Rev. 4:1-5 A Trip to Heaven

 

Intro : This morning we are beginning the 3rd & final section of the book of Rev.

A) You Recall Divine outline Ch. 1:19 – SECTION 1 – Seen – John’s vision of Jesus – Ch. 1 /    SECTION  2 – ARE – Churches / Church age

 

B) Now we come to SECTION 3 –Ch.4-21   After this or after these things

          1)WHAT THINGS - The things that are going to take place after the

              Church age is completed - Which is exactly how Ch. 4 begins

 

C) Section 2 Ended w/ Jesus standing at the door of the Church or the door

      of our hearts & Knocking

1)                           Section 3 Begins – W/ A DOOR STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN –

 

D) That is what happens – You open the door of your heart to Jesus &  

      Heaven in open to You                 ( Pray & read v.1-11)

 

Title of this message is a Trip to Heaven -  Exactly what we are given

 

A) Do you believe in HEAVEN ?  Do you believe that you are going to HEAVEN.

 

B) Recent survey in time Mag. Revealed that 81% of  Americans believe in a Literal place called Heaven.

1) While only 63% believed in literal place called  Hell

 

C) Of that 81% who believed in a literal place called Heaven.   / 61% believed that they would end up in heaven when they died.

 

D) 4%  said they believed that death was the end of their existence - they didn’t believe in any after life.

1)14% said they weren’t sure & Only 1% of those surveyed said - Hell .

 

Now I find that interesting that 61% said Heaven & only 1% said Hell - Because the Bible says the exact opposite.

A) Bible says that there in a broad road that is leading to destruction- many are on that broad road

 

B) But there is a narrow road that leads to life - few who are on it !

1) QUESTION     Which Road are YOU ON TODAY ?

 

I recently read a Story about a School teacher from England who had applied for a job in Switzerland - she was accepted / picked apartment

A) Then she went back home to get her things in order to move to England .

 

B) It dawned on her that she didn’t remember seeing a bathroom in her apartment / In England - Bathroom  = Water Closet or WC

1)So she wrote to the head school master in England - the man who

          hired her & asked if there was a WC in or near the apartment

 

C) The School master wasn’t familiar w/ the term - WC - so he wasn’t sure what she meant - he asked the parish priest for advice.

1) They concluded she must be talking about a Wayside Chapel

    so he wrote her this response.

 

 

Dear Madam:

The WC is located`9 miles from the house, in the heart Of a beautiful grove of trees. It will seat 150 people at one time, and is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

 

Some people bring their lunch and make a day of it. On Thursdays there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are very good. The slightest sound can be heard by everyone.  It may interest you to know that my daughter met her husband at the WC.

 

My wife, being rather delicate, hasn't been able to attend regularly. It has been six months since she last went. Naturally, it pains her not to be able to go more often.

I will close now with the desire to accommodate you in every way possible, and will be happy to save you a seat either down front or near the door, as you prefer.

 

Many things that - people are confused about today - But HEAVEN / Where you spend ETERNITY  is not to be one of them.

A)    Why would I want to go to heaven – why is Heaven so great ?

 

B)    That is one of the things we discover in Rev. 4,5

 

C)    Rev. 4,5 are two of the most inviting / Intriguing / Thrilling & Worshipful Ch.’s in all of the Bible

1)                 In them we are able to TAKE A TRIP TO HEAVEN & get a glimpse of what we are going to see!!!!

 

 

Begins in v. 1 w/ John hearing the voice Like a trumpet – saying come up here & I will show you the things which must take place After this

A)   After What ? – After the Church age is complete - 

 

B)    We noted in our Last study that was symbolic of the Rapture – 1 Thess. 4 Trumpet sounds – CAUGHT UP TO MEET THE LORD – HEAVEN

1)                 We noted how the word Church is used 19 times in the first 3 ch’s & not again in the whole rest of the book – absent on earth in 3rd section

 

C)GET TAPE – REASON PRETRIB RAPTURE

 

2  Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

 

John arrives in Heaven & the first thing – He sees is a Throne

A)   SIDE NOTE:  Recall John is writing to people there in A.D. 96 – WHO were living under a great deal of Persecution –

 

B)   They were suffering under the Throne of Rome – DIOCLETIAN

1)                 What does John Do?   He reminds them that there is a Throne in Heaven!!!!!   He REMINDS THEM ABOUT HEAVEN

 

COL 3:1  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4       When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

 

A)    That is what we need – Heavenly focus & Mindset –

 

B)    If you are a Christian – This world is not your Home – Citizen of Heaven

1)                 This world is as bad as it gets for you – all upward & onward

  Not a Christian – This world is as good as it gets ……. Down hill

 

A)    Song: Heaven is a Wonderful place – filled w/ glory & grace I want to see my saviors face / Heaven is a wonderful place I want to go there

 

B)    One of the greatest things we can do for one another is remind each other that we are going to Heaven – Heaven is waiting !!!!!

