Revelation chapters 4 & 5

Let me start this lesson with a brief historical background. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. John was a disciple of Christ during Christ earthly ministry. John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos because Rome was becoming less and less tolerant of the gospel. Paul was executed and so was Peter during this particular time period. Many of the churches in that time period were facing tremendous suffering, spiritual warfare, heresy, sinful practices among their members. John was an old man at this time… he was preaching in Ephesus, ministering to the churches there and in the surrounding cities.

We can understand that the church was in a state of need for encouragement and hope. They needed to be reminded that God was still in charge and that it was He who was on the throne. That message is still relevant today. The church needs to know that regardless of the circumstances of this world, regardless of who gets elected President of the United States, regardless if Iran is allowed to get Nuclear weapon… God is in control and His sovereignty is not in doubt.

I want to make sure we have a basic understanding of these verses and thought it best to break them down verse by verse and give a commentary on them.

Rev 4:1-2
(1) After these things 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, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.
(2) And immediately I became in spirit. And behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat upon the throne.

1st thing I want to discuss is the phrase “come up hither”. John heard a booming voice saying to him “come up hither”. This was an invitation that took no effort on John’s part. When you and the Holy Spirit are in tune together it takes no effort on your part.

The next part of the text I want to look at is the phrase “here after”. This simply implies that the prophecies he is about to see are thing that will happen in the future.

Then we have “I was in the spirit”. Now John was immediately transported to the third heaven. John is in the presence of Almighty God. John is not somewhere in the upper atmosphere nor is he in the starry heavens… John is in the third heaven… a place that no telescope will ever reveal.
When John says “I was in the spirit” he was refereeing to the Holy Spirit. This is important because we need to understand that all true prophecy has to come by the Holy Spirit. Peter said this in 2nd Peter 1:20-21.
2Pe 1:20-21
(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
(21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


Rev 4:3-4
(3) And He who sat there looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. And a rainbow was around the throne, looking like an emerald.
(4) And around the throne I saw twenty-four thrones. And on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white clothing. And they had crowns of gold on their heads.

“He that sat” is referring to God the Father. John was transported into the third heaven into the throne room of God.

The reference to there being a “rainbow round about the throne” is an interesting thing. Let me read to you what the New Bible Commentary has to say about the rainbow. The rainbow is primarily to conceal the form of God; yet it is significant that a rainbow and not an ordinary cloud performs this service, for the bow is a perpetual reminder of God’s covenant to restrain His wrath from man on earth; the memorial of the covenant in heaven is thus nothing less than the glory of God which hides Him from angelic view.

Next in verse 4 we see the 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes with crowns of gold on their heads. There is a lot of different discussions about what this could represent. Some commentaries I read said that this could represent the 24 orders of priests during he days of David and Solomon. When they come together in meetings they represented the priesthood as well as the entire nation of Israel.

Some commentaries note that it could represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples, thus the total 24. I’m not sure if one of these thoughts are right or not but I do believe that John saw 24 elders in white robes with golden crowns… that much I am sure of.


Rev 4:5-6
(5) And out of the throne came lightnings and thunderings and voices. And seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
(6) And a sea of glass was in front of the throne, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.

Now in verse 5 thunder and lightning are coming from the throne of God. Thunder and lightning signify that something important is about to happen. If you remember… on Mount Sinai this also happened just before God gave the Law to Moses. This thunder and lightning is happening to let us know that God’s judgment is coming. There are also many verses in the Bible that talks about a trumpet being sounded just before something important was going to happen… this happened in the Old Testament as well as the New. In Matthew 24 verse 31 Jesus talked about a sound of a trumpet that will signify something great is about to happen.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

That is one trumpet I want to hear!!


Rev 4:7-11
(7) And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature like a calf, and the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.
(8) And each one of the four living creatures had six wings about him, and within being full of eyes. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.
(9) And whenever the living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to Him who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
(10) the twenty-four elders fell down before the One sitting on the throne. And they worshiped Him who lives for ever and ever, and threw their crowns before the throne, saying,
(11) O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.


