Eschatology: Lecture-3

The Book of Revelation
Lecture-3
Chapters 4 & 5

• First, let’s be reminded of some basic
rules of interpretation:
>Always keep in mind the book’s primary
audience- it was written to and for them.
>It is written in symbolic language- don’t try to
make figurative symbols literal.
>It is a book of visions, or a series of visions-
obsessing over minute details will prevent
seeing the big picture.
>Interpret difficult passages in light of clearer
ones- keep the consistency of the Text.

• Next, be familiar with the Message of
Revelation:
>Warning to the Church- keep yourself pure from
worldly entanglements;
>Warning to the Enemies of the Church- through
Christ the Church will triumph;
>Comfort to those who Sorrow- freedom from
pain and suffering will come in time;
>Hope for the Discouraged- lift up your heads;
God has not abdicated His throne!

• See the Big Picture of the Book:
Christ among the Lampstands, chps.1-3
The Letters to the Seven Churches
The Throne Scene, chps.4-5
God on the Throne
Christ the Lion/Lamb is Worthy to Open the Book
The Loosing of the Seven Seals, chps.6:1 - 8:2
The Seven Trumpets, chps.8-11
The War, chps.12-14
The Bowls of Wrath, chps.15-16

• See the Big Picture of the Book:
The Fall of Babylon - The Harlot, chps.17:1 - 19:10
and then finally,
The Complete Victory of Christ and the Church,
chps. 19:11 - 22:21

The Throne Room of God
• The Setting (4:2,4-6)
• The Description of God (4:2-3, 5)
• The 24 elders and 4 creatures (4:4,6-10)
• The Lamb takes the scroll (5:1-7)
• The moral: God and the Lamb are worthy to
be worshiped (5:8-12)
• Concentric Circles of Praise: a) 24 elders and 4
living creatures (4:8-10; 5:8-10); b) Angels
(5:11-12); c) All creation (5:13-14)

• When we worship God in our assembly, we
are worshipping the same God of this text.
• Our worship is to be reverential. With this
peak into the Throne Room we see the
Majesty of the Almighty, and His Son.
• You can acknowledge the Lamb of God now, or
you can acknowledge the Lamb of God later!
(cf. Romans 14:10-12)

1. In spite of a few obstructers, Revelation 4:1
-2 provides great support for the pre-
tribulation rapture view.
2. The throne viewed in Chapters 4 & 5 is most
likely a special throne for the purpose of
judgment and not the eternal throne we
often think of as God’s abode.

Revelation 4:1-2 After these things I looked,
and behold, a door standing open in heaven,
and the first voice which I had heard, like the
sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said,
"Come up here, and I will show you what must
take place after these things." 2 Immediately I
was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was
standing in heaven, and One sitting on the
throne.

Psalm 9:7 But the LORD abides forever;
He has established His throne for
judgment,

Daniel 7:9, 13-14 . "I kept looking Until thrones
were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His
seat; His vesture waslike white snow And the
hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was
ablaze with flames, Its wheels werea burning fire.
… 13 "I kept looking in the night visions, And behold,
with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man
was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him. 14 "And to Him was
given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the
peoples, nations and men of every language Might
serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.

“ … this is a special throne prepared for the
Tribulation and from this point on the Book
becomes predominantly the Book of the
throne. The word throne is mentioned 45
times (in the Book of Revelation) versus only
15 times in all the rest of the New Testament.
Perhaps this throne is somewhere in the
second heaven, outer space (see Rev. 6:16).
God leaves His eternal throne, the throne of the
third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) to establish this one
to defeat His enemies and to establish His rule
on earth.”

3. The glory of God and His majesty is truly
beyond human comprehension.
4. The use of the jasper and sardius stones
would have been especially significant for
the Jewish believers during the first and
second centuries.

Revelation 4:3 . And He who wassitting was
like a jasper stone and a sardius in
appearance; and there was a rainbow around
the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

“…rainbow round about the throne—forming a
complete circle surrounding the throne vertically.
Its various colors, which combined form one pure
solar ray, symbolize the varied aspects of God's
providential dealings … the predominating color
among the prismatic colors is green, … symbolizing
God's consolatory promises in Christ to His people
amidst judgments on His foes. Moreover, the
rainbow was the appointed token of God's covenant
with all flesh, and His people in particular. Hereby
God in type renewed to man the grant originally
made to the first Adam. The antitype will be the
"new heavens and the new earth" restored to
redeemed man, just as the earth, after the
destruction by the flood, was restored to Noah. …”
Dr. John Walvoord

5. There are three ideas as to who the twenty-four
elders are of verse 4 and one is truly better than
the rest.
• Angels
• Representatives of all the
redeemed throughout the ages
• Representatives of the Church

Revelation 4:4 . Around thethrone were
twenty-four thrones; and upon the
thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting,
clothed in white garments, and golden
crowns on their heads.

