Supreme Headquarters:

Supreme Headquarters: Revelation 4:1-11 3/5/17 AM Michael Osladil, Calvary Bible Church, Hanover, PA In his commentary on Revelation the late Ray Stedman, formerly pastor of Peninsula Bible Church in California writes that shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor he took a ship to Hawaii, not as a serviceman, but as a civilian. He describes looking out over the harbor and seeing the dead hulks of America s shattered Pacific fleet, some capsized, some little more than half-submerged piles of twisted wreckage. He was brought over from the mainland as part of a two-man paint crew and was assigned to repaint the militarily sensitive buildings. Most of the painters in the area were Japanese Hawaiians, and because of the tensions of those times, people of Japanese descent were not permitted into certain areas of the base. One day Ray Stedman and his partner were brought in to paint the office of Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander in chief of the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet and the chief naval strategist of World War II. Stedman writes, I remember the awe I felt as I entered that office. I found myself surrounded by maps and charts of the Pacific islands. Here in this room, I thought, the historic events of this war are being conceived and brought into existence. Within these four walls, the Admiral gathers with his captains and advisers to plan the tactics, advances, and assaults of the greatest conflict in human history. Stedman goes on to apply his experience to what we have in Revelation 4. But the awe I felt at that moment pales in comparison to what John must have felt in the next scene from the book of Revelation a scene in which he finds himself in the control center for the entire universe! Each of us may have hunches of what this future year holds, and some of them may occur, but today we are going to move beyond speculation. As we begin a study of what ultimately awaits this present world from the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:19 presents the major divisions of the Book of Revelation. John was told, Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later (Rev 1:19 NIV). This indicates three major divisions. In Revelation chapter one, we are given a picture of the glorified Christ and the things related to Him. Then chapters 2 and 3 present what is now (that is, the things of the present church age). Now, according to Revelation 4:1 after John had seen what is now, he saw a door opened in heaven and heard a voice saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this (Rev 4:1 NKJV). This statement indicates that the third major division of the book begins with chapter 4. Chapters 4 through 22 record future events after the church age referred to in chapters two and three. Note that the statement of 4:1 adds the idea that the things that take place after this must take place, meaning that the future events foretold in chapters 4 through 22 have been destined by God to happen and therefore are unavoidable. 1

2 Revelation chapters 4 and 5 serve as the introduction of the third major division then of Revelation. They portray the divine throne room of the universe and set the stage for what is foretold in chapters 6 through 22. They are the key to the purpose of the future events of those chapters. For the Scripture reading turn with me in your Bibles or electronic device to Revelation 4. We will read these two short chapters of Revelation 4 and 5. After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius [ˈsärdēəs] stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created. And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to lose its seals? 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to lose its seven seals. 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

3 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 Then the four living creatures said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever (Rev 4:1-5:14 NKJV). Wow! What a scene! We see God the Father and Jesus Christ lifted up in worship and praise by both heavenly and earthly beings. John states, Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever! (Rev 5:13 NKJV). As we prepare our hearts on this first Sunday of the month to remember our Savior s sacrificial death for us as we partake of communion, I want to provide you with a summary of these two chapters. God gives us four prominent hooks in these two chapters that help us understand the future events He has destined to happen. We will see here in Revelation that God has revealed to us through Jesus Christ what will take place after the Church age is completed (Rev 4:1; cf. 1:1-3, 19). What s the significance of knowing what the future holds for us? The first prominent hook God has for us is this: Knowing what the future holds helps us be prepared to live triumphantly in this present world. You have appointed them as [a priestly kingdom] to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth (Rev 5:10 NET). As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I are destined to rule and reign with Christ. Knowing we are God s representatives on earth and our ultimate destiny is to reign with Christ on the earth helps us live triumphantly in this present world. The best is yet to come for us as believers. We know from Scripture that we can expect persecution as believers in Jesus Christ. But we also know that Jesus Christ has won the ultimate victory over Satan when He defeated Him at the cross, resurrection, and ascension. And here in Revelation Jesus confirms that as believers in Jesus Christ we will rule and reign with Him. Such knowledge should humble us. Who are you or me that we should rule and reign with Christ? What grace is this that God would take you and me who were headed for eternity in hell, and redeem us through the precious blood of His Son Jesus Christ who died for us! God has forgiven and cleansed us from our sins! He has adopted us into His family! We belong to His family. And God promises us as believers in Jesus Christ that we will rule and reign with Christ. Knowing what the future holds helps us persevere in the tough times we face in this life. Scripture refers to the future blessings we will experience as believers at Christ s return as the blessed hope (cf. Titus 2:13). [ILL] I m currently training to run a half-marathon in early May with at least two of my children. Having this goal before me of needing to get in better shape to complete this, helps me endure some of the harder workouts. Knowing what the future holds, the goal of going across the finish

