1 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,960 Well, we come this evening to Revelation, Chapter four. 2 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:18,480 And we have said, or as I said just before coming to this, we've 3 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,480 heard the message to the seven churches. 4 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,520 And really, whenever you look at that message and you think of 5 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:28,130 what it said, it was always looking to Jesus to forgive the believers 6 00:00:28,130 --> 00:00:31,890 when they had slipped, but also knowing that Jesus will keep 7 00:00:31,890 --> 00:00:36,210 them as they're faithful to him, and he will sustain them going 8 00:00:36,210 --> 00:00:39,130 through the most troubled moments in their lives. 9 00:00:39,930 --> 00:00:43,610 Now, most sermon series on Revelation stop at this point. 10 00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:47,690 You will be surprised by the number of preachers who will not 11 00:00:47,690 --> 00:00:49,850 go beyond Revelation 3. 12 00:00:49,850 --> 00:00:53,410 And I don't simply mean in this island, I mean right across 13 00:00:53,410 --> 00:00:58,590 the world, because they deem that the remaining 19 chapters are 14 00:00:58,590 --> 00:01:00,590 too difficult to understand. 15 00:01:00,750 --> 00:01:03,190 Well, I encourage you not to think like that. 16 00:01:03,190 --> 00:01:05,070 Revelation is a glorious book. 17 00:01:05,550 --> 00:01:09,510 It's filled with wonderful truths that we must know as we live 18 00:01:09,510 --> 00:01:10,990 in these last days. 19 00:01:11,630 --> 00:01:14,990 We must also understand that Revelation is not a book of sections. 20 00:01:15,550 --> 00:01:18,670 And by this I mean that just because we finish thinking about 21 00:01:18,670 --> 00:01:21,290 the churches, then that's that bit done with. 22 00:01:21,930 --> 00:01:26,570 The message of Revelation flows from these letters to the churches, 23 00:01:27,370 --> 00:01:32,210 from the earth, to a new perspective of what heaven. 24 00:01:32,210 --> 00:01:34,730 Is and what is in it. 25 00:01:35,690 --> 00:01:37,930 And that's all based on what we've heard. 26 00:01:38,330 --> 00:01:41,690 Because when you break down what each has said to the seven churches 27 00:01:41,690 --> 00:01:46,770 and thereby to the Church Universal, you will see it is spreading 28 00:01:46,770 --> 00:01:48,650 wide what the church faces. 29 00:01:49,710 --> 00:01:52,230 And actually, as we go through this series, as much as I encourage 30 00:01:52,230 --> 00:01:56,030 you to read the Book of Revelation, I would always call you 31 00:01:56,030 --> 00:01:59,790 back to what is said in chapters two and three to the seven 32 00:01:59,790 --> 00:02:05,109 churches, because they are the foundation and what they're enduring 33 00:02:05,109 --> 00:02:08,990 and what the church is enduring today for what comes next. 34 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:13,750 So really, these 19 chapters remaining in. 35 00:02:13,750 --> 00:02:20,420 Revelation are hinged on Revelation 2 and Revelation 3, where 36 00:02:20,420 --> 00:02:25,940 the perspective is taken from the earth and it is taken to heaven. 37 00:02:27,140 --> 00:02:28,900 Let me begin by asking you a question. 38 00:02:29,380 --> 00:02:32,420 What is the most impressive thing you have seen? 39 00:02:33,140 --> 00:02:36,580 What have you looked at and just been in complete awe and wonder 40 00:02:36,900 --> 00:02:38,340 of what's in front of you? 41 00:02:38,900 --> 00:02:41,460 It might be that you've gone to some of the greatest cities in 42 00:02:41,460 --> 00:02:44,460 the world and you've been impressed by the buildings that are 43 00:02:44,460 --> 00:02:44,740 there. 44 00:02:45,380 --> 00:02:49,280 They've been magnificent structures that you're just in often, 45 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:50,960 how did they do that? 46 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:55,120 Or it might be in a museum where particularly you see displays 47 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,200 of natural history that just amaze you of the size of animals 48 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:03,400 that we don't get to be beside, or mammals or creatures of 49 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:03,800 the sea. 50 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,120 And we see them there in their bones and we're going, wow, just 51 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,080 how big that is and how good God was in his creation. 52 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:15,640 One of the places that I hope one day will amaze me with its impressive 53 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,780 size and sound is Victor Falls on the border between Zambia and 54 00:03:20,780 --> 00:03:21,380 Zimbabwe. 