[Revelation 4]

There are so many movies and books with the word “heaven” in the title. In colloquial language it depicts a place of perfection and peace for one day after death, the ultimate Utopia, open for Christians only, and amongst a few Christians, maybe even accessible to some denominations only! 

The simple definition in Merriam Webster: the place where God lives and where good people go after they die according to some religions; something that is very pleasant or good, sums up our first response to a query about heaven.

In the full definition we might come closer to more concepts attached to the word: the expanse of space that seems to be over the earth like a dome; the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed dead.

Just a little further in the same dictionary I found a very satisfactory definition of the heaven I think is real. Here it is:

a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God; a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifest. In short: heaven is where God is and hell is where God is not.

We might think that heaven is a far place somewhere in this vast universe where all the splendour of Revelation is experienced. I think there is such a place. I also think heaven is right here where I cannot see, all the splendour displayed in the presence of God in my heart, my life and my mind, whenever I am so submitted to the Holy Spirit to “see” with my spirit. Just think for a moment where John was physically when he described the majesty and brilliance of the vision.

Roman prisons or prison colonies, like Patmos, were often the prelude to death and John is banned under the particularly cruel and crazy Dominitian. Miraculously, Nerva, the next emperor, recalls a great deal of Dominitian’s ridiculous laws and John survives to write his vision. He must have “felt” very far from heaven, and still experienced so much in his spirit.

4 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

² Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. ³ And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. ⁴ Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

⁶ Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. ⁸ The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”

In that moment, after hearing the commendations and the condemnations to the churches, John is called higher. After these things: He is called through an open door to heaven, not only a vast place of beauty, but particularly the Throne Room of the Most High. In his description he employs every image, symbol, metaphor, parable, known fable and superstition of the ancient world. For him it is of utmost importance to get the message through in simple, understandable language, at the same time not losing the overwhelming magnificence of the vision.  He describes the indescribable.

How many times are we besieged with stress and circumstances, feeling weighed down by this world. Listen to the call that John received: Come up here, and I will show you…

To be with God in His presence is the answer to a crushing, evil world, which seizes us into discouragement and despair.

A heavenly perspective lifts us up from confusion into communion. 

Three doors are mentioned in these first chapters of Revelation:

• Door of opportunity – to Philadelphia (3:8)
• Door to the human heart – to Laodicea (3:20)
• Door of prophetic revelation – (4:1) to reveal the knowledge of God. The heavens are opened to bring revelation through vision; to see into the unseen.

… the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1)

Jesus talked about the heavenlies in Matthew 18 and meant the unseen around us, not a faraway place. Distance in the godly realm is a mystery, but God is never late, so distance does not matter. It is a non-issue. It might feel as if we are waiting long for prophecy to be fulfilled but our assurance from the Word is that it will come. The promise holds the people together and encouraged. (Habakkuk 2:2)

The heavens are opened for the descent of the Spirit just as it happened at the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:10). The heavens are opened to reveal the glory of God just as it was promised to Nathanael in John 1:51.

God on the Throne is mentioned in every chapter in Revelation except 2,8 and 9. It was a common image in the Old Testament: 1 Kings 22:19, Psalm 47:8, Isaiah 6:1 the Throne served as symbol of the majesty of God. 

The trumpet was always a call to attention that could not be ignored, symbolic of God’s voice.

There is no attempt to describe God. He has no human shape. He is depicted with light as in Psalm 104:2 and 1 Timothy 6:15,16: He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

The rainbow speaks of Covenant promises.  That is God’s form.  He is his character.  Moses also saw character in Exodus 33:18,19

And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

¹⁹ Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. 

The light is reflected in precious stones as mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13 and the precious stones of the breastplate of the high priest in Exodus 28:17. It is the foundation of the holy city in Revelation 21:19.

Jasper was translucent. It could be that the jasper is a diamond, bright and pure. Sardius is blood red, speaking of wrath and the green emerald is a symbol for mercy. It is the dominant colour of the rainbow; a sign of covenant promises and faithfulness.

There was once a testimony of a vision of heaven that said the colours have fragrance and sound. It stayed with me. How much more is there to experience in countless dimensions and sharp, divinely enlightened senses?

