God is the Holy, Holy, Holy King of All the Earth (Isa.37:16)
Intro: Well morning friends and visitors. My name is Matt Johnson and today we are picking up our study of Revelation in chapter 4. Together Revelation 4-5 – gives us a picture of Gods heavenly throne-room from which all the eschatological events in Revelation unfold. The big point is that nothing is happening in this book apart from Gods Sovereign purposes. God is King and He is in control…
PRAYER: Well, the study of the end of the world is technically called eschatology (Slide 2). It comes from two Greek words. The first Greek word – eschatos means last or end and the other greek word logia – means study or knowledge. So eschat-ology is the study of the last things or knowledge of end times. Now when Christians study Revelation we all tend to agree that we are doing eschatology. But then we all tend to disagree because we actually have a problem with TIME. What is time and what time are we now in?
Some Christians think Revelation is focussed on what the Bible calls the great tribulation (Dan.12:1; Matt.24:21; Rev.7:14). The prophet Daniel, the Lord Jesus and Revelation 7 speak about a time of great tribulation on the earth that will be unequalled in the history of the world. A terrible 7 years. Jesus says that “if those days were not cut short, no one would survive.” So when some people think of eschatology they think of this time of great tribulation. But other Christians say we have been living in the last days – ever since Jesus ascended into heaven. You may remember that on the day of Pentecost – the apostle Peter quotes Joel 2 to explain what is happening. Peter says “IN THE LAST DAYS, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people, your sons and daughters will prophesy.” (Acts 2:17). So Joel 2 and the apostle Peter say the coming of the Holy Spirit is an event associated with the last days.
So what period of time are we focussed upon in Revelation. The last 7 years or the entire time between Jesus’ first and second comings?
What’s more, what parts of Revelation are recording past time, what parts are speaking of present time and what parts are speaking of a future time. This is where many, good Jesus-loving Christians start to disagree. Most of the arguments actually have to do with “time”.
Now I’m sure God laughs at many of our arguments – because what is time to God. Twice in Revelation 1 God is spoken of as the One who is and who was and who is to come. The idea of that phrase is that God is timeless. Also in Revelation 1 – God says he is the Alpha and the Omega AND Jesus also says “He is the first and the last.” The idea is God transcends time. So, is Revelation being told from Gods perspective outside of time or man’s perspective inside time? The answer is yes!
But this problem with time means Revelation has been interpreted by the church in four different ways (Slide 3). Now you may think the preterist idea that most of Revelation was fulfilled in the first 100 years is silly. But it is true that Nero and Domitian were types of antichrists and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD, probably is a type of the Gog and Magog battle in Revelation 20. In the Protestant Reformation most protestant pastors took a historicist approach to Revelation. So all the great reformers believed the harlot riding on the beast in Revelation 19 was the Catholic church? Now at that point the Catholic Church was doing some pretty evil stuff. So were the reformers necessarily wrong? Futurists believe that in the end an even worse antichrist figure will establish himself in the last 7 years of earth (most probably in a rebuilt Jerusalem temple). Now can you be sure they’re wrong? Finally, the idealists (or more spiritual interpreters) say that the battles between good and evil recorded in Revelation are always symbolically happening. They say Christians in every age need to overcome evil and all sorts of antichrists have come and will continue to come – until Jesus returns. Now is this entirely wrong? (No!). Because history repeats itself – the events recorded in Revelation often appear to have more than one referent or fulfillment in history. But I believe that there is still one ultimate fulfilment of events in Revelation at the end of time…
Point 1: Gods Heavenly Throne-room Reminds us God is King
Show: Rev.4:2-6 (READ)
Explain: Well as you can see Revelation 4 is about Gods throne. When John is translated to heaven (or has a vision of heaven) he sees a Supreme being on a throne – whose radiance is so bright it sparkles like gemstones. Like a bright diamond the person on the throne refracts all the colours of the rainbow around the throne. But this rainbow imagery also brings to mind God’s judgment, the end of the world and new creation ideas.
In the days of Noah – the world became so evil and corrupt that God decided to destroy the entire world with a flood. This became necessary because every thought of mans heart was only evil all of the time (Gen.6:5). Now in the aftermath of the flood the rainbow was Gods promise that He would never destroy the world again with water. But as we are reminded in Revelation 4:8 – God is still Holy, Holy, Holy. So the mention of a rainbow – lays a framework for Revelation. Towards the end of time – events in Gods throne-room will initiate a count-down to the destruction of the world, this time by fire (2Pet.3). As in the days of Noah, so in the last days (Matt.24:36-40).
Now around Gods throne we are also told about 24 lesser thrones. The people on these thrones are dressed in white and they have crowns on their head. Then towards the centre of the throne-room and directly around God’s throne – there are four living creatures. One living creature has the appearance of a lion, another the ox, a third an eagle and the fourth a man. Again, the images of the four living creatures are all pictures of kingship. The lion is the king of the jungle. The eagle the king of the air. The ox the king of livestock. And man himself (made in the image of God) has kingship over them all. Each of the four living creatures emanates kingship and royalty in their particular domain. But within this throne-room that has a concentric hierarchy of kingship, there is one supreme – King of Kings – at the centre of the room.
