Revelation 4:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we have John’s second vision, given after the one in which he saw Christ walking among the golden lampstands. It came after he had received Christ’s messages, written them down, and sent them to the churches as he was commanded. Those who make good use of the light God has already given are ready for more, and they may expect it.

First, notice how John was prepared for this vision. A door was opened in heaven. This teaches us that whatever happens on earth was first planned and settled in heaven. Heaven is the pattern for all God’s works, and God lets the inhabitants of heaven see as much of his plan as is right for them. It also reminds us that we can know nothing about the future unless God chooses to reveal it.

John then heard a trumpet sound, and he was called up into heaven to see what would happen later. He was invited into the third heaven, the highest heaven, where God’s special presence is known. There is a way open into the holy place, into which God’s children may enter now by faith and holy desires, then in spirit when they die, and at the last day with their whole persons. But we must not rush into God’s secret presence on our own. We must wait until he calls us.

John was also “in the Spirit.” He was in a spiritual rapture, as in Revelation 1:10, whether in the body or out of the body we cannot tell. For a time, his bodily senses were set aside, and his mind was fully under the power of the Spirit of prophecy. The more we turn away from bodily concerns, the more ready we are for fellowship with God. The body can weigh down the mind in its dealings with God, so we should, as much as we can, set it aside in worship and be willing to leave it behind as we come before the Lord.

Now to the vision itself. John first saw a throne set in heaven, the place of honor, power, and judgment. Heaven is God’s throne, where he reigns in glory and from which he gives laws to the church and to the whole world. Every earthly throne is under the rule of this throne in heaven.

He also saw one seated on the throne. The throne was not empty. God filled it, and John describes him using the most precious things from our world. His appearance was like jasper and sardius stone. John does not describe human features, as if God could be pictured, but only a brilliant glory beyond us. Jasper is a clear stone that shows many bright colors, pointing to the rich beauty of God’s perfections. The red sardius stone points to God’s justice, which he never sets aside for anyone. He shows that justice in ruling the world, especially the church, through our Lord Jesus Christ. That justice is seen in pardoning as well as punishing, in saving as well as destroying sinners.

Around the throne was a rainbow like an emerald, as Revelation 4:3 says. The rainbow was the sign of God’s covenant with Noah and all his descendants, and it is a fitting picture of the covenant God made with Christ, the head of the church, and with all his people in him. That covenant is everlasting, ordered in all things, and sure, like the promise God made after the flood. The green color of the emerald suggests the refreshing and life-giving nature of the new covenant.

John then saw twenty-four thrones around the throne, and on them sat twenty-four elders, or presbyters, that is, older leaders. These probably represent the whole people of God, both in Old Testament and New Testament times, rather than the ministers only. Their sitting shows honor, rest, and contentment. Their place around the throne shows their nearness to God and the sight and joy they have in him. They were clothed in white garments, showing the righteousness of the saints, both the righteousness counted to them by grace and the righteousness worked in them. On their heads were crowns of gold, showing the honor and authority God has given them, and the glory they share with him.

These things can also be taken in a lower sense of the gospel church on earth, gathered in worship, and in a higher sense of the church in heaven. John also heard lightning and voices coming from the throne. These are the awful and powerful declarations of God’s will to his church. This is how he gave the law at Mount Sinai, and the gospel has no less glory and authority, though it is more spiritual in nature.

He saw seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are explained in Revelation 4:5 as the seven Spirits of God. This points to the many gifts, graces, and working of the Holy Spirit in the churches of Christ. All of these are given as God, who sits on the throne, chooses.

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. In the temple there was a great brass basin filled with water, which the priests used for washing before they served the Lord, and that was called a sea. In the gospel church, the sea or basin for cleansing is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, who cleanses from all sin, even sins connected with holy things. All who are brought into God’s gracious presence on earth, or into his glorious presence in heaven, must be washed in this way.

Finally, John saw four living creatures standing between the throne and the circle of elders, as seems most likely. They stood between God and the people, and they appear to mean the ministers of the gospel. This fits their place near God, between him and the elders who represent the Christian people, and also their smaller number than the people they serve. They are described, first, by their many eyes, which show wisdom, watchfulness, and careful attention.

2. By their lion-like courage, their hard work and steady effort, in which they resemble the ox, by their wisdom and good judgment as men, and by their high desires and thoughts, by which they rise up with wings like eagles toward heaven (Revelation 4:7). Those wings are full of eyes on the inside to show that, in all their thoughts and service, they must act with understanding. In a special way, they should know themselves well and understand the condition of their own souls. They should see how their own lives are bound up with the great truths and duties of religion, and watch over their own souls as carefully as over the souls of the people.

3. By their constant work, which is praising God and never stopping, day or night. The elders sit and are served, but these stand and serve. They never rest, day or night. This now leads to the other part of the picture.