By
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
LESSON
NOTES:
I.
THE EVENTS OF
REVELATION 4 AND 5 OCCUR AFTER THE CHURCH AGE. The Church Age
has ended, the Rapture has occurred, the saints have been judged at the
Judgment seat of Christ. Now, “after this” the Lamb (Jesus) in Heaven prepares
to unleash the wrath of God on the Earth; while the Antichrist on Earth goes
into action.
Revelation 4:1 1After this I looked, and there
before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard
speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you
what must take place after this."
II.
DESCRIPTION OF
GOD’S THRONE ROOM.
A.
GOD IS MAJESTIC
TO LOOK BEHOLD.
Revelation 4:2-3 2At once I was in the Spirit, and
there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And
the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that
shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
B.
SELECT
UNIDENTIFIED LEADERS DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. The Bible does
not explain who these 24 elders are. However, we do know that these were in
God’s throne room worshipping Him.
Revelation 4:4 4Surrounding the throne were
twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They
were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
Revelation 4:10-11 10the twenty-four elders fall down
before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever.
They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are
worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created
all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 5:8-10 8And when he had taken it, the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one
had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of God's people. 9And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were
slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and
language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom
and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
1.
Remember that
God is God of everything. And, everything was created for Jesus.
Colossians 1:16 16For in him all things were
created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him
and for him.
2.
Even Satan has
an audience with God, giving account of his whereabouts.
Job 1:6-7 6One day the angels came to present
themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7The LORD
said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD,
"From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it."
Revelation 12:9-11 9The great dragon was hurled
down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world
astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10Then
I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the
power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the
accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and
night, has been hurled down. 11They triumphed over him by the blood
of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives
so much as to shrink from death.
a.
As a matter of
fact, you never read about Satan in Hell. Everlasting fire has been
prepared for him; He was in Heaven,
was cast to Earth and became (through the fall of humanity) the god of this
world and rule of the “atmosphere.” He will end up in the Lake of Fire, not
Hell.
Isaiah 14:12-15 12How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who
once laid low the nations! 13You said in your heart, "I will
ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will
sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14I
will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High." 15But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to
the depths of the pit.
Ezekiel 28:11-17 11The word of the LORD came to me: 12"Son
of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is
what the Sovereign LORD says: "'You were the seal of perfection, full of
wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz,
onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings
were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14You
were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy
mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15You were
blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found
in you. 16Through your widespread trade you were filled with
violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and
I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17Your
heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of
you before kings.
Luke 10:18 18He replied, "I saw Satan
fall like lightning from heaven.
Revelation 12:3-4 3Then another sign appeared in
heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns
on its heads. 4Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky
and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was
about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
Revelation 12:7-10 7Then war broke out in heaven.
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels
fought back. 8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their
place in heaven. 9The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient
serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was
hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10Then I heard a loud
voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the
kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our
brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been
hurled down.
Luke 4:6 6And he said to him, "I will
give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can
give it to anyone I want to.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3And even if our gospel is veiled,
it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has
blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the
gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Ephesians 2:1-2 1As for you, you were dead in your
transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed
the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit
who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
John 12:31 31Now is the time for judgment on
this world; now
the prince of this world
will be driven out.
Matthew 25:41 41"Then he will say to those
on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Revelation 20:10 10And the devil, who deceived them,
was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false
prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and
ever.
3.
Spirits (we
would call them demons) must give an account to God.
2 Chronicles 18:18-22 18Micaiah continued,
"Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne
with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19And
the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth
Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another
that. 20Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and
said, 'I will entice him.' "'By what means?' the LORD asked. 21"'I
will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said.
"'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.' 22"So
now the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of
yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you."
4.
But, thank God
our prayers are constantly being poured out before the Lord!
Revelation 5:8 8And when he had taken it, the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one
had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of God's people.
James 5:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
16 Therefore,
confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray
for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can
accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic
and can have tremendous power].
Acts 10:4 4Cornelius stared at him in fear.
"What is it, LORD?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers
and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
Daniel 10:5-12 5I looked up and there before me
was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his
waist. 6His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes
like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and
his voice like the sound of a multitude. 7I, Daniel, was the only
one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror
overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8So I was left
alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned
deathly pale and I was helpless. 9Then I heard him speaking, and as
I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. 10A
hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11He
said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I
am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."
And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12Then he
continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set
your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your
words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
a.
This last
Scripture is referring to an Old Testament appearance of (who we now know of as
) Jesus the Son of God. Compare it with the following passage.
Revelation 1:12-18 12I turned around to see the voice
that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and
among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching
down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14The hair
on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like
blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and
his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand
he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged
sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17When
I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on
me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I
am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And
I hold the keys of death and Hades.
5.
And, the Son is
before the Father mediating for us!
1 Timothy 2:5 5For there is one God and one
mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
I.
THE FULNESS OF
GOD’S SPIRIT IS IN THE THRONE ROOM. Lightning and thunder has always been a
manifestation of God’s presence. Also, there are not 7 Holy Ghosts. There is
only One Spirit. “Seven Spirits of God refers to the fullness of the Holy
Ghost. The Holy Ghost without measure.
Revelation 4:5 5From the throne came flashes of
lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps
were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Isaiah 11:2 2The Spirit of the LORD will rest
on him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of
might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD-
John 3:34 34For he whom God hath sent
speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Colossians 1:19 19For God was pleased to have all
his fullness dwell in him,
Colossians 2:9 9For in Christ all the fullness of
the Deity lives in bodily form,
Exodus 19:16-18 16On the morning of the third day
there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a
very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17Then Moses
led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of
the mountain. 18Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD
descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a
furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.
Exodus 20:18 18When the people saw the thunder
and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they
trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance.
