The Throne Of God
THE THRONE OF GOD
REVELATION 4:1-8
How should these verses affect our worship?
It is reasonably certain that the vision of God on his throne introduces us to a new chapter of his activity on earth, but our identification of that moment in time will not help us understand the vision better. The once widely held view that “Come up here” (4:1) refers to the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16f.) is based on an inferior text in 5:10, where the KJV has the first person, but ESV and NIV, correctly, the third.
“A throne” (4:2) is the symbol of rule (see also Isaiah 6:1). No more than in Isaiah chapter 6 or Ezekiel 1:26f. is there any attempt to describe God. The transparency (4:3) symbolizes inner purity. Perfection is indicated by the complete rainbow of one color, contrasted with the part rainbow with broken colors we see on earth. “The twenty-four elders” (4:4) are high angelic rulers; we meet this number elsewhere, eg 21:12-14, so they may be the guardians of the true Israel and the church. For the “lightning, voices, thunder” (4:5), see Exodus 20:18; Hebrews 12:18ff. Grace does not abolish law but puts it in its perfect context. “The seven spirits of God”: see 1:4. For “the sea of glass” (4:6), see Ezekiel 1:22-26; Exodus 24:10; it separates the purity of heaven from the sinfulness of earth. It is completely transparent for those who look down from there to us, but it dazzles us, hiding the glory from the eyes of sinful humanity.
The “four living creatures” are the four cherubim of Ezekiel 1:5-10; 10:15. It is immaterial that they are somewhat differently described, for the description is symbolic; see Ezekiel 41:18f., where they have only two faces. They are almost certainly also the seraphim (= the burning ones) of Isaiah 6:2, as is suggested by their song. They are the representatives of God’s earthly creation. The importance God attaches to it—not merely to humanity—is shown by their being the guardians of God’s throne, or, in the symbolism of the mercy seat, his throne itself. All biblical revelation is given to humanity for humanity, so we have God’s estimate of the home he made for humanity. If God became human on earth, how wonderful must humanity and humanity’s home be; if he died for humanity, how fallen must humanity be! Therefore, so that those who receive the revelation should not become proud, the song of the cherubim begins with the declaration of God’s holiness, his separation from sinful humanity.