The Throne of God
Rev 4:1-11
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had 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 behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
Rev 4:1–11.
Arguably one of the greatest movies of all times, it is on the top fifty list of almost everyone, is: The Wizard of Oz, made in 1939 and starring Judy Garland, and it is still a great movie to watch. Great villain in the wicked witch, loveable cast like the cowardly lion.
Now I can’t talk about the movie without giving you a little of my childhood experience. I was 30 years old and a father of two young kids and the Wizard of Oz came on television. We let the kids watch it, but it started getting late, and Amanda said we should put the kids to bed, but they were enjoying it. Suddenly I had a great idea. "Wait, this happened to me when I was little. Let the kids stay awake and if this is the movie version that has the monkeys they can continue watching." Amanda looked at me with bewilderment, and said what do you mean the version with the flying monkeys. I said, “Well you know there is the version with the monkeys and the one without.” She looked at me funny. Then I said to her matter of factly, you know, the monkeys were our favorite part and we would want to stay up late to see them, but then my dad would check and realize that we were watching the version that didn’t have the monkeys and so we would just go to bed.” It suddenly hit me. I had been duped by my dad. It wasn’t the first time he got me and wouldn’t be the last time either. Back to the movie.
We all know the plot where Dorothy and her friends the scarecrow, lion, and tinman are going to see the wizard of Oz so she can get back home and they can get a heart, brain, and courage. When they first appear before the great and powerful Oz it is a dramatic moment. They walk a long tunnel and come into a large room with light shining, fire bursting and a loud booming voice saying the great and powerful Oz.
But the second time they come to the wizard, Toto the dog, notices a curtain off to the side and he pulls it open to reval a little harmless and bumbling man pulling levers and speaking into a microphone. As Toto draws attention to him, the wizard repeats, “pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”
The Wizard at first appeared godlike—mysterious, terrifying, and omnipotent—yet when the curtain is pulled back, he is revealed as an incompetent man. Sociologists would say this moment functions as a kind of demythologization, Oz’s power was a myth and here he is shown for what he is. His supposed divine power was nothing more than human deception. His authority depended on spectacle but collapses once its illusions are unmasked.
What happens with Oz is not unlike many have attempted to do with God in our society. People become disenchanted with God. He doesn’t meet their expectations or fulfill their desires so they turn from him. Hardship, setback, cancer, loss of a friend, and so how can there be an all powerful, all knowing God. you have heard this and maybe you have felt it.
Revelation 4 pulls back the curtain on who God is. We get a glimpse of him in his glory and rather than being disappointed, the revelation fills us with awe and confidence in who he is, a confidence that leads us to trust in his power and his reign. When the curtain is pulled back on God, he is actually greater than we can imagine and we dont think highly enough of him.
We are in chapter 4 of Revelation. The first main section of the book has ended (the letters to the seven churches) and we begin the second main section.
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” v1
This corresponds to what we saw in chapter 1. The “things that are” appear to be what was seen in the churches, and we now progress to what “will take place later.” This vision frames all that comes next.
19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. Re 1:19.
As we move into discussing the things of the future, you may likely move to the front of your seat a little bit thinking “OK, great tell me what is about to happen. I want details. Lottery numbers. Stocks. Who to vote for, etc.” This book is about the salvation of Jesus. If you are looking for those you will be disappointed. For others you are going to receive a powerful revelation of who God is that can anchor you in all of life’s challenges.
John sees the
- The Throne of God.
- At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
What is it that will anchor John to live faithfully in a fallen world that is actively rebelling against God, and under his judgment? It is to see that God is on his throne in all his glory, power, and splendor. There is no bumbling and fumbling on this throne. There is no pomp and pageantry that overshoots the greatness of the one on the throne.
3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
Appearance jasper and carnelian. Three precious stones are mentioned to describe the appearance of the one on the throne. “Likened the appearance.” It is not that he had these on, or a part of him was like, but his appearance is as these. It is the glory and splendor of God which on the most beautiful, pure, precious, and enduring things of this world can capture in a small way.
Rainbow. This also reflects the brilliance and radiance of the glory of God. No earthly king could have a rainbow on call but God does. But you also cannot think about a rainbow in the Bible without thinking of the story of Noah, God’s judgment on sin, and the mercy he showed to his people, making a covenant with them. It not a partial rainbow, but a full rainbow that encircles the whole throne. Its like an emerald. Which tells you John is doing his best to explain what he sees. He is comparing it to the most splendid things he can imagine and its falling short.
