age. Futurists are quick to point out that the word “church” is found seven times in the first three chapters of Revelation and is never again used to picture the church on earth. Therefore, this is where most Futurists place the rapture of the church.

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" – This is similar to other scriptures that describe what is called the rapture. See 1 Cor. 15:51-54, 1 Thess. 4:16-18. v. 2 Immediately I Was in the Spirit; and Behold, a Throne Set in Heaven, and One Sat on the Throne – John now finds himself in heaven before the throne of God.

TRUTH APPLIED:

1. What do you think is happening in verses one and two? What does this mean to you?

Let’s examine the following persons and scene…

Upon arriving in the heavenly scene John focuses his attention “UPON THE THRONE” of God and here is what he sees…

STUDY NOTES: verses 3-4 v. 3 And He Who Sat There Was Like a Jasper and a Sardius Stone in Appearance - The One who sat on the throne was ornately decorated. It is interesting to note that these stones named are also the first and last stones found on the breastplate of the High Priest of Exodus 28:17-20. This is in agreement that everything in the design of the Old Covenant tabernacle and priestly garments were shadows of the heavenly scene.

And There Was a Rainbow Around the Throne, in Appearance Like an Emerald – The rainbow was originally introduced in scripture as a sign from God that He would not again judge His people by flood (Gen. 9:13-16). What a picture of God’s mercy and grace.

The first thing John notices is the throne and One sitting upon the throne. As he continues to observe he takes note of the scene AROUND THE THRONE… v. 4 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 – There is great controversy among Christians concerning who these twenty-four elders are. • Henry Morris believes these are the 24 ancestors of Christ from Adam to Pharez.

• Ladd and Mounce see these 24 elders as exalted angels.

• Others say these represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles encompassing all of God’s people from Old and New Testaments.

• Still others believe that these 24 elders are representatives from the 24 groups of priestly families in 1 Chronicles 24.

• Gill makes the following argument for these twenty four elders being the saints –

1. They were clothed in white raiment; in the pure and spotless robe of Christ's righteousness, which is comparable to fine linen, clean and white; and is the righteousness of the saints in common, of every true member of Christ's body. 2. And they had on their heads crowns of gold; being made by Christ kings, as well as priests, unto God; for so these four and twenty elders are said to be, in Rev. 5:10; and they now reign as kings over sin, Satan, and the world, and have a kingdom of grace which shall never be removed; and they shall reign with Christ on earth a thousand years, and then reign with Him to all eternity in heaven.

• Most dispensationalists see these elders as 24 New Testament saints who were raptured into glory in heaven in 4:1. Two reasons are cited for this belief.

1. They are clothed in white (indicating priesthood). Cp. Rev. 19:7-8. 2. They are wearing crowns (indicating kingship). Cp. Rev. 1:5-6 NKJV.

TRUTH APPLIED:

2. Who do you believe the 24 elders to be and why?

STUDY NOTES: verses 3-4

Next John records for us the activity proceeding FROM THE THRONE… v. 5 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 – Guzik says the lightning, thunder, voices and fire are reminiscent of God’s fearful presence at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:16-19 and 20:18-19). They communicate the awe associated with the throne of God. Also compare this verse with Ez. 1:14. The Spirit of God is normally thought of as invisible. But the Holy Spirit has been manifest in various forms in scripture; through fire (Acts 2:2-4) and a dove (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32). Jesus also spoke of water symbolizing the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).

The focal point of this chapter is the Throne of God. John now describes for us a more complete scenario including BEFORE THE THRONE , IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE and AROUND THE THRONE… v. 6 Before the Throne There Was a Sea of Glass, Like Crystal. And in the Midst of the Throne, and Around the Throne, Were Four Living Creatures Full of Eyes in Front and in Back – There have also been various theories concerning who these four living creatures are. Here are some considerations from various commentators…

• Walvoord and Ryrie hold that these living entities are actually “attributes of God” since they are said to be “in the midst of the throne.” • Ladd proposes that these four living creatures represent four aspects of nature: wild beasts, domesticated animals, human beings, and flying creatures. • Henry Morris believes that these are purely angelic beings. • Lindsey thinks these are angels “who represent the four portraits of Christ that we find in the four Gospels.” I.e. the lion, ox, man, and eagle correlate with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. • Gaebelein teaches that these are the cherubim of the Old Testament who have always been seen around God’s throne. Cp. Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6.

TRUTH APPLIED:

3. Who or what do you think the four living creatures are? Why?

STUDY NOTES: verses 7-11

A closer look at THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES… v. 7 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 – Clark gives some very interesting commentary on this verse - It is supposed that there is a reference here to the four standards or ensigns of the four divisions of the tribes in the Israelite camp, as they are described by Jewish writers. The first living creature was like a lion; this was, say the rabbi’s, the standard of JUDAH on the east, with the two tribes of Issachar and Zebulun. The second, like a calf or ox, which was the emblem of EPHRAIM who pitched on the west, with the two tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. The third, with the face of a man, which, according to the rabbi’s, was the standard of REUBEN who pitched on the south, with the two tribes of Simeon and Gad. The fourth, which was like a flying eagle, was, according to the same writers, the emblem on the ensign of DAN who pitched on the north, with the two tribes of Asher and Naphtali. This traditional description agrees with the four faces of the cherub in Ezekiel's vision.

Christian tradition has given these creatures as emblems of the four evangelists. To John is attributed the EAGLE; to Luke the OX, to Mark the LION, and to Matthew the MAN, or angel in human form. As the first explanation above represented the whole Jewish Church or congregation, so the latter is intended to represent the whole Christian Church. v. 8 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!" – These creatures posses eyes which give them sight in every direction. Nothing escapes their attention. They are a picture of true worship. For they are not blind but are totally observant and aware of who God is and never rest from giving praise. The words they use to praise reveal their great theological understanding of God. God is holy thrice, a hint to the triune God. He is Lord. He is God. He is Almighty. He is eternal (was, is, is to come). v. 9 Whenever the Living Creatures Give Glory and Honor and Thanks to Him Who Sits on the Throne, Who Lives Forever and Ever - We will now see the beginning of ripples of praise to the eternal God going out in every direction. Notice that the four living creatures begin this shock wave of praise (v. 9). Next, the twenty-four elders echo in praise and adoration (v. 10). And then we see this pattern again in chapter five resulting in a crescendo of praise going out in shock waves to all creation (see 5:8, 11-12, 13). Then we see the ripples of praise start all over again in 5:14. v. 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 - It is said that whatever rewards or crowns we receive in heaven will simply be instruments of worship and surrender to God, for we will cast our crowns before His throne. This is a sign of submission and acknowledgement of God’s ultimate authority and worthiness over even the glorified saints. v. 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 – True praise and worship is a declaration of God’s total worthiness. Worship is declaring God’s “worth-ship.” One of the many reasons to worship God is that He is the Creator and we are the created. We owe our very existence to Him. This fact alone makes Him worthy and makes us forever indebted.

TRUTHS APPLIED:

4. What theological truths can we learn from observing the worship that takes place in heaven?

5. What does this text reveal about the nature and character of God? 6. What does this text reveal to us about Jesus Christ?

7. What do you learn from this chapter that you would want to apply to your life? Explain.

CONCLUSION:

There are many blessings promised to those who hear and keep the sayings found in the book of Revelation (1:3). One great advantage every believer should gain from this book is to become a better worshipper of God. Let us endeavor to implement the theological insights given by the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures that we might become better worshippers.

Now to Him who is and was and is to come, to Him who alone is worthy of all praise, to Him Who created all things, be glory and honor and power for every and ever, Amen.

Mike Sasso