Text: Revelation 4–5

The calling up of John prefigures the rapture of the saints, giving us a dazzling portrait of heaven that we ourselves look forward to with eager anticipation.[efn_note]Compare John 14:1–3; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:15–18; 1 Cor. 15:22–23, 15:51–52; Titus 2:13; Acts 1:10–11; 1 John 2:28[/efn_note] Revelation 4 tells of things that are to happen after the church age, but before the tribulation period. In John’s vision, the LORD calls him up to heaven with a voice “like the sound of a trumpet” (Revelation 4:1).

The Majesty and Glory of the LORD

John is taken to the throne room in heaven and beholds One who is sitting on the throne. He immediately begins describing the splendor that surrounds the One on the throne, encircled by the glory of a rainbow, emerald in appearance. 

Around the throne in the center are 24 other thrones, and on them are seated 24 elders clothed in white and crowned with golden crowns. Four living creatures, whose description astonishes the mind, bow before and worship the transcendent One, the fount of all truth, beauty, and goodness.

The Seven Seals

The scene then turns, in Revelation 5, to focus on a book sealed with seven seals. Who can open the book and look in it? John laments and weeps because no one is found worthy enough to open the book. He’s reassured by one of the elders that the Lion of Judah of the Root of David has overcome and will open the book. The creatures and the elders cry out in praise for the One who was slain and “purchased for God with [His] blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Our Glorious Future

We cannot begin to comprehend our glorious future with the One who sits on the main throne, the One who will wipe away every tear, takes away all pain, and put death to death, vanquishing the great enemy of the human soul. What a great and wonderful King we serve and belong to! 

With the host of heaven and earth, let us worship His name as we eagerly look to His coming:

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13)

Need a teaching/learning tool on the book of Revelation? Check out Ken’s Talk Thru the Bible Teacher Kit on this book. Available as an individual download.

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