From Revelation Chapter 4 onwards, no more mention is made of the Church.

That is because the Church, the Bride of Christ has been Raptured to heaven by Jesus the Bridegroom.

 

☆ John 14:1-3

"Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.

In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

 

☆ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17...

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

 

☆ Ephesians 5:27...

"That He (Jesus) might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

 

The world as we know it is coming to a close... to an end... We are talking about the end times. 

God is going to judge the earth dwellers for their rejection of His Son Jesus, for their rejection of His amazing grace and for their rejection of His salvation. 

The God of love, mercy and grace is going to be the God of judgement! 

The Great Tribulation... Jacob's Trouble is about to be unleashed on the earth... chapters 6-19.

 

☆ Revelation 6:17...

"For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

 

But... before I cover that, let's look at Revelation chapters 4 and 5. We get an amazing glimpse through the Apostle John's eyes of what worship will be like in heaven.

 

Firstly... we go with the Apostle John through an open door that takes us into Heaven. 

See if you can imagine or picture in your mind what John describes...

 

☆ Revelation 4:1...

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter."

 

"After this I looked..." John had received from Jesus 7 letters for the 7 churches in Asia Minor... (what is).

 

From now on we no longer hear of the Church... it has been Raptured to Heaven.

John now receives the next instalment from the Lord...

 

I reckon the "language" used here by John, seems to imply the Rapture... ☆ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17...

 

▪ a "voice like a trumpet"...

▪ an "open door in heaven"... 

▪ "come up hither."

 

John speaks of "the first voice" which is speaking to him now. 

This voice, referred to as "a great voice as of a trumpet", is mentioned in ☆ Revelation 1:10. 

 

Whose voice is it? None other than Jesus. 

 

So... with the Church now in heaven...

Jesus tells John that he is about to be shown what will happen from now on (what is hereafter)... and he has to record what he sees and hears.

 

☆ Revelation 4:2...

"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne."

 

There is now a sudden and complete change of scenery.

"And immediately I was in the Spirit"... John is divinely transported...

▪ from Earth to Heaven

▪ from the present to the future

▪ from the sinful to the holy, and...

▪ from the human to the divine world.

 

And what does John see first of all?

 

He sees a throne set in Heaven and... "One sat on the throne."

That "One" being the Lord God Almighty. 

 

The throne of God is the centre piece of chapter 4.

 

☆ Revelation 4:3...

"And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and carnelian: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald."

 

The "One" John sees upon the throne looked like jasper and carnelian. Jasper and carnelian are incredibly beautiful gemstones. 

John sees the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 

John is absolutely dazzled.

 

There is also a "rainbow about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." 

This rainbow around the throne suggests majestic beauty. There is something very special about a rainbow. 

When you see it in the sky it is very noticeable. 

It attracts your attention. 

I know that I always stand in awe of the magnificence of a rainbow. 

 

"In sight like unto an emerald"? An emerald is another incredibly beautiful gemstone... in this case a precious gemstone.

 

 

A "rainbow in sight like unto an emerald" sounds very unusual... but, it must have been out of this world to see. 

There is no mistaking... John is seeing the glory of God.

 

I am reminded of a chorus we sing...

 

You are beautiful beyond description,

Too marvellous for words.

Too wonderful for comprehension 

Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom,

Who can fathom the depths of Your love.                      You are beautiful beyond description,                            Majesty, enthroned above.                                                 And I stand, I stand in awe of You.                                 I stand, I stand in awe of You.                                         Holy God to Whom all praise is due.                               I stand in awe of You.

 

This would have been John's song of what he saw in Heaven.

 

☆ Revelation 4:4...

"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold."

 

Surrounding the throne of God John sees 24 seats. 

Sitting on these seats are 24 "elders."

These "seats" that they sit on are also thrones. 

 

But who are these twenty four guys? 

 

They are referred to as "Elders"... who do they represent?

 

Could they be the 12 apostles and 12 patriarchs? 

 

Something to take note is that...

These elders have a regal character, or are of a kingly order. This is apparent:

(a) because they are represented as sitting on "thrones," and...

(b) because they have on their heads "crowns of gold."

 

What they say when they worship God also gives us some clue as to who they might be.

