Revelation Study Notes
Chapter 4 – Vision of Christ in Heaven before the Tribulation
“Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Rev.4:1
Our God is a God of Patterns – look for the patterns in Revelation – he is trying to tell us something, to teach us something, with each pattern and picture. If there is something you don’t understand in Revelation, look for its predecessor pattern in the Old Testament, to get a better idea of what it is.
The Throne in heaven,
V.1 – “the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking”
Who is speaking? – this is the Angel from Revelation 1:10 who was sent to explain to John - we recognize WHO it is by the description of the voice - a voice never changes, regardless of the age of the person speaking. Many authors mistake this voice as Yeshua's [Jesus] voice, but we know from the description of his voice in Rev. 1: 15 that Yeshua's voice is like the sound of rushing water, whereas this voice is like the sound of a trumpet.
What does he say? “Come up here and I will show you what must take place after these things” – the voice identifies this as second part of vision = things which must take place after this.
This verse is very similar to Exodus 23:20-1, 24:1-2: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name [is] in him. . . .And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.” Moses was told that if He saw God’s face, he would die – Ex 33:20: “20But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live."
John is also invited to heaven to be shown a vision of the Glory of God – This is not a reference to the rapture – it is what it is portrayed to be – John was invited to look at the future so that he could tell us what to prepare for.
V. 2 “I was caught up in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne” – tradition says John was taken by the Spirit to four different locations in the heavens. This is the second of the two locations, at the Throne of God in heaven. Many believe that John had a complete sensory experience, seeing and hearing just what he describes as if he were there.
Who has seen the Throne Room of God - See What does the Throne Look Like?
V. 3 “And he who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardine in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.” God is like a being who is made of precious stone surrounded by a rainbow with emerald green hues predominating, and sits on a throne that is sapphire blue. This is not just any rainbow, this is a SPECTACULAR 360° RAINBOW. Predominating colors are shades of green – we will see in Rev 9 that demons cannot harm any green thing [but men can touch and destroy]. Green seems to be a color designating the holiness of God himself. Closest to God, this is the color which demons seem to hate.
Ezekiel adds that He is like a burning flame from the waist down, burnished bronze from waist up. [Ezek 1:27].
Jasper: Glory of God, splendor, brightness, magnificence and beauty – green is the predominant hue
Sardius [Ruby]: Preciousness, of great value, costly glories, wisdom, and prized treasure
Colors: Red and orange = healing gemstones; Green – immortality, resurrection;
Read Ezek 1:1-28, Ezekiel 10:1-22 :
The Jasper and the Sardius: A Picture of our God
"And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:..." (Revelation 4:3a).
The Jasper and Sardius are first heard of on the Breastplate of Aaron, in the first mentioning of these precious stones in the Bible:
Exodus 28:17-21 “It shall be square and double, a span its length and a span its breadth. 17 And you shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel; they shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.”
As we just read, it has to do with the stones in Aaron's breastplate--each stone representing one of Jacob's 12 sons, and subsequently, the tribe that they fathered.
To understand the significance of Christ looking like a jasper and a sardius stone, we need to refresh our memory as to how Jacob's two wives, Leah and Rachel, serve as types. If you'll recall the story of Jacob's marriages, Jacob had worked for Rachel's father seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage, but was tricked into first taking her older sister, Leah, to wife to fulfill the custom of the time and place. Then he was given Rachel on the condition that he would work seven more years for her (See Gen. 29). The story is full of symbolism and types, but for our purposes here, we simply need to know that Leah is a type for the Law while Rachel is a type for Grace. Furthermore, Leah's first child (of many) was Reuben whose stone on Aaron's breastplate was the sardius--the first stone on the breastplate. But Rachel had only two sons: Joseph and Benjamin--whose stones were the onyx (sardonyx) and the jasper--the eleventh and twelfth stones on Aaron's breastplate. Note that Reuben’s stone is the first stone.
Reuben's stone, the sardius, [a. k. a. Ruby – note similarity to Reuben’s name] was placed first in agreement with the Hebrew's patriarchal blessing of the first born for which Christ was qualified--being the firstborn of a Hebrew family under the law of Moses. Joseph's and Benjamin's stones, the onyx and the jasper, (the children of Rachel [grace]) were placed on Aaron's breastplate in positions 11 and 12 respectively according to Scriptural numerology.
Although Revelation
does not refer to Joseph's stone per se, it is very interesting that like
Benjamin, he was also born of "grace." Joseph served both as an example for the
Hebrews and a type for Christ. As an example for the Hebrews, he demonstrated
how that those who lived by the faith of Father Abraham, trusting fully in the
grace of God, were blessed beyond measure. As a type of Christ, he suffered the
rejection of his brethren who thought they had done away with him. He endured
all that came his way, not riling against those who thought to do him evil.
Eventually, he was raised to a position even higher than what he should have had
as a Hebrew; and in that position, he became the savior of his brethren and of
the world around him. In Biblical numerology, the number eleven stands for
judgment/the cross.
