Understanding the Book of Revelation
Revelation Chapters Four and Five
The Throne Room

In Chapter Three after Jesus’ admonishments to His church in Laodicea, we were shown a picture in verses twenty and twenty-one of the intimacy with God that He has promised to His people who desire that relationship. Anyone who wants to be one with God is treated to a shared throne with Jesus and the Father. The reality of the grandeur of being and dwelling in the presence of God, is further illustrated for us in chapters four and five.
     The apostle John, who has been suffering on his desolate prison island, is about to get a lift. –

     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” (verse 1).

     When we open the door of our heart to the Lord (Rev. 3:20) He rewards us with His comforting presence. A door then is opened for us in the heavenly realm. When we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we become linked with another dimension.
     The throne of the Father that is the promised seating arrangement for Jesus and His bride, His church, is further revealed to John to emphasize this glorious realty. –

     And immediately I was in the spirit and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat upon the throne (verse 2).

     John has instantly been transported out of his dreary, earthly surroundings to be encapsulated with the ecstasy of being in the presence of God; the full presence of joy, peace and love that is no longer shrouded, veiled or hindered by an earthly existence.
     To some, John’s sudden airlift into heaven represents the rapture of the church, but the phrase “come up here” is used here to link him to the remnant church in Chapter Eleven (11:12) that will ultimately be raptured in the future. John who is a similitude of the bride, still has work to do. He is seen in Chapter Ten being commissioned to share the Gospel during the warning period of the Trumpets that precedes the great tribulation which is unleashed in Chapter Fourteen, “the hour of His judgment” (14:7)
     John’s calling up into heaven represents a change in the way he is to begin receiving his instructions. Previously he was being told directly what to convey to the seven churches. Now John is going to be receiving his messages in symbolic visions. He has been elevated to another level of revelation.

     We resume our place with John at the foot of God’s throne and we are enthralled with this awesome view of our Creator. John attempts to convey the glory he is witnessing within the limited container of mere words.

     And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:…

     Here John is seeing God as two distinct jewels, jasper and a sardine. Both of these stones are from the same family of quartz known as chalcedony. Jasper comes in many colors, but there is one type of jasper called crystallius, which is clear as crystal. Revelation 21:11 describes the glory of God which is the light of the Bride, the New Jerusalem “like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” So we can assume that this type of jasper was the similitude of God that John was beholding.
     The second stone is a sardine which comes in two types, a carnelian which is a translucent form of quartz ranging in color from a flesh colored yellow to a deep red. The Holman Bible translates sardine here as carnelian. The blood red varieties of this stone were greatly valued for engravings and seals.
    So in this vision of the throne of God, we see Him portrayed symbolically as a great crystal jasper with possibly a deep, blood red translucent carnelian centered within the clarity of the jasper, like a heart perhaps, or a soul.

     In the previous chapter, John was told by Jesus that He is – “set down with My Father in His throne” (Rev. 3:21).” John also tells us in the first chapter of his Gospel that Jesus “is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18). Can we conclude that John is seeing Jesus in the bosom of the Father, represented by the flesh colored carnelian stone? “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30).
     John continues to relate what he is seeing. –

     …and there was a rainbow round the throne in sight like unto an emerald (verse 3).

     We are now seeing a third jewel, a green emerald, and I assume because of the comparison to a rainbow, John is witnessing a variety of shades of dazzling green; the color that symbolizes life, that can also represent His Holy, life-giving Spirit. God, who is the giver of all life, radiates life from His throne in a glorious display of the vibrant color He has chosen to adorn the vegetation upon His earthy footstool.
     We are beholding with John a scene of incredible beauty that is bulging within the container of John’s limited vocabulary. We can at best, continue to marvel at this scene within the gift of our imaginations where words are not required.

     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 (verse 4).

