Wk7 Rev 4

God’s Throne Room God’s Throne Room

Revelation 4-5Revelation 4-5

Overview:Overview:

Revelation 4:1-6:17 is set in the Revelation 4:1-6:17 is set in the heavenly throne room.heavenly throne room.

Revelation is preeminently a book Revelation is preeminently a book about God and his greatness. about God and his greatness.

the course of all history is revealed in the course of all history is revealed in miniature here.miniature here.

Pastoral Purpose:Pastoral Purpose:

Assures Christians that God and Assures Christians that God and Jesus are sovereignJesus are sovereign

As Christians persevere in the As Christians persevere in the present they are already present they are already participating in the promised participating in the promised kingdom (cf. 1:6, 9; 5:10). kingdom (cf. 1:6, 9; 5:10).

Worship as the ultimate purpose:Worship as the ultimate purpose: Revelation 4-5 is an open door to the heavenly Revelation 4-5 is an open door to the heavenly

temple of God. temple of God. The history of the universe, from creation to The history of the universe, from creation to

consummation, finds its significance in worship. consummation, finds its significance in worship. ‘‘You will fill me with joy in your presence, with You will fill me with joy in your presence, with

eternal pleasures at your right hand’ (Ps. 16:11). eternal pleasures at your right hand’ (Ps. 16:11). God is the fountainhead of all joy.God is the fountainhead of all joy. Creatures find their consummate fulfillment, the Creatures find their consummate fulfillment, the

meaning and full satisfaction of their existence, in meaning and full satisfaction of their existence, in worshiping, serving, and adoring God and Christ. worshiping, serving, and adoring God and Christ.

Structure of the Throne Room Structure of the Throne Room vision and its relation to Daniel:vision and its relation to Daniel:

1.1. Introductory vision phraseology (Dan. 7:9 [cf. Introductory vision phraseology (Dan. 7:9 [cf. 7:2, 7:2, 6-7]; Rev. 4:1)6-7]; Rev. 4:1)

2.2. A throne(s) set in heaven (Dan. 7:9a; Rev. A throne(s) set in heaven (Dan. 7:9a; Rev. 4:2a [cf. 4:2a [cf. 4:4a])4:4a])

3.3. God sitting on a throne (Dan. 7:9b; Rev. 4:2b)God sitting on a throne (Dan. 7:9b; Rev. 4:2b) 4.4. God’s appearance on the throne (Dan. 7:9c; God’s appearance on the throne (Dan. 7:9c;

Rev. Rev. 4:3a)4:3a) 5.5. Fire before the throne (Dan. 7:9b-10a; Rev. Fire before the throne (Dan. 7:9b-10a; Rev.

4:5)4:5) 6.6. Heavenly servants surrounding the throne Heavenly servants surrounding the throne

(Dan. (Dan. 7:10b; Rev. 4:4b, 6b-10; 5:8, 11, 14)7:10b; Rev. 4:4b, 6b-10; 5:8, 11, 14) 7.7. Book(s) before the throne (Dan. 7:10c; Rev. Book(s) before the throne (Dan. 7:10c; Rev.

5:1-5) 5:1-5)

Structure of the Throne Room Structure of the Throne Room vision and its relation to Daniel:vision and its relation to Daniel:

8.8. The book(s) opened (Dan. 7:10c; Rev. 5:2-5, 9)The book(s) opened (Dan. 7:10c; Rev. 5:2-5, 9) 9.9. A divine (messianic) figure approaching God’s A divine (messianic) figure approaching God’s

throne throne to receive authority to reign forever over to receive authority to reign forever over a kingdom a kingdom (Dan. 7:13-14a; Rev.5:5b-7, 9a, 12-13)(Dan. 7:13-14a; Rev.5:5b-7, 9a, 12-13)

10.10. The kingdom’s scope: “all peoples, nations, and The kingdom’s scope: “all peoples, nations, and tongues” (Dan.7:14a [MT]; Rev 5:9b)tongues” (Dan.7:14a [MT]; Rev 5:9b)

11.11. The seer’s emotional distress on account of the The seer’s emotional distress on account of the vision (Dan.7:15; Rev. 5:4)vision (Dan.7:15; Rev. 5:4)

12.12. The seer’s reception of heavenly counsel The seer’s reception of heavenly counsel concerning concerning the vision from one of the heavenly the vision from one of the heavenly throne throne servants (Dan. 7:16; Rev. servants (Dan. 7:16; Rev. 5:5a)5:5a)

13.13. The saints given divine authority to reign over a The saints given divine authority to reign over a kingdom (Dan. 7:18, 22, 27a; Rev. 5:10)kingdom (Dan. 7:18, 22, 27a; Rev. 5:10)

14.14. Concluding mention of God’s eternal reign Concluding mention of God’s eternal reign (Dan. (Dan. 7:27b; Rev.5:13-14)7:27b; Rev.5:13-14)

God and his Angelic Court (4:1-God and his Angelic Court (4:1-11)11)

Rev 4:1Rev 4:1 After this I lookedAfter this I looked, , This phrase is similar to several OT visionary This phrase is similar to several OT visionary

scenes (Zech. 2:1, 5; 5:1, 9; 6:1; Ezek. 1:4, scenes (Zech. 2:1, 5; 5:1, 9; 6:1; Ezek. 1:4, 2:9; 8:2, 4, 10; 10:1, 9; Jer. 4:23-26) yet its 2:9; 8:2, 4, 10; 10:1, 9; Jer. 4:23-26) yet its closest verbal parallel is to Daniel 7:6. closest verbal parallel is to Daniel 7:6.

There is a key introductory phrase in 4:1 There is a key introductory phrase in 4:1 that we have seen before in the book of that we have seen before in the book of Revelation: “Revelation: “Meta Tauta” Meta Tauta” (after these (after these things). things).

““And I saw” indicates order of visions.And I saw” indicates order of visions.

Dispensational Pre-MillennialismDispensational Pre-Millennialism

4:1 is the signal of God’s dealings 4:1 is the signal of God’s dealings with Israel.with Israel.

It is also the sign of the “rapture”It is also the sign of the “rapture” The church is no longer addressed The church is no longer addressed

until the “2until the “2ndnd coming” coming” What evidence is used to support this What evidence is used to support this

interpretation?interpretation?

and there before me was a door and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.standing open in heaven.

John’s entrance through “a door” in John’s entrance through “a door” in heaven is parallel to the door of heaven is parallel to the door of heaven being opened in the rest of heaven being opened in the rest of the book (cf. 11:19 and 15:5).the book (cf. 11:19 and 15:5).

And the voice I had first heard And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”what must take place after this.”

Indicates that John is seeing into heavenIndicates that John is seeing into heaven Notice that “come up” is 2Notice that “come up” is 2ndnd person person

singular.singular. Paul was also caught up into the heavens (2 Paul was also caught up into the heavens (2

Cor 12:2)Cor 12:2) Moses ascended up on Sinai (Ex 19:3; 20)Moses ascended up on Sinai (Ex 19:3; 20) Ezekiel saw heaven opened (Ezek 1:1)Ezekiel saw heaven opened (Ezek 1:1) John sees the great staging room of history.John sees the great staging room of history.

4:2)4:2) At once I was in the Spirit, and there At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with before me was a throne in heaven with

someone sitting on it.someone sitting on it. John’s spiritual rapture into the heavenly John’s spiritual rapture into the heavenly

throne room scene. throne room scene. The throne is the centerpiece of the vision.The throne is the centerpiece of the vision. From first to last John’s vision is dominated From first to last John’s vision is dominated

by this symbol of divine sovereignty. The by this symbol of divine sovereignty. The final reality which will still be standing final reality which will still be standing when heaven and earth have disappeared when heaven and earth have disappeared is the great white throne (20:11). is the great white throne (20:11).

4:3)4:3) And the one who sat there had the And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow,

resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. The appearance of the one sitting on the The appearance of the one sitting on the

throne is taken from Ezek. 1:26, 28; 9:2; throne is taken from Ezek. 1:26, 28; 9:2; 28:13 and Exod. 24:10; 28:17-20. 28:13 and Exod. 24:10; 28:17-20.

These texts talk about the same stones as These texts talk about the same stones as that of Rev. 4:3, which based upon the OT that of Rev. 4:3, which based upon the OT background and theophany scenes background and theophany scenes represent God’s sovereign majesty and represent God’s sovereign majesty and glory. glory.

these stones are linked to God’s glory in these stones are linked to God’s glory in Rev. 21:10-11, 18-23.Rev. 21:10-11, 18-23.

““Rainbow” The rainbow in the throne room Rainbow” The rainbow in the throne room scene illustrates the fact that God’s righteous scene illustrates the fact that God’s righteous judgment is seasoned with mercy, for this judgment is seasoned with mercy, for this was the symbolic meaning of the rainbow in was the symbolic meaning of the rainbow in the covenant with Noah. the covenant with Noah.

““This rainbow is second in importance only to This rainbow is second in importance only to the throne. It tells us that there is to be no the throne. It tells us that there is to be no triumph for God’s sovereignty at the expense triumph for God’s sovereignty at the expense of his mercy, and it warns us not to interpret of his mercy, and it warns us not to interpret the visions of disaster that follow as though the visions of disaster that follow as though God had forgotten his promise to Noah” God had forgotten his promise to Noah” (Caird, (Caird, The Revelation of St. John, The Revelation of St. John, 63). 63).

Notice how non-anthropomorphic the vision Notice how non-anthropomorphic the vision is.is.

4:4)4:4) Surrounding the throne were twenty-four Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were other thrones, and seated on them were

twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white

and had crowns of gold on their heads.and had crowns of gold on their heads. Who are the elders? Who are the elders?

(1) stars; (2) angels; (3) OT saints; (4)angelic, heavenly (1) stars; (2) angels; (3) OT saints; (4)angelic, heavenly representatives of all saints; (5) Patriarchs and apostles representatives of all saints; (5) Patriarchs and apostles representing the OT and the NT saints together; (6) representing the OT and the NT saints together; (6) representatives of the prophetic revelation of the twenty-representatives of the prophetic revelation of the twenty-four books of the OT.four books of the OT.

Thus the saints of old along with the Thus the saints of old along with the representatives of the church have received their representatives of the church have received their reward; white robes, crowns of gold, and kingship. reward; white robes, crowns of gold, and kingship. They are pictured in an angelic outfit to remind the They are pictured in an angelic outfit to remind the readers that already a dimension of their existence readers that already a dimension of their existence is heavenly. is heavenly.

Elders are present for the purpose of laying down Elders are present for the purpose of laying down their crowns.their crowns.

4:5)4:5) From the throne came flashes of From the throne came flashes of

lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Lightning, rumblings and peals of Lightning, rumblings and peals of

thunder are indicators of God’s thunder are indicators of God’s judgment, thus we can make the judgment, thus we can make the claim that all of the judgments come claim that all of the judgments come from God’s throne (Rev 8:5; 11:19; from God’s throne (Rev 8:5; 11:19; 16:18)16:18)

Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.

These are the seven spirits of God.These are the seven spirits of God. Lampstand is symbolic from Zech Lampstand is symbolic from Zech

4:2-3, 10 for the Spirit of Yahweh.4:2-3, 10 for the Spirit of Yahweh. In the Zech vision a lampstand is In the Zech vision a lampstand is

described as having seven branches; described as having seven branches; this description is followed by an this description is followed by an interpretation of the lamps as the interpretation of the lamps as the “spirit of Yahweh” (Zech. 4:6). “spirit of Yahweh” (Zech. 4:6).

4:6)4:6) Also before the throne there was what Also before the throne there was what

looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. There are several interpretations for the sea There are several interpretations for the sea

of glass: (1) the laver in Solomon’s temple, (2) of glass: (1) the laver in Solomon’s temple, (2) God’s holy separateness and splendor in God’s holy separateness and splendor in heaven, (3) the heavenly counterpart to the heaven, (3) the heavenly counterpart to the Red sea, (4) the embodiment of evil.Red sea, (4) the embodiment of evil.

The sea is the representative of cosmic evil The sea is the representative of cosmic evil from the rival creation narratives in the from the rival creation narratives in the ancient world (Isa. 51:9-11; Psa. 74:12-15; ancient world (Isa. 51:9-11; Psa. 74:12-15; Ezek. 32:2). Ezek. 32:2).

The first thing that John mentions in the vision The first thing that John mentions in the vision of the New Heaven and Earth is that the sea is of the New Heaven and Earth is that the sea is no more.no more.

In the center, around the throne, were four In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with living creatures, and they were covered with

eyes, in front and in back.eyes, in front and in back. John is getting the allusion of the living John is getting the allusion of the living

creatures from Ezekiel 1:5-21; 10:12-15, creatures from Ezekiel 1:5-21; 10:12-15, 20-22 and Isaiah 6. 20-22 and Isaiah 6.

They are four in number, corresponding to They are four in number, corresponding to the four winds of heaven in the four the four winds of heaven in the four directions of the compass (Zech. 6:5; Rev directions of the compass (Zech. 6:5; Rev 7:1). Their eyes, seeing in every direction 7:1). Their eyes, seeing in every direction (v. 6), mirror the all-seeing eyes of God (v. 6), mirror the all-seeing eyes of God (Rev. 1:14; Prov. 15:3; 2 Chron. 16:9)” (Rev. 1:14; Prov. 15:3; 2 Chron. 16:9)” (Poythress, (Poythress, The Returning King, The Returning King, 105). 105).

4:7)4:7) The first living creature was like a lion, The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face the second was like an ox, the third had a face

like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures have been The four living creatures have been

compared to: (1) the four quarters of the compared to: (1) the four quarters of the Zodaic (Ox, Lion, Scorpion—symbolized as Zodaic (Ox, Lion, Scorpion—symbolized as a man, Aquarius; which together would a man, Aquarius; which together would represent the creation in totality, (2) the represent the creation in totality, (2) the fullness of life and power inherent in the fullness of life and power inherent in the divine name, because, each of the divine name, because, each of the creatures is the head of its species, (3) the creatures is the head of its species, (3) the early church fathers said that they are the early church fathers said that they are the four gospel writers. four gospel writers.

