The Throne Room of God

[Read Revelation 4-5]

If this passage leaves you in AWE and WONDER, you have understood the passage. We don’t have to understand every aspect of this passage in order to understand the main point. You may not understand all the symbolism, but you cannot walk away from this passage without recognizing that we have a GLORIOUS God who is worthy of all praise. Anytime anyone sees this glorious God, they fall on their faces in worship. They can’t help but worship. Just like a beautiful sunset brings about a “gut reaction” of praise, the glory of God brings about a “gut reaction” of worship.

Yet, once we begin to understand this passage more fully, it only becomes more beautiful and more powerful. As I studied this passage and wrote this sermon, I repeatedly found my heart racing in response to the beautiful images of truth presented in these chapters. 

John tells us that he is given another vision. This time he’s taken into heaven. He isn’t bodily taken into heaven—or even spiritually—remember this is a vision. He’s given a vision of heaven. That’s really important. 

He says, “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.” (Revelation 4:2, ESV). We immediately know who this is. It is an image of our God, seated on his throne. It’s an image that repeatedly occurs throughout the Old Testament. He goes on to say, “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.” (Revelation 4:3, ESV). In the Old Testament, these gems were used as a reminder of the glory of God. The rainbow, as some may remember, is a sign of God’s mercy. So, John sees our glorious, merciful God seated on his throne. 

Yet, he also says, “From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder…” (Revelation 4:5, ESV). This should remind us of Exodus, when God descended upon Mount Sinai in power and might and brought a holy fear into the hearts of the Israelites. Then John sees, “and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.” (Revelation 4:6, ESV). Throughout the Old Testament (and the New) the sea is an image of chaos and disorder. Later in this book, we’ll see the beast rise out of the sea. Yet, at the beginning of this book, we are given the picture of the throne of our God upon a sea of glass—calm, like crystal. It’s a picture of our God ruling and having authority over the chaos and evil and rebellion of this world. 

Yet, the picture involves more than one throne. “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.” (Revelation 4:4, ESV). We are told in scripture that those who are in Christ will be purified form their sin and clothed in white garments AND that they will receive a crown of righteousness. But, why 24 thrones? There are different ways to find this answer, but the easiest is to look at Revelation 21 where it talks about the New Jerusalem being built with the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb. The twenty-four elders represent the church—from BOTH the Old and New Testaments—seated on their thrones in the presence of God. 

There are also four creatures around the throne. John describes them: “And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 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. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within…” (Revelation 4:6–8, ESV). We see glimpses of creatures like this throughout the Old Testament. In Isaiah chapter six, we see the seraphim with six wings around the throne of God. In Ezekiel chapter one, we see creatures that are almost identical to this picture.

There are two ways people understand these creatures. Some believe they are the same seraphim as Isaiah six and leave it there. Others find significance in the number 4—which is a number that represents the earth. Think of the terminology of the “four corners” of the earth and the “four winds.” So, they understand these four creatures to represent all of creation—which is why different animals are represented. I think the best explanation is that it is BOTH. This vision is giving us a picture of seraphim that represent all of creation. 

And what is creation doing? “…day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” (Revelation 4:6–8, ESV). This is a picture of Psalm 19 which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1–2, ESV). 

Then, as the church hears the worship of creation, they have a “gut reaction” to worship. They fall on their faces before Him and say, “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.” (Revelation 4:11, ESV). Notice what they are praising God for. They are praising God because he CREATED all things and sustains all of CREATION. This is another reason why I think we have to understand the four living creatures as representing creation. 

Now, we need to pause for a minute, step back, and get the big picture because THIS is why the image is so powerful. Remember what we talked about last week. We were given a picture of what was happening to the churches on earth. There was struggle, persecution, false-teachers, temptation, seeming chaos. Some churches were doing alright, some were struggling, and some were dying. From the viewpoint of earth, everything seemed unimpressive and weak. 

Then, Jesus pulls back the curtain and shows us what is happening in heaven. What seems so unimpressive on earth is powerful and glorious in heaven. Yeah, the churches are struggling here on earth, but in the heavenly realms they are in the very presence of the glorious, merciful, powerful, sovereign God. Yeah, the world seems chaotic and godless, yet creation is continually crying out, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty!” As you walk out of church this morning, you are not leaving worship. You are entering into a world that is worshiping our glorious God day and night—declaring his Holiness and Power. Maybe our worship seems unimpressive and weak, but in the heavenly realms we are in the very presence of God, falling on our faces in his presence, casting down our golden crowns, and declaring “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power…” (Revelation 4:11, ESV). 