     I am sure that at least twelve of those elders are saints from the Old Testament. I can’t presume to know exactly who they are. I know Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Enoch, Elijah and Elisha, would certainly be qualified to have these seats of honor before the throne of God. The other twelve could also be the apostles of our Lord, who are also listed as the foundation of the church, the New Jerusalem pictured for us in Chapter Twenty-one, verse fourteen.

     Imagine John’s astonishment as he sees himself sitting with the other elders, God’s chosen elite leadership, positioned before the God they have so loved and served in their earthy lifetimes. John is now being shown his front row seat to the spectacular. This is also a point to contemplate as we study the divine seating arrangements of heaven; the bride of Jesus is promised a position of intimacy in God’s as we have previously been shown. While we see from John’s vison that the elders are seated before the throne, their spirits which have been united with God by His Holy Spirit through His Son, are intimately joined to the Father which also places their souls in that same place shared by Jesus and His bride, His entire faithful church.
     We would expect that in the presence of God we would hear wonderful music, yet what John hears are sounds.

     And out of the throne proceeded lightenings and thunderings and voices…

     As God fell upon Mount Sinai and burnt its peak with His fire in order to reveal to His people His authority, we see a similarity in this display before John. God is declaring His power over all of His creation.
     Around the throne we were shown the elders and I see them forming a half circle of twelve on either side. Now John tells us what occupies the space directly before the throne. –

     …and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God (verse 5).

     The Scriptures tell us that God is one Spirit – (John 4:24, Deut. 6:4). However, because He is omnipresent He has the ability to operate as more than one. "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh" ( Joel 2:28).
     In order for God to pour out His Spirit upon everyone at the same time, multiples of His Spirit are distributed like raindrops from one central Source. We see this principle illustrated for us in the second chapter of Acts. The Holy Spirit descended as multiple tongues of fire upon the heads of the one hundred and twenty believers and apostles of the Lord at the same time. –

     And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them ( Acts 2:1-3).

     The one Spirit of God the Father is bestowed in individual portions upon each believer because God is the God of the individual.
     The seven lamps made their initial debut in Zechariah 4:2. The prophet sees a vision of seven lamps and in verse ten we are told that the lamps are "the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole earth." Plural eyes represent God’s omnipresent Holy Spirit. One eye can see in one place, two eyes can see more and many eyes can see all over the place! The seven spirits here in Revelation 4:5, are also called “eyes” in Rev. 5:6.
     The fire of the Holy Spirit is also sometimes manifested and used in conjunction symbolically with plural eyes. In Ezekiel’s vision we see cloud and fire, both elements that are used to represent the Holy Spirit, manifesting with the plural eyes that were on the wheels (Ezekiel 1:4, 1:18).
     In the book of Daniel, Chapter Ten verses five and six, the eyes of the “man clothed in linen” (Who is sometimes viewed as a similitude of Christ) are likened to “lamps of fire.”
     Therefore we conclude that the seven lamps (eyes) before God’s throne represent His omnipresent Holy Spirit.
     John continues to relate to us what he sees.

     And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:…..

     The crystal sea is mentioned again in Chapter Fifteen, verse two, where we see that it is “mingled” with fire during the devastations that are being released upon the beast’s kingdom. This makes me wonder if that sea is a magnifying lens that enables those from heaven’s domain to view what is transpiring upon the earth?

     …..and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind (verse 6).

     I believe that these beasts represent creation and the plural eyes that cover their bodies are again representative of the omnipresent Holy Spirit. We are being shown that God sees all of His creation and there is nothing that can be hidden from His view.

     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 (verse 7).

     All four of these beasts are also symbols used in astrology, with the eagle being a higher form of Scorpio. Pagan man worships creation, and allows himself to be guided by the stars instead of God’s Word. So here we see the objects of man’s worship, worshipping the Truth. –

     And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come’ (verse 8).

