Series: Apocalypse Now… And Again – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Revelation 4:1-11, 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 carnelian. A rainbow, resembling 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. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 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 front and in back. 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. 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.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 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: “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.”
In chapters 2 and 3, John had sent messages from Jesus to seven key churches in Asia Minor. Five out of seven were in serious disrepair. John could not help but feel discouraged. There was nothing he could do because he was locked away on Patmos. No doubt he was feeling helpless, hopeless, lonely, disappointed—like a failure. This is why the opening words of chapter four are so significant: “After this.”
AN OPEN DOOR
This represents the passage between the spiritual and the physical dimension of reality. Heaven is not some distant place. It is simply another dimension of existence right here and now. It was a door in, not a door out.
A door into God’s presence
A door offering a totally different perspective
A door into the Supreme Headquarters of the universe
A VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET
He had previously heard such a voice in chapter one. A loud voice was possibly necessary so as to be heard above the anguish of his emotions.
BEHOLD!
This is the Greek word idou meaning, “Pay attention to this.” It’s like saying, “Oh, Wow, Look!”
John beheld two significant things:
1. A Throne
Set: something fixed, unmovable, unshakable
Someone sitting on it: Someone is in control!
The throne of God is central to the book of Revelation. Behind all human events there is the government of God. Everything is this picture reflects either the beauty of God or the power of God.
2. A Rainbow
From the time of Noah, this has always represented the promise of God. Promise and Power are shining from the throne of God.
BEHOLD!
This is the Greek word idou meaning, “Pay attention to this.” It’s like saying, “Oh, Wow, Look!”
UNCEASING WORSHIP
John is ushered into a powerful service of worship. The angelic creatures are crying “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The elders answer back “Glory, Honor and Power.”