Dover Assembly of God
We took a break from our study in Revelation for the Christmas season. Now we’re going to pick it up where we left off.
As you may remember, we studied the first 3 chapters which mostly dealt with Jesus addressing 7 churches in the area.
Each church had a specific area of difficulty in which Jesus either commended them or corrected them. Each letter to each church was designed to prepare them for what was to come. Which begins in chapter 4.
The churches that needed correction, Jesus wanted them to change their ways, because if they didn’t, they would miss the rapture and would be left behind to suffer what was coming next.
And chapter 4 starts to describe what happens next.
We believe that the church is raptured at the end of chapter 3. There are several reason for this.
a) The term church was used numerous times in chapters 1-3, but is never mentioned again until chapter 22.
b) The term Bride of Christ (church) is mentioned in chapter 19, in heaven, not on earth during the tribulation.
Revelation 19:5 NIV
So they’re in heaven.
Revelation 19:7 NIV
c) The promise given to the church in Philadelphia
Revelation 3:10 NIV
d) And Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians
Talking about the rapture, he says. . .
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV
Chapter 4 goes on to tell us now, what the world will experience once the church is gone.
Let’s jump in.
Revelation 4:1 NIV
After this, most commentators say this indicates a passage of time.
John did not have one continuous vision. But it seems that he had several with some time in between them.
Revelation 7:1 NIV
Revelation 7:9 NIV
Revelation 15:5 NIV
Revelation 18:1 NIV
So this verse indicates a change of scenery and time. I think it also indicates that after the letters to the churches, he says “after that”.
After what? Rapture?? Don’t know, scripture isn’t specific so we can’t be either.
Revelation 4:1 NIV
The events in chapters 4 & 5 are introductory to the events that will follow.
So now he is caught away to heaven.
Again, “after this”. After what? Rapture?
He hears a voice like the one he heard in chapter 1.
Revelation 1:10 NIV
So now we have John going up to see in person.
He looks thru the door and sees this.
Revelation 4:2-8 NIV
Revelation 4:2-3 NIV
He doesn’t attempt to describe God. He is indescribable.
He then focuses on what surrounds the throne.
Revelation 4:4 NIV
It never tells us specifically who these elders were.
There are a few thoughts, 13 to be exact, but none are dogmatic
The most common one is that these 24 men are from the Old Testament (12 patriarchs) and the New Testament (12 apostles)
Representing the whole of believers throughout time.
The crowns were victors crowns symbolizing they overcame adversity.
Revelation 4:5 NLT
This is almost the same imagery that was used when God spoke to Moses and the Israelites from Mt Sinai.
Exodus 20:18 NLT
In Exodus, he is giving us the 10 commandments with it’s corresponding judgements.
It’s meant to show God’s awesome presence and the vindication of the saints.
The rest of revelation is also about God’s judgments.
Revelation 4:5 NLT
This indicates that the Holy Spirit is present at the throne. Ready to judge sin.
Seven is the number of fullness and completion of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Burning flames also indicate judgment.
Isaiah 4:4 NLT
The world always likes to think that God is a God of love, and he is, but they don’t like to think that he is also a God of judgment!
And he is.
Revelation 4:6 NLT
Pure crystal symbolizes God’s holiness.
In the Old Testament, they had a bronze laver and a giant laver in which the priests would wash before ministering before the Lord.
Exodus 30:17-20 NLT
If they washed there, we can assume the water was kind of dirty or cloudy.
Here the water is crystal clear. No washing is needed because we are already made clean by Christ.
Revelation 4:6-8 NLT
Here is where we really start the imagery.
Covered with eyes represent intelligence, alertness, understanding and awareness of all that is going on in all directions.
The lion is the king of all animals, the ox (calf) is the chief domesticated animal, man as created in the image of God and the eagle, the king of the birds.
This are representative of all of creation (the 4 facets of creation) worshipping God. And that God is sovereign over all His creation.
Revelation 4:8 NLT
Again, another reference to the Old Testament and the temple of God.
Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT
The 6 wings symbolized humility (cover their faces and feet) quickness (flew).
Revelation 4:8 NLT
In the Old Testament, the seraphim shouted "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!"
But in Revelation they shout: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty--the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come."
Instead of talking about the earth, and it’s lifespan (it had a beginning and will have an end) they are speaking about eternity.
Heaven is eternal.
Holy 3 times is emphasizing God’s holy attributes.
Holiness is 2 things: Separation from and separation to.
As Christians, we are to be Holy. Separated from sin and separated to God.
Since God is eternal, everything else, all evil will eventually pass away. But God remains.
There was a saying coined by the atheist Nietzsche. “God is dead” signed Nietzsche.
Then came the saying “Nietzsche is dead, Signed God”.
All evil will eventually be gone, but God will remain.
Revelation 4:9-11 NLT
This first verse tell us that this type of worship happens from time to time, over and over again these living beings overflow with glory, honor and thanks to God the father.
In other words, there is spontaneous worship in heaven. This type of worship is shown at least 8 times in Revelation.
If we worship in heaven, why should we not worship on earth?
Every time these living being start worshiping, the elders follow suit and get off their thrones and lay on the floor in reverence to God.
They lay their crowns down. Since they have been given some authority, taking off their crowns and placing them before God tells us that they know the only authority they have is from God.
What they say in their praise indicates they recognize God as their Lord.
The name they use here in the Old Testament is the name for the God who keeps his covenants. YHWH or Jehovah.
The God who keeps his promises.
They end their praise by acknowledging that He is their creator, the giver of every good thing. That everything that exists has been created by God for our benefit AND for God’s benefit.
We honor God by using what he has given us for His glory.
What do we have that God didn’t first give to us? Whatever it is, we should honor God by using it the way he would want us to.
That includes our very life.
The theme of this chapter is a vision of God the creator. The theme of chapter 5 is a vision of God the redeemer.
He who created everything has the power and ability and will bring the world to it’s proper goal and end.
I said at the beginning of this series, that I’ve always shied away from Revelation.
But the Bible says that all of God’s word is useful and . . .
Revelation 1:3 NLT
I don’t know about you, but I want God’s blessing! I want God to pour out his Holy Spirit on this church and everyone in it.
And I believe he wants to do that!
The first 3 chapters are getting the church ready to escape the coming judgment.
Are we ready?
The rest is letting us know what will happen to those left behind. We don’t want anyone left behind, that is why we have focused on praying for people.
Week of prayer and Thursday night prayer times. . . all designed to make sure people know the Lord.