John sees a door opened in heaven, giving access to him to see its wonders. One of the wonders of Scripture is the glorious glimpses of heaven’s throne. They are out of this world and cause the heart to tremble. The apostle Paul had such an experience when he was “caught up into the third heaven, the seat of God’s throne” (2 Cor. 12:1-4; cf. Isa. 12:1-4). His heavenly vision caught him away in such a way that he was unaware of his physical presence (did not know whether in or out of the body). He heard unspeakable words unlawful to utter by human beings. Chapters four and five of Revelation are similar for John except for the fact that the things he sees and the voices he hears concern the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is to be written down. This section gives honor to the Father and His Son as it ascribes to them all praise and worship among heavenly beings. The purpose of this section of visions is to establish the awesome power to which all creation is subject, even the heavenly beings. The first voice John hears was like the voice of a trumpet that said, “Come up here, and I will show you things that must come to pass.” This voice is, probably, the voice of the Christ (cf. Rev. 1:10), the divine means of communication (1:17). John communicates with others in the visions and overhears the conversations of others as if he is allowed to walk through heaven’s door and eavesdrop on its conversations.
The visions are associated with being “in the spirit,” which is likely a reference to John’s own spirit. Adding the two experiences of Paul and John, we can see that what they knew and did not know about their experience. They did not know whether they were in or out of the body. But, they knew they were in the spirit where they behold heaven’s throne and the one sitting on it. It is critical in our walk here to recognize “the heavenlies” (Eph. 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10) or spiritual realm. It is a reality that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Until we recognize the reality of things above, we will not equip ourselves with God’s armor (Ephesians 6:11-17) nor develop an affection for it (Col. 3:1-2). Not only will we utterly lose the war, but we will remain in ignorance concerning the revelation of God. No one has seen God with the naked eye (John 1:18) because He is a spirit and does not have a physical character (John 4:24, Luke 24:37-39). Humans tend to focus on the physical realm and measure reality on this basis. Consequently, when we speak of a “body,” we give it physicality. Yet, there is an incorruptible, spiritual body that is immortal and eternal (1 Cor. 15:50-54, 2 Cor. 4:18-5:1). Eternal things cannot be seen with by physical eyes as Paul explains, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Therefore, a bodily resurrection, for example, need not be a physical resurrection. Eternal bodies may have a form and a unique form for each person, but the form is heavenly. Or, the vision John sees is not with the physical eyes. He is allowed to see spiritual realities, not physical things. 2 Kings 6:17 reads, “And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Did he see these things, naturally or was he caught up to see the invisible? This explanation may explain how Caiaphas, and probably Anas, would “see” the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64, Mark 14:62). or how “they” shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26-27). Revelation 1:7 reads, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Therefore, what John saw, he saw in the spirit but to communicate spiritual images to those who are not in the spirit can only be done with descriptions of nature that demonstrate the glorious, colorful, and transparent nature of that which we see have seen with the physical eye. No doubt, it defies our imagination as heaven’s glory is beyond our realm.
The Throne Scene
1. Twenty-four elders
The throne scene of Revelation 4 reveals 24 other thrones around God’s throne upon which the twenty-four elders are sitting in white garments with golden crowns on their heads (v. 4). The tribes of Israel were twelve in number, not twenty-four. The elders of Israel assisted Moses in judging the people and had the Spirit of God to prophesy (cf. Numbers 11:17-25). In Matthew 19:27-28, Peter asks Jesus what they will have for forsaking all to follow Him? Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (cf. Luke 22:30). The apostles were also given the spirit of prophecy. Why there are twenty-four instead of twelve is not clear. It could be that two from each tribe are meant to establish truth on the basis of at least two witnesses (cf. Deut. 19:15) or it may have something to do with a double portion of justice around the throne. 1 Corinthians 6 speaks of saints judging the world (v. 3) and angels (v. 4). Then, he references esteemed wise judges among the called-out (v. 4-5). The apostles may be joined by twelve other judges from first-century saints who join them. None of this suggests that God needs judges to assist him as Moses needed them to assist him in judging Israel. The composite picture describes an entourage of ministering spirits that encircle the throne to represent the fullness of knowledge, truth, and power. From that inner throne proceed lightnings, voices, and thunders.
When the four living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to whom who sits on the throne, these twenty-four elders fall down to worship Him and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “You are worthy to receive the glory, the honor, and the power because you created all things, and because of your will they were and were created.”
2. Seven Lamps: These seven lamps are the seven spirits of God
3. Sea of Glass before the throne: The image is one of crystal clear glass
4. Four Living Creatures full of eyes before and behind in the midst of the throne: These four represent a broad category of animal species and nothing gets past their vision.
(a) First – Like a Lion: Kings of wild beasts that are known for their strength (cf. Rev. 6:1-2)
(b) Second – Like a calf: Domesticated service animals (cf. Rev. 6:3-4) controlled by man. This living creature called forth the rider on the red horse (6:3-4).
(c) Third – Had the face of a man. Humans were given dominion over the earth, including the animals. He is made in God’s image and endowed with an immortal soul, man should be higher than the animals. Yet, some live like “brute beasts” (cf. 1 Peter 2:12). This creature called the black horse (horse of famine, 6:5-6).
(d) Fourth – Like a flying eagle: This winged predator rules the air and can seek his prey on the earth, also. The creature called forth Death and Hades (6:7-8).
(e) Each had six wings like the seraphim of Isaiah 6:1-5. We are not told their function, but we are told that the seraphim used two to cover his face, two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly.
(f) They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.” Again, the seraphim is similar in this regard (cf. Isa. 6:3). The elders join them in this song of praise.