Revelation 4-5 Into the Throne Room of God

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A Peek into the Throne Room of God

Revelation 4

Introduction: Throughout the seven letters Jesus urged, comforted, and chastised his churches to be victorious and overcome just as he did. In each letter, Jesus emphasized conquering. In his last words to Laodicea he said, “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” 

If that wasn’t enough encouragement, the angel (1:1) invites John (and all of us through John’s experience) into heaven to see the throne of God and even Jesus himself. How exhilarating for any Christian, but especially for Christians who were being persecuted.

We must feel the reality of this scene! This is not a movie. This is not pretend. This is not fantasy. God is on his throne ruling over all the earth. First big message: NO FEAR!  

  1. Biblical Throne Scenes
    1. Revelation 4 is the fourth of four throne scenes in scripture. The first is in Isaiah 6, the second is Ezekiel 1, and the third is Daniel 7. There are similarities in each, but also slight differences in purpose.
    2. In Isaiah, the occasion was the death of the beloved King Uzziah so that Isaiah was both assured of God’s reign and rule and to commission Isaiah to preach to a wayward nation.
    3. Ezekiel’s throne scene was actually a moving chariot-throne so that the captives could visualize God removing his presence and protection from Jerusalem and the nation.
    4. In Daniel, the picture is Jesus taking the throne with the Father and subjugating the wicked kingdoms of the world. Daniel’s scene is nearly identical to our throne scene in this chapter. This fact further emphasizes the parallels between Daniel and Revelation.
    5. In each occasion, God is clearly letting his people know that his rule is present. The Lord is in absolute control – always has, is now, and always will be! In fact, God’s control and rule is so absolute he can even let his people know what will take place in the future.
  2. Before the Throne of God
    1. Of first importance is the primary reason for John’s visit to the throne. Verse 1: “…and I will show you what must take place after this.” We can now put this in context with 1:19, “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this.” Therefore, chapters 4-22 are the things that “are to take place” in the future, always remembering that most of those things “must soon take place” (1:1). 
    2. Please imagine this scene with me: John is immediately taken into heaven “in the spirit” and able to see the throne and the one who sits on it. As he looks, he see the one sitting on the throne with the appearance of jasper (God’s holiness) and carnelian (God’s judgment/justice) relate the shimmer of crystals and fiery red colors on the throne. A rainbow with the appearance of emerald reminds us that all that God does is tempered by his covenantal promises to the offspring of Abraham.
    3. “Around the throne…”
      1. 24 thrones with 24 elders seated, clothed in white garments and wearing golden crowns. These crowns are “victory crowns” (stephanos). Later we will see crowns on the head of Satan (12:3, translated “7 diadems”) and Jesus (19:12, “many diadems”). These are crowns of power.
      2. “From the throne… flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder” – picture of God’s activity and judgments that are about to be revealed (8:5). 
      3. “Seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God” reference Zechariah 4:10, “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” It is a picture of God fulfilling his promise to rebuild the temple of the Lord.
      4. Before the throne is a sea of glass like crystal. Later, the Revelation will picture the events of earth as a raging ocean of turmoil. But here we see before the throne there is calm. Our Father is in perfect control.
      5. “Four living creatures” We were first introduced to these cherubim in Ezekiel 1 where they moved the throne wherever the Lord wanted – indicating doing the will of God on the earth. These beings were like a lion (strength), an calf (service & gentleness), a man (intelligence), and an eagle (swiftness & vision). 
      6. These creatures never cease to give honor and praise to the Lord (“holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty”) and when they do the 24 elders cast their crowns before the throne and fall down and worship him who lives forever and ever indicating that their victory came because of Him.
      7. “Saying, worthy are you…for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” 
  3. Chapter 5: The Scroll & the Lamb
    1. Suddenly John notices a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. This becomes the primary focus of John’s attention. The scroll is unique in that it is written on both sides and sealed with seven seals (a perfect/complete seal). Later, when each seal is broken, a particular event is described until the entire book of “Revelation” is unveiled.
    2. Then, as John is observing the scroll, a strong angel proclaims with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” In an instant we learn that there is no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth is worthy to open the scroll or look into it.
    3. Now feel the emotion of John. When he realizes no one can open the scroll, he is overcome and weeps loudly – “noooo, it can’t be!” But then one of the elders calms John saying that the Lion of Judah, the Root of David has conquered, and he can open the scroll. What a relief!
    4. And John turns to look for this great Lion of Judah…and there is he is…standing between the throne and the four living creatures. But instead of a Lion, he sees a Lamb standing as though he had been slain. And what power he has! – seven horns, seven eyes (seven spirits) sent out into all the earth. 
    5. Now look at him. John sees the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah go straight to the throne and take the scroll out of the hand of the one seated on the throne! What power! What boldness! What authority! He is worthy!! 
    6. And when he takes the scroll, all of creation breaks forth in praise:
      1. Four living creatures and the 24 elders, with the prayers of the saints sing a new song… 
      2. Then ten thousand times ten thousand angels shout with a loud voice… 
      3. Then every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea say… 
      4. And suddenly, silence. And the four living creatures say, “AMEN.” And the elders fell down and worshiped!
  4. Seeing the Message
    1. “Holy, holy, holy.” The triple repetition is a Hebrew superlative indicating infinite holiness; beyond limit or explanation.
      1. Holiness in this case is not referring to the Lord’s purity or sinlessness. It is his authority, power, and perfection beyond imagination. One who is far above anything or anyone who exists.
      2. In the throne scene of Isaiah 6, the seraphim also proclaim “holy, holy, holy,” and then call him “the Lord of hosts/armies,” and “the earth is full of his glory.”
      3. Who will dare speak against him! Who will dare question him! Who will dare to not give him the utmost respect and honor! Who would dare not fall at his feet and say, “holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty”! 
      4. And please! The four living creatures and the elders do not say this because he demanded it of them! No, he is worthy! He earned this position. He created all things. By his will they existed and were created.
    2. Prayer: Did you notice in 5:8 that as the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each was holding a golden bowl of incense, which are the prayers of the saints? Our prayers are brought before the Lamb and before the throne of God. This should tell us to get serious about prayer!
    3. Identity of the scroll? Is this a new scroll, unique to Revelation? If so, that would certainly be out of character for Revelation. Everything ties into an OT context. 
      1. Remember, the word “revelation” means an unveiling of things previously concealed. 
      2. The scroll in Daniel 12:4-9 gives the identity of this scroll. Read and compare to Revelation 10:5-7. Note the angel of each text raises his hand and gives an oath. The angel of Revelation 10 states that there would be no more delay.
      3. Notice also in Daniel 12 the scroll is sealed up until the time of the end. This corresponds to Daniel 10:14 and is identified as the “last days” in the NT. 
      4. If Revelation is not “unveiling” the sealed scroll of Daniel, then what is the book of Revelation unveiling?
    4. The Lion of Judah and the Lamb standing as though it had been slain.
      1. The “Lion of Judah” refers to blessing/prophecy Jacob made of Judah before he died (Genesis 49). 
      2. The slain Lamb is pictured many places, but especially in Isaiah 53 and the announcement of John the baptizer (Jn. 1). 
      3. Who could ever have imagined that the Lord God would conquer his enemies, not in a “battlefield war” of who is bigger and badder, but by the Lord himself laying his life down so that he could break open the gates of Hades and lead the righteous to eternal life?
      4. “Worthy is the Lamb!”

Berry Kercheville

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