55 00:03:21,380 --> 00:03:25,140 I've never had the opportunity to visit it, but it is on my bucket 56 00:03:25,140 --> 00:03:25,420 list. 57 00:03:25,980 --> 00:03:29,140 And I've seen photographs just like this one and I've seen videos 58 00:03:29,140 --> 00:03:33,100 of the sheer drop of the falls and the roaring sound and get this, 59 00:03:33,260 --> 00:03:38,980 of the 3,000 cubic meters per second of water that flow over it. 60 00:03:38,980 --> 00:03:41,340 Now, if that means nothing to you, join the club. 61 00:03:41,740 --> 00:03:43,740 But it's an impressive amount of water. 62 00:03:44,980 --> 00:03:51,940 In fact, it was on this date today, the 16th of November, in 1855, 63 00:03:51,940 --> 00:03:57,340 that missionary explorer David Livingstone first discovered these 64 00:03:57,340 --> 00:04:02,180 falls, what locals called smoke that thundered, and named it 65 00:04:02,180 --> 00:04:03,180 after the reigning. 66 00:04:03,180 --> 00:04:05,940 Monarch of the day, Queen Victoria. 67 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:11,210 Now, most of us have never seen this impressive site up front 68 00:04:11,210 --> 00:04:15,330 and up close, nor have we heard the sound of that 3,000 cubic 69 00:04:15,330 --> 00:04:17,290 meters per second of water going over it. 70 00:04:17,290 --> 00:04:21,570 So maybe we need to think of some things that amaze us and cause 71 00:04:21,570 --> 00:04:24,010 us to stand with awe closer to home. 72 00:04:25,210 --> 00:04:29,930 For those looking to the west in the morning, you get to see the 73 00:04:29,930 --> 00:04:33,450 true beauty and awesomeness of the Mourne Mountains every day as 74 00:04:33,450 --> 00:04:38,010 the rising sun quite literally makes those mountains and sing. 75 00:04:38,890 --> 00:04:42,890 For those of us facing east, we see the beauty of that sunrise 76 00:04:42,890 --> 00:04:48,370 each morning as we pull back our curtains and we're in awe at 77 00:04:48,370 --> 00:04:52,330 the goodness and the glory of God, because these are impressive 78 00:04:52,650 --> 00:04:57,290 every time we see them and remind us of the glory of God. 79 00:04:58,570 --> 00:05:01,730 Other than boasting about Jesus Christ, there's only one other 80 00:05:01,730 --> 00:05:05,420 thing I boast about, and that is the minister's room in. 81 00:05:05,420 --> 00:05:11,780 Anna Long, because from it you can see the glory of the Mourn Mountains. 82 00:05:12,420 --> 00:05:14,500 And as I come out to preach. 83 00:05:14,900 --> 00:05:18,420 Morning and evening, well, not this evening, it's too dark. 84 00:05:19,380 --> 00:05:23,580 But it does my heart good to know that the God who created these 85 00:05:23,580 --> 00:05:28,740 mountains is indeed the God who continues to care for us, to 86 00:05:28,740 --> 00:05:32,120 protect us, and to keep us until the end. 87 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:37,720 This is what Revelation 4 is about. 88 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:43,600 Revelation 4 is a curtain being pulled back on the throne room 89 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:48,120 of heaven as we see the Lord seated on his throne. 90 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,760 And John begins by describing it like this in verse one. 91 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:54,880 After this I looked. 92 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:58,480 So after the seven letters to the seven churches have been given 93 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:02,980 to him, he then looks and behold a door standing open in heaven. 94 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:06,980 And the first voice which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet 95 00:06:06,980 --> 00:06:11,220 said, come up here and I will. 96 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:15,220 Show you what must take place after this. 97 00:06:16,580 --> 00:06:22,260 That's a wonderful invitation to be taken up into heaven through 98 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:26,820 that open door to see this curtain revealed. 99 00:06:28,030 --> 00:06:33,030 Well, John is invited to come and see in the words what must take 100 00:06:33,030 --> 00:06:34,830 place in these last days. 101 00:06:35,550 --> 00:06:40,870 And we've been introduced to the open door before, remember, to 102 00:06:40,870 --> 00:06:42,190 the church in Philadelphia. 103 00:06:42,190 --> 00:06:44,910 Jesus says this in Revelation 3, verse 7. 104 00:06:44,910 --> 00:06:47,990 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the words of 105 00:06:47,990 --> 00:06:52,190 the Holy One, the true One, who has the key of David, who opens 106 00:06:52,430 --> 00:06:53,870 and no one will shut. 107 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,040 Who shuts and no one opens. 108 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:02,000 Access to the heavenly realms is held by the risen Lord Jesus. 