Revelation 4: A Throne Room Vision of God's Glory
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which 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.
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, 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: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
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.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
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 crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4 serves as a pivotal transition in the book of Revelation, shifting our focus from the earthly realm of the churches to the heavenly throne room of God. While Revelation 1-3 addressed "the things that are" (Revelation 1:19), specifically the state of the seven churches in Asia Minor, Revelation 4 initiates the final section, unveiling "the things that are to take place after this" (Revelation 1:19). This "after this" section, beginning here, primarily concerns events unfolding after the church age, specifically the tribulation period. Notably, the word "church" largely disappears from Revelation after this chapter, until the very end, lending support to the view that the church will be raptured before the judgments described in subsequent chapters.
An Invitation to Heaven (Revelation 4:1-3)
John's vision begins with the familiar voice, "like a trumpet," first heard in Revelation 1:10-11 and later identified as the voice of Jesus. This voice commands John, "Come up here," beckoning him to ascend into heaven and witness future events (Revelation 4:1-2). The phrase "after this" marks a transition to the third section of the book, with "this" referring to the church age – the period between Christ's ascension and the rapture of believers. The first section of Revelation recounts a vision of Jesus (Revelation 1:1-20), while the second depicts the present state of the church through letters to seven representative congregations (Revelation 2:1-3:22). Now, John begins describing events that will occur during the seven-year period of divine judgment on earth known as the tribulation. All events described in Revelation from this point forward will occur following the rapture.
John is "in the Spirit" (Revelation 4:2), a key phrase signifying a shift to a spiritual perspective. To be "in the Spirit" is to perceive realities beyond the reach of physical senses. This command to do anything “in the Spirit” is a command to enter the spiritual perspective. That is, to see things that physical eyes cannot see, as when believers are commanded to pray in the Spirit (Jude 20). While some aspects of John's experience were unique to his role as a writer of Holy Scripture, the principle of abiding in the Spirit, receiving understanding of God's will and work, remains applicable to believers today. Too often, though, we merely “visit” the Spirit, so to speak, without “living with him” in a condition of heightened spiritual awareness.
In this heightened state, John beholds God's throne in heaven (Revelation 4:2). This vision echoes similar depictions in Isaiah 6:1-8, where Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne. The description of God's appearance as "jasper and carnelian" (Revelation 4:3) alludes to His immense value and splendor. The rainbow encircling the throne (Revelation 4:3) serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, harking back to Genesis 9:12-17, where the rainbow was established as a sign of His covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. Each time a rainbow appears in Scripture, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
The Heavenly Court (Revelation 4:4-6)
Surrounding God's throne are twenty-four thrones, occupied by twenty-four elders clothed in white robes, wearing golden crowns (Revelation 4:4). The number twenty-four carries symbolic weight in Scripture, often associated with spiritual leadership, such as the twenty-four priestly divisions among Aaron's descendants (1 Chronicles 24) and the twenty-four divisions of singers who led Israel in worship at the temple (1 Chronicles 25). These twenty-four elders likely represent believers who have overcome during the church age and are now reigning with Christ, providing spiritual leadership through their faithful example. Their thrones, white clothes, and golden crowns correspond to the rewards promised in Revelation 2:26, 3:5, and 3:10 for those who conquer and persevere in faith.
From the throne emanate flashes of lightning and peals of thunder (Revelation 4:5), signifying the power and majesty of God. Before the throne are seven lamps of fire, representing the seven spirits of God, symbolizing the Holy Spirit present before God the Father on His throne (Revelation 4:5). Also before the throne is an utterly calm and smooth body of water, described metaphorically as a sea of glass.
John also sees "a sea of glass, like crystal" before the throne, and four living creatures (Revelation 4:6).
The Four Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6-8)
The four living creatures are described as being full of eyes, and each having a different face: one like a lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like an eagle (Revelation 4:6-7). These creatures harken back to the awesome angelic beings described in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6. Like the angels in Ezekiel 1:5-11, they have appearances like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle as well as eyes facing multiple directions (Revelation 4:6-7). Some commentators suggest these creatures symbolize different aspects of Christ as portrayed in the four Gospels: the lion representing Jesus as King (Matthew), the ox representing Jesus as a servant (Mark), the man representing Jesus as the Son of Man (Luke), and the eagle representing Jesus as the divine Son of God (John).
Each creature has six wings and ceaselessly cries, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8). As in Isaiah 6:2-3, each creature has six wings and cries, Holy, holy, holy without stopping—day and night. In Isaiah, each creature covered its face with two wings, its feet with two wings, and flew with two wings. They called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth” (Isaiah 6:3).
Worship in Heaven (Revelation 4:9-11)
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne (Revelation 4:9), the twenty-four elders fall down before Him, worshiping and casting their crowns before the throne (Revelation 4:10). The elders, in fact, appear inspired by the angelic worship and sing a song declaring God worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because he has created all things (Revelation 4:11). Their song proclaims God's worthiness to receive glory, honor, and power, for He is the Creator of all things (Revelation 4:11). The worship of God as Creator sets the stage for subsequent chapters in which God is depicted as moving into creation and setting it right from the effects of sin. This entire scene is a lead-up to chapter five, in which Jesus Christ is introduced.
This chapter provides a glimpse into the awe-inspiring reality of heaven, emphasizing God's sovereignty, holiness, and creative power. It serves as a foundation for understanding the events that follow in Revelation, reminding us that even amidst tribulation and judgment, God remains enthroned and worthy of all praise.
