No Problems, Only Plans

“After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne. The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

There’s a part of me that wants to rush through this difficult and challenging book. Hit the highlights, review the lessons they teach us, and move along to the next chapter quickly. But to do so may be an injustice to these hallowed words. I feel a bit like I did when we started our study in Isaiah, overwhelmed with what was lying before me. But like Isaiah, I think that a slow and prayerful study of the text will lend itself to being open to God and hearing God’s Spirit and what He “says to the churches.” So, I’m going to slow down a bit and break this chapter into three sections that we will look at over the next three weeks:

1. The ONE seated on the throne is the sovereign KING
2. The ONE seated on the throne is the holy LORD.
3. The ONE seated on the throne is the divine CREATOR.

This week, we will deal with the first of these three: The ONE seated on the throne is the sovereign KING. As you’ll recall, last week we were looking at the last of the seven letters and it was addressed to the Angel of the church in Philadelphia. At the end of that letter, we find Jesus standing outside the door knocking and offering an intimate fellowship with the one who will open the door and let Him in. Immediately, John notes that he looked and saw a door opened in heaven and heard a familiar voice (see 1:10) inviting him to “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

If we’re honest with ourselves, we’d like to know what our future holds. If I’m honest with you, I’d like to know what the future holds for our church. I think that’s why so many of us want to know and better understand what Revelation tells us. But if you’ve come looking for specific answers, you’re going to be very disappointed. Oh, there are answers but they are not the detailed answers that we often seek. We’re often more like the guy who’s praying to know which numbers to choose for his lottery ticket so he can define his own future. Instead, God has already told us that if we want what’s best for our lives then we must choose to follow His will and obey His commands. If you’ve chosen to follow Him then to understand your future you must know who you’re following. And that’s the first glimpse we get once the door is opened…

The only way for John, or any human, to get a glimpse into heaven and understand what he sees is to be “in the Spirit.” Spiritual realities are only observed and understood through the work of God’s spirit. I think it is important to note, while spiritual realities may be ethereal or seem “less physical” than earthly things, that doesn’t mean they are less real. In fact, I believe that makes them more real. We are not physical beings with a spirit; we are spiritual beings with a body (see 1 Cor. 15). Our physical bodies are mortal, made of dust, and subject to death and decay. But our spiritual bodies are like Christ’s resurrected body and are not subject to death and decay.

What John sees while “in the Spirit” is a throne set in heaven and ONE seated on that throne with the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. John’s spirit-enabled vision of God is very similar to that of Isaiah (Isaiah 6), Daniel (Daniel 7), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1). The throne in heaven has been “set” but not by human hands, and the verb tense in that phrase indicates it has always existed and will always exist. The ONE who sits on this throne is unlike any ruler mankind has ever known or seen. While He may have a human-like form or appearance, He is NOT human by any stretch of the imagination. Jasper and carnelian are translucent with a red or reddish-brown hue, so the ONE seated on the throne is like an extremely bright red light, and HE is encircled by an emerald or green-tinted rainbow.

Just what is God trying to tell these churches about Himself through John’s Revelation? He wants them to know that the ONE who sits on the throne of heaven is NOTHING like those who rule on earth. While Caesar may claim divinity, there’s simply no comparison when you catch a glimpse of the ONE sovereign KING of the universe – the God we believe, follow, and serve. The reference to jasper and carnelian stones are also the first and last stones in the breastplate of the Jewish High Priest’s garments. And the rainbow of emerald seems to reference the symbol of promise given to Noah. The GOD on the throne in John’s vision is the God of the Old Testament covenants and promises. This is not some new god; this is the One true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in whom there is no shadow of turning or change.

Around that throne, the one set for all eternity on which the Sovereign King reigns, are 24 other thrones with 24 elders dressed in white clothing with gold crowns on their heads. While the identity of these 24 elders is never clearly given (and is hotly debated by some scholars), there are some clues. Some see them as heavenly beings or angels that encircle the throne of God and worship Him continually. But given the fact that Jesus has just told these struggling churches that they will reign with Him and be given white clothing and a victor’s crown if they will endure unto death, then I believe they represent the faithful saints of the Old and New Testaments. These 24 elders represent the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises to those of us who are victorious. There’s no greater motivation in the midst of suffering than to know that your suffering will result in the fulfilled promise of reigning with Christ.

