Book of Revelation Study Part 4 The Throne Room of God John is invited to step beyond the realm of the natural into the Throne Room of God. Note that it was located through a door. The Heavenly realm is much closer than we could imagine! John s transportation was instantaneous. Philip experienced this supernatural transport when he found himself suddenly in the wilderness when moments before he was in Samaria. Paul too experienced this transport into the Heavenly Realm. This implies that we are extremely close to the Throne Room of God, He may instantly be among us as distance is nothing to Him. This helps us when we engage in Worship for as we bow before Him we realize that we are simply a few steps from the Throne itself. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us into God s presence and then reveals His beauty. We need supernatural help to encounter God because He is a supernatural Being living in a supernatural environment. We will see shortly that it is only through the Holy Spirit s enabling that we are able to stand in His presence of this awesome God. As we develop deep intimacy with the Spirit He enables us to see beyond that which surrounds us, He guides us into the Presence of God and reveals Truth to us. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; John 16:13. Jesus instructing on the subject of Worship said, True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23 24 Paul writes to the Ephesian Church: (I..) do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Eph 1:15 Notice the qualifying statements in John s writing.. was like a jasper and sardius stone v3, like an emerald v3, something like a sea of glass v6. John is experiencing real difficulty in describing, or finding ways to describe what he is seeing. This is as it should be, for no words can sufficiently describe the scene before him. There is nothing in all of creation that can compare with the sight what and who is before Him. Paul expresses similar ideas such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell]. 2 Cor 12:2 4 It is important to note here, that John s goal in recording the vision is to communicate more than just a visual image, he is intent upon conveying the truth about God and His heavenly Court as it is being presented to Him. It is simply beyond any man or woman s capabilities to describe God, we have such a limited frame of reference i.e the sun shining in its strength or like a jasper or sardius stone.
All that we can do is declare He truly is beautiful beyond description as song writer Mark Altrogge wrote: You are beautiful beyond description, Too marvelous for words Too wonderful for comprehension, Like nothing ever seen or heard Who can grasp you infinite wisdom, Who can fathom the depth of your love You are beautiful beyond description, Majesty enthroned above King David knew of this Beauty He wrote One thing I have asked of the LORD, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4, Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty and majesty of His holiness [as the creator and source of holiness] Psalm 29:2 6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (Ps. 96:6) 96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection (beauty and majesty) (Ps. 119:96) 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. (Ps 50:2) The Living Creatures around the Throne echo this sentiment with their cries of Holy, Holy, Holy or Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful v8. The Heavenly Temple We know that when God gave instruction to Moses to build the Tabernacle after the pattern he saw that it was to be a representation of the Heavenly Temple / Throne Room Ex 25:40. The tabernacle would be like a representative throne Room at the heart of Israel, with God Himself seated above the Ark / Mercy Seat with Angels attending. We can see here represented, in a number of ways, descriptions of the real of which the items in the Tabernacle were a copy. It is a picture of our redemption realized in Christ the Son (to who the tabernacle pointed). It is that redemption that is the focus here rather than that which represents it. The One who sits on the Throne John sees the Throne of God, the indescribable light and dazzling colors emanating from the One on the Throne. He who sat there was like a jasper (diamond like) and a sardius stone (deep fiery red) in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the Throne, in appearance like an emerald (green). Rev. 4:3 ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 2
David describes further this light.. Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. Ps 104:1 2 How can we appreciate this brightness, this light, this beauty? The living creatures cover their eyes at the appearance of His Glory. God is light, He is the source of light. John tells us that the Saints in the New Jerusalem will live in His eternal light, not needing sun or moon. It may be this covering of light that Adam & Eve lost when they fell rendering them naked God s Eternal Majesty The Eternal God, the Ruler, Creator and Preserver of all is the One who sits on the Throne 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Col 1:16 34 His dominion is an everlasting dominion 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say, "What have You done?" (Dan. 4:34 35) 27 His Kingdom is everlasting all dominions shall serve and obey Him. (Dan. 7:27) We can compare the visions of Ezekiel, Daniel and Isaiah to John s. 26 The Throne with the appearance of a man high above it 28 The appearance of a rainbow was the appearance of the brightness all around it (Throne in v26). This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. (Ezek. 1:26, 28) In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train [a] of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! Isa 6:1 3 9 As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool, his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; Daniel 7:9 10 ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 3
The Rainbow around the Throne The rainbow around the Throne is circular rather than semi circular (see concentric circles below) this represents the fullness of the Glory of God which is made available to us through the Son. This rainbow around God s Throne is different from rainbows which occur in nature, in that this one has a dominant greenish hue seen along with the other six colors of the rainbow. The appearance of this rainbow reminds us that God is the source of all life (represented in the green color) and all life emanates from Him. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John 1:4 The emerald stone was Judah's stone. Judah was the royal tribe out of which the Messianic King would come to sit on the throne of David (Heb.7:14; Rom.1:1 3; Rev. 5:5). It represents to us the brightness of the Glory of the Son Heb 1 through who we may approach the Throne. God has made Himself accessible through the Son. The Rainbow speaks to us of God s covenant of Grace: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth 15 I will remember My covenant the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature on the earth." (Gen 9:13 16) The Rainbow speaks of His Covenant Mercy: 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your Throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. (Ps. 89:14) All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant... (Ps. 25:10) The song of redemption is that the Lord is good, His mercy endures forever (1 Chr. 16:34, 41; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:3, 6; 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Jer. 33:11; Ps. 52:1; 118:1 4, 29; 136:1 26). Concentric Circles When the scene that John is describing is studied, it becomes very apparent that around the Throne are a series of concentric circles with the Throne at the center. We see: o The Throne o The rainbow encircling the Throne o The Four Living Creatures which surround (circle) the Throne o The 24 Elders circling the Throne o The Angels around the Throne ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 4
