Center of the Universe - Rumor notes 22

 Revelation 4

1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this."

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne

3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

A door into heaven does not necessarily mean it is away from earth. Heaven is also all around and in us, only in another dimension as well as involving another place in the universe.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' (Acts 17:28)

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation; neither will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'Look, there!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)

Come up here, and I will show you

This declares succinctly that heaven is committed to openness and transparency, quite opposite of how earthly powers operate.

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John. (Revelation 1:1)

I counsel you to buy from me...eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. (Revelation 3:18)

Why would John be invited to an open door into heaven?

I think it is no coincidence that just before this opportunity to see things from heaven's perspective that we are instructed to buy gold, white garments and eye salve in order to see.

Its a matter of perspective, to see everything through eyes that have very different priorities than what we are used to having. Perspective and priorities make all the difference in how we perceive reality.

Immediately I was in the Spirit.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet

(Revelation 1:10)

He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored animal, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows), how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

(2 Corinthians 12:1-4)

a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne

Chapters 4-5 parallel Daniel 7 and reveal a court scene dealing with charges leveled against God's character by Satan who accuses him of being motivated by selfish interest. This chapter also provides a norm of how creation was designed to function originally.

Speaking of perspective, consider this sequence of descriptives related to the throne that follow:

A throne set – vs 2

Around the throne – vs 3-4,6

Out of the throne – vs 5

Before the throne – vs 5-6

In the midst of the throne – vs 6

Clearly everything here revolves around the throne making it the center of all context.

The word throne comes from a word meaning to sit. God is all about relationship more than about power. He is love as well as the most humble being in the universe. Thus the sitting place of God could be viewed as His chair where children may feel welcome to sit on His lap and be cuddled in His arms.

Thrones denote both authority and decision making. God's throne is directly related to His credibility, as He never coerces anyone to live under His authority. His authority is derived from the willing submission of loyalty springing from an appreciation of His character of love and the freedom He defends for every created being to choose for themselves whom they will worship and serve.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' (Acts 17:28)

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation; neither will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'Look, there!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)

We need to look past merely thinking of this as a physical throne somewhere far away in heaven where the all-powerful God of the universe dispenses authority and judges everyone else. This misses the reality and the significance of much of what we find in this and the next chapter.

A throne is more about the inner place of authority but even more so the deepest, most intimate part of our experience of existence. It points to the heart, the seat of emotions, decisions, relationship with others. It certainly is the seat of all authority as it is only by permission that anyone is given access into the sacred part of our soul. This is about access to intimacy, trust, sharing of transparent love. All this is contained in the idea of a throne. We must avoid getting stuck in viewing this through the lens of the counterfeit system that is all about power and control instead of about intimate permission to access and synchronize with the heart.

Amazingly what we are introduced to here is a glimpse into the very heart of God. If we will associate throne with God's heart instead of some place of stern, unfeeling place of judgment and handing out sentences, we could begin to grasp the emotional power that John must have felt as he was privileged to look into the secret place of the Most High and see metaphors that might help to see how God feels and relates to those around Him.

looked like a jasper stone and a sardius

Jasper is usually red or yellow but can be green. Sardius is also red in color and was the first stone in the breastplate of the high priest. This red describing the One on the throne may correspond to the color of God in whose image Adam was created. Adam means ruddy or reddish in color. Of course the color red relates to blood which represents life. And the worship of God involve a lot of references to blood, which only makes sense since God is the Source and Author of all life.

There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

Emerald is an intense green color. But what is this referring to, the rainbow or the throne? A rainbow is primarily known for have the full spectrum of colors so it wouldn't make sense to say the rainbow was only green – it would no longer be accurate to call it a rainbow. Yet to see the throne as green when it was just described as intense red or yellow can be confusing. However, jasper can also be green, so very likely the throne is not merely a single solid color but can be viewed as having the primary colors of life with red representing blood of life, yellow associated with fire and green seen in the lush vegetation found wherever life is abounding.

Another possibility could mean these three mentioned colors – red, yellow and green – might refer to the three primary elements of nature – wind, fire and water.

Blood being red represents life in Scripture. Human life was brought into existence when the wind, the very Spirit or breath of life from God, entering into an inanimate shape formed from the ground resulting a new living soul.

Yellow might possibly refer to the gold which in scripture represents faith and love which is also represented by fire. Fire in scripture represents the intense passion of God's love which is the very source of all power throughout the universe. Fire is sometimes linked with sulphur which is also yellow and describes the very essence of divine presence that has potential to induce torture in any who choose to remain out of harmony with this love.

