Revelation 4: The throne in heaven

Read Revelation 4 here.

Revelation 4:1-3 The One Who sits on the Throne

“1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” Revelation 4:1-3

In this second phase of John’s revelation, a manifestation of Yahweh Elohim was revealed to him as the One Who sits on the throne in heaven. Other prophets of old and God’s servants like John also had a similar vision, see Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:9. This is a manifestation of God Himself to John as we see in the praise rendered to Him by the four living creatures in 4:8 and by the 24 elders in 4:11.

This vision of heaven is also a revelation of God’s kingdom in its perfection to John while he was in the spirit. The Bible teaches that the coming kingdom of God that will be established on earth on Christ’s return will be in many ways, a replica of God’s divine rule in heaven. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” says the Lord. This is why I believe that John’s vision of heaven at this time was a vision of the perfection that can be seen where God rules and all creatures worship Him truly in spirit and in truth.

In verse two, John was invited to come up. In this same way, none of us, on our own accord can draw nigh to God now in heaven through Christ, or have a place in the kingdom when it is established, except God calls us. This is Paul’s argument when he introduced us to the concept of justification by faith in Romans 4. When God bids anyone come, that person ought to respond positively in faith and that faith in Christ Jesus will be credited to that person as righteousness. Romans 4:1-5.

Let’s see some lessons we can learn from the other particulars of the vision. This book of Revelation is so deep that I cannot bring out even more than a little fraction of all that we can ever learn or see from this book. The reader must continue to study this book on his own to bring out other lessons that can guide him in his walk to the kingdom.

Revelation 4:4-11

Vision of the Temple: The Church in the Holy of Holies

In chapters 2 and 3, Christ was visibly manifested to John as one like a priest in white linen who walks among the lampstands, that is the churches. We observed that the objects described there are akin to the Holy place of the Temple which together with the rest of the temple objects not listed, points us to the figures of the Church as standing right before the Most Holy place with the veil torn and complete access to the Father granted to the saints in Jesus Christ who is always in their midst.

John was asked to come up. Come up from where? From the earth? We can also picture the High Priest going up to the Holy of Holies in the temple of Solomon on the day of Atonement to behold the face of the glory of the LORD. The visions of heaven in chapters 4&5, the language changed to a description of what is very much similar to the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and the temple.

Most notably is the vision of the Cherubim which is here more elaborately described as the 4 living creatures. In the Holy of Holies or Most Place of the Tabernacle and the Temple, we read of the Cherubim thus:

The Four Living Creatures as the Cherubim:

Tabernacle:

“And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.” Exodus 25:20.

Temple:

“He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house. And the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one touched the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; their other wings touched each other in the middle of the house.” 1 Kings 6:27

Cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision:

But in the apocalypse given to Ezekiel and other prophets, these cherubim which were only objects in the Most Holy place of the Temple, were now depicted as living creatures. They are described somewhat as the angelic manifestation of the Glory of God. Here is how Ezekiel described this manifestation:

“As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.” Ezekiel 1:4-13.

Later, Ezekiel, in his vision of the departure of the Glory of God out of the temple, went ahead to describe these 4 living creatures simply as the Cherubim: “These were the living creatures that I saw underneath the God of Israel by the Chebar canal; and I knew that they were cherubim. Each had four faces, and each four wings, and underneath their wings the likeness of human hands. And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the same faces whose appearance I had seen by the Chebar canal. Each one of them went straight forward.” Ezekiel 10:20-22.

So we can see that these four living creatures are the manifestation of the Glory of the LORD or the Cherubim that was in the Most Holy place of the temple. Or as Ezekiel puts it: “Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” Ezekiel 1:28.

 The Hebrew word for likeness(underlined) is דְּמוּת dimuth, which means similitude or resemblance. This is what I refer to as how God chose to manifest His glory to us. It is now up to us to possibly find out why God chose to manifest His glory through the creatures He used: “the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.” Revelation 4:7.

I know that here on earth, the Lion is described as the king of the jungle and is the symbol for royalty, courage and glory. The Ox is the beast of burden and the symbol of enormous strength. Man is the image of the living God and He in many ways manifests God to the rest of the creation. The Eagle rules the heavens (sky) and apart from its connections to the heavens or divinity in symbol, it may represent vision and swiftness. The wings of the eagle is also the vehicle for divine protection as in Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 40:31; Revelation 12:6. What else can you make out of these symbols using the scripture as guide? The glory of God may be perfectly understood when we put together the meanings the great qualities these creatures represent.

The Four Living creatures or Cherubim as the bearer of the Glory of God

It is said that the Cherubim or 4 Living creatures are “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.” Revelation 4:6b ASV. This may be a little difficult to understand and picture.

It’s only on a closer inspection from the scriptures on the relationship between the glory of God and the Cherubim or the Four living creatures, are we to find out that the Glory of God proceeds from the midst of the Cherubim or as Ezekiel puts it: the Cherubim can also be a sort of mobile chariot for the Glory of God, perhaps when need be. For example, Ezekiel speaks of the wheels attached to the living creatures: “Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.” Ezekiel 1:13. Ezekiel also revealed the relationship of the Living creatures with the Glory of God: “And the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.” Ezekiel 10:4,5.