 

They could be symbolic of the church as redeemed, because, they say in ☆ Revelation 5:9 "You have redeemed us to God by Your blood."

 

They could represent the whole church in every land and every age of the world. 

Because, they say in ☆ Revelation 5:9 "You have redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

 

These Elders are clothed in white raiment, which represents the righteousness of Christ.

Their crowns of gold are representative of their authority.

 

Why 24 Elders?

The number 24 is associated with the priesthood. Since it is composed of a multiple of 12, it takes on some of 12's meaning (which is God's power and authority, as well as perfect foundation) except in a higher form. Twenty-four, therefore, is also connected with the worship of God, especially at the temple.

 

☆ Revelation 4:5...

"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."

 

From God's throne issued, emitted, emanated lightnings, thunderings and voices. This would have been totally and literally awesome to have witnessed.

It would give you a sense of God's awesomeness, God's power and God's authority. You would certainly sit up, stand up and take notice.

 

God is to be feared and revered.

 

The meaning of the lightnings and thunderings is that judgement is coming.

 

In front of the throne are 7 burning lamps. We are told that they represent the 7 Spirits of God. 

A reference in Isaiah may help us understand what this means... 

 

☆ Isaiah 11:2...

"And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him (Jesus), the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." 

 

God is good and God is perfect... the 7 spirits of God are good and perfect.

 

☆ Revelation 4:6...

"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind."

 

A "sea of glass like unto crystal" denotes its appearance and not the material from which its made.

This sea represents the holiness and righteousness of God.

 

☆ Matthew 5:8...

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

 

☆ Hebrews 12:14...

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

 

Could this placid sea also indicate the place of rest which the Church has come? No longer is she the victim of the storms of life.  

 

Very prominent around the throne are 4 creatures. They are full of eyes before and behind. This would indicate their alertness and watchfulness. They resemble the cherubim in ☆ Ezekiel 1:5-10 and the seraphim in ☆ Isaiah 6:2-3

 

☆ Revelation 4:7...

"And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle."

 

Who are these 4 creatures around the throne and what do they represent?

 

Lion... stands for regality, majesty, courage, power.

Calf... represents strength, persistence, dependability.

Man... intelligence, wisdom, tenderness... and the...

Eagle... swiftness, vision, grace.

 

All these qualities are found in God.

 

And from here on John witnesses amazing heavenly worship.

 

We have WORSHIP!!! Beautiful worship in Heaven.

 

WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! WORSHIP!!! 

 

What a "time" of rejoicing that will be!! 

We will hear sounds, songs and music such as never been heard before by mortal ear.

 

This WORSHIP that is taking place in Heaven is PROGRESSIVE and INTENSIFYING. 

And note, there appears to be a pattern.

 

☆ Revelation 4:8...

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

 

(1) WORSHIP BY THE 4 CREATURES (they worship the Eternal Godhead)... 

 

The four creatures cry out... "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

 

Note the Four Creatures -

▪ each had six wings, and this speaks of superior mobility. 

God is all present... OMNIPRESENT!

 

▪ each was full of eyes, and speaks of superior vision. 

God is all seeing... OMNISCIENT!

 

▪ they didn't rest day or night, and speaks of availability. 

God is all powerful...OMNIPOTENT!

 

▪ the 3 x's HOLY, speaks of the Triune Godhead... God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

 

The four Creatures worship Almighty God for Who He is... the eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.

 

☆ Revelation 4:9-11...

"And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who lives for ever and ever...

The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying...

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."

 

Next we have...

(2) WORSHIP BY THE 24 ELDERS (they worship God the Creator).

 

Saying... "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive GLORY and HONOUR and POWER: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."

 

Note the 24 Elders -

▪  fell down before Him that sat upon the throne (humility)

 

▪  cast down their crowns before the throne (again humility - He must ever increase, we must decrease)

 

The twenty four elders who represent the Church, worship Almighty God for what He has done.

They sing the song of Creation.

 

God created the whole of creation for His own pleasure. Creation was spoken into being by God in an instant! 

Creation did not take millions of years of evolution to appear. God didn't wait that long so He could take pleasure in His creation.