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Revelation
By Adam Bartlett
Chapter 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 hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2: And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
The scene now shifts away from the condition of the church and John is taken up into heaven and shown the throne room. There is much debate over this particular verse and the way it is worded. Those that believe in the Pre-trib rapture use this verse to say that it is a picture of the church being raptured. They cite two reasons: One being that because the word “church” is not mentioned again until 22:16 that it must mean that the church is not present, that it has been raptured. Two; that the “trumpet” mentioned in this verse is the same as the “LAST trump” mentioned in 1 Thess. 4:16 & 1 Corin. 15:52. They also cite that the phrase “come up hither” is the actual rapture.
We must be careful not to make an application that was not intended even though a scripture may have a lot of similarities to an actual event. Unless the scripture clearly supports this theory in other verses then it is not a good idea to create a doctrine. Let me give you an example. There are other places where the voice of God speaking to man is in the sound of a great trumpet, even in this book in the first chapter, 1:10. What about Zechariah 9:14 or Exodus 19:16.
My point is that these verses are not automatically used as the rapture and for good reason with the two Old Testament verses. We also have to remember that John was given these visions for the purpose of the book. In Revelation 1:10 it was the same “trumpet” voice that spoke to John yet this verse is not proclaimed to be that “last” trump.
Much of the attention is focused on the fact that the voice was as a “trumpet” and John was “called up hither.” In the minds of the pre-trib followers they believe this must mean that John represents the “church” and that this calling up hither represents the rapture of the church. We see the exact same experience in Revelation 11:12 yet it is not regarded the same way.
It can be a little confusing since Rev. 1:10 stated that John was in the spirit and then again we see he is said to have been caught up in the spirit again. The only conclusion is that John was in the spirit as he received the message from Jesus regarding the condition of the churches. After this John was brought up to the heavenly realms in the spirit to see thing pertaining to heaven. It does not necessarily mean that he was in the spirit, then out, and then back in again. He was being allowed to see different levels of the spiritual realm while in the spirit, much like Paul when he was caught up into the third heaven.
The main point pertaining to this verse is that there is not enough evidence or support in scripture to state that this is pertaining to the rapture.
3: And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
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.
John gives the best description he can of the one he sees on the throne and that is by using the most precious and beautiful stones known at his time. I am sure as with any of us that it would be impossible to put into intelligible words an accurate description of God.
It is interesting that there is a rainbow around this throne but none is mentioned concerning the “great white” throne in Rev. 20:11. It could be that this rainbow represents that there is still mercy in the midst of this judgment and there will be no mercy when it is time for the great white throne judgment.
These twenty-four elders have caused some debate over who they are or who they are supposed to represent. I personally believe that they represent the Old and New with the twelve tribes of Israel representing the Old and the twelve apostles representing the New. I believe this is verified by Rev. 21:12-14.
There is also another interesting scripture that ties into these twenty four elders which is listed in 1 Chronicles 24: 1-19. The priesthood was divided up into twenty four segments that would be responsible for all the duties associated with the house of God and all the Temple requirements. These were actual duties in the physical Tabernacle and Temple and then the transition was made in the New Testament and all believers become priests unto God. We become a part of that royal priesthood that was restricted to only a few in Old Testament times.
Therefore since the verse we are covering is speaking about those elders in heaven wearing gold crowns I believe it could also represent all believers that enter heaven as representative priests. During our time on earth as believers we are responsible for the duties of priests unto our God and as His representatives to this earth.
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.
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.
What is it about these “lightnings, thunderings, voices, and earthquakes?” They are mentioned several times in the book of Revelation, 4:5, 6:12, 8:5, 10:3-4, 11:13, 11:19, and 16:18-21. Each time they are associated with judgment and God’s voice as these judgments are meted out. It is interesting that this same example is given in Exodus 19:16-19 when God was giving the law to Moses and the children of Israel. We can conclude that the “law” was the guide by which judgment was implemented and thus here in Revelation the judgment is being delivered as a result of defiance of that law.
The seven lamps of God which are said to be the seven spirits of God we have already seen in 1:4 & 3:1 and again in 5:6 which says that they are sent into all the earth. We know that the characteristics of these spirits are listed in Isaiah 11:2 and represent the completeness of God’s spirit. It is impossible in our finite minds to understand the great depths of God and how He operates and the intricacies of the Spirit. We are given understanding on spiritual matters by the spirit but to understand the capacities and designs of the Spirit of God are beyond our comprehension.
