PART SECOND: VISIONS Revelation 4:1 to 5:14 SECTION ONE: GOD SEEN IN HEAVEN Revelation 4:1-11 1. THE OF GOD UPON HIS THRONE Revelation 4:1-3 1 After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven,---"After these things" means after the things mentioned in the preceding chapters--the initial vision and the reception of seven letters. The words "I saw, and behold" introduce a new vision that was opening to John, which is fully described in the two chapters of this part of the book. The brief vision of 1:10-19 represents Christ as standing by John; in this the scene is transferred to heaven and John is permitted to view it through the door opened for that purpose. This is similar to the words of Ezekiel, "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God." (Ezekiel 1:1.) Just how John was enabled to see things in heaven is not explained, but we know it was by the exercise of miraculous power in some way. and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.--Some commentators understand that the "first voice that I heard" refers to the same voice mentioned in 1:10 that spake to John first. Others think it means that the first sound or speaking that he heard was a voice saying, "Come up hither." The latter seems the more natural view. The essential point, however, is what the voice said. The promise to show what "must come to pass hereafter" is unmistakable proof that the things to be shown in the visions to follow would be events that would take place after the time the voice was speaking them. No other meaning for these words is possible. Some scholars join the word "hereafter" with the next verse, the meaning, as they view it, being that after the voice said "Come up hither" he was straightway in the Spirit. This would not change the meaning of verse 1; for things which "must come to pass" refer to things in the future. 2 Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;--Seeing the open door in heaven and hearing the voice, mentioned in verse 1, implies some degree of spiritual exaltation for John, but being "in the Spirit," as expressed here, probably means that he was given such measure of spiritual enduement that he could fully see and describe the visions that passed before him. This is clear from the command to come up hither and he would be shown certain things that must come to pass. He was so deeply absorbed that the things before his mind appeared as if material objects. Such miraculous experiences are inexplicable to man; they are accepted as true by faith. Heaven is represented as a great room into which John looked through the open door. He saw a throne upon which a glorious being was sitting. Though not named, the description unquestionably refers to God. 3 and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.--It is worthy of note that no personal description of God is attempted here or elsewhere by divine writers. No suggestion is given that might lead to images or idolatrous practices. The stones mentioned and the rainbow that circled about the throne were doubtless meant to show the divine majesty and royalty of God as the supreme Ruler of the universe. From such a description no one could make an image, yet the glorious splendor of God in heaven could be presented most impressively. Speculating as to what is signified by the stones mentioned is probably time wasted. The entire scene presents the indescribable majesty of God; nothing more was necessary in showing his position and power.