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“Welcome Home” • 8.9.20 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- We have just completed our tour of the seven churches of Asia Minor. Each of these local fellowships heard the Lord's word to their neighboring brothers and sisters.
- If that would have been the end of the book, it might have been a very bleak ending, especially since the final church was rebuked for it's tepid response to her Savior!
- Thankfully, the Lord has something wonderful in store for each one. He has made promises to those that would overcome their particular challenges and has offered rewards.
- In chapter four, these churches get a preview of things to come, which they will experience if they chose obedience and faithfulness.
- For the next two weeks, we will join them in a free preview that will move us from Earth to the very throne room of God in heaven! Let's have a look at verse 1.
Text
• Revelation 4:1 : "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.'" : As we come to verse 1, I would draw your attention to these first three words. "After these things." This is the second time that we've encountered this phrase.
- The first time the phrase was mentioned helped to provide us with our outline of Revelation.
- John was commanded to write of the "things that were," which had been the revelation that he had received regarding Jesus while "doing time" on the Isle of Patmos.
- Then, John was to write about the "things which are." This issued, for us, in our seven week investigation of the churches, which covered the present age that John was living in.
- Incidentally, it is the age that you and I are living in. We are members of the Lord's church. Those messages remain relevant to each of us today, both corporately and individually.
- Finally, the Lord told John to write about the "things which will take place after this," a translation of the words "meta tauta." (Revelation 1:9)
- These are the exact words that begin this sentence! "After these things." After the churches have had their time and the Lord has accomplished His will and purpose for them.
- The church is the pillar and ground of the truth of God, (I Timothy 3:15) the gates of hell will not prevail against it, (Matthew 16:18) but, she will not be around forever!
- When the fullness of the Gentiles has been reached, God's purpose for the church on the Earth will have ceased. From this point on the church's story continues from a different vantage point.
- After being mentioned 19 times, the church isn't mentioned again until chapter 19!
- It seems as if John completes his dictation to the church of the Laodiceans and is immediately confronted with this new reality.
- He looked, meaning that he saw with full comprehension. It is the same word that Jesus used to say that He "knew" the works of the church. In a moment, John's vision turned into understanding.
- This is important. This was not a confusing vision to John. It was as clear as day to him. He knew instinctively what was happening. John saw a wide open door or gate leading into heaven!
- There are few people on this planet that have been given this gift while living on Earth. Isaiah had seen the Lord's throne room in Isaiah 6. Ezekiel was also privy to a prolonged view in his book.
Most believe that Paul was speaking of himself as the man who was taken up to the third heaven in II Corinthians 12:2. John joins him, as he at least "saw" heaven in a vision.
- While Paul had refused to comment upon what he saw and heard, John had no such limitation, save for the limitation of his own language's inability to properly describe things.
- You'll probably think him a teenager for all the times that he is about to use the word "like!"
- The first example is when John recounts hearing a voice. It was "like" a trumpet, meaning that it was a clear and distinct sound.
- In the same way that a trumpet is loud and piercing, this voice gave a clear command to follow. "Come up here." For those of you who have been with us for a while, I pray this rings a bell.
- Where else do we hear of a voice which sounded with a trumpet's distinction? Prayerfully, this hearkens back to I Thessalonians 4. Please turn there with me.
- The Apostle Paul is trying to ease the church of Thessalonica's fears that they had missed the Lord's return and that their dead relatives had also been excluded. Here is his encouragement.
• I Thessalonians 4:13-18 : "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." : The only thing that Paul didn't know was what the voice said. John gives us that!
- The voice commanded John to "Come up here!" where the Lord would show Him what must come after, the Greek words, "meta tauta."
- Everything that John, a member of God's church, would see from here on out, would be witnessed from heaven's vantage point! John, at least mystically, has just experienced the rapture!
- The word "caught up," "harpazo" in the Greek, is "rapturos" in the Latin. He and the church will learn a lot more from a safe distance. Verse 2.
