| The
Throne in Heaven 4:1)
After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven.
|
John
sees, as his second major vision begins, an open door
IN heaven, rather than INTO heaven. What does a door, standing open, mean to
you?
What
have others said?
|
| 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,
resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. |
John is
given now a vision of future events which at first
center in the great throne room of the temple in
heaven. What significance
can you see in the three dominant colors --
White (ancient jasper),
red (carnelian),
green (emerald)?
What
have others said?
|
| 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. |
Around
the ancient Israelite temple were 24 elders,
representing each of the twelve tribes. Cross Reference: Compare Revelation 5:8, 9 with
Matthew 27:52, 53
and Ephesians 4:8,
from where does it seem likely these 24 heavenly
elders came?
What
have others said?
|
| 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. |
Seven
Spirits: As the light from the seven lamps is one, so
the "sevenfold spirit" is one. |
| In the
center, around the throne, were four living
creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front
and in back. |
'Eyes'
often represent the 'all seeing' power of God. Seven
represents spiritual completion. How do you feel about God seeing every word,
action, and thought?
What have others said?
|
| 7) The
first living creature was like a lion, the second was
like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the
fourth was like a flying eagle. 8) Each of the four
living creatures had six wings and was covered with
eyes all around, even under his wings. |
'Four'
is sometime used to describe things of worldwide
significance. For example: Four directions of the
compass, four seasons. (Click here to do
Mini-Study 1 for details on the four creatures. Then click the
back button to resume the lesson at this point) |
| Day and
night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is
the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to
come.' "9) Whenever the living creatures give
glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne
and who lives for ever and ever, 10) the twenty-four
elders fall down before him who sits on the throne,
and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay
their crowns before the throne and say: |
During
the great song of praise and worship and 24 elders
take off their crowns. If
you had a golden crown what would lead you to lay it
down before another person?
What have others said?
|
| 11) 'You
are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and
honor and power, for you created all things, and by
your will they were created and have their being.' |
Cross
Reference: God is identified at least five times
in Revelation as the creator. Why will a Christian want to celebrate God's
creative power? Psalm 51:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
What have others said?
|
| The
Scroll and the Lamb 5:1)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the
throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed
with seven seals.
|
In
ancient protocol, 'right' was the side of favor. What
do you think this would reveal to John about the
scroll?
What
have others said? |
| 2) And I
saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who
is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?' 3)
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4) I
wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy
to open the scroll or look inside. |
Have you
ever felt like really weeping when you saw the
apparent hopelessness of tragedy and trouble in this
world?
What
have others said? |
| 5) Then
one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep!' |
What
news or information has helped you dry your tears?
What
have others said? |
| 'See,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its
seven seals.' |
'Lion'
and 'Root of David' were symbolic terms for Jesus'
victorious power. |
| 6) Then
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain,
standing in the center of the throne, encircled by
the four living creatures and the elders. He had
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
spirits of God sent out into all the earth. |
Cross
Reference: Jesus promised the completeness
(seven) of the Holy Spirit to His followers. In whose
name is the Holy Spirit sent? John 14:26.
As the 'eyes' see all, what will the Holy
Spirit do? John 16:8.
The horns on the Lamb represent
power. How does Jesus give power to His followers? Acts 1:8
|
| 7) He
came and took the scroll from the right hand of him
who sat on the throne. 8) And when he had taken it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the lamb. Each one had a harp and
they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which
are the prayers of the saints. |
Have you
ever thought of your prayers as incense in heaven?
What change might this realization make in your
prayer life?
What
have others said? |
| 9) And
they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the
scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God from
every tribe and language and people and nation.' |
Only the
one who has paid the redemption price is able to open
the seals. According to scripture he must be a
relative. (Click here to do Mini-Study 2. then click the back button to resume the lesson at this
point.) |
| 10) 'You
have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve
our God, and they will reign on the earth.' |
Cross
Reference: In Old Testament times only people of
a certain tribe could be priests. What possibility of
priesthood does Peter promise to all redeemed people?
1 Peter 2:9
What sacrifice can the new priesthood offer?
Romans 12:1, 2
Notice now the swelling of the song
in the throne room of heaven. Who sings first? Revelation 5:8-10
|
| 11) Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels,
numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand
times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the
living creatures and the elders. 12) In a loud voice
they sang: 'Worth is the Lamb, who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and
honor and glory and praise!' |
Who
joins in the singing in great numbers?
|
| 13) Then
I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in
them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to
the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for
ever and ever!' |
Who
finally complete the chorus of this great song?
(Even God sings. See Zephaniah 3:17) What clue is there that this song reaches
its climax after the final eradication of evil from
the universe?
What
have others said?
|
| "14)
The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the
elders fell down and worshiped." |
As you
worship Jesus today why not tell Him that you want to
join the great glory song. |