Revelation 4

Revelation 4:1

In chapter 4, we begin the third and final section of the Book of Revelation, as John writes of “the things which shall be hereafter” (see Rev_1:19). The Greek words here are meta tauta. It’s the same phrase used in the divine outline, where John was instructed to write of the things which he had seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev_1:19). After what? After chapters 2 and 3after church history. I find it interesting that in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, the word “church” appears nineteen times. From chapter 4 on, however, it never appears. Why? Because in chapter 4, the church is taken off the scene and into heaven. I like this! In verse Rev_3:20 of chapter 3, we saw Jesus knocking at the door. Anyone who opens the door of his heart to the Lord will have the door of heaven opened to him. This trumpet sound draws my mind back to 1 Thessalonians… For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.1Th_4:16-18 Obviously this is speaking of the Rapturewhen the Lord appears in the clouds to take us, His bride, to heaven. When I hear the Lord saying, “Come up here"I’m goingand so are you! This is a phrase I can’t wait to hear! Meta tautahereafter. Why do you suppose this phrase is used twice in this verse? I suggest it is because the Lord doesn’t want us to miss it. After these things, after church historywhen the last person gets saved; when the last one is added to the kingdom; when the bride of Christ is completewe’re going up!

Revelation 4:2

I’m really looking forward to being in the spirit, to being immediately changed. How many of you today found yourself thinking a fleshly thought, reacting in a fleshly way, or doing something in the flesh? We all struggle with this constantly. We all fail continually. But there’s coming a day when we will no longer struggle with the flesh because when we see Him, we shall be like Him (1Jn_3:2). I’m really looking forward to that. The first thing that captures John’s eye is a throne set, or literally “planted” in heaven. I suggest this was a vital concept for Pastor John to pass on to his flock in the midst of terrible persecution. “I saw a throne set,” said John. Just as the altars whereupon the children of Israel worshiped Baal or Ashtaroth in Old Testament times were portableable to be moved from one “high place” or grove to anotherthe high places and altars of today’s pagan deities are constantly in flux. If you’re worshiping at the altar of materialism, you get the house or buy the car and worship there for a week or two, a year or tenbut then it doesn’t work anymore. You have to have a newer house or better car. So you move. Or, if you’re worshiping at the altar of sensuality, you worship there for a whileuntil that altar doesn’t work anymore and you have to find someone else. If you worship at the altar of intellectualism and immerse yourself in the study of this philosophy or that concept, a month or a year later, you’re bored with it. That’s why we live in a culture that says, “Been there, done that, now what?” Not so with the Lord. I’ve been walking with Him for forty years, and I’m not at all bored. My relationship with Him just gets better and more interesting, more challenging and more intriguing because His throne is set. John likens the One on the throne to precious stones…

Revelation 4:3

The jasper stone was a clear stoneprobably a diamondand speaks of light. Because God is light (1Jn_1:5), He’s not in the dark about your disappointing marriage, your distressing physical affliction, or your depressing financial situation. “Then why doesn’t He do anything about it?” you ask. He has… The sardine stone was most likely a ruby, which of course, is red. Truly, the ruby-red blood of Christ flowed from His veins as the nails pierced His hands, as the crown of thorns was clubbed into His skull, as the spear sliced into His side. And through it all, He would declare, “There’s nothing more I could ever do or say to prove to you I am in love with you” (see Rom_5:8). Therefore, when people get angry with God or arrogantly put God on trial, be one who says, “I understand what you’re saying, but you’re wrong because God proved His love for you. What else could He possibly do to show you He’s in love with you and wants the best for you? He laid everything on the line and was slaughtered in your place with you on His mind and on His heart.” In Exodus 28, we read that the high priest wore a breastplate upon which were twelve stonesone for each tribe. The first of the twelve sons of Jacob was Reuben. Reuben’s name means “behold” or “see, a son.” His stone was the sardine stone. The last of the twelve sons was Benjamin, whose name means “son of my right hand.” Benjamin’s stone was a jasper. Thus, this One on the throne is, “Behold, the Son of My right hand.” It’s Jesus. The throne of God is not surrounded by danger signs or warning lights. It’s surrounded by a rainbow emblematic of grace (Gen_9:16). That is why we are not instructed to come boldly unto the throne of service, intense worship, or clean living. We are invited to come boldly unto the throne of grace (Heb_4:16). I am totally convinced that grace is not the beginning thingit’s the whole thing. God is looking for people to bless who won’t take credit by saying, “It’s my praying or witnessing, my disciplined spirituality or intense study,” but rather, “It’s only grace that has brought me thus far.” You see, grace is the only thing that truly allows the Lord to get all the glory. That’s why His is a throne of grace. Amazing grace.

Revelation 4:4

Because the Old Testament priesthood was divided into twenty-four groups (1 Chronicles 24), and because the church is called a kingdom of priests (Rev_1:6), some suggest that the twenty-four elders speak of the church, with their white garments symbolizing the righteousness given to us in Christ. In my opinion, however, the twenty-four elders refer to the twelve patriarchs and the twelve apostles because on each of the twelve gates into the New Jerusalem is the name of one of the patriarchs; and on each of the foundations is the name of an apostle (Revelation 21). If this is the case, the twenty-four elders would symbolize God’s people in entiretythe patriarchs representing the Old Testament believers, the apostles representing the New Testament believers. While we cannot be dogmatic regarding the identity of the twenty-four elders, we can be certain of their ministry, for as the Book of Revelation progresses, we’ll see what these elders do in heaven. They don’t have board meetings. They don’t run programs. They don’t pursue higher office. What do they do? Here we see them sitting in God’s presence. In the next chapter, they seek out John, saying, “Weep not. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed.” Later, we see an elder ask John questions to spark spiritual discussion and to provide information and enlightenment. We’ll also see the elders singing a new song. So, too, if we want to be elders, ministers, or servants here on earth, we must be those who sit in God’s presence, those who seek out people who are hurting and point them to the Lord. We must be those who share truth; and those who sing a new song of something God is doing today, in this hour.

Revelation 4:5

When you see lightning and hear thunder, you know a storm is coming. Keep in mind that John is addressing people going through terrible times and dark days. “Why doesn’t God do something?” they must have wondered. “You can’t hear it yet,” John would answer, “but a storm is comingthrough which God will pour out justice upon the earth.” In reference to Isa_11:2, this speaks of the seven-fold nature of God’s Spirit.

Revelation 4:6

When you get to heaven, the throne will catch your eye, the One on the throne will warm your heart, and the crystal sea before the throne will bring you peace. If you haven’t done so lately, I encourage you to take time to sit in the presence of the Lord. Think on Him, talk to Himand you will find the troubled waters of your heart and soul become like glass. Why is it we would sooner run out and try to make things right than sit before the Lord? We try to solve this and take care of thatonly to find ourselves troubled and upset, fatigued and frustrated. Don’t wait until you get to heaven physically to experience the glassy sea of peace. Make time daily to take a trip to heaven in your spirit, to sit in the throne room. The opportunity is yours for the taking. The Greek word translated “beasts” actually means “creatures.” These living creatures are described in greater detail in Ezekiel 1 and 10, where we are told they are cherubim. Cherubim are first seen in the Garden of Eden. After driving Adam and Eve out of the Garden after they had sinned, God employed cherubim with flaming sword to keep Adam and Even from eating of the tree of life and living forever in their fallen condition (Gen_3:24). In the Book of Exodus, cherubim are seen again on the mercy seata fitting place for them to be, as we shall see…

Revelation 4:7

Since the early days of church history, Iranius and others recognized that the four faces of these cherubim correspond with the four Gospels: Matthew presents Jesus as King, typified by a lion. Mark presents Him as a Servant, the ox representing servitude. Luke presents Jesus in His Humanity, seen in the face of a man. And John presents Jesus as the Son of God, pictured by the eagle who not only soars higher than any other creature, but is the only animal able to look directly into the sun, even as only the Son of God beholds the glory of the Father. But there’s something else about these four faces that intrigues me. That is, in chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Numbers, God declares that His people were to camp in a certain order as they traveled through the wilderness. He told the Levites to surround the tabernacle on the north, south, east, and west sides. Why? Those serving the Lordwhether in their neighborhood, on their campus, or in their church always end up camping closest to where God’s glory is. That’s the beauty of serving the Lord: You get to camp out closest to His glory because when you’re serving Him, sharing your faith, praying for others, teaching Sunday school you experience most fully the chabodthe glory of God. That’s why God lets us serve Him. He doesn’t need us. Rather, He allows us the privilege to serve because in so doing we draw closest to Him. Numbers 2 goes on to say that on each of the four sides were to be three tribes. Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon, numbering 186,400, were to camp on the east side and were known as the Camp of Judah. What is the symbol, the ensign of Judah? The Lion. Why were they on the east side? Because when Jesus comes back, roaring with authority, He’s going to come from the East. Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, numbering 108,100, were to camp on the west side, and were known as the Camp of Ephraim. Their symbol was an ox. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, numbering 151,400, were to camp on the south side and were known as the Camp of Reuben, whose symbol was a man. Dan, Naphtali, and Asher, numbering 157,600, were to camp on the north side and were known as the Camp of Dan, signified by an eagle. With the largest number of people camped on the east, the smallest number on the west, and an almost identical number of people on the north and south sides of the tabernacle, the configuration is that of a Crosswhich is as applicable practically as it is significant spiritually… Fearing the approaching Israelites, Balak, king of Moab, hired a prophet named Balaam to curse them. No problem, Balaam must have thought. These people have been idolatrous and rebellious, ungrateful and immoral. Surely God will curse them. But Balaam erred greatly in thinking God was angry with His people, for when he attempted to utter a curse over them, all that came out of his mouth was a blessing (Numbers 23-24). Why? Because as he looked over the camp of Israel from the high places of Baal, what did Balaam see? A Cross. So, too, we think we deserve to be cursed because we rebel, murmur, and complain. We think we deserve to be cursed because we don’t do what we should and, instead, do what we shouldn’t. But God looks upon us and sees us in light of the Cross. Therefore, all He desires to do is bless us.

