BEFORE THE THRONE: WORSHIPING THE KING

Revelation 4

PART 1

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a

trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

Revelation 4:1

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus,

Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Revelation 1:10-11

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, 3 and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow

that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. 5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder

came from the throne.

Revelation 4:2-7

Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass,

similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the

middle and around the throne. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the

third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

Revelation 4:2-7

Observations about John’s Vision

1. The vision takes place in Heaven 2. In John’s vision we see the focus of the

vision is the throne of God

Two Descriptions

• Description #1: Pertains to who is on the throne

Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord : I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly host was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left

hand.

1 Kings 22:19

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

Psalm 47:8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the

temple.

Isaiah 6:1

Why is this important? What is the importance of God being on the throne?

Question

1. The Sovereignty of God 2. The Judgment of God

God on the Throne Symbolizes:

The heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God is the Judge.

Psalm 50:6

… for he is coming to judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness.

Psalm 96:13

…for God is the Judge: He brings down one and exalts another.

Psalm 75:7

1. The Sovereignty of God 2. The Judgment of God 3. The Majesty of God

God on the Throne Symbolizes:

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne,

3 and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald

surrounded the throne.

Revelation 4:2-3

25 A voice came from above the expanse over their heads; when they stood still, they lowered their

wings. 26 The shape of a throne with the appearance of sapphire stone was above the expanse. There was

a form with the appearance of a human on the throne high above. 27 From what seemed to be His

waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around.

Ezekiel 1:25-28

From what seemed to be His waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all

around Him. 28 The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the form of

the Lord ’s glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Ezekiel 1:25-28

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. 2 Day after day

they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their

message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

Two Descriptions

• Description #1: Pertains to who is on the throne

• Description #2: Pertains to what is going on around the throne in the presence of God

4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with

gold crowns on their heads. 5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne.

Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like

a sea of glass, similar to crystal,

Revelation 4:4-7

was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the

middle and around the throne. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face

like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

Revelation 4:4-7

Two Groups of Beings

1. The Twenty-Four Elders

Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with

gold crowns on their heads.

Revelation 4:4

Description of the Elders

• Dressed in White Clothes

In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels. The victor Jesus says will be dressed in white clothes. The victor is the one who has trusted in Jesus for salvation, who has believed in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, and who

has faithfully followed Jesus.

Revelation 3:5

Description of the Elders

• Dressed in White Clothes • Wearing Golden Crowns

6 So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight, 8 and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be

pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he

has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

Description of the Elders

• Dressed in White Clothes • Wearing Golden Crowns • Sitting on Thrones

The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat

down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 3:21

Two Groups of Beings

1. The Twenty-Four Elders 2. The Four Living Creatures

6 Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the

throne. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living

creature was like a flying eagle.

Revelation 4:6-7

As I have read this passage the question I have focused on is what are the 24 Elders and the Four

Creatures doing?

Question

Observations about John’s Vision

1. The vision takes place in Heaven 2. In John’s vision we see the focus of the

vision is the throne of God 3. Before the throne of God is constant praise

and worship of God

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord

God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the

throne, the One who lives forever and ever,

Revelation 4:8-11

10 the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and

ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say: 11 Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and

were created.

Revelation 4:8-11

The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the form of the Lord ’s glory.

When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Ezekiel 1:28

You were created to praise Jesus; to worship Jesus; to honor Jesus; to adore Jesus.

Key Truth

You were created to praise Jesus; to worship Jesus; to honor Jesus; to adore Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

12 be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

13 Fear Yahweh your God, worship Him, and take your oaths in His name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you, 15 for the Lord

your God, who is among you, is a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 6:12-15

How do we grow in our worship and praise Jesus?

Question