A Trip to Heaven, Part 3 (Revelation 4:6b–11)

The provided text, based on John MacArthur’s exposition of Revelation 4:6b–11, details the profound vision of God’s sovereign Throne in heaven, the identity and role of the four living creatures (Cherubim), and the ensuing crescendo of worship that is directed toward God.

I. The Authority of John’s Vision and the Scene of the Throne

The vision recorded in Revelation 4, shared by John, Isaiah, and Ezekiel, takes the reader past all familiar heavens into the heaven of heavens where the very Throne Room of God is located. John is summoned by a trumpet-like voice to “Come up here and I will show you what must take place after these things”. This marks the beginning of the future events of judgment detailed from Chapter 6 onward.

The central piece of this scene is the Throne, which is standing in heaven—a “set throne” upon which Almighty God sits. The One sitting on the throne is described by magnificent, blazing light: a jasper stone (diamond-like) and a sardius (ruby-like). The ruby color represents God’s provision of sacrifice as well as the flaming, fiery judgment that proceeds against unbelievers.

Around the Throne:

1. The Rainbow: A rainbow, like an emerald in appearance, surrounds the throne. This symbolizes God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness, recalling the promise to Noah that He would not drown mankind again. The green emerald surrounding the fiery red wrath demonstrates that judgment never overrules promise.
2. The Twenty-Four Elders: Twenty-four thrones hold twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments and wearing golden crowns. These elders are “most likely representatives of the church,” symbolizing a glorified and coronated church that has triumphed and reached the point of eternal rest (unlike the angels). The presence of the church in heaven implies that a Rapture has taken place.

From and Before the Throne:

• From the Throne: Flashes of lightning and peals of thunder proceed from the throne, serving as emblems of God’s fiery, furious judgment that is about to break out.
• Before the Throne: There are seven lamps of fire (representing the sevenfold Spirit of God) and a sea of glass like crystal. This crystal platform acts as a base to reflect and refract the blazing glory of God throughout the universe.

The overall scene displays God’s universal rule, glory, splendor, sovereignty, power, holiness, and wrath. This unfolding judgment is for the purpose of allowing God’s Son to take over the earth as its rightful King and heir during the time called the Tribulation.

II. The Identity and Role of the Four Living Creatures (Cherubim)

John is shown the four living creatures who are both “in the center and around the throne”. This denotes an inner circle, constantly in motion, surrounding God in great proximity. They are called zaō, meaning “living ones” or living beings, not theria (beasts or animals).

Physical Description and Indescribability:

• Ezekiel’s vision confirms they are the Cherubim.
• Ezekiel describes them as having human form, four faces (man, lion, bull/calf, and eagle), four wings, legs like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze. They moved straight forward wherever the Spirit directed.
• The entire vision—including their spirit within wheels that flashed and darted like lightning—is a “grandiose description of the indescribable“.

Special Attributes:

1. Knowledge and Awareness: They are full of eyes in front and behind (around and within). This symbolizes their comprehensive knowledge and alertness regarding whatever pertains to their duty to protect and serve Holy God; nothing escapes their scrutiny. They are the most knowledgeable of all angels.
2. Responsibility and Symbolism: They have the faces of a lion (strength/power), a calf/bull (service/domestic creatures), a man (reason/greatest of all creatures), and an eagle (speed/flying creatures).
   • This may symbolize their duty to tend to the created world.
   • It may represent their attributes: powerful, dutiful, rational, and swift.
   • Historically, these four banners represented the camps of Israel (Reuben-Man, Dan-Eagle, Ephraim-Ox/Calf, Judah-Lion), suggesting they may have a special role concerning Israel.
3. Holiness and Power (Cherubim Role): Cherubim are a high order of angels associated with God’s power and the guarding of His holiness. Cherubim were placed to guard the Garden of Eden and keep man from the Tree of Life after the Fall. They were interwoven into the fabric of the Tabernacle veil and spread over the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the protection of God’s holiness against sin. Satan (Lucifer) himself was an “anointed cherub who covers” before his fall.