John(On Patmos) Is SUMMONED up to Heaven with a Voice of a TRUMPET

UNLOCKING THE LAST DAYS
Jeff Lasseigne / HANDOUT
Session 7 -Revelation 4: Casting Crowns? /
TOPIC / INFORMATION
GOD’S SUMMONS
4:1 / GOING TO HEAVEN – WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but FELLOW CITIZENS with God’s people and also members of his household,” Ephesians 2:19 NIV
“But our CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” Philippians 3:20 NIV
How many times do we read about the Church from this point onward?

None.

Why does Jeff consider that v1 refers to the RAPTURE Prior to the Tribulation Period?

John(On Patmos) is SUMMONED UP to Heaven with a voice of a TRUMPET,
Believer’s to be kept from the “Hour of Trial”,
Jesus said, “After these things”, which were the 7 churches (2-3),also a Panoramic History of Church Age. So, after the Church Age, John, representing the Church, goes up.
DOOR in Heaven – Jesus referred to himself as, “the Door”– John 10:9,
Voice like a TRUMPET - See the Rapture passage:1 Thessalonians 4:16,
Following this chapter,the TRIBULATION PERIOD (7 years) is described.

“I am the gate [Door]; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”John 10:9 NIV [clarity added]
DOOR = Gkθύρα (thyra) Used in John 10:9 and Rev 4:1.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”1Thessalonians 4:16 NIV
TRUMPET = Gkσάλπιγγος (salpingos)Rev 4:1 – a Trumpet; σάλπιγγι (salpingi)1Thes 4:16 – the Trumpet.
What are the 3 Doors that are mentioned in Revelation?

Rev 3:8 (Philadelphia) – An OPEN Door (The Gospel & Evangelism),
Rev 3:20 (Laodicea) – The Door of REPENTANCE and RESPONSE,
Rev 4:1 – Leads into HEAVEN & the THRONE-ROOM of God.

Where do we see HEAVEN OPENED up in Revelation?

Rev 4:1 –PRE, or PRIOR to the Tribulation Period,
Rev 11:19 – MID-point of the Tribulation,
Rev 19:11 – POST Tribulation, Jesus’ Return to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

What do know about HEAVEN?

700 references to Heaven in the Bible – 278 in the New Testament,
Limited actual information; A lot we don’t know, but wish too,
2 reliable witnesses, in the Bible, who visitedHeaven(bodily, or in spirit):
Paul – 2 Corinthians 12 – Not allowed to share what he saw and heard.
John – Revelation 4 – Told to write what he saw and heard.

What did Paul mean about the 3rd HEAVEN?

1st Heaven = The atmosphere – The sky, the birds the weather Isaiah 55:10,
2nd Heaven = Outer Space, Universe, where the Sun, Moon and stars are Psalm 8:3,
3rd Heaven = God’s dwelling place, the Throne, presence, mercy and blessing Matthew 6:9,
Whilst Man has experienced the 1st two, it is only via Jesus that we can experience the 3rd.

“I 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. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
GOD’S THRONE
4:2 / What is the CENTRAL THEME of Chapter 4 (v2)?

The PRESENCE OF GOD in Heaven rather than the Throne – Without God, the Throne would be meaningless,
Without God, it would be Hell – Eternal separation from God.

“They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV
What will sustain you through all your Trials on the Earth?

Know that God is on His Throne. In control of our life and circumstance,
It doesn’t matter what you are going through, God is in control,
God is the creator and the source and Sustainerof everything,
The Theory of Evolution cannot counter the Devine control and makeup of the Universe.

GOD’S GLORY
4:3-5 / What does GOD LOOK LIKE (v3)?

JASPER–mostly opaque deep red. Colour: from clear to any, “God’s chemistry set”,
SARDIUS STONE – mostly opaque, blood red, some interpret as Ruby or red carnelian,
Rainbow of EMERALD - mostly Green, but can also be red.

Were any of THESE STONES included in the Jewish High Priest BREASTPLATE?

