The Arrival of the King (Revelation 4 and 5)

In the structure of the Book of Revelation, we now move into another way to look at circumstances. Chapters 1–3 looked at seven different churches. Chapters 4–7 cover the period from the ascension of Jesus to his return. The ascension of Jesus is described in chapters 4 and 5; the activity of Jesus between his ascension and his return is described in chapter 6 and 7:1-8; and the outcome of his saving activities is described in 7:9-17. 

The experience of John in Revelation 4 and 5 answers some questions that readers of the letters to the seven churches must have had. Those readers would be aware that the churches have real problems. And they would have seen that Jesus is the answer to the problems. Yet where is Jesus and what power does he possess to deal with those circumstances? The answer is to think of the ascension of Jesus. In Revelation 4, John describes the place where Jesus now is (even although Jesus is not mentioned in the chapter). What did he see? 

The heavenly throne room (Rev. 4) 

The first object that John sees is a throne. On the throne sits one marked by purity and beauty, and the vision highlights those features by comparing him to various jewels. Jewels were items of beauty and were items through which light shone. Defects could be seen easily. Of course, as far as literal jewels are concerned, the light is external to them. With regard to the One on the throne, the light is internal. There were no defects in the One on the throne. Instead only purity and beauty were revealed by him.  

We can work out from other references that the One portrayed here is God the Father. The Son and the Spirit are later mentioned as being in other locations in this vision. This means that here we have a different person revealed as, say, in Isaiah 6 because we are told in John 12 that the One Isaiah saw was the Son of God. We could ask why only the Father is seen here as on the divine throne. The answer I would suggest is that here we are focussed on God as he works out the plan of salvation, and in that regard the Father is the one who sends the Son as the Servant and, along with the Son who is the Mediator of the covenant, sends the Spirit as the Comforter. 

Next John sees a rainbow, which is a reminder that God rules on his throne according to his own promises. The rainbow was given to Noah as an indication that God would never again destroy the earth by a flood. It also functions as a reminder to God not to destroy the earth with total judgement. So I think we are meant to remember that detail as we read about various judgements sent on the earth and its inhabitants. 

Then John notes some lesser thrones, occupied by twenty-four elders, indicating that heaven is a place of delegated power. We are not told who the elders are, only that they are holy creatures (dressed in white) who rule (crowns of gold) under God. They are probably angels who have been given a special authority by God (Ps. 89:6-7). 

From the throne came lightnings, thunders and voices. This is very similar to the way God appeared on Mount Sinai when he gave the law. These phenomena remind us of his opposition to sin; they are often used in the Bible as pictures of God’s anger and judgement. 

John also noticed the presence of the Spirit, illustrated by the seven lamps of burning fire. The fire tells us that he is holy and the number seven points to his perfection. He is described as standing before the throne, indicating his readiness to serve the interests of the throne. Yet unlike mere creatures, he is able to look at the One on the throne and he can do so because he is equal with him in power and glory. Maybe they are depicted as waiting for Someone to arrive. 

Then John mentions the sea of glass, which reminds us that heaven is a place of peace because nothing that causes disturbances is found there. The sea also functions as a barrier to keep out unwanted intruders. 

John also notices the cherubim, strange looking creatures who are similar to the seraphim mentioned in Isaiah 6. They are depicted as seeing all that goes on. This may suggest alertness as well as knowledge. 

Heaven is a place of praise, as seen in the song of the cherubim and of the elders. The cherubim celebrate the holiness, power and eternal existence of God and the elders praise him as the great Creator. The elders, angelic beings who have been given authority by God, cast their crowns before the throne of God, confessing that he alone is King. 

The effect of this description is to stress both the majesty and the mystery of God. Compared to him, all the pomp of earthly rulers is but tinsel. But there is someone missing from the scene of chapter 4, for both the Father and the Spirit are mentioned, but not the Son, which brings us to a problem articulated by the angel at the beginning of chapter 5. 

The problem identified by the strong angel (5:1-4) 

John mentions a scroll sealed with seven seals. The fact that the scroll is sealed indicates that it is complete. Yet it cannot be opened until all the seals are taken off. I think the scroll is the book of life, and we are told in chapters 6 and 7 what the seals are, which are taken off one by one. When the last one is removed, the contents of the scroll will be revealed at the second coming of Jesus.  

The scroll is said to have writing on both sides. This may mean that on one side was the name of the scroll (such as Book of Life) or perhaps a summary of the contents of the scroll. The latter would have been done with a sealed scroll in order to tell someone what was inside it.

