The Holy Spirit takes John into heaven for a scene in the Throne Room. This is the moment we humans long for. It's the place we were designed to be at full potential. When we get there, we will finally know the true satisfaction that has eluded us, even while we've tried in vain to find it in so many errant sources on Earth. It's what Jesus prayed for in John 17, that we would all be with Him in glory. He came to Earth, joyful to die and be the Way we could get here. Though we fret and fiddle with our toils and tasks in this Earthly life, heaven is the culmination of our highest dreams and goals. This life we live here...ain't it. Welcome to heaven.
There are no more letters to the churches. On that topic before we move on, remember the letters to the churches represent not only true, historical places, but also the progress of the church as it plows through time, plus they paint a picture of our human hearts. So, how are you doing with Ch.'s 2 and 3? As Jesus is walking among His churches, what compliments and complaints is He illuminating to you? What changes need to be made in your heart?
Jesus is finished telling John to write about the church. Suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, things have drastically changed. John is "caught up" to heaven by the same Voice that had been speaking to him before. He was transported in the spirit through an open door, straight into heaven's throne room. Following the outline set forth in 1:19, Ch.'s 4-22 usher in the section of "things which shall be". They are in the future, as prophesy. Chapter 4 is commonly acknowledged as the most vivid evidence of the church being raptured from Earth, prior to the Great Tribulation. It is noted that the church is not mentioned again until the end of this section of chapters. Who is the church? They are the individuals, not of any one particular denomination, who have earnestly placed their trust in Jesus as their salvation and live according to His Word. When were you saved? When did you say the big "yes" to Jesus and accept Him as your personal Savior?
Why would God take His believers to heaven, spare them the hardship of the Great Tribulation, and pour out His wrath on those left behind? He is the God of grace and judgment. He doesn't give His Second Best. He gives us the absolute best opportunities possible to come to know Him, patient to the end. How is He planning to reach the most people possible to provide the answer to His own prayer for us to be with Him in glory? I like to think He intends to use the seeds of our witness and testimony, as one way. Just think of the power and potential of our witness to others, when a multitude of saved believers disappear in the blink of an eye! I believe those seeds will grow in the hearts of those who remain on Earth. Yes, I'd like to think there will be a great revival during the Great Tribulation, though times will be most difficult for them. Therefore, our witness and testimony is so very critical, while there is still time. Commit your heart to the Lord Jesus and bring others along. Bring your family to Jesus.
The first thing John sees is a throne with someone sitting on it. It is important to note that the throne is set. It is stable, immovable, and stationary. That is representative of our God. The devil continually tempts us to move. "Oh, if I could just move to that town, or if I could just have that woman, or if I could just land that job..." Then when you get there, things aren't near as romantic as you had envisioned. We leave our commitments too quickly. We walk away from our marriages, our churches, our attitudes, our ethics, our morals, our integrity- all too quickly. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your path. He will provide the Way, right where you are. Don't be too hasty to leave. You never know what He might bring, just around the corner. Nothing is too hard for Him to accomplish. What seems impossible to man, is possible with God. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
Guess who's on the throne? Since this is a true picture of heaven and not my fickle heart, it is really God the Father on the throne. If it was a snaphot of my heart, you never know who you might find on the throne. Lord, have mercy and forgive me. I've crawled up there or put someone or something else up on the throne of my heart too many times. Today, set apart Christ as Lord of your heart!
The One on the throne had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A giant jasper or diamond, the most beautiful and treasured gems, possibly with purple being dominant, is refracting and breaking down all of the wonderful colors of light in perfect purity. The ruby, red as His blood, is representing His wrath and judgment. The rumblings of thunder and lightning warn of the coming storm of judgment and wrath. Rubin, the first son of Jacob, means "see a son". Indeed, see The Son! Encircling the throne is the only solid green rainbow I've ever heard of. As green as emerald, representing His nature of grace, in a complete circle, not the familiar semicircle we know. We now know only in part, but when we get to heaven, we are going to know His grace in full. We are going to "see the light". We are going to truly understand the depths of His amazing love for us. We are going to agree that all things worked together for our good while on Earth. I pray we have a strong faith to believe that, even now, right in the middle of our challenges and heartaches. But check yourself on your heartaches. The things of this world will break your heart. Maybe you've given your heart to worldly things? It could explain the level of grieving and disappointment you're experiencing. You'll never be disappointed, focusing on the One who's on the throne, and trusting in His sovereignty. As a brilliant bonus, in our study last week, He's standing at your heart's door, wanting to come in, and live inside you by the miraculous presence of the Holy Spirit. Have you let Him in? If He's in there, He's always with you, never leaving. Now, you are free to walk out your life because you know He's in there. Go ahead, I dare you. Act like He's inside you!
The 24 elders aren't angels. They may very well represent the raptured, saved believers, gathered together in heaven. That's you and me, or our kids, or grandkids, depending on when He pulls the trigger. They are dressed in white. That's His wonderful righteousness. Because He died in our place, His blood provided the sacrifice needed to cleanse us from all of our dirty sin. He has already provided this and states that we are covered by His blood. He has made us righteous, even now, if we have accepted this grace and truth. He is the Way we have been made right and acceptable to God. He, alone, is our salvation. Believe it and walk in it.
The elders have crowns of gold on their heads. We have reason to believe these are rewards and/or crowns designating kingship and priesthood, as He promised us. Notice, they automatically and repeatedly lay these crowns before the throne in honor and worship of God. In heaven, there's no way it's about me. No, I'm laying that crown down at His feet. He is the One worthy of my praise. How am I doing now though? Where am I in my worship of Him? How can I expect to slide into heaven and just start praising Him, if I'm not doing that now? I commit my life to Him, as an offering of praise. May my life bring Him glory and honor. May I grow in my worship of Him. It doesn't have to look a certain way on the outside. It begins from deep within my heart, as I consider the wonder of Him and what He's done.
In front of the throne is a sea of glass, clear as crystal. This is the peace we so desperately crave. No more sickness and death. No more pain and suffering. No more failing and not meeting the standard. It's finished, baby! Whehoo!
Ah, the four living creatures or beasts. These are actual-factual, awesome critters. I love it. Creator God, at His best. Four is the number of the earth, so these represent His creation, following the covenant He made in Gen. 9:8-13. So, creation is before God's throne, praising Him. Remember the scripture stating, if you didn't praise Him, even the rocks would cry out? I don't want to be outdone by no stinking rock. I think I'll join in with creation and praise Him, thank you.
Another element of the living creatures has great application for us today. They are servants of God before the throne. As servants of God, we can/should have the characteristics of each face:
Lion-roar with authority of the Word of God, speak truth in love, don't compromise, don't seek to please men above God; Oxen-plug away, plow, work hard, grind, be faithful even if it's not exciting, be obedient, be stable and steady; Man- humanity, have compassion on others, buy into loving God and loving others, stay humble, aware of your weaknesses and His grace; Eagle- pull away from the crowds, be alone with God, commune with Him, have that glow from being in His presence.
On that note, I'm convinced the best life to live is one that is lived closely to Him, in His presence. This gives us and those around us the best opportunity to have success in this life and the one to come. This is encouraging to me, as I've been made aware of the lack of influence on others. Truth is, we can't control people. Ah, but we can pray for them and act according to and as a result of being in His presence. We never give up, because we have put our hope in God.
He's on the throne. He's in control of everything, even if it seems crazy and chaotic, even if it looks like you're losing. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." May we never stop saying that. Ever.
