The The Throne Throne

Of Of GodGodChapter Four

After this After this I looked, I looked, and there and there before me before me was a was a door door standing standing open in open in heaven. heaven. Rev. 4:1a Rev. 4:1a

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events1. The sequence of events ““After thisAfter this” 4:1a ” 4:1a

“I will show you what must “I will show you what must taketake place after thisplace after this” 4:1b ” 4:1b

Both phrases are the exact same Greek wordsBoth phrases are the exact same Greek words

"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. now and what will take place later.

Rev. 1:19Rev. 1:19 This is the natural outline of the whole bookThis is the natural outline of the whole book

What you have seenWhat you have seen – Rev. 1 The vision of – Rev. 1 The vision of Christ Christ

What is nowWhat is now – The seven churches Rev. 2&3 – The seven churches Rev. 2&3

What will take place laterWhat will take place later – Rev. 4-22 – Rev. 4-22

The exact phrase of The exact phrase of 4:1a & 4:1b4:1a & 4:1b (“after this”, “take place after”.(“after this”, “take place after”.

It is interesting to note that the things that It is interesting to note that the things that are written for things to come are written are written for things to come are written after the message to the churchafter the message to the church “ “What is What is nownow” “” “What will take placeWhat will take place” ” maps out the maps out the

tribulation.tribulation.

This could be a divine implication of the This could be a divine implication of the separation of the mystery of the church and separation of the mystery of the church and

Daniel’s 70th week which is distinctly Jewish. Daniel’s 70th week which is distinctly Jewish.

"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. anoint the most holy. DanDan 9:24 9:24

Seeing the sequence of events in Seeing the sequence of events in John’s vision are very importantJohn’s vision are very important

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events

2. The actual seeing of the events2. The actual seeing of the events “I looked”“I looked” Gr. 70x in Rev. Gr. 70x in Rev.

Question – Was John Question – Was John actually taken to heaven, actually taken to heaven, or was it mere visions? or was it mere visions?

And he carried me away And he carried me away in (the) Spiritin (the) Spirit to a mountain to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City great and high, and showed me the Holy City

Rev. Rev. 21:10 (see Rev. 1:10 ; 4:2 and Ezekiel 37:1)21:10 (see Rev. 1:10 ; 4:2 and Ezekiel 37:1)

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event 3. The Sound John Heard3. The Sound John Heard

And the voice I had first heard speaking to And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I

will show you what must take place after will show you what must take place after this.“ 4:1bthis.“ 4:1b

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The

““Come up here”Come up here”““After this” 4:1 – Vision of the Seven churchesAfter this” 4:1 – Vision of the Seven churches

4. The Symbolism4. The Symbolism

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism

5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 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. 4:6alooked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. 4:6a

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism

5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6

6. The One Seated on the Throne6. The One Seated on the Throne

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. Rev. 4:2someone sitting on it. Rev. 4:2

And the one who sat there had the And the one who sat there had the appearance of appearance of jasperjasper and and sardiussardius. A rainbow, . A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

4:34:3

Four attributes of God seen Four attributes of God seen from the Throne from the Throne

1. 1. His HolinessHis Holiness

Like a Jasper Like a Jasper What does a jasper What does a jasper

look like?look like?

All are All are opaqueopaque

Something doesn’t add up?Something doesn’t add up?Having the glory of God: and her light was like Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a unto a stone most preciousstone most precious, even like a jasper , even like a jasper

stone, clear as crystal; REV 21:11 stone, clear as crystal; REV 21:11

2. His Justice2. His Justice Sardius Sardius

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne Four attributes of God seen from the Throne

1. His Holiness1. His Holiness JasperJasper

Four attributes of God seen Four attributes of God seen from the Throne from the Throne

1. His Holiness – Jasper 1. His Holiness – Jasper

2. His Justice2. His Justice

3. His Love 3. His Love

Exodus 28 & 38Exodus 28 & 38

Sardius Topaz Carbuncle Sardius Topaz Carbuncle

Turquoise Sapphire Emerald Turquoise Sapphire Emerald

Jacinth Agate AmethystJacinth Agate Amethyst

Beryl, Onyx Jasper Beryl, Onyx Jasper

BenjaminBenjaminRueben – Behold, a Son – Rueben – Behold, a Son – Benjamin -The Son of my right handBenjamin -The Son of my right hand

RuebenRueben

Four attributes of God seen from the Throne Four attributes of God seen from the Throne

1. His Holiness – Jasper 1. His Holiness – Jasper

2. His Justice2. His Justice

3. His Love 3. His Love A rainbow, A rainbow, resembling an resembling an emerald, encircled emerald, encircled the throne. 4:3the throne. 4:3

4. His Faithfulness4. His Faithfulness

Our GodOur God Is a Holy GodIs a Holy God Is a Just GodIs a Just God

Is a Loving God Is a Loving God Is a Faithful GodIs a Faithful God

Observations of the throneObservations of the throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism

5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne6. The One Seated on the Throne

7. The Citizens around the 7. The Citizens around the Throne Throne

They were dressed in white and had crowns They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. Rev. 4:4of gold on their heads. Rev. 4:4

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

twenty-four elders. twenty-four elders.

They are not angels They are not angels All the angels were standing around the throne and All the angels were standing around the throne and

around the elders and the four living creatures. They around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and fell down on their faces before the throne and

worshiped God Rev. 7:11 worshiped God Rev. 7:11 (See the distinction)(See the distinction)

They are called Elders – Presbyterians They are called Elders – Presbyterians

None of them were in the great tribulation None of them were in the great tribulation Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white

robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:13,14the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:13,14

They are Not Israel – They are Not Israel – I Chron. 24-25I Chron. 24-25

Who are They Then? Who are They Then?

Some helpful hintsSome helpful hints

They sit on thrones They sit on thrones “To him “To him who overcomes, I will give the who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his sat down with my Father on his throne.” Rev. 3:21throne.” Rev. 3:21They are clothed in white raiment They are clothed in white raiment

““He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.” Rev. 3:5in white.” Rev. 3:5

They had crowns of gold on their heads They had crowns of gold on their heads Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will

give you the crown of life Rev. 2:10give you the crown of life Rev. 2:10

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Rev. 3;11so that no one will take your crown. Rev. 3;11

Is all this co-incidence Is all this co-incidence

or or

perhaps some clues?perhaps some clues?

Observations of the ThroneObservations of the Throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism

5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne

8. The Proclamations of the 8. The Proclamations of the Throne Throne

From the throne came flashes of From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.

4:5a4:5a

Observations from the ThroneObservations from the Throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism

5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne

9. The Position of the Seven 9. The Position of the Seven Angels Angels

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

spirits of God. Rev. 4:5bspirits of God. Rev. 4:5b

Observations from the ThroneObservations from the Throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 9. The Position of the Seven Angels 9. The Position of the Seven Angels

10. The Presence of the Four 10. The Presence of the Four Living Creatures Living Creatures

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

with eyes, in front and in back. Rev. 4:6bwith eyes, in front and in back. Rev. 4:6b

The Cherubim of Ezekiel One and Ten The Cherubim of Ezekiel One and Ten

Four Faces and Four WingsFour Faces and Four Wings

The first living creature was The first living creature was like a lion, like a lion, 4:7a4:7a

the second was like an ox, the second was like an ox, 4:7b4:7b

the third had a face like a the third had a face like a man, man, 4:7c 4:7c

the fourth was like a flying the fourth was like a flying eagle. eagle. Rev. 4:7dRev. 4:7d

Some say they represent character attributes Some say they represent character attributes of God or of the angelsof God or of the angels

Some say they are pictures of Jesus in the Some say they are pictures of Jesus in the four gospelsfour gospels

I believe they are a picture of I believe they are a picture of encampment around God – His encampment around God – His

desire to be in the midst of His people desire to be in the midst of His people - He is the Divine center- He is the Divine center

JudahJudah

"Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own "Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father's house; they standard, beside the emblems of his father's house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. Num 2:2 Num 2:2

Ephraim Ephraim

Dan Dan

RuebenRueben

IssacharIssacharZebulonZebulon

NNSS

WW

EE

SimeonSimeon

GadGad

MannasehMannaseh AsherAsher

NaphtaliNaphtali

BenjaminBenjamin

Each of the four living creatures had six Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was coveredwings and was covered

with eyes all around, even with eyes all around, even under his wings. 4:8aunder his wings. 4:8a

Day and night they never stop saying:Day and night they never stop saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Holy, Lord

God Almighty, God Almighty, Who was, Who Who was, Who

is, and is to is, and is to come 4:8bcome 4:8b

Observations from the ThroneObservations from the Throne

1. The sequence of events 1. The sequence of events 2. The actual seeing of the event 2. The actual seeing of the event

3. The Sound John Heard The 3. The Sound John Heard The 4. The Symbolism 4. The Symbolism 5. The Sea of Glass Before the 5. The Sea of Glass Before the Throne 4:6 Throne 4:6 6. The One Seated on the Throne 6. The One Seated on the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 7. The Citizens around the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 8. The Proclamations of the Throne 9. The Position of the Seven Angels 9. The Position of the Seven Angels

10. The Presence of the Four Living 10. The Presence of the Four Living CreaturesCreatures

11. The Praise of the Elders11. The Praise of the Elders

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

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. who lives for ever and ever. 4:10a 4:10a

They lay their crowns before They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 4:10bthe throne and say: 4:10b

"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." 4:11created and have their being." 4:11