There are moments in life that never get old … Driving over the bridge to the beachside and seeing the ocean stretched out before me. Cruising down a country road lined with cotton, corn, and pastures, soaking in the beauty of creation. Catching a first glimpse of Augusta National in the spring – golf heaven on earth. And I’ll never forget that moment when the doors of the sanctuary opened on my wedding day and I saw my bride for the first time.
Some sights are so powerful that they take your breath away no matter how many times you’ve seen them.
That’s what John gives us in Revelation 4 – a first glimpse of God’s throne room. He wants us to see what he saw, because when we do, it will grip our hearts and reorient our lives.
“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! … At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne…”
(Revelation 4:1-2)
The main idea of this passage is simple but life-changing: Christians are to live this life on earth in view of heavenly realities.
Heaven’s View Shapes Earthly Living
Revelation is not detached from our everyday lives. It is not meant to be a codebook for the curious but a letter to the church for encouragement and endurance.
When John received this vision, he was exiled on Patmos. Jesus had already dictated letters to the seven churches – letters filled with both correction and comfort. Like us, those churches were full of struggling believers: some faithful, some faltering, all tempted by the pull of the world.
Revelation forces us to ask the hard question: Is Jesus worth it? Is He worth the sacrifice, the loss, the rejection we might face if we truly seek first His Kingdom?
Before Jesus shows John what trials are coming, He shows him heaven. As if to say, “Don’t lose sight of this. Whatever happens next, whatever you face, this is the truest reality. It will all be worth it.”
God Rules Over Everyone and Everything
The central image of Revelation 4 is not a beast, not an angel, not even John – it’s a throne. And not just any throne, but an occupied throne.
In a world that feels chaotic and out of control, this is the ultimate reminder: God is ruling right now.
The throne of God is the governing center of the universe. It declares His authority, His sovereignty, and His absolute right to rule. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent – and holy. There are no limits to His power to do what is right and good.
When suffering Christians in the first century needed courage, they needed to see this throne. When struggling believers today wonder if it’s worth following Jesus, we need to see it too.
God Dwells With His People
Revelation 4 is saturated with tabernacle imagery: the meeting place of heaven & earth.
- The throne echoes the Holy of Holies, where God’s glory dwelled.
- The precious stones remind us of the High Priest’s breastplate, a sign that God carries His people close to His heart.
- The rainbow reminds us of God’s covenant promise to preserve His people through judgment.
- The 24 elders represent all the redeemed of all the ages – a picture that God keeps His promises and will not forget His people.
This throne room scene reminds us that God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people – from Eden to the tabernacle, to Jesus Himself, who “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14), and finally to the new creation where “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Rev. 21:3).
God Is Deserving of Our Praise
The creatures around the throne never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Their praise is not forced – it’s a natural response to seeing God as He truly is. Worship is what happens when the worth and wonder of God sinks into our souls and reorients our lives. This is what keeps us from being bored with God, from drifting into spiritual complacency. This is what ignites zeal for Jesus again.
So ask yourself: What is it that keeps me from wholehearted worship? What captures my attention more than God?
The more we see of God’s glory, the more we will gladly lay down our lives for Him.
Live Now in Light of Then
John’s glimpse into heaven is not just for our curiosity – it’s for our courage. It calls us to live now in such a way that we won’t be embarrassed when we stand before Jesus.
Pray that God would open your eyes to see Him as John saw Him – ruling, reigning, dwelling with His people, worthy of all praise. Because whatever brings Jesus the most glory will always be our greatest good.
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MichaelStovall 