Cecil A. Fayard

Elliott Baptist Church

April 4, 2004

INTRO: We come now to the third division of the book of Revelation as divinely outlined in Revelation 1:19:

1. "Which thou hast seen" past ch 1 Glorified Christ

2. "Which are" present ch 2-3 Church Age

3. "Which shall be hereafter" future ch 4-22 Future events

Revelation chapter four tells us that heaven will open to the saints of God before the tribulation begins;  and that once the saints are caught up to heaven, God's judgment on the earth will begin.

Revelation 4:1 is a picture of the rapture.

Revelation 4:2-11 takes us to the throne of God in heaven.

1. VS 1, THE RAPTURE

A. After the messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor were written down, John looked and saw a door opened in heaven.  Note the similarities between John's rapture and the rapture of the saints which it pictures:

B. Rapture in the Old Testament.  Two people in the Old Testament were translated (went to heaven without dying): Enoch and Elijah.

1. The Bible says, "Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him" (Gen 5:24).

a) Heb 11:5.

b) Enoch's body was never found.

2. The Bible also tells us that Elijah was, "caught up" by a chariot of fire while Elisha watched (II Kings 2:11-12).  A search was conducted by the young prophets, but Elijah's body was never found.

3. Enoch and Elijah were raptured (translated) into the next life without going through the process of death.

C. Just as Enoch and Elijah were translated, so will the living believers.  The dead in Christ will being caught up to be with the Lord at the rapture.

1. I Thes 4:13-18; I Cor 15:51-52.

2. Just as Enoch and Elijah's bodies were never found, the bodies of the saints will be caught up to heaven and glorified.

D. The rapture of the saints will cause great chaos on the earth: wrecks, plane crashes, railroad derailments, and death will accompany the disappearance.

1. The news media will be baffled.  Rumors will be heard everywhere.

2. The Bible tells us that Satan will invent the perfect lie to fool the world (II Thes 2:11-12).

II. THE THRONE OF GOD

A. The word "throne" is used fourteen times here in Revelation four.

1. "Throne" is the key word of this chapter.

2. "Throne" is the key word in the book of Revelation being found 46 times.

B. The throne of God emphasizes the glory and sovereignty of God.

1. God is in control; He is on His throne.  No matter what may happen, God is in control.

2. God's throne:

a) In the church age, it is the throne of Grace (Heb 4:16).

b) In the Revelation, it is the throne of God's sovereign judgment.

C. "A throne set in heaven."

1. "Set" as a symbol of God's sovereign rule and authority.

2. "Set"- fixed, permanent, unmovable, unshakeable- God's control of the universe is unchanging.

III. VSS 2-3, GOD ALMIGHTY ON THE THRONE

A. John describes the omnipotent Lord God sitting on the throne.

1. The "jasper" is clear as crystal, symbolizing the purity and glory of God.

2. "A sardine stone."

a) Blood red, a picture of God's redeeming grace and salvation through the blood shed on Calvary.

b) Eph 1:7, "In whom we have redemption through his blood."

B. Interestingly both the jasper and sardine stones were found in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex 28:17-21).

IV. VS 3b, THE RAINBOW AROUND THE THRONE

A. The rainbow is a symbol of God's grace, mercy, and faithfulness.

B. While judgment falls on earth, God's mercy will be enjoyed by the saints.

C. In Genesis, the rainbow appeared after the storm of judgment.  In the Revelation, we see it preceding the storm.

V. VS 4, TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS AROUND THE THRONE

A. John sees twenty-four elders, clothed in white with gold crowns on their heads.

B. Twenty-four elders-

1. These elders represent all the redeemed.  In heaven, they are enthroned and rewarded.

2. There are twelve tribes of Israel and there are twelve apostles.  This may represent the Old and New Testament saints.

C. "White raiment" - this is probably the imputed righteousness of the saints (Isa 61:10).  These are those who have overcome by the blood and are victorious (Rev 7:9).

D. "Crowns of gold" - the Greek word for crowns is stephanos meaning "victors crowns."  Crowns, earned rewards, to be cast at the Savior's feet.

VI. VS 5a, LIGHTNINGS, THUNDERINGS, AND VOICES OUT OF THE THRONE

A. This symbolizes God's presence (Ex 19:16).

B. In the tribulation period, God's judgment is symbolized in lightnings and thunderings (Rev 8:5).

VII. VSS 5b-6a, SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE AND A SEA OF GLASS BEFORE THE THRONE

A. Vs 5b, In the Bible, seven stands for completeness, fulness, or perfection.

1. This indicates the complete Spirit of God.

a) From the throne comes "complete active discernment of all matters and affairs in judgment, the Holy Spirit" (Newell 89).

b) These lamps of fire are blazing fierce and denote the power of God in judgment.

2. This means that at this point in the Revelation, God is ready to make war on wicked mankind.  The Spirit is God's war torch (     7:16, 20).

B. Vs 6a, This sea of glass in heaven, before the throne, is calm and peaceful indicating an eternity of perfect peace.

1. The seas here on earth are storm driven by the winds.

2. For the saved, there is a place of perfect peace, near to the heart of God.

3. The wicked have no peace: "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (Isa 57:20).

VIII. VSS 6b-9, FOUR BEASTS IN THE MIDST AND ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE

A. Vs 6b, These beasts are living creatures as indicated by the Greek word "zoon."

1. They are not people; they are not angels.

2. These are living creatures that accompany the throne of God where ever it goes (Eze 1:15-28).

3. "Full of eyes"-- this says they are alert, aware.  They know their duty, and they see to it that it is done.

B. Vs 7, The facial features of these beasts resemble the four portraits of Christ revealed in the Gospels:

1. Matthew    Christ as Messiah Lion of the tribe of Judah

2. Mark     Christ as servant   Calf- domestic serving animal

3. Luke   Christ as man    His humanity

4. John   Christ as Son of God     Eagle flies highest

C. Vs 8, Further description of the four living creatures.

1. "Six wings"-- these wings are used in their calling.  They are to constantly worship God (Isa 6:2).

2. Note their worship: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

D. Vs 9, These living creatures "give glory and honour and thanks" to God.

IX. VSS 10-11, THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS FALL DOWN BEFORE THE THRONE

A. Vs 10, The worship of the four living creatures triggers a response from the twenty-four elders.

1. They cast their crowns before the throne.

2. MacArthur says: "They are not preoccupied with their excellence.  They are not concerned about their own holiness, honor, or reward" (158).

B. Vs 11, None other is worthy of worship.

1. Here is the purpose of man, of the universe, "for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

2. "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever" (Spurgeon 1).

CONCLUSION: John is caught up to heaven; he sees the throne of God and hears the warnings of coming judgment.

For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:

Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com