Revelation Chapter 4‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 4

This week we will investigate chapter 4 in what Jesus Christ has specifically in store for His "church body" of believers. In the fourth chapter we see John, first on the "earth":

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” – Revelation 4:1

And then John is instantly translated to the "throne room" – into the very presence of God the Father – in heaven:

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne – Revelation 4:2

With this Scripture text in mind, we thus picture what could be interpreted as the "Rapture of the Church" – "the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here”" This text would seem to indeed be referring to the greatly anticipated event known as the Rapture, as the very next verse depicts John in heaven. Some scholars believe this to be a “vision” that John experiences. However, I believe we can interpret this event literally. The phrase "come up here" may very well be the actual words Jesus Christ will shout at the Rapture, as He calls Christians to join Him in the heavenlies.

As we take our guided tour of the awesome "throne set in heaven" described in chapter 4, there are many wonderful facets to notice and enjoy:

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle – Revelation 4:3-7

The "rainbow" over the throne reminding us of God's promise that He would never again destroy the earth with water. Then there are the "twenty-four elders" seated around the throne. Notice they are clothed in "white robes" and they have "crowns of gold on their heads". These 24 elders represent the "Church" and the number "twenty-four" is the number of "representation". Only Christians will wear "white robes" and will be the only ones who receive "crowns" at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

We also see the "four living creatures" – the four beasts which are actually "angels". They are different than cherubim and seraphim

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” – Revelation 4:3-8

These four "living creatures" sing "holy, holy, holy" 24x7 at the throne of God the Father. What an awesome scene with God – the Father – on the throne and Jesus Christ – the Son – seated at His right hand! John the Revelator has given us a personal tour of the "throne set in heaven"... Awesome! 

Notice what the "twenty-four elders" do with the "crowns" that they will have received at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

…the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne – Revelation 4:10

They "cast their crowns" at the feet of Jesus Christ to honor Him and thank Him for what He has done for each of us as Christians!

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:11

For the Christian, our works will be judged at the "judgment seat of Christ" to determine the Christian’s future blessings:

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

IMPORTANT: This is not judgement to determine ones salvation, as that will have already been decided in this life with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord for the payment of sin.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad – 2 Corinthians 5:10

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ – Romans 14:10

We receive these "rewards" and "crowns" in which we then cast at His feet in thanksgiving for the wonderful things that our Lord has done for us. These good "works" are works we've done in His power and for His glory. We will suffer loss for those works we do in our own power and for our own glory.

Jesus Christ will be the judge of the Christian's works - whether they are "good" deeds or "worthless" stubble.

Let me remind you, the Word of God is very clear - we're not saved by good works, but "saved through faith" However, we were created "for good works" which the Lord has ordained in advance for us to walk in and accomplish for Him:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:8-10

It is the “works” that we have done for the Lord Jesus Christ in which He will judge us as Christians.

By the way, the Scriptures declare there are "five crowns" found in the Scriptures that are possible for each Christian to receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

"Crown Incorruptible" 
  For bringing our bodies under subjection to the Word of God – 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
 
"Crown of Rejoicing" 
  For being a soul-winner with the Gospel of Jesus Christ – 1 Thessalonians 2:19
 
"Crown of Life" 
  For enduring the temptation of the enemy – James 1:12
 
"Crown of Glory"
  For building up the body of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 5:1-4
 
"Crown of Righteousness" 
  For eagerly looking for Jesus Christ appearing in these last days – 2 Timothy 4:8

What an awesome day that will be for us as believers in Jesus Christ! Therefore, we must be diligent to receive as many "crowns" as we possibly can so that we may cast them at His feet for His glory and honor! 

All our works – good or worthless – will be brought into judgment. King Solomon even wrote an entire Old Testament book to describe just how vain the pursuits of personal pleasure and fulfillment are – in which he sums up in one verse:

"Vanity of vanities” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity – Ecclesiastes 1:2

This truth will be very real to each of us at the Judgment Seat of Christ…

NOTE: As we have also discussed, it is my personal belief the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ promises those of us who have been saved and are alive prior to the Rapture that He will take us up to be with Him before the time of terrible judgment begins – the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period known in the Scriptures as “The time of Jacob’s Trouble” or The Great Tribulation. Although we cannot be dogmatic about this view point, the Rapture is indeed an important doctrine to consider. 

For a more comprehensive overview of this controversial Biblical subject matter, please refer to our EC study outline titled “The Rapture: What is it and is it Biblical?”

 

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 4 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 5 of Revelation…


Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)