109 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,880 He opens the door so his people can enter. 110 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,920 And when they do, they are brought into the most marvelous of 111 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:09,520 sights. 112 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:14,240 And as John enters, we are told in verse two, at once, I was 113 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:19,520 in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven with one seated 114 00:07:20,380 --> 00:07:20,860 the throne. 115 00:07:21,740 --> 00:07:25,580 Now, being in the spirit here tells us that John was about to receive 116 00:07:25,820 --> 00:07:31,340 revelation from God as a prophet or as an apostle would. 117 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:35,420 It's a phrase that is familiar in both the Old Testament and in 118 00:07:35,420 --> 00:07:39,300 the Acts, the apostles, that either the prophet or the apostle 119 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:40,620 was in the spirit. 120 00:07:40,860 --> 00:07:44,900 And after that, we read that they received a message from the 121 00:07:44,900 --> 00:07:45,260 Lord. 122 00:07:46,090 --> 00:07:50,050 And so the Spirit here to John is about to disclose to him the things 123 00:07:50,050 --> 00:07:50,530 of God. 124 00:07:50,530 --> 00:07:54,690 And in the midst of everything else that John saw, what stood out 125 00:07:54,690 --> 00:07:57,850 most at the center of everything, because he tells us this 126 00:07:57,850 --> 00:08:00,090 first was a throne. 127 00:08:01,130 --> 00:08:06,890 And not just a throne, but an occupied throne. 128 00:08:06,890 --> 00:08:08,890 There's someone seated in it. 129 00:08:10,250 --> 00:08:12,520 And in the heart of ultimate reality, we. 130 00:08:12,750 --> 00:08:17,710 We see along with John what is most important and what really matters. 131 00:08:18,910 --> 00:08:23,510 And, you know, as we move from the earth into heaven, that's not 132 00:08:23,510 --> 00:08:27,270 a bad way to consider what else we'll read in Revelation over 133 00:08:27,270 --> 00:08:29,790 these next 19 chapters. 134 00:08:30,590 --> 00:08:34,270 Because to see the one sitting on the throne is what really matters, 135 00:08:34,990 --> 00:08:38,430 to know him as the one that whatever we'll face in the next chapters, 136 00:08:38,430 --> 00:08:40,910 he is still the one who is on the throne. 137 00:08:41,070 --> 00:08:44,679 And when someone is on the throne, they are ruling and they 138 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:45,479 are reigning. 139 00:08:45,479 --> 00:08:48,439 So as much as you go back and read the letters to the churches, 140 00:08:49,639 --> 00:08:51,279 don't forget who is the one who. 141 00:08:51,279 --> 00:08:53,239 Has authority over all. 142 00:08:54,279 --> 00:08:56,759 Because what's being communicated here in the knowledge 143 00:08:56,759 --> 00:09:00,118 of those seven churches is we see what the suffering Christians 144 00:09:00,118 --> 00:09:02,519 of John's day needed to see. 145 00:09:03,079 --> 00:09:07,119 We see what struggling believers of every age have needed 146 00:09:07,119 --> 00:09:11,079 to see that God is on the throne of the universe. 147 00:09:11,830 --> 00:09:15,910 Now, remember, as John wrote from Patmos, the Emperor Domitian 148 00:09:15,990 --> 00:09:19,710 sat on the Roman throne, demanding that he be addressed as 149 00:09:19,710 --> 00:09:24,510 Lord and God, which meant that those who called Jesus, Lord and 150 00:09:24,510 --> 00:09:27,429 God were being severely persecuted and were even been put 151 00:09:27,429 --> 00:09:27,910 to death. 152 00:09:29,030 --> 00:09:31,910 The Roman throne was a source of fear. 153 00:09:32,630 --> 00:09:36,790 The Roman throne was a source of anxiety for John's readers. 154 00:09:38,170 --> 00:09:40,570 It was a source of unparalleled suffering. 155 00:09:42,570 --> 00:09:47,290 Looking now at this throne, we are told of one sitting and ruling. 156 00:09:47,530 --> 00:09:51,170 And the description is given to us in verse three, that it had 157 00:09:51,170 --> 00:09:53,450 the appearance of precious jewels. 158 00:09:53,450 --> 00:09:56,890 How different from that Roman throne, because John does. 159 00:09:57,290 --> 00:10:01,530 He describes the throne using imagery and symbolism because no 160 00:10:01,530 --> 00:10:05,850 one can see and nor can anyone describe God as He actually is. 161 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:09,400 For his glory is beyond human capacities. 162 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:14,480 The stones mentioned are Jasper and carnelian and a rainbow, 163 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:15,080 like an emerald. 