Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Revelation Study Class 14
The First Vision “in Heaven”: Chapters 4-5
The Throne and its surroundings
The Apocalypse consists of seven pairs of visions. The first of each pair is a Visions “in heaven”; and the second of each pair is a Vision “on earth.” Each vision “ in heaven” is preparatory to the Vision afterwards seen “on earth.” What is seen “on earth” is the carrying out of the Vision previously seen “in heaven.” The one is mutually explanatory of the other. The heavenly Vision explains what is going to take place on earth; and the utterances in each heavenly Vision sets forth the special object of the earthly events which are to follow. The former Vision of each pair is, therefore, the key to the latter.
These divisions are made by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit0 and the divisions, made by man into chapters where they do not agree with the Divine divisions, are only misleading. We shall have to ignore them, except for the purpose of reference.
These heavenly and earthly Visions will form the great chapters or divisions in this part of our study. We will take each of these fourteen Visions in order.
It will be seen that the great subjects of this Vision “in heaven” are: THE THRONE, THE BOOK, and THE LAMB.
That which comes first in the Book gives its significance and importance to the entire Book. It is the key to all that follows, and carries us forward by the Spirit to the future age, the coming “Day of the L-rd.”
The first things seen and the first mentioned in verse 2 is THE THRONE. “Immediately, I became in Spirit, and behold! a throne was set in heaven.” No words could be more important as fixing our minds on the great central and all-governing fact which pervades the Book of this prophecy. It is the day spoken of in Psalms 103:19: “The L-rd hath prepared His throne in the heavens; And His kingdom ruleth over all.” And in Psalms 9 and 10, which treat of the coming great Tribulation as the “times of trouble” (9:9; 10:1), it is declared: The L-rd “hath prepared His throne for judgment.” Keep in mind that we will be judged on our deeds/works according to Revelation 20:12. By default this means that all future sins are not forgiven without true repentance and a spiritual “U-Turn.” There is no once saved always saved condition in the Word of G-d.
And in Psalms 11:4-6 we read: “The L-rd is in his holy temple,
The L-rd’s throne is in heaven:
His eyes behold; His eyelids try the children of men.
The L-rd trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares,
Fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:
This shall be the portion of their cup.”
These three Psalms foretell and refer to the scenes described in more detail in the Apocalypse. Daniel 7:9-10 also speaks of this very moment when he says “I behold till the thrones were set” (not “cast down” as in the KJV, but “placed” as in the NIV)” and the ancient of days did sit… His throne was like the fiery flame and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: THE JUDGEMENT WAS SET, and the books were opened.”
This throne speaks of judgment ; “the throne of grace” is no longer seen. Grace is the character of this present dispensation although this does not mean judgement has been eliminated in the equation for salvation. The scriptures that speak of the dispensation of grace are often erroneously taken to mean there is no need for works; no need for the Mosaic Law, etc. However, this is not the case. Not being under the law but under grace according to Romans 6:14 simply means that observance of the law of G-d alone cannot save us. We must rely on the grace of G-d to given to those who lovingly follow G-d’s commands/instructions/law.
The dispensation of grace tells us that works alone cannot save us; obeying the letter of the law without compassion benefits us not. There is a two-part equation that defines a true believer in the Book of Revelation seven times. For a list of these scriptures, please visit our website at https://www.rabdavis.org. Click the link for “Teachings” and scroll on the menu to the right near the bottom. You will see: The Definition of a True Believer.” Judgement, righteousness, and justice will characterize that which is coming. The bottom line is that we will be judged (Law) for our deeds but also our intent (Grace). Yahshua did not come to this earth to nullify His commands/Law/instructions. He came to show us HOW to live them with compassion/intent. His grace provides the ability for us to be saved along with our loving obedience to His Word.
The heavenly voice announces it: “Just and true are thy ways, thou king of nations” (15:3). “Thy judgments are made manifest” (v.4). “Thou art just who art and who wast the holy One, because thou judegest thus” (16:5; see also verse 7, and 19:2,11). The martyred ones are represented as crying “How long, O Sovereign L-rd, the holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on the dwellers of the earth” (6:10). The reply is not that this cry is out of place, but that it is only premature: they are to wait a little longer. Heaven itself bids all to rejoice at the execution of judgment (18:20; 19:2). “Fear G-d and give glory to him” is the cry that will then go forth, “for the hour of his judgment is come” (14:7). Judgment is also the final vision (20:4); and it is given to the saints who have overcome. Psalm 149:5-9 also tells us of that final scene:
“Let the saints be joyful in glory:
let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of G-d (El) be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen,
And punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written:
This honour have all His saints. Hallelujah.”
The throne, therefore, with which this first Vision “in heaven’ commences, is the great central object. The structure shows this; and other prominent objects, viz. the Book and the Lamb, and their relation to two major subjects, Creation (chap. 4) and Redemption (chap.5).
Before proceeding to the translation, we must expand 4:1-8. Its importance is seen from the minute details which describe the throne:
4:1-8 The Throne
1-3 On it: the Enthroned One
3 Round it: a Rainbow
4 Round it: 24 Thrones
5 Out of it: Lightnings
5 before it: Seven Lamps
6 Before it: a Crystal Sea
6-8 In the midst and round about it: the four Zoa (Cherubim).
4:1 After these things Seven times in this book we have this or a similar expression (4:1; 7:1,9; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1; 20:3). It is clear that what is seen does not necessarily follow immediately. (It is Hebrew idiom. Compare Genesis 22:1).
I looked, and behold a door set open IN HEAVEN There are five openings mentioned in this Book; and, while they do not mark special literary divisions, they are all of the deepest importance and significance. (See 9:19; 15:5; 19:11; 21:1). This first is a “door” opened to admit John. But when the Armies of heaven come forth, John says: “And I saw heaven opened” (19:11), and not merely a door opening. The same happened to Ezekiel 1:1 when he saw “visions of or from G-d.”
And the former voice which I heard (at the beginning, 1:10) was as it were of a trumpet speaking with me (1:10), saying, “Come up hither, and I will show thee what things must come to pass hereafter” There is no need for taking these words differently from 1:1, 19; 22:6; Matt. 24:6; 26:6; Dan. 2:28,29. Meta tauta ) means (literally) after these things, when used in historic narrative; but when used in promise or prophecy the expression means hereafter. See 1:19.
Immediately I came to be in Spirit See chapter 1:10; 17:3 and 21:10. And for the further usage of (en pneumatic) in spirit, see Romans 9:1; 14:17; 15;16; 1 Cor. 12;3,9; 2 Cor. 6;6; 1 Thess. 1:5; Jude 20 and Micah 3;8.
and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne was One sitting Evidently, this is the Father who, henceforth throughout the book is spoken of as “He that sitteth upon the throne.” He is distinguished from the Son in 6:16; 7:10.
And He that sat was, in appearance like to a jasper stone and a sardius; and there was a rainbow wound about the throne, __ like in appearance, to an emerald It cannot be precisely known what is meant by the appearance of these stones, nor can we definitively identify them. But there is no doubt as to the “rainbow.” It speaks of a scene of judgement- not of water, but of fire; and it also tells of hope and deliverance for those concerned in the covenant of which it is the “sign.” The form tells us of the covenant of Genesis 9:8-17 and the color, being the opposite of the color of fire, tells us of mercy in the midst of judgement (Hab.3:3; Ps. 101:1). We may also equate this mercy in the midst of judgement to the consistent presence of judgement which at this current time is in the background with grace brought to the forefront which will assume the opposite positions when all is said and done.
Next time we will continue with our study beginning at Revelation 4:4.
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart