Reading

• Rev. 4:1-8:6

Devotional

Chapters 4-5 of Revelation are my favorite passages in all the Bible—and the text from which the name of my Web site (chasingalion.com) originated. In these two chapters, we get a glimpse into the beauty and majesty that is present in heaven, in GOD’s throne room. The vision begins with John seeing a doorway before him and the voice calls him to enter and come up to heaven. There, GOD’s throne is seen with a rainbow of green emerald encircling the throne. GOD is seated upon the throne, and lightning and thundering proceed from the throne.

Surrounding GOD’s throne are 24 other thrones, with 24 elders sitting upon them, dressed in white and having crowns of gold upon their heads. There are four mysterious creatures encircling GOD’s throne. The first was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third like a man, and the fourth like an eagle. Each of the creatures had six wings and eyes covering their bodies, including under the wings. All day and night they keep saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.“

As the creatures give glory to GOD, the 24 elders fall down before Him and worship Him, placing their crowns before Him. Then John saw a scroll in GOD’s right hand, which had writings on either side, and seven seals. A mighty angel then asked who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. Nobody was found on heaven on earth or under the earth who was able to open the scroll. Seeing this, John wept a lot.

Then one of the 24 elders told John not to weep, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and was able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then John saw a Lamb, which looked like it had been killed, standing in the center of GOD’s throne. The Lamb had 7 horns and 7 eyes. This Lamb, of course, is Jesus. Jesus came and took the scroll from GOD’s right hand. The four living creatures bowed down and, using the harps in their hand, they sang a new song of praise to Jesus, because He was worthy.

Then John heard the voice of an innumerable group of angels, encircling the throne and joining in the song, praising Jesus for His worthiness. And every creature in heaven, on earth and on the sea sang praise to Jesus and GOD. The four living creatures said, “Amen.” and elders all fell down and worshiped. What a most glorious scene this must have been! I hope one day somebody makes a movie about this in an effort to help us picture this scene.

After these things, Jesus begins opening the seven seals, and various events take place after each seal is opened. Much of these events are described figuratively and their meaning is difficult to determine. After the sixth seal is opened, we are introduced to a group of 144,000 Israelites (12,000 from each tribe). Then John sees a great multitude impossible to count, people from every nation, standing before the throne. They wore white robes and held palm branches. They praised GOD and Jesus loudly.

One of the elders asked John who this multitude was, and John replied, “Sir, you know.” The elder then explained that all these people were saints who had overcome the great tribulation, having their robes washed in Jesus’ blood. They were constantly before GOD’s throne, serving Him.

After these things, Jesus opened the seventh seal, and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. The seven angels who had seven trumpets prepared to sound them.