Revelation 4:1-11 | A View into Heaven | Rich Jones

our Bibles tonight and let's open to Revelation chapter 4 beginning in verse 1 in Revelation 4 beginning in verse 1 the message is called a view into heaven we get a glimpse into the throne room of the Living God in Revelation chapter 4 let's ask God's blessing and and look to his word father we we know that you show us through your word you show us your heart and so God tonight that's our that's our desire we want to just we want to know your heart and so let your word just speak life and thank you for this this revealing of Jesus Christ in the latter days so Lord we just we want to understand the things the signs of the times that we might be a people may ready for the Lord and so we love you and thank you in Jesus name Amen you know a lot of people wonder like what is heaven like and and I think of course movies ooh you know things all kinds of ideas you know some people think well you know heaven it's like they take things of the earth and then they just like make them better and that's the idea of heaven right it's go to a place where you know they there's amazing golf courses you know like that or or you know like there's the live the lakes or like pristine and the fishing is grade you know things like that or well we're gonna be feasting and banqueting and it's gonna be amazing feed and we're never gonna get fat you know kinda like that but see here's the thing I think all of that honestly I think all of it it doesn't even touch it sudden even touch it because I think that when when you look at just the glimpse that God gives us of heaven like it puts the things of the earth I mean you don't just take the things if they're at the magnifying because that doesn't touch it right I mean it doesn't words cannot even capture it I mean words can't Hofstra and so he's given this vision me trying to put it in these words but I just can't capture it but just makes you just have this longing I think in me there's this longing and here's one of the other things I've come to really appreciate about of the perspective of eternity of heaven that it's really not about whether there's golf courses there are lakes there or anything like that the whole thing is God is there right and you're gonna have a relationship of nearness to your God that that is just absolutely astounding and I mean words can I can use words like amazing and that doesn't do it it's awesome well that doesn't do it we just there's no words there are no words that can capture but it's about that relationship and I'm also convinced that part of it also is the relationship that we have for their loved ones and and I look forward to that I look forward to that many of you know we lost our daughter three years ago and and I had this for longest time I didn't have any dreams of her but then I had this dream vivid vivid vivid dream and and so in my dream like she came to me in my dream and she had this radiant smile whenever she was like super like happy like just overflowing with happiness she had this radiant smile and she had this radiant smile on her face and she was you were just saying dad I'm okay I am doing well and I don't know about you just and I just blessed my heart I can't that doesn't even put it into the right words but it was just I woke up with such peace then I know that I know that my redeemer lives and I know that I will see my daughter again amen and there there is this hope there is this hope that we have heaven is about the relationships first and foremost with God and the intimacy that we have is amazing so he gives us this this image of it in Revelation 4 John is taken up to heaven and so he's instructed to write what he sees but no words are adequate right so when you read these these words and frankly just makes you yearn for more and the revelation 4 is really just the the tip of the iceberg you might say in the sense that there's going to be so much more that comes out of this story so much more that comes out of the scene at the throne room of heaven so we're brought by John right into this into the throne room of God because John is about to reveal to us the events of the of the latter days the future things but he starts with builds this foundation of the throne of heaven and were brought into the scene by John all if we could only see what his I sob telling you what it would be glorious but we we have to then rely on this description relying on these words and you know it reminds me of a phrase I heard a long time ago that we are changed in the presence of a holy God and and you see this this this this image of the throne room of God and holiness is like the theme of the whole thing it's like the holiness of God just emanates from the throne and so that we are changed in the presence of a holy God hey when we tonight here in this place we gathered and and the the presence of the Lord was here and the Holy Spirit was here and we are changed in the presence of the Living God can you just imagine being in the in the place of the throne room of God what what it would do for us so he describes this scene he says there's this throne standing in heaven there's one sitting on the throne radiant in glory and he describes what that looks like best that he can we're gonna get into more of the actual specific details on Wednesday but he tells us that around the throne are twenty-four Thrones now why 24 Oh we'll look at that on Wednesday and he says upon the throne there are 24 elders sitting clothed with white and golden crowns on their heads but also I mean I think we can look at that and like okay we would expect that I mean that that sounds like something we would expect to see right there's 24 elders we can kind of understand who they might be or what positions they would hold white garments we understand