• Revelation 4:2-5 : "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." : The Lord commanded John to come up and without a seconds delay, John was up! Immediately, directly, he was "in the Spirit!"
- When you examine the word "caught up," you'll find that it is synonymous with a urgent seizing. We won't be floating up in the air for hours! It will happen in the blink of an eye! (I Cor. 15:52)
- As I mentioned in our second study, the phrase, "in the Spirit" is used 4 times in this book. It can certainly be that the Divine Creator of time and space translated John into heaven physically.
- Paul knew a person, whether in or out of their body that had been translated to the third heaven in I Corinthians 12:2. It may also be that this was a vision that John was given by the Spirit.
- We're not as concerned with HOW he saw what he saw, but rather, WHAT he saw when he got there! To that end, John uses his favorite attention grabbing word: "Behold!"
- This was not your every day experience. John was staring at a throne that was fixed in heaven, as well as the "One" on the throne. This is the throne of God the Father!
- He is as fixed in His position as His throne was! John's eyes were drawn to this central location from which everything happens in the next two chapters.
- Only One sits here and He isn't moving. He's not pacing. He's not nervous. God the Father sits upon His throne unchallenged. Imagine the churches that were hearing this?
- Some of them seemed confused as to who had the right to rule their church! Was it the government or their own wisdom? John sees no such confusion here! God is on His throne!
- He was on His Throne during Domitian's reign as Emperor. He is on His Throne today and He will be on His Throne regardless of who is our sitting President come November! See that as true!
- From here, it's a gemologist's dream come true. God the Father gave off the appearance of a jasper and sardius stone. A jasper stone, biblically, is more like a clear diamond.
- Revelation 22:11 tells us that the light of the glory of God is like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. The sardius stone was and is ruby red.
- One commentator noted that they saw the Lord's work in our lives represented by these stones. The Lord shines His brilliant light in our darkness and then His Son's blood covers us.
- That is true and I like the inference. On the other hand, the sardius and jasper stones represent the last and the first stones that were placed on the Ephod of the High Priest.
- Exodus 28:17-20 reveals the order of the stones which represented the children of Israel. Sardius stood for Reuben and Jasper for Benjamin.
- Interestingly, their names mean "Behold a son" and the "son of my right hand!" Fascinating!
- Encircling the throne was an emerald green rainbow. It's a rainbow of a solid color, a visual reminder that He is the same God who had promised never to flood the Earth again. (Genesis 9:13)
- God is a God of justice, but He will never act outside of His own covenant mercy! The stones and the rainbow are reminder of His covenant faithfulness to His people and the world!
- What are we to think of these colors? They communicate vibrancy, beauty, majesty and creativity without limit. There are no quiet and subtle earth tones here! These are heaven tones!
- The throne room of heaven is beautiful and majestic and it is not a solitary place. Twenty four other thrones surround the One throne. Upon these sit the twenty four elders.
- The word comes from the word "presbyters." Usually, these are overseers, men with age and wisdom. The concept here is that the throne room of heaven operates in profound wisdom.
- Who are these elders? Let's look at the clues. They are clothed in white and they have golden crowns, the original language indicating a victor's crown, upon their heads.
- Lord willing, I'll prove this definitively next week. These are human beings, Christians, who have been given the privilege to serve in heaven's throne room, to sit upon thrones of their own!
- Think about this: Sardis and Laodicean overcomers were promised white garments. Smyra overcomers were promised a "crown of life." Laodiceans were promised places upon thrones!
- The Lord is showing John that these promises were going to be fulfilled! These are clothed in the Lord's righteousness, wearing their rewards for their service upon their heads!
- These are the ones that have been given the right to sit and enjoy the Lord's wisdom at work. Why are there only 24? Remember that Moses was given a pattern of heavenly reality. (Hebrews 8:5)
- In I Chronicles 25, the Priests who would sing to the Lord in the Temple were ordered in 24 representative courses! These might just be revolving seats! We'll see!
