Heaven Opened

Reflections on Revelation 4:1-11

The Son of Man addressed current conditions in Asia Minor when he dictated the seven letters to the churches in chapters two and three. Chapter four begins with John seeing a door standing open into heaven and hearing a voice saying he would see things that must take place after this. While in the Spirit, John sees a throne and someone sitting on it. John sees what the Psalmist declared long ago: "The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord on his heavenly throne " (Psalm 11:4 NIV), and that "his kingdom rules over all" (Psalm 103:19 NIV).

Over the throne, John sees a rainbow (v. 3), which is a sign of the God who keeps the covenant he has made with the saints just as the rainbow in the clouds was a sign that God would never again to destroy the whole earth with a flood. Flashes of lightning and peals of thunder (v. 5) remind us of God's mighty majesty when he revealed himself to Israel on Mt. Sinai. In front of the throne, John sees a sea of glass like a crystal (v. 6). It stands as a reminder that all who come into God's presence first must be cleansed and made holy. God has said, "I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy." (Leviticus 11:45 NIV).

Around the throne are twenty-four other thrones. Seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders who represent all of God's saints, both OT and NT saints, who participate in God's kingdom. The number twenty-four is the sum of the twelve patriarchs and the twelve apostles. Although they also sit on thrones, they are subject to the one God who sits on the great throne in heaven. They show their submission by descending from their thrones, laying their crowns before the Almighty, and prostrating themselves before him who is king over all. They give him all glory, honor, and power as the creator of all things.

Four living creatures also stand around the throne. They apparently represent all created creatures including wild animals (lion), domesticated animals (ox), mankind, and birds (eagle). All creation joins together in praising God:

You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.