November 07, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Throne in Heaven
Scripture: Revelation 4(NIV)
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
Devotional
Revelation 4:1-8:5 is a vision of heaven’s throne room and a scroll with seven seals. Here in chapter four, we get a beautiful picture of the majesty of God.
God and His throne are more radiant than the most precious jewels that the earth can produce. This is reminiscent of the priestly garments described in Exodus 28, made with precious metals, ornate jewels, and lavish fabrics and threads. The Old Testament priest was merely representing God. Here in Revelation 4, we picture God Himself beyond all imagination. He is Holy beyond description.
Surrounding the throne of God are twenty-four elders wearing gold crowns and white clothes, seated on their own thrones (v. 4). At the end of this chapter, the twenty-four elders lay their bodies and crowns before God, worshiping Him with unbounded adoration. In apocalyptic literature, twelve is often symbolic of the people of God. Twenty-four could be representative of the twelve tribes of the Old Testament plus the twelve apostles of the New Testament. Also, there were twenty-four divisions of priests who served at the temple in Jerusalem.
In Jewish apocalyptic thought, the number twelve and its multiples are pregnant with meaning and often refer to God’s people. Here, the people of God lay down their lives and their glory to bring unending praise to God! What a stunning word picture!
Also in the scene are four living creatures, each six-winged and eye-covered. This image draws from Ezekiel 1, which has four living creatures with the same faces as described here, and wheels in the sky filled with eyes all around. It also reflects Isaiah 6, in which angelic beings have six wings and shout, “Holy, holy, holy” to God on the throne. These images would not have been lost on those hearing this chapter of Revelation read in their midst. All of creation gives praise and worship to God Almighty!
What do you imagine that heaven is like? How would you describe God? What stands out from Revelation 4 as you picture God on His throne?
Poem
There Are No Words
When the veil is parted
God’s throne, full view
The outpoured love
Overwhelming
Right-making
All settling
Accomplished
There are no words but
Holy
Holy
Holy