In Revelation 4:9-10; we see all the other “king-like beings” in heaven bow in worship and cast aside their crowns as they acknowledge God alone is creator. He is a different type of King. God is worthy of worship because He created all things and by His will all other things were created and have their being. God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords…
Apply: Now there are a whole lot of things going on in this passage of significance. What we are seeing is exactly what Moses and Aarron saw when they went up Mt Sinai in Exodus 24. The “come up here” language In Revelation 4:1 spoken to John is exactly the same as the come up here language spoken to Moses in Exodus 24:1. This is what happens (Slide 6; Ex.24:9-10). Now there’s not as much detail. But we know that what Moses and Aarron saw in Exodus 24 was exactly the same as what John sees in Revelation – because Moses builds the tabernacle to the exact pattern he saw on the mountain. And as we’ll see in a moment the tabernacle perfectly reflects Revelation 4.
Second, Revelation 4-5 is also reflecting Ezekiel 1-3. In Ezekiel 1 – the prophet Ezekiel sees God on the throne surrounded by the four living creatures. Then in Ezekiel 2-3, the prophet Ezekiel is given a scroll and he is told to declare to Israel the judgments that God has decreed for the Jews. The same picture and pattern is found in Revelation 4-5. In Revelation 4 we see Gods throne surrounded by four living creatures and then in Revelation 5 – Jesus is given a scroll and told to declare to the world the judgments God has decreed for them.
Third Revelation 4-5 also follows the famous prophecy in Daniel 7. In Daniel 7 the Ancient of Days takes his throne. Surrounding the throne are thousands upon thousands of angels in worship of him. Then the books or scrolls of judgment are opened. The beast and evil powers are all judged. Some thrown into the lake of burning fire. Others stripped of their power. Judgment is taking place.
But then in Daniel 7 – one like a Son of Man (Jesus) approaches the Ancient of Days and all peoples from every nation and language worship him. Again, this is the exact pattern we see in Revelation 4-5. In Revelation 4 the Ancient of Days takes the throne and in Revelation 5 the one like a Son of Man (the Lord, Jesus) approaches the throne, and receives the scroll. Then we are told that with his blood he has purchased men for God from every tribe, language, people and nation. Daniel 7 and Revelation 5 are a reminder that Gods kingdom is now much bigger than just the Jews. God is the King (on the throne) ruling over all people who have been saved by Jesus precious blood.
Finally, Revelation 4-5 also reflects the commissioning of the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 6. Isaiah also sees the heavenly throne and the angelic beings. In both scenes – the angels cry; “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Then, after the vision – Isaiah is commissioned to pronounce judgment on Israel, just as Jesus is commissioned in Revelation 5 to pronounce pending judgment on the world.
Apply: Now the point of us seeing with John this heavenly throne-room is multifaceted. First, Jesus said to the churches end of Revelation 3 (Slide 7 – Rev.3:21-22). So Jesus promises us – that if we overcome all the temptations to sin and commit apostasy – we will one day sit with God and Jesus on their throne. Jesus then shows us what God and His throne looks like. If you overcome – you are going to get to walk through this throne-room with all the angelic host and you will get to sit with God and Jesus on the central throne. That is truly a mind-job too big for you to comprehend. So this is saying that whatever Satan throws at you – hold on and overcome – because you will then participate in the highest honour anyone can receive – with all the heavenly host acknowledging you are an overcomer, like Jesus. (That’s huge). But second – the picture of God on His throne reminds us that nothing is happening in Revelation apart from Gods Sovereign will. God is on the throne and God is the one issuing the decrees that usher in the final events of the world. So take comfort – God is in control, not Satan or evil.
Point 2: Gods Throne-room Reminds us that God is Holy
Show: Rev.4:6-8 (READ)
Explain: Well as you can see – the four living creatures are covered with eyes. This is a reminder that nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight (Heb.4:13). God watches and sees everything that happens on earth – perhaps through these four living creatures. Now the phrase “the eyes of the Lord” occurs 88 times in the Bible. The eyes of the Lord watch to see who is doing evil, and who is doing good. Especially – God watches over His people to see if they are being faithful or unfaithful.to His covenant.
Now this is a slightly scary thought because it is a reminder that God sees everything you are doing. You might be able to hide certain things in your life from pastor Matt and pull the wool over his eyes. I know for some of you it is a bit of a game. How gullible is Pastor Matt. But remember – God sees absolutely everything you are doing and one day you will answer to Him. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight.
But this creates a real problem. God is holy, holy, holy and much that is in our life as sinners is unholy; unholy, unholy. So how could sinful people one day sit down next to a holy God? Well, much of what we see in Revelation 4 is reminiscent of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Remember in Exodus 24, Moses goes up Mt Sinai and he saw something similar to what John sees in Revelation 4. We know it is much the same because Moses is told 5-6 times in Exodus to make sure he builds the tabernacle, the items of the tabernacle and the priesthood on the exact pattern of the throne-room he’d seen in heaven. In Hebrews 8 these words are summarised like this (Slide 6; Heb.8:5-6). Now like I said – we know Moses must have seen the same throne-room as John because he modelled the tabernacle in a similar way.