The problem that the angel has identified concerns finding one able to open the scroll. The angel cannot do it, even although he is a strong creature. One assumes also that the One on the throne cannot open the scroll. The implication is that it is not appropriate for One who is only divine to open the book. Since that is the case, John concludes that no-one in the universe has the capability to open the book. In that book are the names of the church members in Ephesus, Smyrna and the other places. What is going to happen to them? And it caused John the pastor great sorrow.  

The answer to the problem (5:5-7) 

But John is told that there is one person who can take hold of the scroll and bring about its details. That person is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. Calling him the Lion is the same as saying that he is the Messiah promised through the tribe of Judah, that he would be the descendant of royal David (Gen. 49:9). But he is also divine, for he is the Root of David, that is, he is the origins of David.  

John’s eyes are directed towards the throne and there he does not see a Lion standing, but a wounded Lamb. He sees Jesus, the one who suffered on the Cross when he paid the penalty for sin. The reference to marks is probably not to the literal wounds that Jesus received in his hands and side. Instead, he is described as being like a lamb slaughtered in the temple. The point that is being made is that he died as a sacrifice for sin.

Whether or not Jesus still retains his wounds cannot be based on this passage because it is a vision. I think that there are arguments that indicate he may still have the marks of the cross: he still had them a week after his resurrection when he appeared to Thomas could indicate he retains them. On the other hand, scholars including John Calvin have dismissed the idea that Jesus still has his wounds – according to Calvin, they remained visible only until the apostles were convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead. J. C. Ryle, while noting Calvin’s opinion, disagreed with him, arguing that the wounds of the ascended Jesus ‘are a perpetual witness to angels that he actually suffered for man’s sins’. As someone has said, the best way to find out is to go to heaven and see for yourself.

In the vision he is more than a wounded Lamb, and of course some will wonder why we should take the wounds literally and the seven horns and seven eyes. The number seven indicates perfection. A horn symbolised power; seven horns depicts all power. An eye depicted awareness and knowledge; seven eyes depict perfect knowledge. The power and knowledge that Jesus possesses are linked to the fact that he has sent the Holy Spirit into all the earth. 

Here we have a wonderful picture of Jesus. He is the answer to the problem because he is the divine Messiah, the suffering Saviour, and the One who sends the Spirit to bring blessings to the world. Yes, he is worthy to open the scroll with the seals. So he proceeds to the throne and takes hold of the scroll. That was a great moment for the human race. The Son of God, now with a human nature, has universal power to bring about what is written in the Book of Life. 

Jesus is worshipped (Rev. 5:8-14) 

The remaining verses of the chapter describe the response of the onlookers to the reception of the scroll by Jesus. Now the same honour that was given to the Father in chapter 4 is given to Jesus in chapter 5. He becomes the object of praise of the heavenly host. 

The new song of the elders and the cherubim focuses on the worldwide ingathering of the people of God and of the great blessing they are going to receive as rulers of the future world. We should note that it is angelic beings that are singing this song and not believers. One reason for that is because this is a vision of the ascension of Jesus and not of the second coming when believers will gather in his presence. But it is good for us to note that the heavenly inhabitants are optimistic about the future of the church.

These beings are connected to the church in one way and that is that they are described as holding the prayers of believers. This is not literal, but what are we to make of this description. I would suggest that we are being shown that the prayers of God’s people are constantly in his presence and that he often uses angels to bring about his answers.

The song of the angelic masses rank concerns the slain Saviour being accorded divine honour. Of course, they had known him as the eternal Son in heaven before he came. They had seen him in his lowly condition on earth. Now they see him rewarded for his work on the cross, and although they are sinless and had no need of an atonement they rejoice that his atonement has led to his ascension to glory.

The song of creation focuses on both the Father and the Lamb, and the fact that they will reign for ever. We can say that the creation knows who is in charge of all things. Everything in creation, apart from humans and demons, obeys without question the roles the Father and the Son require.

This vision is a reminder that the One in charge of the universe is Jesus. He has been given the place of highest honour. To know that Jesus the man who once walked through this world, is on the throne is a comfort and a challenge. It is a comfort because he knows what it is like to live in difficult situations and can sympathise and provide help and assurance. It is a challenge to us to submit to the One who went to the cross on behalf of sinners, and has now been exalted to gather in sinners into his kingdom.  

This knowledge is a source of great confidence. The early church in all its weakness would survive because Jesus was on the throne. (The troubles that we face at present will be overcome because Jesus is on the throne.) Jesus will conquer the nations is the message of this vision.