Rev. 4, The Storm & the Light (3)

(See previous post for information about these thoughts from D. A. Carson.)

Rev. 4 is the setting, Rev. 5 the drama.  You must study both.  First we will consider some introductory thoughts.

·        There is an intrinsic difficulty talking about the throne room of God.  It is not because we are stupid but because we lack experience.  We know nothing like this.  Thus the scriptures use metaphors and similes to describe this.

·        Thus “apocalyptic literature” is more appropriate for talking about God’s throne room.  There are many principles for interpreting this literature including …

o   Apocalyptic literature loves to mix it’s metaphors.

o   Apocalyptic literature has some symbols that are standard (e.g. a horn refers to military or governmental power).

o   Apocalyptic literature lies to make connections to the OT.

·        Apocalyptic literature (e.g. Revelation) is good to preach these days in evangelism.  The younger generations loves the visual that is fundamental to this genre.

Now let us consider Rev. 4.

v The setting, v1-2a.  The open door into heaven means simply that he can see what the Lord wants to show him.  The “trumpet” goes to Rev. 1 where part of the depiction of Christ is His voice like a “trumpet.”  And what does John see? 

v He sees the centrality and indescribable majesty of the Almighty, v2b-3.  The closest thing like this on earth might be the “crown jewels” on display in London.  What we see in these precious stones and brilliant colors is amazingly beautiful.  We are also reminded that God cannot be “domesticated.”

v He sees the Divine Being enhanced by spectacular beings.  Many believe the twenty-four elders are representation of the Church which might be (white raiment, etc.).  Thus they might represent the OT and NT saints or the twenty-four orders of the priests.  But my preferred view is that they represent a high order of angels.  Rev. 7:12-13 puts them in a context between angels and the four living creatures.  What they show is the sheer transcendence of God.

v He sees the holy separateness of the Almighty, v5-6a.  Between John and the One on the throne are three entities.  First, lightning and thunder.  This is like Mt. Sinai.  Second, the seven lamps of fire.  We believe an explanation of the seven spirits is found in the seven-fold Spirit of God in Isa. 11:2.  Third, the sea of glass.  In the ancient world the sea was not a picture of adventure or freedom as we often think but rather a picture of difficulty and danger.  And glass was not clear in those times but was cloudy.  Perhaps it speaks of the “lost order of creation”.  The point is we approach God, separated from Him.  (Carson quoted the hymn attributed to John Mason that begins, Thou wast, O God, and Thou wast bless before the world begun.  We will not repeat it here but encourage you to find and meditate on it.)

v He sees the four living creatures, v6b-8a.  These are the highest level of angels that orchestrate praise and reflect the transcendent beauty of the Almighty.  (Note that Revelation only records two ”lines” from the OT, one being the “thrice holy” from Isaiah 6.  But, of course, Revelation contains more allusions to the OT than any other book of Scripture.)  The description of these creatures comes both from the seraphim of Isa. 6 and the cherubim of Ezek. 1 (remember apocalyptic literature loves to mix metaphors).  The creatures speak of the administration of God as royal (the lion), strong (the ox), intelligent (the man) and speedy or watchful (the eagle).

v He hears the praise of heaven, v8b-11.  The praise comes from the creatures (v8b-9) and then the elders (v9-11).  Note: everything is grounded in creation (v11).