Revelation 4

Who is on the throne? (vs. 1-11)—Now the real “apocalyptic” nature of the book begins. The curtain is drawn and the stage is set for the drama. From hence forward, in rapid sequence, a series of scenes will be presented to assure the persecuted Christians of John’s day (and, by extension, us) that the cause of Christ is not lost. The struggle will indeed be bitter and hard, but when the final curtain falls at the end of the play (22:21), there is complete assurance of victory.

The figures and symbols used through the rest of the book are not always easy to interpret. But we must remember that it’s not each specific symbol that is important, but the overall picture. What is chapter 4 trying to teach? Like in a movie, much of the “scenery” is incidental, just background setting for the true action. Not that the material is insignificant, but we must not get so bogged down in the details that we miss the main point that the scene is trying to establish.

In verse one, John sees a door open in heaven and a disembodied voice tells him to “'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.'" They “must” take place; there is no avoiding what is going to happen. John is shown a throne (v. 2). Who is on that throne? Well, it’s not Domitian, the Roman emperor. God still reigns! From John’s point of view, on earth, the picture is dark; but when he sees things from heaven’s perspective, he gets a completely different depiction. There were 24 elders around the throne—recall that 12 is the apocalyptic number for organized religion, so it is likely that these 24 represent the tribes of Israel and all the saved of the Christian age—the totality of the redeemed, and they worship Him. After death, God’s people will be in heaven with Him, perfectly safe in His protective presence.

The One the throne is awesome and powerful and fearsome—“lightenings, thunderings, and voices” proceed from that throne (v. 5). Seven lamps of fire (perfect vision?) and the seven spirits of God are there—those who can surely accomplish all that God wants accomplished. A sea of glass, like crystal, was before the throne (v. 6). We’ll run across this sea again later in the book. At the moment, that sea is separating God from the redeemed. The four living creatures of vs. 6-9 perhaps represent all of the natural world; “4” is the numeric symbol for the world (read my series on “Numerical Symbolism” if you need a refresher in that subject). All of creation worships Him. “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). Each of the creatures has six wings. This reminds us of Isaiah 6:2—“Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” Two wings showed reverence, two wings showed humility, and two wings were for swift obedience to God’s commands. The four creatures in Revelation 4 never stop worshipping and serving the One on the throne: “they do not rest day or night” (v. 8). As long as these beings gave “glory and honor and thanks,” the 24 elders also worshipped Him (vs. 9-10). That One on the throne “lives forever and ever.” And He is “worthy…to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (v. 11). He is “"Holy, holy, holy” (v. 8).

So in this initial vision, the saints of God are told that He has not abdicated His throne to anyone, not even the Roman emperor. This is good news to those in John’s day, and to us. No government, regardless of powerful it may seem, can displace the Creator of all from His position of reigning over all. The Sovereign God—He is eternal, He is the creator, He protects His people, He is on His throne, He is angry with the wicked (the “thunderings and lightenings”), and He is worthy to be praised. Despite how things looked to John’s readers, and to us today, God is still in heaven, ruling over all, watching over His people. That indeed is a comforting thought.