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The Throne Scene
Reading: Revelation 4
I. A change in location - Revelation 4:1
A. After the letters were dictated, John was invited by the one with a voice like a trumpet to enter heaven to see some of the future.
1. Similar to Ezekiel 1:1
B. That one speaking is Jesus - Revelation 1:10-11
C. John’s spirit goes to heaven while his body remains behind
D. The vision is of future events
II. God on His throne
A. God is not directly named, nor directly described
1. No image can be made of God.
B. God is describe as being like precious stones
1. These are stones that transmit light - I John 1:5
2. The preciousness of the stone indicates God’s glory and worth - Rev 21:10-11
C. A green rainbow or halo around the throne
1. I Tim 6:15-16 - God dwells in unapproachable light
D. The throne is encircled by 24 elders in white garments and with golden crowns
1. Under the old law, there were 24 sections of priests - I Chron 24:7-18
a. Suggested that they represent the eternal priesthood of God’s people.
2. Since there are 12 patriarchs in Israel and 12 apostles in the Church, it is also thought that they represent all of God’s people in all ages.
a. Those under the Old Law were saved through Christ - Heb 9:15
b. Their salvation was not apart from ours - Heb 11:39-40
c. Both Jews and Gentiles brought together - Eph 2:14-18
3. Both the term elder and the crowns indicate they have rule
E. From the throne is comes thunder and lightening - Exodus 19:16
F. Also before the throne is seven burning lamps
1. These are the seven spirits of God, i.e. the complete and perfect Holy Spirit
G. The throne is surrounded by a sea of crystal
1. Separating God from the rest
2. This becomes significant in the end, when the sea will no longer exist and we will be with God - Rev 21:1
H. Around the throne are four living creatures
1. One like a lion, One like a calf, One has the face of a man, One like a flying eagle
a. Each represents the living creatures of God’s creation: wild animals (lion), domesticated animals (calf), mankind, and birds (eagle)
b. Or, noblest (lion), strongest (calf), wisest (man), and swiftest (eagle)
c. They spend their time praising God, similar to Ps 148
2. The four creatures each had six wings
3. They had eyes in front and in back and within
4. Similar to Ezekiel 1:4-14
5. Ezekiel 10:20-22 - Cherubim
a. Not common angels, since they are listed separately - Revelation 5:11; 7:11
b. Gen 3:24 - A cherubim guarded the tree of life
c. Ex. 25:18 - Two cherubim covered the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant.
6. Similar description in Isa 6:1-4, where they are called seraphim (fiery ones). Notice they too sing the praises of God.
I. God is the center of all worship, because He created everything. - Isa 44:6
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