Day 242, Revelation 4
At the end of chapter three, the rich, neglectful Laodiceans were given an invitation: “I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice, and you open the door (of your heart), I will come to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.” They had so much (by their own estimation) yet had no commendation from Jesus because, in reality, they had so little. His desire for them, and for all believers, is a feast of His presence, IF we will open the door.
Then, at once, the scene changes and, with dramatic repetition, John sees a door open in heaven!
What we have read so far is stunning: a vivid unveiling of Jesus, rooted in centuries of scripture, in chapter 1, then seven letters to John’s churches with unique elements to affirm and/or correct each one. But now the revelation or unveiling (apokalypsis) truly begins. Everything from this point forward is unveiling Jesus: victorious, faithful, obedient, persistent, sacrificial, servant-hearted, triumphant.
Remember that this book is Scripture completed: don’t read this aside from the other 65 books (even though this differs fundamentally in style and purpose from many of the others). As we read, we are reminded to approach this book as a summation, the completion and fulfillment of scripture, not an added extra with fresh information. The purpose of prophecy is forth-telling, not foretelling. This is an unveiling of Christ, not a manual of future world events. Reading Revelation as an expositional exercise to discover historical certainties is an error of apocalyptic proportions!
Rather than the forensic, gnostic approach of discovering fresh truth in this book, let’s instead discover fresh passion and life for the truth we already know from the Old Testament and the New. The Revelation is full of patterns of seven, each revealing something of Jesus, and we have already seen the first seven – the churches and their current state, plus their future potential. Now, in chapters 4 and 5, John is shown heaven as it is now, in preparation for the next pattern of seven: the seven seals.
John is shown worship in heaven around a throne: God’s council chamber, a reflection of earlier glimpses in 1 Kings 22 and Ezekiel 1. The rainbow takes us back to Genesis 9 after Noah’s flood. There are 24 elders (the twelve tribal patriarchs and the twelve apostles of the Church) signifying the unity and completion of God’s plan, contrasting with the current human reality of the Christians being persecuted by those who called themselves Jews, but refused to acknowledge their Messiah. There is much sensory activity in this scene, calling for us to be fully engaged with all our senses. God intends to be central and incomparable.
And the second half of the chapter describes the worship in more detail. There are four living creatures in view, and early traditions identified them with the four gospels: Matthew the Lion (King), Mark the Ox (sacrificial servant), Luke the Human (Son of Man) and John the Eagle (divine wisdom). All four creatures are seen to be “eyes wide open” ready to do God’s bidding as they worship. And then the first song of Revelation is heard: Holy, holy, holy! Almighty! The Was, The Is and The Coming! And as often happens in true worship, the first song sparks a second in response: the elders sing “You are worthy to receive glory, honor and power for you created all things and they exist for your pleasure.” Let’s pause to worship with them today!
Have a great day!
Mark.