The Throne of Heaven

May 8, 2011

Lesson: Revelation 4:1–5

Key Verse: Revelation 4:2

aaa

Introduction

Our Lord gives His beloved apostle, and us, a vantage point from which is seen the life and victory of God’s people, God’s great congregation of which Christ is King and Head. The vantage point is the ‘throne of heaven,’ what John learns is of divine revelation: “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev. 7:15-17). Though we look forward to the last day when all tears will be wiped away, we must also know that our Lord is continually dwelling with His people, wiping their tears, giving them victory in their faith from generation to generation.

This feeding of the sheep by the Good Shepherd is illustrated in John’s writing to the congregation of the Laodiceans: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14). The Christians of Laodicea are fence riders, wondering whether to move to the right or to the left, being neither hot nor cold. The Lord counsels them “to buy of me gold tried with fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Isaiah spoke of this grace: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1). God’s grace is priceless: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:19). Turn to the Lord and you will find forgiveness for your sins and an eternal fellowship: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and him with me” (3:20). This is a picture of a Christian who, having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, loves Him: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).

aaa

The Voice of the Throne: Revelation 4:1–5

After writing to the seven churches of Asia, John is drawn to an open “door in heaven.” He was given a view of God’s people as God sees them. The first voice John heard “was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” The congregations of Asia, and beyond, are to hear of those things which must be, by the Lord’s providential care. The voice of God is as a trumpet, claiming loudly and firmly what is of divine truth. In a sense, John brings with him the people of God in that generation and every generation, that all may see what God in Christ Jesus has in store for His people.

John records: “I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight unto an emerald.” By the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, John was brought before the heavenly throne. John’s sees the Glory of the Almighty Creator and Savior, which no physical eye can see, except as the Glory-Cloud of heaven. The people of God, as they traveled from Egypt saw their Deliverer: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way” (Ex. 13:21). Jesus spoke of Himself as the Risen Deliverer who would be with them during the time of the Tribulation: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). This is the Risen Christ whom John witnesses, the rainbow representing the covenant promise given to Noah and witnessed by Ezekiel: “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake” (Ez. 1:28). Thus, when the Spirit teaches us through His Word, so we are brought face to face with the glory of God in Christ Jesus; and so we worship and serve Him with much thanksgiving.

John records that he saw “round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” These are those who represent the true and eternal Congregation of whom Christ is King and Head. They reign with Christ as true under-shepherds of Christ’s redeemed flock. The number twenty four teaches us that they not only represent the Body of Christ, the Church (congregation: God’s called-out, gathered people), but that God’s people also reign with Christ. Which is attested to John’s seeing “out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” Of these lightnings and voices which proceeded out of the throne, Matthew Henry wrote, “that is, the awful declarations that God makes to his church of his sovereign will and pleasure. Thus he gave forth the law on mount Sinai; and the gospel has not less glory and authority than the law, though it be of a more spiritual nature. He saw seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are explained to be the seven Spirits of God, the various gifts, graces and operations of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ.”

Discussion: How is our faith made strong in John’s vision of the heavenly throne?

aa

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.