Revelation 4:1

November 13, 2022

Throne in Heaven #

Revelation 4:1-3

Introduction

Rev 2:1-7 - The Declining Church - Ephesus - left their first love

Rev 2:8-11 - The Dependable Church - Smyrna - No Bad, stood through persecution

Rev 2:12-17 - The Defiled Church - Pergamos - Dwelt where Satan's Seat was

Rev 2:18-29 - The Defiant Church - Thyatira - Church who allowed Jezebel to teach in the church -

Rev 3:1-6 - The Dead Church - Sardis - Things were dying on them

Rev 3:7-13 - The Dedicated Church - Philadelphia - Opportunity to serve - nothing bad said.

Rev 3:14-22 - The Deceived Church - Laodiceans - Thought they were fine, but were not!

As we turn from chapter 3 to 4, there is a dynamic change in scenery. We will note that immediately. However it is important to remember there were seven churches, and messages to those churches. There are those far more studied than myself who have aligned these churches to periods of time within the history of the church. However, the whole point and idea of these passages, they pertain to the church, in the church age. We are living in the church age. These messages certainly apply to us!

We cease to see references to the church going forward. What happened to the church?? Revelation 4:1 clearly tells us what happened to the church, it reconvenes in heaven at this point!

Revelation 4:5 – The seven Spirits are referenced in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, here in 4:5, and again in 5:6.

In Isaiah 11:1-2 we have the fullness, of that spirit clarified:

Is. 11:1 ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

I. The Throne (4:1-3) #

A. When? Time “after this” #

1. This takes place after the message to the church! #

2. Church is not referenced throughout the main part of this book! #

  • There is one mention at the very end:

Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

  • Revelation is a book that is meant to be studied, it is as we stated before the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

B. Where? Location “in heaven” (4:1) #

1. The previous chapters have all been messages to churches specifically here in this world! #

Rev. 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

  • John is on the Aisle of Patmos, and worshiping the Lord…

  • His vision is here on this earth!

    • Christ can be revealed to you here on this earth, through His Word!

C. What? Rapture “Come up hither” (4:1) #

1. Trumpet #

1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Cor 15:51-53 -

D. Who? Lord! On the throne #

1. Priestly heritage - Stones (Sardius & Jasper) #

  • The Disciples, and many of the first christians were Jews, who were familiar with the OT.
  • These stones would have been significant to every Jew! The would remember the passage:

Ex. 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. 18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. 21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

  • Sardius the stone which was the first in the breastplate of the high priest in the OT, would have been engraved with Reuben’s name on it, “Behold a Son”… He is now visible to John! See him!
  • Jasper - One of the stones in the breastplate of the high priest of the OT. It was the last, representing Benjamin, “Son of my right hand” what a fitting and appropriate description for Christ!

2. Promise - Rainbow, was God’s promise not to destroy the world again with a flood… as an ever remembering reminder surrounding him. #

3. Praise worthiness emerald – would represent Judah #

  • He is our HIGH Priest! He represents the promise of God to man! And He is Praise worthy!
Tags: Preaching Outlines Revelation Heaven Throne Rapture