Sunday Gathering
at 10:30 am
Revelation 4 : The Throne in Heaven
1 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, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there 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 ruby. A rainbow that shone like 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. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
WRATH
Thumou – impulsive turbulent anger that results in action.
Orge – anger as in towards sin.
** All in the context of God.
** The word “wrath” translates to Greek as “thumou” which means impulsive, turbulent anger that results in action. This one is only used in Revelation in 6 places. (14:16, 19, 15:1, 7, 16:1 and 19) The other anger used outside of Revelation in Greek is “orge” which means anger as a settled habit. Meaning God’s anger toward sin.
** Any time wrath comes up in the New Testament it is brought up in the context of not being a believer.
** John 3:36 which says “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”.
** Matthew 3:7 referring to the Pharisees and Sadducees says, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?”.
** Luke 21:22-23 talks about the fulfillment of what is written, “For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.”.
** “Romans 1:18 talks about the sinful nature, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,”
** Revelation is ALL about the destruction of Israel’s enemies (His divine wrath), the rescue of His people, protecting His people, and providing a new future for His people. We are a part of this – just not in the way the Jewish people are.
God's WRATH
&
God's Protection
This is all laid out in Zechariah 9-12:
(9:1-8) Israel’s Enemies Will Be Punished
(9:9-10) The Lord Tells About The Coming King
(9:11-13) The Lord Promises To Rescue Captives
(9:14-17) The Lord Will Protect His People
(10:1-12) A Bright Future for Judah and Israel
(11:1-3) Trouble for Israel’s Enemies
(11:4-17) Worthless Shepherds
(12:1-9) Victory for Jerusalem
(12:10-14) Mourning for the One Pierced with a Spear
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Isaiah 1 also talks about God’s timeline:
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(1-4) God’s Accusation of Israel’s Rebellion
(5-9) The Consequences of Rebellion
(10-15) God’s Disregard for Hollow Rituals
(16-20) Call for a Repentant Heart
(21-31) Divine Judgment and Promise of Restoration
** (12:10-14) Mourning for the One Pierced with a Spear (As it says in Revelation 1:7 “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.”).
** God did not want His people to have ritualistic religious practices. He wanted a relationship with them. His promise of purification and restoration that offered hope were rejected over and over again - which is how we end up in Revelation.
“After this” is said five times in Revelation.
** "After this" signals the start of a new vision.
**"After this" also is in reference to "after" the "Church Age".
John starts by revealing the unequalled greatness of God.
There is a difference in this door to the one mentioned in the last church (Laodicea).
The door now open suggests that everyone has already made their choice prior to the Great Tribulation.
** One of God’s promise is fulfilled by having this door open to us.
** The first voice which John heard is the voice of Jesus. John is called up by Jesus where there is a door standing open in heaven.
** The difference in the door situation comes from what Jesus says to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:20 says “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me”.
** It is not a coincidence that there are 7 churches – which is a complete picture of our human characteristics and all the ways we can fall & succeed but those who listened to what was written are Blessed by now being able to walk through that door.
This voice John hears is like a trumpet.
The sounding of the trumpet is for good and bad.
This sound is God’s voice to call us but also to bring on His wrath.
** The same voice that John hears that sounds like a trumpet is the same as in Revelation 1:10.
** This sound is a loud warning of God's approach.
** This trumpet is what would gather the Israelites together - or to gather their army for battle.
** Exodus 19:16 says “So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.”
** Isaiah 27:13 which says “And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.”
** Psalm 47:5 says “God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.”
** Numbers 10:7-9 says “To convene the assembly, you are to sound long blasts, not short ones. The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come. When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.” This last part where God saved them from their enemies can also show that His call (like a trumpet) is saving everyone from their enemies. Possible the Rapture.
** 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
“Come up here” or “Ascend” is a command and a declarative sentence.
Some view this as the rapture of the church.
In Latin it is "rapere" which "rapture" comes from.
“Caught up” in Greek – harpagesometha or harpazo.