It is likely that the four living creatures are It is likely that the four living creatures are representative of the whole created order representative of the whole created order of animal life. of animal life.

4:8)4:8) Day and night they never stop saying: Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who

was, and is, and is to come."was, and is, and is to come." The hymn that the living creatures sing interpret the The hymn that the living creatures sing interpret the

vision of verses 2-8a to mean that God is holy and vision of verses 2-8a to mean that God is holy and sovereign over creation, which demonstrates his sovereign over creation, which demonstrates his worthiness to be praised, worshiped, and glorified. worthiness to be praised, worshiped, and glorified. (Beale, Revelation, 332).(Beale, Revelation, 332).

The hymns make explicit the main point of the vision The hymns make explicit the main point of the vision and of the whole chapter: God is to be glorified and of the whole chapter: God is to be glorified because of his holiness and sovereignty. because of his holiness and sovereignty.

The phrase “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God The phrase “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” is from Isaiah 6:3. In Hebrew it is called the Almighty” is from Isaiah 6:3. In Hebrew it is called the QedussahQedussah..

Hebrew doubles the adjectives to make it a Hebrew doubles the adjectives to make it a supurlative.supurlative.

“ “Lord God Almighty” stands for divine sovereignty Lord God Almighty” stands for divine sovereignty and infinity rule over history. (Amos 3:13; 4:13; 5:14-and infinity rule over history. (Amos 3:13; 4:13; 5:14-16; 9:5-6, 15; Hos. 12:6[5]; Nah. 3:5; Zech 10:3; Mal. 16; 9:5-6, 15; Hos. 12:6[5]; Nah. 3:5; Zech 10:3; Mal. 2:16). 2:16).

4:9)4:9) Whenever the living creatures give glory, Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne

and who lives for ever and ever,and who lives for ever and ever, The final phrase used to describe The final phrase used to describe

God is that of the one “who lives for God is that of the one “who lives for ever and ever.” A similar phrase is ever and ever.” A similar phrase is used in Dan. 4:34 and 12:7; in both used in Dan. 4:34 and 12:7; in both places it is used to reference God. places it is used to reference God. He is the only one who lives into the He is the only one who lives into the age of the age; whereas, the earthly age of the age; whereas, the earthly kings only reign for a breath of time. kings only reign for a breath of time. Their empires are like grass. Their empires are like grass.

4:10)4:10) the twenty-four elders fall down before the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him him who sits on the throne, and worship him

who lives for ever and ever. They lay their who lives for ever and ever. They lay their

crowns before the throne and say:crowns before the throne and say: From this vision, Christians are encouraged From this vision, Christians are encouraged

not to give in to those pagan kings who not to give in to those pagan kings who would desire worship. We are to persevere would desire worship. We are to persevere in the same way that Daniel did in Dan. in the same way that Daniel did in Dan. 4:30-33 and 11:36-37. He stood strong in 4:30-33 and 11:36-37. He stood strong in the face of a king who arrogantly tried to the face of a king who arrogantly tried to elevate himself to the stature of a god. Only elevate himself to the stature of a god. Only One is worthy of worship, and it is He who One is worthy of worship, and it is He who lives into the age of the age. lives into the age of the age.

The sole function and purpose of the elders The sole function and purpose of the elders is to lay their crowns down and worship. is to lay their crowns down and worship.

4:11)4:11) "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, `for you receive glory and honor and power, `for you created all things, and by your will they were created all things, and by your will they were

created and have their being."created and have their being." The title “Lord and God” function in a The title “Lord and God” function in a

polemical manner to combat the polemical manner to combat the emperor worship that existed in emperor worship that existed in John’s day. The basis or reason for John’s day. The basis or reason for this praise of God is twofold: (1) He is this praise of God is twofold: (1) He is Creator, (2) He is the sustainer of all Creator, (2) He is the sustainer of all created things. created things.

This praise song is very similar to This praise song is very similar to Daniel 4:37.Daniel 4:37.

In verse 8, God is praised as the one In verse 8, God is praised as the one who was and is and is coming. This is who was and is and is coming. This is a variation of 1:8 which said “who is, a variation of 1:8 which said “who is, and who was, and who is to come.” and who was, and who is to come.” Why would John change the verb Why would John change the verb tenses in these two verses? tenses in these two verses?

Answer: In the throne room vision, He Answer: In the throne room vision, He is highlighting God’s creative activity; is highlighting God’s creative activity; thus, he is taking the reader back to thus, he is taking the reader back to the beginning “the one who was.” the beginning “the one who was.”

This doxology also serves the purpose This doxology also serves the purpose of encouraging persecuted Christians… of encouraging persecuted Christians…