The Way - Day 214 (Revelation 4)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
REVELATION 4:1-11
Revelation 4 begins the last section in this book of future events. According to the outline given to us by John in Revelation 1:19, he has already written about the things which you have seen, which represent what John was experiencing (Revelation 1). In Revelation 2-3, John wrote about the things which are, which painted a picture of the current spiritual condition of the seven churches of Asia Minor. John is now receiving the things which will take place after this, which represent the events at the end of earthly, human history (Revelation 4-22).

John begins this section by writing,

"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.'" (Revelation 4:1)

At this point John writes "…immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne" (4:2). Simply put, John was transported to heaven. As John had already revealed in Revelation 1:10, this transference was literal and not some dream. John was taken from earthly life to personally see what was happening in heaven. Upon his arrival, he finds himself in the throne room of heaven where God is seated (4:2-3) and there are 24 elders seated on the thrones surrounding God's throne. Since the elders are clothed in white robes and have gold crowns on their heads we may assume that they are some sort of representation or gathering of God’s people…most likely the church (4:4).

John also reveals that from God’s throne comes "…lightnings, thunderings, and voices…." These powerful acts would typically strike fear in mankind and probably show imminent judgment. The coming judgment will be the seven-year tribulation period, which will take place on the earth (4:5). This judgment will be righteous and warranted since all those on the earth at this future time have rejected the way to salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. John also observes seven lamps of fire, which represent the Holy Spirit (4:5b). Also present in this throne room are four living creatures who are possibly angels - the ones who will oversee the judgment poured out on the earth (4:6-8). These angels "do not rest day or night" but they continuously say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" This declaration represents God's holiness and eternality.

"Whenever the living creatures [angels] give honor and glory and thanks to Him who sits on the throne...the twenty-four elders fall down and worship Him...and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, '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)
The gathering of God’s people recognize Him as the One who has freely offered salvation and is worthy of all their praise. As an act of worship they cast their crowns before Him as a recognition of His authority and redemption over all creation.

Although John describes this scene as a future event, we should worship God as a part of our daily lives; after all, He alone deserves all of our honor and praise. God is the Creator of all things and has chosen to redeem sinful mankind by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for sin. For all those who believe in the death of Jesus Christ for sin and receive His forgiveness will someday be at the place John saw two-thousand years ago.
 
Dear God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created.