Revelation 4

After these things (the vision and letters of Ch. 1-3) John is invited by Christ into heaven to see the things which must take place after this. Christ will show John so he can tell us what He wants us to see (1:1).  What John sees is the throne room of God!  Though not the first to see heaven’s throne (1 Ki. 22:19; Isa. 6:1ff; Ezek. 1:26-28; Dan. 7:9f) John gives the most detailed description.

What he sees is pure majesty!  On the throne sits the One who lives forever and ever, the eternal God.  (In the expressions of the trinity it is God the Father; the Son will approach the throne in Rev. 5.)  God being without form (cf. John 1:18; 4:24; 1 Tim. 6:16) was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance, two most beautiful stones.  The jasper (as a crystal would have magnified the fiery red of the sardius) is comparable to what Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:26-28).  These stones were also the first and last on the ephod of the High Priest (Ex. 28:17-20) perhaps emphasizing God’s love and our access to Him.

Around the throne was a rainbow green as an emerald.  Encircling the throne were twenty-four elders on twenty-four thrones.  Each is clothed in white and wearing a crown of gold (stephanos, the victors reward crown; not diadem, the kings crown).  They continually praise God, falling down in worship and casting their crowns before His throne.  They may represent Christians who receive robes and crowns though some see them as representative of both Old and New Testament saints (representing perhaps the twelve tribes and twelve apostles).  The emphasis, however, is not on who they are but what they do!

The lightning, thunder and voices add to the majesty and power of what John sees.  The sea of glass is reminiscent of the “molten sea” for cleansing in front of the tabernacle (Exod. 38:8).  The seven spirits of God may speak of the Holy Spirit but more likely are angelic beings always ready to carry out God’s will.

Finally there are four living creatures, having six wings (two to cover their faces, 2 to cover their feet, and two for flight; Isa. 6:2).  Each cherubim (Ezek. 10:20) has a different appearance that displays the greatness of God:

FACE	ATTRIBUTE	SCRIPTURE	CHRIST IN GOSPELS
Lion	Omnipotence	Jud 14:18; Prov 30:30	King in Matthew
Calf	Patient Labor	Prov 14:4	Servant in Mark
Man	Authority	Psa 8:6-8	Perfect Man in Luke
Eagle	Sovereignty	Jer 48:40; Hab 1:8	Divine Son in John

These are the glorious “worship leaders” of heaven praising God’s holiness. When they do the elders join, proclaiming His worthiness to receive all the glory.  

When we pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” this is what we pray for!  We are asking that the worship of which God is so worthy would ring out on earth as it does perpetually in heaven.  May it be so in our hearts as we meditate on this majestic scene Christ has shown us!