THE THRONE AND THE ONE SITTING ON IT (Revelation 4:2-3)
John’s focus was on the glorious throne of God and the majesty of the One who was seated on it. John was in such awe and amazement by what he saw that it caused him to exclaim: “Behold.” John says that this throne was standing in heaven; it was a symbol of God’s sovereign rule and authority. The throne was said to be standing because God’s sovereign rule is fixed, it is permanent, it is established and cannot be moved or shaken. This should give us great comfort in knowing that God’s immovable throne reveals that God is permanent, He is unchanging, and He is in complete control of the universe. This should be a comfort considering the horror and trauma of the end-time events about to be revealed.
• The message of the throne is that God on His throne is the center of everything. His throne stands immovable; this is the vocal point of all Christians (Col. 3:1-4). The center of Christian worldview should not be man or anything in creation, but God himself.
AROUND THE THRONE (Revelation 4:3-4)
John begins to observe other things that are around the throne. The “jasper and sardine stone” were the most precious of all stones. The beauty of God was so dazzling that John could not describe Him. The jasper was the last and the sardine the first stone in the breastplate worn by the High Priest (Exodus 28:17-20). These stones are in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19-20).
The diamond and ruby are meant by these stones. These stones are known for their clearness and brightness.
There was a diamond between the breastplate and the heart of the high priest. The name engraved on this stone, I believe, is the unspeakable name of God Almighty. The diamond stone next to the heart stood for purity and mercy.
The emerald is another precious stone, green in color. Green means “earthly or of the earth”. The emerald was also part of the breastplate, and of the foundation of New Jerusalem.
The value of these three different stones is greater than other stones. These are classified as precious stones and are very expensive.
This rainbow is green (earthly), to show the covenant between God and man. The first rainbow mentioned was a sign of a promise from God to man. God would never again destroy the earth by water. Sometimes it is called a bow, and sometimes a rainbow. The rainbow encircles the throne as a constant reminder to God and man of the covenant. This is a beautiful sight to behold.
John moves farther out from the throne and he sees that there are twenty-four thrones around the throne of God, seated on these 24 thrones are 24 elders. Who are these 24 elders? These elders are humans and I believe they represent the church ruptured and ruling with Christ. Jesus Christ had promised that the one who overcomes would have authority over the nations (Rev. 3:21). Jesus Christ also promised white garments to the over comers, He counseled the church of Laodicea to buy white garments from Him. White garments symbolize Christ’s righteousness imputed to believers at the moment of salvation (Rev. 3:18).
Finally, Jesus promised the crown of life to those who were faithful until death (Rev. 2:10). The golden crowns spoken of here are not the crown of a ruler, that is a different word in Greek, but this is the crown of a victor, worn by those who successfully completed and won the victory. In Scripture, the number 24 is often used to speak of completion and representation. For example, there were 24 officers of the temple sanctuary that represented the 24 courses of Levitical priests (1st Chronicles 24:3-5), there were also 24 divisions of singers in the temple (1st Chronicles 25:2-4). This group of 24 elders I believe represents a larger group, the church ruptured which in chapter 5 will sing the song of redemption, and they have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone to be with Jesus as He had promised.
• The message of the elders is the church is at it were lifted out above all creation because God is the Mighty creator and ruler of all creation. When church is brought to final completion she will no longer feel the struggle and misery of the present earth. But in anticipation of her final perfection she feels her priceless calling to worshipfully dedicate everything she received from God to God. She casts her crown of victory before Gods throne and falls down to worship Him.
FROM THE THRONE (Revelation 4:5)
John’s attention is drawn back to the throne because “Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder.” (Revelation 4:5a)[5] In the book of Exodus when God came down onto Mt. Sinai and also when God appeared to the prophet Ezekiel lightning, sounds, and peals of thunder were associated with God’s presence, here they are associated with God’s presence and the judgment that is about to come on the earth during the Tribulation, John was seeing a preview of God’s wrath against the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind on the earth.
• The message of the flashes of lightning and rumblings of the thunder signifies the coming of Christ.
CONCLUSION
As you meditate on the words and who God is, prepare your heart to partake of this journey, remembering that God, the Creator, the Eternal One, the Almighty is also the Merciful and Gracious One. Judgment is coming, but today is a day of mercy and grace because of His love for us.