The sea of glass must have been a great site for John and he describes it in the best terms he could for his time. It does not necessarily mean that it was a literal sea as liquid, nor does it mean that it was glass as we know it today. I am sure it is something that we have never encountered because it is what surrounds the presence and throne of God. Scripture agrees with the fact that we will never be able to understand nor comprehend the things of heaven.
1 Corinthians 2:
9: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Paul shares of a similar experience in which he was exposed to things he could not even mention.
2 Corinthians 12:
2: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3: And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4: How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
We will have to wait until we get to heaven to completely comprehend what visions John is trying his best to describe to us.
The four beasts which will be discussed below are said to have eyes all around which indicate the great omni-presence of God. Nothing is hid from Him and there are no secrets, as much as we may try at times there is no hiding from God as David aptly says.
Psalm 139
1: O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2: Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3: Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4: For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5: Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8: If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9: If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10: Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11: If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12: Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13: For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15: My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
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.
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.
The descriptions of the beasts are representative of the characteristics of Christ. I am not sure why there was a necessity to use so many symbols in the book of Revelation and I am sure that they carried much more meaning to those of that time. The lion representing His Kingship and that He was the Lion of Judah, symbolizing His authority and power. The calf or young bull representing strength and servant hood and that of bearing the yoke for us. The “man” being that He was the Son of Man by coming in the flesh to not only become acquainted with us but to become the perfect sacrifice that was we were incapable of fulfilling. The eagle representing the Deity and majesty of our Christ and the fact that He was indeed “God with us.”
These beasts represent the full aspect of what God was doing for us through Jesus to redeem us back to Him. These beasts are much like the description of the vision Ezekiel had.
Ezekiel 1
5: Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
6: And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
7: And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
8: And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
9: Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10: As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel went into much more detail about their appearance and what they did spending the whole chapter describing it. It is amazing that John, about 700 years later is able to see almost the same vision and verify what Ezekiel saw in his vision. It also solidifies the words of the prophet and we know that God instructed that a prophet’s words were to be verified.
Deuteronomy 13
1: If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
2: And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3: Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4: Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
5: And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Deuteronomy 18
18: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20: But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
21: And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
22: When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
The existence of prophets during Biblical times was important because it was a direct means of God speaking directly to His people. It also presented some problems because there was a need to distinguish between those that were true and those that were false. People wanted to hear the words of God and the peace and security in His messages but this also opened the door for those prophets for hire.
It is quite ironic how that we have the same problems today in that we have those that call themselves messengers of God as ministers and pastors that are leading people astray by telling them what they want to hear instead of the truth. History truly does repeat itself and maybe we should revert to the Old Testament methods of dealing with these false prophets. It would sure cut a lot of the garbage out in our churches today.
In vs.8 we also see that this description of the beasts having six wings agrees with the vision of Isaiah.
Isaiah 6
1: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2: Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Again the prophets are verified by John’s description of what he sees in heaven. The Bible is full of affirmations that prove its accuracy and dispel all the attempts of the enemy through man to discredit the authenticity of God’s truth through His Word. It is interesting that in both visions these seraphims or beasts as described in Revelation sing Holy, Holy, Holy. Could it be that this is in response to the great triune God being praised in essence, Father, Son, and Spirit? This is praise, worship, and adoration that never stops and I am sure in a sense that we will never comprehend until we witness it.
9: And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10: The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
There are several crowns mentioned in the Bible that we can receive: The crown of Life, James 1:12, the crown of Righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8, the crown of Glory, 1 Peter 5:4, the crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, and the Martyrs crown, Revelation 2:10. According to this verse we will cast all our crowns at the throne because they are not what is important and none of them could have been obtained without Him that is on the throne.
It amazes me how many ministers and pastors today are so consumed with building “their” empires instead of God’s. They labor endlessly to create mega-churches and a name for themselves that is recognized around the world. In the midst of all of that they sell their souls for their own glory and jeopardize the souls that have been entrusted to them by allowing any teaching that tickles the ears. They are more concerned with quantity instead of quality of spiritual Christians that will fight the good fight.
Maybe there are things in our life that we are building instead of our spiritual life, maybe a career or hobby or anything that is designed to bring us recognition and attention. What will we have to throw at the feet of our Lord on the throne when we arrive? It is always best to adhere to what Jesus admonished.
Matthew 5
6: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6
33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We were created for a purpose and that is for His pleasure and that word does not mean “amusement.” The word used for “pleasure” in this verse is thelema and it means, “desire” or “will.” It is God’s desire that we serve Him but He will not force us to do so.
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