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
In the previous Gem I wrote, ‘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’ [and the One who sits on the Throne]. After the clear message of Chapters 1 through 3 we are left with only two churches out of seven which were victorious to the end. What went wrong with the others? They failed to heed the message to listen to what the Spirit was saying to the churches. What is interesting is that five of those churches are spread on a continuum of indifference. From Ephesus to Sardis to Laodicea. Now the call to “Come up here to learn what must happen after this” is made clear. Many think this now deals with the events that are yet to happen. However I believe Christ, that same voice John heard speak before, was telling those same churches what must happen after this, i.e. now. Remember this is still part of the letter to the Seven churches. In other words every type of church and Christian community on the continuum.
Instantly John was in the Spirit, that same Spirit who is speaking to the churches. The Spirit now shows him another vision. THE THRONE IN HEAVEN AND THE ONE WHO IS SITTING ON IT. Do you see what happens now is put in terms of the focus on the throne? Remember the Throne is mentioned 19 times in two chapters.
Take careful note of the prepositions used in conjunction with the Throne. I have coloured the prepositional phrases in red to highlight them. To view the full display under propositional analysis use two fingers to swipe left or right to bring up hidden text.
Further note: For those of you who are unfamiliar with propositional analysis: Don’t confuse propositions, the statements made and how they fit together, with prepositions, the elements coloured red introduced by locational words like on, in, in front, before, surrounding etc. The purpose of propositional analysis is to make clear how a complicated string of statements goes together, often for significant hidden effect.
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.
the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
surrounding him, twenty-four elders sat on twenty-four thrones.
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.
In front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames.
In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the centre and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
a lion; an ox; a human face; an eagle in flight.
Day after day and night after night the four living beings 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.”
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Isaiah 6:1-3
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand!”
Acts 7:55-56
Isn’t that interesting, each time there is a threat to the nation or to an individual the one under threat is enabled to look into heaven? When God needs to encourage His people it seems they are given the ability to look into heaven and see what we can’t normally see. In the case of Stephen, the first New Testament martyr, there is a curious change in the text. Normally Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, but in Stephen’s case Jesus was standing. I commented in Gem 1482 that I believe Jesus was giving Stephen a standing ovation. Many times martyrs appear to be able to see into heaven and see the LORD. In the Spirit they are transported to a place where they can look into the very throne room of God. Isn’t that encouraging? Things may be chaotic on earth but all is well in the heavenlies. They are given a glimpse into the place where the power emanates from. The throne of God is the ‘control room’ of the universe. Rest assured God is still in control irrespective of the circumstances.
Many martyrs have been reported as singing at the moment of their martyrdom, confounding their murderers. The song that comes to mind to me is:
- Jesus we enthrone you
- We proclaim you are King
- Standing here in the midst of us
- We raise you up with our praise
- And as we worship build your throne :|| [repeat this line 3x]
- Come LORD Jesus and take your place.
Do you notice the number of hymns in these chapters? Do you see that these chapters have inspired many songs that we sing? Use them now to sing some and inspire yourself. Read through the Enthronement Psalms (Psalms 96 to 99). Chose one of them and sing it, sing, sing it out loud. Oh, you don’t know the tune? Then sing to the Lord a new song.
When we sing in church, do you sing at all? Do you sing half-heartedly? Or do you belt out the song for all you’re worth?
Ian
Your answer to those questions will tell you whether you are ready for martyrdom or not.
Ian
Don’t look up, look down, you’re seated with Him in heavenly places.
David Foris, translator of the Sochiapan Chinantec NT
Stop looking at your watch and wondering how much longer the service is going to last. Be prepared to lose yourself unashamedly in exuberant, focused worship to the One who created you and redeemed you.
David Pawson