     A vision contained in second Ezra in the Apocrypha describes an eagle with multiple wings and Ezra is told that those wings represent nations. Therefore, the multiple wings on these beasts could symbolize the people of many nations that have submitted themselves to God through His Son.
    Previously we saw that the eyes adorned the beasts outwardly, now we see that they have eyes within. This interior vision enables creation to see beyond the outer, visible world and gives insight to the reality of God. When we see who God truly is, all that is good, right, perfect and precious, the natural response can only be unending worship. This is the place where all that is created finds fulfillment.
    One of the pastors I met had this insight. These creatures are continually seeing a different aspect of God. Each new revelation produces an exclamation of “holy” that will continue throughout eternity, for there is no end of the glory and revelations of the Almighty they are beholding; the God who fills the past, inhabits the present and is our future.
     The creatures continue their praise and…

     And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat upon the throne, who lives forever and ever, (verse 9).

     The sight and sound of these representatives of all creation worshipping before the throne inspires the following response from the elders. –

     The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, (verse 10).

     Overcome by the atmosphere of adoration God’s creation is inspiring, these ones who occupy the highest positons in God’s kingdom are overwhelmed again with the humility of being in the presence of One so great. Knowing nothing they have done in their own strength has earned them these golden crowns of reward, they are cast at the feet of the One who has worked in their lives to earn them for them. The only thing that they can claim as their own before God is their submission to Him illustrated by their place on their faces before His majesty.

     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 (verse 11).

     Praise here is inspired by the recognition that God is the Creator of all, and is the source of all life and goodness and is worthy to be praised. The earth and the heavens are not accidents, they were planned and designed on the drawing board of God’s love. You and I, and the beautiful planet God has given us to enjoy, were made to give God pleasure and it is God’s pleasure to give. He is love, (I John 4:8) and love cannot be true love unless it is giving. God bestows His blessings upon His creatures because it gives Him great pleasure to do so.

     It is so sad that the majority of humankind it seems, has not recognized this fact about our Creator and instead races off on its own away from Him toward the dark abyss of their own creation. God’s love however, never ceases to try and woo them back. And thus after we have witnessed the glory and perfection of God in this first vision in the throne room, we proceed to witness the affirmation of God’s love in His provision for man’s salvation illustrated for us in part two of John’s amazing record of his sojourn in heaven in Revelation's Chapter Five.

Chapter Five

We continue experiencing with John, the wonder of being in the presence of God chronicled in Revelation’s Chapter Five. The previous chapter ends with glorious praise to the Creator of the universe. As the sound of creation’s accolades recedes into a profound, silent worship, John sees that the One seated upon the throne is holding a book. –

     And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals (verse 1).

     John is being shown the book that he is going to write. That is, he will be recording the future events that are about to be revealed by the opening of those seven seals.
     The prophet Daniel was also shown visions of the future to a point. Then he was told by an angel to “shut up.” –

     Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4).

     We may assume that the sealed book of Daniel twelve finds its continuation in this sealed volume in God’s right hand that John is beholding.
     It is the time of the end. Technical knowledge has and is increasing. Modern transportation swiftly transports multitudes to and fro across the whole earth. The seals that are about to be loosed reveal the future of mankind in these latter days.
     In anticipation, we wait with John as all of heaven’s attention is focused on the book in God’s hand.

     And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?” (Verse 2).

     That’s a good question. Who is worthy among heaven’s multitudes to approach the throne and retrieve that holy book from the hand of God? The angel’s question is designed to catapult all of us into self-examination. I am sure that Daniel was among the elect ones with front row seating, and even this chosen one who had been so privileged with divine revelation in his earth life, remained in his seat at the angel’s proclamation.

     And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon (verse 3).

     It appeared as if the book’s contents would remain a secret forever. The question proposed by the angel was apparently transmitted supernaturally upon the currents of every realm in creation. No one in the dimension of heaven, earth or hell, (the dimension under the earth) was found worthy to open this sacred book. And this made the apostle John very sad.

     And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon (verse 4).

