Chapter 4 begins with an interesting event that has raised unanswered questions throughout the ages since it happened. It tells us that John, who was a living man at the time he was given the prophecy of Revelation, was taken up to heaven and allowed to see the many things he eventually wrote about for us to learn.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Rev 4:1 |
The apostle Paul also wrote about a man who was taken up to heaven, whether it was John or not is not really known. However, most people, including myself, assume it was because there's no record of any other person being taken up to heaven around that time.
And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Cor 12:3-4 |
When Jesus was here, he had this to say about mankind and those who were found to be pure in heart.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Mat 5:8 |
Therefore, we can assume that John must have been pure in heart or close to it, because chapter 4 begins with him hearing the same voice as before and now was being told to come up to heaven, and so he went. Obviously, he didn't go on his own power or ability, but rather he was taken up or transported by the power of God. It also appears there was no delay in his going to heaven, and so we may assume he probably went in the twinkling of an eye. Perhaps the same way and speed that the resurrections will take place when Jesus returns.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:51-52 |
It would be easy to imagine that John was taken up in just such a fashion, very quickly so there would be no time to view travel or feel fear. Regardless, it appears that John was called to heaven and was actually allowed to visually see God, where he then describes to us what he saw.
And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Rev 4:3 |
Given this information, we now know that God does not have the appearance of a human being, but rather he looks more like a stone. Maybe that's why Jesus said no stone would go uncovered, and perhaps God thinks of us as stones because he himself is a massive stone with a conscience, floating somewhere in heaven, space, or where ever.
Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. Mark 12:10 |
In today's sci-fi theories, God would be considered an entity of massive energy glowing in a position where few have ever been. And so, since he was described that way, we need to think of him that way. God is a mass of energy that has a conscience and ability, and delivers what we call a spirit.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 |
Having seen God, John then describes seeing 24 elders.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Rev 4:4 |
Because the 24 elders have crowns, it means they are rulers over kingdoms. Although we don't know where these 24 came from, it's speculated they may be the 12 apostles and 12 tribes of Israel. Or, they could be the 12 tribes of Israel and the other 12 tribes God blessed Abraham with through Ishmael.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. Gen 17:20 Gen 17:20 |
And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: .... All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, Gen 35:22 & 49:28 |
This is one of those things the bible doesn't tell us or even hint at, so any opinion over who these 24 are is just that, an opinion. I'm more inclined to think they are of ancient times before the earth was made, but by no means do I lean toward the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel because John made no mention about him being one of them.
John then describes the appearance of God again, only this time he talks about the noises he hears and about seven lamps.
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Rev 4:5 |
Thunder and lightning we can understand because thunder seems to be God's sounding voice tone. The seven lamps are interesting because they are seven spirits before God. It doesn't tell us that these spirits make up God almighty, but rather it's likely he would use them to work his will as it seems he exists on his own accord. The seven spirits could be things like, love, hate, truth, delusion, anger, compassion, energy, or any number of spiritual things he has chosen them to be.
John goes on to describe the creatures around Gods throne and I expect they looked just like he describes them. There doesn't seem to be a break down as to what they represent, or if that is important. I tend to think the many eyes make up all the things that God is keeping his eye on, whether it is here on earth or there in heaven, or in other universes.
John talks about a sea of glass too. This is probably the same sea of Glass that we will all be standing on some day as we stand before the throne of God, where then we too will actually see God for ourselves.
Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. Rev 4:6 |
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. Rev 15:2 |
The first time John sees the sea of glass it is empty, the next time he sees it there are billions of people standing on it before the throne of God. The same sea of glass, but at different times? Probably. The glass will also likely have some sort of gravity to it since it says we will be standing on it, and we as humans don't float in thin air. We need gravity in order for us to stand on our feet.
I hope you notice as I show you things in the book of Revelation that some parts of it describe other parts of it and its purpose. Such as the verses I just showed you are in different chapters, but relate to the same thing. This makes understanding Revelation a little easier when this happens.
An example of this is the term "stars." For the most part, star in the book of Revelation means angel. However, there are a couple of times it means just what it says, stars. The way to know the difference is how it's used or referred too. But here, the sea of glass is likely ever present before God for various reasons, or made specific for us and the upcoming events.