Revelation 4-5

What’s Happening?

John has just encouraged seven churches to remain faithful to Jesus despite their persecution (Revelation 2:1-3:22). To further encourage them, John shares a vision of God’s throne room and God’s plan to save his people, judge evil, and bring his Kingdom to earth (Revelation 4:1-2). 

On his throne, God shimmers like the gemstones jasper and ruby, gems traditionally associated with royalty. Above him is a rainbow that shines like a polished emerald, symbolizing his authority to bring about a New Creation, like he did after the flood. Around him are 24 elders who wear gold crowns symbolizing those faithful to God who have overcome death with Jesus (Revelation 4:3-4). And in front of him is a crystal sea symbolizing that the forces of chaos submit to his power (Revelation 4:5-6). Every detail communicates that God is the King of the Universe and far more powerful than any of their persecutors (Revelation 4:3-6).

In response, the creatures in both earth and heaven honor and worship the King of the Universe. Four creatures on each corner of God’s throne bow to him. They all have six wings and are full of eyes; one has the face of an ox, while the others look like a lion, an eagle, and a human. Together they represent all living things proclaiming that their Creator is holy, uniquely powerful, and eternal (Revelation 4:6-8). And when the creatures bow, the 24 elders that rule alongside God remove their crowns, lay them at God’s feet, and worship their Creator (Revelation 4:9-11).

As these creatures worship God, John notices in God’s right hand a scroll with seven wax seals sealing it shut. Inside is a royal edict that announces the names of all the faithful slain that Jesus, the King, will resurrect (Daniel 12:1-4). But no one in heaven or earth, alive or dead, is worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:1-4). John weeps—until someone tells him that a king has just returned victorious from war and has been found worthy (Revelation 5:5). But when he looks to see this conquering king, he sees a bleeding sacrificial Lamb standing in front of God’s throne. The Lamb takes the scroll, sits down on a throne at God’s right hand, and all the beings in heaven sing that the scroll can finally be opened and read. With the slain yet risen Lamb on the throne, God’s Kingdom can come (Revelation 5:6-10).

Where is the Gospel?

The bleeding sacrificial Lamb is Jesus. Jesus is worthy to break the seals and announce the resurrection of the dead, because he is the first one who has conquered death and risen from the grave (Revelation 5:9-10). Jesus’ sacrificial death was the inauguration of a Kingdom where all who die faithful to Jesus will rise and rule with him just as he rose and now reigns. In response, every angel in heaven surrounds the four creatures and the 24 elders and starts singing that Jesus, the slain Lamb, is worthy to be worshiped as the King of the Universe (Revelation 5:11-13). Jesus is God—and God has died to raise all who die faithful to him. 

Like John, when we see our world in all its chaos, war, and evil, it’s easy to weep. There is no power on earth that is able to right the wrongs we’ve seen and bring about all that God has promised will be true one day. But there is a vision that can dry our tears and hopelessness. Jesus is alive and reigning on God’s throne. Because he lives and reigns, we can sing even in tears (John 16:33). John’s vision shows us that even if we die, we rule because Jesus, a once-slain, bleeding Lamb, is enthroned. He proves the slain reign at God’s right hand. And he is both powerful and worthy enough to end the evil of our world and bring his Kingdom to earth. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who is King. And may you see Jesus who is worthy to reign because his blood has purchased people for his eternal Kingdom and he is risen from the dead.