1)                 THUMBS UP SIGN – OUR SIGN – REMINDER – HEAVEN

 

 

John is taken into Heaven & Sees a Throne

A)    The Throne of God is a central feature in the book of Rev. – Out of the 22 Chapters there are only 5 ch’s where the throne does not appear

 

B)    The late Ray Stedman – Pastor of Pen. Bible church is Palo Alto Ca, & Comm. / Told the story of being in a Church singing – Our God Reigns

1)                 But in the Bulletin there was a TYPO - ( Our God– RESIGNS )

 

A)    Not True – Our God is still on the Throne – But sad that many believers live these days like God has resigned - & is no longer in Power

1)                 Because they are the ones running their lives

 

A)    Hanging w/ my son a few days ago – He asked me if I thought it was wrong that men  - invented cars & planes – so modern / God’s intention?

B)    He said it is almost like we have made ourselves god’s because we have the power to create

 

Good question: I responded by telling him that God made us intelligent He intends for us to use our Brains

A)   The Trouble comes when we start thinking that we are smarter than we really are & that we don’t need God

 

B)    Or that God – doesn’t exist we are the CAPTAINS OF OUR OWN DESTINY

1)                 Now a Christian would never say such a thing but How many live their lives like the Lord has no part in it - / Just Doing own thing

 

C) Making own Plans !!!!!!!!!    GUYS LISTEN – God is still on the Throne

     & He needs to be on the Throne of our Lives

 

 

This morning – 4 things about this throne

A)   1st – The Prominence of the throne -  v. 2 It is a throne set / or Planted

      in Heaven -   Firm – lasting

 

B)   In the  days of Israel’s Idolatry – they had these places called the High places – up in the Mt.s in these groves of Trees

1)                 But the thing is – those places of worship & Idolatry were always Changing – always moving – Stay Hidden

 

A)   So typical of the god’s that people worship today – Always Changing

1)                 God of Materialism – start – buying stuff – more stuff – problem it doesn’t bring any lasting satisfaction

 

A)   Always want a Little more !!!!!

 

 

 

So You Change your Focus – Intellectualism – Study – learn & for a while that does it stimulates you –

A)   But find -  don’t have all the answers / still something missing

 

B)   Sensuality – Affair – Need a Relationship – Always Changing – this thing that thing more of this or that – DRUGS – HIGHS ETC

 

C)   But listen to what Jer. The Prophet declared – 17: 12  A glorious high throne from the beginning Is the place of our sanctuary.

 

D)   Psa. 45: 6  Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

 

 

So John sees a throne that is set – doesn’t Change – doesn’t move – it is fixed – A Glorious Throne

A)   Been walking w/ the Lord now for 25 yrs – Never gets boring – New Adventures / New Discoveries /

 

B)   More I learn about the Lord –More  Blown away I get – OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD !!!!!!!!

 

C)   So First – the Prominence of the Throne – A throne set in Heaven !!!!!!

 

 

2nd – The Person on the Throne :

 

A)   Now all of us wonder what does God Look like ? – And here our attention is drawn to the one who sits on the throne

 

B) Our Expectation is Heightened – How is the Apostle going to describe

     Him – COLORS !!!! HE DOES SO W/ COLORS

v.3

v.3   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.

 

B)   Pure Flashing, Jewel like Colors, like the blazing Radiance cast off by a Prism .

 

C) There are scholars who feel that the Epistles of John were written after

     the book of Revelation.

1)                           If that is true it may explain why in his first letter he says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all,"

 

 

So John says that the one who sat on the throne was first of all like a Jasper Stone

A)   A Jasper stone is a clear stone – probably a Diamond – it speaks of Brilliance & of the reflection of light

 

So the First stone the Jasper speaks of Brilliance & Glory / The 2nd Stone – Sarduis – Ruby which is a Blood Red Stone

A)   This speaks or reminds us of the Blood of Christ – His death for us

 

B) WHY THESE TWO STONES ?   Couple of Observations

 

C)First of all – In John’s first Epistle – He declared that God is Light & in

      Him is No Darkness at all

 

A)   That is depicted in the Jasper Stone – which is Like a Diamond – Brilliance – Shinning

 

B)   Qualcom on the 4th – Fire works Display – AWESOME – Aaron my son leans over & Says – This reminds me of the Glory & Majesty of God

 

 

Now although those fireworks – were awesome – they were shinning against the background of a Dark Sky

A)   But we are told in the Book of Acts – Paul Conversion that the Glory of God Shinned Brighter than the Sun – at Noon

 

B)   So the Jasper speaks of God’s Brilliance – Glory – Confirming what John had written earlier – God is Light in Him is no darkness at all !!!!!!

