What a glorious joy! Filled with awe and wonder. On that day will be when I shall see my Lord and King upon His throne!
Three weeks ago, we were introduced to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In Chapter one we were presented with what was—Eternal, Omnipotent, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Triune God. Three in persons and one in essence. Then last week we read the letters that Jesus wrote to the seven churches. These represented the “what is” and foreshadowed the church ages to come. Now as we move into Chapter 4, we begin the “what is to come”.
It is quite worthy to remember that scripture explains scripture. In this book God is revealing the magnificence of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I truly believe it to be clear and precise, a revealing of the mystery. It is my intention to help us all to see just that. A portrait of Jesus clearly on display, rather than the shrouded symbolism many tend to believe it to be.
Glorious Joy in the Throne Room
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.” Revelation 4:1 (NKJV)
After what things? The letters to the churches were present day and also reflective of the churches throughout the ages. Therefore, in “the fullness of time” at the end of the church ages, John was called up into heaven. The door was opened, and he heard the voice of a trumpet. Until now, those who die in Christ go to Paradise while those who die as sinners go to Hades. Remember the story of Lazarus?
Hades and Paradise
“Now the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, as he was in torment, he looked up. And saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side. So, he called out, ‘Father Abraham! Have mercy on me. And send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us. Luke 16:22-26 NET
Here we see the temporary place of waiting for all who die. Some in torment and others in paradise. Yet, the eternal hell will be where those who denied Christ will go after the Great White Throne Judgement at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ. At that time all believers will be ushered into the New Heaven/New Earth for eternity.
Significance of Revelation 4:1
The door of heaven is opened—this ushers the spirit of John into the throne room of God. He will witness what is to come. Chapters 4 and 5 allow us to see a prelude to the tribulation period. Thus providing great insight as to the why of all that will come after this. The great event that occurred at the end of Chapter three and before this is the rapture of the church. It describes the glorious joy of being in the presence of Jesus in His throne room. Furthermore, it gives greater insight into the inner workings of it all.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NASB)
Note the voice as that of a trumpet. That is also what John describes in Revelation 4:1. This is a special event. Christ does not touch the earth as He does in the second coming of Christ. When he does, we His church descend with Him. Meaning we have already left before that time. Very clearly these are separate events. The Old Testament Saints are not yet risen until after the tribulation, but we the church are.
Why Believe in the Pre-Tribulation rapture of the Church?
These two chapters (4 and 5) are a time of Glorious Joy as the church joins with the heavenly chorus to worship our Savior. Also, in chapter 5 we are presented with the truth as to what Adam lost and what Jesus redeemed. Also remember that in the letter to the church of Sardis, Jesus wrote, “he one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments;” Rev 3:5 And to the church of Philadelphia, “Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Rev 3:10-11
Glorious Joy as John views the Throne Room
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Revelation 4:2-3 (NASB)
Here John is forced to use simile because it is more breathtaking than human words can truly describe. This we have seen in the description of God given by Moses, Isaiah, and Ezekiel.
The jasper here refers to a brilliant clear stone like a diamond and the sardius is red as a ruby. These shine forth brilliantly. The rainbow is not half around, but rather encircles the throne fully representing also the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises.
Who Are The 24 Elders?
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Revelation 4:4 (NASB)
Though many have speculated as to who the 24 elders are-they can only be one group. They represent the church. Why?
- They sing praises as to their redemption (Revelation 5:9)
- Clothed in white garments referring to their wearing the righteousness of Christ
- They are crowned with golden crowns (only the church age are promised these crowns which they then place at the feet of Jesus recognizing their crowns as being only the works of Christ through them and not the labor of their own hands)
- Isaiah 9:6 points out that unto us a child is born and the government shall be upon His shoulders. This truly jumps from His first coming to His Second coming in Glorious Joy as He sets up His kingdom. So for the Old Testament Saints, they are not resurrected with the church at the rapture. Further the angel told Daniel “go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of days. Daniel 12:13.
The Throne and Worship of the Creator What Glorious Joy!
Out from the throne *came flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; Revelation 4:5 NASB
So, at this point, we have God the Father seated on the throne and the Holy Spirit represented as the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne-presenting the seven aspects of the Holy Spirit as described in Isaiah 11:2 and Zechariah 4:2-10
The Spirit of the Lord, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.
