TEACHING NOTES Part 10: The Throne in Heaven Introduction In previous sessions we have been working through the first of four visions in Revelation. The first vision presented Jesus as the Son of Man, who is a priestly warrior. It also includes Jesus’ instructions to the seven churches who are the original audience of the book. In this session, we begin the second vision which is a large section containing multiple images of judgment from the perspective of the heavenly throne of God. The Four Visions of Revelation 1. The Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1-3) 2. The Vision of Judgment (Rev. 4-16) 3. The Vision of Victory (Rev. 17-20) 4. The Vision of New Creation (Rev. 21:9-22:7) Old Testament Connection: What John describes in Rev. 4 is very similar to what Moses and the elders of Israel saw at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19; 24). See table above. ​ Revelation 4:1 ESV 1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” After this = Meaning, after the first vision of the Son of Man and His instructions to the seven churches (Rev. 1-3). A door standing open in heaven = In the Jewish mind, heaven is reserved for God and other spiritual beings. Humans going to heaven was extremely rare and reserved for only the most righteous whom God chose to take to heaven (Enoch, Elijah, Moses, Jesus). Therefore, this open door in heaven would have told John that something rare was occurring. This could also be connected to the fact that John remembered Jesus claiming to be “the door” (John 10:9). At the end of Revelation, we find that in the new creation the gates of the city of God are always open (Rev. 21:24-25). John probably would have thought that Jesus “changed the rules” so to speak on who is allowed in heaven. Heaven is now open to humanity. The first voice = Referring back to the voice of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:10). Speaking to me like a trumpet = Also mentioned in Rev. 1:10. If we compare this vision with the scene at Mt. Sinai in Ex. 19:13, 16, 19-20, we find that Yahweh’s voice is loud like a trumpet. Come up here = Some have wrongly taught that this represents the rapture of the church. This is incorrect because the church is not mentioned, only John is called to go up, and John isn’t physically going to heaven but is “in the Spirit” and seeing heaven in a vision. There is no rapture of the church in Revelation, only a resurrection at the end. What must take place after this = This is linked back to Rev. 1:19 “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.” The word “this” refers to the previous vision. John is about to be shown symbols of events that will be coming soon (Rev. 1:1-3). The On-going Debate: People differ on how to interpret Revelation based on the meaning of “after this.” The question under debate is, “How long after this will these things take place?” Some say that all the events mentioned in Rev. 5-22 are in our future. Others say that the events in Rev. 5:1-20:6 describe the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, but Rev. 20:7-22 is still in our future. Still others hold views somewhere in between. What we must remember is that Revelation explicitly tells us that many of the events were going to happen soon (Rev. 1:1-3). ​ Revelation 4:2–3 ESV 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. I was in the Spirit = In Revelation, this phrase indicates that a new section of vision has begun. A throne stood in heaven = Many passages tell us that God’s throne is in heaven (1 Kings 22:19; Ps. 11:4; 103:19; Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:34; 23:22). In the Old Testament view, God sits on a throne in heaven and His feet rest on earth on the Ark of the Covenant in the temple. The temple that stood in John’s day had been rebuilt during the intertestamental period, but the Ark of the Covenant had been long lost, and the presence of God had never returned. Appearance of jewels = This vision closely resembles the one at Mt. Sinai with Moses and the elders of Israel (Ex. 19, 24). Jewels are also mentioned in descriptions of the Garden in Eden (Gen. 2:10-12; Ezek. 28:13). Also used in the breastplate of the high priest (Exod. 28:15-21). When John sees a vision of the New Jerusalem, the foundations of the walls are jasper and carnelian (Rev. 21:18-20). This communicates that heaven is coming to earth. A rainbow = Also seen in Ezekiel’s vision in Ezek. 1:28. ​ Revelation 4:4 ESV 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 24 Thrones and Elders = Many scholars believe that these “elders” represent all of believing humanity. It is likely that 12 of them represent believers from the tribes of Israel, and the other 12 represent believing Gentiles. Jesus told the apostles that in the new creation they would sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:28-30). Clothed in white garments = In Revelation, white garments are a symbol of purity and righteousness (Rev. 3:5; 3:18; 6:11; 7:9; 7:14; 19:14). It also recalls the garments of Israel’s priests. Golden crowns = Priests in the Old Testament wore a golden crown with “Holy to Yahweh” engraved on it (Ex. 28:36-38). This “marked” the priest with the name of God. Literally, the name of Yahweh was on their foreheads. This image of being marked with God’s name on the forehead will come up again in Rev. 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4. It is also a stark contrast for those who reject Christ and have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Rev. 13:15-16; 17:5; 20:4). What are we to learn from this image of priestly elders? If we go back to Rev. 1:6, we see that Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests. John is seeing a confirmation of this fact. Since the elders are humans, and before Jesus’ resurrection humans did not go straight to heaven after death, John is seeing confirmation that believers who have died are now in the presence of God serving as priests. ​ Revelation 4:5–6 ESV 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: Lightning, rumblings, thunder = This was also experienced on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:16-18). In both Exodus and Revelation this indicates the powerful and dangerous nature of God’s presence. Lightning, earthquakes, and loud thunder cause humans to shy away in fear, but in Revelation John sees humans standing around the throne. God’s presence is dangerous to those who are evil, but wonderful to those who believe. Seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God = This is one of several places in Revelation where the symbolism is explained. The seven torches of fire ARE the seven spirits of God. Now the question becomes, “what are the seven spirits of God”? First, we need to realize that the symbolism of seven torches is also found in Zech. 4:2 where the prophet sees a lampstand with seven lamps. Also, in Zech. 4:10 we see that the seven lamps are “the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” This is what John saw in Rev. 5:6 “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” The only other place where God is said to have seven kinds of spirits is in Isa. 11:2 “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” 1. The Spirit of Yahweh 2. The Spirit of Wisdom 3. The Spirit of Understanding 4. The Spirit of Counsel 5. The Spirit of Might 6. The Spirit of Knowledge 7. The Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh Sea of glass, like crystal = This image is similar to Ex. 24:10 “and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.” Four living creatures = These “living creatures” are also seen in Ezek. 1:4-14, although there are slight differences (in Ezekiel they have four wings, in Revelation they have six wings). We learn from Ezekiel’s vision that these creatures follow the Spirit of God (Ezek. 1:12). In the Ancient Near East (ANE), gods were often depicted with throne guardians that are animal-human hybrid creatures. The idea here is that humans have no chance of overthrowing God’s throne. In the Old Testament, these creatures are called the cherubim. ​ Revelation 4:7 ESV 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. ​ Revelation 4:8 ESV 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Full of eyes = This is an image of watching. In Jewish thought, the angels and spiritual beings were tasked with watching over the earth. In Daniel, the angels are often called “watchers.” What are these creatures doing in heaven? They are worshiping day and night without ceasing saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” This is similar to what Isaiah heard the seraphim saying in Isa. 6:3 “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” ​ Revelation 4:9–11 ESV 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” What are the elders doing in heaven? They are also worshiping along with the cherubim. They cast their crowns before the throne = This is a symbol of humility, surrender, and gratitude. They realize that the only reason they have a crown is because of the One whose name was on the crown. They returning back to God what was given to them. In the same way, God has given us life and we give that life back to God in devotion to Him. Worthy are you = In Greek, the word for worthy is axios, which refers to corresponding value. In other words, they are saying that God alone should receive glory, honor, and power. Why? Because God is the Creator of all things. Application What can we learn and apply from this strange vision? In heaven, all the focus is on God. God is the center of everything. True disciples of Jesus should do on earth what is being done in heaven. All of our focus in this life must be centered on God.