The Picture of Things Hereafter, 4:1–5:14
(4:1-11) Introduction—Vision—Revelation, Outlined—End of the World:
this begins a new vision, the second great vision given to John the Apostle.
The Lord’s personal message to the individual churches is now over.
He has told them who He is, pointed out their failures, and warned and counseled them to correct their failures. He has also given them the great promises of heaven if they will only overcome.
Now it is time for the churches to see the future events that are coming upon the earth. It is time for the churches to know that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth. He is going to end the world and establish the kingdom of God forever and ever in a new heavens and earth. Remember the brief outline of the Revelation given by John:
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter” (Rev_1:19).
⇒ “The things which thou hast seen” (the vision of the glorified Christ).
⇒ “The things which are” (the churches upon earth, their state and condition and the Lord’s personal message to them).
⇒ “The things which shall be hereafter” (the future events that are to happen at the end of the world and throughout eternity).
The present passage, this vision of John, begins the future events. “The things which shall be hereafter” are now revealed. And note how much God reveals to us, nineteen great chapters—an enormous amount of detail about coming events (chapters 4–22).
In this vision two great things are seen:
first, the throne of God is seen.
Second, God Himself is seen holding a book which contains the destiny of the world in the end times.
However the book is sealed, and no one is found worthy to open and reveal the contents of the book. This discourages John, for the possibility of seeing the destiny of the world had excited him. But just as John despairs, One steps forward who is worthy to open the book. That Person is the Lamb of God,
the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth, Jesus Christ Himself.
Now to the present passage: the throne of God. John is transported into heaven and the very first thing that he sees is the throne of God. He sees God Himself seated upon His great throne.
a. He saw an open door in heaven [v.1]
b. He heard a commanding voice [v.1]
c. He was called to “Come up here”: To see things that must take place [v.1]
d. He was in the Spirit [v.2]
e. He saw the astounding sight of God sitting upon His throne [v.2]
a. His position: Was sitting as the sovereign Majesty of the universe [v.3]
b. His description: Indescribable [v.3]
a. Were seated upon thrones that surround God’s throne [v.4]
b. Were clothed in white [v.4]
c. Wore crowns of gold [v.4]
a. There was lightning and rumblings of thunder [v.5]
b. There were seven blazing lamps: The seven spirits of God [v.5]
c. There was a sea of glass, like crystal [v.6]
a. Their position: They are the beings closest to God, guardians of His throne and holy presence [v.7]
b. Their description [v.8]
c. Their function: To glorify and honor God [v.9]
a. To show total submission and subordination [v.10]
b. To worship the Lord [v.10]
c. To show the supreme worthiness of the Lord [v.10]
d. To praise the Lord [v.11]
1 (4:1-2) Heaven—Door, Spiritual—Vision: John is given the vision. Five quick things happened to John.
a. He saw a door opened in heaven. What he was about to see was coming from heaven, from God Himself. The future events were not of his own imagination. They were to be of God, of the very Word of God itself.
Thought 1. This means we can trust the events written down in Revelation. They will happen as recorded. It is the Word of God.
Thought 2. There are three doors mentioned in Revelation.
(1) There is the open door for evangelism and missions, the door which God opens to the churches for bearing witness to the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the opportunity that God opens for them to carry the gospel to their neighbors, communities, cities, states, and countries and world—even to the uttermost part of the earth.
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev_3:8).
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Act_1:8).
(2) There is the door of the human heart. When believers carry the message of the gospel to their neighbors, it is then up to the individual person to open the door of his heart and receive the gospel. The decision is the neighbor’s. Every person has a door that has to be opened before Christ will enter—the door of his heart.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev_3:20).
(3) There is the door of revelation. Once a person has opened the door of his heart to Christ, Christ reveals the glorious things of Himself, of God, of heaven, and of this world. In addition, Christ reveals some of the events that are to take place as history unfolds itself—some of the events that surround the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end time.
“I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven” (Rev_4:1).
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Co_2:12-14).
b. John heard a commanding voice, the very same voice he had heard in the first vision (Rev_1:10).
c. John was called to come up here into heaven. Note why! The reason is clearly stated: to see future events, things that must take place. The word must is a most important word. The events of world history are not by chance. They do not simply happen. They are of God, of His will—things that must happen. God works them out. They are according to His divine will. God is sovereign. He rules over the world. History is in His hands and under His ultimate control.
d. John was immediately in the spirit: he was having a deep, intense spiritual experience with God; he was in an ecstatic state with his mind and spirit taken up and above this earth into heaven.
e. John saw the most astounding sight imaginable: God and the throne of God. John emphatically declares that He saw God sitting on the throne of God.
Thought 1. The picture being dramatized is this: the throne in heaven, God’s throne, is the throne above all thrones. It is the supreme seat of honor and majesty, of sovereignty and power. God is the supreme Majesty of the universe, the One who controls and holds all the events of history in His hands. He is the Supreme Authority over all the world and the coming events of the end time. No person can cause the events to take place but Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ is returning to earth and the events of the end time are going to happen. But they are going to happen because of Him and because of Him alone. And note: the throne is “set in heaven.” That is, the events are set forever. God rules and reigns forever. There will never be an end to His rule. (This is great security to the believer. God has promised to deliver and keep the believer from the hour of trial, the great tribulation [see Rev_3:10]).
