REVELATION-CHAPTER 4-THRONE ROOM

Pastor Carolyn Sissom \ October 10th, 2020 (7092 views)

REVELATION – Chapter 4

The Throne Room

Taught by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

 June 12, 2012, The Year of our Lord

 

Rev. 4:1-2: After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.’  Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 

In this chapter the Heaven of Heavens was opened to John.  In chapter One, he was given a vision of the glorified Christ.  In Chapters 2 and 3, the Lord gave him seven messages to send to the churches that described their present condition and what was soon to come to pass.

In this vision, he will learn about the future from the One who sits on the throne.     John is raptured into prophetic ecstasy before the throne of God.  John’s vision of the throne is “round about the throne”.  In Old Testament prophecy, only those who can learn the divine purposes are those admitted to the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word.  Then and only then were they in a position to proclaim confidently what God will do.

Jeremiah 23:18: For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word, and heard it? (Vs. 22) “If they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

John’s description of heaven falls into two parts:

1. Characterized respectively by the hymn of praise to God as Creation in Verse 4:11: You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created.
2. By the praise addressed to Christ as Redeemer in 5:9; 12, and 13b: They sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…(12)Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing…(13b)Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be to Him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.”

 

The invitation to heavenly accent to “Come up hither” is a well-marked feature of prophetic ecstasy.  The Voice of the Trumpet according to Rev. 1:10-11 is the voice of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.  The term, “Voice of the Trumpet” is used in Exodus 19: 16 &19:  It came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud, so that all the people that went in the camp trembled. (Vs. 19) When the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

 

Paul affirmed the voice of the trumpet in Hebrews 12:19: “And the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more.  For they could not endure that which was commanded…”

 

However, in Rev. 8:13, the sounding of the 7 Trumpets are the voices of the Trumpet angels:  “I behold, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are set to sound.”

 

The Apostle was then caught-up in the Spirit and shown a throne in Heaven and “round about the throne”.

 

Rev. 4:2-3: Immediately I was in the spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.  And He that sat was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like to an emerald.

 

The vision of the throne-room of God is the heavenly archetype of the holy of holies in the earthly sanctuary.  But here the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. 

 

Ez. 1:26: Above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

 

Other Prophets were also given access to the throne room of God.  Ezekiel saw beneath the throne.

 

  Ez. 1:1: “The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.”

 

Isa. 6:1: I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.   Above it stood the seraphims, each one had six wings, with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly.

 

Isaiah saw from above the throne and the seraphim which are above the throne.

 

Dan. 7:9: I beheld until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool; His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.

 

Here again the chariot throne of God has wheels.

 

David experienced the visitation of God’s throne touching earth in Psalm 18: 6-18:  The earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured, coals were kindled by it.  He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly; yea he did fly upon the wings of the wing…

 

1 Kings 22:19:  He (Micaiah) said, ‘Here you, therefore, the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left.’

 

Words cannot describe the divine glory; those who have seen it in ecstasy, like Ezekiel, Isaiah, David, Daniel Micaiah, and John, can only give a general impression of His beauty and splendor.  However, not one of them saw the full dimensions of the throne.  Ezekiel saw it from below.  Isaiah saw it from above.  David felt the power as God touched the earth.  Daniel saw the thrones set in place.  Micaiah saw the host of heaven.  John saw round about the throne.

 

The covenant rainbow in Genesis that appears on the earth in the cloud, is the earthly counterpart of the celestial rainbow around the throne of God.  Gen. 9:12: And God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations.  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  It shall come to pass when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud.”

 

Rev. 4:4-5: “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings and voices and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God.”

 

There are those who interpret the 24-elders to be the 12-tribes of Israel and the 12-apostles.  Since one of the apostles was still alive and just visiting Heaven, I don’t think it could be the 12-apostles.  Also, if the 12-apostles are included in the 24-elders, John would have called his friends by name.  Let us consider these may constitute the order of angel-princes who are the celestial counterpart of the 24 orders of priests of 1 Chr. 24:4. The whole priesthood of old was represented by 24 elders (1 Chr. 24: 1-9).