Yes, all of them – some versions call the stones by alternate names. See Exodus 28:17-20,
Sardius Stone (Ruby, Carnelian)– FIRST,
Jasper – LAST,
Emerald – LAST of the SECOND ROW,
The Breastplate: (1 for each tribe) is so that God’s people are close to God’s Heart.

What was the significance of the RAINBOW (v3)?

The rainbow is mentioned in both Genesis and Revelation,
GENESIS - Noahic Covenant –Promise that God would not destroy the world with a flood,
REVELATION –God’s Promise fulfilled that His people are safely in Heaven (Perhaps).

Who are the 24 ELDERS (Angels or People?)(v4)?

ANGELS?
Not seen on or promised aTHRONE,
There is no plan of salvation for fallen angelsHebrews 2:16-17:
Angels created to be holy,
Had been in God’s presence,
Saw Heaven and God in His pure righteousness, but chose to follow Lucifer (Satan),
God created Man in His image and we have not had their experience.
The job of Angels is as ministering spirits to believers(Hebrews 1:14),
They faithfully obey the Lord without question,
ELDERS (PRESBYTEROUS):Always used of men, not Angels (Luke 7:3, Titus 1:5),
CROWNS of gold, not promised to Angels, but to believers (See 7 Churches),
PEOPLE: But Which?
12 TRIBES of Israel (Numbers 13:1-13 +Levi),
12 APOSTLES (Mark 3:13 - Judas replaced by Matthias- Acts 1:12-26),
Old/New Testament Saints –OT Saints:from Hades to Heaven(Ephesians 4:9 & 1Peter 3:19-20),
HEAVENLY CITY – 12 gates (12 Tribes) & 12 Foundation Stones (12 Apostles) (21).

“For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:16-17 NIV
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”Hebrews 1:14 NIV
ELDERS = GkΠρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous).
What does the LIGHTENING & THUNDER Represent (v5)?

Warning of Judgement coming from the Throne of God.

What are the 7 LAMPS Before the Throne (v5)?

The seven-fold appearance of the HOLY SPIRIT of God. (Revelation 1 & Isaiah 11).

What is the SEA OF GLASS before the Throne (v6)?

There is no sea, or ocean in Heaven.It’s a metaphor (Revelation 21).
Possibly Holiness(Exodus 3:5; 24:9-10).

“Do not come any closer,”God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”Exodus 3:5 NIV
“… elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.”Exodus 24:9-10 NIV
Who were the 4 LIVING CREATURES before the Throne (v6)?

They are a higher order of Angel in the Bible:
Cherubim –4 wings and 4 faces (as per Rev 4) (Ezekiel 10, Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:17-22),
Seraphim – 6 wings covering face and feet (as per Rev 4) (Isaiah 6),
Arch-Angels - Great Princes (Jude 9; Daniel10:21; 1Thessalonians 4:16).

“These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim. 21 Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands. 22 Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. Each one went straight ahead.”Ezekiel 10:20 NIV
“… I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above 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. 3 And they were calling to one another:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.””Isaiah6:1-3 NIV
GOD’S CHOIR
4:3-5 / The 4 Living Creature sound a bit grotesque with all the eyes etc.(v6)?

They are probably very beautiful as they reflect the beauty of God.

What is the one word that sums up the essence of God (v8)?

Holy.

How do we see the seriousness of worship in Heaven (v9-10)?

Non-stop, day and night, all creation in heaven.

Do you take it as serious?
What relationship didIrenaeus (2nd century) draw: Jesus and the 4 living creatures (v7)?

LION – Matthew: LION of the tribe of Judah,
CALF – Mark: SERVANTHOOD of Christ(Calf represents service),
HUMAN – Luke: the HUMANITY of Christ,
EAGLE – John: the DEITY of Christ.

How do we see the seriousness of worship in Heaven here (v8 & 11)?

Non-stop, day and night, all creation in heaven.

What were we created by God for?

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God – when we PRAY we are fulfilling our purpose,
To WORSHIP Him – when we WORSHIP we are fulfilling our purpose,
WORSHIP is also the priority in Heaven.

What should we do when we get into difficulties, decision and disappointment?

Get into the WORD (Daily),
PRAY – take it to the Lord and depend upon Him,
WORSHIP the Lord – We often neglect this.