Then John sees flashes of lightning and hears the rumblings of thunder that came from the throne. The sovereign ONE who sits on that eternal throne is also the God of justice. If HE is true, holy, and righteous, then He must also confront those who rebel against Him and His righteous will. Whenever we see the flashes of lightning and hear the rumblings of thunder in Revelation, be sure that God’s righteous justice is being carried out. We love justice when it flows in our favor against someone who has wronged us, but we struggle with justice when it flows against us and our unrighteous choices. This is also a part of knowing God and following His will. He judges our sin when we’re disobedient and calls us to repentance and to restoration. The love of God includes His justice and judgment.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭7‬, ‭11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

Then John catches a glimpse of seven fiery torches burning before the throne, and they are (or represent) the seven spirits of God. As I’ve mentioned before, this is not a reference to seven different or individual spirits but is clearly a reference to the completeness, sufficiency, and powerful presence of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives and in the churches. The Holy Spirit is present in the lives of all believers and is working the will of God in and through them (see Rom. 8). The only way we can effectively be the children of God is by the powerful work of His Spirit in us and through us. 

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

Next, John glimpses “something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was before the throne.” Scholars are divided on what this sea of crystal-like glass represents. I think the most obvious reference is the chaos of sin and God’s transcendence, the division the chaotic sea (of sin) creates between His creation and His divine holiness. But notice, the chaotic and raging sea has been calmed and is now like a sea of crystal glass. In other words, what had separated us from God has now been conquered and is transformed from a raging sea that separates and destroys to a calm sea of crystalline glass that enables us to approach His throne of grace.

Finally, we have four living creatures that surrounded the throne of God. John tells us that they were covered with eyes in front and back and each took on a different form. One was like a lion, the second was like a calf or ox, the third had the face of a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of them had six wings and they cried out continually, “Holy, holy, holy, LORD God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming (to come).” There are several things about these “living” creatures that are emphasized: 1) they are created beings; 2) their forms are representative (lion, ox, man, eagle); 3) their purpose is continual worship.

Each of these distinctions is important. First, they are created beings and, thus, are completely subjected to their creator. They are wholly representative of the different forms of creation: wild beasts, domesticated or servant beasts, mankind, and the birds (and fish). Then each of them is responding to God, their creator’s presence, through purposeful worship and praise. Everything exists for the sole purpose of bringing glory to its creator, the ONE Sovereign KING of the universe. Once we begin to see ourselves and all of creation in that way, then things begin to fall into their proper place and perspective.

The things around us were created for His glory and praise, not ours. We often forget that. Yes, it includes all of the “beasts” or creatures, but it also includes those things that we don’t normally see as “living” creatures. Scripture speaks of the seas and the trees praising God (Ps. 96), and Jesus tells the Pharisees that if He silenced His disciples’ praise, then the rocks would “cry out” in praise (Lk. 19:37-40). The point is a simple one: everything God created was created for the sole purpose of giving Him praise, and that includes you and me! While man was the epitome of God’s created order, we were also created for the purpose of bringing God glory by loving God and giving Him praise and worship. When you fail to do that, you fail to live up to your intended purpose.

I know that some of you might respond, “Well, if God would just… (fill in the blank), then I’d give Him glory and praise.” That’s the core of our problem and John’s point. God is deserving of glory and praise regardless of our circumstances because He’s God, and you and I aren’t. He’s the creator, and we are the creatures. He’s the sovereign KING of the universe, and we are but mere creatures, the results of His sovereign and creative will. The churches of chapters two and three are overwhelmed by their problems, but the sovereign KING of the universe isn’t. There are no problems in God’s will, only plans. Plans to make us into the image of His Son. Plans to transform us from lives of sin, chaos, and struggle to a calm sea of glass that testifies to His glory and power.

Why? Because the ONE seated on the throne is the sovereign KING of all creation, and He has promised to come in and have dinner with us if we will but open that door… 

Listen closely, do you hear the knock?