Benjamin's stone, the
jasper, was placed in the 12th position
on Aaron's breastplate and this is full of significance. The number 12 stands
for the foundations of the church (called out ones). The first church in the
Bible was Israel and its 12 foundations are the 12 sons of Jacob from which came
forth the 12 tribes of Israel. The second Church of the Scriptures (2 is the
number for the Church) is the New Testament Church, the Bride of Christ (His
Rachel). Benjamin with his twelfth stone on Aaron's breastplate is a type of
the New Testament Church who was especially loved of his father and for no
apparent reason other than he was his father's baby. The 12 foundations for the
Church are the 12 Apostles upon whose teachings the Church is built. Christ is
said to "look upon like a jasper" because He is in the midst of the Grace-Age
Church. In fact, the believer is admonished to live like Paul whose goal was to
live in such a way that others did not see him, but the Lord Jesus living in
him. Note that Benjamin’s stone is the last stone.
| Sardius [Ruby] | Jasper |
| Reuben - Behold a Son | Benjamin - Son of my Right Hand |
| First Stone - Alpha | Last Stone - Omega |
| Law | Grace |
| Red – blood – death | Green/white – Resurrection, immortality |
The Ruby [Sardius]
This is a 4.98 carat Madagascar Ruby, as close to actual size as I could make it [10.5 x 9.3 mm]. Its color is considered ‘Best Pigeon Blood Red’, with very good clarity and high luster. It has a trigonal crystal structure, and is made of Al2O3, Aluminum Oxide. Its normal price is $63,179.99, and it was on sale on July 1, 2003 for $31,590.00. [What a DEAL!]
V.4: “And around the throne were 24 thrones; and upon the thrones I saw 24 elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”
The 24 Elders There is only one other place in scripture where 24 elders are called out, and that is for the morning and evening Altar Service in the Temple in Jerusalem. [1 Chron 23:28 – 24:7] It was required that this be witnessed by Israel. These were identified as two witnesses from each tribe and they were required to witness the Altar Service, which was conducted for Israel’s benefit each morning. These 24 elders who are seated around the Throne are most probably the witnesses representing the 12 tribes of Israel who witness the actual Altar Service in heaven where the Great High Priest brings sacrifices to the Altar – they provide the testimony of such things. Elders are a Jewish title – not a title indicative of the New Testament leaders. Crowns are Victor’s Crowns. Now around the throne because of the redemptive work of the Lamb. None of Ezekiel’s descriptions [or any other Old Testament figure who saw God], saw him surrounded by the elders – they were not yet allowed to approach him until Jesus finished his work.
Elders are Overcomers ”To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne” Rev 3:21
Elders are redeemed believers – they wear white robes, golden crowns; these crowns are victors crowns;
Elders are all nations, tongues Rev. 5:9
Elders are kings and priests Rev 5:10
Elders will reign with him on earth Rev 5:10
Thunder and lightning usually precede a significant event. It seems to be one of the ways God expresses emotions.
V. 6-8: 6In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.7The first of these living beings had the form of a lion; the second looked like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth had the form of an eagle with wings spread out as though in flight.8Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty-- the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come."
Full of eyes in front and back – the more eyes, the more they have the spirit of God, for the eyes represent the wisdom of God. The creatures display the creativity of God, with the diversification in form of men and animals and birds, but they stand before God singing praises. Recall the Rabbi’s tradition mentioned in the Self Study Guide of these being the four supreme orders: among all created beings, mankind, among birds, the Eagle, among domestic animals, the Ox, and among wild beasts, the Lion.
Especially note the songs in Revelation – when those about the throne start singing a song, there is usually a judgment about to start on earth. The judgments are harsh, but the singers have reviewed all data and sing out about the righteousness of God’s judgments and the holiness of God himself. Songs are a prelude to Judgments.
V. 9-11: 9Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever,10the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." The 24 representatives throw their crowns at God’s feet and give all glory to him, as we should. The elders and the creatures are singing a song – this is indicative of something important about to happen, and everyone confirms that God is just and righteous in his judgments against those who attempt to steal his glory, honor and power – men.
As we saw earlier, the 24 are the official witnesses to the Throne proceedings. They are crowned, but do not covet the crowns, giving all glory back to God as the Source of all that is good. They spend their time in rapture and worship, singing that the Lord is worthy of glory, honor and power, a triune praise.
Isaiah sees the throne of God from above the Throne, looking down. He sees the seraphim, with six wings, singing about the Glory of God, and smoke filled the temple where God sat. And an angel goes to the Fire Altar and gets a coal which he brings to Isaiah and touches his lips to cleanse him – there is a Fire Altar in heaven. The seraphim are between God and Isaiah., which is why he did not die.
Ezekiel sees from below the throne as God comes down to earth from heaven. Ezekiel describes what he sees first – the storm cloud approaching and 4 creatures in it; he then sees their legs and feet, and what was under their wings [hands], and that they had four wings each; he sees lightening above them and that they are fiery beings; he can see their wheels [which are part of them] touching the earth, and how high the wheels were and all the details on the wheels – they were full of eyes; then he sees the Sea of Glass above their heads, and finally sees the throne of God, God himself, and the rainbow. There are no elders. God has come to earth. God is veiled to Ezekiel. Suriel stands between God and Ezekiel.
John on the other hand, has a perspective from directly in front – he is taken up to heaven and views God from there. There has been a change in perspective brought about by Jesus’ death. John sees God in heaven and the emerald rainbow first, then the elders, then the lightening and lamps, then the sea of glass and 4 living creatures – John saw details of these four living creatures standing beside the throne –the Hashmal – which seem to have a mix of the characteristics of the seraphim and the cherubim – they have six wings and four different faces, one face for each. John didn’t see or notice the wheels at all which would have been on the very bottom of the Throne. God was veiled by Suriel’s presence, which is why John did not die. Ex 33:20: And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Perspective has changed because of the action of the Lamb. Ezekiel and Isaiah viewed the throne from above and below, but were on earth. John was raised up so that he could speak to those around the throne – all of this was done by Yeshua [Jesus] for us. He is the one who is worthy to open the seals. Before, God had to come to us because there was no bridge, but when John was called up, Jesus had built the bridge by which we can approach God.
When Daniel sees the Ancient of Days come to sit on His throne for judgment, the throne is on fire, with wheels of blazing fire and a river of fire is pouring out from the throne, representing wrath. Dan. 7:9-10: 9I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,10and a river of fire flowed from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him, and a hundred million stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.