4 line having done my best on that particular day helps me persevere in my present training program. So too, for you and me, as believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals for us future events God has planned for this world, to encourage us to live triumphantly through our present trials. The best is yet to come for us as believers in Jesus Christ. A second hook in Revelation four and five is the prominent position God the Father occupies on the throne. In the center of all that is going on here in these two chapters is God the Father on the throne. Specifically, we see emphasized that God is holy, eternal, as well as the creator of all things. Day and night four heavenly creatures say, Holy, holy, holy. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come (Rev 4:8b NIV). What does it mean that God is holy? God s holiness is His quality of being distinct from His creation. When Satan began His revolt against God, he challenged God s holiness by asserting, I will be like the Most High (Isa. 14:14). This was Satan s way of saying, God, You are not unique or different in contrast with Your creation. As one of Your creatures, I shall become just like You. In contrast with this bold challenge, these four heavenly creatures of God continuously assert God s holiness. 2 Also John emphasizes God is eternal. God is the one who was, and is, and is to come and who lives for ever and ever (cf. Rev 4:8, 10 NIV). God existed before creation. He had no beginning. The fact God is eternal makes Him unique in contrast with creation. Third, John emphasizes God created all things, the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. 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 (Rev 4:11 NIV). So the prominent position of God the Father here in these two chapters reminds us: God is in control of our world and deserves our worship! (Rev 4:2-14; cf. 1 Cor 15:20-28). Our unique, eternal God created the universe for His own benefit and sovereign purpose. John mentions God s throne seventeen times in these two chapters. This repeated mentioning of God s throne reminds us our God alone has the right to rule over the entire universe. The apostle Paul highlights Christ s role in relationship to God the Father also in 1 Cor 15:20-28. Note that while Christ rules over all, once all has been subjected to God the Father, the Son also will be subject to God the Father. In 1 Cor 15:20-28 Paul states, But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. 15:22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. 15:24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. 15:25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 15:26 The last enemy to be eliminated is death. 15:27 For he has put everything in subjection

5 under his feet. But when it says everything has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. 15:28 And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:20-28 NET). God the Father s right to rule, and the authority He has given to Jesus Christ, includes the right to crush any enemy who challenges His rule (cf. Rev. 4:11). 3 And we will see as Revelation unfolds that those who reject Christ s right to rule over them will be crushed by Him. A third key hook that will help you understand Revelation is this: Understand the Significance of the Scroll (Rev 5:1-4; cf. Jer 32:10-16; Gen. 1:26-27; Psalm 8 with Heb. 2:5-9; Luke 4:5-8; John 12:27-33; 14:30; 16:11). God gave human beings tenant possession of the earth as an inheritance. God s intention was that Adam and Eve and their descendants, which include you and me, function as God s representative. God intended for us to administrate His rule over the earth in accordance with His will. In Genesis 1:26-28 we read, Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Gen 1:26-28 NIV). As David contemplates the high position for which God created us he states in Psalm 8: LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.... 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Ps 8:1-9 NIV). God created us to rule over all the earth under Him. God originally put all creation under the rule of Adam and Eve. This included all animals, including wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. But if you happen to be in the mountains of Colorado and come across a mountain lion, or snorkeling in the Caribbean or Maui and come across a twelve foot tiger shark, keep in mind that presently in this fallen world we don t see everything under our rule. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us For he did not put the world to come, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. 2:6 Instead someone testified somewhere: What is man that you think of him or the son of man that you care for him? 2:7 You made him lower than the angels for a little while. You crowned him with glory and honor. 2:8 You put all things

