April 10, 2008

Revelation Chapter 4

 

v1 - after these things - after chapters 2-3 which is the church age

 

-there is an open door in heaven - 1 Peter 3:9 - walk right in..............

 

 

Many people feel this is the rapture of the church:

 

Rapture - means to be caught away or seized in a state of ecsatcy

 

 

 

 

*there will be a rapture of the church - 3 main theories

*all believers are going in the rapture - 1 Thess 4:13-18

-the tribulation is to deal with Israel

 

 

v2 - THRONE - this is the key word in Chapter 4

-used 12 times in chapter 4

-used 46 times in Revelation

 

 

I was in the Spirit

-just like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

-to be transported spiritually

-walk in the Spirit

 

 

 

ON THE THRONE

-this is the third heaven.......

 

1. Keep your focus on the throne

-Isaiah chapter 6

 

2. God being on the throne does not mean everything will be smooth in your life

 

 

3. Confess He is on the throne and then operate in faith

***Great faith will not take no for an answer - Matthew 15:21-28

 

 

 

AROUND THE THRONE

 

elders - symbolizes human beings - all born again believers from the OT and NT - Rev 21:12-14

-12 tribes of Israel - OT                       12 disciples - NT

 

white robes - represents righteousness

 

-the elders are distinguished from angels as seen in Revelation 5:11

 

-the elders wear crowns - stephanos in the Greek meaning the victors crown

a.) they are ruling with Jesus during the millennium

 

1.Crowns have to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ

2. Crowns must be earned

3. Crowns are distributed at the Judgment Seat of Christ - Rev 14:10-12 & 2 Cor 5:9-10

4. Crowns are given back to Jesus Christ - Rev 4:10

 

 

 

v5 - OUT OF THE THRONE - strom signals

-lightning and thunder are signs that something is coming

-lightning an dthunder are signs of power and presence

 

 

 

vs5b-6 - BEFORE THE THRONE - Lamps and a Sea

 

lamps - are the 7 Spirits of God which represent one Holy Spirit - Isaiah 11:1-2.  These are functions or characteristics of the Holy Spirit.......

 

a Crystal Sea - it was a sea of glass - peaceful

-God always operates out of Peace

 

-this represents the peace fo the church in heaven

 

-What is disturbing your peace?  Philippians 4:6-9

 

 

 

 

vs6b-9 - IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE

 

 4 living creatures. 2 main theories:

 

1. they are some kind of angelic being

2. they are simply a special creation of God distinguishable from angels

 

v7 - lion - strong

calf - service

man - smart

eagle - fast and swift

v8 - eyes - wisdom

 

 

 

vs9-11 - TO THE THRONE

 

***WORSHIP***

 

worthy - to be deserving

 

-praise hIm for being the Creator

-this is the heavenly pattern for praise that must be brought ot earth