The above gives us a lot of information. John did not record about the wheels attached to the Living creatures and I think it’s there in Ezekiel to teach us that the Cherubim can be mobile, if need be, Nevertheless, the important reoccurring fact is that the Glory of God proceeds from the Cherubim/Living creatures as if the Cherubim is the carrier of the Glory of God. This is also very much inline with what we read of the Cherubim as an Image in the Tabernacle and in the temple: “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” Exodus 25:22 cf. Numbers 7:89; 2Samuel 6:2; 2Kings 19:15; Psalm 90:1, 99:1, etc.

When God revealed His glory and spoke to us today, we did not see Him reveal His glory from the 4 Living creatures but we see God speak to us and the fullness of His glory revealed to us through our Lord Jesus Christ! Hebrew 1:1-3. So in many ways, when we study the courage and royalty associated with the Lion, the strength and zeal of the Ox in labour, the Godly intelligence of Man, and the swiftness and divinity associated with the Eagle – all being the likeness of the 4 Living creatures, then we can see our Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us too!

But in John’s vision of the heavenly place, we do not see the Glory of God as manifested to Ezekiel on earth, sitting in the midst of the Cherubim or the 4 Living creatures, we see the very Throne of God dwelling in the midst of this Cherubim or 4 Living creatures: “and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.” Revelation 4:6b ASV. This may teach and remind us that we saw on earth in the Temple was only a copy of the Heavenly things which will also be revealed to us in the kingdom age when Jesus Christ sits on his glorious throne here on earth as the king of kings and the Lord of lords! Hebrews 9:23.

The 24 Elders

“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.” Revelation 4:4.

We read about the 24 elders around the throne of the One that sits on the throne. It’s not very easy to interpret who these people are. The word ‘elder’ in Greek is presbuteros πρεσβύτερος or presbyter/elder which is a term used in the early church interchangeably for the elders, overseers or college of bishops of a church, Titus 1:5,7. These elders in the church setting are simply the leaders or the rulers in the church as we see in 1Timothy 5:17 and Hebrew 13:7, etc.

The post exilic Jews sometimes had 23 members of the Sanhedrin who were called Elders. These 23 elders plus the High priest makes them 24 rulers of Israel in those days.

Also from the days of David, he organised the priests who were descendants of Aaron into 24 courses or divisions. They maintained this order even in the second temple era before the temple was destroyed in 70AD. See 1Chronicles 24:1-18; Luke 1:5.

Can we say that what we have on earth in the church is a pattern from what John saw in the apocalyptic heaven? This heaven can also be said to be a vision of the heavenly kingdom to come. Did John see the kingdom age and order in this vision of the heaven?

These 24 elders have golden crowns on their heads which can mean that they reign as kings with Christ or can also mean they have been victorious from a struggle and now rewarded. The Greek translated as crown is stephanos which is more of the wreath an athlete gets after emerging winner in a race. The same word is used here as a reward for the saints: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. As we may know, this idea of the victorious saints receiving a crown from the Lord at his appearance is expressed commonly in the New Testament by the apostles. Peter wrote: “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:4. Also 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2imothy 4:8; James 1:12.

But the important thing about the Peter I cited above is that Peter was specifically writing to the Elders of the church and he told them that a crown is specifically promised to them:

“1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1Peter 5:1-4.

We can quickly learn from here and other similar passages that the Lord indeed will reward everyone according to their works. It appears that those who are honored and trusted with the noble role of pastoring the flock of Christ as elders, overseers or arranging brethren will also get a more honorable reward now (1 Timothy 5:17) and in the kingdom age.

Can we say that the 24 elders with (symbolic?) golden crowns on their heads answer to the promise to the elders in 1Peter 5:1-4?

Are the 24 Elders the angels of God in heaven?

The word angel means messenger so any spirit or creature that worships and serves God in heaven are technically angels or messengers of God, Hebrews 1:14. Are the 24 Elders part of the order of immortal angels in heaven now? The answer is not straightforward but we can attempt to at least give our opinion of whom they are.

1. If the wreath or Crown they wore is a reward for enduring trial till the end, then they are more likely to be a representative of the saints, now immortalised, than of the angels who are not subject to temptations and trials that we face.
2. If the wreath or crown of gold depicts them as those who reign with Christ, it will also most likely mean they are not angels. One of the mysteries revealed to us in the book of Hebrews (see Hebrew 2:5ff.) is that the angels are not promised dominion as kings in the world to come. Matters relating to the world and its divine rule in the kingdom age are exclusive to the Christ and to his saints who love his appearing. “For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.”
3. If the word ‘Elder’ or its Greek equivalent ‘presbuteros πρεσβύτερος’ translates to one who is advanced in age, then it will be difficult to apply this to angels who are immortal and not classified by age nor are they bound by time anymore to be classified thus. But the term can also be translated as one of a senior rank, which can be applied to angels who we know are divided into orders and ranks.

It appears all points leads us toward the conclusion that the 24 elders are most likely not immortal angels of God but I must admit that this matter is still open for the reader to further investigate as my thoughts are not conclusive on this matter.

When we get to chapter 5, we will attempt to reach a conclusion on this as we look at ‘Are the 24 Elders the representative of the glorified saints in the kingdom age?’