John’s vision continues with a revelation of the throne room of God. The language used here is full of symbolism and must not be interpreted literally, as if we have a literal picture of God’s throne room. The opening of heaven means God is about to disclose a matter of great importance to all mankind (cf. Luke 3:21; John 1:51; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev. 19:11). The parallel in Ezekiel is particularly apt, for Ezekiel says the “heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God” (Ezek. 1:1). So too here, the voice John first heard booming like a trumpet (cf. Rev. 1:10) speaks to him again, summoning him to come to heaven. Clearly this is not the rapture of the church, for what happens here is confined to John alone. Indeed, the book of Revelation never mentions a “rapture.” Presumably, John went to heaven in a visionary state, not literally. God reveals to John what will occur “after this.” The temporal reference is quite general, for much in the subsequent chapters relays events that are already happening or have already happened (e.g., the events in 12:1–6).

It becomes clear, therefore, that all the visions about to unfold concern events throughout the church age, past, present, and future. Some may have already unfolded, others await their fulfillment, and yet others have multiple fulfillments throughout the church age. In this connection, the NT is both consistent and clear in its view that the “last days” or “latter days” started already with the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:17–21, citing Joel 2:28–32 as fulfilled; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 1:20; Heb. 1:2; Jas. 5:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18, etc.).

The stones in Revelation and the vision in Ezekiel demonstrate that the purpose of the description is to emphasize the unparalleled and indescribable beauty and glory of God. Seeing him, as Ezekiel records, casts us down on our faces

Rather, everything favors the notion that the elders signify not transfigured human beings but angelic figures, specifically, the members of the heavenly council with which the Old Testament is acquainted (1 Kgs. 22:19–22*; Isaiah 6). The thrones on which they sit are symbols of sovereignty. Their mention is reminiscent of the primitive Christian hymn in Col. 1:16*, where the term “throne” serves to describe angelic beings subordinate to God. The number twenty-four is most easily explained as a reference to the number of hours in the day; accordingly, the elders represent before God the fullness of time and their purpose is to praise God ceaselessly, day and night (cf. v. 10*).