sitting on Thrones under his throne the golden crowns we would almost imagine something like that but Denny surprises us by telling us oh and by the way there are these creatures these living creatures that are their angels and and the description of visas is beyond description and these four living creatures which are before the throne never cease to say holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty in other words they say and then they said and then they said and then they said they never cease to say holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty there's just this this declaration that just emanates as they're before the throne these four living creatures holy holy holy well holiness as we know it's like one of the main aspects of the character of God and and in fact he tells us that is something that he wants to see in us his holiness in us is how we are transformed in this life that's what he is doing in us his presence brings about transformation he's in the process of changing us from the mess that he found us in into His image and he is moving us out of the world into more and more holiness that is the change the transformation that God is doing in our lives our job is to say we want to cooperate Lord it's your work in us have your way transform us make us more like yourself that's the transformation he is doing in all of us he's making us like himself and in fact when you look at these four living creatures in many ways they represent the nature and character of God they're like a reflection so remember that that glory emanates from the throne and he talks about the radiance of that we'll look at here tonight but it emanates and then those who then are before the throne have that glory upon them and that glory upon them is his nature his character then upon the life and so these four living creatures like there are the the embodiment the the reflection even of his his character his holiness is being and they're nothing like anything we can imagine and they represent Jesus Christ now when you read through the prophet Ezekiel there's there's many last days prophecies in Ezekiel you might know that and Daniel and others Zechariah and but in Ezekiel we get this a similar somewhat different but similar view of the throne of God and there are these living creatures and so he describes in there's a lot of similarities here and the Jewish rabbis who've looked at these and you know sort of tried to bring interpretation to their meaning they believe these are the greatest of God's creation and they represented the the standard or the ensign you know like the flags you might say of the four tribes the standard of the four leading tribes that surrounded the temple or the tabernacle in the desert as you know the Israel Traver traveled through the desert with the tabernacle in the center and three tribes on the north three in the South three of these and each of them had kind of a lead the tribe and they would have an ensign or a standard on this flag so they believe that these represented those others also add the belief that they are a great reflection of each of the Gospels as we're going to look at that also and so let's read it halation chapter 4 beginning in verse 1 after these things I looked and behold there was a door standing open in heaven now that right there is an amazing thought Jesus says I am the door I am the open door that's just an interesting view and the first voice which I heard it was 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 so it's gonna be a prophetic view now immediately I was in the spirit and behold a throne was standing in heaven and one sitting on the throne and he who was sitting was like a Jasper stone and a sardius in appearance and there was a rainbow around the throne although it was emerald so it wasn't like what we would think of a multicolored rainbow more like an arch that was emerald in color they're doing their best to describe it and a round of throne were the twenty-four elders and upon the thrones i saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their on their heads and from the throne there proceeded 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 we're gonna look at that on Wednesday and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like crystal that that is a just an amazing thing to ponder to consider what that might even look like a sea of glass like crystal this is amazing to consider and in the center okay in the sea of glass like Krishna in the center there was that was where the thermos and venice's and there were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind I mean all you can say is Wow like what is that nothing like we can imagine and nothing nothing what we can we can even conjure in our minds very well it's like we have no we have no way to kind of put that in our minds and these four living creatures each one of them had six wings full of eyes around and within and day and night they did not cease to say holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and who is and who is to come now when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne to him who lives for ever and ever the twenty-four elders will fall down before him a sits on the throne and a worship Him who lives forever and ever and they will cast their crowns before the throne saying worthy art Thou O Lord our God to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and because of your will they existed and they were created all right now having seen this let's go back and add a little more more dimension let's add a little more to these because I I skipped over this one so that we can focus on it notice it says in verse seven that the first creature was like a lion the first creature had the appearance of a lion and the second was like