Looking Back

Into the Future

(Rev 4:1-4) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a

trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must

be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in

heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an

emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I

saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads

crowns of gold.

Rapture

(Rev 4:1) After this I looked, and,

behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was

as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up

hither, and I will shew thee things

which must be hereafter.

The 3 HEAVENS

HEAVEN # 1

HEAVEN # 2

HEAVEN # 3

The

Throne

Rev. 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and,

behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on

the throne.

I. THE THRONE IS THE THEME OF IT ALL

It is the theme of Revelation 4

It is the theme of all of History

It is the theme of Heaven (I Kings 22:19; Ezk. 1:26; Isa 6:1

It is the theme of the Book of Revelation (55 times the word is used in the N.T., 40 in this book)

It is the theme of your life.

A. The description of

what is ON the throne

Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a

jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow

round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness

comprehended it not.

1 Tim 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can

approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour

and power everlasting. Amen.

Psa. 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest

out the heavens like a curtain:

Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a

jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow

round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Rev 21:10-11 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me

that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the

glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear

as crystal;

Rev. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine

stone: and there was a rainbow round about the

throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Rev. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These

things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God,

and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou

hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Breastplate

Ex.28:17-21 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of

stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall

be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an

agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with

the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according

to the twelve tribes.

The breastplate had 12 precious stones, representing the 12 tribes Israel. And each stone was assigned to a Tribe.

The Sardius was the 1st and the Jasper was the Last

The Sardius was Reuben’s (Behold a son)

The Jasper was Benjamin’s (Son of my right hand)

Heb 1:5 & 8 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art

my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 8 But

unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy

kingdom.Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum:

We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the

heavens;

B. The description of

what is AROUND the

throne

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an

emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty

seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,

clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

When most people think of the throne and the rainbow they think of an arch over the top of the throne.

The term used by John is “round about” the throne. That term is used 285 times in the bible to describe circling around, not over

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne,

in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty

seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,

clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

On the High priest Breastplate Emerald represented Judah who means “Praise”

Green is also a representation of the Earth

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were

four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and

twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on

their heads crowns of gold.

Many people try to say these 24 Elders represent the Angels

Some people try to say that they represent the 12 patriarchs and the 12 Apostles

Some try to say they are the the Old Testament Saints and the New Testaments Saints

Rev. 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the

Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which

are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art

worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and

tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and

priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The next time they show up Rev. 19

Look at there position

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the

seats I saw four and twenty elders SITTING, clothed in white

raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest.

Rev. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit

with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his

throne.

Hebrews 4

Look at there position

Look at their clothing

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the

seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, CLOTHED IN WHITE

RAIMENT; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev. 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife

hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she

should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness

of saints.

Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen, white and clean

Look at there position

Look at their clothing

Look at what is on their head

 Rev. 4:3-4 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a

sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the

seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment;

and they had on their HEADS CROWNS OF GOLD.

1. The incorruptible crown: 1 Cor. 9:24,25

2. The crown of rejoicing: 1 Thess. 2:19, 20

3. The crown of life: James 1:12 & Rev. 2:8-11

4. The crown of righteousness: 2 Tim. 4:8.

5. The crown of glory: 1 Pet. 5:1~4.

Look at there position

Look at their clothing

Look at what is on their head

If this is the Church why then is there 24?

I Chronicles 24 and 25

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye

should shew forth the praises of him who hath

called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;