A VISION OF HEAVEN

Revelation 4

From the immediate concerns of the church on earth John switches his attention to heaven.

4:1

John sees the door before his very eyes and the door is opened. The Greek word for door here (thura) refers to a portal or entrance. The way into heaven is open wide.

“Heaven” (ouranos) is God’s eternal dwelling and the place where God chooses to reveal Himself.

The voice (phōnē – noise, sound, voice) John heard was the voice of the glorified Christ, which was heard in chapter 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet.

John is not writing about matters of chance, but about events which will certainly occur, must take place (not might take place), for they are part of the divine plan of a sovereign God.

4:2

Upon entering into this vision of God, John comes under the complete control of the Holy Spirit (I was in the Spirit).

There is a throne that is above every throne, a King that is above every king, a Lord that is above every lord, the God of the universe, creator and ruler of heaven and earth. Before this King, this Lord, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth.

 4:3

The most beautiful stones known to man, jasper and carnelian; the most beautiful of all natural paintings, the rainbow, are used to describe the majestic beauty and wonder of the One who sits on the throne of heaven. Exodus 15:11

4:4

Some scholars believe the twenty-four elders are probably a superior order of angels (angels are referred to as elders in Isaiah 24:23).

Other scholars argue that the number twenty-four is to be seen as the sum of the twelve patriarchs of the Old Testament and of the twelve apostles of the New, who represent the church of the entire Church of the old and new dispensation.

It is not who these twenty-four elders are but what they do that is the emphasis of this vision. They are worshippers of the King of kings and Lord of lords and thus are clothed and crowned with royal garb, They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

4:5

For John, God’s throne depicts the majesty and grandeur of the Almighty. He writes with an Old Testament passage in mind, namely, the scene at Mount Sinai when God gave the Decalogue to the Israelites.

We must read this passage symbolically, because the throne of God is so awesome that John can portray it only with natural phenomena such as lightning, rumblings, and crashes of thunder. These phenomena are symbols that in nature display God’s grandeur, power, and might.

And seven flaming torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

Once again, the symbolism of this text is now expressed in the number seven, which occurs twice. It is the number of completeness and fullness. The seven torches represent an abundance of light at God’s throne, and the seven spirits are a representation of the Holy Spirit’s fullness. John has taken his symbolism from the golden lamp stand in the tabernacle.

Here God is seen in His brilliance and power as the one who is not only to be worshipped and adored but feared as well.

4:6

Crystal has the quality of clearness, so that everyone can see through it. This means that the saints in heaven are able to see God’s wisdom in action. It is clear and yet  overwhelming in brilliance .

Glass as clear as crystal would be enormously expensive. Clear class was thought of as incredibly magnificent, as suitable paving for a royal court. John is emphasizing the majesty and the holiness of God.

The four living creatures seem similar to both the cherubim and seraphim. The cherubim guard and watch the entrance into the throne of God. The seraphim worship and praise God unceasingly.

We can safely say, in view of their closeness to the throne of God, that these four living creatures are the most important of created beings, even that they stand in some way for the whole of creation.

4:7

The mightiest among the wild beasts is the lion, the mightiest among the domestic animals is the bull, the mightiest among the birds is the eagle, and the mightiest among all is man.

Nature, including man, is represented before the Throne, taking its part in the fulfillment of the Divine Will, and the worship of the Divine Majesty.

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, Psalms 69:34. In Psalms 148 the whole creation is invoked to praise the Lord.

4:8

The wings of the four living creatures furnish covering for their eyes when they stand before God (no one can see God and live), and in flight they provide speed.

The eyes of the four living creatures symbolizes their ability to see what is going on in God’s universe and marvel at what God is doing.

The attribute that most accurately and profoundly explains God is that of holiness. It is the attribute of attributes. The second is that of omnipotence: the Lord God Almighty.

4:9-11

All of God’s creation, especially man was created to glorify, and honor the creator God forever thus the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne who lives for ever and ever.

The living creatures are eternally in awe of God grace and mercy in light of His holiness and power and they are eternally thankful to God.

The throwing down of their crowns expresses the truth that He alone reigns. All other sovereignty must yield to His.