Revelation 4 (NIV)

Summary:

The Throne in Heaven
Verses 1-11

John looked and saw a door before him, standing open in heaven.  The first voice that he had heard, which sounded like a trumpet, spoke again and said, " 'Come up here and I will show you what must take place after this.' " (Verse 1b)  Immediately, John was in the Spirit and saw before him:  a throne in heaven.  Sitting on the throne was one with the appearance of jasper and carnelian .  There was an emerald-like rainbow encircling the throne.  Around the one throne were 24 others, with elders on them.  The elders were dressed in white, with crowns of gold on their heads.  There were flashes of lighting, rumblings and peals of thunder from the one throne.  Seven lamps were blazing before the throne.  These seven lamps are the seven spirits, or the sevenfold spirit.  A sea of glass, clear as crystal, was also before the throne.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes all over.  One was like a lion, another like an ox, one with the face of a man, and another like a flying eagle.  They each had six wings covered with eyes.  Day and night, they never stop saying, " 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.' " (Verse 8b)

Whenever the creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and lives forever, the 24 elders fall down before Him and worship Him.  They lay down their crowns before the throne and say,          " 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.' " (Verse 11)

Lori's Thoughts:

John says that he was in the Spirit.  He was not physically taken to heaven nor was he dreaming.  I believe he was given a vision.  Christ told him he'd see what was to come.  I believe he saw what heaven will be like.

I don't know for sure who the elders are, but I heard a theory that they are the 12 leaders of Israel and the 12 apostles.  Not the 12 disciples, because that would include Judas.  Since Judas died without repenting of his sin, I do not believe he is one of the 24.  It's too bad, because God would have forgiven him if he'd asked.

I think the 24 represent the people of the Old and New Testament times.  We will be in heaven together and worship God all the time, as we were meant to be.  This might sound like too much, but humans are always worshiping something, whether it's God, money, celebrities, the devil, or themselves.  We were made to worship.  Out of ignorance or hatred, we worship what we should not.  Only God is worthy and gives us life for our devotion to Him.

I'm not sure what the creatures with eyes represent.  They are good because they worship God.  Are they angels?  They have six wings each.  I'm not sure.  I'm just trusting that my God knows all ..."and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..." (Romans 8:28a).

Heaven sounds beautiful and powerful.  Imagine precious gems amid the clearest and stillest water, with thunder and lighting.  Awesome and powerful is the I am.

(Interesting tidbit - one of my high school teachers pointed out that jasper has every color of every human race.  We are made in His image --see Genesis 1:27.)