Revelation 4:1-11
Revelation 4 is the final section in this book
of future events written by the apostle John. According to our outline
given to us by the writer (1:19) he has already written about "the
things which you have seen" which represent what John was currently
experiencing (Revelation 1). "The things which are" which were
representative of the current state of the seven churches of Asia Minor
(Revelation 2-3). Now John will receive "the things which will take
place after this" which represent those events at the end of history
following the church age (Revelation 4-22). John begins this section by
writing, "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'" (4:1). At this point John writes "immediately I
was in the Spirit; and behold a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the
throne" (4:2). Simply put, John was transported to heaven. As John
revealed in Revelation 1:10, this transport was literal and not some
dream. John was taken from this life to personally observe what was
happening in heaven. Upon his arrival John he finds himself in the
throne room of heaven where God is seated (4:2-3) and there are 24
(number which means representation) elders seated on the thrones
surrounding God's throne. Since the elders are clothed in white robes
and have gold crowns on their heads we can assume that they probably
represent the church (4:4). As this time, the church is the only group
who has been fully redeemed and rewarded. John also reveals that from
the throne proceeds "lightnings, thunderings, and voices" which
indicates a future judgment, which will be the seven year tribulation
period on the earth (4:5). This judgment will be righteous and warranted
since all those on the earth at this time have rejected the salvation
offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also in this
scene are seven lamps of fire which represent the Holy Spirit (4:5b).
Present also in this throne room are four living creatures who are
angels -they are the ones who deliver the judgment poured out on the
earth (4:6-8). These angels "do not rest day or night" but they
continuously say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is
and is to come!" This declaration represents God's holiness and
eternality. "Whenever the living creatures [angels] give honor and glory
and thanks to Him who sits on the throne...the twenty-four elders fall
down and worship Him...and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
'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'"
(4:9-11). The redeemed recognize God as the One who has freely offered
salvation to them and that He is worthy of all their praise. As an act
of worship they cast their crowns (rewards) before Him signifying His
authority and redemption over His creation.
Although John
describes this scene as a future event, we should worship God as a part
of our daily lives; after all, He alone deserves all of our honor and
praise. God is the Creator of all things and has chosen to redeem sinful
mankind by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for
sin. For all those who believe by faith in the work of Jesus Christ and
receive His forgiveness of sins will be at the place John witnessed
two-thousand years ago.
Dear God, You are worthy to receive glory
and honor and power for You created all things and by Your will they
exist and were created.