     Apparently John was permitted to see the book in God’s hand when everyone else had to lower their eyes as indicated by the text. Was John weeping because he was allowed to see the importance of the book and did he sense that this book was the reason for his being called up to heaven? If no one was worthy to open it, including himself, then the vast treasure it contained could never be revealed to mankind.
     John’s sobs of mourning caused one of the elders to announce these words of comfort. –

     And one of the elders said to me, “Weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (verse 5).

     Was it David himself who spoke to John of the Descendant who was to arise from David’s lineage?

     And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, (David’s father, 1 Samuel 16) and a Branch shall grow out of his roots (Isaiah 11:1, Matthew 1:6).

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious (Isaiah 11:10).

     Only the prophesied Messiah who has prevailed to overcome the world, sin and death is qualified to open the book. The Messiah Jesus has fulfilled over two hundred Old Testament prophecies, and is the only one appointed by God who is worthy to take the book from His Father’s hand and loose the seals to reveal the future’s secrets. And these seals must be loosed before Messiah can return a second time and enable God’s righteous kingdom to reign on the earth.
     The elder’s words to John becomes the introduction to the Messiah’s grand entrance.

     And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain,…

     It is the deep wounds Messiah has suffered for the sins of mankind that are being showcased before heaven’s multitudes. We are here reminded of the profound and incomprehensible suffering that the Messiah Jesus has endured for all of us, and it is His suffering that qualifies Him to open the secrets of heaven.
     John continues the Messiah’s description. -

     …having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (verse 6).

     The number seven is thought to symbolize perfection. Horns represent power. All of God’s perfect power has been given to His Son. –

     And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).

     The seven eyes as we have been shown is God’s Holy, omnipresent Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God which proceeds from the Father (John 15:26) and is the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20) is also Messiah’s Spirit (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit, represented by the seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, are seen in Jesus. The imagery of the slain lamb represents Jesus in His human office as the offering for our sins (Isaiah 53:5).
     Jesus, the Messiah is also seen symbolically as a stone in Zechariah’s vision, (Zechariah 3:8,9). In this vision God engraves this stone with seven eyes; the all-seeing eyes of His Holy Spirit.
     As I mentioned previously, the carnelian stones were greatly valued as engravings, especially for seals. There were two kinds of gem engraving in ancient times. Designs were cut as raised relief above the surface as cameos. Another type of cut is called intaglios where the design is incised into the surface. This type of cut was used as a seal in wax or moist clay.
     God has engraved his Spirit in the jewel that is His Son to seal this clay, our softened, repentant hearts with the blood of the Lamb of God. The Father God who directs the operations of His Spirit (Galatians 3:5) is in His Son by His Spirit (John 10:38) and is the glorious light of His church, the radiant collection of gems that are His treasure.

     And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne (verse 7).

     What a magnificent, triumphant moment! The wounded Savior, whose humility has earned Him the right to hold the secrets of the future in His hands, comes forth to graciously reveal them to His people. It should comfort us that this One who holds the future and knows every detail of its outcome, also holds us. And though we face an uncertain future, we can trust Jesus with the outcome.

     And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors (incense) which are the prayers of the saints (verse 8).

     The Lamb’s victory produces an immediate act of praise upon all the representatives of creation as the four beasts fall in submission before the Lamb. The elders also humbly submit to the Lamb’s God bestowed authority, and fall from their seats before Him with instruments of music in their hands. These harps represent the instruments God has made of His people who respond to the gentle stirrings of His Spirit fingers upon the strings of their hearts. The vials of fragrant incense as we are shown here, represent the prayers of His people. These offerings of prayer are in the hands of the elders who are the royal priesthood qualified by Messiah’s sacrifice to present them to the Lamb of God.

     And they sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and has redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (verse 9).

     “And they sang a new song;” the song of the new covenant. The words of this song proclaim the victory of the Messiah Jesus. He alone is worthy to open the book and hold the secrets of the future in His hand, for He willingly laid down His life in love to redeem mankind from their disease of sin. Here the elders proclaim that Jesus’ blood does not discriminate. He reaches out to rescue everyone from every nation, race and language under heaven.
     We observe from this verse that the elders then become representatives of all the redeemed. -

     And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (verse 10).