The 24 thrones with elders depict the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles, the Jews and the church – clothed and crowned. The tribes and the apostles are mentioned together in 21:12-14 where they form the foundation and gates of the New Jerusalem. 

Angels are representative of the churches and according to Daniel 10-12 also represent nations – active celestial beings performing the commands of God. The elders are representing God’s people, by presenting the prayers of the saints (5:8; 8:3) and interpreting heavenly visions to people. (5:5; 7:13; 10:4,8; 19:9; 22:8)                           

Their white clothes are a symbol of robes washed in the blood of the Lamb in the colour of heaven and golden crowns that represent every precious blessing and victory in Christ.

Thunder and lightning are always associated with the majesty of God’s awesome wonder and power and associated with the presence of God. (Ezekiel 1:13, Psalm 77:18, Job 37:4. Exodus 19:16.)

The seven lamps are the seven Spirits. It speaks of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and completion of God’s purpose through His spirit.

Lamps of fire or torches were always the symbol of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2, Luke 3:16.) Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

The sea of glass is described as a crystal sea. In ancient times glass was usually dull. Clear glass was almost like precious stone. The combination of the concepts of the sea (vast and unconquered) plus crystal (clear, light and precious) describes God as unapproachable and distant in all His majesty to emphasize holiness. He is never familiar. (Exodus 24:10.)  It is also depicted as the heavenly Red Sea.  We find the sea of glass mentioned in 15:2 where the victorious saints stand on it and sing the Song of Moses.   We read about the sea in Ezekiel 1:22.

The Red Sea represents the obstacle to freedom and in the OT the sea is the dwelling place of the dragon or sea monster.  (Isaiah 51:9-11; Psalms 74:12-15;  Ezekiel 32:2)

Psalm 36:6: Your judgments are a great deep.

The verse is comforting.  The sea is calm.  The sea is associated with the beast, the mystery of the abyss.  The fear of the people is completely calm and beautiful in heaven after the heavenly D-day – the Cross and Resurrection (5:6b; 12:12; 13:3)  We are looking forward to V-day when the Beast will be fully defeated.  The New Jerusalem has no sea. (22:1)  It was a source of comfort to the people. 

The living creatures are full of eyes, a richness of insight and watchfulness. They know everything, nothing is hidden.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

The four living creatures are described as cherubim (plural in Hebrew/ singular= cherub). They are the highest-ranking celestial beings. Their wings cover the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and the Temple. It is no surprise to find them here at the Throne; in worship without ceasing. They have functions. They hand the bowls of wrath (15:7) to the angels.

They are symbols of majestic courage (lion), strength (ox), intelligence (man), speed (eagle); noble, strong, wise and swift. All of nature and man comes together in praise to God. (Psalm 102:22)  They are all leaders of their species. 

Their being and working are all in praise of God. Worship is to live in obedience. All the time, everywhere, they exist to worship.

Some commentators see the symbolic emphasis of the four Gospels in these living creatures. The emphasis of each Gospel is a symbolic representation of the unique perspectives and themes presented in each Gospel. 

In Matthew the emphasis on Jesus is as a descendent of the tribe of Judah as is represented in the genealogy in the first chapter – the lion. In Mark the emphasis is on the humanity of Jesus – the man. In Luke the focus is on the sacrificial death of Jesus – the ox and John is like no other in describing Jesus as the answer to the world in every way possible, addressing the philosophy and intelligentsia of the time. The eagle has a unique perspective and can look into the sun without blinking.

These interpretations may vary.  Mark is often depicted as a winged lion.  Most agree on John as the eagle.  Some say Matthew underline the humanity of Jesus because of the genealogy.  Note that Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17) speaks to the Jews and is written from Abraham onwards.  Luke’s genealogy takes the line back to Adam.  (Luke 3:23-38)

Praise and worship are vital in our prayers. It will lift us up to receive insight so that the things of the earth and our struggles grow “strangely dim” as the old song says.

Worship is an awareness of who God is. His holiness, omnipotence and everlastingness always cast a new perspective in worship. It is when the elders rise from their knees, that they constantly see a new reason to worship, casting their crowns continually; submitting and relinquishing all that has value before God in full submission and total surrender.

