Vision of the throne

In Revelation 4, John sees an open door to heaven and is called to "come up here" to see things that will take place "after these things", (after the church age). John is caught up into heaven and sees the throne of God encircled by a rainbow (symbozing God's mercy and covenant faithfulness). Surrounding the throne are 24 elders sitting on smaller thrones. These 24 elders symbolically represent the saints of God reigning with Christ in heaven. The saints are shown in heaven with Christ, for we have been delivered from the "wrath to come"

In front of the throne there are seven lanps burning, which represent the Holy Spirit. We know that these lamps represent or symbolize the Holy Spirit because in Revelation 1:4-5, in John's opening salutation, we read:

Revelation 1; John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ...

John is clearly referring to the Trinity here. The Father is the One which is and was and which is to come, the Seven Spirits symbolically represent the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ is God the Son...the Holy Trinity.

Around the throne are four "living creatures" (angelic beings, perhaps archangels) who live to serve and worship God continually. The four living creatures sing praises of glory and honor to the One who sits on the throne, and the twenty four elders fall down prostrate before Him and worship Him who created all things. Later we find two other rings around the throne, myriads of angels and all created things join in the worship of God.

In front of the throne is a sea of Glass, clear as crystal. This is probably the same sea of glass that Ezekiel beheld in Ezekiel 1, but Ezekiel was under the sea of glass looking up at the throne of God from the earth, while John is in heaven looking out over the sea of glass. This sea of glass seperates God from the people living on earth, but one day that seperation will be removed, and we will take our place around the throne to worship Him who lives forever and ever.

Give glory and honor and praise to the one sitting on the throne, for He created all things, and all things were created by Him and for Him. Amen.
 
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