Choose Your Side Wisely

Heritage church of ChristSeptember 27, 2015

Text: Revelation 4:1-11

Where were you on, Tuesday, September 11, 2001?

1. Scripture is God breathed, 2 Timothy 3:16.

2. It is impossible for God to lie, Hebrews 6:18.

3. God is not the author of confusion, 1 Cor. 14:33.

Door & Sea – used in Revelation to designate something that separates. Often something that separates us from God.

Words in Revelation

Trumpet – a trumpet makes a loud and clear, distinct sound. When compare to someone speaking the voice by implication is loud authoritative and unmistakable.

Words in Revelation

Throne – the English word “throne” is a transliterated Greek word thronos. The word suggests dignity, power or a seat of authority. Most of the references of throne in Revelation refer to God’s Heavenly throne. We are told that all who overcome will sit with Jesus on the throne of God, 3:21.

Words in Revelation

God is on His ThroneRev. 4:1 After these things I looked…a door standing open in heaven

1. A new Vision.2. John hears a

voice

God is on His ThroneRev. 4:1 ESV… And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet

1. A new Vision.2. John hears a

voice

Rev. 1:10 NKJV I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,Rev. 1:18 NKJV I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

God is on His ThroneRev. 4:2 …and One sat on the throne.

1. A new Vision.2. John hears a

voice3. John is invited

to look4. John sees God

sitting on His throne.

Revelation 4:3 NKJV And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance…

Although Jasper comes in a variety of colors, the stone here likely is clear, Rev. 21:11

Sardius stone likely as shown here a carnelian.

Revelation 4:5 NKJV And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Surrounding God’s ThroneRev. 4:3 …and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

1. Rainbow

Rainbow – A sign of God’s mercy and the assurance of His promises.

Genesis 9:16 NKJV The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Surrounding God’s Throne

Revelation 4:4 NKJV Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

1. Rainbow2. 24 Elders

There are angels of different rank, Jude 6.

Surrounding God’s ThroneRevelation 4:6-7 NKJV Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. (7) The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

1. Rainbow2. 24 Elders3. 4 Living

Creatures

Cherubim – similar description in Ezek. 1:10. Used to guard Garden of Eden, Gen. 3:24

Almighty – the word pantokrator is used 9 out of its 10 times in the N.T. in the book of Revelation. It is a compound word consisting of pan meaning “all,” and krateo meaning “to hold.” Put together the word literally implies one who holds all within his grasp.

Revelation 4:8 NKJV The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

Revelation 4:9-11 NKJV Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, (10) the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: (11) "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Revelation 3:20-22 NKJV (20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (21) To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (22) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”