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which 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.
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, 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: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
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.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
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 crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4 serves as a pivotal transition in the book of Revelation, shifting our focus from the earthly realm of the churches to the heavenly throne room of God. While Revelation 1-3 addressed "the things that are" (Revelation 1:19), specifically the state of the seven churches in Asia Minor, Revelation 4 initiates the final section, unveiling "the things that are to take place after this" (Revelation 1:19). This "after this" section, beginning here, primarily concerns events unfolding after the church age, specifically the tribulation period. Notably, the word "church" largely disappears from Revelation after this chapter, until the very end, lending support to the view that the church will be raptured before the judgments described in subsequent chapters.
An Invitation to Heaven (Revelation 4:1-3)
John's vision begins with the familiar voice, "like a trumpet," first heard in Revelation 1:10-11 and later identified as the voice of Jesus. This voice commands John, "Come up here," beckoning him to ascend into heaven and witness future events (Revelation 4:1-2). The phrase "after this" marks a transition to the third section of the book, with "this" referring to the church age – the period between Christ's ascension and the rapture of believers. The first section of Revelation recounts a vision of Jesus (Revelation 1:1-20), while the second depicts the present state of the church through letters to seven representative congregations (Revelation 2:1-3:22). Now, John begins describing events that will occur during the seven-year period of divine judgment on earth known as the tribulation. All events described in Revelation from this point forward will occur following the rapture.
John is "in the Spirit" (Revelation 4:2), a key phrase signifying a shift to a spiritual perspective. To be "in the Spirit" is to perceive realities beyond the reach of physical senses. This command to do anything “in the Spirit” is a command to enter the spiritual perspective. That is, to see things that physical eyes cannot see, as when believers are commanded to pray in the Spirit (Jude 20). While some aspects of John's experience were unique to his role as a writer of Holy Scripture, the principle of abiding in the Spirit, receiving understanding of God's will and work, remains applicable to believers today. Too often, though, we merely “visit” the Spirit, so to speak, without “living with him” in a condition of heightened spiritual awareness.
In this heightened state, John beholds God's throne in heaven (Revelation 4:2). This vision echoes similar depictions in Isaiah 6:1-8, where Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne. The description of God's appearance as "jasper and carnelian" (Revelation 4:3) alludes to His immense value and splendor. The rainbow encircling the throne (Revelation 4:3) serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, harking back to Genesis 9:12-17, where the rainbow was established as a sign of His covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. Each time a rainbow appears in Scripture, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
The Heavenly Court (Revelation 4:4-6)
Surrounding God's throne are twenty-four thrones, occupied by twenty-four elders clothed in white robes, wearing golden crowns (Revelation 4:4). The number twenty-four carries symbolic weight in Scripture, often associated with spiritual leadership, such as the twenty-four priestly divisions among Aaron's descendants (1 Chronicles 24) and the twenty-four divisions of singers who led Israel in worship at the temple (1 Chronicles 25). These twenty-four elders likely represent believers who have overcome during the church age and are now reigning with Christ, providing spiritual leadership through their faithful example. Their thrones, white clothes, and golden crowns correspond to the rewards promised in Revelation 2:26, 3:5, and 3:10 for those who conquer and persevere in faith.
From the throne emanate flashes of lightning and peals of thunder (Revelation 4:5), signifying the power and majesty of God. Before the throne are seven lamps of fire, representing the seven spirits of God, symbolizing the Holy Spirit present before God the Father on His throne (Revelation 4:5). Also before the throne is an utterly calm and smooth body of water, described metaphorically as a sea of glass.
John also sees "a sea of glass, like crystal" before the throne, and four living creatures (Revelation 4:6).
The Four Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6-8)
The four living creatures are described as being full of eyes, and each having a different face: one like a lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like an eagle (Revelation 4:6-7). These creatures harken back to the awesome angelic beings described in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6. Like the angels in Ezekiel 1:5-11, they have appearances like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle as well as eyes facing multiple directions (Revelation 4:6-7). Some commentators suggest these creatures symbolize different aspects of Christ as portrayed in the four Gospels: the lion representing Jesus as King (Matthew), the ox representing Jesus as a servant (Mark), the man representing Jesus as the Son of Man (Luke), and the eagle representing Jesus as the divine Son of God (John).
Each creature has six wings and ceaselessly cries, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8). As in Isaiah 6:2-3, each creature has six wings and cries, Holy, holy, holy without stopping—day and night. In Isaiah, each creature covered its face with two wings, its feet with two wings, and flew with two wings. They called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth” (Isaiah 6:3).
Worship in Heaven (Revelation 4:9-11)
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne (Revelation 4:9), the twenty-four elders fall down before Him, worshiping and casting their crowns before the throne (Revelation 4:10). The elders, in fact, appear inspired by the angelic worship and sing a song declaring God worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because he has created all things (Revelation 4:11). Their song proclaims God's worthiness to receive glory, honor, and power, for He is the Creator of all things (Revelation 4:11). The worship of God as Creator sets the stage for subsequent chapters in which God is depicted as moving into creation and setting it right from the effects of sin. This entire scene is a lead-up to chapter five, in which Jesus Christ is introduced.
This chapter provides a glimpse into the awe-inspiring reality of heaven, emphasizing God's sovereignty, holiness, and creative power. It serves as a foundation for understanding the events that follow in Revelation, reminding us that even amidst tribulation and judgment, God remains enthroned and worthy of all praise.