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.
