[:en]SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 4
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come (Revelation 4:8)
“You are worthy our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelations4:11)
The key word in this chapter is the THRONE in heaven which was used 11 times:
SCENE OF THE THRONE
- Someone sitting on it had the appearance of jasper and carnelian (vs 2-3a)
- A rainbow resembling an emerald encircled the throne (v. 3b)
- There were 24 other thrones surrounding the throne with 24 elders seated on them dressed in white and had crown of gold on their head (v. 4)
- There came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder (v. 5a)
- There were 7 lamps which represent 7 spirits of God blazing before the throne (v. 5b)
- There was what looked like a sea of glass clear as crystal before the throne (v. 6)
- In the center around the throne were 4 living creatures – lion, ox, man, eagle – covered with eyes in front and in back.
The person on the throne is God the Father. The precious gems symbolize the glory of the Father. Jasper is a clear stone which speaks of God’s purity. Carnelian is red which speaks of God’s wrath and judgment. The rainbow of emerald color represents grace and mercy. It reminds of His covenant and promise with mankind not to destroy the world again with water.
There were 24 elders seated on the throne with crowns. It signifies the saints had raptured and are reigning with Christ in glory. Flashes of lightings and thunder are warnings of a coming storm. God thundered at Sinai when He gave the Law to Moses (Exo. 19:16). And He will thunder again to judge the wicked world (Ps. 29:3; 77:18)
THE OBJECTS BEFORE THE THRONE (vs. 5b-11)
- The Lamps – There are 7 lamps. 7 is the number of fulness. The 7 lamps are the 7 spirits of God. The Spirit is pictured as a dove during the age of grace. But after the church is taken away, the Spirit will minister a judgment of fire.
- The Sea of Glass – This is a picture of a heavenly temple similar to the Old Testament temple. The 7 lamps correspond to the 7 brace lampstand; the sea of glass to the law; and the throne to the ark of the covenant where God reigned in glory. The sea of glass, clear as crystal pictures God’s holiness.
- The Living Creatures – There are 4 creatures with 4 faces – lion, ox, man, eagle – which correspond to visions of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:10). These creatures give glory and honor to God. And the elders join in praise of worship and cast their crowns before the throne.
SUMMARY:
One day, God will open the door with the sound of trumpet and God’s people will be called to heaven. Satan had his throne on earth but God’s throne supersedes and rules over all. We see the rainbow appeared after the flood in Noah’s time but John saw the rainbow before the storm of judgment came. The living creatures represent creation praising the creator and the elders represent God’s people worshiping Him. All of creation are praising God but sinful men ignore the Creator.
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