Revelation 4 reminds me of my mother’s passing. I believe there is a thin veil that separates life from eternity. The things we prioritize today will fade away at our passing. As that moment nears, I believe we get a glimpse into what John describes as “a door standing open in heaven.” Today’s lesson is about preparing for a peaceful transition. In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul describes this experience as leaving behind our earthly tents and being in the presence of the Lord. John’s experience is so full of colors and sounds that he struggles to describe them. He is summoned so he can see “what must take place after this.” The first thing John sees is “a throne in heaven with Someone sitting on it.” John does not describe His physical features, perhaps because they are of no importance. John is overwhelmed. The One who sat there: “had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” The rainbow was given to us as a reminder of God’s unbreakable promise that He would never destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9). This throne is surrounded by God’s promise of endless mercy. Jesus is at the center of the rainbow.
Surrounding this throne are 24 lesser thrones with 24 elders sitting in them. They are “dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.” Those symbols mean they are redeemed believers. That is all we know, but I like the idea that they represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 12 apostles. John describes a throne that is cracking with power: “flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.” We have a sense of absolute authority and restrained judgement. “In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing… also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass.” Fire and water represent purification. They are both associated with the Holy Spirit. Exodus 30 describes the bronze laver that was used by the priests for washing before entering the Holy Place. It was located after the place of sacrifice. These shadows of heaven are intentional. We can be washed in the word and made holy by His Spirit, but only because of the sacrifice of Christ. Nothing impure will enter heaven.
Finally, John describes: “four living creatures… covered with eyes, in front and in back.” I am reminded of the expression we use that “My eyes were open to a new reality”. Often that means we spot unkindness or corruption and cannot unsee it. Perhaps the symbolism here is that every deception we think we hide so well, is known by God. At my conversion, God showed me all those I had harmed. And yet He still paid the penalty to set me free. John describes these cherubim: “The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.” Each of these represent an attribute of Jesus Christ. The four gospels are written with similar distinctions, Matthew describes Jesus as the lion of Judah, tracing Jesus back to king David. Mark stresses the servanthood of Christ revealed in His actions. Luke focuses on the humanity of Christ, the descendant of Adam. And John’s gospel focuses on the Lordship of Christ, soaring above humanity. John adds: “Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come“. One of the greatest feelings we can have on earth is being overwhelmed with gratitude. This is constant in heaven. In reaction, the “twenty-four elders fall down before Him… They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God.” On a personal note, as my mother drew near death, she raised her arms as a child ready to be picked up. She was at peace with God. Jesus gives peaceful assurance to all who ask. That day awaits us all. Friend, are you at peace?