 

C)   But in 1 John 4:8 & 16 – John declares that GOD IS LOVE

The Sardine Stone – Blood Red – reminds us of the Love of God seen in its greatest display – when His Son – shed His Blood

Paul declared in Romans 5:8 God Proved His Love – by sending His son to die for us

 

On that cross as they Pierced His hands & feet – Crown of thorns on His head –spear in His side the Red Blood of Christ flowed from His Veins

1)                 He was Bleeding for You & Me / He had You on His mind & Heart

 

A)    It was there on the Cross that God Proved He was Madly in Love w/ You

 

 

Something Else – In Ex. 28 – We read of the High Priest – who wore this Breast Plate – 12 stones upon it – one for each Tribe / sons of Jacob

A)   First stone on that Breast Plate is the Jasper stone – the stone of the First born son – was Rueben – name means Behold a Son

 

B)   Rue = BEHOLD /  Ben= A SON

 

C)   The Last stone on the Breast Plate is the Sardius stone – The stone of Jacob’s Son Benjamin who’s Name means Son of my right Hand

1)                 Ben = Son / Jamin = Of my right Hand

 

A)   So I believe this gives us some further insight into the one that John saw on the throne – that it was Jesus Himself – the Son of God’s right Hand !

1)                 Jesus is sitting at the Right Hand of the Father

 

 

Notice also What the  One on the Throne is Doing / He is sitting – Not Standing – Not Pacing – ( That is what I would do responsible for me)

A)   Jesus is sitting – Not Biting His nails – He is at REST

 

B)   You recall in the Tab./ & the Temple of the O.T. there was no place for the Priest to sit – why was that ?

1) Answer is there work was never Done – Continual Sacrifice

C)   But in the Heavenly Tabernacle of which the earthly was a Shadow – Jesus is sitting – why ?  Because on the Cross – It is Finished

 

D)   Reminded by Paul in Phil. That He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it

1)                 He will see His own through to the End !!!! – In fact – He already sees the finished Product !!!

 

A)   So He is sitting Because the Work is Done – IT IS FINISHED / COMPLETE !!!!

 

 

Now there is one time in Scripture where JESUS is seen in Heaven – standing instead of sitting – Acts 7 – Stoning of Stephen – he said

A)   "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

 

B)   There Jesus was standing I believe to welcome this Martyred Saint into Glory say – Well done my good & Faithful Servant ……Rest

 

C)   That is what we look forward to !!!!!

 

 

3rd – Is the Proclamation of the Throne – John also saw a Rainbow that was around the Throne – Chief – Color was Emerald

A)   Rainbow reminds us of the Cov. That God made w/ man – to never destroy the earth again w/ a Flood –

 

B)   RAINBOW AROUND THE THRONE SPEAKS OF HIS GRACE

 

C)   Which shouldn’t surprise us that is exactly what the throne is called in Heb 4:16 where we are told –

16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

4th – The People around the Throne v.4   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.

 

A)   Now who are these beings – Several ideas :

1)                 Some Bible Teachers believe that it represents the 12 Patriarchs & the 12 apostles – holding special positions in Heaven ( Possible)

 

A)   Others suggest that they are special Angelic beings – who hold a Position in the Govt of God – ( Sat on thrones indicates they reign w/ Christ)

1)                 Highly unlikely Because  No where in Scripture are Angels seen

sitting on Thrones – wearing crowns – Never pictured ruling or reigning

 

A)   Angels Role is as Ministering spirits sent out to Serve God’s Kids

 

 

Others suggest that this is a picture of the completed nation of Israel –

A)   But that doesn’t make sense because in the Book of Rev. we read in Ch 7 of a 144,000 – Jewish believers used mightily during Trib

 

B)   One other – idea is that this group around the throne is the raptured Church – as seen by their – appearance

1)                 Their appearance coincides w/ what Jesus wrote to in the Letters to the seven Churches TO THE OVER COMERS

 

A)    Rev. 3:21  "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

 

B)   Important to picture – throne is not a Chair – but a Platform – Chairs

upon it !!!! God the Father – Jasper / Son Sardius / H.S. – Emerald rainbow

1)                           Church – Little thrones

 

 

Also in Rev. 3: 5  "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,

A)   Here we see them – clothed in white robes – Redemption – Purity

B)  Lastly – Rev. 2: 10  "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

C)   What is interesting about these crowns is that there are two kinds of crowns spoken of in the book of Rev.