So, we have seen the Father and the Holy Spirit. Soon will enter Jesus on the scene.
The Scene Surrounding the Throne
and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; Revelation 4:5-8a (NASB)
These amazing creatures have features in common with both the Seraphim, in having six wings and continually praising God; and like the Cherubim, that they number four, are covered in eyes and look like a lion, ox, man and eagle.
Whether these creatures are Seraphim, Cherubim or another sort of angelic/heavenly being, we simply don’t know. But they are certainly amazing and very powerful.[1]
and day and night they do not cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4: 8b-11 (NASB)
The Scroll with Seven Seals
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. Revelation 5:1 NASB
And what is this scroll?
It is perhaps best described as the title deed of the earth.
In Jeremiah 32:6-15, just before the siege of Jerusalem, God instructs Jeremiah to perform an act as a sign that the Jews would return to the land. This passage is about inheritance and redemption of property, in which Jeremiah is the kinsman-redeemer, similar to Boaz (Ruth 4:1-11). At God’s direction, Jeremiah pays the purchase price, signs and seals the deed, and performs it all in the presence of witnesses.
Verse 11 refers to the purchase deed in the singular but later describes it as “both that which was sealed . . . and that which was open.” These title deeds consisted of duplicates. One copy was left open so the contents could be read by any interested party, while the second copy was sealed to ensure that no tampering could be done. When it was time to buy back the property, the sealed copy would be unsealed to verify the original agreement. The only person with authority to unseal the deed, however, was the rightful owner—the one redeeming the property.
Consider how this applies to the scroll of Revelation 5. In type, it is not merely a prophetic scroll of judgment but a sealed title deed![2]
The First Adam vs the Second Adam
Adam in Genesis 1:26 was given lordship over creation. Yet, through his sin Adam lost his lordship over creation and Satan became the ruler over earth. Even Satan when tempting Christ reminded Jesus that he (Satan held the deed) Matthew 4:8-11. Here Satan takes Jesus to the top of a hill and promises to give Him dominion over all the kingdoms if Jesus would bow down to worship at the feet of Satan.
Now the Father’s holds the scroll in His Hands with the seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Revelation 5:2-4
No mere man could redeem the earth. David wept bitterly, for he understood without redemption all was lost forever for earth and its inhabitants. But there is one kinsman redeemer for the earth.
And one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping. Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:5-7 (NASB)
What Glorious Joy as the Lion like Lamb Enters the throne Room
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5: 8
The prayers of the saints. That which was not answered until now, the prayers to bid Jesus Come quickly were held as a fragrant aroma before the Father.
And they *sang a new song, saying
“Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
Heaven Overflows with Glorious Joy as the Angels Exalt the Lamb
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.”
And I heard every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea, and all the things in them, saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures were saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5: 11-14
The 70th week of Daniel
Now we will enter in chapters 6-19 the 70th week Daniel with the focus returning to the nation of Israel and their role to become the light to all those who will come to believe in Jesus Christ.
“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Daniel 9:24
69 of those weeks ended exactly as Jesus presented to be the sacrificial lamb to bear the sins of all. The 70th week was then paused to allow for the church age and the bride of Christ to be established. After the rapture of the church Jesus takes back the title deed of the earth as He opens the seven seals which then begins the seven trumpet judgments and finally on the seventh trumpet comes the seven bowl judgements. These must be completed after which Jesus with all His army returns to earth to set up His millennial Kingdom. As we study these next, keep in mind.
The seven seals represent the judgements enacted by the human race with destruction resulting from the wrath and warfare of mankind. The seven trumpets are then revealed which brings destruction which results from Satan’s wrath. God permits Satan to pour out his wrath during the tribulation. Then, after the seventh trumpet sound the seven vials or bowls of wrath are the destruction directed by God Himself against all evil on the earth perpetuated by those who deny Christ. So, that will be the next chapters.
[1] Cooper, James, what the Bible says about angels, https://www.whyangels.com/seraphim-cherubim-creatures, accessed 1/11/25
[2] Grabbe, David C; https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/6021/Seventh-Seal.htm accessed 1/11/25
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025
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