​This is the last time "church" is mentioned, and John was the last remaining apostle.
Some scholars believe it was John's spirit, not his body, that went up.
** “Come up here” or “Ascend” being a command and a declarative sentence provides an explanation and conveys one or more facts.
** This is also viewed as the rapture of the church – of Jesus calling us up.
** This would make sense since it would be to the sound of a trumpet. This is the only trumpet outside of the 7 trumpets yet to come in this sense.
** 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
** In Latin it is “rapere” which “rapture” is derived. Meaning the same thing. This is after the trumpet where in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 it says who are alive AND remain shall be caught up after the trumpet blows – therefore the rapture. The trumpet blows – the dead go first – than we are suddenly taken where everyone notices.
** In the Greek caught up in this context in the Greek is “harpagÄ“sometha” or “harpazó” which means take by force, carry off, snatch away, suddenly and decisively, someone seizing a prize, to take by an open display of force NOT covertly or secretly.
** This is also after the last church was mentioned meaning the end of the church age and John was the last remaining apostle.
** Scholars believe that it was John's spirit, not his body, that went up - same as ours.
​​​​** Also to note - church is mentioned 19 times in Revelation 1-3 but not again until Revelation 22.
** Notice also that the term ‘church” “ekklesia” appears approx. 120 times in the New Testament and is absent from the Old Testament. Which is also why this has to do with the Israelites and their enemies alone.
John is now in a heavenly Spirit.
John now sees the Throne in Heaven.
This throne is omnipresent – it is already set up.
The One Who sits on the throne is God the Father.
God the Son is mentioned in Revelation 5:6 and in Revelation 4:5.
The ONE sits on the throne - it is our Hope.
His presence shows His sovereignty, rightful reign and His prerogative to judge.
** John is now in a heavenly spirit not his worshipping spirit as in Revelation 1.
** We are now seeing where the judgment comes from. God’s Throne. John now sees the Throne in Heaven. This is after the period of the Seven Churches.
** It is no coincidence that the letters to the churches were finished in Chapter 3 ending with Laodicea (the worst church – meaning when, why and how everything ends) with the last reward having the right to sit next to Jesus on His throne.
** This throne is omnipresent – it is already set up. It is mentioned approx. 45 times, 11 times in Chapter 4 alone.
** The One Who sits on the throne is God the Father .
** God the Son is mentioned in Revelation 5:6 as standing and God the Spirit is pictured before the throne in Revelation 4:5.
** The most important part of this is that The ONE sits on the throne includes not just His presence but His sovereignty, His rightful reign and His prerogative to judge.
God the Father had the appearance of Jasper & Ruby.
The walls of the new Jerusalem are built with this stone.
Ruby represents God as our redeemer.
Israel’s High Priest wore the jasper and ruby along with 10 others on his chest.
The stones are used both symbolically and literally.
** God the Father appearance of Jasper & Ruby is also known as the sardius stone and carnelian stone.
** Jasper may be considered a diamond – which refers to purity and perfection.
** Revelation 21:11 says, “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.”
** Revelation 21:18-19 says that the walls of the new Jerusalem are built with this stone.
** Ruby represents God as our redeemer.
** Israel’s High Priest wore the jasper and ruby along with 10 others on his chest. Ruby and jasper are also the first and last gem on the high priest’s garments the breastplate.
​** Exodus 28:17-20 says “And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.”
** Notice how the wording is. It says jasper and ruby in Revelation but in Exodus it says ruby and jasper. He does say that the last will be first and the first will be last. Matthew 20:16 says that ”So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
** The tribes and stones become very important throughout Revelation. The tribes are associated with specific stones on the High Priest’s breastplate which both continue to be used in Revelation as Jesus is now the High Priest. Both symbolically and literally.
** As a side note: As the birth order is considered to be very important in the Old Testament – I am associating each stone listed in Exodus with the tribe order in Genesis 49:1-28.
The rainbow represents the chances God continually gives us to start new after a storm.
The rainbow is mostly likely to express the everlasting covenant of grace and peace.