164 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,120 Now, the rainbow should automatically transport us back to 165 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:23,480 Genesis chapter 9 and should remind us that God uses a rainbow 166 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:27,560 as the sign of his covenant promise to Noah. 167 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,280 And that covenant promise was that he wouldn't destroy the earth 168 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:32,280 by water again. 169 00:10:33,710 --> 00:10:36,870 So to see a rainbow here now in the throne room of heaven, is 170 00:10:36,870 --> 00:10:41,870 to be reminded of God's mercy and judgment, but also of his covenantal 171 00:10:41,870 --> 00:10:43,390 faithfulness to his people. 172 00:10:44,750 --> 00:10:49,830 Now, the stones that we've mentioned, Jasper, carnelian and 173 00:10:49,830 --> 00:10:56,150 emerald, they tell us of the Lord Jesus, beauty of his glory and 174 00:10:56,150 --> 00:10:56,750 his wealth. 175 00:10:57,390 --> 00:11:01,070 And these are stones found in the ephod of the High Priest. 176 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:04,180 They're stones that are found in the Garden of Eden. 177 00:11:04,580 --> 00:11:06,980 And they're stones that we will discover that will be found 178 00:11:06,980 --> 00:11:10,180 in the promised New Jerusalem later in Revelation. 179 00:11:11,140 --> 00:11:14,300 It is the prophet Ezekiel who we have to go back to, who mentions 180 00:11:14,300 --> 00:11:18,500 them first in this way in chapter one, using them to describe 181 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:22,980 the unparalleled and indescribable beauty and glory of 182 00:11:22,980 --> 00:11:23,380 God. 183 00:11:25,620 --> 00:11:27,820 But John just doesn't look at the throne. 184 00:11:27,820 --> 00:11:31,300 His attention is drawn to either side of the throne. 185 00:11:31,620 --> 00:11:36,320 And at either side of the throne he sees 24 other thrones. 186 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:41,600 These thrones are also occupied and have seated on them 187 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,080 24 elders. 188 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,200 Now, each elder is clothed in white garments. 189 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:50,440 And again we were introduced to white garments in the letter to 190 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,080 Laodicea as an image of what repentant sinners remember. 191 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:55,440 Laodicea was neither. 192 00:11:57,040 --> 00:11:58,920 It was a church that needed Jesus. 193 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,960 And so we have an image here of what repentance sinners receive 194 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:06,850 as they come to Christ for sure life in him through faith. 195 00:12:07,570 --> 00:12:11,570 And these elders have golden crowns on their heads. 196 00:12:13,010 --> 00:12:18,610 So as the curtain is rolled back to the glorious hope that eternity 197 00:12:18,610 --> 00:12:18,930 is. 198 00:12:19,410 --> 00:12:22,290 Who are these 24 elders? 199 00:12:23,250 --> 00:12:26,930 Well, it may be that we're meant to think of the 12 patriarchs 200 00:12:27,330 --> 00:12:31,690 plus the 12 apostles, so that they would represent the totality 201 00:12:31,690 --> 00:12:36,050 of redeemed humanity from both the old and the New Covenant communities 202 00:12:36,270 --> 00:12:36,830 of faith. 203 00:12:37,150 --> 00:12:40,670 And what unites them is the source of their garments and the 204 00:12:40,670 --> 00:12:42,110 source of their crowns. 205 00:12:42,510 --> 00:12:46,630 They are all dressed in the righteousness of Christ given to 206 00:12:46,630 --> 00:12:50,190 them when they responded to the Gospel in repentance and faith, 207 00:12:50,190 --> 00:12:54,030 and are wearing the crown that Jesus promised to all who are faithful 208 00:12:54,030 --> 00:12:54,670 unto death. 209 00:12:54,910 --> 00:12:59,390 In Revelation chapter 2 and verse 10, you know they dared not, 210 00:12:59,390 --> 00:13:04,340 in fact they could not enter the presence of God with the filthy 211 00:13:04,340 --> 00:13:06,100 rags of their own righteousness. 212 00:13:06,660 --> 00:13:10,900 They have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and given a robe of 213 00:13:10,900 --> 00:13:12,180 righteousness by him. 214 00:13:12,580 --> 00:13:14,660 And so dressed for Jesus. 215 00:13:14,660 --> 00:13:18,180 And by Jesus they are ruling with Him. 216 00:13:19,380 --> 00:13:22,660 But as John looks at either side of this throne and sees the 217 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:26,700 24 other thrones, the scene shifts for us just a little in verse 218 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:33,990 five, because adding to what John, John sees, he now hears verse 219 00:13:33,990 --> 00:13:38,350 five and the first part of verse six show us that radiating 220 00:13:38,350 --> 00:13:41,950 from the throne of this beautiful, glorious, majestic king 221 00:13:42,590 --> 00:13:45,950 is the sound of his perfect justice. 