REVELATION Chapter 4

"The Visions of Heaven"

INTRODUCTION:

1. Chapter 4 begins the third division of the book. (cf. 1:19 "the things which shall be hereafter")

            2. It is the beginning of the prophetic portion of the book.

I. THE TRUMPET (v.1)

            A. Blown to start a journey (Num. 10:6)

            B. Blown to call men to war (Num. 10:9)

            C. Blown to signal holy days (Num. 10:10)

            D. Blown to call the camp of Israel to a general assembly (Num. 10:7)

            E. Blown to inaugurate the Rapture (I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:52; Rev. 4:1)

            F. Blown to announce the beginning of the Tribulation (Joel 2:1,2)

            G. Blown to sound the judgments of the Tribulation (Rev. 8:1-9; 11:15-19)

            H. Blown to signal the regathering of Israel to the Land (Mt. 24:31)

II. THE TAKING OUT (v.1)

            A. From this point only Israel, primarily, and the unbelieving Gentile world are in view.

            B. From this point until chapter 19 the church is no longer in view and never mentioned.

            C. The expectation of the church (I Thess. 4:13-18; 5:2-9; Rev. 3:10)

III. THE THRONE (vs.2,3)

            A. The Purpose

1. During the Church Age, the throne of God is a place of mercy and grace. (Heb. 4:16)

2. During the Coming Age it will be a throne of judgment; it does not appear until after the Rapture.

3. The throne represents the universal sovereignty and rulership of the Lord. He is in control. (cf. Psa. 47:8; Psa. 97.2; Psa. 103:19)

            B. The Person (cf. Ezek. 1:26-28)

1. Speaks of Christ in His finished work of redemption-- "sat" (cf. Heb. 1:3; 10:10-14)

                        2. Speaks of Christ in His work of advocacy. (cf. I Jn. 2:1; Heb. 7:25)

                        3. Speaks of Christ as the Ruler over God's government on earth:

a) Jasper - speaks of hardness (the stone is probably a diamond) connected with the government of the Kingdom Age. (cf. Psa. 2:9-12)

                                    b) Sardius - a deep, fiery red; suggests Christ's role as the Judge. (cf. Deut.                         4:24)

                        4. Speaks of Christ in His faithfulness

                                    a. Rainbow (cf. Gen. 9:12-17)

b. The sign of an everlasting, unbreakable covenant between God and His people (cf. Gen. 15:12; Gen. 26:3,4; 28:13,14)

c. Despite all man's failure, God will, after a time of judgment, show mercy to the earth.

                        5. Speaks of Christ in all His glory

            C. The People (v. 4) - "the four and twenty elders"

1. Representative of all O.T. saints (12 patriarchs, 12 tribes) who were resurrected at the time of Christ's resurrection (cf. Mt. 27:52,53; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 12:23)

                        2. Representative of all N.T. believers of the Church Age (12 apostles)

                        3. Representative of all the redeemed - "white raiment"

                        4. Representative of all who are "crowned" (stephanos) for their faith in Christ

D. The Pronouncement (v.5) Judgement is coming and will be executed by the omniscient, omnipotent Holy Spirit.

                        1. The executor of creation (Gen. 1:2)

                        2. The executor of the new birth (I Cor. 12:3)

            E. The Praise (vs.6-11)

                        1. Angels praise Him (v.8) (cf. Ezek. 1:10; Isa. 6:3)

                                    a. For His holiness

                                    b. For His eternal being

                                    c. For His sovereignty ("sitteth on the throne") (v.9)

2. Men praise Him (vs.10,11) They rejoice over the fact that Christ has finally assumed His rightful place on the throne.