Luke 1:5-9 . In the days of Herod, king of
Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of
the division of Abijah. … 8 Now while he was
serving as priest before God when his
division was on duty, 9 according to the
custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by
lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn
incense.

Rev. 5:11 . Then I looked, and I heard the
voice of many angels around the throne, the
living creatures, and the elders; and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands,

Daniel 12:1-2 . “At that time shall arise Michael,
the great prince who has charge of your
people. And there shall be a time of trouble,
such as never has been since there was a
nation till that time. But at that time your
people shall be delivered, everyone whose
name shall be found written in the book. 2 And
many of those who sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and
some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Revelation 4:5-8 . Out from the throne come flashes
of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And
there were seven lamps of fire burning before the
throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and
before the throne there was something like a sea of
glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the
throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and
behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the
second creature like a calf, and the third creature
had a face like that of a man, and the fourth
creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living
creatures, each one of them having six wings, are
full of eyes around and within; and day and night
they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE
LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO
IS AND WHO IS TO COME."

1. Verse 5 supports a view of judgment based on
the activity proceeding from the center
throne.
2. The seven lamps and seven Sprits are better
understood as representing The Holy Spirit.
Revelation 4:5 . Out from the throne come
flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of
thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire
burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God;

3. The “sea of glass” in verse 6 may best
represent a sense of majesty and stability
as a glassy sea appears calm.
Revelation 4:6a . and before the throne
there was something like a sea of glass,
like crystal; …

4. There are 3 primary views concerning the
creatures of verses 6 – 8 and their
activities.
• First view – they represent the attributes
of God
• Second view – they represent Christ as
revealed in the 4 Gospels
• Third view – they represent 4 angelic
beings

Revelation 4:6b-8 . … and in the center and
around the throne, four living creatures full of
eyes in front and behind. 7 The first creature
was like a lion, and the second creature like a
calf, and the third creature had a face like that of
a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying
eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of
them having six wings, are full of eyes around
and within; and day and night they do not cease
to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD,
THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND
WHO IS TO COME."

5. The four creatures also serve as worship
leaders as the 24 elders follow in
worshiping and praising God.

Revelation 4:9-11 . And when the living
creatures give glory and honor and thanks to
Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives
forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will
fall down before Him who sits on the throne,
and will worship Him who lives forever and
ever, and will cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are You, our Lord
and our God, to receive glory and honor and
power; for You created all things, and because
of Your will they existed, and were created."

1. The events of Chapter 4 have in a great
respect served as an introduction to
Chapter 5 and the events which are to
follow from this throne of judgment.
2. The word “scroll” is “biblion” in the Koine
Greek and meaning “Bible.”

Revelation 5:1 . I saw in the right hand of Him
who sat on the throne a book written inside
and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
3. The seven sealed scroll serves as the “Will”
of God as well as the “Title Deed” to the Earth
that He will present to His Son in accordance
to His time.

Isaiah 29:11-12 . The entire vision will be to
you like the words of a sealed book, which
when they give it to the one who is literate,
saying, "Please read this," he will say, "I
cannot, for it is sealed." 12 Then the book will
be given to the one who is illiterate, saying,
"Please read this." And he will say, "I cannot
read."

Daniel 12:1-4 . "Now at that time Michael, the great
prince who stands guard over the sons of your
people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress
such as never occurred since there was a nation until
that time; and at that time your people, everyone
who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2
"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground
will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to
disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 "Those who
have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of
the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many
to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4
"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal
up the book until the end of time; many will go back
and forth, and knowledge will increase."

Daniel 12:8-13 . As for me, I heard but could not
understand; so I said, "My lord, what will be the
outcome of these events?" 9 He said, "Go your way,
Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed
up until the end time. 10 "Many will be purged,
purified and refined, but the wicked will act
wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand,
but those who have insight will understand. 11
"From the time that the regular sacrifice is
abolished and the abomination of desolation is set
up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 "How blessed is he
who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!
13 "But as for you, go your way to the end; then
you will enter into rest and rise again for your
allotted portion at the end of the age."

1. The events of Chapter 4 have in a great
respect served as an introduction to Chapter 5
and the events which are to follow from this
throne of judgment.
2. The word “scroll” is “biblion” in the Koine
Greek and meaning “Bible.”
3. The seven sealed scroll serves as the “Will” of
God as well as the “Title Deed” to the Earth
that He will present to His Son in accordance
to His time.

4. The angel crying out in a “loud voice” is the
first of twenty proclamations made in the
book of Revelation in connection with God’s
judgment upon the earth.
5. This proclamation also reveals that a “man” is
sought to break the seals yet not one is found
in “heaven, on earth, or under the earth.”
6. The Apostle John weeps because he
understands the consequences of the seals
remaining closed.

Revelation 5:2-5 . And I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy
to open the book and to break its seals?" 3 And
no one in heaven or on the earth or under the
earth was able to open the book or to look into
it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no
one was found worthy to open the book or to
look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me,
"Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from
the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has
overcome so as to open the book and its seven
seals."

