The Throne

Instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.   Revelation 4:2

When John saw heaven opened, he was confronted not by streets of gold, but by a throne. Everything else in heaven takes its point of reference from this throne.

John saw someone sitting on the throne. In the Bible, when men like John are given a vision of God, all they can do is describe his splendor: “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian” (Revelation 4:3). John saw a dazzling display of brilliant light as it would be reflected in sparkling jewels or a kaleidoscope. Think laser light show.

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four elders, “clothed in white [with] gold crowns on their heads” (Revelation 4:4). These angels guard the throne of God, just as the cherubim guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:24). Like an entourage, a host of attendants surround the throne of God (see Psalm 89:6-7).

Suddenly, this glorious scene became quite terrifying. The awesome light that radiated from God’s throne was the source of a terrifying thunderstorm (see Revelation 4:5). When God came down on Mount Sinai, the mountain was burning with fire, and even Moses trembled with fear (see Hebrews 12:21). John witnessed something similar here.

Between John and the awesome throne in the distance was “a shiny sea of glass” (Revelation 4:6). John would have thought of God’s people after the Exodus and the miracle of God’s parting the Red Sea. Now John recognized that if men and women were to come into the presence of God, it would take another, even greater miracle.

Then John saw four living creatures. Like the seraphim that Isaiah saw (see Isaiah 6:1-3), they covered their eyes with their wings and never stopped saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come” (Revelation 4:8).

God’s throne is too glorious, his presence too terrifying, and his holiness too great for us to ever draw near on our own. If you are ever to come into his presence, a way must be opened up for you.

For further reading, see Exodus 19