Reading: Revelation 3-5
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 (Rev. 4:1-4).
In chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation, we are treated to a glorious description of John’s first glimpse of God’s heavenly throne room. After dictating the letters to the seven churches, Jesus (Rev. 1:1,10-11) drew John upward in the spirit and stood him in the doorway of the throne room. This was done in preparation for showing John the vision of things which must be hereafter.
The first thing that caught John’s attention upon arrival was the occupied throne in the center of his vision. The One who sat on the throne is described only in terms of His brilliant glory. He was substantial yet precious, like a jasper and a sardine stone. A radiant rainbow light of prismatic emerald shone around him, symbolizing His grace and the covenant of mercy He maintained with His creation. This throne was the focal point of all John could see. The other beings in the room were of more precise shape and form to John’s eye and thus were easier to describe in detail, but none held the power or attraction of the centered throne of God, on which all of the satellite beings' attention also rested.
This chapter is a gift designed to remind us of the true purpose of creation. Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him (Is. 43:7). We are here for one reason and one reason only: to bring glory to God. There is no higher calling, no greater satisfaction, and no loftier goal than to kneel in His presence in continuous worship. The god of the world (II Cor. 4:4) will inundate us with distractions and temptations, seeking to draw our attention, but God’s Word has given us the tools needed to cling to the Spirit and look past Satan straight into the throne room of God. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 4:6). God sits on His throne—His radiance indescribable, and His love never-ending. Look to Him, and never turn away.
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(Rev. 4:9-11).
Thought for Today: We cannot thrive without God’s light in the same way that a plant cannot live without the sun.
Cross Reference:For Rev. 3:5: See Ex. 32:32. Rev. 3:12: See Is. 62:2. Rev. 4:2-3: See Ezek. 1:28. Rev. 4:5: See Zech. 4:2. Rev. 4:6: See Ezek. 1:22. Rev. 4:7: See Ezek. 1:10. Rev. 4:8: See Is. 6:2-3.
Word Studies:3:20 sup = feast, share spiritual food and fellowship; 4:6 beasts = living ones.
Pray for Staff:Judy McCrary • Country: Mali (16,455,903) West Africa • Major Languages: French, Bambara • Religious Freedom • 94.8% Muslim; 2.4% Christian; 2% Animist; 0.5% None; 0.3% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Pray daily to your Father in heaven (Dan. 6:10).