A Whole New Day in Heaven

Where did the church go? From Revelation 4 through the end of the book, the church isn’t mentioned again, even once. The church goes off the air … because it went up in the air to meet Jesus. The saints entered the opened door to heaven and are now with Christ (see John 14:3). She is now no longer called, “church” but “the group of people called out of the world.” In heaven, the church is represented by 24 elders.

Chapter 4 begins a whole new day in Revelation. After Jesus snatches His church out of the world, the scene follows us from earth to heaven. This is a radical change—and a journey that could only be hosted by the Holy Spirit. Only He could describe things in heaven as easily and clearly as what was happening on earth. The scene is awe-inspiring, but it lacks the sensational we would have put in it.

What does the Holy Spirit reveal to John about heaven? What do we see?

We see the throne of God. As the door to heaven opens, we first find our way to God. Just imagine! The first thing we see is Jesus Christ in His threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King, and we fall down in worship of Jesus Christ as God. God’s throne represents the center of this universe and God’s rightful rule and control over all events. (See also Psalm 47:8, 97:2, 103:19; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Hebrews 1:3, 12:2.) The throne of grace now becomes a throne of judgment.

The 24 Elders: Around the throne sit 24 elders dressed in white, like in the righteousness of Christ, with gold crowns on their heads, speaking for their role as rulers with Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:3). These elders stand for the total church from Pentecost to the Rapture. (One more indication this is the church in heaven.)

Around the throne was a glass sea and four creatures. “A sea of glass” (v. 6) describes its appearance—as calm and restful. The sea represents the holiness and righteousness of God bringing the church to its rest, no longer tossed on a stormy sea.

Four living creatures (zoa, from which we get the word zoo) also surround the throne. Like the cherubim and seraphim (Ezekiel 1:5-10 and Isaiah 6:2-3), these living creatures are alert and aware, with eyes before and behind.

The first great worship scene we see in heaven: Each of the creatures has six wings and circles the throne, day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (v. 8).

They continually give Jesus glory, honor, and thanks for His attributes, because of who He is. The elders, too, fall down before God’s throne, worshipping God for who He is and what He has done. They cast their crowns before Jesus’ feet as an act of submission and worship. He’s the only One worthy to wear a crown.

They acknowledge Jesus Christ as God and Creator of all things, “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” (v. 11).

God created this earth and everything in it according to His plan and purpose. We may not understand all that He is doing, but this is the way He wanted it. It’s His universe and He’s in charge, and we are to worship Him because of it.

Next: What’s the big deal about the scroll?