A Trip to Heaven, Part 4 (Revelation 4:8–11)

The provided excerpts from John MacArthur’s teaching on Revelation Chapter 4 establish the authenticity of John’s vision of heaven, detail the central nature of God’s throne, and describe the profound, escalating worship that erupts in the heavenly Throne Room.

I. The Rarity and Authenticity of John’s Vision

MacArthur notes that apart from figures like Ezekiel, Isaiah, Paul, and John, trips to heaven don’t happen. Jesus Christ is the only one who descended from heaven. The Apostle Paul was caught up to the third heaven, or “paradise” (meaning “park,” suggesting loveliness and delight). Paul heard inexpressible words which he was not permitted to speak. God gave Paul this experience for his own comfort, assurance, and hope, helping him stare death in the face with conviction.

In contrast to modern, often bizarre accounts, John’s description in Revelation 4 is an inspired and authentic description of the throne of God in heaven. John was transported to the very throne room, perhaps not knowing whether he was “in the body or out of the body”.

II. The Transition to Judgment and the Immovable Throne

The vision begins with a door standing open in heaven. John hears an authoritative voice, like the voice of a trumpet (identified as Christ): “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things”.

1. Chronological Transition: The phrase “after these things” marks a critical transition point. The vision moves from the events of the church age (Chapters 2 and 3) to the period of future judgment.
2. The Core Theme: What must take place is primarily defined by one word: judgment. Chapters 4 and 5 depict God preparing to unleash the judgments that begin in Chapter 6 and flow through Chapter 19.
3. The Throne’s Centrality: The primary focus is the throne standing in heaven. The throne is the seat of God’s sovereignty as the Ruler of the universe, set in the third heaven. It is described as standing (fixed and permanent).

III. The Appearance of the Sovereign and the Signs of Judgment

On the Throne sits the One who is like a jasper stone (shining, dazzling brilliance, like a diamond) and a sardius (deep blood-red ruby).

• The diamond symbolizes God’s pure glory, while the red ruby points to the essence of His sacrificial act and His fiery wrath and fury.
• Around the Throne is a unique rainbow, like an emerald in appearance. This rainbow symbolizes God’s grace and mercy, signifying that judgment never overrules promise.

Signs of Imminent Wrath:

• From the Throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder, all speaking of judgment.
• Before the Throne are seven lamps of fire (the seven-fold Spirit of God) and a sea of glass like crystal.

IV. The Twenty-Four Elders and the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Also around the throne are twenty-four thrones occupied by twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments and wearing golden crowns.

• MacArthur suggests these are the representatives of the church.
• Angels are typically seen standing or hovering and are never crowned. The elders are sitting and wear the stephanos crown of a victor who has triumphed over evil.
• Their presence, seated in glory before the Tribulation is unleashed, indicates the possibility of a pre-tribulation rapture.

V. The Cherubim: Instruments of Knowledge, Power, and Worship

In and around the throne are the four living creatures (Cherubim). They appear to be in motion around the throne.

1. Knowledge and Scrutiny: They are full of eyes in front and behind (around and within). This symbolizes their comprehensive scrutiny, knowledge, and awareness; nothing escapes their vision.
2. Symbolism and Power: They have the faces of a lion (strength), a calf (service), a man (reason), and a flying eagle (speed). These features describe their innate power characteristic as strong, serving, rational, swift beings.
3. Role in Judgment: The Cherubim are heavily involved in the impending judgment. Jesus confirmed that the Son of Man will send forth His angels to gather the wicked and cast them into the furnace of fire at the end of the age. The Cherubim initiate the judgments (Revelation 6:1) and dispense the golden bowls full of the wrath of God (Revelation 15:7).

VI. The Eternal Oratorio of Worship

The Cherubim’s primary and eternal occupation is worship. Judgment is a temporary role for them.

• Six Wings: They have six wings. Two cover their face (they cannot look on God’s full glory), two cover their feet (holy ground), and two are used to hover. Worship is their priority.
• The Hymn of Holiness and Power: Day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come”.
  • Holiness: This is the only attribute repeated three times. It is God’s utter and complete separation from evil. In this scene, holiness is exhibited in judgment, revealing a God who is furious with sin and must destroy it.
  • Almighty: El Shaddai means the Strongest One. God’s power is equal to His will; He can do whatever is doable and whatever He wills to do, and no one can stop Him. This power confirms that no one can stop His judgment against sin.
  • Eternality: “Who was and who is and who is to come” speaks of God’s endless existence (no beginning and no end). This is a source of joy (heaven is forever) and a source of terror (hell is forever).

The Cherubim’s quartet of praise triggers a crescendo of worship toward the throne. This oratorio starts with the Cherubim, adds the twenty-four elders, then all the angels, and finally every living being.

The elders demonstrate their complete surrender by casting their golden crowns before the throne. They join the worship by celebrating God as the Creator: “for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed and were created”.

The vision culminates in an awesome display of God’s holiness and power, demanding that the redeemed respond with holy fear, brokenness, and obedient worship.