The Future According to GodSample

REVELATION 4: The Throne Room of God

Revelation 4 gives us a glimpse into the throne room of heaven! Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? Have you wanted to see the throne room of God Almighty? Please read or listen to Revelation 4.

COMMENTS

In 1995, as I read Revelation 4, I wrote in my journal, “Throne. Judgment now, not mercy or grace. Twenty-four elders: twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, they do not cease praising the Lord.”

In 2008, I wrote, “John enters heaven. He sees the throne room of God Almighty, a spectacular scene of glory, purity, power, love, perfection, and worship. ‘HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME’ (Rev 4:8 NASB). ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power’ (Rev 4:11 NASB).”

In 2013, I wrote, “The throne of God. John tries to describe what he saw. We cannot comprehend, but we know You will be worshiped on Your throne forever and ever.”

DIGGING DEEPER

Just reading or hearing this makes you want to break out in worship. We may, before this devotion is over. Let’s take a look at Revelation 4. Can you imagine seeing the throne of God? Can you imagine trying to describe the throne of God Almighty? “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! . . . At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne” (Rev 4:1-2 ESV). “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders” (Rev 4:4 ESV).

I refer to my English Standard Version Study Bible footnote about the twenty-four thrones:

Their number may reflect the orders of priests serving in the Old Testament temple, but more likely they symbolize the unity of God’s people, encompassing Old Testament Israel (led by the heads of the 12 tribes) and the New Testament church (led by the 12 apostles), like the new Jerusalem’s 12 gates and 12 foundations. Their thrones resemble those of God’s heavenly court (ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles 2008, 2469).

In one of my journals, I referred to the twenty-four thrones as the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles in the New Testament. Also around the throne are four living creatures. Those living creatures:

never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come”! And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever (Rev 4:8-10 ESV).

What a powerful scene of worship and praise to the one who sits on the throne in heaven!

I do not know how you like to worship the Lord. I do not know how you like to praise the Lord, but, wow, what a scene. What an opportunity to, after this devotion, worship the Lord, praise the Lord, and give glory to His name. Maybe you will fall on your knees. Maybe you will stand to your feet and put your hands high in the air. Maybe you will kneel with your face to the ground. Maybe you will shout praises to God. Maybe you will whisper in tears, Hallelujah to the King of kings and Lord of lords. A great practical application from this passage today is to worship the Lord sometime today.

PRAYER

Father, we thank You for a glimpse into Your throne room. John could not describe it. We cannot comprehend it. But we are thankful You are on the throne, and You remind us in this chapter, You deserve all the glory, all the praise, all of our worship, all the time.

We are reminded that whatever works we do here on earth, whatever crowns we earn, we are going to cast them at Your feet when we see You on Your throne in heaven. Hallelujah, I worship You. Amen.

May God bless you as you spend a moment in worship.