Read or listen The Book of Revelation, chapter 4 online (ESV, YouVersion)

Visiting Heaven 4:1-11

Chapter 4 is the turning point in the Book of Revelation. Up to this point, the churches on earth have been spoken of. Now the focus is on heaven and what is happening there. Until now, the resurrected Jesus has spoken directly to John. At the beginning of the fourth chapter, John hears a voice like a trumpet, which apparently signifies the speech of the Son of God (cf. Rev. 1:10-11). The next time Jesus’ voice is heard is in the last chapter of the book (with a few possible exceptions). Until then, Jesus speaks to John through an angel.

In verse 1:19 Jesus promised to show John things that are now and things that will happen later. In the previous chapters John has been shown the current state of the churches, in the following chapters it is the turn of the future.

John is in the Spirit (cf. Rev. 1:10). He is taken up into the glory of heaven and is allowed to behold the wonder of heaven. John finds it difficult to describe what he sees. That is why he speaks in metaphors, which are of course only approximations of what was shown to him. If it was difficult for John to describe in words what he saw, it is even more difficult for us to find out what John saw and what he meant by metaphors. We can say something, but we are mostly content to admire John's description of the glory of heaven.

The gems are marvelous in their color brilliance. With their colors and brilliance, John depicts the Lord of heaven and earth seated on the throne. Around the Almighty are 24 elders dressed in white and with golden crowns on their heads. We do not know who these elders are. Perhaps they are angels who perform a special task near the throne of God. During the Old Covenant, the people of Israel were divided into 12 tribes according to the 12 sons of Jacob. The foundation of the New Covenant is the apostolic faith, and there were 12 apostles. The number of elders is reminiscent of the two covenants that God has made.

Around God’s throne are four creatures full of eyes. Ezekiel tells a similar vision (Ezek 1). We cannot say with certainty who these creatures are either. They are apparently angels. The eyes of the creatures remind us that nothing is hidden from God. Just as the eyes of the creatures point everywhere, so too God sees everything. We are talking about an all-seeing and all-knowing God.

Later Christians have depicted the four evangelists as the creatures seen by John. Mark is the lion, Luke the ox, John the eagle, and Matthew the one with the human face.

From verse 8 to the end of the chapter, John describes the heavenly worship service. The creatures sing praises to Almighty God. “Holy” is sung three times because God is triune: one holy to the Father, one to the Son, and one to the Holy Spirit. The worship service in heaven speaks powerfully of the greatness of God. The heavenly hosts worship the Almighty and acknowledge that he is Lord and God, to whom all glory belongs. So great is God that the people of heaven serve him without ceasing.