A moment at the Throne
Rev. 4:1-11
Introduction:
We know the first three chapters of Revelation give us a history of the church
from its birth to the rapture. In chapter four John gets a glimpse of heaven as
it will be after the rapture. What a picture it is and what God has given you
and I from this glimpse is amazing. If you pay
attention this morning you can walk away with a clear picture of who God is and
how serious He will be during that time. You will truly understand what is
meant in Hebrews 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.” Look with me at the word of God as we see “A moment at the Throne.”
Jasper shows us the hardness associated with Gods government while the Sardine shows us the holiness associated with God government.
Together the Jasper and Sardine show us the humanity associated with Gods government.
In Exodus 28:17-20 the high priest is told to place twelve
stones on his breastplate with the names of the twelve tribes of
Is not just any old rainbow this rainbow has two distinctive features; first it is a complete circle which signifies the perfection of God, second it is colored as an emerald which indicates judgment upon the earth (Gen. 9:12-17). This judgment is given details as:
The twenty four elders are introduced here, there function is multiple; first they are witness to the authority of God, second they are witness to the decency (not contempt) of His order and finally they are witness to the dignity (proper reverence of every heart) of His order.
The thunderings, ligntening and voices
of heaven remind us of Moses experience in Exodus 19:16-18 “And
it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice
of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
And
Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood
at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked
greatly.”
The presence of God is a fearful thing to
the people of God!
The seven spirits of God are present as well providing the role of holy prosecutor to the human race. Imagine everything you ever thought, said, done; whether it was public or secret being held by Gods heavenly witness who can tell no lie only provide the truth pure and sincere.
The wicked are symbolized as a sea of glass; nothing is more changeable than the sea. It symbolizes their restlessness; however since it resembles glass it is no longer fluid and no longer capable of change. Glass is also transparent therefore Gods judgment will be fixed and beyond appeal of His final verdict.
Involves four beasts full of eyes before and behind, it is believed these are Cherubim of the highest order, the highest of all created intelligence, from which Satan fell. They were associated with Gods creation in the Garden of Eden and are seen again associated with Gods redemption as they sit upon the mercy seat upon the ark of the tabernacle.
The eyes symbolize wisdom
The wings symbolize movement
The lion represents strength
The calf represents service
The face of a man represents intelligence
The eagle represents swiftness
The angels (beasts) give God glory, honor and thanks while the twenty four elders are full of worship, casting their crowns before Him. I believe the elders are representative of the raptured church, crowned members of the aristocracy of heaven. We see two things about this worship:
No one had to call the worship service to order, being in the presence of God was all that was needed to initiate worship.
The elders worship Him as the creator and instruct us to the fact that all things are created by Him and for Him, through His power and for His pleasure.
Conclusion: What a wonderful time it will be for the child of God when we finally get to stand in heaven at Gods throne and be privileged to witness Gods work upon this earth from the safety and security of heaven. We may not be able to see the suffering but we can see the power of Gods authority being unleashed against a world that has raised it fist in His face. Are you sure of your salvation this morning? Do you know for sure you will be in heaven and part of the glimpse John was given almost two thousand years ago? Rest assured you will be one of two places, in heaven with the church or left behind on earth to endure the Great Tribulation. Close as God leads.