     We return to Revelation’s first chapter, verse six, where John is addressing the entire church. He assures all who are the Lord’s that He has made us kings and priests unto God the Father. When Jesus returns to establish His kingdom (Rev. 19:11, 20:6) those He designates as kings will govern, and those whom He appoints as priests will serve with worship and will minister to the people.
     The song of the redeemed that has been initiated by the beasts (creation) and the elders, can only be sung by those who needed that redemption. In the wake of that song of unending gratitude, the praise continues by heaven’s community of angels. -

     And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (verse 11).

     In other words, the number of them was beyond a man’s ability to count them.

     Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing” (verse 12).

     Jesus is worthy. Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of humanity, exemplifies perfect love and humility. Heaven’s praises are rightly bestowed upon God’s Son, the One the Father has begotten and chosen to receive this honor.

     We see the list of praise offerings before the Lamb who was slain, all those things that men desire to receive for themselves in this life. But there is only One who deserves to receive these honors. Jesus did not seek in His earth life those things that men desire for their own self-exaltation, He only sought the welfare of others. Thus here in this awesome scene before the throne of His Father, He receives the reward of His faithfulness.
     To those who follow Him with all of their hearts, the lure to receive praise for our efforts in this life must be rejected. Our crowns must be laid before His feet, and it is there where our fulfillment and satisfaction will reside.

     We return to verse five in this chapter for a moment to that place where Jesus is referred to as a lion. He is likened to a powerful creature that symbolizes great strength. This aspect of His Divinity is contrasted by the references to Him as a meek and humble lamb in verses six and eleven. Thus we see in Jesus the great power that has the strength to be humiliated and slaughtered for the benefit of those He loves.
     May we all desire and pray for the same strength to endure all things for His sake. Sometimes we have to be reminded also, that whatever we must endure for Jesus’ sake, because He has prevailed we have prevailed too, and we follow the example set before us in heaven. We lift our souls by singing praise through the storm to the One who carries us above the waters of this life to the victory He has procured for His children. The result of that praise can only be joy, a heaven bestowed joy that envelops us with security and the comforting presence of our God. For indeed, there is fullness of joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11).

     We continue to stand in awe with John before the Lamb as heaven’s accolades resound. The plan for the redemption of humanity that God has so skillfully woven through time and the pages of His Word has been gloriously fulfilled. Jesus is the Passover Lamb. From the first sacrifice in Genesis 3:21 that symbolized Messiah Jesus’ death for the sins of mankind, to the prophet Isaiah’s declaration of the Messiah’s purpose contained within the fifty-third chapter of his prophecy, Jesus has victoriously accomplished what the prophecies concerning Him have proclaimed.
     Here is this scene before God’s throne we are witnessing the glorious celebration of Messiah’s victory. –

     And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (verse 13).

     It appears that God is enabling even the animals, whales and fish a voice of praise. For indeed, the drastic effects upon creation by mankind’s sin upon our environment will be eradicated and the earth restored when Jesus returns to earth a second time.

     The praise in this verse is directed to the Father and the Son, for they are one Holy Spirit and inseparable. “I and My Father are One” (John 10:30). Jesus’ Spirit is the Father’s Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20), thus Jesus can be worshipped and it is not idolatry.

     And the four beasts said, Amen…. The four beasts that represent all of creation, who also appear to be the worship leaders in this service, signal the end to this round of audible praise. This propels the congregation of twenty-four elders to their knees and catapults them into silent worship.

     And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that lives for ever and ever (verse 4). Once again we are returned to John’s first portrait of God in His majesty upon His throne, where the Lamb has emerged and is enthroned in the bosom of the Father. The elder’s worship is directed to God’s totality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
     In this silence and atmosphere of intimate worship, the Lamb prepares to open the first seal of prophetic revelation. We wait with the apostle John as the door to Revelation's sixth chapter is about to swing open.

copyright 2016 by H.D. Shively

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