See Revelation 4:1-11
This chapter begins the 3rd section of Revelation.
The first section is in chapter 1, where John writes about what he was seeing, which was the Lord Jesus Christ.
The second section is in chapters 2-3, where John was told to write about the things which are.
In this section about the things that are, John received 7 letters from Jesus, addressed to 7 different churches that existed at that time.
It's believed by many that these 7 churches represent the Church Age, from start to finish.
That is, Ephesus being the very early church, and the churches of Philadelphia and Laodecia in particular being the last days church.
Thus when chapter 4 opens, with "After these things" and, " I will show you things which must take place after this" that this then is the third section of revelation, showing what would happen in the world after the church age, and after the church is removed from the earth prior to the great tribulation.
In fact, in 4:1 we are told that John heard "Come up here" in other words, come up to heaven. Again a type if you will of the church being taken up to heaven. By the way, there is in 4:1, this "door standing open in heaven" What a picture of invitation and grace this is. Jesus is called the "door" A door is something one goes through to get from where they are, to where they are going. There is something on the other side of the door. And, in this case, it's the Lord Himself in Heaven.
It's very clear that the Lord has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation. See Rom 5:8, and 1st Thess 5:8, and of course many other parts of the Bible where God's people have been delivered just prior to judgement.
So, with that in mind, we enter then into this third section of Revelation, the church in Heaven. Please also see chapter 4, and you will see that the people in this 5th chapter are the redeemed of the Lord, and then you will see as we move into chapter 6, ( which is really like a table of contents for the rest of Revelation ) that the tribulation begins, and leads to the coming of Jesus Christ.
So, the church is raptured and taken to heaven right at the start of chapter 4, and the tribulation will follow their removal from the earth. See also Rev 3:10
So, here is a quick overview of what's in chapter 4.
John sees a Throne in heaven, and One that sat on the throne. This is the first thing John sees, it's the Lord seated upon His throne. By the way, the Lord and the throne are filled with colors See 4:3
Secondly, John sees 24 Thrones around God's throne. And, on these 24 Thrones were 24 elders seated and clothed in white robes ( these robes would no doubt be robes of righteousness, robes of salvation, and the 24 elders also had Crowns of gold on their heads. Crowns are spoken of in Scripture as that which God gives His people by way of rewards. So, I think that these 24 elders are redeemed people. I'm not particularly sure exactly who they are beyond saying they are redeemed.
Thirdly, John describes what comes from the Throne and then adds what was in front of the Throne, and then more about what was around it. There were lightnings and thunderings coming from the Throne, along with seven lamps burning before it. We are told that these seven lamps are the seven Spirits of God. Or the Holy Spirit who has been described in the book of Isaiah, as having seven aspects of who He is, and what He does. Thus, it seems that this is the Holy Spirit.
Fourthly, there is a sea of glass in front of the Throne, it is like crystal. And, then these 4 very interesting creatures around the Throne. They are full of eyes, and have wings and they speak, saying worshipful things about God, and when they speak the 24 elders prostrate themselves in front of the Throne.
That's about it. Here are some things that have come to my mind as I've pondered this chapter, and I pray that they might be an encouragement to you.
1. The door to heaven is Jesus Christ.
2. The Lord is on His Throne in heaven.
3. The Throne of God, and God speak of His great power and control.
4. The colors and the sounds, speak also of God's beauty and power.
5. There are others in heaven. Represented by the 24 elders.
6. The creatures who are busy worshipping, remind of God being the focus in heaven.
7. There are many things said about who God is in Chapter 4.
8. We are actually going to be there in Chapter 4.
9. The church will be taken to heaven.
10. One way or the other we will wind up there.
11. We will be singing these songs of praise one day in heaven.
12. Chapter 5 gives us more detail about heaven.
13. In the meantime God has us here on earth to do His will.
14. Let's help others get to heaven.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
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