Bible Gem 2223 – Making the Transition from Earth to Heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honour and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 4:1-11

Now we have to transition from Chapter 3 to Chapter 4 of Revelation. Believe me, it is a big jump. Actually, we are moving from Revelation 1-3 to Revelation 4-6. This is where it starts to get more difficult. Some of you have told me you have found it difficult already with what I have covered thus far. I am very aware that many of you likely found the time I spent analysing the seven churches excessive. But I am sure glad I did that because I understand the point of the introductions a whole lot better. Just those extra steps have changed my appreciation of Revelation markedly.

Do you realise the quantum leap we have taken on crossing the chapter boundary from Chapter 3 to Chapter 4? We have followed John from earth to heaven. We have moved from earthly historical things to heavenly visions. We have crossed from “the things that are happening now” to “the things that will happen”. We have gone from historical human history to things never before seen. Just read the text above taken from Revelation Chapter 4 and you will see what I mean. We have crossed from:

• earth to heaven
• present to future
• sinful to holy
• human to divine
• things somewhat familiar to things we have no experience of
• history to apocalyptic
• present tense narrative to visions, symbolism and imagery

Realise also that with the opening words John himself went from a locked door on earth to an open door in heaven. John went instantly from a locked door in exile on Patmos to ‘a door standing open in heaven’. Not only that but we have left behind our two repeated statements:

1. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
2. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Revelation 3:21-22

for:

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.

Revelation 4:1-2

Instantly we have moved with John from history to apocalyptic visions yet John makes it clear to us that the same voice said, “Come up here” and instantly we are transported from somewhat familiar to totally unfamiliar things. Not only that but we have gone from narrative text to visions, images and word pictures. I have told you before that when we deal with word pictures we have to find the point of comparison. That is so true with the words we have before us. At least, like John, we can be assured that the same voice is speaking to us. Christ is the one sitting on the throne.

That leads me to the focus before us – The Throne! The word ‘throne‘ is used eleven times in the text above. It is used 19 times in chapters 4 and 5. What is in focus now is The Throne! You can’t read Revelation Chapter 2 onward without bringing with you the background of Chapters 1 to 3. Remember the words my mate Kevin said, “Not many succeed, do they?” The description of Christ we left behind in Chapter 1 is still just as relevant now. Now we have to put the two portions together. You can’t cross the chapter boundary between Revelation 3 and 4 without beginning your reading of this new section thinking of the previous three chapters. We have not moved on to a new section in which we can forget what has gone before us. We have to read these new chapters in the light of what Christ has told us before. Not the least of which is ‘Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.’ To really understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches we have to put the pieces together.

We may well find out why “not many succeeded” if we keep our wits about us. This is not sequential human, historical narrative. These two sections [1-3 and 4-6] need to be seen as simultaneous in time. Instantly I was in the Spirit. It is fair to say: as readers we also need to be in the Spirit. Not only that, we have some very enigmatic puzzling statements to unravel.

1. Keep your eyes on the throne.
2. Ask your questions of the One who sits on the throne.
3. Why the gemstones jasper, carnelian and emerald?
4. Who are the 24 elders? These elders have led to much conjecture.
5. More puzzling still are the Four Living Creatures.
6. And that is just for starters. That my friends is your entré to the feast of Revelation 4 and beyond.
7. And don’t miss the grandeur of heaven and the sense of awe and worship. Remember the words of John Bevere. (Link at end of Gem 2222)

Also don’t miss the number seven!

Take the time now to read this chapter through multiple times and note down your questions as you do.

Share them with me if you wish, or keep them to yourself to ponder or ask the Author.

If you want to take in more of the grandeur, read Revelation chapters 4 through 6.

Follow the cross references and footnotes in your Bible, you will find this section is well connected with the Old Testament.