222 00:13:46,270 --> 00:13:50,190 That's what the peals of thunder are whenever we hear those 223 00:13:50,190 --> 00:13:52,430 in Scripture, it is God's judgment. 224 00:13:53,150 --> 00:13:57,190 And so the seven spirits that are mentioned again, they are the 225 00:13:57,190 --> 00:13:59,350 agents who carry out his decrees. 226 00:13:59,590 --> 00:14:02,150 But with the noise and the power and the authority. 227 00:14:03,270 --> 00:14:06,150 Look at what's going on around the throne in verse six. 228 00:14:07,270 --> 00:14:12,070 And before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like 229 00:14:12,070 --> 00:14:12,710 crystal. 230 00:14:13,990 --> 00:14:17,830 Even though this is the throne of the risen Lord Jesus, where yes, 231 00:14:17,830 --> 00:14:21,070 we see his glory, we see his beauty, we see his majesty, but we 232 00:14:21,070 --> 00:14:25,900 also hear the sound of his perfect justice, there is still yet 233 00:14:26,540 --> 00:14:32,340 a calm restfulness that reflects and reverberates the perfections 234 00:14:32,340 --> 00:14:35,660 of the One seated on the throne throughout. 235 00:14:35,660 --> 00:14:37,260 The entirety of heaven. 236 00:14:38,540 --> 00:14:43,460 This picture of heaven shows us that heaven is not exactly like 237 00:14:43,460 --> 00:14:44,940 many people have pictured it. 238 00:14:45,340 --> 00:14:49,220 It certainly isn't like the way so many people who claim to have 239 00:14:49,220 --> 00:14:52,900 died, visited heaven and come back have described it, because their 240 00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:56,960 descriptions are usually strongly human cent and very short 241 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:57,560 sighted. 242 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,040 But John gives us heaven as it is. 243 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:09,000 This is the heaven of total perfection. 244 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:15,800 And this tells us that we as human beings tend to think of ourselves 245 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:18,120 as the center of everything. 246 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,520 We believe that everything revolves around us. 247 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:28,240 Now I need to burst that bubble and say that this world doesn't 248 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:29,520 revolve around us. 249 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:34,280 All of human history revolves around the one seated on the throne, 250 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:35,920 the risen Lord Jesus. 251 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:40,880 It is to him we are to look, and it is to him that we are to submit, 252 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,400 to know him as the One who calls us to follow Him. 253 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:51,290 So that we too can enter the open door and his and hear his gentle 254 00:15:51,290 --> 00:15:58,090 invitation to come and see and know heaven as our eternal home. 255 00:16:00,330 --> 00:16:03,410 Isn't it wonderful that there is a. 256 00:16:03,410 --> 00:16:07,610 Glorious invitation to come and to see? 257 00:16:08,890 --> 00:16:11,730 But as we know, as we have seen with the seven churches, as 258 00:16:11,730 --> 00:16:13,210 we know is the heart of the gospel. 259 00:16:14,100 --> 00:16:16,260 In our sinful state, we cannot enter. 260 00:16:17,780 --> 00:16:21,300 Yes, the Lord Jesus is the One who has the key of David, who opens 261 00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:22,660 the door and none shall close it. 262 00:16:22,660 --> 00:16:25,140 But he is also the One who can close the door. 263 00:16:25,380 --> 00:16:27,620 Because not everyone may enter in. 264 00:16:28,740 --> 00:16:32,500 It is only those found in Jesus who may enter. 265 00:16:32,500 --> 00:16:35,220 And the problem for us is if we think the world revolves around 266 00:16:35,220 --> 00:16:40,700 us, then we will not enter, because we need to look to the One 267 00:16:40,700 --> 00:16:43,140 who is our Creator and our Sustainer. 268 00:16:43,140 --> 00:16:47,840 We need to look to the One on the throne, for all of the. 269 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:51,440 Universe revolves around Him. 270 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,880 So as we think of who we are as humanity, as we think of our own 271 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,240 lives and what we think of ourselves and how we live and how 272 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:04,400 we work, is life actually more about me? 273 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:09,160 Is life actually more about my voice rather than the voice of the 274 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:10,240 risen Lord Jesus? 