Revelation 4 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Rev 4:1-5

1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first 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 there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

A. Find Out:

1. How was the One on the throne described? v.3a
2. What encircled him? v.3b
3. Who circled the throne? v.4
4. What came from the throne? v.5a
5. What were before the throne? v.5b
6. To what was this revelation a prelude? v.1c

B. Think:

1. John has difficulty in conveying something of the One on the throne. What does this tell us?
2. What means are used to describe the occupant of the throne and the activities of the throne?
3. What do those surrounding the throne tell us?

C. Comment:

     After the word of God to the seven churches of Asia Minor has been conveyed, John is then told he will now see what is to happen next. Before he is shown ACTIVITY, he is shown the very heart of heaven, the place of God’s rule, the throne in heaven. Before history is revealed, the One who rules over all history is glimpsed.

      The throne itself is not described and the being on it is only described by reference to costly stones that are crystal clear, purple and red. Mystery and beauty and awesome holiness are suggested. Around the throne a complete rainbow speaks of the complete faithfulness of God (Genesis 9:11 -17). From the throne lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder create a sense of awe (see also Exodus 19)

      Around the throne twenty four elders rule, human figures God has called to share the counsel of heaven. What grace that God calls man to share with Him (Ephesians 2:6). Before the throne (as against “around” it) is the sevenfold Spirit, the perfect Holy Spirit, the executive arm of God waiting and ready to express His biddings. Mystery, awe and yet unity with mankind are the things that stand out in this picture.

D. Application?

1. God is too awesome to be described by simple words.
2. This Almighty, holy Being shares His rule with us. Worship Him!

Passage: Rev 4:6-11

6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all round, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

‘“Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,”

who was, and is, and is to come.’

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.’

A. Find Out:    

1. What were the four creatures like? v.7
2. What did they each have? v.6b,8a
3. What were they continually doing? v.8b,9
4. What effect did that have on the 24 elders? v.10
5. What did they say the Lord was worthy to receive? v.11a
6. Why? v.11b

B. Think:

1. What do the references to eyes say about the living creatures?
2. What about the Lord do they proclaim?
3. What about the Lord do the 24 elders proclaim?

C. Comment:

      Closest to the throne in heaven appear these four strange creatures. From where John stands they each appear as single creatures. Ezekiel saw them moving and each creature appeared to show all four appearances. (see Ezekiel 1:10) He only saw four wings on each. Isaiah saw ‘seraphs’ with six wings and they called out in a similar way to hear. Perhaps the strangest thing about them is that they are covered with eyes. This indicates that they see everything that can be seen, and with that knowledge they continue to give glory and honour and thanks to God. They more than any other know that God is worthy of this.

      When they do this, this causes the twenty four elders to fall down (note the creatures didn’t fall down) and worship God. These elders, human representatives, lay down their crowns, lay down any claim to rule, before the One who alone is worthy to rule. They acclaim the Lord as the One who made all things and who sustains all things. He is the sole cause of all existence. He alone has claim to rule it. As the creatures see all and proclaim the truth, the elders pick that up and responding to it they fall in worship, as their natural response to Him.

D. Application?

1. God is surrounded with mystery.
2. God alone is the One who can rule (your life).