John’s Vision of the Throne of God

Introduction

The key to understanding the book of Revelation is given to us in verse 1:19. “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (Rev 1:19, NKJV).

The book of Revelations is divided into three parts: (1) Things which you have seen, (2) Things which are, and (3) Things which will take place after this.

The first chapter covers the things you have seen. Chapters two and three cover topics related to the Church. The remaining chapters cover the following events: the throne, the tribulation, and other end-time events.

In the first three chapters, John sees things from an earthly perspective, and many believe these chapters cover the Church age.

Beginning with the fourth chapter, John has a vision of being taken into heaven to view the activities of the great tribulation that will be taking place on earth. Many believe that John represents the Church and sees events through the Church’s eyes. If this is true, then the Church will be raptured after the events described in chapter three. Other Biblical references imply that the Church will not endure the great tribulation and will witness the tribulation in heaven.

The Throne

John is taken to heaven, where, in a vision, he stands before the Throne of God. What John sees is recorded in chapter four of Revelation.

“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightning, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Rev. 4:2-5, NKJV).

The Throne, a central symbol in Revelation, has sparked much debate. Some argue that Jesus is on the Throne, while others believe it to be the Father. The Father and Son may be seated on the Throne, symbolizing their unity and shared authority. Regardless of the interpretation, it’s clear that all the events unfolding on earth during the tribulation are under the direct control and guidance of the Throne. Jesus is directing all events and activities.

It is speculation, but some believe lightning and thunder symbolize the destructive forces of judgment that will occur on Earth during the tribulation.

There is a rainbow around the throne of God, but it appears to be only one color—green like an emerald. This contrasts the colors we see in a rainbow on Earth. The rainbow was placed in the skies over the earth as part of a covenant with Noah after the flood, promising that a flood would never destroy the earth. The rainbow symbolizes mercy. Some believe it symbolizes that God will not destroy the world during the tribulation.

There is much debate and speculation about the twenty-four elders—are they created heavenly creatures such as angels, or are they humans who have gone to heaven?

Many believe they represent the Church. Others believe that twelve represent Israel and twelve represent the Church. You will find arguments for each view. The number twenty-four is used in the role of priesthood. Therefore, some believe they have administrative duties at the Throne and may also be a praise choir. The Bible clearly shows that some elders will actively participate in the tribulation.
Now, let us look at other beings and activities around the Throne.

“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within” (Rev. 4:6-8, NKJV).

The word “sea” in the Bible often references a large group of people. Some believe that the raptured Church is standing before the Throne.

The four living creatures may be Seraphims or Cherubims guarding God’s holiness. In the first chapter of Ezekiel, we read about angels with similar faces (see Ezekiel 1:4-9). However, some of the faces of the Cherubims in Ezekiel differed from the above description at the throne. It seems that the four living creatures led the praise services of the elders.

Revelation Chapter Five – Kinsman Redeemer

“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals” (Rev. 51:2, NKJV).

The scroll contained detailed events and judgments about how the earth could be redeemed from Satan—the tribulation events.

When Adam sinned, he was placed in bondage, and Satan gained control of the earth. On the cross at Calvary, Jesus paid the price for redeeming the world and all the people; however, many years have passed since the price was paid. There was a Levitical law that said if the land was claimed in payment of a debt, a kinsman could pay the price and redeem the land at a later time (Leviticus 25:8-28).

When the land was given to the creditor, a scroll with seven seals specifying the conditions for redeeming it was placed in the temple under the care of the temple priest. When a kinsman redeemer brought the land back, he would go to the temple, the seals would be broken, and if everything were in order, the redeemer would receive ownership of the land.

“So I [John] wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals” (Rev. 5:4-5, NKJV).

“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (Rev. 5:6-7, NKJV).

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is the Jewish messiah—Jesus, who died on the cross as the sacrificial lamb. He has earned the right to serve as the Kinsman Redeemer to redeem the earth. At this time, He is not sitting on the Throne, but He comes to the Throne and takes the scroll from the Father, who is seated on the Throne.

The scroll contains the judgments applied to Satan and his kingdom. These judgments will free the earth and the people from Satan’s iron yoke. Only Jesus has paid the price and is worthy of opening the seals. He is the Kinsman Redeemer and holds the title deed in his hand.

When Adam sinned, he was placed in bondage, and Satan gained control of the earth. On the cross at Calvary, Jesus paid the price for redeeming the earth and all the people; however, many years have passed since the price was paid. There was a Levitical law that said if the land was claimed in payment of a debt, a kinsman could pay the price and redeem the land at a later time.

Jesus will open the scroll, which has three sections. The first seven judgments are called “Seal Judgments.” The last seal opens the next section, which contains seven more judgments called the “Trumpet Judgments.” The seventh “Trumpet Judgment” opens the last section of seven actions from heaven called the “Bowl Judgments.” Each judgment becomes more severe and destructive.

The wrath of Jesus is either indirectly or directly poured out on those living on earth. It appears that the wrath is poured out through the Antichrist during the first four seal judgments. Beginning with the sixth seal judgment, the wrath of Jesus is directly poured out on the Antichrist and those living on the earth.

We read the following: “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand” (Rev. 6:12-17, NKJV)?

During the first three and one-half years, the Antichrist pours out his wrath upon the people living on earth. Most prophecy scholars believe that the tribulation’s second three and one-half years begin with the sixth seal judgment quoted above. Jesus’ wrath is directly poured out from the Throne. However, some interlude chapters may apply across the first and second half of the tribulation.

Return to the main narrative of the tribulation by backspacing your computer in the left upper corner of your computer screen to continue the study of the judgments.