Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
What Does This Mean?
When we wonder what heaven might look like this gives us a glimpse. As you can see, it is one of brilliance, awesomeness and glory. Many have said that more than anything the book of Revelation is about worship. We can see from this passage why someone might come to this conclusion. One of the things we might glean from this, is that even though we are not exactly sure what we are going to be doing in heaven, there is a good chance it will have to do with worship. And worship in a way we have never seen it before. (Compare Ezekiel 1 for a similar description except that John’s description has more to do with the throne and the majesty and power of the one sitting on it!)
“What started as a heavenly tableau unfolding step by step before John's eyes now becomes a scene of active worship and proclamation. The use of verbs in the present tense, beginning in verse 5, and the phrase day and night in verse 8 give the impression that this is no longer something John saw once in a vision, but a ritual in heaven repeating itself over and over again without rest or interruption. The throne is suddenly alive with living creatures hailing the anonymous someone seated on it as the Lord God Almighty (compare 1:8).” (IVP Commentary)
What Does This Mean For Us?
As we get a glimpse of what heaven and heaven’s throne might be like, it may well cause us to imagine more about who we are praying to during our prayer time. As we worship on Sundays or any day, we might envision the one we worship and the reverence for which the Seven Spirits, and the Four Living Creatures ascribe to the One who was, and is and is to come. In our move to make God more “imminent”, we can make the mistake of making Him ordinary or common. These visions draw us back to the grandeur and awesomeness of God’s power and majesty.
While we don’t need to be afraid of God, we should fear God. Let me explain. Of course as we have said “Perfect love casts out all fear”, so we don’t need to be afraid of God in that sense. But we should fear God in terms of the reverence and awe we give to Him. When we come into His presence, we should remember we are coming into the Presence of the One who created all things, and at whose Hand all things came into existence, including us. In our busy world and lives it is easy to lose sight of this fact and mystery.
The only real way to appreciate and give God the respect He is due is to spend time in worship of Him each day. The Psalms are a great place to consider all of God’s benefits, and to literally fall down before His throne to praise His name. If this is what we are going to be doing in heaven all day, it makes sense to start practicing now!
Heavenly Father, you are awesome. Thank you for this vision of Your throne which is surrounded by thousands of angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Amen.
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
What Does This Mean?
When we wonder what heaven might look like this gives us a glimpse. As you can see, it is one of brilliance, awesomeness and glory. Many have said that more than anything the book of Revelation is about worship. We can see from this passage why someone might come to this conclusion. One of the things we might glean from this, is that even though we are not exactly sure what we are going to be doing in heaven, there is a good chance it will have to do with worship. And worship in a way we have never seen it before. (Compare Ezekiel 1 for a similar description except that John’s description has more to do with the throne and the majesty and power of the one sitting on it!)
“What started as a heavenly tableau unfolding step by step before John's eyes now becomes a scene of active worship and proclamation. The use of verbs in the present tense, beginning in verse 5, and the phrase day and night in verse 8 give the impression that this is no longer something John saw once in a vision, but a ritual in heaven repeating itself over and over again without rest or interruption. The throne is suddenly alive with living creatures hailing the anonymous someone seated on it as the Lord God Almighty (compare 1:8).” (IVP Commentary)
What Does This Mean For Us?
As we get a glimpse of what heaven and heaven’s throne might be like, it may well cause us to imagine more about who we are praying to during our prayer time. As we worship on Sundays or any day, we might envision the one we worship and the reverence for which the Seven Spirits, and the Four Living Creatures ascribe to the One who was, and is and is to come. In our move to make God more “imminent”, we can make the mistake of making Him ordinary or common. These visions draw us back to the grandeur and awesomeness of God’s power and majesty.
While we don’t need to be afraid of God, we should fear God. Let me explain. Of course as we have said “Perfect love casts out all fear”, so we don’t need to be afraid of God in that sense. But we should fear God in terms of the reverence and awe we give to Him. When we come into His presence, we should remember we are coming into the Presence of the One who created all things, and at whose Hand all things came into existence, including us. In our busy world and lives it is easy to lose sight of this fact and mystery.
The only real way to appreciate and give God the respect He is due is to spend time in worship of Him each day. The Psalms are a great place to consider all of God’s benefits, and to literally fall down before His throne to praise His name. If this is what we are going to be doing in heaven all day, it makes sense to start practicing now!
Heavenly Father, you are awesome. Thank you for this vision of Your throne which is surrounded by thousands of angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Amen.
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