Revelation, Chapter 4 & 5 - The Heavenly vision

Two-Edged Sword Ministries

For us to fully appreciate and understand these two key chapters in prophecy; we list the most important events that occur in this chapter. It would be a great idea to break here and first read both these chapters before we continue.

"The Open Door"

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things" - The open door [Rev 4:1 NLT]

The heavenly vision starts off with a trumpet-like blast. Many Bible scholars who believe in the "Pre-tribulation" rapture theory; believe that this is the trumpet call where God gathers all the Believers in Christ together.

After all, we are told that the rapture takes place after the last trumpet call. Lets consider some evidences for the rapture occuring here.

As part of the church age; we have seen that in accordance with the scriptures of Revelation 3:10; the "faithful" believers would be kept from the period of suffering; which we know by now refers to the tribulation.
here is no coincidence; that these same followers were promised "an open door that no-one can close".

Through this open door, John entered into the heavenly realm.

We see quiet clearly that the lamb in the vision is no other than Jesus Christ. According to these scriptures; and of course; the gospels, he was slain so that man could be made right with God. God's own son; and part of the Godhead, was laid as a sacrifice so that the pinnacle of Gods creation could be reconciled back towards Him.

He was the only One that could open the seven seals; as He was the only One to pay the price for the sins of man. And yet; within this prophecy; there is a deeper prophetic impact; just as with the church of Thyatira.

According to this vision; around the throne of God there are 24 smaller thrones; each of these occupied by "elders". There are two main schools of thought as to who these elders are:

1) They are high ranking angels

Many believe that the 24 elders are very high ranking angels. The basis for the belief is that according to Jewish traditions, theirs a saying that the angels present the prayers of the saints to God. We see this happening later in Rev 5:8; where the 24 elders are holding golden bowls full of incense, which are prayers of the saints.
According to the book of Hebrews; with special reference to the tabernacle and its priests we see that the earthly tabernacle is based on the heavenly one.

We recall that there were 24 classes of priests and 24 classes of Levites in this service. Psalms 89 : 7 :God is greatly to be feared in the congregation of the saints, (LITV) Wow, could this congregation of the saints or “the council of holy ones” as referred to in older Bibles, refer to these 24 elders?

and of course, many other believe that;

1) The 24 Elders are 24 special people from the Bible

This is not as far fetched as it initially sounds. We read in the same chapter some more information that helps us gleam as to their identity.

And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation. And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth. [ Rev 5:9-10 NLT]

This seems to take away from the notion that the 24 elders are heavenly beings. We have already seen that the lamb was Jesus Christ in this vision. As Jesus was slain for the sake of man, these 24 elders were also redeemed by Jesus and are now ruling with Jesus as a result of what He did. Also notice that they are described as being dressed in white.
The white robe is symbolic for the righteous garments that are given to believers as soon as they believe in Jesus Christ.

As a result, although there is room for debate, the scripture strongly suggests that they are referring to human beings, rather than angels. Revelation closes off with the 12 tribes of Israel representing the gates to the eternal city and the 12 apostles representing the foundations of this city. This strongly suggests that 12 people of the Old testament as well as the 12 Apostles are those that sit on the thrones surrounding God.

Ok, so we know that the four living creatures were described as : One like a lion One like a calf , One that had the face of a man , One like a flying eagle. They all had six wings They were worshipping God singing : “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”
Now lets jump backwards into time around about the year 750 BC; and have a look at the book of Isaiah:

In the year that King Uzziah died, then I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. And His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphs. Each one had six wings; with two he covered his face; and with two he covered his feet; and with two he flew. And one cried to the other and said, Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory! [ Isa 6:1-3 NLT]

Noticed the similarities when comparing Revelation 4:8 with Isaiah 6 : 1 –3 ? Yes, they also had six wings and they were also worshipping God who was sitting on the throne singing the same songs. We further know, that they are a specific class of angels that form part of Gods’ throne and that the purpose of angels is to worship and obey God ... So that was easy enough !

As we know, books were written on scrolls in the old days. These scrolls were sealed by placing wax seals on them once they were rolled up. Thereby ensuring that no one could access them without knowing that they are not entitled to read the material enclosed. Now we know that no one could read this seven sealed book, besides that of the lamb. And we know from above, that the lamb is Jesus Christ. The book with the seven seals is therefore the book that contains the details to unfold as each one of these seals are broken. The reason why Jesus was the only one that could open the scroll is that he died and was resurrected for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, he holds the key to Heaven & Hell. This is confirmed scripturally; when Jesus commences to open the book of Seals.

Before Continuing, look back at the vision breaking down and understand its' meaning ... as the seals are about to be opened.

Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa

Revelation 6: The Seal Judgments

Revelation 3: The Last three churches

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, United States of America. all rights reserved. [6]