The Heavenly Throne Room 4:1 – 11
In the previous scene Jesus was standing at the door and knocking. As this new scene unfolds before him, what is the first thing John sees? The vision of chapter 4 is what stands on the other side of that door where Christ is. To the lukewarm Laodiceans, Christ promised a throne to those who overcame the love of this world’s comforts, security and their own self-satisfaction.
After John is taken through the open door, what is the first (and dominant) thing he sees according to v. 2? Who surrounds this one who sits upon the throne? Drawing upon our discussion of symbolic numbers, how should we interpret the symbolism of the twenty-four elders? Who might we presume they represent?
According to v. 2, where exactly is the throne set that John sees? In Old Testament usage there are two heavens. One is the region where birds fly. A second is the place from which stars shine. In the New Testament Paul speaks of a third heaven (II Cor. 12:2). It is the region where God is. It is that place where the unseen spiritual realities of our world are revealed. This is the place where John now finds himself. The veil is pulled back and the spiritual realities of creation, those things that are now hidden from our sight, are revealed. John’s vision is of a place where good and evil are seen clearly for what they are.
List what John sees according to vs. 2 – 5. John makes reference to the One who sits upon the throne. How is he described? The Jews believed that no one could see God. Rather, we see all things through him. How do Psalm 104:2 and I Timothy 6:16 illumine the significance of John’s description?
In v. 6, what does John see before the throne? The references to glass and crystal presumably refer to the purity of the water that stands before the throne. What is the dominant water image of redemption from the Old Testament? What is the dominant water image for redemption from the New Testament? This suggests that the intent of the vision is to say that the pathway to true worship of the one who sits upon the throne is through the waters of redemption.
Read the description of the four living creatures in vs. 6b – 8. Close your eyes and try and imagine the scene. These are not cherubs from a painting by Rubens. They are awesome and terrible creatures. The four creatures1 are probably best understood as symbols of God’s activity in nature: his ceaseless watchfulness over every facet of life. According to v. 8, what are these four creatures saying? How might we understand v. 8 as fulfilling the words of Psalm 50:6?
In vs. 9 – 11 we are given a summary of what is happening in this heavenly realm. In one word, how would you describe what is occurring? Who is at the center? What is creation doing? What are God’s people doing? What does this suggest to you about the importance, centrality, and meaningfulness of worship?
If you wish to dig deeper into the significance of worship for us as believers then take the time to go through chapters 4 and 5 listing both the attributes and actions of the twenty-four elders. (You may also wish to look at 7:13). What is their location? How are they attired? What are they doing (esp. 5:5, 11 and 7:13)?
The Meaning of History 5:1 – 7
What does John see is held in the right hand of God according to v. 1? There is writing upon the scroll. Presumably, since the scroll comes from God’s hand, then the writing upon it is his as well. Remember, the right hand is the hand of readiness, of action. Note that at this point in the vision, the meaning of the scroll is sealed. What is the question asked by the angel in v. 3? What is the answer? How does John tell us (v. 4) that this answer affects him?
Someone new arrives on the scene. John is told not to despair, but to look again. There in the midst, what does John see? What is the defining attribute of this Lamb2 whom John sees? Who should we conclude is this Lamb as though it had been slain? In addition to being described as the Lamb, the one whom John now sees is also referred to as the Lion of… Judah and the Root of David. Theologians speak of the threefold offices of Jesus Christ as Prophet, Priest and King. Do you see a parallel between those three offices and these three descriptions? The number seven is repeated three times in v. 6 to describe attributes of the Lamb. Recall that the meaning of the number seven can be either perfection and/or totality. We are told that the Lamb has seven horns, seven eyes and seven spirits. What is being said about him in this imagery? (Remember that a horn—think of a rhinoceros—is symbol of strength.)
Most significantly, in v. 7, what does the Lamb do? This tells us that the meaning, significance, and purpose of this scroll, written and handed down by God the Father, will be revealed and unlocked by the Lamb. He will reveal its meaning. If, as I suggest, the scroll is the scroll of history, of God’s purpose and plan for creation, then the passing of it from the Father to the Lamb suggests to us that it is the Lamb who will reveal the meaning of the Father’s will. It is the Lamb who will read the scroll. It is the Lamb who will unlock the mystery of God’s purposes in history.
Worthy is the Lamb 5:8 – 14
As the worshippers declare in John’s vision, the Lamb alone is worthy to unseal the scroll handed to him by God. According to vs. 9 – 10, why is he worthy to do so? Note, unlike the powers of this world, the Lamb does not triumph by the sword. How has he triumphed? In 4:11 God is worshipped as creator. According to v. 9 of chapter 5, what is the reason for their worship of the Lamb? From the same verse, who are they who offer worship to the Lamb? Look at v. 13; note that both the Father and the Lamb are the objects of the worship of the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. The worship offered to each is equal. They are joined together inextricably in worship.
As we draw this study of chapters 4 and 5 to a close, spend some time in personal worship. Think of the attributes of the Lamb of God that are revealed in these chapters and offer them back to God in prayer and praise.
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Mar/Apr 2000).