- John tells us what he saw, who was there and what he heard. The sound that emanated from the throne would have been utterly terrifying to experience.
- Lightnings, thundering and voices all accompanied the Lord's presence at Mt. Sinai when He gave His law to Moses. (Exodus 20:18) The sound of His power flows uninterrupted from His throne.
- When these sounds occur now, it's power humbles us, reminding us of our insignificance!
- The Lord voice isn't less than that! Then, John reports seeing seven lamps of fire, which, for the first time, he offers definitive interpretation for, in that these are the seven spirits of God.
- The Father dwells upon His throne and the full power and expression of the Holy Spirit is right there in the midst!
- Think about this: The church has dwelt in powerless conditions, in the midst of a chaotic world fighting itself to wrest control and power. How laughable!
- God's victory is won through great struggle on the earth and His voice is not always easy to discern for His disciples. Not here! Not in the throne room!
- All that there is in His presence is breathtaking beauty, awesome power, endless wisdom and unmatched strength! What a wondrous vision to experience! Verse 6.
• Revelation 4:6-8 : "Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'" : John turns now from his description of the throne, to the vision that lay out before the throne. It was akin to staring into something that could be described as a sea of crystal clear glass.
- There are no waves or turbulence. The water is still and clean. The picture is one of sustained peace and tranquility. Heaven isn't a place of panic!
- The beautiful sea is reminiscent of the "bronze sea" that stood in Solomon's temple. (I Ki.7:23)
- The waters, like the heart of those that live there, are eternally at ease! Why? Because of the One that sits undisturbed and secure upon the Throne!
- Proceeding from and around the throne are four living creatures or beasts that are unlike anything in nature. They are described as being "full of eyes" in the front as well as in the back.
- The allusion would refer to intelligence, insight and a keen aversion to deception! They see in all directions. Each of them, in terms of their bodies, are in fact, described as natural creatures.
- There is one that is likened to a lion, one like a calf, one with the face like a man and one like a flying eagle. One thing that we know is that according to Ezekiel 10:1,2, these are cherubim.
- What they represent is disputed. Some see here a talmudic reference to the insignias of certain tribes of Israel. There has been widespread belief that these creatures represent the gospels.
- For example, Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah, presented by Matthew's gospel.
- Mark presents Him as the servant of humanity, as is the calf. Luke presents Jesus as the greatest of men and John reveals Christ as God in the flesh, the Eagle that is at home in the sky.
- The fact that they are equipped with six wings and are full of eyes makes one realize their mobility and their ability to see clearly into the nature of Jesus Christ.
- Perhaps they are representative of the gospels or they are simply unique creatures that have existed in heaven for all eternity, brought into being for a single purpose: To praise and glorify God!
- Their declaration is endless, without interruption. It goes on for day and night! This is not meant to be descriptive of a night season in heaven, but an idiom for ceaseless activity!
- What is it that their praise begins with? What do they speak of over and over again? They speak repeatedly of the "trisagion," the "holy, holy, holy" nature of God.
- They are consumed by this. They are obsessed with this. The God of their Creation is unique, set apart from all of His creation!
- His morality, purity and "otherness" is so fascinating to them that they are compelled to repeat the theme! He is the Lord God Almighty! He is the All-Powerful, Ominipotent One!
- This word "Almighty," one has said, expresses the idea of having one's hand in everything!
- These beings close their chorus with the words "Who was and is and is to come." He fills all of our space time continuum. He has always been and He will always be!
- He has never needed to grow and His power has never atrophied. He has existed without need, yet, He is coming! For His people, this is the very definition of comfort! Verse 9.
• Revelation 4:9-11 : " Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 'You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.'" : Listen to this description of their worship. Consider it against what it seems to have become in the modern world.
- These wonderous creatures give glory to the Lord. They recognize His dignity, His worth and their response of extolling His holiness repeatedly, is a reflection of that.
