By
Shelby G. Floyd
After John wrote the letters to the seven churches of Asia, he looked and saw a door standing open in heaven (Revelation 4:1).
A DOOR STANDING OPEN
And the first voice John heard was like a trumpet – distinct and loud! The voice spoke to
John urging him to come up to heaven and he would see “things which must take place after this” Revelation 4:1). Again, John gave us a clue when these things in the book of Revelation will take place – “after this!”
Immediately John was in the Spirit like he was on the Lord’s day (Revelation 4:2; 1:10). This means that the Holy Spirit of God inspired and guided him. And John graphically describe the appearance of the one sitting on the throne. He was like these individual precious stones (Revelation 4:3):
1. A Jasper,
2. A sardius stone in appearance,
3. A rainbow shown around the throne, and
4. The rainbow was an emerald color.
SOME THRONES AROUND THE THRONE
And John saw 24 other thrones around “the throne.” There were 24 elders clothed in white robes, with crowns of gold on their heads sitting on these other thrones (Revelation 4:4).
The Seven Spirits of God
And then proceeding “from the throne there were:
1. Lightnings,
2. Thundering’s,
3. Voices.
4. Seven Spirits of God: There were also seven lamps of burning fire before the throne. John said that they were the seven spirits of God (Revelation 4:5).
Four Living Creatures
Next, John revealed what he saw before the throne. He saw a sea of glass like crystal. And he
saw in the middle and around the throne four living creatures, full of eyes in front and in back (Revelation 4:6).
These four living creatures each had a descriptive look. The first creature was like a lion. And the second living creature was like a calf. And the third living creature had a manlike face. Last of all, the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle (Revelation 4:6-8). And each one of these living creatures had six wings full of eyes around and within.
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES WORSHIP GOD DAY AND NIGHT
These four living creatures’ worship God, day and night without rest and their refrain of worship is simple:
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty.
Who was and is and is to come! (Revelation 4:8).
THE 24 ELDERS WORSHIP HIM WHO IS ON THE THRONE
“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, 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, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11 NKJV).
Copyright © 2023 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd, Minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142 Email: shelby@thefloyds.net