Green could represent life-giving waters, and while there were likely no large oceans originally on this planet, there were bodies of water large enough to support large sea mammals that could have had the appearance of green and/or blue. Combine this with the color green being associated with healthy living vegetation that is well-watered and we round out the full spectrum of needed ingredients for life as we know it on earth.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

This is where God's motives and His methods demonstrate even more clearly the nature of His way of governing. Again, this is not about the arrangement of furniture in some heavenly courtroom in some distant building. Rather it is about disposition and relationships. This arrangement of metaphoric seats at the focal point of power and life is about power-sharing, diversifying authority, inclusion, trust and delegation. If we keep in mind the deeper meaning of what a throne is about from heaven's perspective, we see that the hearts (thrones) of other beings revolve around the heart of God. Isn't this what God wants? He is not into top-down hierarchical control like counterfeit systems employ. Rather God is all about relationship sharing, entrusting and delegating extended relationships through a giant network of various beings all with direct access to the central heart of God.

I don't see anything about the description of this throne and its surroundings that even hints as a power structure like what we are used to living under. I see no indication that certain elders govern over other beings or that the four creatures are higher in authority than the elders or anything of that type. Even the angels and all sorts of other miscellaneous beings mentioned later are not arranged in some top-down authority control matrix managed from the top but are all simply described as being around the throne in the center. This is vital to appreciate if we are to grasp the much deeper meanings of this book of revelations about God as opened to us in Jesus Christ.

This challenges our distorted notions of some need to go through an artificial chain of command in order to gain access to the top. And while there is a system of relationships designed to facilitate various levels of maturity in the body of Christ, it must not become infected with the satanic invention of hierarchical control mechanisms denying direct access to God. The counterfeit is designed to insert other gods into the lineup and compel people to imagine they are less important to God than those 'above' them. But in this chapter I find nothing to support that view amazingly. Rather the very term 'elder' indicates that any variation in description or function is about capacity, experience and wisdom. But all of that is for the purpose of serving and helping others to come closer and higher, not to rule over them. This is totally in harmony with the explicit command of Jesus that those who follow Him are never to dominate over anyone else but are only to serve. This is in direct confrontation to all hierarchy or notions about dominion given to anyone for the purpose of controlling other humans.

The presence of multiple adjacent thrones reveals the power-sharing nature of God's kingdom and His willingness to be fully accountable and transparent in all His ways. Notice that these elders all wear white garments and have golden crowns. Jesus is dressed similarly and both of these elements were offered to be bought from Jesus just a few verses previous to this.

What are elders? Is the word elder related to age, to maturity, to experience, to status, to position?

Who might these elders be? Why or how might they be chosen?

Why are there 24 elders and not some other number?

What gender might these elders be?

What is the purpose of these thrones and elders? What are their activities/responsibilities?

...Eleazar and Ithamar [sons of Aaron] executed the priest's office. David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight. Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

(1 Chronicles 24:2-5,19)

Princes of the sanctuary could be those concerned primarily with those who constitute the children of God who compose the sanctuary in which He dwells. Princes of God may be elders who are more focused on a connection with God's heart.

Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together; where the tribes go up, even Yah's tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the name of Yahweh. For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David's house. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. (Psalms 122:2-6)

I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels of it burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10)

Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28)

What is judgment? This is key to clarifying the motives and purpose of God's kind of thrones.

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. (John 3:19)

If bringing light defines how God does judgment, what evidence do we find in these verses to confirm this?

These elders are dressed in white garments. Again, we must understand what garments mean or we can miss a great many insights. Garments are defined in chapter 19 as the righteous acts of the saints. Connect this to something Jesus said and it can all start to come together to compose a larger view of what this is all about.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. (Matthew 5:14-18)

These words give us an overview of the whole purpose for judgment. Laying aside our perverted notions about judgment as critically analyzing people's lives and determining their fate and punishment or reward, we see that true judgment is the unleashing of light through out own lives. And for what purpose? Light is to flow out of our lives – the way we relate to those around us, especially those in the house – in the works we do. And the works become evidence of the work of God in transforming our own hearts, minds and actions. This evidence of the effectiveness of God's love to transform sinners into saints becomes the very light that judges naturally, not forcibly. All of this is for the purpose of eliciting praise and glory to flow back to God from all who see His glory reflected in the lives of His saints. This is what judgment is all about – how we choose to relate to the light of God's glory.

He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:51-53)

For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

After considering all this and more, it would appear that to be an elder might mean to be a person who has most come to reflect the humility, kindness, graciousness and maturity as demonstrated by the greatest light Jesus Christ. The very presence of Jesus who is the epitome of love, caused judgment wherever He went. This was not because He went around pointing out people's sins and condemning them – that is counterfeit judgment. No, it was just the opposite. The light of God's love constantly flowing through Jesus always elicited reactions in all who were exposed to it, some positively and others negatively. This is how heaven's kind of judgment operates – naturally, not forcibly. This then, would indicate that these thrones and elders are synchronizing with the work of Jesus and their lives and example emulate the same kind of influence and interactions and wisdom that is seen in the life of Jesus, the greatest light reflector. The elders reflect the most light besides Jesus and thus cause the most judgment to happen around them.

with crowns of gold on their heads

These elders have the signature crowns made of gold on their heads. Jesus wears a similar crown.

