Before John gets to “unveil” and write about future events in history, he is given a vision of heaven in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation. The first thing he sees in heaven is God’s throne, which we looked at a few weeks ago. He sees God enthroned above every earthly throne, magnificent in beauty, and glorious in holiness, power and majesty. God is worshiped and praised by his attendants in heaven for all of his divine attributes.
This heavenly vision continues in chapter 5, which we will be looking at on Sunday, Lord willing, where we see Christ, highly exalted to the right hand of God as the lamb who has conquered through his death, and who alone is worthy to carry out God’s decrees for the history of the world and the universe. Once Christ takes the scroll from the hand of his Father, heaven erupts with praise and worship unto the Lord, ascribing to Him all power, riches, honor, glory, and blessing for the work of redemption that He has done
John ends the chapter with a vision of the entire creation worshiping and praising God and the Lamb. “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev 5:13-14). Imagine trying to take in every creature on earth and in heaven singing essentially verse 13 of Handel’s Messiah! We must wait to get our glorified bodies before we can do that.
This heavenly vision is meant to encourage the church throughout the ages in these two ways:
- Know that no matter what happens on the world scene, God is still on his throne. Kingdoms will come and go, but His kingdom will last forever, and His decrees must stand.
- The one who is executing the will and decrees of God for all of mankind is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Our destiny is in his hand, and not in the hands of any political leader; He, as our blessed savior, is working out all things for the consummation of our redemption and the restoration of all things unto God.
May these truths keep our hearts at peace during these and future turbulent times.