6 under his control. For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control (Heb 2:5-8 NET). What happened? When Adam and Eve followed Satan s lead in rebelling against God they forfeited mankind s right to rule over the earth under God. Satan usurped the tenant possession of the earth and has continued to rule the world system ever since mankind s fall. One of Satan s temptations to Jesus was to offer Jesus rule over the entire world without going to the cross if Jesus would worship Satan. In Luke 4:5-8 we read, The devil led [Jesus] up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours. 8 Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only (Luke 4:5-8 NIV). Jesus death on the cross, resurrection, and exaltation to the Father guaranteed Satan s ultimate destruction (cf. John 12:27-33; 14:30; 16:11). And we will see Satan s defeat spelled out as we go through Revelation. So what is the significance of this scroll we read about in Revelation 5? John states And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to lose its seals? 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it (Rev 5:1-5 NKJV). This seven-sealed scroll is the deed of purchase for human beings tenant possession or administration of the earth. For example, when God was preparing to have his people the Jews be exiled from the land of Israel, he had Jeremiah purchase a plot of ground. God had Jeremiah sign two deeds of purchase, and then one of these was sealed and put in a secure location. The point of this for the Jews was that God was promising that while they were going into exile, Jews would return to the land of Israel (cf. Jer 32:10-16). The writing on the outside of the scroll was probably a brief description of the contents inside the scroll. This seven-sealed scroll here in Revelation five is the deed of purchase for mankind s tenant possession or administration of the earth. God will straighten out the mess that this world has become. He will fulfill His promise of a golden Utopia where people will live without war, without crime, without hatred. There will be no death, no sorrow, and all tears will be wiped away. (See Matt 19:28-29; Isa 11; 65:17-25; 66:10-24). So what s the significance of the scroll? Understand the Significance of the Scroll. Implication: You can have great hope in the midst of a world that appears hopeless. As we understand the significance of the scroll, that Jesus Christ has won the victory over Satan, and that He will return to remove the wicked from the earth and set up His rule over the world, this gives us hope. You can have great hope in the midst of a world that appears hopeless. As believers in Jesus Christ WE ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE! So God gives us four prominent hooks in these two chapters that help us understand the future events He has destined to happen.

7 What s the significance of knowing what the future holds for us after the Church age is completed? First, Knowing what the future holds helps us be prepared to live triumphantly in this present world. You have appointed them as [a priestly kingdom] to serve our God and they will reign on the earth (Rev 5:10 NET). Second, God is in control of our world and deserves our worship! (Rev 4:2-14; cf. 1 Cor 15:20-28). Third, Understand the Significance of the Scroll. Implication: You can have great hope in the midst of a world that appears hopeless. We are on the winning side! And a fourth prominent hook that helps us understand Revelation is to recognize the role of the Lamb. Recognize the Role of the Lamb (See Rev 5:5-14). Implication: Your hope for the future rests in your response to Jesus Christ. If God had not sent Christ to die for us, you and I would still be dead in our sins. Christ, as fully God and fully man, died on the cross for our sins and rose again the third day. Then after forty days He ascended back to His Father in heaven. This work of Christ guarantees Satan s defeat! While Satan still roams this earth seeking whom he may devour, his doom is certain! And Christ alone was found worthy to open the scroll and reclaim what the first Adam lost. Look at Revelation 5:4-7. The apostle John states, So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to lose its seven seals. 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne (Rev 5:4-7 NKJV). Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, has redeemed us to Himself. He will restore to us what the first Adam lost! We will rule and reign with Him on the earth! As the seals are broken and the scroll is opened to show that Christ is the rightful ruler over the world, we will see Christ removing the wicked in preparation for this returning to rule and reign on the earth. We ll look at this in more detail in the weeks to come. Your hope, my hope for the future rests on our response to Jesus. John, the apostle, clearly pictures the holiness and wrath of God the Father in chapter four as he describes the heavenly throne room. As John views the throne he sees flashes of lightning and hears the roar and

8 furious noise of a tempest and peals of thunder. The holy, omnipotent, and eternal God whose throne John views requires His standards to be met by His creation. If they are not, His wrath must inflict penalties upon the rebellious who are among the works of His hand. As we prepare to celebrate communion this morning, do you know Him? Have you recognized your sinfulness? Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins? Second, God created you for His purposes. Are you seeking to live your life for His honor and His glory? Are you living in anticipation of Christ s return for us as believers in Jesus Christ? Keep before you the finish line of the Christian life. Either Christ will return for us prior to death and take us to be with Him to heaven, or our spirits will immediately go to be with the Lord when we die. But Scripture also makes clear we will return to earth to rule and reign with Christ. Keep persevering in your walk with the Lord! Keep looking to Christ for the grace and strength you need. The best is yet to come. [ILL] The story is told of a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things in order, she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the Pastor's reply. "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor. The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!" So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork..the best is yet to come." The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her

9 age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She knew that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. 4 And as we prepare to celebrate communion let s remember that Jesus Christ said that we do this in remembrance of Him, but that He will not drink from the fruit of the vine until He does so with us in the coming kingdom of His Father s. The best is yet to come! 1 Cf. Renald E. Showers, Maranatha Our Lord, Come!, (Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1995), 74. 2 Ibid., 2. 3 Ibid. 4 Why Do People Say, Keep your Fork? Guideposts. Cf. https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/life-afterdeath/why-do-people-say-keep-your-fork accessed 3/1/17.