Beautiful and terrifying.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
Flashes of lightning and rumbling. This recalls Mt Sinai. While the door to this throne is open you don't take it lightly. Lightning makes big people crumble. I remember hanging outside with some friends when it started to drizzle. We were going to play football and are not intimidated by a little rain. Then it thunder very close by and you had 15 guys running to their cars with out saying a word to each other.
Sea of Glass: not just any retention pond. Compared to a sea- but there is no raging of the water. It is fully submissive to the one on the throne and causes no disruption.
- The Royal Court.
Four Living creatures.
2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:2–3.
These are angelic creatures. John is struggling to describe what he has seen. They are like a lion, like an ox, and have the face of a man, but it is not a man or an ox or an lion. They are like that. These captures God’s strength, nobility, familiarity, and transcendence.
24 elders. This recalls the twelve old Testament tribes and the 12 apostles of the New Covenant. It represents the people of God throughout the ages.
Clothed in white. In the Roman world, conquerors and people celebrating festivals wore white robes. The Bible picks up that imagery—white clothing is often given to those who have overcome trials and remained faithful.
Clothed in white. When the Bible talks about God’s people wearing white robes, it’s not just describing fashion—it’s describing a spiritual reality. White clothes are hard to keep clean, and that’s the point: they stand for purity, victory, and being set apart for God. Isaiah says that though our sins are scarlet, God can make us white as snow. In Revelation, the faithful are clothed in white, showing they’ve overcome this world through Christ. And when Jesus appeared in His glory, His garments shone whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them, reminding us that God’s holiness is beyond anything man can produce.
When we put our trust in Christ, God gives us a new identity—He dresses us, so to speak, in His righteousness. We don’t stand before Him in our dirty work clothes, but in the spotless white of His grace. Second, it’s a call to live in a way that matches the clothes He’s given us—to walk clean, upright, and faithful in a world that can easily stain us.
Bride who is given a new dress.
The royal court is worshipping God. Four angelic creatures who sing“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Have you ever got a behind the scenes peak of something and realized it is not as it appears? I can remember after college I came on staff with a church and one of the things they asked me to do was to restart an outreach to the athletes on campus. I was reluctant but did so and it became one of my favorite things. I got to know some of the best athletes in the nation, athletes that stadiums would be filled to see, but the closer I got to them, the more I got to know them, the less impressive they became. They seemed larger than life on the field. In reality they were scared and confused kids just trying to make it. Not so here. Those on the inside are in awe of the one on the throne.
Holy. holy. Holy. This is what they say. Holy, sacred. It means to be separate, to set apart from others, to be a cut above. Three fold conveys the supreme and absolute greatness. He is greater than we can fathom. His ways are holy. His thoughts. Exponentially different than we are.
So in plain terms: God being “holy, holy, holy” means He’s purer than the cleanest spring, higher than the tallest tree, and more trustworthy than your best neighbor, of greater substance than the best cut of diamond. He’s set apart, perfect, and completely worthy of our respect, love, and worship.
The elders are far inferior to the one on the throne. They fell down before him and proclaimed his worthiness for glory, honor and power.
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
Worthy are you. Cant hear this without thinking of Thor. Is he worthy. Is he worthy to hold the hammer– Mjolnir?? Only few qualify for that. Must be humble and selfless who seeks to protect others rather than themselves. Well only one qualifies to be worshipped. Only one is worthy of that. They worship him because of his power and holiness.
Cast their crowns. They don't gently place it beside them. They throw it. Like my kids throw their clothes on the floor. They are not concerned that the clothes being ready for the next day. They are not concerned that they might not be able to find them. They are not concerned that it may get damaged. They are so focused on going outside to play air soft that the school clothes do not matter one bit. And that is how these elders feel about their greatest achievements of receiving a crown from the one who sits on the throne. They are more focused on his worthiness than theirs.
What crowns has God given you in this life that you are not prepared to throw down before him? Are you prepared to throw them at his feet? That's a clear indication that our life has become about the crown rather than it is the one on the throne. When life becomes about protecting our crown, caring for our crown, polishing our crown, making sure everyone sees and respects our crown. What greater act is there than to say this crown is nothing without the one on the throne.
The Roman Emperor of this time, Domitian, wanted to be worship as dominus et deus. Domitian was a moral catastrophe of a man (he seduced his niece who was married, caused her death by compelling her to get rid of his child by abortion, and he killed people who made joking remarks about him), and he was also physically unimpressive. There is an account of him vigorously scratching a festered wart on his forehead and drawing blood. He is described as being sensitive about his baldness, and as having a protruding belly and spindling legs.” Jim Hamilton, Revelation p29
He was not worthy to be worshipped. He was a weak man. Weak in character. Weak in stature. He is dead and gone. He was not worthy. God is different. This account of the throne makes us think different about God.
