Revelation 4 Commentary
The word ‘revelation’ comes with a question. What is revealed? The Book of Revelation answers this question in great detail. Jesus is revealed.
The Jesus who interacted with humanity is the God who was, who is, and who is to come. He is God Almighty. In the first 3 chapters, He is among his church, presiding over it, watching over it, and shaping it to His liking.
The church is the “seven churches” defined by time and space. They also have a shape, color, and size. These are measurable elements. This is life under the sun.
But there is another ‘space’ for Jesus. This could be a future space (even for us) as John is clearly told that these things will happen after the earthly church. There is a throne in this ‘space’ and time. There is also a structure of worship.
Jesus seems to fit the description of the one seated on the throne. He created all things. By His will, they were created. Verse 11. The opening lines of John’s gospel make this linkage quite clear.
This structure of worship includes the 24 elders. It’s a multiple of 12. The 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles may easily fit this picture. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could be reduced to “the God of the Twelve tribes” Abraham became the twelve tribes. But we also have the twelve apostles. Of course, there are other creatures in attendance, others other than humans!
Including these ‘transformed’ humans in the worship setup in Heaven may point to a future event. But don’t think too much. Even now, saint’s prayers go up to the LORD as a sweet aroma. This heavenly picture could describe – a “happening-right-now” situation. Like Jesus, Revelation has a timing situation – you always hear and feel a “was”, a “is”, and a “will” tone.
But what language do you expect from the Always-present God! Trying to communicate timelessness and spacelessness can always be a problem! Who was, who is, and who is to come…you immediately know a mixture of tenses is on the menu!
Regardless, Jesus is revealed as sitting on the throne!
The world cannot have any bigger news than this! God visited us! God walked with us! And we didn’t take selfies! He left instructions for us and we don’t bother to check them out! Strange creatures we are!
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