275 00:17:12,090 --> 00:17:16,370 Am I living for this world, even though I want to live for the 276 00:17:16,370 --> 00:17:16,690 other one? 277 00:17:16,690 --> 00:17:19,690 But actually, in reality, this world has more of a hold, like many 278 00:17:19,690 --> 00:17:21,450 of the churches that are written to. 279 00:17:22,170 --> 00:17:23,610 The challenge is to repent. 280 00:17:24,650 --> 00:17:29,690 Revive thy work, O Lord, as the hymn that we just sang said, 281 00:17:30,170 --> 00:17:32,570 and make Thy people hear. 282 00:17:34,410 --> 00:17:36,290 You see, this work is still to be done. 283 00:17:36,290 --> 00:17:40,420 If we think that the world revolves around us, then that door 284 00:17:40,420 --> 00:17:42,580 into heaven and that invitation to come and see. 285 00:17:42,580 --> 00:17:43,820 Will not be ours. 286 00:17:44,700 --> 00:17:48,780 We will be turned away and cast into the lake of fire. 287 00:17:50,460 --> 00:17:51,340 Which is it? 288 00:17:52,780 --> 00:17:56,180 If you hold yourself in high regard, well, then you're not holding 289 00:17:56,180 --> 00:18:00,460 the one who sits on the throne in his proper place. 290 00:18:01,740 --> 00:18:05,360 But if we do, then the gates or the door will be open and. 291 00:18:05,360 --> 00:18:07,400 We'Ll have this invitation to enter in. 292 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:12,360 But John tells us of more around the throne, because what John 293 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:17,320 now describes in verses 7 to 11 is a wonderful celebration of 294 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:21,520 worship in heaven, because around the throne are four living 295 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:22,120 creatures. 296 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,240 Now, these creatures are described as having eyes in front 297 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:28,880 and behind, and they have the appearance, or in John's words, they 298 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:34,190 are like or share the likeness of a lion, an ox and an eagle in 299 00:18:34,190 --> 00:18:37,590 flight, and one like the face of a man, or having the face of a 300 00:18:37,590 --> 00:18:37,870 man. 301 00:18:38,190 --> 00:18:41,230 Now, the creatures chosen here are fascinating because we all can 302 00:18:41,230 --> 00:18:42,270 identify with them. 303 00:18:42,750 --> 00:18:45,470 For the lion is, as we say, king of the beasts. 304 00:18:45,790 --> 00:18:48,430 Oxen are the most powerful domesticated animals. 305 00:18:49,070 --> 00:18:51,390 Human beings are the crown of creation. 306 00:18:51,790 --> 00:18:54,350 And eagles are the most majestic of birds. 307 00:18:55,390 --> 00:18:59,110 And so we need to go back into the Old Testament, because John is 308 00:18:59,110 --> 00:19:02,580 drawing on Ezekiel's vision of the cherubim that Ezekiel speaks 309 00:19:02,890 --> 00:19:06,290 off in chapters one and ten, though he doesn't explicitly tell 310 00:19:06,290 --> 00:19:10,010 us at this moment that the four living creatures are the cherubim. 311 00:19:10,010 --> 00:19:14,610 But they do act as both Ezekiel and also Isaiah in Isaiah 312 00:19:14,610 --> 00:19:20,250 6 Tell us of the cherubim and seraphim acting as these creatures 313 00:19:20,250 --> 00:19:20,810 do now. 314 00:19:20,810 --> 00:19:22,810 Because what we read there is. 315 00:19:22,810 --> 00:19:26,130 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are 316 00:19:26,130 --> 00:19:29,200 full of eyes all around and within and day and night. 317 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:34,560 They never cease to say, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, 318 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:35,040 who. 319 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,240 Was and is and is to come. 320 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:44,640 Here we see the reverence that is before the throne of God. 321 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,800 Like in Isaiah, the six wings cover their body. 322 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,240 Isaiah says they cover their faces and their feet. 323 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,950 But here we see them covered because of the awesome holiness of 324 00:19:56,950 --> 00:19:57,350 God. 325 00:19:57,910 --> 00:20:01,710 They fly because they're devoted to God's service, flying 326 00:20:01,710 --> 00:20:04,470 to carry out his will and his directions. 327 00:20:05,350 --> 00:20:09,270 And John draws on the cherubim in Ezekiel again, chapters one and 328 00:20:09,270 --> 00:20:14,910 ten, telling us of their vigilance in guarding God's throne. 