I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!" He who sat on the cloud thrust his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:14-16)

Again, we must be wary of allowing infections from the counterfeit way of viewing things to influence the definitions of the words being used. In our world a crown indicates rank, status and power over in a clear hierarchy system. God does not embrace hierarchy, and certainly Jesus does not since He soundly denounces and rejects it in His instructions to His disciples. So if we remove the idea of a crown from the context of hierarchy, then what might it mean in a system free of all hierarchy?

Consider a few basic things about a crown that are givens:

A crown is designed to be worn on the head. Why might that be important or what does it imply?

A crown has assumed meaning, sending a message to others about the one wearing it.

A crown is not the same as a hat. How is it different and why?

A crown often contains things other than gold. Does that provide any reason for discussion here?

A crown of gold would indicate we need to be reminded of the real meaning of gold?

Is a crown merely external or does it reflect internal qualities. Where does it originate? How is it made?

Discuss the implications of all these elders having crowns just like the one on Jesus. What might that reveal to us about the attitude of Jesus when others are wearing the same things He wears and are all seated on thrones all arranged around the main throne of the universe.

Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders.

Before we ponder the significance of this list of alerting signals, consider in the light of what we just discovered what it might mean that they come out of the throne of God at the center of the universe.

One thing these words alert us to is that all these things originate from inside the throne. They are not evidently reactions coming from anywhere else but are said to be coming out of the throne. It might be helpful to ponder other passages that refer to what originates from the main throne and how they might add to our understanding of what these might mean.

The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" (Revelation 16:17)

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!" (Revelation 19:5)

He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1)

I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels of it burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10)

From these verses indicating things coming out of the throne of God, we find a voice, a river of water and a fiery stream. Now we link that to this verse which says that lightnings, sounds, and thunders come from this same throne.

Generally, though not always, thunder originates from lightnings. Sounds can originate from all sorts of causes. Lightning almost always comes from the sky while sounds can come from both the sky as well as from underground.

This cluster of attention-getting signals repeats throughout the book with something additional added each time for emphasis, indicating a progression of ever-increasing intensity. They appear to be used to mark off significant milestones in the war against the powers of evil and darkness.

I call these markers transition tabs, inserted throughout the book to both organize it and to alert us of significant shifts of movement toward the final conclusion. While I don't claim to know just what each of these mean, I believe it is important that we keep our minds open to continued insights, for I am convinced that God sends light, knowledge, understanding and wisdom to all who ask for it and remain open and humble, willing to learn or even relearn as everything fits together more and more clearly.

I might be good to linger a bit to discuss what each of these might represent, and do so again each time we come upon another one through our study. Keeping such a discussion open-ended is one way of learning much more rather than wanting to arrive at a hard and fast conclusion. Closing a discussion thinking we now know the right answer so we can move on is one reason so many become stuck in narrow thinking that prevents them from receiving greater insights as they continue to emerge.

One thing that jumps out almost immediately that seems highly significant, especially in this context, is that this is very close to the description of what people witnessed at Mt. Sinai.

It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. (Exodus 19:16)

All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. (Exodus 20:18)

Notice how these similar descriptions serve like bookends to the giving of the Law of God by God directly. There is no mistake that these signs experienced at Mt. Sinai and seen again coming from the throne of God here in Revelation are no coincidence. Revelation acts as a living concordance for the rest of Scripture, meaning that nearly everything we read here needs to find its amplification and resource explanations from elsewhere in Scripture.

What else might we find throughout Scripture that has similar signs associated with them?

I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me. In my distress I called on Yahweh, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them. Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high. He took me. He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support. He brought me forth also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psalms 18:3-19)

This could well be an eloquent poem to accompany much of the book of Revelation.

Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war. Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord! Selah.

To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God! (Psalms 68:30-35)

Behold, the name of Yahweh comes from far away, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke. His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as a devouring fire. His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples.

You will have a song, as in the night when a holy feast is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a flute to come to Yahweh's mountain, to Israel's Rock. Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the descent of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, storm, and hailstones. For through the voice of Yahweh the Assyrian will be dismayed. He will strike him with his rod. Every stroke of the rod of punishment, which Yahweh will lay on him, will be with the sound of tambourines and harps. He will fight with them in battles, brandishing weapons. For his burning place has long been ready. Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire and much wood. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. (Isaiah 30:27-33)

Again, this could easily parallel what we will find in the progression of the book of Revelation as it moves toward reports of lakes of fire where the enemies fighting against God and His true followers find their final end, especially the king of evil.

For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm, the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them, for they could not stand that which was commanded, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned;" and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."

But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18-24)

There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

This correlates to the seven lampstands from chapter 1 representing the angels of the seven assemblies in chapters 2-3. Are they counterparts of each other, one set in heaven and reflected by the set on earth?

John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)

I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)

A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. (Isaiah 11:1-4)