Exploring The Revelation: Chapters 1–5 / Part 6

Series – July-August 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Exploring The Revelation
Chapters 1–5: Part 6

A Door Opened in Heaven
From the beginning of Revelation 4 on, the Church is never again seen on earth. Instead, she is always in heaven or coming as the armies in heaven with her Lord to judge the earth (19:11-14).

The indication of her being raptured to glory is seen in Revelation 4:1, for John plainly represents the Church, and a door is opened in heaven for him to enter. A number of times in Scripture we read of heaven being opened, always indicating a public event of great significance. However, only here is a door opened in heaven, indicating the entrance of vast numbers of the redeemed, both Old Testament believers and those of the present-day Church. John is called by a trumpet voice to “come up” (4:1 NKJV; see 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Th. 4:16), there to be shown “the things which will take place after this” (Rev. 1:19) – after the history of the seven assemblies (Rev. 2–3). So, from the height of heaven the raptured saints will see all the spectacular events that follow on earth.

John must first witness the greatness of the glory of the living God, the Judge of all. He is immediately in the Spirit – his earthly body having no place in this great revelation (4:2). God is on the throne, but He is only revealed in the person of His Son, as each symbol in verse 3 indicates. A jasper stone is clear and therefore speaks of the clarity of pure, absolute truth seen in perfection in the Lord Jesus. The sardius stone is fiery red and indicates deep warmth of feeling, whether of love or of hatred of evil. How perfectly we see these in the Son of God and in His great sacrifice at Calvary!

We also see a rainbow about the throne. All of its divided colors speak of distinct beauties and glories of the God of creation. Yet, it is said to look like an emerald, which is green. This is the central color of the spectrum and speaks of the fruitful, refreshing principle of the grace of God. It is wonderful to be assured of this before God’s “awesome work” of judgment must begin (Isa. 28:21). It is His great pleasure to do the work of pure grace as He has done in the salvation of countless numbers through the value of the sacrifice of His beloved Son. Judgment is His extraordinary or “strange work” (KJV, JND), in which He has no pleasure even though it is a necessary work.

Around the throne are 24 thrones on which 24 elders are seated, clothed in white and crowned with golden crowns (Rev. 4:4). These elders therefore, although in a lesser position, are reigning with the Lord. They are not angels, for only humans are called “elders” in Scripture. Being men of experience, elders are always in some sense representative (Acts 15:6). The number 24 divides naturally into two twelves, always indicating completeness in governmental administration. Two companies then must be indicated here. The only possible conclusion is that they represent the Old and New Testament saints, each invested with a dignity that was not possible for them on earth. This is consistent with the fact that Revelation is a book that presents truth by pictures (Rev. 1:1), which are often found and defined elsewhere in the Bible. Being crowned with golden crowns intimates that they have been rewarded for lives previously lived for the glory of God.

The lightnings, thunderings and voices proceeding from the throne (4:5) emphasize the fact of sudden, awesome, inescapable judgment about to fall on the world of the ungodly. Yet this is balanced by the perfect discernment and calm deliberation indicated in the seven lamps of fire before the throne – the seven-fold power of the Spirit of God (see 1:4; Isa. 11:2).

The sea of glass, in contrast to a sea of water, denotes an accomplished, fixed purity, which will be the case for all saints in heaven (Rev. 4:6). Later we see a similar glass sea for those who triumph over the beast and his image (15:2), but there it is mingled with fire because of the fiery trial of their faith during the tribulation.

In the midst of the throne and surrounding it are four living creatures. These cannot be angels, for no angel is in the midst of the throne of God. The Lamb is said to be there (5:6), for the Lamb is Himself God, and God’s glory is given to no other. The living creatures denote four distinct principles of God’s government – living, vital principles that are operative in all His works. The same four faces of Revelation 4:7 are also seen in the living creatures of Ezekiel 1. The lion stands for sovereign power as seen in the aspect of Christ’s character as King in Matthew. The calf pictures service as seen in Mark’s portrayal of Him as God’s Servant. The face like that of a man indicates intelligence and understanding, as Luke presents Him. Finally, the eagle speaks of a high, inscrutable character (Prov. 30:18-19), as evidenced in the Lord Jesus in John’s gospel of His great Godhead glory. All of these are connected with the throne of God in His governing and judging. In this is a wonderful fullness and perfect balance.

The six wings (Rev. 4:8) of each creature speak of speed of execution in marked contrast to man’s present-day protracted, or drawn out, judicial decisions. Wings also speak of protection (Lk. 13:34), for in God’s judgments there is a true shelter for those who really trust Him. Being full of eyes reminds us of the eyes in the rims of Ezekiel’s wheels (Ezek. 1:18). This teaches us that the eyes of the Lord are in every place, discerning perfectly every detail of every matter. These four living principles of truth declare unceasingly the holiness of God, the Almighty – He who is supreme Ruler, past, present and future (Rev. 4:9). In this they are giving glory, honor and thanks to Him who occupies the throne of eternal glory, the eternally living One.

As they do this, the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, worshiping and casting down their crowns before Him (v.10). These crowns are God’s gift by grace, and they give no occasion for self-exaltation but are seen as a fresh opportunity for exalting the Lord and God who alone is worthy to receive honor, glory and power. The elders here celebrate God’s glory as Creator (v.11), which confirms the fact of God’s being revealed in His blessed Son. It is His pleasure that delights them as regards all His creation, not their pleasure; yet, their pleasure is full when His pleasure is predominant. In Revelation 5 we shall see that redemption, not creation, is the theme of their worship.

By Leslie M. Grant

Look for Part 7 of this Series next month.

This Series has been adapted from “Exploring The Revelation,” a brief commentary on the whole book of Revelation. The entire book can be accessed online at Bible Centre or purchased from Believers Bookshelf USA or Believers Bookshelf Canada.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 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: “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.” —Revelation 4:9-11 NKJV