Throne of God’s Awesome Glory and Power

Revelation 4:1-5 

1 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.” 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 sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 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. 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.

John was done dictating the Lord’s letters to the churches, and was summoned to the throne of God in heaven with the trumpeting voice of an angel.  He was called to see what was to come in the future after the present times and seasons and after the churches heeded what they were told, both good and bad.  John found himself invited and was instantly there in the spirit; whether that was a vision or spiritual visit, we can only speculate, but in his spirit he was there to witness and to record these revelations for those of us who are the church throughout the remainder of time.  He saw the Lord on His throne, high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1), and described what his human eyes perceived; this is only how he could describe the glory, not the totality and reality of His awesome majesty.  The description of gemstones and rainbow of living colors in Him and around the throne come short of the true glory of the Lord, yet give us a glimpse of what John was brought to see and tell us of.  Around the throne were the twice twelve elders in their lesser thrones ruling with Him (2 Timothy 2:12), possibly representing the twelve apostles and twelve tribes of Israel as His chosen people.  This reminds us the overcomers (1 John 5:5, Revelation 3:21, 12:11) will rule with Him.  The heavenly atmosphere was filled with God’s power displayed in lighting and thunder with voices speaking things too marvelous to be told here.  The seven Spirits of God burned before this seat of all power and authority, the angels of God and of the churches (Revelation 1:20).  This should fill us with awe and wonder, as well as hope in our Lord’s absolute sovereignty over all things throughout time from beginning to end.  This book is about our absolute hope in Jesus Christ!