Sermons From Revelation - God Is On His Throne! (4:1-11)

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                       "THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

                    God Is On His Throne! (4:1-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. Chapters 1-3 of the Book of Revelation provide the setting for what
   this book is about...
   a. A revelation (unveiling) from Jesus Christ to His servants about
      things that would shortly take place
   b. With letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor who had already
      suffered persecution from Jewish and Roman sources, with more such
      hardships to come
   c. The book and the letters were designed to both warn and comfort them
      as they prepared to face the tribulation to come

2. In chapters 4-11, I believe John is shown how the Lord would come in
   judgment on unfaithful Jerusalem...
   a. In signs and symbols to Jewish Christians very familiar with similar
      prophecies in the Old Testament
   b. And in fulfillment of prophecies made by Jesus during His earthly
      ministry - cf. Mt 24, Mk 13, Lk 21

[First, John describes a scene that should create a sense of awe and wonder,
depicting...]

I. GOD ON HIS THRONE (1-8) 

   A. JOHN TAKEN TO HEAVEN...
      1. After seeing the Lord and hearing the letters addressed to the
         seven churches
      2. Upon seeing a door standing open in heaven, and hearing a trumpet-
         like voice - Re 4:1
         a. Being told "Come up here"
         b. Where he will be shown "things which must take place after this"
      -- The voice "like a trumpet" may have been the voice of Jesus (the
         ESV, NASB, NLT, NIV certainly translate it as such) - cf. Re 1:10

   B. JOHN DESCRIBES THE THRONE SCENE...
      1. The One on the throne
         a. Like a jasper (sparkling white)
         b. And a sardius stone (fiery red) in appearance
         c. With an emerald rainbow (various shades of green) around the
            throne
         -- The colors may reflect the characteristics of God, such as
            holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy, or they may 
            simply signify His splendor and majesty
      2. The twenty-four elders
         a. Sitting on twenty-four thrones around the throne
         b. Clothed in white robes
            c. With crowns of gold on their heads
         -- Summers and Hailey suggest that they depict the twelve
            patriarchs of Israel and the twelve apostles, who represent
            the redeemed of both covenants now united in Christ (note that
            in Rev 5:8-9 they do seem to speak in behalf of the redeemed)
      3. Other elements around the throne
         a. Lightnings, thunderings, and voices proceeding from the throne
            (perhaps illustrating divine power and judgments coming from 
            God)
         b. Seven lamps (the Seven Spirits of God) burning before the
            throne (Summers suggests this symbolizes the Holy Spirit in 
            His work of illumination and revelation of God's word to man)
         c. A sea of glass, like crystal, before the throne (perhaps
            symbolizing the transcendence of God that presently separates
            God and His people)
      4. The four living creatures in the midst and around the throne
         a. Unique characteristics
            1) The first was like a lion
            2) The second was like a calf
            3) The third had a face like a man
            4) The fourth was like a flying eagle
         b. Similar characteristics
            1) Each had six wings
            2) Full of eyes in front and back, around and within
            3) Do not rest day or night, praising the holiness of the
               Eternal God
         c. Who do not rest day or night, saying:
            1) "Holy, holy, holy" 
            2) "Lord God Almighty"
            3) "Who was and is and is to come!"
         -- Hailey suggests they may be a special order of heavenly beings,
            perhaps the highest and closest to the throne, who serve God's
            majestic will

[With the throne scene set before us, John proceeds to describe...]

II. PRAISED AS THE ETERNAL CREATOR (9-11)

   A. PROMPTED BY THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES...
      1. Whenever they give glory, honor, and thanks
      2. To Him who sits on the throne, the Eternal One
      -- Such praise is offered without rest day and night - cf. Re 4:8

   B. OFFERED BY THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS...
      1. Who fall down before Him who sits on the throne
      2. Who worship Him who lives forever
      3. Who cast their crowns before the throne
      4. Who proclaim God worthy to receive glory, honor, and power
         a. For He created all things
         b. And by His will they exist and were created
      -- As the Eternal Creator, God is worthy of such glory, honor and
         power

CONCLUSION

1. This scene, along with that in chapter five, appears designed to set
   the stage for what follows

2. At the outset, we are shown the first guarantee of ultimate victory:
   God is on His throne! (Summers)

3. The praise offered by the four living creatures and the twenty-four
   elders reinforce the truth that the One on the throne (and in ultimate
   control) is none other than...
   a. The Lord God Almighty, Eternal and Holy
   b. The Creator who holds all things together

God is therefore worthy of glory, honor and power! He is the one to
revere, not some mortal man, no matter what power man may exercise on
earth!

In our next lesson, we will be introduced to The Lamb who is worthy of
power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, and blessing...
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