August 6th, 2010 by Kristi Stephens

Image from wikipedia

Remember way back on June 24th when we had our last post on Revelation? :)  We’ve been taking a “flashback detour” through the book of Judges as I prepared for, attended, and recovered from She Speaks! Thanks for hanging on through the side trip! Today we’re picking up where we left off in Revelation 4:3-5.

As we discussed in “Come Up Here,” chapter four of Revelation brings us to a major shift in the emphasis of the book. Quoting from that post:

These opening verses move our gaze from earth to heaven, from the past/present to the future, from the church to Israel and God’s judgment on the unbelieving world.   The transition could not have been more dramatic for John.  The same trumpet-like voice of Jesus that he had described back in Revelation 1:10 is heard again, this time calling him to an almost indescribable scene.

The first thing he sees is a door standing open in heaven.  John hears the trumpet-like voice of His Savior, calling him into His presence.  Heaven opens, and John immediately finds himself before the throne.

The throne of God is the centerpiece of chapters four and five. I’d encourage you to underline or highlight all of the references to God’s throne in these chapters in your own Bible. We are constantly given descriptions in relation to the throne – what was around the throne, before the throne, who was falling before the throne, who was sitting on the throne.

The first descriptions we are given of God’s throne in these verses are awesome, in the truest sense of the word.

• “…before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.” (4:2b-3a)
• A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (4:3b)
• From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. (4:5a)

God is firmly seated on His throne. He is actively ruling as the sovereign Lord of the universe!  Psalm 47:8 says, “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.”

Don’t rush over this point. Many people struggle with fear when learning about Revelation and what the Bible says about the future. My friend, there is no reason to fear – our God is seated on His throne! Remember, our God is the one who raises up and the one who puts down! Nothing is happening in our own country, nothing is happening in Iran or Israel, nothing is happening in the United Nations that God is unable to predict or control. As we rush toward what the Bible prophesies will happen on the world stage, rest in this picture of God seated on His throne. Rest in the knowledge that our God is a sovereign God.

God’s throne is the source of deep rolls of thunder and powerful flashes of lightning (reminiscent of Exodus 19). Our God is sovereign, He is fully in control, and He is worthy of our fear- He is completely holy, and He must judge sin. In the following pages of Revelation, we find fearsome judgments that God pours out on rebellious and hardened humanity. But the description doesn’t end here.

God’s throne is also encircled by a rainbow, recalling to mind God’s promise to Noah in Genesis 9. The rainbow reminds us that while our holy God does judge sin, He is also merciful and faithful. Even as we look at devastating judgments unfolding in the Revelation account, we also find a God who is rich in mercy. He is constantly giving mankind opportunities to hear the truth and repent.

As we continue to open the pages of this amazing book, rest in the hands of our completely sovereign, profoundly holy, and deeply merciful God. I may not understand everything about the future, but I trust Him.

May God give us a glimpse of His glorious throne – may it compel us to fear, may it inspire us to trust.