The document provides an overview and commentary on Revelation chapters 4-5. Some key points:
1) God is enthroned in heaven and is worshipped by angels and elders for his perfect glory and majesty.
2) The Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the only one found worthy to open the sealed scroll of judgment.
3) Through Christ's victory on the cross, believers will reign with him forever as the royal family of God.
2. The Glory of the enthroned Lord
• Verses 1 – 3 The door of heaven was
opened by the work of the Cross, and it stays
open. Matt 27:51, John 10:7, Heb 4:14, 6:20,
5:5. He is enthroned and honoured by all
creation.
• Verses 4 – 8 The total picture is of
perfection, glory, majesty, worship, completion,
and awesomeness. In eternity the events of
time are all seen as completed. John gets a
divine perspective of time in this vision; Jesus is
already King of heaven and earth.
3. Worship at the Rainbow Throne
• Verses 9 – 11 The four beasts (Cherubim- Ezek
1:10) worship the Lord forever. The 24 elders
worship and cast their crowns at his feet. All
creation is for the glory of the Lord, and for his
pleasure; and through his victory, and the work
of salvation and sanctification, that pleasure is
completed. The rainbow reminds us of the
threatened destruction of the earth; as it is made
by storm and sunlight. It tells us God’s promise
is sure.
4. The Scroll and the Lamb
• Verses 1 – 4 The scroll is sealed
perfectly (7 seals – Rev 6-7 – Book of
Judgments) and there is none who is worthy to
open it of themselves due to sin.
• Verses 5 – 7 The lamb, who is also the
lion of Judah; through his work upon the Cross is
worthy to open the book of judgements. John
3:16-36. Mighty and Meek, perfect in power,
perfect in sight, and perfect in spirit (sevens).
5. The Lamb of God
• Abel’s lamb Gen 4:3-5
• Abraham provided with one Gen 22:7-14
• Passover Lamb Ex 12:3-7
• Without spot Lev 1:10-13, 16:15
• Lamb=Person of Messiah Is 53:4-8
• Jesus = Lamb/Messiah Jn 1:29, Acts 8:30-37
• Resurrected Lamb 1 Pet 1:18-21
• Glorified/Enthroned Rev 5:6-10
• Eternal Kingdom Rev 22:1-5
6. The Saints reign with Him
• Verses 8 – 14 The elders stand as the
representatives/leaders of all saints
through history, and through the perfect
work of Jesus, we all reign with Him
forever. All prayers of all saints of all
history climax at this point. He judges, he
delivers, he rules. A new song is sung by
the saints of time, for they are new royalty,
for all eternity.
7. Royal Family of God
• In Christ’s victory we are “kings and priests” forever.
Rom 6:1-6, Rev 1:6, 5:10.
• Melchizedec was the picture Heb 5:6-10
• In Christ we have this new position. Gal 3:26-29, Col
1:18 We glorify Him. Jn 7:37-39
• When the church is complete it is removed from the
earth. Matt 25:1-13, 1 Thess 4:16-18, Heb 1:13
• Sign of spiritual royalty = Holy Spirit’s work within each.
Matt 7:13ff, 1 Cor 6:19-20
• We are sealed forever. Eph 1:3-4, 11-14
• We have an eternal future as Royal Family of the new
creation. 1 Peter 2:9-10, Rev 5:10, 22:1ff.