Emerald which is green and symbolizes life.
** He starts off by stabilizing us with truth, hope, trust, faithfulness and mercy through the rainbow. The rainbow represents the chances God continually gives us especially for those who are going through the Great Tribulation.
** The rainbow is mostly likely to express the everlasting covenant of grace and peace like it was for Noah.
** This rainbow encircles God’s Throne.
** Emerald is green and symbolizes life. Eternal life is guaranteed – His promise to us.
** The importance of the throne (power and authority) – it says “I can do everything” the importance of the rainbow (His promise to us) – it says “I will fulfill my promise and cannot do otherwise” – the importance of emerald (life) – it says “You will have eternal life through me”.
The details of His likeness varies depending on what each person sees – they vary.
Ezekiel has a vision of this exact scene but notice the differences in what he sees versus what John sees.
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Two Views:
Revelation's Scene
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, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 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. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
VS
Ezekiel's Scene
Ezekiel 1:26-28 sees this “Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.
We all have different perspectives
What are these?
#1
#2
What do you see?
Are these two green boxes the same color? Rollover to see:
** #1 - Bottom of pans.
** #2 - A car handle with rust.
** Symbolism is used a lot but not always. The symbol is always greater than the words we have to explain or express.
** We should be content with what is revealed as much as we should be content with what He doesn’t reveal. If He revealed any more than He did we would serve Him based on the gratification of our curiosity than for the increase of our grace.
​** Revelation is derived from the context of the Old Testament. Elders are derived from the Old Testament; each of these descriptions used are from the Old Testament; so are lamps, the throne, stones, trumpets, thunder and lightning, and so many more. This is why these descriptions are the way they are written - from their time and their understanding of what they know.
These are the redeemed, the raptured, as a whole.
1 Chronicles 24 talks about 24 priests/elders who served in the Temple in Jerusalem near the Ark of the Covenant.
Some scholars suggest that they will be representative of all believers.
** These 24 elders are the redeemed, the raptured, as a whole (some consider them to be the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes each group representing their own).
** In 1 Chronicles 24 talks about 24 priests/elders who served in the Temple in Jerusalem near the Ark of the Covenant (the earthly symbol of God’s throne).
** Some scholars say that they will be representative of all believers Jews and Gentiles – as we are all the body of Christ and believers.
The golden crowns implies rewards for overcomers.
These overcomers are also clothed in white.
A crown is Greek for stephanos- it was a badge of royalty, a prize, a symbol of honor.
** The 24 elders are wearing golden crowns. This implies rewards which we will receive as overcomers as stated in Revelation 2:10.
** They are also clothed in white which overcomers will wear as stated in Revelation 3:5.
** Lastly, they are sitting on thrones which overcomers will be given as stated in Revelation 3:21.
** A crown is Greek for stephanos- it was a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.
** It referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest.
** James 1:12 which says “Blessed is the one who perseveres under the trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
** This is also said in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8 & 1 Peter 5:4.
Lightning and Thunder: Judgement is coming from here.
** ​From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. These are brought up in association with God throughout the Bible – Old and New. They are mentioned in Rev. 11:19, 16:18, 8:5; Luke 17:24; Matthew 24:27; Psalm 29:7, 77:18; Exodus 9:23-24, 19:16-19, 20:18-19; Ezekiel 1:4; Zechariah 9:14 to name a few.
In front of the Throne were 7 lamps which are the 7 Spirits of God.
John is actually seeing these 7 Spirits.
​Jesus saw these 7 Spirits as a dove.
** These 7 lamps were blazing which are the 7 Spirits of God.
** Isaiah 11:2 – “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.”
** It is important to know that John is actually seeing these 7 Spirits.
** Jesus saw these 7 Spirits as a dove which is stated in Matthew 3:16 that says “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”
The sea of glass is stated also in Revelation.
The sea of glass is also recognized as the church.
** Revelation 15:2 says “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name.”
** The sea represents the church because the sea is a biblical symbol for the masses of humanity.
** Revelation 17:15 says “Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.””