RC Sproul. “The clearest sensation that a human being has when he experiences the holy is an overpowering and overwhelming sense of creatureliness. That is, when we are in the presence of God, we are humbled and become most aware of ourselves as creatures.” The Holiness of God, p44.
When we see who God is in all his holiness, he becomes greater, and we become lesser. The gap between our creatureliness and his divinity become lightyears apart. And what fills the gap between where he is and where we are is his grace.
- The Holy One Worthy of Our Worship
The message this conveys is that God is who he says he is. He is absolutely holy. He is in power and unmatched authority, and he is deserving of our worship, trust and allegiance.
Consider those like Antipas who were killed for their testimony of Jesus, burned inside a bronze cylinder. Consider those who lost their property. God is on his throne and he is worthy of our worship.
Consider John who was exiled on patmos at about ninety years of age. Remember the same John who brother and best friends have been martyred for their faith. Consider John who history tells us was boiled in oil for his faith. God is on his throne and he is worthy of our worship.
Consider these unimpressive churches struggling to contend for the faith and many people in the church turning to idols and false doctrine, but that doesn't mean God is not on the throne or is not worthy. He is.
God is on his throne. And those who have a view from heaven see him and what he is doing, and they say Holy holy holy. They say he is worthy.
The view from eternity changes everything.
The heavenly courtroom sees what God is doing and says Holy, holy holy. Isn't that interesting. It would seem they know what is going on with the churches. Covered with eyes to indicate their awareness of all things. They know some Christians had their houses and property confiscated, some have chosen to worship the emperor. What about the marriages that may have fractured because one wants to serve Jesus and the other wants to keep their house. What about those who got sick and died. I don't have all the answers to that. And from the vantage point of those over the earth and next to God, who know the full story, they say holy holy holy. God is on his throne and he is worthy of our worship.
They do not accuse him of wrong doing. They see his absolute moral perfection. Their is a plan greater than we can imagine. He is worthy of our worship.
Did you catch what was fulfilled in this passage? There are things stated here that were promised to the churches. Jesus promised the church in Laodicea in 3:21 that one who conquers will sit with him on his throne. John here sees those who have what Jesus promised. Promised church in Sardis, in 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments. Promised church in Smyrna in 2:10 be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of eternal life. And now they hold crowns. God keeps his promises.
What are you living for? Do you have a view of God reigning over all things and one who is worthy to be worshiped and one who is holy, who is gracious but not to be played.
This is what heaven will be like. This is what we try to do in our worship services. To remember the God who is on the throne.
Don’t mock him. Don’t say you know what pleases him and then you go out and comfortably do the opposite. He calls for our devotion.
The world is not out of control. The world is rebelling against God with the limited control God has given to it. He is on the throne. He is able to redeem. Worthy. Holy.
When you feel squeezed trust in him. Earthquakes are caused by the 7 major tectonic plates of the earth moving. These massive plates move and when they press into each other it causes major problems. Sometimes in life I feel like I am being pressed between those plates, these person wants this, this person wants this, and try as I may, it seems there is just no way that I can change things. I feel powerless. I feel hopeless. I feel forgotten. Revelation tells us that God see all. He is on his throne. He will vindicate his faithful servants. He will punish those who do wrong. We can rest in him. We can rest in our powerlessness because we trust his intent.
There is more coming. God is going to bring judgment on the entire world. He is going to purge evil from it. All wrongs will be made right. His saints will be vindicated from all their suffering.
This view of God should bring disenchantment with the idols of our day. Secular society elevates wealth, technology, political ideologies, education, or celebrity figures to positions of ultimate authority, yet these powers function like the Wizard of Oz—projecting grandeur while ultimately hollow. We must see through the myths of consumerism, nationalism, and scientism, education on worldly values, in order to recognize their limits. Its the world that is dressing up their philosophy and trying to make it into a God. They do that with sexuality,
There is no transcendent quality to these, simply man made constructs that have the moment of the day. They will leave you disappointed. They will be seen for what they are. In five years most will have forgotten what seemed so compelling, so powerful, so logical. They prove unable to change the human heart. Unable to give confidence and security. Unable to
A guide for life? Yes, proverbs are helpful. SAge advice is useful. But here is an image, of the holy one on his throne in glory, glory that no one else can fathom, glory that even the greatest things in this world seem inadequate to describe.
God is absolute in his holiness.
Discussion Questions
- What stands out in the description of God’s throne? What does this communicate about who God is?
- What do the elders and four living creatures say and do? Why is this significant?
- How might this vision have helped the original hearers to trust God? How does it help you trust God?
- What did you learn today that you could share with someone else?
