Revelation 4
Revelation 4 serves as a pivotal transition in the narrative of the Book of Revelation, where the focus shifts from the messages to the seven churches to the heavenly visions that reveal future events. This chapter introduces the throne room of heaven, emphasizing God's majesty and sovereignty. It sets the stage for the divine judgments that are to be pronounced in the succeeding chapters, highlighting the worship of God by all creation as central to the unfolding events.
Revelation 4:1-2 (NKJV)
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
This passage describes John being taken in vision to witness a future event in heaven, where God’s judgment takes place, deciding between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan. John sees a door standing open in heaven and hears a voice like a trumpet, calling him to “come up” and see “things which must take place after this.” Immediately, he is taken in the Spirit and sees a throne set in heaven, with One sitting on the throne.
This vision marks the beginning of the heavenly judgment, where God determines the fate of all beings. The open door represents access to the heavenly courtroom, aligning with Daniel 7:9-10, where the Ancient of Days sits on the throne, and the books are opened for judgment. The voice like a trumpet symbolizes divine authority, calling John to witness the most crucial phase of history. His experience of being “in the Spirit” shows that he is transported beyond his time to see future events, similar to the visions given to Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14).
The throne in heaven is the center of judgment, where God decides between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan. This vision prepares for Revelation 5, where Christ, the Lamb, takes the scroll, signaling the unfolding of divine justice. The scene reassures believers that God is in control, the controversy between good and evil is being judged, and Christ’s kingdom will ultimately triumph over Satan’s.
Revelation 4:3-5 (NKJV)
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
This passage describes John's vision of the heavenly judgment scene, where God’s throne is set in heaven, and He presides over the final decision between Christ’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. John is taken in the Spirit, witnessing God the Father on the throne, radiating jasper (purity) and sardius (justice) with a rainbow symbolizing mercy. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders, likely representing God’s people from both the Old and New Testament eras, clothed in white robes (righteousness) and wearing gold crowns (victory through faith), signifying their role in the judgment process (1 Corinthians 6:2). Lightning, thunder, and voices proceed from the throne, revealing God’s power and the seriousness of judgment, while seven lamps of fire, representing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, burn before the throne, showing the Spirit’s active role in judgment. This scene reassures believers that God is in control, judgment is unfolding in heaven, and Christ’s kingdom will ultimately triumph.
Revelation 4:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “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.”
This passage continues John's vision of heavenly worship and judgment, where a sea of glass, like crystal, symbolizes God's purity and perfect rule before His throne. Surrounding the throne are four living creatures, full of eyes (symbolizing their role as witnesses and recorders of all events in the great controversy between Christ and Satan). These beings likely represent a special group of angels tasked with observing and documenting everything happening in God's creation and the unfolding judgment. Their four forms—lion, calf, man, and eagle—may symbolize different aspects of creation or their ability to move and act in different capacities. They have six wings, similar to the seraphim in Isaiah 6, and they worship God continuously, proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" Their worship leads the twenty-four elders (representing redeemed believers) to fall down, cast their crowns before God, and acknowledge His supreme authority. The final verse declares that God alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and power because He is the Creator of all things, and by His will, they exist. This scene highlights that heavenly worship is not only about praise but also about the witnessing and recording of God's justice, ensuring that His rulership is fair, righteous, and acknowledged by all creation.