Then the vision continues. “Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1, ESV). This scroll and these seven seals will play an important role in the rest of the book. The scroll is extremely important. What does it mean? What does it stand for? We see scrolls like this in the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel it says the scroll contains words of lamentation and mourning and woe (Eze 2:9-10). And, as we read the rest of this book, we’ll see that to be the case. 

But, there’s more to the scroll than just judgement. These scrolls contained the decrees of God—including judgement AND salvation. So, as we read the rest of this book, and the scroll is continually opened we see more than judgement occurring, we see the kingdom of God coming. That’s the end of the story. When the scroll is completely opened and the decree has come to pass, the kingdom of God is here. So, the scroll represents the coming Kingdom of God. 

And this is why this is so powerful. “And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it…” (Revelation 5:2–3, ESV). The angel proclaims with a loud voice—throughout creation—“Who is worthy to bring about the kingdom of God?” And there was complete, utter silence. 

The angel cried out to mankind, “Are you worthy to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. The angel has been asking this throughout history, “Who is worthy to bring about the kingdom of God?” The angel asked Rome, “Are you worthy to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. The angel asked Napoleon, “Are you able to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. The angel asked Donald Trump, “Are you able to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. The angel is asking Joe Biden, “Are you able to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. The angel is asking the United States, “Are you able to bring about the kingdom of God?” Silence. No one. No creature. No country. No ruler. 

So, John weeps. “I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.” (Revelation 5:4, ESV). How devastating is it to realize that we cannot bring about the kingdom of God? If we put all of our hope and trust in created things—in government or leaders—we will be left weeping and in despair. That’s been history. People weeping loudly because no leader or no government has been found worthy to bring about the kingdom of God. 

But, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5, ESV). Praise God! This imagery all points to the Messiah—Jesus Christ. He IS worthy to open the scroll and the seven seals. He IS worthy to bring about the kingdom. He is the ONLY one who can do it. He can do it because He has CONQUERED. He has OVERCOME. 

Then, John sees Him. “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.” (Revelation 5:6, ESV). He sees a lamb as though it had been slain. It’s an image of Jesus as our perfect sacrificial lamb—looking back to the Passover—but not dead. He’s been slain but still lives. He’s our resurrected sacrificial lamb—He has overcome/conquered. 

He has seven horns. Horns always point to power/authority and the seven points to fullness. As Jesus says at the end of Matthew, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18, ESV). And don’t forget that Jesus told his disciples he MUST ascend into heaven so that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with His people on earth—which is represented as the seven spirits sent out into all the earth. 

And when Jesus steps onto the scene, all HEAVEN breaks loose. Shouts and songs of praise echo throughout the heavens. The church and creation begins to sing a new song: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10, ESV). Then, more join into the worship: “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”” (Revelation 5:11–12, ESV). Then more join in: “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”” (Revelation 5:13, ESV). 

Now, as we wrap up, take a moment to step back and get the bigger picture again. This is all happening in the heavenly realm while things on earth seem to be in chaos. From our point of view, we can only see the persecution, the false-teaching, the temptation, the chaos. From our point of view, we can only see the failed attempts to bring about the kingdom from leaders and governments throughout history. From our point of view we may be tempted to collapse in despair and weep loudly. 

But, weep no more. Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death and Satan. Jesus Christ is worthy to bring about the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ—right now in the midst of this chaos—is holding onto the scroll. He’s got it in his hand. He’s in control. He’s the one opening the seals. He’s the one bringing about the kingdom of God. And, even though we may not be able to see it clearly in the midst of our current chaos, it IS happening. It MUST happen because God has decreed it. 

And our response to this in the midst of chaos is threefold. 

First, we can find comfort knowing our God has calmed the chaos and Jesus is holding onto the scroll. They are in control and no one can take that away from them. 

Second, our hearts should be stirred in confidence. Remember the repeated refrain of the last two chapters. We were repeatedly encouraged to overcome. Now, we’ve seen the powerful picture of Jesus Christ—the lamb that was slain, the one who has overcome. We’re reminded that because Christ has overcome, through Him and the Holy Spirit, WE can also overcome. 

Finally, in the midst of our current chaos, we must lift our eyes into the heavenly realms and worship. We must worship in the midst of the chaos, persecution, false-teaching, and temptation. Let the worship of creation stir your heart to worship. Let the praise of God’s people stir your heart to worship. Let the glorious picture of God’s throne stir your heart to worship. Let the beautiful picture of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and brings about the kingdom stir your heart to worship in the midst of our current chaos.