The Throne in Heaven.

Rev 4 Inspiring vision of redeemed saints rejoicing in triumph of the Lamb - extolling his virtues to assembled multitudes.

Picture of Divine Throne - seven lamps symbolise the Spirit of God.

Jesus sitting on God’s throne is represented – symbolising - the Kingdom of God in its reality.

1 ¶ After these things I saw, and lo, a door opened in the heaven, and the first voice that I heard is as of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up hither, and I will shew thee what it behoveth to come to pass after these things;’

2 and immediately I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne was set in the heaven, and upon the throne is one sitting,

3 and He who is sitting was in sight like a stone, jasper and sardine: and a rainbow was round the throne in sight like an emerald. Rev 4

The Heavens to Rule.

God has promised new administration for earth hence throne in “heaven”- symbolic description of rulers over the earth.

Administration will be expanded over all peoples, nations and languages - government by which regulated and controlled.

44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Dan 2:44

A Door in Heaven. A door represents entrance by which new power will

ascend into these political heavens - Christ is “the door,” he “has the keys of hell and of death.”

Jesus will raise the dead and open the door of the Kingdom.

Saints prepared as rulers -“But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.”(Daniel 7:18).

Foretaste of Kingdom.

John “in spirit” viewed scene - to take place only after Christ’s return and the Resurrection.

Kingdom of God has existed before. King David says, “And of all my sons (for the Lord

hath given me many sons) he hath chosen Solomon, my son, to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.” (1 Chr.28:25).

25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.

27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. Ezek 21:25.

Israel’s Throne Restored. “After this I will return, and will build again the

tabernacle of David ...” (Acts 15:15). Future Kingdom of God will be Israel’s Kingdom

restored. Throne of Christ is “... throne of his father David”, as

the angel promised. (Luke 1:32). Christ is descendant of David who, “... shall reign and

prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth.” (Jer.23:5).

Christ to Share His Throne.

Jesus to share his authority with his friends: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne ...” .3:21

At conclusion of a thousand years - “then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father ... for he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” (1 Cor.15:24)

Chapter 4 represents Jesus - having accomplished all - sitting upon his throne in Glory.

Who Occupies God’s Throne?

Occupant is Christ - elsewhere 22:1 “...throne of God and of the Lamb” - re-emphasising theme of manifesting God.

Represented by two precious “stones” (v.3). In O.T. Jesus, the King, styled “a stone” in several

places:- In Genesis 49:24 “stone of Israel”, he is a “stone of

stumbling” in Isa..8:14 to the wicked, in Daniel 2:42 he is “a stone cut out of the mountain without hands” smiting the image.

Why Represented by Two Stones?

Why two stones in symbolism - portrays clearly the King is Spirit and Flesh in combination.

Each stone symbolises one aspect, “jasper” is ‘spirit’ in symbol - hard stone, various hues - including purple, blue and green.

New Jerusalem is like “a jasper stone, clear as crystal” (21:11) - is “glory of God and the Lamb.” (21:23)

Representation of ‘Flesh.’

“Sardine” is flesh in symbol. Stone named in Hebrew ‘odem’, Hebrew

consonants being same as in name Adam. A carnelian is of translucent brown shades -

referred to as sard. Found in Sardis - a gem fitly symbolical of the

Adam-element of the One sitting on the throne.

14 ¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil…Heb 2:14.

Rainbow Over Throne.

Rainbow (v.3) placed by God after flood, “it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” (Gen.9:13).

God does not break His covenant. Rainbow appears after storms as, “thunders

and lightnings and voices” (v.5) proceed from the throne, so wars will accompany setting up of Christ’s throne on earth.

Peace will finally ensue.

Why A Green Rainbow? If colour red, (Biblically representing sin ),

removed from rainbow, remaining colours - blue and yellow - make green.

Green also typifies fertilising effect of rain forming natural bow and naturally, “All flesh is grass”, “The grass withereth” (Isa 40:6) but “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew ... as the showers upon the grass” (Deut.32:2)

Four and Twenty Elders.

4:4“four and twenty elders” sitting round the throne in white raiment, gold crowns - symbolic of righteous saints.

Why 24? Under King David 24 courses of Priests and Levites appointed to sing praises.

4:8 “and they rest not day and night” they sing praises for the whole 24 hours.

Sea of Glass.

4:6 Sea of glass represents millennial age of peace under righteous rule of Christ.

In contrast wicked are, “like the troubled sea when it cannot rest ...” (Isa.57:20)

15:2 Further vision describes “... as it were a sea of glass mingled (Gr. having been mingled) with fire ...” saints who have overcome nations now at peace.

Four Living Creatures. Four different beasts - living creatures - seen around

throne. Origin of this symbolic number found in Israel’s

heraldry - during journeys Israel divided into four camps each with own symbol:- “Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own

standard, with the ensign of their father’s house.” (Num.2:2)

Living creatures and 24 elders are connecting symbols with Kingdom of Israel past & future

Identity of Elders and Living Creatures.

Saints who have overcome depicted as both ‘Twenty Four Elders’ and ‘Four Beasts.’

One individual person or group may be described by several different symbols appropriate to aspect of work involved.

5:8,9 Four and Twenty Elders & Four Beasts unite in single song of praise of the ‘redeemed’- all saved by Jesus.

Implications. Reward for those that overcome - then fall asleep

in death - is immortal life in God’s Kingdom after Resurrection & Judgment.

Four and Twenty Elders and Four Living Creatures all redeemed by work of Jesus - cannot be angels - already immortal before Jesus was born, “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels.” (Lk.20:36)