THE BOOK OF REVELATION

INTRODUCTION - Last week, in our introduction to Revelation 4 and 5, we showed how these chapters were of extreme importance to John's readers and to the church today. In both the past and present, the church undergoes great conflict whether through persecution from outside, or spiritual decay from within. Often the people of God become discouraged and wonder how the church will ever be a force of victory and triumph in this world. Many have taken the notion that we should just "hang on" till Christ comes again. Yet John prevents this sort of notion by presenting to us a glorious picture of the church in her true, spiritual worship. We are not to see ourselves as a defeated people, rather, we are kings and priests, seated in heavenly places before the throne of God. This vision shows the true nature and standing of the church in this world. The people of God are to remember this and therefore act in a way which resembles their victorious position in Christ. This morning we shall turn to the pictures found in Revelation 4, and see them to be the true spiritual characteristics of worship to be found in the church of Jesus Christ. (If you note the attached diagram, this will help you to keep all of the elements of Revelation 4 clearly in your mind).

1) UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF REVELATION 4 AND 5 FOR THE EARLY CHURCH AND FOR OURSELVES - This is obviously a scene of worship as both cherubim and elders give their praises and adoration before the throne of God. Yet something should strike us as we read the various pictures in this chapter. There is a throne, a radiance of jewels, a sea of glass, cherubim, elders at worship, candlesticks, and later, in Chapter 5, the Lamb. Do we not realize that this is an incredible parallel to the Temple found in the Old Testament? There we see the ark of the covenant (the throne of God), the holy of holies, golden angels bent over the ark, cherubim decorated everywhere, the bronze sea and the candlesticks, the priests are ministering and the lamb is offered on the altar. The similarities cannot be missed. Yet we must realize that John's vision is true spiritual worship, while the Old Testament is but a picture of that true spiritual worship to come.

The reason why this vision of Revelation is so important is because when the book of Revelation was being written, the Temple and the city of Jerusalem were still standing. Worship was still being carried out at the Old Testament Temple. Yet all of that was going to change. A terrible judgment of God would soon fall upon the Jews because of their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The city and temple would be destroyed and the kingdom would be taken away from the Jews (Matthew 24:2; 23:38; 21:43). In 70 AD all of this would take place as the Romans entered Jerusalem and destroyed everything. Both Temple and City, according to the judgment of God, was demolished. The Christians of John's day would see all of this happen. Yet, if the Temple were destroyed, where would God be worshipped? Where is His throne and temple? If not Jerusalem, where would the Lord be glorified? Christ stated to the Samaritan woman in John 4 that God would not be worshipped in Samaria or Jerusalem. "True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:21-23). This is why Revelation 4 and 5 are so important to the Christians living in John's day and in our own day. John shows us the spiritual world, the place where God is now to be worshipped. Men are no longer bound by buildings and cities. True worship is spiritual, entering the sanctuary of God in heaven, praising God as kings and priests on heavenly thrones, falling before Him in adoration with all the angels and saints.

Therefore, as we approach Revelation 4 and 5, we should see these chapters as describing "worship in spirit and truth." These chapters point out to us the true elements of spiritual worship and show us how we are to see ourselves as we come together to worship as the church of Jesus Christ.

2) HOW ARE WE TO THINK OF OUR WORSHIP IN SPIRITUAL TERMS?

A) TRUE SPIRITUAL WORSHIP CENTERS UPON THE THRONE OF GOD - Revelation 4:2,3,5 - The focal point of spiritual worship is naturally, the throne of God. When we come together as a church, we enter the sanctuary of God. He is here, seated on His glorious throne. The throne represents His majesty, supremacy, sovereignty, dominion and rule. Therefore, let us beware that our worship is not frivolous and vain. Remember that we sing, pray, read and listen before the very throne of God. John endeavors to describe God, but all he can do is describe light (jasper, sardius, emerald rainbow). He is describing the glory of God, the Lord radiating with His holy glory (I Timothy 6:16). From the throne come lightnings, thunderings, and voices - it is a fearsome place! A picture reminiscent of God at Mount Sinai, but here, believers are called to approach and worship. This is where true spiritual worship begins - at the throne of God. It is the core, the center of all our worship and praise. There are two other elements mentioned in close proximity to the throne. The "seven Spirits of God" or the Holy Spirit in all of His manifestations and works, as we have seen already in Revelation 1. Certainly we must have the Holy Spirit in order to worship. He teaches us how to worship. He sanctifies our songs and prayers. Thus, He is present at the throne. Then, there is the "sea of glass." This most probably refers back to the Old Testament "sea" in the Temple which was used by the priests for washing (II Chronicles 4:6). If it does parallel the Old Testament image, then here in the throne room of God it would represent our cleansing before the Lord. The worshippers of God must be pure and clean. Perhaps this is the meaning of the sea of glass, but we can do no more than speculate beyond this.

B) TRUE SPIRITUAL WORSHIP INVOLVES THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES AROUND THE THRONE - Revelation 4:6-8 - Who are these strange creatures? They have appeared before in Scripture. Ezekiel has a vision very similar to John's (Ezekiel 1 and 10), and he calls these creatures "Cherubim." They are a high order of angels, associated with the throne of God. In Ezekiel they support the throne of God. In Psalm 18:10 we are told that God rides upon a cherub. In Paradise, the Cherubim were called upon to guard the way to the tree of life after the fall of man. Yet here in Revelation 4 they are involved in the worship of God and they invite humans into that worship through their own adoration. We are shown these creatures because they become a great example for ourselves as we approach the Lord. The song of the Cherubim teaches us that God is worshipped as the triune God ("Holy, holy, holy") and that His holiness is to be honored. God is the Lord Almighty and His sovereignty and power are to be worshipped. He is also the eternal God, the Lord of all time. Thus, as we enter into worship, the Cherubim join us, praising God with us and leading us into worship by their own holy example.

C) TRUE SPIRITUAL WORSHIP PROCEEDS FROM THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS SEATED ON THEIR THRONES - Revelation 4:4, 9-11 - Though the throne of God is central to all worship, here we find twenty-four thrones surrounding the Lord. Who are these elders? Who do they represent? Revelation 5:8-10 gives us the answer as these elders sing a song to Christ. The elders reveal themselves to be all of the redeemed of the Lord, those who are kings and priests to God. Obviously, according to their song, this is the church, the people of God from both Old and New Testaments, represented by twenty-four elders - the twelve tribes of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New Testament. (For a similar parallel between the twelve tribes, twelve apostles, and the bride of Christ, see Revelation 21:12-14). Let us realize that we are to see ourselves as the elders in Revelation 4. In our worship, we are seated on thrones, kings and priests to our God, seated in heavenly places, ruling and reigning with Christ. This is our spiritual reality! Also, we are clothed in white robes, which is the righteousness of Christ (Revelation 3:4). We must be clean if we are going to stand before God and only the holiness of Christ can make us acceptable in such worship. Finally, we wear crowns of gold upon our heads, referring to our position as kings in the kingdom. God has raised us up to such an undeserved position! Our worship is seen in Revelation 4:9-11 - as the Cherubim lead us in praise, so we fall down before the Lord in submission and adoration. Our crowns are given to Him, for all things are from Him, and everything leads back to Him. God is praised by the church as the only One to receive glory, honor and power. This is the true spiritual worship of the church and this is how we should view ourselves each Sunday as we gather with all the angels and saints to worship God before His throne.