329 00:20:14,910 --> 00:20:19,830 That's why they have eyes to see as they guard the throne of God. 330 00:20:20,230 --> 00:20:22,310 And this is truly an awesome sight. 331 00:20:22,310 --> 00:20:28,400 And as they serve, so they sing, they worship. 332 00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:34,200 And their worship is an echo of what the Lord Almighty said of 333 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,880 himself in chapter one and verse eight. 334 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:44,440 He said, I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and was and. 335 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:45,280 Who is to come? 336 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:46,880 The Almighty. 337 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,010 I think this is beautiful how revelation. 338 00:20:52,330 --> 00:20:55,450 Is opened to us by what already has been told. 339 00:20:56,570 --> 00:21:00,090 We see these images in the Old Testament books that maybe we don't 340 00:21:00,090 --> 00:21:01,570 read yet. 341 00:21:01,570 --> 00:21:06,330 These major prophets point us to what the reality is and have warned 342 00:21:06,330 --> 00:21:06,530 us. 343 00:21:06,530 --> 00:21:07,770 Of what the reality is. 344 00:21:08,490 --> 00:21:11,770 But so too has the Lord God Almighty. 345 00:21:12,410 --> 00:21:15,530 He has told us what we are to sing of him. 346 00:21:17,120 --> 00:21:21,680 And in verses 10 and 11, John gives us commentary as to what happens 347 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:23,600 when the living creatures worship God. 348 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:28,200 We are told then that it is the turn of the 24 elders, as he 349 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,440 says, to fall down and worship him. 350 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:37,320 And as an act of worship, they cast their crowns before him, demonstrating 351 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:41,280 their submission to his rule, to his authority. 352 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:43,720 Remember, they're sitting on thrones with crowns. 353 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:45,600 They are ruling and reigning with Christ. 354 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:47,360 But they know their place. 355 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:54,120 They submit to the risen Lord Jesus, and they too sing praise of 356 00:21:54,120 --> 00:21:55,280 him in verse 11. 357 00:21:55,280 --> 00:22:00,520 There worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor 358 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:01,080 and power. 359 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:03,560 For you created all things, and by. 360 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:06,720 Your will they existed and were created. 361 00:22:08,090 --> 00:22:13,410 This praise of God is telling the suffering church, under pressure 362 00:22:13,410 --> 00:22:19,210 from Rome and Jewish opposition, that God is the sovereign 363 00:22:19,290 --> 00:22:23,210 creator of all things and therefore deserves their worship, 364 00:22:23,290 --> 00:22:25,290 their thanks and their praise. 365 00:22:26,410 --> 00:22:31,890 Worship must be given not to the emperor or to the beast, but 366 00:22:31,890 --> 00:22:32,810 to God alone. 367 00:22:33,940 --> 00:22:38,900 The churches in Revelation are to hallow God's name on earth, just 368 00:22:38,900 --> 00:22:44,340 as it is hallowed in heaven by the 24 elders and the four living 369 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:45,140 creatures. 370 00:22:45,620 --> 00:22:49,500 And so, as we conclude tonight, this is our hope and this 371 00:22:49,500 --> 00:22:50,580 is our challenge. 372 00:22:51,060 --> 00:22:54,660 You see, the devil is at work in pulling down the church. 373 00:22:54,980 --> 00:22:56,740 He will do everything he can. 374 00:22:57,540 --> 00:23:01,990 Sometimes that comes from external factors, but he is at most 375 00:23:02,070 --> 00:23:06,430 time using God's own people to discourage each other and to speak 376 00:23:06,430 --> 00:23:07,990 ill of the bride of Christ. 377 00:23:09,270 --> 00:23:14,390 In these moments when we feel the attacks of the evil one, we must 378 00:23:14,390 --> 00:23:16,390 look to the risen Lord Jesus. 379 00:23:16,710 --> 00:23:21,670 As the curtain of heaven is pulled back and we see the most marvelous 380 00:23:21,750 --> 00:23:26,070 of sights, we see Jesus on the throne. 381 00:23:27,180 --> 00:23:31,900 We must not forget God, as the circumstances of life overwhelm us, 382 00:23:32,220 --> 00:23:36,260 because Revelation 4 lifts our eyes to the most important being 383 00:23:36,260 --> 00:23:40,460 in the universe and calls us to behold our God. 384 00:23:42,780 --> 00:23:49,340 And be assured this God will remain on his throne forever. 