Most Bible scholars believe that chapter 3 closes out the Church Age and chapter 4 pictures the rapture of the churches. Notice the language used within the first verse:
Rev. 4:1b “I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
Going further into the chapter we see that all focus in Heaven is directed towards The Throne of God. Now we see all aspects of God’s glory on display and ALL of creation’s response to Him. This is our prophetic future!
1. His Holiness (Precious jewels worn by OT priests)
V2b-3a “a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:”
2. His Grace (Noah’s rainbow)
V3b “and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”
3. His People (12 Tribes of Israel representing OT saints + 12 Apostles representing NT saints = Believers from all the ages) redeemed and rewarded.
V4 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”
4. His Judgment (Mt. Sinai)
V5a “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:”
5. His Creation’s praises
V8 “And the four beasts..,rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
6. His People’s Worship
V10 “ The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crown before the throne,”
LESSON - Imagine that glorious day when we shall receive rewards from His nail-scarred hands which we will in turn place at His nail-scarred feet in worship. Our minds cannot conceive all that awaits us! 1 Cor. 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
~Mike
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