II.
GOD HAS ALWAYS
HAD “BEASTS” OR “LIVING CREATURES” IN HIS PRESENCE.
Revelation 4:6-9 6Also in front of the throne there
was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around
the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in
front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the
second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a
flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and
was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they
never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty,' who was,
and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give
glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever
and ever,
A.
Full of eyes and
wings?
The eyes represente omniscience and the wings omnipresence.
B.
What about the
faces?
The faces represent the many facets of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1.
The lion
demonstrates Jesus is King.
2.
The ox
demonstrates Jesus is a Servant.
3.
The man
demonstrates Jesus is Human.
4.
The eagle
demonstrates Jesus is God.
C.
Isaiah’s
description was quite similar. But, he referred to these as Seraphim;
which are angelic beings that dwell in God’s throne room.
Isaiah 6:2-3 2Above him were seraphim, each with
six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their
feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they were calling to one
another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of
his glory."
D.
Ezekiel also saw
something similar.
He also referred to them as “living creatures.” But, he said that their form
was “human,” but they also had the four faces and the wings.
Ezekiel 1:4-12 New International Version (NIV)
4 I
looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud
with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the
fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and
in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance
their form was human, 6 but
each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their
legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like
burnished bronze. 8 Under
their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had
faces and wings, 9 and the
wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they
did not turn as they moved.
10 Their
faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on
the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox;
each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such
were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing
touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings
covering its body. 12 Each
one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without
turning as they went.
E.
When Ezekiel saw
them the second time; he referred to them as Cherubim. A cherub has been
described as an angelic being….
Ezekiel 10:9-15 New International Version (NIV)
9 I
looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the
cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz. 10 As
for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel
intersecting a wheel. 11 As
they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced;
the wheels did not turn about as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in
whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went. 12 Their entire bodies, including their
backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were
their four wheels. 13 I
heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” 14 Each of the cherubim had four
faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human
being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15 Then
the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by
the Kebar River.
F.
However these
“living creatures” worship.
Revelation 4:9 9Whenever the living creatures give
glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever
and ever,
G.
AND, they
worship alongside the 24 Elders, celebrating the fact that they have been
REDEEMED! ONLY humans can be redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Thus there are
a couple ways to look at this.
1.
Could these be
humans?
Revelation 5:8-10 8And when he had taken the book,
the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having
every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers
of saints. 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to
take the book, and to open the seals thereof: FOR THOU WAST SLAIN, AND HAST
REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and
we shall reign on the earth.
2.
This would fit
Paul’s description of the Third Heaven; where he refers to things unlawful to
utter.
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 1I must go on boasting. Although
there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the
LORD. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up
to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-God
knows. 3And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from
the body I do not know, but God knows- 4was caught up to paradise
and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
3.
Or where he said
where we do not understand everything.
1 Corinthians 13:12 12For now we see only a reflection
as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I
shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
4.
Or where John
said we will not know everything until in the future.
1 John 3:2
2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has
not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like
him, for we shall see him as he is.
5.
Or where he had
to just tell Daniel that the things he did not understand were sealed.
Daniel 12:8-9 8I heard, but I did not understand.
So I asked, "My LORD, what will the outcome of all this be?" 9He
replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed
until the time of the end.
6.
Or where Jesus
said that there is more to say and we cannot bear it.
John 16:12 12"I have much more to say to
you, more than you can now bear.
7.
Or as some
translations show; the 24 Elders and Living Creatures are supernatural beings
and just thanking God for OUR redemption. Either way you interpret it, we
will understand it fully when we get there. Let’s strive to get there!
Revelation 5:8-10 8And when he had taken it, the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one
had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of God’s people. 9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are
worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and
with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and
people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests
to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
III.
THE BOOK FOUND
IN REVELATION 5.
Revelation 5:1-7 1Then I saw in the right hand of
him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with
seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But
no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even
look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was
worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders
said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." 6Then
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the
throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into
all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of
him who sat on the throne.
A.
Jesus is the
Lamb! The
lamb was an animal that was sacred in ancient Egypt. God updated the lamb to be
a sacred animal for the Israelites during the Passover. A lamb is meek and
humble. This is how Jesus had to be when He gave His life for us. The Glorified
Christ introduces the prophecies to John in Revelation 1. Here he is depicted
as a slain Lamb; who through His work of atonement is able to open the book in
God’s hand.
1.
Seven horns. Omnipotent.
2.
Seven eyes. Omniscience.
B.
The entire book
of Revelation is a prophecy, revealing what will happen in the last days.
Revelation 1:1 1The revelation from Jesus Christ,
which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it
known by sending his angel to his servant John,
C.
Prophecy has
been described as a book (or scroll) in Scripture.
Ezekiel 3:1-5 1And he said to me, "Son of
man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people
of Israel." 2So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to
eat. 3Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am
giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as
sweet as honey in my mouth. 4He then said to me: "Son of man,
go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. 5You are
not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the
people of Israel-
D.
The book was the
Revelation of all the things which are to come to pass. Only Jesus the Lamb of
God is worthy to open the book.
Revelation 22:18-19 18I warn everyone who hears the
words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will
add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19And if
anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from
that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are
described in this scroll.
IV.
CONCLUSION. Jesus is coming back. When the seals of
the book are opened all havoc will break out on the Earth. Don’t get left
behind! Receive Christ today as Lord and Savior.
A.
PRAYER
FOR SALVATION FOR YOU TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST; THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.[1]
As we close, if you have not received this Jesus pray this simple
prayer:
"Father, I know that I have
sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in
Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when
He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender
my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift
of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus'
name, Amen."
[1] http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/How+to+Become+a+Christian/. (Accessed, March 2, 2011).
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