The Bible Courseනියැදිය

The door, the elders and the throne – a vision of heaven

Reflect:

Do you have a favourite film director? The director’s role is less obvious than those of the actors on the screen, but it’s also the most influential. The actors may play out the scene, but it’s the director who governs and shapes everything about the film.

The early chapters of Revelation speak of Jesus as king, the most important actor. This would have been deeply reassuring for Christians living under the heel of Rome, experiencing persecution. In a turbulent world of threats and intimidation, when King Jesus speaks over our lives, saying, ‘Do not be afraid’, he means it.

The book of Revelation also portrays God as the director. His hand in events may be more hidden from view, but that doesn’t mean he is not actively influencing and shaping our world. In fact, God is the one calling the shots, and we can be at peace because there’s no better director.

What does the vision of the throne in heaven teach us?

Could you get your head around all the mind-blowing descriptions in chapter 4? It’s almost as though John didn’t have the words to accurately capture the splendour and majesty of God on his throne. The effect is overwhelming.

In amongst it all, he tells us he sees 24 elders sitting on thrones as representatives of God’s people – perhaps symbolising the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel from the Old Testament and the New Testament Church led by the 12 apostles. And with them are four ‘living creatures’ with both familiar and heavenly features, representing a cosmic harmony between heaven and earth. Together, they offer up ceaseless praise and worship to God.

The last time we saw this kind of cosmic harmony was in the Garden of Eden, right at the beginning of the Bible’s story. Finally, we’re coming back to the beginning …

But there’s plenty of evidence in our experiences of work, relationships, and tragic events today to remind us that the promised restoration and harmony hasn’t fully arrived. But this doesn’t mean we’re without hope. One day, everything will be restored to the way it should be. Even as we wait, God remains in the director’s chair. He calls the shots, working out a good plan for our lives.

What does the vision of the Lamb in chapter 5 mean for us today?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor’s powerful hammer can only be wielded by a ‘worthy’ person. Thor fears that he could lose his ‘worthiness’ and thus his ability to wield the hammer.

There’s no hammer in chapter 5, but there is a scroll that can only be opened by one who is worthy. John describes one called ‘the Lamb’ standing among the people of God, in between the throne of God and the four creatures, who is ‘worthy’ all the time. He does not fear or fluctuate; he is Jesus, our king, who sacrificed himself to save us.

The chapter ends with ‘every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them’ praising Jesus for what he has done (verse 13). He’s worthy of all our praise!

Respond

Andrew Peterson’s song ‘Is He Worthy?’ captures this beauty of this truth:

Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah, who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Why not listen to the song and spend some time in worship now? He is worthy!