We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together. As we begin our study of Chapter 4, John is invited to enter God’s throne room.

In verse 1 of Chapter 4, John writes, “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.’ ” 

Up to this point in Revelation, Jesus was telling John what to write. In Chapter 4, John begins to describe in his own words what he sees. Jesus literally opens the door to heaven’s throne room and tells John to come up. Heaven is not accessible to humans except through Jesus. John 14:6 says, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ “

God the Father is in the throne room of heaven and the only way to Him is through Jesus opening the door. If someone who does not believe in Jesus as the Son of God tries to open the door, they are forbidden entrance (see Matthew 25 where Jesus uses several parables to explain this).

When Jesus says He is going to show John what must happen after “this”, He is referring to after the Church age. “This” is the present time we are living in, which we studied in a prior post. Jesus is revealing to us what the future holds, He does not want us to be unaware.

As we enter the throne room of heaven, there is constant activity and songs of praise to God. It is a room filled with God’s glory, grace, and joy. God’s beauty and magnificence create a radiant light, and there is an atmosphere of worship, reverence, and adoration.

Beginning in verse 2, John describes what he saw. “And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. ³ The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”

John is led by the Holy Spirit through an open door into heaven’s throne room, guiding him into the very presence of God. Every believer has this gift, the Holy Spirit can take us to the throne room right now. Through our belief in Jesus as the Son of God, we are invited to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). John sees God on His throne and attempts to describe the incredible glory surrounding Him. Scriptures tell us that God is light, so there is no need for the sun or moon in heaven since God’s glory provides the light (1 John 1:5, Revelation 21:23). John uses jewels and colors to depict the breathtaking beauty that surrounds God.

In verse 4, John continues to describe what he sees. ^“Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.”

The 24 elders sitting on thrones are the 12 patriarchs from the Old Testament and the 12 apostles from the New Testament, illustrating the unity of God’s people across both covenants. These elders have several roles that emphasize their importance in the heavenly realm. They sing praises to God and fill His throne room with songs of worship. Another significant role of the elders is to interpret the visions that John will see in Chapters 5 and 7, guiding him through the complexities of divine revelation. The elders are wearing white, the same as the other believers described throughout the book of Revelation, symbolizing purity and holiness. Jesus is also described as wearing white; we studied this topic in a prior post.

God’s throne room is the center of the rest of the book of Revelation. As we study the throne room and the wrath that will occur on earth, we must remember these are not fairy tales. The throne room exists today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father today (Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62 and Hebrews 12:2).

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus, who is our guiding light and hope. Thank You for Your immense love for us, which surrounds us in every moment of our lives. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible, a treasure trove of guidance and inspiration that helps us navigate the challenges of this world. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives, that we may reflect Your love and grace in our actions and relationships with others. Lord, help us to study Revelation with open hearts and minds, and give us understanding as we seek to grasp the mysteries within it. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate our souls and grant us the discernment to live according to Your will. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together. As we begin our study of Chapter 4, John is invited to enter God’s throne room.

Chapter 4 is focused on John describing what the throne room looks like and it is an amazing sight! While Chapter 5 is still in the throne room, the revelation of Jesus changes from one of beauty and joy to one of warning.

In the throne room are the Father and the Son, who are sovereign and hold all power in their hands. They are surrounded by a multitude of angels, whose voices rise in worship, creating a scene of reverence and awe. As the book of Revelation continues to unfold, the worship in the throne room transitions dramatically to stark scenes of the unleashing of God’s wrath upon the earth. Those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God are exposed to the profound depths of God’s judgment. The purpose of this judgment is not merely punitive but serves as a crucial opportunity for those who do not believe to repent, turning their hearts towards the grace and mercy that is extended through faith in Christ. It is a solemn reminder of the duality of God—love and judgment coexist, urging humanity towards Jesus.

As we proceed to study the throne room and the awful wrath on earth, we must remember these are not fairy tales. The throne room exists today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father – today (Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62 and Hebrews 12:2). The wrath that is to be poured out on the earth will indeed happen, and it serves as a reminder of God’s justice and the consequences of sin. If you have accepted Jesus as the Son of God, then you will be saved and protected from this impending judgment. However, if you have refused the gift of salvation that Jesus offers, then you will endure the wrath of God; whether at the moment of your death or when Jesus returns and if you are alive on earth during that time. This urgent message carries the importance of the need for each individual to reflect upon their spiritual state. If you are saved, who do you need to tell about Jesus so they can also avoid the wrath of God and experience the hope and joy that comes from eternal life? Who needs your words to open the door for them to also embrace the truth and grace found in accepting Christ as their Savior?

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank you for our churches. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

As we finish our study of the seven letters to the churches in Chapters 2 and 3, it’s important to remember that the seven churches represent all churches; every church fits into one of the seven types described by Jesus. Also in each letter, Jesus made a promise to believers who stay strong in their faith; these promises apply to all believers throughout time.

The last promise Jesus made in the letters to the churches is in Chapter 3, verse 21. ^“Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

Next week, we will begin to study Chapter 4 of Revelation, a pivotal part of the text that draws us deeper into the divine revelation. John will be told to “come up” to heaven. During the initial chapters of Revelation, Jesus guides John through a series of revelations that are meant to encourage and instruct the various churches. In Chapter 4, Jesus tells John to come to the throne room in heaven, a magnificent and awe-inspiring experience where God’s glory is fully manifested. This is the same throne that Jesus talked about in His promise to all believers when He stated, “Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.” This promise to be in the presence of Jesus’ divine authority serves as a powerful reminder of the hope that awaits believers. Just as John was invited into this heavenly reality, we have an invitation of our own; beckoning us to deeper communion with the divine and a fuller understanding of the heavenly promises that lie ahead.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank you for our churches. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.