Revelation | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

REVELATION 4

THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY THRONE ROOM

After recording the messages to the seven churches, John is shown an open door, leading to the heavenly throne room. A voice speaks to John, saying that he must be shown what will one day take place.

Upon the throne is a person who has the appearance of jasper and carnelian. These two gemstones, which are white and red, are possible representations of Jesus’ purity and the blood of His sacrifice.

Above the throne is a rainbow that appears to be made of emerald. This rainbow points to God’s covenant with Noah, where He promised never to wipe out humanity with another great flood (See Genesis 9). The gemstones also highlight Jesus’ role as the ultimate high priest. Previously, God instructed Israel's high priests to wear jasper, carnelian, and emerald along with nine other gemstones on their chest in a garment called an ephod (See Exodus 28).

Around the great throne are twenty-four additional thrones, seating twenty-four elders clothed in white garments and golden crowns. Scripture does not specify, but many believe that the twenty-four elders on the thrones represent the twelve sons of Jacob (twelve tribes of Israel) and the twelve disciples. These two groups symbolize God’s people from both the old covenant (before Jesus) and new covenant (since Jesus).

From the throne come flashes of lightning and thunder. In front of the throne are seven burning torches of fire and a sea of crystal glass. On each side of the throne are four living creatures, each with six wings and covered in eyes. These creatures—one like a lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like an eagle—continually praise God and sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” These beings resemble the cherubim described by the prophet Ezekiel (See Ezekiel 1, 10) but also share characteristics of seraphim (described in Isaiah 6), as they continuously worship God.

All beings give glory, honor, and thanks to the depiction of God on the throne. The twenty-four elders in the surrounding thrones fall down and cast their crowns before Him. They praise God as the Creator of all things and the one who is worthy of all worship.

STUDY QUESTIONS

In Revelation 4:1, John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice saying, “Come up here.” What does this invitation suggest about what John was about to witness? Why might God have wanted to show him this heavenly scene?

In Genesis 9:11–17, God made a covenant with Noah never again to destroy the earth by flood. Why might this promise be relevant when discussing the end times, especially in a book like Revelation?

The number twelve is significant in both the Old and New Testament. Consider the twelve disciples and twelve tribes of Israel. How are these groups, and the twenty-four thrones, representative of the Old Covenant followers and New Testament believers?

The ephod worn by Old Testament priests held twelve gemstones, each representing a tribe of Israel (see Exodus 28). What connections can you draw between this priestly imagery and Revelation 4–5?

Read Ezekiel 1:4-14 and Isaiah 6:1-7. How do the living creatures in Revelation 4 compare to the cherubim in Ezekiel and the seraphim in Isaiah? What similarities and differences do you notice? What might their constant praise of God reveal about His nature?