We are all shown the throne room today. I love John’s description here. Of course being a holy man carried along by the Holy Spirit, the words are not his, but the Lord’s. Enjoy and continue to be blessed!
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.
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? 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. Can you remember what prophet speaks of the 4 living creatures? Other OT prophets had a view of the throne room similar to John – Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel all had a similar view to John. The throne room of God is a place of power, awe and wonder. This is our God, worthy of worship for eternity.
In Rev 4:6-9 we see these 4 very powerful living creatures. 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? 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. This is an awesome place of power/wonder/light/life/mercy/grace and it is the dwelling place of the Lamb. 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.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading for Sunday came from Jude.
1. Jude got distracted from his initial intent of writing the letter, vs 3. What was his initial intent and what caused him to be distracted and write the letter he did?
2. Discuss what Cain, Balaam and Korah did, vs 11. Why does Jude mention them?
3. Look at the characteristics of false teachers, vss 12, 13 and 16. How does the church defend itself from these individuals having an influence in church leadership?
4. Pray for the Pastor, CBC’s 2 Elders and the Ministry Leaders. Pray for wisdom, grace and discernment and boldness where required.
Prayer Points
1. Continued freedoms to remain in Qld.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Doug’s testimony and faithfulness in the church
2. New volunteers stepping forward to help out.
3. Sunday’s worship Josh and Ben. Thanks to Tim, iMan and Melissa – technical team working well
4. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details.
2. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Parents to contact Melinda for details.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
