The WONDER of the THRONE of GOD

The Wonder of the Throne of God (Revelation 4:2-7)

What a spectacular sight this must have been! As we read it today, we are still amazed at the description of this throne of God in heaven. Human words are inadequate, but they will have to do. They are our only means of understanding what God wants to convey to us about heaven. The word “behold” suggests the need to pay special heed to what is being said and described. It deserves our alertness and attention.

These verses are organized around four prepositional phrases concerning the throne of God: “on the throne” (v. 2); “around the throne” (vv. 3, 4, 6); “from the throne” (v. 5); and “before the throne” (vv. 5 and 6).

Who is on the throne? The One on the throne is the “Lord God Almighty” (v. 8), the Lord Who “created all things” (v. 11). John is immediately affected by His appearance, which was “like a jasper and a sardius stone.” The word “like” signals a simile- likeness in appearance, but not the same as. God is not a stone, obviously; His appearance to John was like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. The “sardius” stone is named after the city of Sardis, where beautiful red stones have been found. Most liken this stone to a blood-red ruby. Together, and in conjunction with the rainbow around the throne, they create a dazzling impression of transcendent glory.

What was around the throne? Three things are depicted “around the throne”: a rainbow, twenty-four elders, and four living creatures.

1. Why a rainbow?
2. Who are the twenty-four elders?
3. What about the four living creatures?

Tune in to find out more!

PRAY. PREPARE. PROTECT. PROCLAIM. PERSIST. PERSEVERE. PRAY AGAIN. PASS IT ON. POWER UP. POSITION PROPERLY. PAY ATTENTION. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.