Revelation 4:1-4

We are stepping into chapter 4, invited by the Holy Spirit to peek into the throne room of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. But first, remember what we were told at the beginning of this book:¶

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3 (ESV)¶

We are blessed simply by reading it aloud and keeping what it says — not "blessed if you decode it all perfectly." So let's rest in that truth and take hope that God will fulfill all he says.¶

Before wrath, glory¶

Chapter 4 begins with Jesus inviting John into his throne room in heaven. Before showing him the destruction, pestilence, death, judgment, and wrath to come, he shows him his glory, position, and authority. Without this context it would be easy to question how God could allow so much destruction. But Christ enthroned, crowned, and worshiped in glory — this is the context. He deserves all of it, and he has the explicit right to enact justice in the world, because he is the just and the justifier. Those who reject the one who sacrificed himself to save mankind, who forgives every sin and opens the door for all to enter — against them he has every right as the Son of God.¶

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

Revelation 4:1 (ESV)¶

He says to John, "Come up here." He invites a man behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place! This was the plan all along: where only one man was once able to enter, and only by sacrifice, all men have now been invited in by the blood of the perfect Lamb. This is his call to all men. Jesus told Nicodemus that no one has ascended into heaven except the Son of Man (John 3:13) — until he resurrected and made a way for all to enter through him. Those who believe are those invited in, and those who believe are those able to understand the heavenly things we are now being shown.¶

Shadow and substance of the temple¶

The author of Hebrews explains what is happening here:¶

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness... Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place... but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year... By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age)... But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands)... he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:1-12 (ESV)¶

In Revelation 1-3 we saw Jesus walking among the golden lampstands — the church on earth, which looks like the first Holy Place, this present age that is passing away. The Most Holy Place is where Jesus now sits enthroned. Where we had the shadow of the temple in the past, we now have the substance — the temple not made with human hands. He walks with authority, purity, and holiness through his temple, and he has invited us to see what is taking place and what will soon take place.¶

On the throne¶

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

Revelation 4:2-3 (ESV)¶

Now we see Jesus in all his brilliance. He is described as having the appearance of jasper and carnelian — a fiery red-orange; I imagine the color and light of the burning bush that spoke to Moses. And around the throne was a rainbow. These are references not only to God's promise in Genesis but also to creation itself, and to who is rightful King over it all. In Eden were all sorts of gems and precious stones, gold, rivers, and trees (Genesis 2:10-15) — references we will see throughout Revelation.¶

I also believe these references bring open shame to the spiritual rulers opposed to Christ — Satan and his angels. We often think that we, people, are the end and Christ is the means — that we are the whole purpose. But Scripture gives Christ's glory as THE purpose; we are a purpose, but not THE purpose. Christ is placed high above every ruler and authority, with all things in subjection to him — and praise God that in this purpose we have been offered a way to join the inheritance by believing in him.¶

And you, who were dead in your trespasses... God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses... He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV)¶

Our forgiveness is how Christ disarmed and shamed the spiritual rulers who staked claim over us because of our fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-16; Ephesians 1:19-23). Consider Ezekiel's lament over the king of Tyre — which seems to speak of someone else:¶

"You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering... You were an anointed guardian cherub... till unrighteousness was found in you... so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God..."

Ezekiel 28:12-16 (ESV)¶

This is a word to the king of Tyre, but as God's purpose is to put the devil to open shame, it is also a message to him. So when the devil sees Christ on his throne with the appearance of jasper and carnelian, with an emerald rainbow over his throne, I believe this shows who is the rightful King and the source of all creation — and it is not the created cherub, who has been cast out.¶

The twenty-four elders¶

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

Revelation 4:4 (ESV)¶

Many have debated who these 24 are. Some believe they represent believers (the thrones, white garments, and crowns we are promised); some see the 12 tribes and 12 apostles, the one reconciled people in Christ. The fact is we are not told who they are, only what they do. I personally do not believe they represent the church — I think they are simply elders in heaven, spiritual created beings. The Bible describes many kinds: sons of God, angels, spirits, elders, living creatures, cherubim, seraphim, rulers, authorities, princes. So I rest in this: no matter the level of a created thing, all will bow and worship Christ. There is nothing in heaven, on earth, or under the earth above him; every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.¶

It is incredible that out of all creation, there is no other creature God made in his own image. In his foreknowledge he chose to make us in his image, and in doing so made us able to be redeemed by himself — able to believe and so repent. Christ did not lower himself to become like any other part of his creation; he lowered himself to be like us, so that he could bring us with himself to his God (Hebrews 2:16). This story is about him. This is why we bow our knee now instead of being forced to later — we have believed in the only Savior. Christ has invited us, his creation, into the Most Holy Place with him.¶