Surveying Chapters 4 & 5, Pastor Mitch takes a look at the symbolism and writing style and explains the significance of several things John writes. All pointing to the fact that Jesus alone is worthy of all our praise.

1. The Revelation
of Jesus Christ
A study through the book of Revelation

2. A little bit of Background
Focus: Second coming of Jesus Christ
and the establishment of God’s
Kingdom at the end of time
Outline:
Chapter 1- The things you have seen
Chapters 2-3 – The Things which are
Chapters 4-22 – The Things to come

3. The seven churches of
Revelation 2-3
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamum (os)
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea

4. What is the purpose of
tonight’s study?
To recognize how symbolism helps us
grasp abstract concepts, such as
heaven.
Consider the role of Christ in God’s
eternal plan for humans who seek to
be faithful and obedient to their Lord.

5. Revelation 4:1-2
1 After this I looked, and, behold,
a door was opened in heaven:
and the first voice which I heard
was as it were of a trumpet
talking with me; which said, Come
up hither, and I will shew thee
things which must be hereafter.
2 And
immediately I was in the
spirit: and, behold, a throne was
set in heaven, and one sat on the
throne.

6. A shifting in Focus
Chapters 2-3 focus on earth and the
7 churches.
Chapter 4 begins a shift in focus to
heaven.
“come up here” is transitional. It is
a change of location.
“a door was opened” is an
invitation for John to see the
splendor of heaven

7. What John sees
We must understand that our finite
language and minds cannot
accurately define infinite reality of
heaven.
John describes what he sees (like
God on the throne) in terms that he
and the reader can understand.
We also need to understand that
the Jewish writers were reluctant to
picture God.

8. Revelation 4:3-11
3 And
he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a
sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about
the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.4 And round
about the throne were four and twenty seats: and
upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,
clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads
crowns of gold.5 And out of the throne proceeded
lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which
are the seven Spirits of God.6 And before the throne
there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the
midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were
four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

9. Revelation 4:3-11
7 And
the first beast was like a lion, and the second
beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a
man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.8 And
the four beasts had each of them six wings about him;
and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day
and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty,
which was, and is, and is to come.9 And when those
beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that
sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,10 The
four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat
on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever
and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne,
saying,

10. Revelation 4:3-11
11 Thou
art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour
and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created.

11. What John sees
v. 3 God is described as 2 semiprecious stones. Jasper and Sardius
(carnelian)

12. Jasper

13. Sardius (Carnelian)

14. What John sees
v. 3 God is described as 2 semiprecious stones. Jasper and
Sardius (carnelian)
v.3 A rainbow surrounding the
throne that looks like emerald
The Rainbow was a symbol of
God’s covenant of mercy
Genesis 9:11,13 After the
flood, God promised mercy

15. Who surrounds the throne?
v. 4 John says 24 elders surround
God’s throne
Who are they?
12 Patriarchs of the Old
Testament?
12 Apostles of the New
Testament?
Representation of God’s people
together

16. What John sees
v. 5 In Hebrew poetry,
thunderstorms project God’s
majesty Exodus 19:16
v.6 Sea of glass, crystal,
pavement, symbolic of God’s
magnificence
The Rainbow was a symbol of
God’s covenant of mercy
Genesis 9:11,13 After the
flood, God promised mercy

17. What John sees
v. 7 John sees 4 creatures around
the throne
Lion
Calf
Face of a Man
Flying Eagle
These beings are angels (seraphim)
v. 8-9 They are the worship leaders
around the throne

18. Seraphim around the throne

19. What John sees
v. 8-10 The 4 angels are lifting
up the name of God
When they do this the 24
elders fall on their faces before
God
v.11 All proclaim God’s glory

20. Revelation 5:1-14
5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the
throne a book written within and on the backside,
sealed with seven seals.2 And I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open
the book, and to loose the seals thereof?3 And no man
in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was
able to open the book, neither to look thereon.4 And I
wept much, because no man was found worthy to
open and to read the book, neither to look
thereon.5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep
not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof.

21. Revelation 5:1-14
6 And
I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and
of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood
a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and
seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent
forth into all the earth.7 And he came and took the
book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne.8 And when he had taken the book, the four
beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the
Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

22. Revelation 5:1-14
9 And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to
take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation;10 And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.11 And I beheld,
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number
of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands;12 Saying with a loud voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power,
and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing.

23. Revelation 5:1-14
13 And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the
earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,
and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and
honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever.14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four
and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that
liveth for ever and ever.

24. What John sees
v. 5:1 The scroll mentioned is the
book of Gods eternal decrees.
v. 2 Who is worthy to open
(execute) the scroll
v.3 No one in heaven or earth that
John can see can open the scroll
v.4-5 John weeps, but an elder
consoles him

25. What John sees
v. 6 Jesus is Worthy!!!
Why?
A lamb that was slain
He has 7 eyes
and 7 horns
A lamb slain for the sins of the
world
7 eyes Means He sees and
knows all
7 horns Means He is all powerful

26. What John sees
v. 7 Jesus takes the scroll
This means that He will execute
what is written inside
v.8-14 Praise for Christ and His
worthiness

27. What does our life and our
Church say about Christ’s
Worthiness?
Do we lift Him up with our lives
like He deserves to be praised?
Or do we ignore He exists by the
way we live?
Or do we bring shame to His
name?