Revelation 4:1-11
Q.1. What indicated that John was introducing a new theme? How did his vision begin? What did he describe? – (Rev.4:1-4 c.f. Rev.1:19)
John had been writing to the churches about the church age – After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things (Rev.4:1). John was about to unveil what will happen after the church age – what must take place after these things (Rev.4:1 c.f. Rev.1:19). John was privy to a scene from God’s Throne Room – 2 … a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance (Rev.4:2-3). John only saw the outskirts of the glory of God (c.f. Ex.33:17-23; Jn.1:18: Rev.20:11). Twenty-four elders, dressed in white and wearing golden crowns, surrounded God’s throne (Rev.4:4).
Q.2. How awesome was John’s vision? How did his vision compare with that of former prophets? What did the living creatures do? (Rev.4:5-8 c.f. Ex.24:10; Is.6:1-4; Ezk.1:4-14, 26-28)
Lightning bolts and peals of thunder, and seven burning lamps surrounded the emerald throne, above a sapphire expanse as far as the eye can see (Rev.4:5 c.f. Ex.24:10). Each prophet added an aspect of God on His throne in their descriptions, but each one was remarkably similar for awe and glory (Rev.4:2-6 c.f. Ex.24:10; Is.6:1-4; Ezk.1:4-14, 26-28). The four living creatures with six wings (like Isaiah’s seraphim) endlessly worshiped the Lord God almighty – … “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Rev.4:8). Overfamiliarity with God is an affront to such a mighty and holy God.
Q.3. What was the theme of the worship? Do we have a clue who the twenty-four elders might be? How did their worship underscore God’s greatness? – (Rev.4:4, 8-11 c.f. Rev.19:7-10; 21:12-14)
All the creatures around the throne of God Almighty, worshiped God’s holiness. The four living creatures were joined by twenty-four elders to worship – 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Rev.4:9-11). It is possible that the twenty-four elders represented the twelve tribes of a redeemed Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev.21:12-14). They were clothed in white garments denoting that they were blood-bought, had received crowns, following the Judgment Seat of Christ, had partaken in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and would reign with Him (1 Cor.3:10-15; 2 Tim.2:12; Rev.19:7-10). The redeemed will cast their thrones before God, Who alone is worthy, because in love He conceived the brilliant plan of salvation (Rev.4:10).