2 (4:2-3) God, Described: there is the sight of God sitting upon the great throne of God. Note an astounding thing. The appearance of the One on the throne is so glorious and majestic that He is indescribable. No human shape or form can describe Him. God is described in terms of light, the dazzling light of the most precious gems and jewels of that day. He is seen in all of His brilliance and dazzling splendor (Psa_104:2; 1Ti_6:16; 1Jn_1:4; see Joh_12:35-36).
The jewels chosen to describe God proclaim a marvelous message to the hearer. They were considered the most brilliant and the most valued, precious, and desired gems on earth. Thus God is seen and described as the most brilliant and valued, precious, and desired Being—a Being of indescribable glory and splendor.
⇒ The countenance of God shone like a jasper stone. The stone referred to was different from the jasper stone of today. The idea is that the stone was some sort of translucent crystal through which light was shining. It was shining so brightly that it was apparently like the concentrated light of a laser. This represents the penetrating perfection and purity of God.
⇒ The sardine stone was a fiery red stone and it represents the justice of God.
⇒ The rainbow that surrounded the throne looked like emerald green. This represents the mercy of God and the new covenant of grace given to man by God. (See the promise of mercy made to Noah. See Gen_9:11-17.)
Thought 1. Note this: the throne of God covers the whole scope of salvation.
⇒ There is God in all of His perfection and purity. And there is man who comes short of God’s perfection and purity, short of God’s glory.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom_3:23).
⇒ There is God’s justice and judgment. Man, being short of God’s perfection and purity, cannot live with God. God can allow only perfection into His presence. If He allowed sin and unrighteousness to live in His presence, they would contaminate heaven; heaven would no longer be heaven. Therefore, God must execute judgment upon sin and unrighteousness.
⇒ There is God’s mercy and grace. God loves man; therefore, He sent His Son to bear the sins of man. His Son actually took the sins of man upon Himself and bore the guilt of judgment against them. Therefore, man can now be free of sin. He can become acceptable to God if he will accept the sacrifice of Christ for his sins. God has had mercy upon man.
All of this is seen in the throne of God, the whole scope of human history, of the glorious salvation God has planned for man. The throne of God and God Himself declares that He is perfect and pure and just and yet full of mercy and grace. Note how all this is exactly what man needs: he needs perfection, and he needs justice to be executed upon the evil and unrighteousness of this earth. He needs to receive mercy and grace so that he can live forever in perfection.
This is the light of God, the very light that man needs. It is the penetrating light that is gloriously reflected from the throne and presence of God.
God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
“Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain” (Psa_104:2).
“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting” (1Ti_6:16).
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1Jn_1:5).
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them” (Joh_12:35-36).
3 (4:4) Elders of Revelation: there is the sight of twenty-four elders sitting around the throne of God. Note what is said about the elders.
a. They are seated upon thrones that surround God’s throne. This shows that they . . .
• are near God, being honored with His presence
• are resting in God, being fulfilled, complete, and satisfied
• are enthroned with God, that is, they are given a permanent place in His presence forever and ever
b. They are clothed in white. This means that they are clothed in the purity and holiness of God and of Christ. There is no imperfection in them at all (see note, pt.1b—Rev_3:18-20 for more discussion).
c. They have crowns of gold on their heads. This means that they hold positions of authority; that they are given some duty and responsibility to oversee for God; that they serve God by overseeing some rule and domain; and that others serve under them. Simply stated, they rule and reign for God, serving Him by managing some vast rule and domain of the universe.
4 (4:5-6) God, Throne of—Throne: there is the awesomeness of the throne. Three things are now added to the throne of God to show how awesome the presence of God is.
a. There is God’s voice which is so commanding that it sounds like a combination of many voices and of lightnings and thunderings (v.5). This shows us just how majestic and awesome the voice of God is. His voice flashes and thunders the great pronouncements of God. The very will of God is sounded forth from the throne of God with the speed of lightning and with the awesomeness of thunder. And His will is done. T
the events of history take place as He has ordered. This particular sight of God’s majestic pronouncements is a scene of the coming judgment. The dreadful storm is about to break loose on the earth beneath.
b. The seven torches of burning fire are a symbol of the Holy Spirit in all of His fulness and completeness (v.5. See notes—Rev_1:4; Rev_3:1 for more discussion.)
c. There is a sea of glass stretching out before the throne (v.6a). The sea “looks like a transparent glassy sea, as if of crystal” (The Amplified New Testament).
⇒ The elders of Israel saw a similar sight.
“And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness” (Exo_24:10).
⇒ Ezekiel himself saw a similar sight.
“And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. . . . and above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it” (Eze_1:22, Eze_1:26).
⇒ God had instructed the temple to have a brazen sea stretched out before it, and remember: the tabernacle and temple were shadows of real things in heaven.
