Revelation 4:1-11Revelation 4:1-11

The One Sitting upon the The One Sitting upon the ThroneThrone

Letters to the Seven Letters to the Seven ChurchesChurchesChurch Christ Commendation Rebuke Exhortation Promise

Ephesus Holds the 7 stars and walks among the 7 lampstands

Deeds, hard work, perseverance; hates practice of Nicolaitans

Has forsaken first love

Remember; repent; do deeds you did at first

Will eat from tree of life

Smyrna The First and Last; died and came to life

Endures persecution and poverty

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Don’t fear; be faithful unto death

Crown of life; unhurt by 2nd death

Pergamum Has sharp, two-edged sword

Remains faithful despite persecution

Some hold to teaching of Balaam & Nicolaitans

Repent Hidden manna and stone with new name

Thyatira Eyes like blazing fire, feet like burnished bronze

Deeds, love, faith, service, greater deeds than at first

Tolerates Jezebel, her immorality & idolatry

Repent; hold fast to what you have

Authority over the nations and the morning star

Sardis Holds the 7 Spirits of God and the 7 stars --- Dead

Strengthen what remains. repent

White clothing, acknowledged before God

Philadelphia Holy and true, holds key of David

Deeds, keeps Christ’s word & does not deny Him, endures

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Hold fast what you have

Pillars in temple; new names of God’s ownership

Laodicea The Amen, faithful and true witness, source of creation

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Lukewarm, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, naked

Be zealous and repent

Will eat and rule with Christ

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation

Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20)Vision (1:1 – 20)

Preparation of the People: Their Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)

Publication of the Prophecy: Its Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)

Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1)– 8:1)

The One sitting on the throne (4:1-11)The One sitting on the throne (4:1-11) The seven-sealed scroll of the Lamb (5:1-The seven-sealed scroll of the Lamb (5:1-

14)14)

John’s Invitation to Heaven John’s Invitation to Heaven (4:1)(4:1)

A significant change of scene: John sees a A significant change of scene: John sees a door into the heavens where God dwells and door into the heavens where God dwells and is invited to come up. Who is the one who is invited to come up. Who is the one who issues the invitation?issues the invitation?

John is transported in a visional state into John is transported in a visional state into heaven for this portion of Christ’s revelation heaven for this portion of Christ’s revelation to him.to him.

““What must take place” makes clear that What must take place” makes clear that these things are part of the fixed will of God. these things are part of the fixed will of God. He is completely in control of the future and He is completely in control of the future and is working out the plan which He has is working out the plan which He has established from the foundation of the world.established from the foundation of the world.

The Heavenly Throne (4:2-The Heavenly Throne (4:2-4)4)

John proceeds to describe what he sees: a room John proceeds to describe what he sees: a room of indescribable beauty with God Himself as the of indescribable beauty with God Himself as the central figure.central figure.

God is sitting on a throne, symbolizing His God is sitting on a throne, symbolizing His sovereign rule over the universe and His right to sovereign rule over the universe and His right to exercise judgment upon it.exercise judgment upon it.

The one sitting upon the throne is described as The one sitting upon the throne is described as being similar in appearance to:being similar in appearance to:

Jasper - Modern jasper is opaque, but the key to Jasper - Modern jasper is opaque, but the key to identifying this type of stone is in Rev 21:11. What identifying this type of stone is in Rev 21:11. What aspect of God’s character would a crystal clear color aspect of God’s character would a crystal clear color represent?represent?

Sardius – This stone is fiery, deep red in color. What Sardius – This stone is fiery, deep red in color. What would it represent?would it represent?

The overall picture is one of God’s holy The overall picture is one of God’s holy character reacting with wrath to man’s ongoing character reacting with wrath to man’s ongoing rebellion and sinfulness, and that produces the rebellion and sinfulness, and that produces the wrath that will come later. wrath that will come later.

The Heavenly Throne (4:2-The Heavenly Throne (4:2-4)4)

We also have a description of a rainbow around We also have a description of a rainbow around the throne that was like an emerald. What the throne that was like an emerald. What would it symbolize?would it symbolize?

Besides the rainbow, there are also 24 thrones Besides the rainbow, there are also 24 thrones positioned around the throne, with 24 elders positioned around the throne, with 24 elders sitting on those thrones. There are two major sitting on those thrones. There are two major interpretations as to who these elders are:interpretations as to who these elders are:

Humans – Either the church or Israel or both. White Humans – Either the church or Israel or both. White clothing and crowns are cited as evidence that these clothing and crowns are cited as evidence that these are humans.are humans.

