The Throne of The Throne of GodGod

Revelation 4Revelation 4

ReviewReview

• Revelation is a book of visionsRevelation is a book of visions– Some visions are about the time of Some visions are about the time of

writingwriting•The letters to the churches are suchThe letters to the churches are such

– But they still have application to all But they still have application to all churcheschurches

– Other visions will focus on the future of Other visions will focus on the future of the churchesthe churches•Some of those will start with the past to Some of those will start with the past to

make the future understandablemake the future understandable

• The vision of chapters 4-5 begins with The vision of chapters 4-5 begins with an eternal truth and moves to a recent an eternal truth and moves to a recent event before introducing a future visionevent before introducing a future vision

The ThroneThe Throne

• This vision begins with a picture of a This vision begins with a picture of a heavenly throneheavenly throne– Rev 4:2-11 (we’ll come back to v. 1)Rev 4:2-11 (we’ll come back to v. 1)

• Visions of God’s throne are not newVisions of God’s throne are not new– God is King of His creation (Psa 93:1-God is King of His creation (Psa 93:1-

5)5)– God is in control (Psa 97:1-12)God is in control (Psa 97:1-12)– God rules (Psa 45:6)God rules (Psa 45:6)– God judges (Psa 96:10-13, 99:1-9)God judges (Psa 96:10-13, 99:1-9)– God will punish the wicked (Psa 94:1-God will punish the wicked (Psa 94:1-

23)23)

Revelation 4 and EzekielRevelation 4 and Ezekiel

• Ezk 1:4-5, 15, 19-28 has a similar throneEzk 1:4-5, 15, 19-28 has a similar throne– God was coming to judge and punish the God was coming to judge and punish the

disobedient people of Judahdisobedient people of Judah– His throne is positioned above wheelsHis throne is positioned above wheels– The creatures use their wings to moveThe creatures use their wings to move

• Ezk 10:4-5 – God leaves His seat above Ezk 10:4-5 – God leaves His seat above the cherubim in the Holy of Holiesthe cherubim in the Holy of Holies

• Ezk 10:18-19 – God departs from the Ezk 10:18-19 – God departs from the corrupted templecorrupted temple

• Ezk 11:22-23 – God leaves Israel to face Ezk 11:22-23 – God leaves Israel to face its punishment aloneits punishment alone

Ezekiel 10-11Ezekiel 10-11

• Ezk 10-11Ezk 10-11– The people were disloyal to their KingThe people were disloyal to their King– The King departs on His throne to The King departs on His throne to

allow punishment begin (by removing allow punishment begin (by removing His protection)His protection)

Revelation 4Revelation 4

• God’s people are going to face trialsGod’s people are going to face trials– It may feel like God has left themIt may feel like God has left them– But God’s throne has NO wheels or But God’s throne has NO wheels or

wings in this visionwings in this vision– God is staying with His peopleGod is staying with His people– He is watching, He is in controlHe is watching, He is in control– This persecution is NOT punishment This persecution is NOT punishment

for disloyaltyfor disloyalty•Rather it is a trial because of their Rather it is a trial because of their

loyaltyloyalty•The same persecution Christ warned The same persecution Christ warned

several churches (Rev 2-3) was comingseveral churches (Rev 2-3) was coming

The response in heavenThe response in heaven

• The spiritual beings (Rev 4:8-9)The spiritual beings (Rev 4:8-9)– Praise the Lord for His eternal holinessPraise the Lord for His eternal holiness

• The 24 elders (representing God’s The 24 elders (representing God’s people)people)– Rev 4:10-11Rev 4:10-11

•Give worship and praise God for His power Give worship and praise God for His power because He is Creatorbecause He is Creator

•Cast their crowns before HimCast their crowns before Him– Their crowns (Grk Their crowns (Grk stephanosstephanos “victory “victory

garland”)garland”)– Christ’s crown (Grk Christ’s crown (Grk diadema diadema “king’s “king’s

crown”)crown”)– Acknowledging their crowns have come Acknowledging their crowns have come

from and are subservient to Godfrom and are subservient to God

The futureThe future

• Rev 4:1 – John had been told he Rev 4:1 – John had been told he would find out the future of the would find out the future of the churchchurch– (God being king is true of past, (God being king is true of past,

present, and future)present, and future)– God staying with His people is God staying with His people is

“present”“present”– Where is the “future”?Where is the “future”?

• We’ll find out more in our next lessonWe’ll find out more in our next lesson

ConclusionConclusion

Lessons learned in Rev 4Lessons learned in Rev 4• God is in controlGod is in control

– Victory is assuredVictory is assured

• God is staying with His peopleGod is staying with His people– Victory is assuredVictory is assured

• God is worthy of all praise, honor, God is worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and worship in heaven and on glory, and worship in heaven and on earthearth– He is eternally holyHe is eternally holy– He is the CreatorHe is the Creator