“And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about” (1Ki_7:23).
The sea of glass symbolizes at least three things.
1) The glassy sea shows us the value and preciousness of God’s presence. In the old days it was almost impossible to make pure glass. Pure glass that was as clear as crystal was considered to be as valuable and precious as gold.
“The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold” (Job_28:17).
2) The glassy sea shows us how clearly God is able to see everything that is out before His throne. It stands for His omniscience and penetrating vision into all things. Nothing is hid from Him who is upon the throne of heaven.
3) The glassy sea shows us the spectacular purity of God, as clear and pure as perfect glass and crystal. The glassy sea shows us how far away God is from the impurities of a contaminated world. He is as far away as a sea made of pure glass and pure crystal.
5 (4:6-9) Creature of Revelation, The Four: there are the four living creatures who surround the throne of God. Note three things about them.
a. First is their position. They are the closest beings to God. They are the angelic beings who are posted in the middle of each side of the throne. They are the guardians of God’s throne and of His holy presence (see Rev_4:6; Rev_5:6; Rev_14:3).
b. Note their description.
⇒ They are always found near the throne of God (Rev_4:6; Rev_5:6; Rev_14:3).
⇒ They have six wings and are full of eyes (Rev_4:6, Rev_4:8).
⇒ Their function has to do with the holiness and wrath of God (Rev_6:1, Rev_6:7; Rev_15:7).
⇒ They declare the holiness of God day and night and never cease to declare His holiness (Rev_4:8).
Who are these living beings who are privileged to be in God’s presence day and night, and to declare His majestic holiness? These beings who never have to leave God’s presence, not even for a moment? Who would be so honored as to have this glorious privilege?
Undoubtedly, they are beings who were created for this very purpose. They seem to be the same beings as the cherubim seen in Ezekiel’s vision (Eze_10:4) and the seraphim seen in Isaiah’s vision (Isa_6:1-3). Note that John chooses certain animals on earth to describe certain characteristics that he notices.
⇒ One being was like a lion: this symbolizes supremacy
⇒ One being was like an ox (calf): this symbolizes strength.
⇒ One being was like a man: this symbolizes intelligence.
⇒ One being was like an eagle: this symbolizes swiftness.
c. Note their function: to glorify and honor God day and night. The living creatures show us two things about God.
First, they show us the supremacy, strength, intelligence, and swiftness of God. They stand for all that God is.
Second, they show us that all of nature owes its worship to God, both animals and man. They picture all the beings of nature standing before God and praising Him. All the world, both animal and man, are represented in the four living beings as they worship God day and night, crying out to Him, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (v.8).
⇒ All the world is to praise God for His holiness.
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pe_1:16).
“Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy” (Psa_99:9).
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa_6:3).
“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Rev_15:4).
“For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Lev_11:45).
⇒ All the world is to praise God for His sovereignty and omnipotence.
“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job_42:2).
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psa_115:3).
“Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let [hinder] it?” (Isa_43:13).
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Mat_19:26).
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Rom_16:25).
⇒ All the world is to praise God for His eternal existence.
“For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever” (Deu_32:40).
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deu_33:27).
“Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations” (Psa_135:13).
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2Pe_3:8).
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev_1:8).
Thought 1.
What an indictment against man!
How little we praise and worship God—truly praise and worship Him. Imagine! There are four beings who have been created to worship God day and night, never to cease from worshipping Him. Four beings who cry out day and night the glorious praise: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (v.8).
6 (4:10-11) Elders of Revelation, Twenty-Four: there is the function of the twenty-four elders. Their function is fourfold.
a. They show subjection and subservience. They fall down before the throne of God. They yield all they are and have to Him.
Thought 1. What a lesson for us! How we must learn how great God is—that He dwells in such glory and majesty, dominion, and power that we owe Him our lives and our all.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom_12:1-2).
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Co_6:19-20).
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2Co_9:8).
“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psa_116:12).
b. They worship God as the eternal God.
Thought 1. He alone is our hope for living forever. If we fail to worship Him and to worship Him in truth, then we shall miss eternal life.
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker” (Psa_95:6).
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” (Psa_96:9).
“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Mat_4:10).
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Joh_4:24).
“Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Rev_14:7).
“Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Rev_22:9).
c. They show the supreme worthiness of the Lord. They cast their crowns before the Lord. The Lord has given the right to rule with him by overseeing certain domains throughout the universe. But in true humility and thankfulness, the elders cast their crowns down before Him. Why? To show that He alone is worthy and they are acknowledging the truth forever and ever.
“I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies” (2Sa_22:4).
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev_4:11).
“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev_5:12).
d. They vocally declare His worthiness, and they praise Him as the Lord God of the universe and of creation. The Greek actually reads Thou art worthy, our Lord and our God (ho kurios kai ho Theos hemon). This means that God is supreme; He is the first Being of the universe. He is the glorious Creator of all things. He is the One who created all things for His pleasure.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen_1:1).
“Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee” (Neh_9:6).
“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job_26:7).
“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands” (Psa_102:25).
“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein” (Act_14:15).
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb_11:3).