There is no evidence anywhere in the context that these There is no evidence anywhere in the context that these elders represent some larger group.elders represent some larger group.

Angels – A special class of beings who are particularly Angels – A special class of beings who are particularly close to God's throne.close to God's throne.

in their functions, they do the same things as angels do in their functions, they do the same things as angels do elsewhere in Revelation. For example, the elders in 5:8 elsewhere in Revelation. For example, the elders in 5:8 offer bowls of incense like the angel in 8:3. In 7:14, one offer bowls of incense like the angel in 8:3. In 7:14, one of the elders acts as an agent of revelation, something of the elders acts as an agent of revelation, something that has been reserved for angels throughout the book. that has been reserved for angels throughout the book.

Activities around the Throne Activities around the Throne (4:5-11)(4:5-11)

““From the throne proceed flashes of From the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder” (Rev 4:5). What OT scene thunder” (Rev 4:5). What OT scene does this hearken back to, and what does this hearken back to, and what is the significance of this?is the significance of this?

This storm theophany shows up at the end of each series of judgments: seals (8:5), trumpets (11:19), and bowls (16:18).

Activities around the Throne Activities around the Throne (4:5-11)(4:5-11)

““From the throne proceed flashes of lightning and From the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder” (Rev 4:5). What OT sounds and peals of thunder” (Rev 4:5). What OT scene does this hearken back to, and what is the scene does this hearken back to, and what is the significance of this?significance of this?

Another picture of the wrath of God comes in the Another picture of the wrath of God comes in the “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,” “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,” not calm and soft lights, but blazing torches that not calm and soft lights, but blazing torches that emit a fierce light. What do these represent?emit a fierce light. What do these represent?

The sea of glass like crystal pictures the splendor The sea of glass like crystal pictures the splendor and majesty of God, emphasizing His purity and and majesty of God, emphasizing His purity and separateness from all that He has created.separateness from all that He has created.

This whole picture of the throne is one in which This whole picture of the throne is one in which the Creator is about to launch a massive program the Creator is about to launch a massive program to purify His creation. to purify His creation.

Activities around the Throne Activities around the Throne (4:5-11)(4:5-11)

“…“…in the center and around the throne, four living in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind” (4:6). What do creatures full of eyes in front and behind” (4:6). What do these creatures represent?these creatures represent?

Here’s what we can say about them based on the context:Here’s what we can say about them based on the context: They are an exalted order of angelic beings, as indicated by They are an exalted order of angelic beings, as indicated by

their closeness to the throne of God, and similar to the their closeness to the throne of God, and similar to the Seraphim and Cherubim of the OT (Isa 6:1-3; Ezek 10:2, 14, Seraphim and Cherubim of the OT (Isa 6:1-3; Ezek 10:2, 14, 20). 20).

They must have something to do with the judicial authority They must have something to do with the judicial authority of the throne.of the throne.

They represent different aspects of animate creation.They represent different aspects of animate creation. Lion - king of the jungle; nobilityLion - king of the jungle; nobility Ox - strength Ox - strength Human - intelligence and reasonHuman - intelligence and reason Flying Eagle - swiftness Flying Eagle - swiftness

Together then, the four living beings represent all animal Together then, the four living beings represent all animal life from the perspective of greatest nobility, strength, life from the perspective of greatest nobility, strength, wisdom, and speed.wisdom, and speed.

Eyes all over their body symbolize their alertness and Eyes all over their body symbolize their alertness and comprehensive knowledge. comprehensive knowledge.

Activities around the Throne Activities around the Throne (4:5-11)(4:5-11)

Both day and night the four living creatures Both day and night the four living creatures around the throne offer recurring praise to around the throne offer recurring praise to God.God.

They particularly acknowledge His holiness, They particularly acknowledge His holiness, His power, and His eternal nature.His power, and His eternal nature.

Each time they offer this praise, the twenty-Each time they offer this praise, the twenty-four elders join in, bowing down in worship four elders join in, bowing down in worship and casting their crowns before the throne.and casting their crowns before the throne.

The elders’ praise is different from the four The elders’ praise is different from the four living creatures and centers on the wonder of living creatures and centers on the wonder of God’s creation; God’s power as displayed in God’s creation; God’s power as displayed in creation provides the basis for His praise. creation provides the basis for His praise.

Next Week: The Seven-Next Week: The Seven-Sealed Scroll of the Lamb Sealed Scroll of the Lamb

(Rev 5:1-14)(Rev 5:1-14)

Read Rev 4 - 5Read Rev 4 - 5