385 00:23:50,540 --> 00:23:52,860 Despite the evil in the world. 386 00:23:53,750 --> 00:23:56,550 God reigns and God rules. 387 00:23:57,190 --> 00:24:02,790 When we see God seated on his throne, we realize he is indescribably 388 00:24:03,030 --> 00:24:06,310 majestic, lovely and awesome. 389 00:24:07,110 --> 00:24:12,550 And we confess that the Lord we worship is infinitely holy. 390 00:24:13,350 --> 00:24:16,390 Now, none of us is worthy to stand in his presence. 391 00:24:16,710 --> 00:24:20,510 And hence there is a great gulf between us and God. 392 00:24:20,830 --> 00:24:24,350 And that gulf can only be crossed through the risen Lord Jesus, 393 00:24:24,350 --> 00:24:25,550 who's sitting on the throne. 394 00:24:25,870 --> 00:24:29,950 And that's what John says in First John 2:1:2. 395 00:24:30,110 --> 00:24:33,350 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that 396 00:24:33,350 --> 00:24:34,510 you may not sin. 397 00:24:34,910 --> 00:24:38,430 But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, 398 00:24:38,750 --> 00:24:40,350 Jesus Christ, the righteous. 399 00:24:40,830 --> 00:24:46,830 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but 400 00:24:46,830 --> 00:24:49,550 also for the sins of the world. 401 00:24:50,670 --> 00:24:52,350 And again, isn't it amazing? 402 00:24:52,990 --> 00:24:56,590 John writes this in a letter to the churches. 403 00:24:57,070 --> 00:25:01,230 And then he goes into this vision of revelation that is received 404 00:25:01,470 --> 00:25:02,510 that he receives. 405 00:25:02,910 --> 00:25:06,550 And what he has said to the churches, he is now seeing before 406 00:25:06,550 --> 00:25:10,190 him that there is only one way by which we may enter through the 407 00:25:10,190 --> 00:25:11,710 door and into heaven. 408 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:17,400 And it is by the advocate, it is by the one who is the propitiation 409 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:18,440 for our sins. 410 00:25:19,320 --> 00:25:21,720 It is Jesus Christ, the righteous. 411 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:26,680 This is the God that we have seen tonight, who through his Son 412 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:30,680 invites us to look and behold the open door in heaven. 413 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:37,320 As he invites us in, will you enter and will you know Christ as 414 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:40,600 your Savior, trusting in him alone for the forgiveness of your 415 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:43,950 sins and the salvation your soul. 416 00:25:45,070 --> 00:25:46,990 Because this is a wonderful invitation. 417 00:25:48,350 --> 00:25:53,550 And so maybe we are, if we're honest with ourselves, maybe we are 418 00:25:53,550 --> 00:25:55,390 some of those members of the churches. 419 00:25:56,910 --> 00:25:58,350 Maybe we have fallen away. 420 00:25:59,150 --> 00:26:00,670 Maybe we're living more like the world. 421 00:26:00,670 --> 00:26:03,950 Than we are as God would want us. 422 00:26:05,470 --> 00:26:07,750 He invites us to come and buy. 423 00:26:07,750 --> 00:26:13,580 From him holy garments that are white, to receive a crown of 424 00:26:13,580 --> 00:26:16,100 glory and to enter in. 425 00:26:17,300 --> 00:26:22,420 It's not too late to come to the Lord fully and completely, to 426 00:26:22,420 --> 00:26:25,300 know him and take hope. 427 00:26:26,660 --> 00:26:30,220 Take hope that this vision that we're giving tonight is our 428 00:26:30,220 --> 00:26:36,060 reality, that the universe revolves around the one seated on 429 00:26:36,060 --> 00:26:36,500 the throne. 430 00:26:37,710 --> 00:26:41,310 Be courageous because he has overcome evil. 431 00:26:41,870 --> 00:26:46,110 And he will reign forever and ever and ever. 432 00:26:47,550 --> 00:26:51,070 Take this to heart and know him deeply this night. 433 00:26:51,950 --> 00:26:52,750 Let's pray. 434 00:26:53,550 --> 00:26:57,470 Our Father God, thank you for this glorious hope in the risen Lord 435 00:26:57,470 --> 00:26:57,950 Jesus. 436 00:26:58,910 --> 00:27:02,550 Father, thank you for what it means to see him on the throne, to 437 00:27:02,550 --> 00:27:05,950 know he is ruling and reigning, that the world doesn't 438 00:27:05,950 --> 00:27:08,030 revolve around us, but around Him. 439 00:27:08,030 --> 00:27:11,710 So may we get on board with that, realizing that there's only 440 00:27:11,710 --> 00:27:15,350 one person who can welcome us into heaven. 441 00:27:15,750 --> 00:27:20,389 And it is because he died for us on Calvary's cross and rose again 442 00:27:20,389 --> 00:27:23,750 so that we would know his authority over death and the grave. 443 00:27:24,630 --> 00:27:28,750 So Father, may we know you more this night as we look ever to 444 00:27:28,750 --> 00:27:31,280 you in Jesus name, Amen.