1)                 One of is the Crown of a ruler / a sovereign one / ( Grk  word Diadem)

Which is the Crown of Governmental authority

 

A)   The other is the crown of a victor – Gr. Stephanos- such was the kind of crown awarded in the Grk games to those who won a race or an event

 

 

It is the Stephanos crown that is used here as well as in Rev. 2:10 – Indicating that these Elders had been rewarded for victory accomplished

A)    It is significant that the passage states that the 24 Elders already have their crown as Victors

 

B)    Because Angels have not been judged and rewarded at this point in the program of God. – Comes Later in Rev.

 

C)    For the same reason the Elders do not seem to be a Proper representation of Israel –

1)                 for Israel’s Reward seems to come at the end of the trib & Not Before

 

A)    Only the Church which is raptured – before Ch. 4 is properly complete in heaven & Eligible for Reward at this time !!!!

1)                 Crowns picture of the Church in Glory

 

 

Now it is fun to speculate like this concerning – the identity of the elders but the fact of the matter is – we really don’t Know

A)   And we won’t know until We get to Heaven – We might find that these 24 elders are just a special Heavenly being

B)   But here is something we do know – I want to conclude today on this note –

1)                 We as the Church are going to be rewarded in heaven for Faithful service on the Earth – We are going to receive – Crown(s)

 

A)   The Bible mentions 5 Different Crowns that are Available for us

 

1st – Crown of Incorruption : 1 Cor.9:26 -24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

25  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

26  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27     But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

 

A)   Crown of Incorruption is given to those who live a Disciplined Life – running the race w/ aim / Discipline & to Win

 

B)   Seeking to be all that the Lord wants them to be !!!!! / Do all that He wants them to do !!!!!!

 

2nd – Crown of Life – James 1:12   Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 

A)   This crown is given to those who patiently endure Trials

 

Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown.

 

   -- Corrie Ten Boom in My Heart Sings.

 

3rd – Crown of rejoicing           1 Thess. 2:19,20 19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20For you are our glory and joy.

 

A)    This is the Crown of the Soul Winner – those use gift of Evangelism leading others to Christ – seeing them in Heaven !!

 

 

4th – Crown on Glory 1Pet.5 :4 2  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

3  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

4       and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

 

A)    This CROWN IS GIVEN to those who are faithful in ministering the Word of God !!!!

 

B)    Could refer to Pastors who faithfully feed the Flock / Sunday school  teachers who Faithfully minister the word

1)                 Parents who consistently & Faithfully – share the Word w/ their Kids – the FLOCK  that the Lord has made them overseers of !!!!!

 

 

5th CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS  2 TIM. 4:8    Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

A)   This is a Crown given to all of those who are eagerly waiting for the Lord to come – those who love His Appearing

 

B)    Those who wake up saying – It might be today – and live their lives accordingly !!!!!!

Now when you think about it – it is not that hard to obtain a throne

A)   Crown for living a Disciplined life for the Lord –

 

B)   Crown for being patient in trials – ( That is probably the toughest)

 

C)   Crown for being a soul winner – ( Simply leading others to Christ)

 

D)   Crown for being faithful in Sharing the word to the FLOCK  God has placed YOU  over !!!! 

 

E)    Crown for Living a life that simply says – I am waiting for the Lord to Return – Eagerly anticipating His Appearing !!!!!!

 

F) Which Crown is Waiting for You !!!!!!

 

Heaven is a Wonderful Place – Filled w/ Glory & Grace – we are going to see our Saviors face – Do you want to go there? 

A) Do You Know Jesus ?

 

 

   Today the world is like a masquerade. High carnival is being held, and men wear their masks and dominoes and strut about, and we think that man a king, and this a mighty Oriental prince, and this a haughty Indian chief. But the time is over for the mask; daylight dawns; strip off your garnishings; every one of you put on your ordinary garments. Who goes out to the unrobing-room with greatest confidence? The man who feels that his next outfit will be a far more glorious vestment. Who shall go to that disrobing-room with the greatest tremor? Those who feel that the splendid character they once wore will give place to beggary and meanness; when for robes they shall have rags; for riches, poverty; for honor, shame; and for regal splendor, hissing and reproach. If any of our readers seem to be what they are not, let them be wise enough to think of the spade, the shroud, and the silent dust. Let everyone among us now put his soul into the crucible, and as we shall test ourselves in the silence of the dying hour, so let us judge ourselves now.

 

   -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon,