A. Appearance of the One on the throne. 4:1-5 V.1 a) The door in heaven - Call I. 5 times the sentence “ after this” occurs in Revelation. 4:1; 7:1, 9; 18:12; 19:1 II. 2 times the heaven opens in Revelation Ch.4-19. 1. Voice Calls to come up. 4:1 Perhaps referring to the Rapture. 2. Victor Crowned comes down. 19:11-16 Referring to the 2nd coming. III. The voice of Jesus is like a trumpets voice: A. Perhaps a hint of the Rapture Ps.27:5; Isaiah 26:19-21; Zeph.2:3; 1.Cor.15:50-52; 1.Thess.4:16-17 1. Between chapter 3 and 4 Rapture takes place, for it happens before the outpouring of God’ s wrath. 1.Thes.1:10; 5:3, 9; Luke 21:36; Rev.3:10-11 2. The Church is not mentioned from chapter 4 until 19:7 and there the Church is called wife, this suggest the Church is no longer on earth during the great tribulation. B. Because of the beginning of the fulfilment of the Feast of Trumpets. Feast of Trumpets. 1:10; 4:1; 8:2; Lev.23:23-25 The call to prepare the people for the Cleansing of the Day of Atonement and the Day of tabernacles. In Revelation we see God announcing the Lord’ s Coming to cleanse and to dwell among man. C. Perhaps just to get his attention. IV. Revelation is the only book with a DIVINE OUTLINE, the key to the book lies at the front door. Rev.1:8, 19 A. The things which you have seen. (Past tense) Ch.1 B. The things which are. (Present tense) Ch.2-3 C. The things which will take place after this. (Future tense) Ch.4-22 V. Prophetic experiences can be a “ Come up here” calling, a trance like experience. V.2 b) The throne in heaven - Capture I. Ezekiel had a similar prophetic experience as John. Ezek.3:12, 14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 37:1; 43:5 II. This throne is the centre of the universe, as the Ark of the Covenant especially the mercy seat (Throne) was the centre of Israel. III. Throne zone of God. 1. 7 Spirits before the throne, appearing as lamps. 1:4; 4:5 2. Overcomers can sit on His throne. 3:21 3. One sit on the throne. 4:2 4. The throne is in heaven. 4:2 5. Rainbow around the throne. 4:3 6. 24 elders surround the throne. 4:4 7. Voices, lightning’ s and thunders proceeds from the throne. 4:5 8. Sea of glass before the throne. 4:6 9. Living creatures surrounds the throne. 4:6 10. Worship before the throne. 4:9-10; 5:1, 6-7, 11, 13; 7:9-17; 14:3, 5; 19:4 11. The great multitude stands before the throne. 7:9-17 12. The golden altar before the throne. 8:3 13. The 144.000 before the throne. 14:3, 5 14. Great voice comes from the throne. 16:7; 19:5; 21:5 15. There is a great white throne of judgment. 20:11 16. The river of life proceeds from the throne. 22:1-3 IV. Plurality of thrones of God: 1. Throne of judgment. Psalms 9:7; 89:14 2. Throne of heaven. Psalm. 11:4; 103:10 3. Throne of eternity. Psalms 45.6 4. Throne of holiness. Psalms 47:8 5. Throne of righteousness. Psalms 97:2 6. Throne of glory. Matt.25:31 7. Throne of grace. Heb.4:16 8. Throne of God and the lamb. Rev.22:1-3 V. The Father is the One that sits on the throne. 5:1 VI. Throne occurs 60 times in the New Testament and 45 times of these occurs in Revelation 75%. VII. Scriptural references to the throne of God. 1.Kings 22:19; Ps.11:4; 47:8; Isaiah 6:1; Ezek.1:26; Dan.7:9 VIII. This prophetic experience happened immediately “ In a twinkle of an eye” 1.Cor.15:50 V.3 c) The One in heaven - Centre I. The appearance of God is like a great colourful firework - Colours, lighting and thunders. II. The colour where like jasper (Crystal clear Rev.21:11 - Diamond like) and sardius (Blood red). A. Jasper was the last stone on the breastplate of the high priest Ex:28:20 and it represented the last born son Benjamin, whose name means “ The son of my right hand.” Gen.49:27 B. Sardius was the first stone on the breastplate of the high priest Ex:28:17 and it represented the firstborn son Reuben, whose name means “ Behold a son.” Gen.49:3 III. The high priest had 12 stones on his breastplate. Ex.28:15-21; Rev.21:11 IV. The rainbow is a sign of the covenant God made with man. Gen.9:8-17 A rainbow usually appears after a storm, but here we see it before the storm. Ezek.1:27-28 V. The rainbows colour was as an emerald (Green); Covenant relationship with earth. VI. Old Testament appearances of the glory of God. Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezek. Ch.1; Dan.7:9-14; Hab.3:3-6 V.4 d) The elders in heaven - Crowned I. The throne of God is surrounded by 24 thrones. II. 24 elders sits on these thrones, elders are representative of all the redeemed of the human race. 5:8-10 III. Elders in the New Testament are authoritative ministries of a church. Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:6; 20:17, 28; 1.Tim.3:1-7; 5:17, 19; Tit.1:5; James 5:14; 1.Peter 5:1, 5 IV. The elders are in the council of God, not to counsel Him but to receive counsel. V. The high priest wore white linen and a turban, these elders also wore white linen and crowns. Ex.28:31-42; Psalms 21:3 VI. The 24 course of priestly ministry: A. In Israel the priests had a 24-hour cycle in the priestly ministry, 1.Chron.24:3-19 B. In Jesus day Israel had about 8000 priests that shared 24 courses a day, one priest ministered one hour. C. In Revelation we see 24 elders, either there are only 24 elders or there are a group of elders that shift, each in their course. VII. The elders represent the Church for they sing the song of the redeemed. 5:9-10 VIII. The elders are not angels for nowhere in Scripture are angels wearing or promised crowns. IX. 12 is the number of earthly government and 24 the number of heavenly government. V.5 e) The Spirit in heaven - Cosmic power I. This is the power core; it’ s the centre of the whole universe. Heb.1:3 Ex.19:16 II. The lighting that gives light to the universe proceeds from this place. The thundering that gives power to the universe proceeds from this place. The voice that upholds all things in the universe proceeds from this place. III. The 4 major references to lightning, thundering, earthquakes and voices occur during the release of the 7th. 1. At the taking of the 7th sealed book. 4:5-5:7 2. At the opening of the 7th seal. 8:5 3. At the sounding of the 7th trumpet. 11:15-19 4. At the pouring of the 7th bowl. 16:17-21 IV. The Holy Spirit is before the throne because: A. He is never described to be on the throne in Scripture. B. He is about to purify the earth by judgment. V. He is like 7 lamps burning. Zech.4:2 A. He is the oil (Anointing) and light of God. B. 7 are the number of completeness in Scripture. C. Isaiah speaks of the 7-fold work of the Spirit. Isaiah 11:2 D. These 7 lamps are perhaps also the 7 horns and eyes sent in to all the earth. 5:6 E. The lamps perhaps refer to the burning judgment against sin and evil. Jud.7:16, 20; Isaiah 4:4; Nah.2:3-4