Remember our key to interpreting Revelation. Much that John shared is symbolic; things observed may not be actual physical entities and occurrences. Rather, these images symbolize something other than what is shown. John was able to smuggle breathtaking views of heaven and the Kingdom of Christ right out from under the noses of the Roman guards. Today, they would consider him a great writer of speculative fiction and fantasy. Or so they must have thought.
In Revelation Chapter 4, John is still talking about the church, the body of Christ. In the last two chapters Jesus instructed the church in how to overcome. From now on, we will observe the victorious, overcoming church. As we learned in chapters 2 and 3, not all churches will be overcomers. It will be up to the individuals within. The next three chapters show how its done.
The church will soon appear in heaven. Wait– how do they get there? Let’s find out.
In Matthew 24:31-42, Jesus gives His disciples a description of the “catching away” of the elect, the chosen ones. This is commonly referred to as the rapture.
Matthew 24:31 “And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect (His chosen ones) from the four winds, [even] from one end of the universe to the other.” AMP
His chosen ones refers to not just the church, but also the saints; the dead in Christ, Old Testament and New. According to Matthew chapter 24, there will be increasing wars, pestilence, trials, and tribulation. These things will increase as a woman’s labor pains, getting worse and worse as Satan realizes his time is short. This time of troubles and shaking is not what we call the Great Tribulation. That event is the final cleansing of the earth, and comes later. Revelation chapters 4-7 display these growing times of shaking from the Lord.
It is the Antichrist and his followers who trigger most of the final Tribulation, as well as the battle of Armageddon. 2 Thessalonians calls him the man of lawlessness. He cannot come on the scene until that which restrains is removed. Some translations say he who restrains. The word for “he” is autos; a simple adverb (he, she, it.)
“He” is not capitalized, therefore it is not the proper noun referring to God (Yaweh) as restraining. Some argue that he who restrains is the Holy Spirit. But where is the Holy Spirit? He came into the church on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 in the Amplified reads: “And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at the time] …”
We don’t know the exact time frame for this. From the scriptures it obviously takes place before the worse of the tribulation begins. We’ll get a closer look later. But what loving father wants to watch his children go through famine, pestilence, and destruction? We have been forgiven of our sins. Why would we be punished or destroyed along with the ungodly? Remember Noah. We are Christ’s body. He was bruised, beaten and crucified for us. He’s not going to allow His body to be bruised, beaten, and crucified again.
It is not for us to know the exact time. He will come like a thief in the night. Will He catch you unaware and unprepared?
There are three incidents of “catching away” spoken of in the Old Testament. These are shadows of things to come. The first is found in Genesis 5:24: “Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, because God took him [home with Him].” AMP
Someone must have observed his catching away for it to be recorded. Otherwise, they might think he simply walked off a cliff, or was devoured by a wild animal.
The second is Noah and his family. (Genesis 6) Faithful Noah and his family were “lifted up” above the flood. God saved them from the destruction of the ungodly because He found them righteous. “… Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord …” Genesis 6:8
The third recorded incident is found in 2 Kings 2:1-12. Elijah, Elisha, and the sons of the prophets all knew Elijah would be taken up. When he was, Elisha described the whirlwind as a “chariot and driver.” Michael the Archangel?
We (the victorious, righteous church) will know when it is time to go.
This scene, chapters 4-7, is not necessarily a vision of the church in heaven. These are symbols of what the church should be and what she will be doing. The church will be in heaven shortly. But the relaying of the vision of the elders does not mean they have an actual presence in heaven at this time.
The Throne Room of Heaven
Revelation 4
1 “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice that I heard was like a trumpet speaking to me, saying, ”Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a Jasper and a Sardis stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.”
Back in Revelation 1:9-17, the first scene in the revelation, we were shown “a door standing open in heaven.” This was where Jesus presented His credentials. A door was opened and the veil pulled back for a look backstage.
In verses 2-3, John presents us with “a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.” This is a vision of God in heaven. Jasper is a semi-transparent red or green quartz stone. Sardis, also known as Carnelian or Sard, is a type of chalcedony, opaque and usually red in color. John is describing brilliant colors as of precious stones, and symbolizing the brilliance and preciousness of God.
John cannot tell us exactly what God looked like; no man has seen God and lived. (1 Kings 13:12) In Genesis 32:30, Jacob said; “I have seen God (Elohim) face to face, and my life is preserved.” The name Elohim used here means “Divine ones, or angels.” A better translation would be, “I have seen a divine one, (or a god) and lived.”
Those who have seen God face to face on earth have actually seen the Word, the pre-incarnate Jesus. He is sometimes seen in scripture as the Angel of the Lord, with angel and lord capitalized. The capitalized name is usually translated from the Hebrew word, YHWH, Yahweh, or Jehovah. God the Father is a Spirit, and occupies heaven. Jesus, the Son is the one who becomes flesh and visits earth as He did two thousand years ago.