John seems to be drawn to the four living creatures that are in the midst of God’s throne. They are strange beings full of eyes and wings. Their sole purpose for being seems to be only to give praise and honor to a Holy God.

Some commentaries and concordances seem to draw an interesting correlation about the faces of these creatures and the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew spoke often about Christ being the Lion of Judah. Mark portrayed Christ as the perfect servant… much like an ox in Biblical days was the perfect servant. Luke portrayed the Lord as the perfect man. And John wrote often about the deity of Christ, showing Him soaring like an eagle.

The four creatures never rest day or night from praising God and worshipping Him. The creatures are shouting Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

The 24 elders get into the act periodically and join in themselves in worshipping God. They fall prostate before God and cast their crowns before the throne and say “you are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”



Let’s think about a few things here before we go on to part two of our lesson.

Let’s reflect on the classic hymn Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, God in three persons, Blessed trinity. That is a song with worship and adoration for the Almighty God that just pores out of that song. It is a worship song that will never grow old, that is never out dated, and will never lose it’s anointing because it is straight out of God’s Word.

The Holiness of God… that is something that I believe we can not truly comprehend it while on this earth. You know, when we get to heaven and we realize the love, mercy, grace and holiness of our God. But we will also understand the God requires justice. And we will understand how great the price that had to be paid for our salvation. I believe the realization of this will simply overwhelm us into praise and adoration. We will not be able to help ourselves… it will just well up within us. I believe you can have glimmers of this here on earth but it does not even compare to what we will experience when we approach the throne of God. We deserved justice but instead He gave us mercy and grace. That is something to get excited about.

Another thing to ponder is the casting of crowns that the elders did. My friends, when we get to heaven and receive our rewards we can not do anything else but cast them at the feet of Jesus. We will finally realize just how worthy of honor and praise He is and just how unworthy we are. We will truly realize that it is not about us but about God who gave us the abilities to receive our crowns and rewards.

One commentary I read stated that casting their crowns acknowledges that they understand that God is the only worthy to take preeminence in creation. By His sovereign will He willed the existence of all things and He has the right to deal with them as He pleases.


Part two of our lessons deals with chapter 5 verses 1-10. Worthy to Open the Book

Rev 5:1-4
(1) And I saw a book on the right of Him sitting on the throne, written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
(2) And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loosen its seals?
(3) And no one in Heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book or to look at it.
(4) And I wept very much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, nor to look at it.

John saw a scroll in the right hand of God. The fact that the book (scroll) is in the right hand of God signifies how important it is. The seven seals signify the importance of the document and for the readers. Roman law required a will to be sealed by seven witnesses seven times and when opened it must be opened in the presence of the seven witnesses who sealed it and read out loud. This could also mean that this scroll with seven seals is a symbol of the promise of a future kingdom.

In verse 2 a “strong angel” proclaims with a loud voice – who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose it seals? The strong angel represents something like a bailiff in a courtroom. That type of authority figure. He steps up and with a strong loud voice makes his proclamation in the form of a question… “who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose it seals’?

Verse 3 states that no one in heaven nor on the earth, or under the earth was able to open the scroll and look at it.

This made John weep… because no one was found worthy. This emphasizes the importance of that book and the contents and revelations it contains.

This scroll contains the mystery of God that was foretold by Old Testament prophets according to Revelations 1o:7. It unveils the puzzle of the universe and how history will unfold for all the earth and its inhabitants. John weep because he thought no one was worthy to open this book and reveal its secrets.


Rev 5:5-8
(5) And 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 book and to loose the seven seals of it.
(6) And I looked, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, amidst the elders, a Lamb stood, as if 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 sitting on the throne.
(8) And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.


Suddenly, in the midst of John crying; and elder speaks to John and tells him not to weep because the Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the book.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the book. Back in Genesis 49 it is prophesied that the Messiah would come from Judah and the phrase Root of David also comes from prophesy in Isaiah 11:1 that indicated that the Messiah would be from the David’s lineage.