a kafir and ox or a bull and the third had the feasts like that of a man and the fourth creature was that like of a flying eagle and I want us to really look at these four living creatures because they're they're amazing to our understanding what they represent is something that we should really take hold up and we start with this one who says that he had the appearance of a lion and this is a reflection of course of the glory of God the character of God the the the nature of God now Jesus is called the lion from the tribe of Judah so I think we can immediately understand that one like that is an image that we can like we would expect that but yes he's reflecting the heart of the Lord and he is reflecting remember now that the nature of God the heart of the Lord is something that he wants to see in us so you think of these aspects of God's nature and they really must be then looked at and applied in a personal way so maybe for example we can look at this one and say therefore God wants us to have also the heart of a lion have a heart of a lion that qualities of a lion are very clear right power authority strength boldness right the heart of a lion we can grasp that really well and these majestic symbols right represent the nature of God the character of Jesus God's heart after us his nature in us so let's look let's apply those things what does it mean to have like the heart of a lion what is that there's the authority and power that's the you know it's like the greatest of the beasts you know the the authority and power he's the lion from the tribe of Judah right so immediately you think will Authority and boldness right Authority requires like this boldness Authority is sometimes seen like a key Jesus refers to this also in revelation 1 verses 17 to 18 when he speaks of the authority like a Keith you have the key to the house you have authority right to enter the house that's like the authority and jesus said in revelation 1 do not be afraid I'm the first time the last I'm the living one I was dead and behold I am Alive for evermore and I have the keys of death and I have the keys of hell under about you but there's something like pretty powerful description there it's like he's the one who opens the door right he's got the keys to death I am the resurrection and the life no one comes to the Father but by me but if you come to the Father but by me you have life everlasting because you have the resurrected life that I purchased for you and I open the doors to death because I overcame death my power and I had the keys to hell by the way and you think you know in many modern pictures of hell you know we think that the Satan is the captain of hell let me just reassure you who holds the keys to hell okay amen and then remember also in Peter this is talking about the authority of the church Peter said or Jesus said to Peter on this rock right after Peter just declared thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God and what a testimony who do the people say I am they say this but who do you say I am Peter responded Howard the Christ the Son of the Living God jesus said on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it no that is a declaration of victory and authority the gates of Hell will not prevail against it this is just something powerful to understand all the authority has been given to Jesus he said and he promised to be with us he who has the keys of death and the keys of hell he who has all authority he says I will be with you I am in you I will be with you even to the end of the age right Matthew 28 all Authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth go that's what I mean I'm just calling you go make a difference in this world go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them which is why we baptize right he told us baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I commanded you and lo I am with you I am with you always even to the end of the age I love that promise right there he's with me even to the end of the ages with you second Corinthians three having such a hope we use great boldness in our speech you know why you use great boldness you know in your leg this is speaking spiritual things or talking about spiritual things you have boldness right because you know that the authority of God's gospel is powerful right and so here's another example okay after the resurrection this is I love this story after the resurrection there's this great revival that breaks out in Jerusalem right and so the Jewish leaders very concerned about this they have Peter and the others arrested only to have an angel appear at night opened the doors of the of the prison and they they get out of the prison and immediately go down to the temple 'no start teaching again and so the the the jewish leaders are told they're not in the prison they're out there teaching so they have a seized and arrested and they brought them before the council like we thought didn't we tell you to stop doing this and they responded we will obey God not men right they spoke immediately with this Authority we will obey God and not men and they were they were they didn't know what to do right they were considered stoning them they were considered to kill them and then go Mali yell one of the Jewish leaders corrected them but listen to what he said Acts chapter 5 Gamaliel says look if what these men are doing should be of man it will come to nothing they will be overthrown but if what these men are doing is of God you will not be able to overthrow them or else you may even be found fighting against God do you believe that God is with you you believe that God is for you see that to me is the tremendous understanding because if you have that understanding I am with you always even to the end of the age all the authority has been given to me have that understanding it is a tremendous difference in the believer who knows that who stands by that in all humility understands what God is doing in calling us to have the heart of a lion now having said that we should also understand this that godly Authority requires full commitment I mean he's calling us to be all in right a he's not asking us to just kind of well I'm not sure I might kind of think he says no wait a minute don't be lukewarm here I want you all in right make your decision choose you this day whom you will serve and if you're gonna serve the Lord I say serve him with all your guys serve him with all your heart mind soul and strength right he's he says look at that there's a time to take a stand see there's that that's the point there's the time to stake it take a stand there's a time to have no compromise Jesus repeatedly said to the churches he who overcomes what does it mean he who overcomes it means to hold fast means that you are holding with a firmness and a boldness you keep his word until the end I'll have this image in my mind when I think about this I think about this this this image that I saw on an LP album okay do you know what LP albums are yeah okay this was before cassette players okay this was before 8tracks and a lot of people don't even know what those are but they had these lp's long play albums and they were like you know this big and the big part about him not just the music but that's a lot of space to put some like awesome album covers and so Keith green was one of my artists that I loved when I was young he wrote an album called no compromise and this is the cover of it of it is a picture of Nebuchadnezzar everyone's bowing down but one meek soul I love this image I used to just stare at this image for such a long time that there's one meek soul who's standing if you make it out there's one right next to him like trying to pull him down what are you thinking but he just stands there meek and powerful he will not bow he will not compromise even if it costs him his life he will not bow he will not compromise there's just something about that that we need to grasp because frankly we are living in days where that is becoming more and more of a necessity because this culture and this society in which we are living is more and more there is further and further away from God means that they are more and more against the church you sense that you see that what's happening in our culture in our society right now the further this our society gets away from God the more they are against the church you had a know when to take a stand right now going back to Revelation chapter 4 as you look at these these next animals serve with the power of an ox there are ox is like the most powerful of the beasts of burden but it is a beast of burden in other words it's a it's like it represents the heart of serving the heart of the Lord is in fact serving it is the character of God revealed and Jesus himself was the very example of that jesus said I didn't come to be served even though he's the son of the Living God he's king of kings and Lord of lords I didn't come to be served so he says it this way he says he who desires to be first let it be the last you want a principle of the kingdom of God he who desires to be first let it be the last he who desires to be the greatest let him be the least and the servant of all and then he uses himself as the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many you know in the Old Testament well many of the sacrifices were that of a ball and all of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to Jesus Christ as the one who would lay down his life I've come to give my life as a ransom for many and you see this in this this image of this beast this living creature rather who's a reflection of the heart of god that of a servant it's really a powerful image and then you look at the character like that ox right you get so many things you can apply that be steady be faithful you know an arc says that that's steadfastness if a farmer had to plow a difficult ground you know full of rocks or it was very hard the animal of choice is the ops because it's powerful that you know mighty powerful sure-footed you know steady and there's a lot of scriptures that speak to that in our lives first Corinthians 15 therefore my beloved brethren be steadfast be immovable I love that always abounding in the work of the Lord in your life always abound in the work of the Lord in your life knowing that your toil is not in vain it's not in vain in the Lord you be steadfast you be steadfast immovable one of the qualities of the of an ox right is that is that he does the work without complaining an ox generally speaking does not have an attitude there's a lot for us to learn here in contrast to like a donkey which is sometimes going by a different name that oftentimes has an attitude and that you know in order to get him to go in the direction you want him to go sometimes you have to use a two-by-four but you know the OPP's the the the Bulldogs actually many people are not aware that they were they were extremely trainable quite compliance to the point that the the farmer could walk behind them and simply give verbal direction and they and arks would just move according to the direction simply spoken and no attitude it's like what a great quality you don't want Jesus an example when Jesus visited the home of the true sisters Martha and Mary you remember this story right Martha is making preparations for dinner but she starts complaining and she's complaining because her sister Mary is not helping with the preparations and so interestingly she actually confronts Jesus can you imagine this she does she confronts Jesus over this and she says Lord do you not care that that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone tell her to help me and as we know their story the Lord doesn't tell Mary to help her instead corrects Martha but he his correction is Martha Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things now he's not correcting her for preparing the dinner he's not correcting her for you know serving in the kitchen hey someone's gonna have to put together dinner is that that's not the problem the problem is the attitude Martha Martha you are worried and you are bothered about so many things but mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her then you see this perspective of that that character of this is this living creature and and that which is the ox and you can apply that maybe in another way you can say like do the difficult things in every house in every ministry there are jobs no one wants to do those with servant hearts like they're willing to do the difficult things that's like that's the ox where I can do the difficult things you you got to feel it's got rocks in it you want the Ox you got a you got a field that's like hard yeah you need the Ox it's so there's that perspective of those that have that heart toward the Lord they'll do the difficult things they'll do the hard things I mean hate dealing with our sins couldn't have been easy dealing with people like us can't be easy I remember when we had our first baby and you know I was like I was like so into it my wife's pregnant you know and I went to all the doctor's appointments and and like I'm into this you know and and I'm the coach you know the birthing coach and and I was like into it I mean I got I got I studied I did all this stuff I was all ready for it you know got my cheering all down I knew how to cheer you know push him out push him out way out and I got it all you know he's like I'm gonna do my coaching ride and I got me in I mean I'm totally in and she almost bit me in the shoulder for that one but you don't have to after the baby's like I'm in right well some tasks are unpleasant let's say but like okay okay I'm in I'm still in okay I'm still in I'm still doing this I'm in until one day she decided for whatever reason that she wanted to try cloth diapers exactly now there's a limit here people and we just hit it and then and then she says she says oh she got me with this one she says you know you are so kind you help with so many things but you've never ever rinsed out the diapers like next thing you know I'm like diaper rinse King I'm still in counseling over there but see my point is like when we get closer to the days when we get closer to the latter days the heart of a servant is gonna actually be very spiritually valuable here's why the scripture describes that the Antichrist will arise on the scene and he will by all appearances do what no man has been able to do he can solve the unsolvable I bring peace to the Middle East for example which he will do and then but it also describes like the the turmoil that the earth will be in he seems to be able to bring the solutions which suggests that troublesome times will arise which leads the way to the arising of the Antichrist and therefore those troublesome times and frankly as we look at what's happening in the world today we can sense that there's an evil rising we can sense that there is something stirring anyone with any kind of spiritual discernment can sense it there is something rising right now in the earth and there is a like a storm cloud there is like a looming evil and therefore difficult times are going to come difficult times will come and those who have a heart to serve those who have a heart to serve will become like a necessity now let's go back to revelation 4 because he speaks through these last ones and God desires both humility and greatness which is what we've seen these last creatures these living creatures before the throne interestingly they are like the closest they're even closer than the 24 elders they're like the closest to the throne the presence of God and they never cease in their humility to give Him glory to give him honor holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty then you look at these 24 elders sitting on their Thrones okay they're sitting on Thrones which which speaks to the fact that they have authority right they got crowns golden crowns their positions of authority and power but what does it say that they do they cast their crowns before the throne of the of the one who sits on the throne and you see this perspective in both the humility and the greatness both both humility and greatness so Millett II yeah you look at this the face of the man I'm convinced represents humility the one with the face of a man he said well how do you say that how do you see it here's why I see it because when Jesus the scripture tells us that when Jesus became a man he was with his father in glory but when he became a man he became a bondservant it was an act of greatest humility does God have humility absolutely Philippians chapter 2 verses 7 to 8 he emptied himself taking the form of a bondservant and being made and a likeness of men and then being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself even further by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross the example of God's heart in humility is seen in Jesus Christ himself then it tells us the glory and honor actually the glory and honor are given to those who understand the value of humility it is a quality of God's heart and those who understand it because it does take some depth of understanding many people do not understand what humility is and it takes some depth of understanding to grasp what real true humility is but those who grasp it and understand it glory and honor are given to them but you see in this this contrast between these these elders sitting on Thrones having crowns but they cast their crowns before the throne of God they understand humility the Matthew 23 the greatest among you he said a similar thing the greatest among you shall be your servant whoever exalts himself is going to be humbled and God will see to it that's the point God will see to it but whoever humbles himself will be exalted and God will see to it there's an aspect of faith there and then lastly this last creature the the the image of an eagle right the Eagle is the majesty of God that it's a reflection of God's heart right and it's this fourth living creature like a flying eagle even the symbol is wings are spread in other there's something very powerful especially like a bald eagle right so it's a great symbol for the United States a lot to say on that maybe but we'll get to it Wednesday but there's this image of this bald eagle I mean this eagle Graham juris right majestic power but flying at the heights flying at these Heights it's a symbol of power majesty of God right Psalm 91 he who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty now I just I want to stop there because I love that verse I mean I can just I can just say that verse over and over and over because of what it says it's so powerful right he who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty many as four verse four he will cover you with his pinions and under his wings you may seek refuge his faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark it's his heart it shows us his character his nature and this is that's why it's giving him glory the eagle you know is the only animal did you know the only animal that can actually look directly at the Sun and not damage its eyes is it but a picture right because light is a is a picture of glory and in the picture of Jesus who can perceive the father in all his glory do you remember when Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration and was transfigured in glory this is the beautiful pictures majestic its soaring high lift you know by the great wind a picture of the Holy Spirit who is the the the word spirit in Greek actually means wind the holy wind it's a powerful perspective when you see them together and then and then when you understand that how he applies that to our lives the strength of the Eagle the power of the Eagle is actually applied to us in Isaiah 40 you get one of the most powerful images of it in Isaiah 40 and I think I've got just one verse in your notes but I want to read more it says in verse 29 of Isaiah 40 he gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might he increases power the young men youths grow weary entire vigorous young men will stumble badly but those who wait for the Lord will gain new strengths they will mount up with wings like eagles they will run and not get tired and they will walk and not faint I don't know about you but I love that picture and he's giving that to us to understand wait if that's God's nature that's God's character and those who draw near those who draw near will have the abundance of God's nature seen in their lives are you weary tired beat up this world will beat you up war wear you down there's so much against you in this world this world this life is a struggle anybody see it this life is a struggle it'll beat you up it'll be you but Jesus said come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest for your souls and here in Isaiah 40 he gives strength to the weary those who lack might he increases power even young men will stumble badly yet those who wait for the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles he'd been beaten down he will he will lift you up he will strengthen your soul John near the presence of the Lord is the key to the understanding you draw near to the Lord and it is his nature and his character that will transform you let's pray father we are so blessed because your word is your heart revealed and you pour forth your word in revealing what the throne of the Living God is like and these four living creatures who reflect your glory and your eminence in your power reflect your character and it is in us that you desire that it be seen and I pray Lord for everyone in this room tonight that we would desire to be transformed in the presence of the Living God Church tonight would you even say to the Lord I I see this this image this picture of heaven and this throne and it makes makes me desire the presence of God in my life it makes me desire I want the presence of God because that is the power of God manifested he gives drink to the weary church tonight if you're beat up if you're wearied down if this world is just knocking you over then rise up in the presence of the Living God you will be strengthened in your soul you will rise up with wings like eagles and he'll strengthen your soul is that your desire would you invite God to move on your life would you just raise your hand and say it to the Lord God I'm inviting you to move on my life I'm inviting I want to see those those things in my life as well God you're the one who gives strength to the weary you're the one who causes us to rise up God's we God we want to rise up with wings like eagles we want to stand before the presence of the Living God strengthened in power because you're the one who strengthens us let me give you praise for all you're doing in Jesus name and everyone

Channel: Calvary Chapel Worship Center - Hillsboro, Oregon

Views: 2,920

Rating: 4.8571429 out of 5

Keywords: The Bible, God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy, Pastor Rich Jones, Calvary Chapel, Faith, Grace, Revival, Truth, Prayer, Salvation, Calvary, Chapel, Hillsboro, Revelation, Revelation 4, A View into Heaven

Id: 3ZFcTZM1EEs

Length: 43min 42sec (2622 seconds)

Published: Sun Oct 01 2017