The mention that “there was a rainbow around the throne,” serves two purposes. The “appearance like an emerald” demonstrates the fantastic radiance of God’s power. And, a rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with every living thing on earth. (Genesis 9:15) When we see the rainbow, it should remind us of God’s awesome power.
4 “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads.”
No number used in Revelation is accidental or coincidental. Therefore, twenty-four elders is symbolic. 24 is the number of government completeness or perfection. (Appendix 1) Elders are symbolic of the priestly ministry. “Twenty-four elders” stand for the complete five-fold ministry, and the spiritual leaders of the church. (Ephesians 4:11) Their white robes represent righteousness. Crowns of gold show rulership. These are the victorious rulers, or heads of the churches. Hence, the thrones they are seated upon. As we observed in chapter 2 and 3, not all the shepherds are overcomers.
Do you desire to lead? Realize, those who lead are held to greater accountability, and must work harder to overcome. “Woe unto one who offends one of these little ones (His lambs).” (Luke 17:3) This is especially true of Shepherds. And then there are those spoken of in Matthew 23:5-7 who do deeds to be honored by men. They will receive their reward on earth.
But you say, “What about me? I’m a lay person. I’m not called to preach.” Actually, you are. See Mark 16:15. Regardless, you’re there too, as we will see shortly.
5 “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
Remember, these “seven spirits” represent the churches. (Revelation 1:20) Seven is the number of completeness. Seven churches represent the complete church, the body of Christ. All of us, in the spirit.
6 “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes front and back.”
A “glassy sea” is usually symbolic for tranquility and of the peace of God’s presence. Sea refers to the masses of humanity. The Beast will arise out of the “sea.” Revelation 13:1
The fact the sea is glassy, refers to God’s ability to see through all the tempests and tumult, and into the masses. No matter how tumultuous the world gets, He can still see your needs.
The throne represents the seat of power. The “four living creatures” are around it, and in the midst of it. These creatures represent the church, the body of Christ. Four is the number of creation, the world, God’s creation. Note that this does not necessarily indicate the church is in heaven at this time. Rather, with John, “in the spirit.”
The creatures “in the midst of the throne,” shows we, the church, are partakers in the power of God. Revelation 3:21
Again, eyes are symbolic for insight. “full of eyes front and back” indicates completeness, perfection, or perfect insight; eyes opened and able to perceive the things of the spirit. Revelation 3:21
A portrait of the Church
In the following chapters of Revelation, we will observe the church from several different perspectives. Again, this section is an image of the church at work prior to the end times tribulation.
7 “The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying;
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
Who was, and is, and is to come!””
Remember, the four living creatures represent the church.
Lion: The lion is symbolic of kingship, rulership, strength, courage, and boldness. If we display lion-łike strength and courage as Jesus did, we will rule as kings and priests with Him. Romans 8:17
Calf: A calf is symbolic for prayers, praise, thanksgiving, skipping with joy, and rejoicing. ( Psalm 29:6) “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) We, as His children, should be skipping with joy in His presence. We will be doing so in heaven. Why not start now?
Man: “Face of a man” symbolizes image, countenance. We are made in the image of God. We should be reflecting His appearance. Sin mars that image. Remember, His church will be a spotless bride. Ephesians 5:27
Eagle: the eagle is symbolic for swiftness of flight. “They shall mount up with wings as eagles …” (Isaiah 40:31) Or, as the saying goes, “You can’t fly with eagles when you’re stuck on the ground with turkeys.”
Jesus does not want His body groveling in the dust with the rest of the world. There should be something in our lives that attracts the attention of the unsaved person. Why would they want to accept Jesus, if our lives are as miserable as theirs? He expects us to soar above the sins and tribulations of the world. If you’re not soaring, not overcoming, you need to ask Him why.
Ezekiel chapter 1 also shows the creatures. The Hebrews regarded the living creatures in this way:
Man: The chief representative of all God’s creatures.
Eagle: The chief of birds.
Lion: The chief of beasts
Ox (calf): The chief of cattle
Ezekiel 1:4-13
Six is the number of man. “The four living creatures, each with six wings.” Wings represent protection and defense. (Psalm 91:4) This demonstrates God’s divine protection of the church. He keeps us “under His wings.”
See 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8.“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.” Wings are symbolic for the church’s protection of mankind from the onslaught of evil. We are here to hold back the lawlessness as God’s wings protect us.
These living creatures “do not rest day or night.” Do you slumber and rest? (Proverbs 6:10) We should be praising Him at all times, in all things. We will have plenty of time to rest in heaven.
9 “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne …”
Elders casting their crowns represents a special honor given to God by those involved in a ministry of any kind. This is not the constant worship offered by the church in verse 8. It is giving God special thanks and honor for the results of ministry done, or souls saved. We in ministry especially, should be constantly casting our crowns at the feet of Jesus. He is the source of our talents, skills, and abilities. If He can cause Baalam’s donkey to speak (Numbers 22:21-31) He can empower the most lowly servant.
The elder who hangs on to his crown and claims it as his own, won’t have it long.