We get a view of heaven and the abiding place of our Saviour. Behold the lion and the lamb!
Revelation 4: The Throne in Heaven
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.
4 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.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
7 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.
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 5: The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"
3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
5 And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!"
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!"
14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Things to think about…
In Rev 4:1 we see a door is open, and John after hearing what Jesus had to say to the seven churches is invited to go through the door into heaven by Christ who says “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this”. In Rev 4:2 says that John was ‘in the Spirit’, this is most likely the same place that Paul speaks of, and yet John here unlike Paul is writing down what he sees and hears. What do you think the rainbow represents around the throne? It represents a God of mercy and grace who promised to never flood the world again, Gen 9:9-13. This is our covenant keeping God. The promises in Christ are sure and eternal. Some would hijack the rainbow, but it is a symbol of the Lord’s deliverance, grace and power. Counterfeits don’t compare.
The throne room is described by John as a beautiful place, but it’s also a place of power. What do you make of the 24 elders, vss 1-5? Do you think they are redeemed saints or are they high order angels around the throne? Some believe because there are 24 of them that 12 represent the 12 tribes of OT Israel and 12 represent the Apostles of the NT. Their identity becomes more clear as we go on I believe.
In Rev 4:6-9 we see these 4 very powerful living creatures described. Can you remember what prophets speak of the 4 living creatures? Other OT prophets had a view of the throne room similar to John – Isaiah (Isa 6) and Ezekiel (Ezek 1). The throne room of God is a place of power, awe and wonder. This is our God, worthy of worship for eternity. These are the same ones described by Isaiah in Isa 6:1-3 and Ezekiel in Ezek1:10-20, 10:2-22. These creatures will also be mentioned in Rev 5:6-14, 6:1-8, 14:3, 17:7 and 19:4. As such they are an integral part of the Lord’s expression of His power, majesty and divine will over heaven and earth.
The seal in Rev 5 is interesting. Ancient seals on scrolls could only be broken by the intended recipients of the scrolls. Why do you think John is weeping that no-one could be found? It is because the scroll and therefore the will and plan of God is unable to be enacted. John desires righteousness to rule and justice to be brought forward. Only the Lamb is worthy to break the 7 seals of this scroll. This lamb looks fairly powerful – even the four living creatures bow down to Him, Rev 5:8. He of course is worthy to open the scroll. He is worthy because He has broken the power that sealed up heaven to humanity – our sin. He has 7 horns and seven eyes. These represent complete authority (7 horns) and perfect all-knowing vision (7 eyes). This is an awesome place of power/wonder/light/life/mercy/grace and it is the dwelling place of the Lamb. He is of course the Lord Jesus Christ. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour this is also our home!
I find a real comfort and security in Rev 5:8, that my prayers are received into such a place of awe and power. I trust this is your comfort as well. Surely, we also need to assume the posture of reverence and fear just like these living creatures, angels and elders. I am sure we stand with the four living creatures and can say “Amen” to that! Rev 5:14.
Look at the promise of redeemed humanity “they will reign on the earth”, Rev 5:13. Remember Jesus said that “the meek shall inherit the earth” Mt 5:5. In the Millennial kingdom and the new earth redeemed saints will rule and reign with Christ. I believe this is the beginning of that period because while it is not the new heaven and new earth there is a renewal of sorts, vs 13. This looks to be the same earth we presently inhabit but clearly post cross because Jesus (the lamb) is able to open the seals, vs 9.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Prayer Points
1. Those being baptised on the 3rd Nov.
2. A new admin and finance officer for CBC. Pray for God’s choosing in this role.
3. Pray for the US as they enter into the elections in a few weeks.
4. Prayer for Israel, Gaza and Lebanon for peace to descend over the region.
5. Pray for Tuesday night that it would be a time of healing and hope
6. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the development of a project team.
7. Keep praying for PlayPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
8. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
9. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
10. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
11. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
12. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
13. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
14. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
15. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. The faithful preaching by Doug and worship team
2. More new visitors on Sunday. Pray they feel welcomed in the church
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Baptisms 3rd Nov morning service – 9:30am
2. Members meeting – AGM- 24th Nov after the service
3. PlayPatch back this Friday morning – 9:30am. Contact Anna for details
4. Prayer meeting 5:30pm and Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
5. Carols Sunday 22nd Dec starting from 3pm.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for October...
Q. 25. Why did they eat the forbidden fruit? A. Because they did not believe what God had said.
Bible References – Gen.3:1-6; Heb.11:6.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
