Have you ever been around someone or heard about someone who seemed so special or respected that you felt different simply being in their presence, perhaps even a little intimidated? For me, I think of someone like Thom Rainer. Dr. Thom Rainer was one of the deans at my seminary, a best-selling author, and one of the most famous voices in the Southern Baptist Convention for many years. He went on to retire as the CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, and he now serves as the founder of Church Answers. However, now I know Dr. Rainer, and he’s a friend to me. To me, he’s Thom. I still respect him greatly, but I feel more relaxed around him now.
You may even think of fictional characters who were very mysterious and perhaps even a bit glorious, only to find out they weren’t really that way. You may think of the great Wizard of Oz, or perhaps the bad guy from Iron Man 3, who simply turned out to be a crazy actor.
Today, we’re going to learn about a mysterious and glorious character who sits on a throne in heaven. However, with this character, we’ll find out that He is not one who loses His glory or wonder. He is portrayed as marvelous and wonderful, and He will always be marvelous and wonderful.
Today’s sermon is entitled “The One on the Throne.”
Before we go any further, let’s go to God in prayer.
(prayer)
Ok, as a reminder, we have finished our discussion of the message to the seven churches in Revelation. Now, we’re shifting gears as we start to hear more about heaven and the coming of the end of days as we know it.
Our journey into this next phase starts with a glimpse into the throne room of heaven.
Let’s look at the passage together. Look at Revelation 4:
1 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. 3 The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads.
5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.
Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come.
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,
11 Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will
they exist and were created.
Ok, so let’s talk about this one on the throne.
First, we see that . . .
I. The one on the throne is majestic.
Notice that John (the author of the Book of Revelation) is looking into heaven, and he sees an open door that allows him to see into this room.
It’s like a room in heaven that John can see into, but he can’t see everything from where he is.
Then, a voice tells him to come up to heaven to see the room.
This voice was the first one that spoke to him earlier like a trumpet. You may recall from chapter 1 that the voice was the voice of Jesus.
Here, the voice like a trumpet says that He will show John “what must take place after this.”
Of course, this is referring to the section regarding the seven churches. After the Spirit speaks to the churches, something else will take place.
Then, we see that John was “in the Spirit.”
What this saying likely means is that the Holy Spirit of God miraculously took John’s presence up into heaven while his body was still on the earth.
This was a supernatural experience that was very real to John.
Well, what did John see?
Let’s look at two little sections here of chapter 4.
Notice, first, what verses 2 and 3 say.
This room was in heaven.
This room contained a throne.
Someone was sitting on the throne.
The one seated on the throne had the appearance of jasper. By the way, there was a type of jasper in the ancient world that was shinier and brilliant, rather than deep and dark like we have today.
Also, the one on the throne had the appearance of carnelian stone, which is a deep red color.
We also hear about a rainbow that surrounded the throne, which had an emerald appearance. Of course, emerald is green.
So, we hear about these colorful and marvelous descriptions of the throne and the one on the throne. Both a shiny appearance like ancient jasper, and a deep colorful appearance like carnelian red and emerald green.
Look also at verses 5 and 6:
From the throne, we hear of flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder.
We hear of seven fiery torches representing the seven spirits of God (remember we’re not quite sure what those are, but they could represent the completeness of God’s Holy Spirit).
We hear of something like a sea of glass, which likely represents that which is in front of the throne, being calm and controlled by the one on the throne.
This is quite a scene, isn’t it? There are brilliant colors, loud noises, and magnificent visual displays.
This scene is marvelous, and the one who is on the throne is described as marvelous.
Now, who is the one on the throne? Well, it’s believed that the one on the throne is God the Father.
We know that it’s not Jesus the Son because, in chapter 5, the one on the throne will hand a scroll to Jesus.
So, God the Father is the one seated on the throne, and He is marvelous.
Second, see that . . .
II. The one on the throne is accompanied.
In other words, the one on the throne is not alone.
Verse 4 says:
“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads.”
The one of the throne is not alone. He is accompanied by these twenty-four elders who likely represent the fullness of God’s people in some way.
One very prominent view of these 24 elders is that they represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. In a way, they would represent God’s people through the Old Testament and God’s people through the New Testament.
Perhaps that’s who they are. We can dig deeper into that on Wednesday.
The end of verse 6 and following says:
“Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside.”
Really, these creatures seem terrifying from their description. They are definitely not earthly creatures.
They have eyes all over them (which is unique in itself), and they also are like four different creatures: a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a man. Further, we learn that these beings had six wings.
We don’t know exactly what these creatures are, but it’s likely that in some way, they represent God’s work on the earth, either throughout all of human history or through the work of Jesus on the earth.
Again, we can talk more about what these creatures may represent when we dig deeper on Wednesday night.
For now, let us see that as we get a glimpse into what John is seeing in this throne room in heaven, that God the Father is not alone.
The one on the throne is marvelous, and He is surrounded by 24 heavenly elders and four mysterious and magnificent creatures.
What are those accompanying the one on the throne doing? Well, among other things, they are worshiping.
That takes us to our third point:
III. The one on the throne is worshiped.
Pick it up about halfway through verse 8:
Day and night they never stop, saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come.
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,
11 Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will
they exist and were created.
There is no more appropriate message in all the universe than to say “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty!”
The One on the throne is holy!
The One on the throne is majestic!
The One on the throne is worthy to be worshiped!
He was, He is, and He is to come!
Brothers and sisters, there should be no greater devotion for your life than to the One who is seated on the throne!
He deserves your devotion, He deserves your sacrifice, He deserves you mind, He deserves your heart, He deserves your body, He deserves your time, He deserves your treasures, He deserves your talents, He deserves your trust, He deserves your family, He deserves your career, He deserves your friends, He deserves your suffering, He deserves your life, He deserves your today, He deserves your tomorrow, He deserves your church, and He deserves your worship.
You were put here on this earth to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The One on the throne deserves your worship.
Notice that as the four creatures worship the One on the throne, the elders get off their thrones, throw down their crowns at the foot of His throne, fall down before God the Father, and worship Him.
Listen, friends: Some of us have built thrones for ourselves, and we’re not willing to get off our thrones in order to totally throw ourselves on the floor before the One who sits on the throne.
Are you willing to humble yourself before God and truly worship Him with all of your life?
Let this bottom line summarize what we’re learning today:
Bottom Line: The one on the throne is worthy to receive glory and honor and power.
There is no one greater to receive glory and honor and power than the One on the throne, the Lord God.
Psalm 29:1–2 says:
“Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
1 Timothy 1:17 says:
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Will you give Him glory? Will you show Him honor? Will you acknowledge His power?
Challenge yourself this week in the following way:
Weekly Challenge: Consider the One on the throne.
The will of the One on the throne is more important than our desires, preferences, and opinions. The ways of the One on the throne are more important than our ways and our thoughts.
The commands of the One on the throne are life-giving to His people.
When you’re worried, turn to the One on the throne. When you’re unclear, turn to the One on the throne.
When you’re overwhelmed, turn to the One on the throne.
When your church has problems, turn to the One on the throne.
When you’re without hope, turn to the One on the throne.
When you’re weary, turn to the One on the throne.
When all seems lost, turn to the One on the throne.
When all seems well, turn to the One on the throne.
Consider the One on the throne.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
Response Song – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
(Announcements – Richard Jones)
