Chapter 5 Johns Description of God’s Throne
It may come as a surprise to some people when they read the literally progression Jesus used to write the Book of Revelation. Jesus used the same literally progression all successful writers use. Jesus first described a scene, then the events that occurred in that scene.
Of course we are supposed to compare the Tabernacle built on this planet to the actual Heavenly Sanctuary containing God’s throne. The Tabernacle consisted of symbols. People have been studying those symbols for generations. So why not study John’s eyewitness account of Heaven?
Revelation 4:3-6 KJV And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (4) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (5) And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (6) And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
What exactly did John see? Were all those gem stones John used to describe God’s throne real, symbols, or both? Writers do one thing with symbols. Writers use symbols to captivate the imagination. Writers also define those symbols. Why look for the definition of a symbol when the author doesn’t provide one? I guess that is human nature.
Some people may say, “John used the best words he could to describe God’s throne.” John didn’t write Revelation, Jesus did. All John did was dictate Jesus’ words. So we have to ask why Jesus used a series of gems to describe His Father’s throne.
In this world gems are a thing of value. But Heaven does not operate on the currency method this world uses. In Heaven, currency is a foreign, unknown subject. So throw out all those man made concepts centered on currency. As a matter of fact, that is what Revelation chapter 4 is trying to convey with this description of God’s throne. We cannot reply on any earthly item, material, concept, idea, or doctrine to describe God’s throne. We have to rely on the Author who just happens to have a seat next to God’s throne. If we turn to any source outside of Jesus, all we are ever going to receive is a false interpretation.
Jesus told John to use gemstones to describe God’s thrown for a reason. Look at the rainbow. What story does that point us to?
Genesis 9:12-16 KJV21 And God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: (13) I do set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. (14) And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud. (15) And I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (16) And the rainbow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.”
That rainbow was a symbol of a reminder. Jesus wants us to see God’s throne has a rainbow around it. A constant reminder of God’s covenant with us. One in a long list of covenants. When we look at the Ark, it is referred to as the Ark of testimony, and the Ark of the covenant. Now that we’ve read the description of God’s throne, we are shown how God has a constant reminder surrounding His throne. But why does God need a reminder? For us that rainbow is a symbol showing us how we need to constantly review all the covenants God made with this world and all its people.
I know a lot of doctrines insist there are old and new covenants and only a select few matter anymore. But who is making those choices? Is there clear evidence in the Bible telling us to ignore some of God’s covenants, and pay attention to others? Or is that claim another man made concept? I think we hit upon another subject to study. So far in our studies we’ve seen how important it is to gather all the facts and read the entire story. We’ve learned how Satan loves to hide the majority of facts found in those stories. Time to cast off those chains and approach God’s throne for answers.
Jesus also described His Father by using gemstones. A jasper and sardine stone. What do those stones mean? A quick glance at a Concordance will tell us, jasper is a gem stone. The base word means to polish. Sardine is also a gemstone with a base word which simply means stone. Put the two base meanings together and we have a new view of God polishing a stone. That takes us to a number of stories. “Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel. (Exodus 28:9 NLTse). Another is found in a previous chapter in Revelation. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 NLTse).
There are of course other stories you can choose from. In the examples I supplied, I showed how the base words for those two stones led us back in Revelation as well as to another story about the Tabernacle. When people say, “the Lord works in mysterious ways,” I wish they would supply examples like this. Every time we turn around, God’s Word is proving it is inspired.
Jesus also described twenty elders wearing crowns. Jesus is not the only one at God’s throne. God has somehow dictated responsibility in Heaven. Doesn’t God do the same thing here on earth? God could show Himself to this world at any moment, answer every question in heartbeat, prove He exists, and send a whole list of false doctrines, ideas, and concepts to the grave. Many people ask why He doesn’t operate that way. Jesus showed us why. It’s God’s policy to dictate responsibilities. He does it in Heaven and earth. Who are we to argue. Jesus described those people as elders. People who learned a lot through experience. When we are on the right tract to God’s throne, we can see those lessons and learning curve in our life. In a sense, those elders are symbols we can understand. But we are only going to understand when we are on the right path and in the proper frame of mind.
What about that lightning and thunder? Is Jesus using that as a symbol to point to Himself or another story?
Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. (John 12:28-31 NLTse).
We will never know what those stories will tell us if we never read them. In John’s Gospel, Jesus talked about the judgment, and thunder. Some people only hear the rumble. Some people hear the message. The evidence given in the Bible is self explanatory.
Then we get to that sea of glass. Why did Jesus use that symbol? I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:2-4 NLTse).
Looking ahead in Revelation, we see how that sea of glass represents the victory God’s saints will secure over Satan and this world. There is no guess work involved when we let the Bible explain itself. Of course we have to examine the context. Since both visions originate in Heaven, we are assured there is a connection.
Of course God’s throne has its seven lamps, which are the seven Spirits of God. Since we know the lamp in the Tabernacle is linked to God’s Word and how it guides us, we now have a link to the Spirit and how He guides us through our studies of scripture.
It’s amazing how a look at a few key words can clear up so many questions. It’s even more amazing how the story identified those symbols. Each may have used a different method, but each had a per-designed method embedded in this story. The methods are rather simple to use and didn’t rely on any input from this world. What we need to remember is, Jesus arranged every word in the Bible. When we see descriptions of Heaven, we are seeing how Jesus views Heaven.