John must have rejoiced… he turns and he is likely expecting to see a power Lion or at least Jesus as he had known him in His earthly ministry. But instead, John sees a Lamb slain with the marks of death still written on His body.
These marks will be on Christ’s body for all eternity. You know it’s interesting and has been said that throughout all eternity to come with a less than perfect body will be the eternally perfect One Himself.

The slain lamb is described as having seven horns and seven eyes. The number seven in the Bible represents completion. The horn represents strength; therefore the seven horns represent the complete and omnipotent power. They eye represents knowing and understanding therefore the seven eyes represent Christ’s complete omniscience.

The beast and the elders all fall down and worship and adore the Lamb. They cannot contain themselves. They break out in spontaneous worship and praise.

In verse 8 the elders and the beast have a harp and golden bowls full of incense. The incense is the prayers of the saints. What strikes me is that our prayers are not ever lost. We may feel as if they are lost but God has them and they are precious to Him. They are so important to God that He has them in a golden bowl before His throne held by His beast and elders. They are so precious to Him that He keeps our prayers as treasures.


Rev 5:9-10
(9) And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation.
(10) And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.


“They sang a new song” – they have a reason to rejoice. The Lamb that was slain was found worthy - He alone was worthy to open the scrolls. The new song acknowledges all the works that Christ did on the cross by the shedding of His blood. He purchased our redemption… we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

The song is about how Christ made us to be Kings and priest to God and that we will reign over all the earth.

Without the holiness of God then there would be no provision for justice. Without the cross there would be no blood shed for the remission of sins to redeem us back to God. We would be lost and God’s justice would come down on us and we would be without hope. But thank God… the Lamb willingly was slain and we can be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our sins can be washed away by His blood!



Part 3 of our lesson is entitled “Worthy Is the Lamb”


Rev 5:11
(11) And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was myriads and myriads, and thousands of thousands,

You know… there is something about corporate worship isn’t there. I mean, when you are in a crowd of believers and you are lifting up the name of Jesus and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. There is something electric about that. When I went to the teen rally in Wake Forest I was totally blown away by the cooperate worship of 10,000 people worshiping and praising the Lord. It was AWESOME.

Angels are created beings by God to help carry out God’s work in all His creation. The number is staggering… 100 million and multiples of 1 million all encircling the Lamb and with worship and praise. Notice that this is not an unorganized event… it is not routine either but it is in order. When you are worshiping God in spirit and in truth your worship will be in order… there will be an agreement.

I can image John… here he had been with Jesus during Jesus earthly ministry. John had witnessed Jesus being beaten and crucified… and now he was seeing Him worship and praise. This must have thrilled John.


Rev 5:12-14
(12) saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
(13) And I heard every creature which is in the Heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all who are in them, saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.
(14) And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the One living forever and ever.

Everyone around the Lamb… the Lamb is in the middle… and the words spoken are about the seven attributes of the Lamb – power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.

Gill’s commentary states this:
Every Creature - Animate or inanimate, angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, sun, moon, and stars, and the fowls of the air:

and on the earth; men and beasts, and every creeping thing, mountains, hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars: and under the earth: in the bowels of it, metals, minerals, and everything of that kind:

and such as are in the sea; that sail in ships upon the mighty waters, and fishes great and small that are therein:

and all that are in them; in heaven, earth, and sea:

All were giving blessing and honor and power to Him sitting on the Throne (God the Father) and to the Lamb (God the Son).

Why? Because everyone, everything will understand that HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Another thing that I want to mention about this event that John was seeing… remember now he was seeing he was seeing things that will take place in the future. So… this scene that he is describing is one that all born again saints that either passed away or were caught up with Jesus in the Rapture. Now I was there… if you are a born again you were there. Isn’t that awesome? John could have possible saw and heard me giving glory and honor to God! The thought of that just thrills me!!

Then in verse 14 they 4 living creatures that were round about the throne said amen… they agreed with the worship going on. And the 24 elders fell down again and started to worship all over again.

Oh that we would understand this scripture…. Oh that we would apply it’s truths to our hearts and begin to worship God in truth and in spirit. True worship!