It is only by Holy Spirit insight that – He can reveal to you personally what the crown is that you have to throw down – disobedience, holding on to treasure, ego, ambition, tradition, superstition and so on.

The name of God  – Lord God Almighty is used throughout the OT.  The second name – who was and is and is to come – expresses the divine infinity and sovereignty over history.  It also expresses a future, once occurring, eschatological coming of God.

He sits on the Throne – He has full authority over history.  It is not abstract.  It is real and happening.

The phrase: Him who lives forever refers back to Daniel 4:34 and 12:7.  It is contrasting God to temporary kings who sits on thrones for a time ordained by God and who thinks of themselves as gods. (Daniel 4:30-33; 11:36-37)  They are brought low (Daniel 4:33; 11:36) and the people are reminded not to follow or put their hope in earthly rulers.

Our Lord and our God was a title demanded by the Emperor Dominitian. To John God is the Creator of all things and the only One worthy to receive glory and honour and power.  Creation exists because of God’s will and God’s power is revealed through Creation.

The elder’s praise: because of Thy will they existed and were created.

A heavenly perspective in our life is a treasure worth holding on to. It changes our thinking, renews our minds and makes us strong.

Lord, that I may see you on your throne, ruling over my life from your majesty and splendour, the goodness of your character and the source of love.

What can man do to me?

Postscript:

John’s vision closely resembles the vision of Daniel. (Daniel 7:9)

The scholars conclude that they saw the same thing and John was aware of it.  He recorded it deliberately with a similarity in mind. 

• The prophet “looks” (Dan. 7:9; Rev. 4:1).
• He sees a throne in heaven with God sitting on it (Dan. 7:9; Rev. 4:2).
• God’s appearance is described (Dan. 7:9; Rev. 4:3).
• There is fire before the throne (Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 4:5).
• “Myriads of myriads” of heavenly beings surround the throne (Dan.

7:10; Rev. 5:11).

• Book(s) are opened (Dan. 7:10; Rev. 5:1-5).
• A divine figure approaches the throne and receives a kingdom which

will last forever (Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 5:5-13).

• This kingdom consists of all peoples, nations, and tongues (Dan. 7:14; Rev. 5:9).
• The prophet experiences distress on account of the vision (Dan. 7:15;

Rev. 5:4).

• The prophet receives wisdom concerning the vision from one of the

heavenly beings (Dan. 7:16; Rev. 5:5).

• The saints are given authority to reign over a kingdom (Dan. 7:18,

22, 27; Rev. 5:10)

• The vision concludes with mention of God’s eternal reign (Dan. 7:27; Rev 5:13-14)

It also closely resembles that of Ezekiel : the four living creatures (1:5), the sea of crystal (1:22), a throne surrounded by fire (1:26-28).   The similarity with Ezekiel becomes less prominent, but the vision remains very similar to Daniel 7.  

The heavenly Temple is described in Isaiah 6:1-4

Throughout the rest of the book, references are made to the vision of Revelation 4 & 5.  For example: flashes of lightning and thunder and the golden altar, all relate to this first impression of heaven and the triumphant entrance of Christ into heaven.  It is clear that John is in one place and sees what is happening from God’s perspective.  That is the essence of a vision.  Earth seen through heaven’s eyes.  

It is important to know that the whole Revelation describes ONE vision from many angles and perspectives.

The order in which John writes the visions is the order in which he received it.  It is not necessarily historical order or a perfect sequence.  Daniel writes in the same words:  after this I looked…, after this I saw…  (Daniel 7:6,7)

The Daniel 2 prophecy has already begun in the establishment of the Kingdom of God by Jesus on earth.  If we apply the fulfillment of the Daniel prophecy to the words in Revelation, then the words of visions of John pertain to the past, present and future of the church age.  It establishes a continuity in the history of the Bible and a full completion of all things, without a “gap” in the narrative.  God is the God of history and holds dominion over all things.  The message of the vision is the assurance that everything is under control and come about according to the divine Plan for the good of the saints and the glory of God.

Here is the link to the podcast on Spotify:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/pebblesofperpetuity/episodes/Revelation-4-e354rbh