- They give the Lord honor. The word "tema" is defined by the action of "paying money." Whenever you do pay for an item, you are, perhaps even begrudgeoningly, assessing value.
- You agree that the object is worth the money that is being paid to receive it. These living creatures found it reasonable to declare His holiness as a matter of value assessment!
- His character deserves this response! His presence and reality demand these actions!
- In their proclamation, there is a gratitude for who He is, for what He is worth and that He will be who He has been forever and ever! He will never NOT be the King of all Kings!
- There is no heir to the throne. There is no succession plan. There is no fear of mental incompentence or incoherence in the future! They praise Him for this.
- Is our worship reflective of these principles? Do we come to worship Him with thanksgiving in our hearts? Is He not worthy of honor? Does His value not deserve our response?
- That sort of praise is infectious! Notice. Whenever these creatures begin their praise, the twenty four elders follow right along! They fall down before Him to worship Him.
- Perhaps you wonder about the timing. I did. These cherubim respond in almost spontaneous praise and not to be undone, the twenty four elders follow suit.
- I appreciated one explanation better than the others. The twenty four elders have more to praise Jesus for! They have been redeemed from a life of sin and a sure exile from His presence.
- They will not let a group of cherubic angels beat them to the punch! They fervently "kiss toward" and throw their crowns before Him, offering what He deserves to receive.
- It was customary in the times of ancient Kings to subjugate rival Kings, allowing them to sit upon thrones but to show their humility by offering their crowns to the conqueror!
- That is what is happening here! These people have been given crowns and will willingly and rightfully give them back to the God that truly deserves to receive them!
- All of the glory that we have received from men for our limited godliness, all honor and recognition that may have come our way and every ability that we've displayed, belongs to Him!
- Can you imagine what a sham artist you would be to take credit for these things in His presence? How arrogant and foolish would one need to be!?
- He deserves all of this because He is the Creator. By the way, notice that there aren't any evolutionists in heaven! Heavenly citizens know that God is the Creator!
- By virtue of His own being and that all that is belongs and has it's origin in Him means that He alone deserves all praise! All that exists has come forward by His own will for it to exist!
- I rarely prefer the Old King James to the New one, but this time, I really do.
• Revelation 4:11 : " Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." : What a confession to make! Those that sit in heaven willingly toss everything of value toward the Lord recognizing that they were created for His pleasure!
- People in heaven have a clear vision of why they exist and the purpose that their possessions have in relation to Him! Remember who was listening.
- There were churches who had forgotten their love. Some had adopted formalism.
- Some were acceeding to the government's call to compromise and still others were wrapped up in the luxury that their lives afforded them.
- This vision spoke right to them about where worship begins and ends: At the Throne of God, for the pleasure of God!
˚ "Obsessed with their preoccupation with the present, many modern Christians suffer from chronic myopia. But in their shortsightedness they not only forget the past, they also render themselves unprepared for the future, and the lose their hold on their deeper calling in the present. Called to break with the world, Christians are to be fully engaged with every generation but never fully at home with any. For followers of Jesus, the immediate is never the ultimate, only the interim. Always, we are 'resident aliens' in time as well as place. That constant sens of exile and our yearning for our ultimate home is a vital part of immunity to worldliness amd maintaining our Christian distinctiveness and faithfulness along with a forward thrusting hope!" Os Guiness
Conclusion
- If you have ever had a problem worshipping, it might be because you
don't have a clear vision of the Throne room, where worship is the natural
response.
- If you are always in a panic over political realities, it's probably due to the fact that you've lost sight of the One who sits on THE Throne, the One who has no rival.
- If you are wondering whether or not your "sacrifice" is worth investing, it will definitely not be a question there when you look upon the Holy One of Heaven!
- Our God is worthy of our worship, worthy of our trust, worthy of our lives and worthy of our obedience forever and ever. I pray that this is settled in you forever!
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