 

The tabernacle and government of God’s Kingdom on earth originated in the mind and planning of God.  God gave the divine blueprint, pattern, and order to His man. Ex. 25:40: ‘Be sure that you make them after their pattern, which was shown you in the mount.”

 

These then could be the thrones of judgment described in Daniel 7:9 around where the Ancient of Days did sit.  In Rev. 5:8, the elders along with the four beasts discharge priestly functions before the throne of God.  John was given entrance to the celestial archetype of the government of God?

 

Seven Acts of the 24 Elders:

 

1. Sit on thrones (4:4; 11: 16-17).
2. Worship God (4:9; 11 5: 8-10).
3. Cast crowns before God (4:10; 5:8, 14, 11:16; 19:4).
4. Sing and play harps (5: 8-10).
5. Act as priests (5:8).
6. Fall prostrate before God (4:10, 5:8-14; 11:16; 19:4).
7. Listen to worship of others (14:3).

 

Col. 1:16: By Him (the Father) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.

 

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.  Lightning is a regular feature of Old and New Testament visitations of the Lord.  The peals of thunder will be referenced throughout the Book of Revelation as we hear the Seven Thunders of God.

 

  “Thunder is God’s voice of authority being heard.  It comes with His presence and increases with the number of voices that are speaking in one accord.  The thunder showed that God was on the mountain.  It is also a revelatory voice for those who have ears to hear; a revelation of God’s desire.” (Seven thunders of God by: Van Tanner)

 

Job. 26:14b:  but the thunder of His power who can understand?

Job. 40:9: Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like Him?

Ps. 77:18:  The voice of Your thunder was in the heaven, the lightnings lighted the world, and the earth trembled and shook.

 

In Revelation 6:1: The voice of thunder comes from one of the four beasts:  I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard as it were the voice of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, “Come and see.”

 

The seven lamps of fire are the seven Spirits of God. (see Chapter One).

 

Rev. 4: 6-9:  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.  And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.  And the four beasts had each of them six wings before him; and they were full of eyes inside; and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is, and is to come.  And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever.

 

The sea of glass, clear as crystal is the heavenly sea and the archetype of the molten sea in Solomon’s temple which is commonly taken to represent the cosmic flood over which God sits…enthroned as king.

 

Ps. 29:10:  The Lord sits upon the flood; yea the Lord sits King for ever.”

Ps. 104:3: Who lays the beams of His chambers in the waters…”

Gen. 1:7:  God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

 

The “LIVING CREATURES”:

 

These are closely akin to the four living creatures (cherubim) of Ezek. 1:5; 10:1; (symbols of the storm-winds bearing the chariot-throne of God in His progress through the heavens); but they also have some of the features and functions of the seraphim of Isa. 6:2.   They each had six wings.   They also represent the powers of creation in the service of the Creator.  They are covered with eyes like the living wheels of the chariot-throne in Ezekiel 1.  Each is a token of the divine omniscience, having complete knowledge and understanding of all things.

 

Prophet Darrell McManus recently received a revelation that the “four beasts” seen by John around the throne and the “living creatures” seen by Ezekiel under the throne are different and have different functions of guarding the Holiness of God.  One is around the throne, the other carries the chariot throne of God and guards from beneath.

 

The hymn of the living creatures is the first part of the hymn of the seraphim in Isa. 6:3:  Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.  In the hymn of Rev. 4, the name of God is amplified by His title “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.”

 

The hymns of Revelation reveal that the praise of the church on earth is an echo of the liturgy of heaven.  The unceasing praise of the living creatures is the voice of creation glorifying its Creator, and is accompanied by the adoring homage of the 24 angel-princes, as they too proclaim their great Creator’s praise.

 

 Listed below is from the teaching I did on the four living creatures in Ezekiel as posted on the website, www.eastgateministries.com:  For that teaching, I entered into the labors of Bill Britton, Kelly Varner, Sue Baird and F. F. Bruce.

