Revelation (Adults)

Chapter 4

Lesson written by David Riggs and Murray Wade

Read this chapter and answer the questions below.

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The main theme of chapters 1-3 was "Christ in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." We were given a glimpse of the glorious reign of Christ (chapter 1) and of the seven churches as Christ saw them (chapters 2-3). Chapters 4-7 deal with the throne scene and the loosing of the seven seals. In chapter 4, God the Father is the central figure. He is symbolically described as the center of all things as He rules on His magnificent throne. This chapter marks the beginning of the visions that continue in sequence through the rest of the book.

After these things (referring to what he saw in chapters 1-3), John sees a door standing open in heaven. (Compare Ezekiel 1:1, Matthew 3:16). As he was looking, a voice as of a trumpet spoke to him again as in Revelation 1:10. The voice tells him to come up and he will be shown the things which must come to pass hereafter; that is, in the future after the vision. Immediately, he beheld a throne set in heaven and the one sitting on the throne looked like jasper (clear as crystal, Revelation 21:11) and sardine (red) stones and there was an emerald (green) looking rainbow about His throne; these things emphasize God's magnificence. For other descriptions of His throne, see Psalm 89:14; 97:2-3. Isaiah and Ezekiel also had visions of the throne (Isaiah 6:1-5, Ezekiel 1:26-28, 10:18-22). There are four things common to all: the throne, the glorious one sitting on the throne, the gem-like things round about the throne, and the living creatures.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR REVELATION 4

1. What is the theme of chapter 4?

2. John sees round about the throne twenty-four thrones on which twenty-four elders sit arrayed in white garments, wearing crowns of gold. These are mentioned several times throughout the book (4:4, 10, 5:5-14, 7:11-13, 11:16, 14:3, and 19:4). These probably represent the redeemed of the Old Testament [the twelve patriarchs (or the 12 tribes of Israel)] and the New Testament (the twelve apostles), holy and victorious (Revelation 3:21, 7:9, 13-14).  Also notice Revelation 21:12-14. Who do you think these twenty-four elders represent?

3. Seven Spirits are mentioned in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6. These might mean that there are literally seven spirits before the throne of God or since the number "seven" often represents fullness and completeness, it might symbolized the full, complete and all seeing Holy Spirit. Who do you think these Seven Spirits are or represent?

4. The four living creatures in verses 6-8 resemble those revealed in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:4-14, 10:14-15, 20-22). Please give a possible explanation of what you think they represent.

5. What other creature from Isaiah had six wings?

6. In this chapter, what are the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures doing?