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Vision of the Heavenly Throne Room:I. God is on the Throne
(4:1-11)
A. A Door, a Voice, a Throne, & One Sitting on It
1. From the Patmos point of view things looked bleak, but from
hea
look so bad.
The saints needed comfort. They got it: GOD IS ON THE THR
2. The first voice like a trumpet (see 1:10)
3. What must take place after these things (see 1:19)
Remember the past, present, future outline of Revelation.
Dont forget the vision backs up to the past again at the
Ch.11-
blowing of the seventh trumpet).
Ch.4-11 unfolds a revelation of events that were to come
begin
the closing years of the 1st Century AD that extended through
t
that followed.
4. I was in the Spirit -totally caught up in the power of the
Spirit
5. God on his throne:
Jasper = opaque chalcedony or quarts usually red due to the pre
Sardius (same as Carnelion) is also a red stone (a variety of
cha
God was red. What do you
imagine that means?
Rainbow around the throne
where have we seen a rainbow
in Scripture & what does it
represent? (See Genesis
9:12-17).
6. Around the throne:
24 elders on 24 thrones,
sitting, clothed in white,
victors crowns on theirheads.
Note: Israel founded upon the
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foundation of God through the 12 patriarchs (Acts 7:7-9). The
church founded
upon the foundation of Christ through the 12 apostles (Ephesians
2:19-21). 12
represents wholeness/perfection & is often used for Gods
people.
Note: There were 24 courses of OT priests (1Chronicles 24:7-18)
over which
David appointed 24 elders (1Chronicles 24:4-5).
These elders function as priests (5:8), & sit on thrones as
royalty. They represent
the royal priesthood of all believers (1:6, 5:9-10, 20:4-6;
1Peter 2:5, 9).
All Gods faithful followers are represented in the 24
elders.
Vv.1-4 = Gods throne of mercy for his children.
7. Out from the throne: V.5 = Gods throne of wrath against his
enemies.
Flashes of lightning & peals of thunder = judgments of God
or God speaking
(Exodus 19:16, 20:18; John 12:29; Revelation 8:5, etc.).
7 lamps of fire burning 7 spirits of God (see 1:4, also Acts 2,
& consider 1John
1:5) = the Holy Spirit (remember the symbolic meaning of 7).
8. Before the throne -Something like a sea of glass, like
crystal (see Ezekiel 1:22)
9. In the center, around the throne -4 living creatures (see
Ezekiel 1 & 10):
These are or represent Cherubim.
Lion = regal power; Calf (young bullock -Strong) = strength;
Face like a man =
intelligence/reason; Flying eagle = vision & speed to
execute Gods will.
B. The Vision of Heavenly Worship:
1. The Cherubim (living creatures) never cease to praise God
(who was and who isand who is to come).
2. The 24 elders fall down before him & cast their crowns
before him proclaiming
praise.
3. We learn: God is worthy of glory, honor, thanks, power, and
all kinds of praise
because of who he is (GOD) & what he has done.
II. The Scroll with seven Seals (5:1-8:1)
A. The Lion & Lamb (5:1-10)
1. In his right hand -Christ is seated at Gods right hand
(Hebrews 8:1). The scroll
was meant for him from the start (Ephesians 1:20).
2. Written inside back, sealed with 7 seals
3. Strong angel isnt worthy to open it. Neither is any angel,
any Christian, or any
prophet. Moses wasnt worthy. Abraham wasnt even worthy!
4. John wept. No one was worthy! (Should we weep?)
5. The elder said, Stop weeping. The Lion/Lamb has overcome and
is worthy!
6. Lion of the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:9; Hebrews
7:14).
This is the source of C.S. Lewis, Aslan, in The Chronicles
of
7. Root of David (see Isaiah 11:1, 10; Romans 15:12;
Revelation
8. Has overcome (see Genesis 3:15; John 16:33).
9. Between the throne and the elders -Christ makes intercession
(
9:24; 1Timothy 2:5-6). The Greek is lit. in the middle of the
thro
living creatures, and in the middle of the elders. -He is both
rule
his Fathers throne & walks among us.
10. Lamb standing, as if slain (see 1:17-18; John 1:36). Horns
refe
vision, the seven eyes represent Christs perfect unity with the
Ho11. Jesus took the book which sparked heavenly worship (they
sing
song)
Remember, the harps & incense bowls are symbolic of
priestly
into imagery with which any reader proficient in the OT is
fam
incense are actually prayers, then what are the harps? Dont
be
someone attempts to use this passage to justify IM in
worship.
12. Have made them kingdom, priests, reign on earth.
B. Worthy is the Lamb (5:11-14)
1. Myriads of angels worship Jesus.
2. Every created thing worships Jesus.
3. The 24 elders worship Jesus.
4. Do you and I worship him?