 

1. The face of a man suggests human compassion and understanding for our fellowmen, an ability to enter their joys and sorrows as though they were our own. (Rom 12:15) (The Gospel of Luke; The color White, Intelligence and Holiness)
2. The face of a Lion suggests kingship, dominion over the things that befall the prophet of God, strength and fearless boldness in the face of obstacles and hostile opposition. (Prov. 28:1) (The Gospel of Matthew, The King, Purple, Majesty and Power)
3. The face of an ox suggests patient and enduring service, even in weariness and painfulness. (11 Cor. 11:27).  An Ox works when he is called upon to do so, whether he feels like it or not.  (The Gospel of Mark, the Servant, The color Red, service and Humility)
4. The face of an Eagle suggests living on a high spiritual plane above the things of the earth.  (Isa. 40:31) the same wind which causes other birds to seek shelter lifts the eagle to higher altitudes. (The gospel of John, The Son of God, Blue, swiftness, discernment and Glory)

 

It requires all four gospels to reveal Him who is altogether lovely.  The four beasts of Rev. 4-5 reveal the corporate, many-membered Christ.  “Christ first manifests His perfect holiness (the man), then he is seen in mighty power, miracles and dominion (the Lion): after that He lays His life down as a sacrificial offering (the Ox) and finally, we see His glory in resurrection as He ascends on high to be glorified (the Eagle).

 

“In this is first the humanity of this Body.  When people get together, it is very clear to see that we’re all still human…and we see each other’s mistakes, shortcomings, and faults…and some people look at the humanity of the body of Christ and say, ‘Well that’s not what I’m looking for.  I’m looking for that Divine Church without a sport or wrinkle.  So, I’ll stay at home and play my tapes, read my books, until there comes into existence somewhere a Glorious Church…But the first step of it is the man…the humanity of it.  If you don’t get in on that face, we’re not going to make it through to the rest of it!  When we get to the place where we can see past the humanity of one another, and are not offended…then we’ll see another face, and that is the LION.” (Bill Britton)

 

The description of the cherubim suggests many practical truths for Christian Service:

 

1. Harmony with out fellow-workers.
2. Singleness of purpose with no deviation of other interests.
3. The leading of the spirit, not ambition or preference.
4. No slothful lingering in indecision, but prompt and speedy execution of His will.
5. We must serve God with all four faces.
6. Ever watchful for God’s voice and the enemy’s snares
7. The Spirit of God’s fully surrendered servant becomes submerged in the Divine activity.
8. God’s servants are subject to the government of His throne.
9. The servant of God has the assurance that God is every mindful of His covenant.

With the study of the four living creatures or (Gr. Zoa), I entered into the labors of Brother Bill Britton.

Bro. Bill said, “Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet.  It was the worst time in Israel since Egypt’s slavery.  Their city burned, their Temple destroyed, their people taken captive.  Ezekiel as a priest had no ministry, no Temple and no homeland.  Ezekiel saw visions of God in the midst of his desolate circumstances.  Others saw only their tracks in the desert sand in their hopelessness.” B.B.

 

I like the description of F.F. Bruce, so I also “enter into his labors”.   He writes, “The four living creatures are composite forms symbolizing the winds or, more generally, the forces of nature which bore up the God of Israel as he rode upon the clouds and supported his invisible throne in the holy of holies.  Before the establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, Yahweh of hosts was known in Shiloh as He who is enthroned between the Cherubim.  In Ezekiel’s vision it is emphasized that his throne is not stationary; it can move in any direction – forward, backward, sideways, upward or downward.

 

 This is the chariot-throne of God.

 

The rims of the wheels were high and awesome.  All four had hubs and each hub had a projection which had the power of sight.  The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels, so that the wheels functioned as animated extensions of their bodies.

 

What looked like an expanse of sparkling ice is probably identical with John’s sea of glass, clear as crystal…mixed with fire.  Ezekiel saw it from beneath, John saw it from above.  Also, Moses and his companions saw ‘under his feet…something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.  So, here Ezekiel sees above the expanse. what looked like a throne of sapphire?” F.F.B.

 

Characteristics of the Cherubim by Sue Baird.

 

1. Humanity – “likeness of a man”
2. Stability –