BEFORE THE THRONE

REVELATION 4

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with Someone sitting on it

(Revelation 4:2).

After taking down the letters to the seven churches, John is called up to heaven to see the things that will take place “after this” (Revelation 4:1). The first thing he sees is the throne of God. The throne bespeaks judgment, the same kinds of judgment that have been threatened against the seven churches. What John is about to see is an extended picture of what it means for God to come in judgment.

Yet a rainbow surrounds the throne. God set up the rainbow after the Flood to remind Himself not to destroy the world any more (Genesis 9). Thus, the judgments that come will not destroy the world but will only take the wicked out of the world. The world, God’s world, will be saved.

Twenty-four thrones surround God’s throne, with twenty-four “elders” on them, robed in white. Sometimes these are taken as representatives of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, of the old and new covenants. More likely they are archangels. At this point, there is no man worthy to approach the throne; that is what will happen in Revelation 5. Thus, it is unlikely that men are being pictured within the throne circle at this point in the vision. And also, the saints are promised to receive white robes in the future; these beings already possess them.

Closer to the throne were four “living beings,” who resemble both the seraphim of Isaiah 6 and the cherubim of Ezekiel 1. God set the cherubim with flaming (“seraphic”) sword to guard His sanctuary when He cast Adam out of Eden. In the tabernacle and temple, cherubim were positioned on either side of the ark of the covenant as guards and woven on the veils as guards. Here we see these ferocious beings, full of watchful eyes, guarding the throne to prevent any sinner from drawing near. When the Lamb passes safely by these awesome guards, we know for certain that He is worthy.

Finally, we see that what these angelic beings are doing in heaven is worship. It is, after all, the Lord’s Day. What this shows us is that in worship we join with the angels. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” means, in part, that earthly worship is to be done after the heavenly pattern. We shall see lots of heavenly worship in Revelation.

CORAM DEO

Hosea 5–8

Revelation 1

We have much to learn from the angels. They worship corporately, not in isolation. They praise Him actively, not as observers. They recognize the gravity and awesomeness of whom they worship. How does this compare to your worship? Model your worship after the worship of heaven.

For further study: Psalm 45:1–6 • Ezekiel 43:7 • Luke 12:33–37

friday

december