Sermon Tone Analysis

*The Throne in Heaven*

Revelation 4

 

Intro.: Chapter four is the beginning of three things…

 

* It is the beginning of the third major division in the book.

* Chapter 1:19  -  “things which thou hast seen, things which are, things which shall shortly come to pass.”

* Chapter 4:1 – “After these things”

* Having seen the things which were and which are, we now are going to see the things which shall be.

* The third division occupies the remainder of the book.

* We have seen in Chapter 1 the Christ, in Chapter 2&3 the churches, now we will see the Consummation.

* From chapters 4-22 we will see the Consummation

* The Prologue – 4-5

* The Tribulation 6-19

* The Millennium 20

* The Eternal State – 21-22

* Revelation 4 begins the Consummation.

* The church is in heaven.

It is not seen again until chapter 19 when Christ returns to establish his kingdom.

* Revelation begins the Day of the Lord.

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*The Prologue – Chapter 4-5*

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The Overview

                                                               i.

John is caught up to heaven.

ii.

He sees a vision.

iii.

The vision consist of thrones, angels,

                                                            iv.

God sitting upon his throne holds a scroll, Christ takes the scroll and opens it.

v.

Chapter 4 – The Throne and its occupant.

vi.

Chapter 5 – The scroll and its recipient.

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The background for this vision comes from Daniel 7:9-14

                                                               i.

*Daniel 7:9-14 (KJV)* 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment/ was/ white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne/ was like/ the fiery flame,/ and/ his wheels/ as/ burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld/ even/ till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their livesb were prolonged for a season and time.

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold,/ one/ like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion/ is/ an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom/ that/ which shall not be destroyed.

[1]

                                                              ii.

Before the judgments of Revelation 6-19, John takes us backstage so that we can see what is going on in heaven right before the judgment falls.

iii.

The One who sends the judgments upon the earth is the one who has the right to do it.

He has received the scroll.

He has the right for two reasons.

1.        Chapter 4 – He is the Creator

2.       Chapter 5 – He is the Redeemer

3.        The world has rebelled against both aspects of his person

 

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*The Throne*

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The Invitation - *Revelation 4:1 (KJV)* /1// 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.

//*[2]*/ #.

This is the door of Heaven and it is opened.

From this open door John is invited to “Come up Here”

                                                               i.

Chapter 11:12 – two witnesses told to “/come up here/”

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He was immediately in the Spirit – /“And immediately I was in the spirit:”/

                                                               i.

He was sensitive to the direction and instruction of the Spirit of God.

 

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*The Vision that was Given –  vs.

2-11*

#. “…and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and/ one/ sat on the throne” #. *Throne*

                                                               i.

Throne occurs 45 times in the Revelation and only 15 times in the remainder of the NT.

                                                              ii.

Set in Heaven – It is not the throne in heaven it is the throne of authority.

1.        two thrones – monarch throne, and governmental throne.

2.       It is a throne that is being set up execute judgment upon the earth.

#. *One Sat on the Throne*

                                                               i.

He that sat – Who is it that set upon the throne?

Look at vrs 8.

He is the Lord God Almighty.

ii.

Rev 4:11 The Christ sits on the throne

                                                            iii.

Revelation 3:21 – The Father and the Son both sit on the same throne.

iv.

The Occupant Described

1.        Like jasper – Crystal clear , totally Pure

2.       Like sardine- blood red, speaks of the blood of Christ

3.        Another possibility – The high priest

4.       A Rainbow – Emerald green, - Genesis 9 – a symbol of God’s faithfulness.

a.        John see a complete rainbow – 360 degrees, God is completely faithful.

b.        

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*He Sees Someone Around the Throne - Revelation 4:4*                                                                i.

Revelation 4:4 (KJV) 4 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.

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                                                              ii.      24 Thrones – circle the throne of God

                                                            iii.

24 Elders – Who are the elders?

1.

Some say these represent all the redeemed OT and NT – 12 Tribes and 12 Apostles 24 total.

2.       Some say these 24 represents the NT church.

3.

Many believe these 24 represent 24 angels.

4.       So who are they?

Chapter 5:  - Elders sing that they were redeemed.

5.        24 are clothed in white garments.

6.       Golden crowns are on their heads.

Rewards.

“…they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

#. *From the Throne* - Revelation 4:5 (KJV)5 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.

[4]                                                                i.

Lighting -judgment