Revelation 4:1-6a: The One Who Sits on the Throne
Revelation 4:1-6a
1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
For the next few posts, I am going to be spending some time in Revelation 4-5. While we are in turmoil down here on earth (not just during COVID-19, but always), I am hoping to help us lift our spiritual gaze to see a reality that sits above our earthly senses. The Church has always needed this reality placed before her. It’s what John needed in his day. It is what we need today.
You will remember that John has been exiled on the island Patmos, and depending on how you date the book of Revelation, the Church is under some form of persecution, especially from Rome (probably Nero). Life is chaotic. But John receives a vision of something that should give perspective to his earthly existence. It is this heavenly perspective that should shape everything about us.
Today, we are simply going to look at the beginning of this heavenly perspective found in Rev 4:1-6a. In the first three chapters, John has been given letters to seven churches from Christ. Now, in chapter four, John receives a call from Jesus into the heavenly throne room to bear witness to what he will do. When John is “in the Spirit” (v 2), he is given a picture of another reality that overwhelms anyone who reads it. Since it is such a stunning scene, and we could easily get lost in all the detail, I am only going to focus on three aspects of the vision. The first is the throne.
In just these few verses, “throne” or “thrones” is used nines times. We can’t miss it! John has been brought into a heavenly throne room scene that is reminiscent of Daniel 7 and Ezekiel 1 (allusions to these passages saturate Rev 4-5). When we think of a throne, we think of a king, someone in a position of authority. This throne room is different, though. This is no earthly throne that represents some control over certain provinces with borders. This throne represents the Throne of all thrones. The King of kings sits upon it and he is sovereign over all of the universe. From this throne comes “rumblings and peels of thunder” (v 5). The one on the throne speaks and does whatever he pleases. This is the throne of the Lord God Almighty.
Why would this be so important for John and his readers? In the coming chapters of the book of Revelation, God will show John what must take place (v 1) between the time of Jesus’ first and second coming. Among these things will include war, famine and pestilence. And, like John, we are to know that though these things must happen, they are not out of the sovereign control of the one who sits on the throne. But to know there is one who sits in control over everything on this earth is not all that we need. What is this one like? Has he revealed himself that we might trust his sovereign rule? Let’s answer that by looking at a second aspect of the vision: the stones.
The stones that show up are jasper, carnelian and emerald (v 3). These stones are expensive and beautiful. Taken together, they are meant to highlight the majesty and glory of the one on the throne (1). Without being too dogmatic about what each stone represents, we will take each of them in turn and see what they might suggest.
The jasper stone is argued by many to be a diamond. Anyone that has ever had to buy a diamond is thrown into a world of seeking the most perfect stone that their money can buy. The cut, color, and clarity are all evaluated to determine its value. The diamond that John is trying to describe is the most beautiful, sparkling cut you can imagine. With regard to color, there is no hint of stain of yellow anywhere. This diamond is pure and perfectly clear. This diamond is flawless. You can’t afford this diamond. There is no chart for it. It is the diamond by which every other diamond is compared. John’s reference to jasper/diamond is often associated with the holiness of God. This brings to mind the voices of the angels in Isaiah 6, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The one upon the throne is perfect and pure in all of who he is and in all that he does.
The carnelian stone, being bloody red, might suggest that “the holy character of God expresses itself in judgments” (2). This would certainly anticipate what is coming in the rest of the book. God pours out his justice and wrath upon a world that has rejected him. He will also bring righteous judgment upon those who have persecuted his people.
Lastly, we have the emerald. Now this stone is a bit different because it is in reference to the appearance of rainbow that encircles the throne. The rainbow immediately brings into view Noah, the flood and God’s covenant. When Noah and his family stepped out of the ark into the new creation created by the flood, the Lord gave them the covenant sign of the rainbow. Among other things, this was to be a reminder of his grace and mercy to them. Combining the color for mercy, green (3), with the rainbow makes it abundantly clear that we are to know that the one upon the throne is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love. He keeps his covenant promises and will usher in the fulness of his New Creation when the time is right.
To put it simply and in summary form: the stones indicated that the one who sits on the throne is holy, just and merciful.
The final aspect of John’s vision we will look at is the sea of glass (v 6a). Like all the other aspects of the vision, no doubt this conveys more than one thing, but let us just pick one. I grew up on a lake, where we skied almost every month of the year. One of the advantages of living on a lake is that you can get out on the water before most, if not all, of the other boats. The best time to ski was in the early morning when everyone else was still sleeping. The water is so calm and peaceful. At times, it could serve as the perfect mirror. There are no disturbances, no waves, not even a ripple. We used to say that it was “like skiing on glass.”
Now in John’s vision, before the throne, is a sea of glass. The sea was often seen as a place of turmoil and difficulty, a place where the enemy thrived and evil emerged. But here, there is calm, ease, and peace. From this angle, the sea of glass expresses the truth that the one on the throne has calmed the chaotic waters of life and defeated the evil powers (4). You can see how this would both be in anticipation of the fullness of the New Heavens and New Earth, but also that this is true because of the one who has already brought peace between God and his people. Of course, that’s the one who called John up for the vision in the first place and he will take center stage in chapter 5.
However, before we get ahead of ourselves, what would these aspects say to John, the people in the first century and to you and me? Something like this: Though you are not free from the difficulties of this life, there is one who sits in control of everything that has happened, is happening now, and will ever happen. He is most beautiful, holy, just, righteous, gracious and merciful. He is the one who keeps his promises and has dealt with the powers of evil and sin that were set to destroy his people.
What comfort and joy this brings to the hearts of God’s people! This is who we worship. This is who we trust. This is who loves us with an ineffable love. For today, let us be lost in wonder at the one upon the throne.
To be continued…
1. See G.K. Beale, NIGTC, The Book of Revelation, 320.
2. See William Hendrikson, More Than Conquerors, 85.
3. See Henry Morris, TNTC Revelation, 89.
4. Beale, Revelation, 328.