THE THRONE IN HEAVEN

Revelation 4

After this I looked, and there before me

WAS A DOOR STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN.

And the Voice I had first heard speaking to me

Like a Trumpet said,

'COME UP HERE,

ANDI WILL SHOW YOU

WHAT MUST TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS.'

2 AT ONCE I WAS IN THE SPIRIT,

AND BEFORE ME WAS A THRONE IN HEAVEN

WITH SOMEONE SITTING ON IT.

3 AND THE ONE WHO SAT THERE

Had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.

A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the Throne.

4 Surrounding the throne were Twenty-Four other Thrones,

And seated on them were Twenty-Four Elders.

They were dressed in White

And had Crowns of Gold on their heads.

5 FROM THE THRONE CAME FLASHES OF LIGHTNING,

Rumblings and peals of thunder.

BEFORE THE THRONE, SEVEN LAMPS WERE BLAZING.

THESE ARE THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD.

6 Also before the Throne

There was what looked like a Sea of Glass, clear as crystal.

IN THE CENTER, AROUND THE THRONE,

WERE FOUR LIVING CREATURES,

AND THEY WERE COVERED WITH EYES,

IN THE FRONT AND BACK.

7 The First Living Creature was like a Lion,

The Second was like an Ox,

The Third had a face like a man,

The Fourth was like a Flying Eagle.

8 Each of the Four Living Creatures had Six Wings

And was covered with Eyes all around,

Even under his Wings.

Day and night they never stop saying:

'HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

WHO WAS, AND IS AND IS TO COME.'

9 Whenever the Living Creatures give Glory, Honor and Thanks

TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE

AND WHO LIVES FOR EVER AND EVER,

10 The twenty-four elders fall down before Him

Who sits on the throne,

And worship Him Who lives for ever and ever.

They lay their Crowns before the Throne and say:

11 'YOU ARE WORTHY, OUR LORD AND GOD,

TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER.

FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS,

AND BY YOUR WILL THEY WERE CREATED

AND HAVE THEIR BEING.'

(Revelation 4)

Supernaturally, John looks and sees before him

A door standing open in Heaven.

The Voice that first spoke to him like a Trumpet says:

“Come up here and I will show you

What must take place after this.”

Immediately he was in the Spirit;

That is he was no longer aware of anything in the natural;

He entered the realm of the Spirit of God.

Before him was a Throne in Heaven

With someone sitting on it.

And the One who sat there

Had the appearance of being composed of specific jewels.

A rainbow encircled the Throne,

The sign given to Noah after the flood.

Surrounding the throne were Twenty-Four other Thrones,

And seated on them were Twenty-Four Elders.

Probably the Twelve Apostles

And those who have led God's people

From the time of their deaths until the present time.

They were dressed in White (the righteousness of the saints)

And had Crowns of Gold on their heads

(the crown of salvation, Psalm 149:4).

Seven Lamps blazed before the Throne,

Representing the Sevenfold Spirit of God.

Before the Throne

Was what looked like a Sea of Glass, clear as crystal.

This signifies the transparent nature of Heaven;

Where nothing is hidden and Christ Jesus is its light

Which penetrates everywhere unhindered.

In the center, around the Throne,

Are the Four Living Creatures.

They are covered with eyes, in front and back,

Representing the All Seeing nature of God.

The First Living Creature was like a Lion,

The Second like an Ox,

The Third had the face like a man,

The Fourth was like a flying eagle.

Each of the Four Living Creatures had six wings

And was covered with eyes all around,

Even under his wings.

Each supernatural creature

Takes on a characteristic of Christ Jesus:

The Lion of the tribe of Judah;

The Ox: One who labored among men;

A face like a man representing the One

Who took on the form of a man,

And flying like an eagle

Representing the unrestricted, supernatural freedom

He had and brought to those who received Him.

The six wings represent the number of man;

Six, being identified as the Son of Man,

Yet, the supernatural Son of God,

And not being tied to earth.

Day and night the Four Living Creatures never stop saying:

'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come.'

The Four Living Creatures represent the marvelous,

Incomparable work of Christ.

As they Glorify and thank Christ Jesus on His Throne,

THE EVER LIVING ONE

The Twenty-Four Elders are compelled to do likewise.

They lay their Crowns before the Throne signifying

That it is because of Christ,

And Him alone that they have their Crowns.

They declare that Christ Jesus alone is Worthy

To receive Glory and Honor and Power.

He is the One who created all things

And by the Will of Christ Jesus all things have their being

And are sustained by Him.