December 13

When Heaven Opens and the Throne Is Still There

~Revelation 4:1-11

Some roads you walk change you forever. John was already a worn man, exiled on Patmos, cut off, pushed aside, left for dead by the world. Then Scripture says, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven” ~Revelation 4:1. God did not open a window. He opened a door. Heaven was not guessing. Heaven was inviting.

The first thing John sees is not chaos. Not panic. Not confusion. He sees a throne. “And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” ~Revelation 4:2. That matters. When the earth shakes and nations rage, the throne is already set. God is not pacing. He is seated.

John struggles to put words to what he sees. Jasper. Sardine stone. A rainbow like an emerald. Scripture does not try to tame the glory. It tells it straight. God is unapproachable in holiness, yet faithful in covenant. The rainbow is still there ~Revelation 4:3. Judgment does not erase mercy. Holiness does not cancel faithfulness.

Around the throne sit twenty-four elders, clothed in white, wearing crowns ~Revelation 4:4. These crowns are not clutched like trophies. Later they will be thrown down. Heaven knows something earth forgets. Any authority given is authority borrowed.

Then the ground starts to speak. “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices” ~Revelation 4:5. God does not whisper His holiness. Sinai thunder still rolls. The seven Spirits of God burn before Him, showing fullness, not division. God lacks nothing.

Living creatures stand watch. Not cute. Not tame. Full of eyes. Awake. A lion, a calf, a man, an eagle ~Revelation 4:6-7. Power. Service. Intelligence. Swiftness. All creation represented, all under command. They do not rest day or night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” ~Revelation 4:8. Heaven never gets bored with God. Repetition there is not vain. It is reverent.

When God is honored, the elders fall down. Crowns hit the ground. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power” ~Revelation 4:11. Why? Because He created all things. Not because man approved Him. Not because culture affirmed Him. Because He spoke, and it was so.

That is the anchor for tired believers. When your boots are worn and your hands are cracked from this world, remember what John saw. The throne is still there. God is still holy. Heaven is still ordered. Worship is still the right response.

This passage does not invite speculation. It demands submission. It does not ask how you feel about God. It declares who He is.

If your life feels like Patmos, take heart. Doors still open. Thrones still stand. God is still worthy. And every crown, including yours, belongs at His feet.

Obadiah 1:1-21
Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 132:1-18
Proverbs 29:24-25

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New Testament: Revelation 4:1-11

Summary: The Throne in Heaven

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
~ Revelation 4:4

Who are the twenty-four (24) elders in Revelation?

John saw 24 rulers; he did not just see 12 rulers. John was a Jew who had become a Christian. However, he did not believe that the Christians had replaced the Jews as God’s people. He taught that, together, the Jews and the Christians are the people of God. The Book of Revelation often shows that fact, for example Revelation 7:4-12. Paul also taught that – see Ephesians 2:11-16 and Romans chapter 11. ~ From: usefulbible.com

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
~ Revelation 4:5

“No experience in life could ever be greater than to see God’s glory (see Exodus 33:18 – 34:7).”
~ From: usefulbible.com

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” ~ Revelation 4:8