Revelation Chapter 4-5
INTRO: The Prophetic Thread of the Bible, Illustration Babe Ruth calling his shot.
Babe Ruth's famous “Called Shot” came in the fifth inning of Game Three of the 1932 World Series, played on October 1, 1932, at Wrigley Field. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, later Ruth stated he was predicting that he was going to hit the next pitch right past the flag pole in the stands. Here as we shift from the church age to the end times, God picks up the prophetic thread found throughout scripture and calls his shot, with ever more precision.
1. A door standing open in heaven to come up and see what must take place after this. The door, the path, John 14:6 is open through Jesus. We are saved by following Jesus voice via the Holy Spirit’s conviction of the truth of the gospel and the love of Jesus in our lives. There are echoes of the rapture passages in the New Testament here. Caught up, the voice, the trumpet call of God (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
A door is opened for John to see what will take place in the future. “After this.” After what? After the church age described in chapters 2-3.
2. John is granted a full immersive vision of the throne of God in heaven, in the Spirit. The vision is not all inclusive of all heaven will be but communicates specific things to John relevant to the end times prophetic timelines Jesus is revealing.
3. God the Father is on the throne, a being described in terms of holy light and its effects, light shining as through precious gems and forming the full spectrum of color, a rainbow. This is similar to other descriptions of God in the Bible. The rainbow, God is the author and perfecter of diversity. The rainbow belongs to our Creator God. As humans, we like to think we are inclusive and tolerant and care for our fellow man by accommodating up to almost anything a person self-identifies as, but all mankind’s attempts to be the rainbow pale in comparison to God’s. God truly and deeply appreciates the diversity and unique qualities of his creation, including us humans. God simultaneously, claims to be the best at diversity and the best at providing the sacred lines between what is expressing our God giving uniqueness and what is actually misinterpreting and misappropriating what is fallen in our nature. God’s nature, God’s Spirit, and God’s word are here to guide us. So many in our world are searching for their truth and their identity. I contest that Creator God is the only one who can rightfully illuminate in our mind, body, soul, and spirit who we truly are.
4. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones with 24 elders seated on them. Who are they and what are they doing there?
Clues:
- Dressed in white
- Crowns of gold
- Sitting on thrones by God
All of these descriptions fit what Jesus has just promised victorious saints in chapters 2-3.
Likely, this represents the redeemed and raptured Church. Additionally, the 24 could stand for 12 tribes of Israel plus 12 apostles, symbolic of God’s people prior to the advent of Jesus and after. Or the 24 could symbolize the elders role as ministers of and with God such has described in the temple service in the Old Testament. Either way, this scene points to a time when the Church will be gathered to God in worship and preparation for the culmination of end times events. The raptured church will worshipfully partner with God in Heaven during the unfolding of what is to come. As you know, I support the view that the church is raptured prior the 7 year tribulation coming upon the earth. While I don’t know all that the church will do during this time, I do believe these chapters give a glimpse of a big part of what the church will be doing during that time. God’s judgment is coming upon the unrepentant. Also, God’s salvation continues to be offered during the tribulation period, in fact, many believe the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen will happen then. The church appears to participate as intercessors.
5. Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, represent the awe of God and that something is about to happen, judgment is coming. The seven lamps represent here the Holy Spirit of God or angelic servants of God.
6. The sea of glass meaning is unclear, perhaps it is tied-in to the basin in the temple service of Old Testament. It is clear and calm now, later it becomes mixed with fire. In Daniel 7 there is a river of fire coming from God’s throne.
6-11. The creatures are similar to those found in Isaiah and Ezekiel, each representing the apex of its domain, all fall down in worship to God, resulting in a cascade of worship in heaven. Note, the elders lay down their crowns at the feet of God.
11. Note that all creatures owe their very life and existence to Creator God.
Chapter 2
Then there is a scroll in the hand of God. Writing on both sides and seven seals. Appears very similar to a title deed from the ancient world. The first side was the original contract. When that went into default the other party obtained the property and that contract is written on the other side and sealed with 7 seals. Only when the original party came to repurchase the property can the seals be broken. This scroll could stand as the title dead to the earth. Also, it could stand for the unfolding of God’s prophetic plan for creation. Scrolls are features in prior prophetic visions in the Bible.
2-4. No one is worthy to open it. No one is worthy to redeem the earth from sin and death. John breaks down.
5. Then an elder says to John, The Lion of the tribe of Judah has triumphed, he is able, he is worthy to open the scroll and the 7 seals.
6. John looks to see this Lion, and turns to see, a Lamb, as if slain, at the center of it all. 7 eyes and 7 horns, this lamb knows all and reigns over all, this is the crucified Lord. The only rightful savior and redeemer of the world.
7-10. The lamb takes the scroll and the 4 living creatures and the elders fall down in worship, they break into music and prayers of the church arise like incense, and they sang a new song, A new song in the Old Testament was meant for a new act of God’s deliverance. Moses and the Israelites sang a new song safer they were delivered at the Red Sea. Here they sing a new song about the Savior redeeming the world, by his blood, Jesus has redeemed people for all nations, and made them to be a kingdom of priest to serve our God and they will reign on the earth. Jesus is redeeming the world and he is doing so with his redeemed. Notice that music plays an important role in heavenly worship.
11-14. Then suddenly the scene expands to include a whole host of angels, along with the living creatures and the elders, the church, we see this great and awesome worship moment.
10,000 x 10,000, signifies a number beyond counting , but would be 100 million literally. Arrowhead stadium holds 76,416, equaling 1,308 Arrowhead Stadiums. Then every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth, on in the sea and sky join in!
This shows that ultimately all creation will worship Jesus.
Some Takeaways
The gospel of the lamb of God is central, does my gospel look like this gospel?
The church is called to partner with God, do I see myself engaged in the game?
Worship matters? Do I realize the weight and importance of my life surrendered to Jesus?
Action:
Don’t discount the power of the gospel, the world looks for lions but God sent a lamb. Have you trusted the Lamb of God? Do you live like the Lamb of God? Is the gospel story the defining story of your life? If not, you need to examine your priorities.
The church of the end times worshipfully partners with God to see God’s purpose unfold. Do you care about that right now or are you just doing your own thing? Let the Holy Spirit search your heart and do inventory.
Don’t live your life in the shallows when God has an ocean for you to swim in. Our faith and our expression of it is so much more than we often realize. Have you sold your faith experience short? How is your worship of King Jesus? Be willing to dive into what God has for you. Engage all in, for worship, share your faith, pray, serve, give, trust God again for that miracle.