Look at Revelation 4:5. What does John see before the throne? (PAUSE) That’s right seven lamps are blazing. Now that could be translated a sevenfold lamp is blazing. Of course, Moses had the Jews make the famous seven fold Menorah lamp that was the main light in the Tabernacle. It was never allowed to go out because it represented the light and Spirit of God – that Moses saw on the Mountain.
Again in Revelation 4:6 we see something else before the throne. What is it? (PAUSE). That’s right. Something that looks like a sea of crystal clear glass. Moses copied this and it became a large basin or laver full of water in the tabernacle – because the priests had to wash their feet and hands before they approached God (Ex.30:17-21). In Solomons day this basin for washing became known as the bronze sea and it was 5 meters across. It was reminder that before sinful people approach Gods holy throne they must be properly washed (perhaps in the waters of baptism).
Now in this Revelation 4 – we see that Gods throne is surrounded by four living creatures and 24 different elders on thrones – and then Revelation 5:11 tells us thousands upon thousands of angels. All the creatures around God’s throne are all ultimately angels – perhaps of different ranks and callings. But none of these figures are humans. They are all angels – because the final resurrection has not yet taken place. (Slide 12) So when Moses made the ark of the covenant and mercy seat and put it in the Holy of Holies – he made it with two huge cherubim angels on either end with their wings stretched out towards each other. This was a visual representation of Gods throne surrounded by angels. It was kind of what Moses saw in Exodus 24 and John saw in Revelation 4. A throne surrounded by angels. And the only person who could approach God’s throne each year in the Holy of Holies was the high priest of Israel. First, he had to offer sacrifices for sin. Then he had to wash in the special cleansing water of the bronze sea – before he approached God and received words to deliver back to Gods people – forgiveness or judgment…
Apply: Now as we’ll see next week in Revelation 5 – Jesus is both the sacrifice for sin and the great high priest who can approach Gods throne and open the scroll. So, in this heavenly throne-room (that mirrors the Tabernacle) we know Jesus is the high priest. But this then gives insight into the four living creatures and the 24 elders on thrones. If you look up commentaries on why four living creatures and why 24 elders on thrones – you’ll get as many strange suggestions as there are pages in the Bible. But when you know the Tabernacle was built on this image in heaven – you kind of know what is going on.
How many sons did Aarron the High priest have to help him in the inner sanctums of the Tabernacle – closest to the throne? (PAUSE) Well that’s right – he had four sons. But two were killed because they offered strange fire. But there were always four personal attendants to help the high priest. 1 Chronicles 24 – tells that the High priest always had four helpers descended from Eleazar, Ithamar, Zadok and Ahimelek. There were always four special priests that helped the high priest. Was this modelled on the four living creatures who help Jesus? Again, in 1 Chronicles 24 – we are told the Levitical priests who helped in the more outer reigions of the tabernacle were divided in 24 divisions – who served in the tabernacle or temple on a strict roster. Again, are the 24 divisions of priests who served in the outer courts of the Tabernacle based on the 24 thrones John sees in heaven.
Apply: The point is – commentaries make all sorts of speculations on the number and identity of the four living creatures and the 24 elders. But I think the most simple solution is that they are all just angels – assisting Jesus the great high priest, in the same way the four attendants and the 24 Levitical divisions helped the high priest approach God and intercede for the people in the Old Testament. Its not that Gods heavenly throne-room is based on the Tabernacle, but the Tabernacle is based on Gods heavenly throne-room. The only way you can ever approach and perhaps sit on Gods throne is with Jesus as your high priest… a descendant of always had four special attendants to help him the inner sanctum And how many priestly divisions of Levites did Aarron have to help with all the other priestly duties.
So what we know is the Jewish tabernacle was designed and constructed to reflect what Gods throne-room in heaven really looks like. I’ll come back to this in a moment…
Now pretty much all Christian commentaries acknowledge these connections with the Old Testament. But after this a lot of guessing takes place. If you look up commentaries – some will say the 24 thrones represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus. Others will say the 24 thrones represent the 24 different authors who supposedly wrote the Old Testament. Still others will say the 24 thrones are actual Jewish and Christian saints in heaven. Others will say the four living creatures
We know from Exodus 24 and Hebrews 8 that the Jewish Tabernacle was fashioned on what Moses originally saw in heaven. So much of the heavenly throne-room we see in Revelation 4 is a picture of the tabernacle – leading into the Holy of Holies. The Jewish Menorah lamp in the tabernacle is an earthly picture of the seven-fold Spirit of God seen in Revelation 4:5. The large laver or basin for the priests to wash their hands and feet in the tabernacle is pictured by the sea of glass, clear as crystal in Revelation 4:6
There are two big reasons we have Revelation 4-5 at this point in the Revelation prophecy. First, at the very end of Revelation 3, speaking to the church in Laodicea – Jesus says