“The scroll is also intended to be opened to
put an end to the serpent’s rule on the earth.
(The scroll) …holds a promise, but human sin
and satanic evil have (has )brought a curse
instead. …the opening of the scroll …is to
bring a release from the curse via judgment
that will expel the liar-thief. It is at this point
that we discover the visual depictions and
this unfolding of judgment that will drive out
the curse.” Jack Hayford

Zechariah 5:1-4 . Again I lifted my eyes and saw,
and behold, a flying scroll! 2 And he said to me,
“What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll.
Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”
3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out
over the face of the whole land. For everyone who
steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on
one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be
cleaned out according to what is on the other side. 4
I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it
shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of
him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall
remain in his house and consume it, both timber
and stones.”

Revelation 5:2-5 . And I saw astrong
angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is
worthy to open the book and to break its
seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth
or under the earth was able to open the book
or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly
because no one was found worthy to open the
book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders
said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that
is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has
overcome so as to open the book and its seven
seals."
s en ey mb ically re resent h Holy Spiri

7. The Lamb appears in the midst of the
throne with visible scars due to mankind’s
sin.
8. Power and judgment over the earth are
committed to Christ Jesus when the scroll
is placed in His hand.
9. The “seven eyes” symbolically represent
the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 5:6-7 . And I saw between the
throne (with the four living creatures) and
the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the
seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the
earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of
the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

John 20:25-28 . So the other disciples told him,
“We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them,
“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails,
and place my finger into the mark of the nails,
and place my hand into his side, I will never
believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were
inside again, and Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, “Peace be with
you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger
here, and see my hands; and put out your hand,
and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but
believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and
my God!”

Daniel 7:13-14 . “I saw in the night visions, and
behold, with the clouds of heaven there came
one like a son of man, and he came to the
Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and
a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and
languages should serve him; his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:24 . As for the ten horns, out of this
kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another
shall arise after them; he shall be different
from the former ones, and shall put down
three kings.
Revelation 13:1 . And I saw a beast rising out
of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads,
with ten diadems on its horns and
blasphemous names on its heads.

Zechariah 4:10 . For whoever has despised the
day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see
the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
“These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which
range through the whole earth.”
Revelation 1:4 . John to the seven churches that
are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him
who is and who was and who is to come, and
from the seven spirits who are before his
throne,

1. The act of worship by the creatures and
twenty-four elders again supports the identity
of the Lamb as none other than Christ Jesus.
2. The “prayers of the saints” are most likely the
unanswered prayers of believers concerning
the glorious return of Christ.
3. The textual issue of verse 10 doesn’t diminish
the fact that the Lamb of God is worthy of all
praise.

Revelation 5:8-10 . When He had taken the
book, the four living creatures and the twenty-
four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one
holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they
*sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to
take the book and to break its seals; for You
were slain, and purchased for God with Your
blood men from every tribe and tongue and
people and nation. 10 "You have made them to be
a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will
reign upon the earth."

1 Peter 2:9 . But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own
possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies
of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light.
Revelation 1:6 . and made us a kingdom, priests to
his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 20:6 . Blessed and holy is the one who
shares in the first resurrection! Over such the
second death has no power, but they will be priests
of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him
for a thousand years.

“The song of redemption would be entirely
normal for saints, but would be rather unusual if
the angels were involved. Nowhere else in the
Bible are angels pictured as singing since sin
entered the world. In the early joy of creation,
before it was spoiled by sin, Job refers to the
time “when the morning stars sang together and
all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).
The morning stars are commonly identified with
the angels. Since Adam’s sin, however, there is
no further record of angels singing. The angels
praised God at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:13–
14), but this seems to have been a recital of
words, not a song.” Dr. John Walvoord

4. Verses 11 and 12 seem to support a
distinction between the redeemed and the
angelic host of heaven.
Revelation 5:11-12 . Then I looked, and I heard
the voice of many angels around the throne
and the living creatures and the elders; and
the number of them was myriads of myriads,
and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb
that was slain to receive power and riches
and wisdom and might and honor and glory
and blessing."

5. At some point in the future all creatures
throughout the universe will praise the Lamb
of God!
Revelation 5:13-14 . And every created thing
which is in heaven and on the earth and
under the earth and on the sea, and all things
in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on
the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and
honor and glory and dominion forever and
ever." 14 And the four living creatures kept
saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and
worshiped.

Philippians 2:9-10 . Therefore God has
highly exalted him and bestowed on him the
name that is above every name, 10 so that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Revelation 20:11-12 . Then I saw a great white
throne and him who was seated on it.
From his presence earth and sky fled away, and
no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the
dead, great and small, standing before the
throne, and books were opened. Then another
book was opened, which is the book of life. And
the dead were judged by what was written in
the books, according to what they had done.

Dr. Pothana
bhaktapothana@gmail.com
+91-8309511427

Eschatology: Lecture-3

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Eschatology: Lecture-3