Revelation 4:8

How bizarre! you must be thinking. Creatures with four faces and six wings. Listenwhat seems bizarre to us living in our little corner of time and space will make perfect sense when we get to heaven. Oftentimes, the more insight one has or the more vision one has been given, the more one says, “I thought marriage would be itbut it isn’t.” Or, “I thought this person would changebut he didn’t.” Or, “I thought my ministry would blossombut it hasn’t.” Truly, the more you see, the more you know, the more disillusioned or disappointed you can become. Not so the cherubim. Even though they are full of eyes, they find someone completely worthy of their gaze. Why do the cherubim say, “Holy, Holy, Holy”? Because God is TriuneFather, Son, and Spirit. The word “holy” means “whole"not eroded by sin, not falling apart at the seams, not hypocritical or flawed in any way. And it is this holiness, this wholeness, which causes the cherubim to fall down in worship. Then, rising to go their way, they see Him again and bow again in ecstasy and awe. And on and on it goes perpetuallynot because the cherubim are some kind of wind-up angels programmed to do this, but because they are totally overwhelmed by the beauty of holiness (Psa_29:2). Truly, there is nothing as lovely as holiness in a man or woman, in a church or familyfor, without even being able to identify it, people are attracted to it. Oh, they might be enamored or seduced by evil or darkness for a seasonbut when judgment comes, people hate it. Holiness, on the other hand, never becomes disillusioning or disappointing. The more holy a person, family, or congregation isthe more satisfying they are. Full of vision and insight, the cherubim understand this. And that’s why they can’t take their eyes off this One who is holy.

Revelation 4:9

As the cherubim worship, the twenty-four elders join in, casting their crowns before the throne. The Bible speaks of five crowns available to you and me… The crown of righteousness is given to those who love His appearing (2Ti_4:8). A person who lives in constant expectation of Jesus’ return is going to live righteously (1Jn_3:3) because one of the most purifying truths in all of the Bible is the fact that Jesus could come back at any moment. The crown of life is given to those who love Him (Jas_1:12). If you love the Lord, you’re going to hang out with the Lord; and if you hang out with the Lord, you’re going to have life abundantly. The degree to which you spend time with the Lord is the degree to which you’ll have abundant life. The crown of glory is given for servanthood (1Pe_5:4). One experiences the glory, the weight, and the reality of God to the extent that one serves Him. The soul-winners crown is given to those who share their faith (1Th_2:19). The martyr’s crown is for those who lay down their lives (Rev_2:10). It is my opinion that this refers not only to those who die a martyr’s death, but also to those who lay down their lives in obedience to what they know is right. Sure, it might seem easier to leave him, to walk out on the marriage, to do your own thing, but I believe those who say, “I’m going to die to self and do what the Lord would have me do even if it kills me,” will receive a crown because they chose to lay down their lives rather than give in to their own fleshly inclinations. Well, I’m not into crowns, you might be thinking. As long as I’m in heaven, I’ll be happy. But think of it this way… You’re drafted into the army. As you’re getting your hair buzzed, the President of the United States, your Commander in Chief walks in and says, “I have something for you,” handing you a hat covered with gold braid and five stars. “Thanks,” you say, “but I’m not into hats. I’ll just take one of the khaki caps like everyone else has.” “You don’t understand,” he would say. “The five stars on this hat open incredible doors. You don’t stay in the barracksyou have the great big mansion on the hillside. You have a staff to iron your uniforms, feed you the finest food, and give you whatever you need. It all comes with the hat.” Bunches of Christians don’t get this. The purpose of crowns is not to make a fashion statement. They’re highly significant. And this life is the only chance we have to get them. There is no other opportunity for the next thousand, ten thousand, one hundred million years. Therefore, what I’m doing now with my time, money, or energy will directly determine whether I am in the General’s mansion or on kitchen duty for all eternity. No wonder Paul tells us to run the race so that we may win the prize (1Co_9:24).

Revelation 4:11

Because it is the Lord who gives us the ability to witness, to love Him, to lay down our life in ministry, when we get to heaven, we’ll say, “You are worthy, Lord. Anything good in my life wasn’t accomplished by my own energy or power. It was all You.” Why is worship so important? First, worship is the program in heaven. If you want heaven in your heart or home tonight, if you feel as if you’re trapped in a hellish situation at work or in a terrible situation in a relationship, you can bring heaven into it by worshiping. Second, worship is the purpose of creation. You see, everything exists for one reason: to please God. Therefore, to the extent you please Him is the extent to which you will experience fulfillment in the deepest part of your soul. How do we worship? The word itself tells us. Proskuneo in Greek means “to turn and kiss.” Thus, true worship is any sincere expression intended for the Lord’s pleasure. Worship is the program in heaven, the purpose of creation on earth. May His will be done in our lives, as it is in heaven.