It is like ripples on a pond emanating from some explosion of power as when a stone is thrown into the water. What we are meant to see here is that God is the ABSOLUTE CENTER of all things. Everything in creation surrounds Him as the center of all. He alone gives meaning, purpose and reference. Absolute power flows from Him at the center to every created thing. He alone is the source of life. (the lightning and thunders coming from the Throne v5) Just as Heaven focuses upon Him as the center of all, so we are called to make Him the absolute center, the focus of our lives. This picture is important to the rest of Revelation, for it is the One who is seated on the Throne who enacts the Judgments. He is re centering the created realm, causing all disturbances to cease, cleansing it and bringing peace and harmony once more. The Living Creatures The Living Creatures are likely those depicted in the Ezekiel s Vision (Ch 1) The Living Creatures are the image of the fullness Christ as represented by Ezekiel 1 and the pictures of the 4 Gospel. They are a picture to us of what the Church should be, reflecting His image, ever committed to being close to Him in Worship, focused upon His Beauty, doing His will (See Ezekiel 1 Notes) The Spirit of God The Spirit of God is depicted here in two ways. 1. By the seven burning torches which are before the Throne 2. By the Sea of Glass, like crystal and river of God flowing from beneath the Throne. 1. The seven burning torches i) The number seven again speaks to us of fullness, perfection. ii) Fire is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit At Pentecost a flame of fire came to rest over the head of each of the disciples and they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3 4). God made a covenant with Abraham in a burning torch (Gen 15:7), He spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Ex 3:2),He guided the Israelites with a column of fire (Ex 13:21), God s voice is a fiery flame (Ps 29:7). Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire (Lk 3:16). iii) The torches are Temple imagery (as in the vision of Zechariah, Zech 4:2 3, 10) iv) These same "seven Spirits" are identified with the Lamb in Rev 5:6 represented by 7 the seven horns (power) and seven eyes (knowledge, wisdom, all seeing) Zech 4:10 "Those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 5
2. The Sea of Glass / River of God i) The Holy Spirit is often described by water. Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37 39 'For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; Isa 44:3 whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." Jn 4:14 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High." Psa 46:4 This is a reference to the Spirit s life giving ability. Perhaps a reference to the fact that, just as in the natural realm, life without water cannot exist or be sustained, so Life in the Spirit is impossible without the Spirit. Our entrance and right of entrance into the Throne Room of God is guaranteed by the Precious Blood of Jesus. It is the Spirit that gives us the strength to stand in His Presence. The River of God is pictured in Rev 22 as flowing out from beneath the Throne. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Rev 22:1 In Ezekiel 47 the same river is seen flowing out from the Temple. It is conceivable that this River of the Spirit flows out from the Throne then pools to form the Sea of Glass like crystal that is around the Throne, flowing out from there beyond. We might note the following: ii) The Sea of Glass provides the foundation for the Throne and a pavement (as in Ezekiel 1) that reflects the dominant emerald color of the rainbow, on which the Heavenly Court stands. Signifying that it is only in the strength of the Spirit that any creature can stand in His Presence. It is God Himself, by His Spirit that enables the Court to function. It reminds us of the words of Jesus when He said apart from me you can do nothing John 15:5 While addressed to the Church, the same words may be applied to all of God s creation. ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 6
iii) iv) The Sea of Glass may also speak of the atmosphere of Heaven, which is one of absolute peace (though certainly not quiet). There is not one ripple on this expansive sea. All of Heaven is concentrated on the Throne, all are empowered by the Spirit to stand, the Spirit manages all activity in the tranquility of God. No activity of the enemy, no disturbance on the earth or in the Heaven s causes one tiny ripple. All is peace, because the Eternal God, Father, Son and Spirit exercise complete control. Even when judgments are issued, there is not one ripple on the Sea of Glass. The Sea of Glass is mingled with fire, signifying another aspect of the Spirit s person and ministry. The Spirit is a fiery Spirit who manifest the burning love God has for His creation which surrounds Him. The Twenty Four Elders 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 honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. There is much disagreement among scholars regarding the identity of these elders. One thing appears clear however is that they appear to represent the two peoples of God brought together in Christ, natural Israel and the Church. The number twelve has to do with government so we might surmise that 12 each from Israel (12 tribes) and 12 from the Church are represented here (12 Apostles) Some believe them to be Angelic Elders who are somehow connected to Israel and the Church in a similar way to the way in which Angels were connected to the Seven Churches. These form some kind of Heavenly Court representing God s people. Another interpretation (related to this) is that these are some kind of body of Priestly Angels who are a Heavenly manifestation of the 24 courses of Priests and Levites who served in the Temple Worship Others believe that their clothing and crowns identify them as overcomers, those who have won the crown of life who are now in Heaven interceding and Worshipping before the Throne. The argument that they appear as the twelve heads of the tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb is somewhat undermined by the fact that John is observing this scene and is not among them. Unfortunately the text gives us no real clue as to their identity. ACTS BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY PART 4 NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 7