Vision of Heaven 

• 1^st – Going to Heaven… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – After these things… vs. 1
    • After these things!
      • [Μετὰ ταῦτα] – a phrase repeated TWICE here in the first VERSE…
      • Marks the END of the SECOND section of the book – and the beginning of the THIRD…
      • Jesus is NO longer going to be addressing the CHURCH – Revelation 2-3
      • He moves on to talk about what will happen AFTER the CHURCH [these things]
    • No more CHURCH…
      • The word CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] appears TWENTY times in REVELATION…
      • NINETEEN times in the first THREE chapters – then ONCE in – Revelation 22:16
      • It is NEVER mentioned during the Tribulation – Revelation 6-18
      • For TWO thousand years God has used the CHURCH as His witness on earth…
      • We have been the LIGHT that shines out into DARKNESS – Matthew 5:16
      • But we are in the age of the CHURCH of LAODICEA – the final CHURCH…
      • The time of the CHURCH is coming to an END!
    • The LAST gentile…
      • Romans 11:25– “This will last only UNTIL the complete number of Gentiles comes to Christ.”
      • There are a SET number of people who will receive Jesus as their savior…
      • ONLY God knows the number – or who will be the LAST gentile to be saved…
      • But when the LAST person to believe – receives Jesus – it is time for the RAPTURE!
      • We are NOT waiting for the RETURN of Jesus – we are WAITING for the RAPTURE…
      • And although there is NOTHING we can do take make it come sooner…
      • We can PREACH the GOSPEL to everyone we KNOW…
      • Maybe someone we share with – will be the LAST person to believe – then we go HOME!
  • 2^nd – Open Door… vs. 1
    • I looked – and behold – a door standing open in heaven! 
    • John looked up – and SAW [εἴδω] – the DOOR to HEAVEN wide open…
    • He commanded [imperative] us to also LOOK [ἰδού] – it is [perfect] INDEED open 
    • The idea is ANYONE can go to HEAVEN – because Jesus opened [passive] the DOOR…
    • But there is just ONE door – ONE way – to be saved…
    • Jesus is that DOOR – He is the ONLY way we can get in – John 10:9
    • When Noah was building the ARK – there was only ONE door – Genesis 6:16
    • Up until the last moment – the DOOR was open – ANYONE could enter…
    • Sadly – most did NOT chose to go in – and they were left to face the WRATH of God!
    • The GOOD news – is that Jesus LOVES the whole world – John 3:16
    • And WHOSOEVER believes in Him – can walk through the DOOR – Romans 10:13
    • But the DOOR will not stay open forever – today is the day to go in – II Corinthians 6:2
    • Because for those who do NOT – the WRATH of God is coming!
  • 3^rd – The Trumpet… vs. 1
    • The first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me…
      • Saying – Come up here – and I will show you things which must take place after this!
      • John heard a LOUD voice calling to him again – like a TRUMPET…
      • It was the same VOICE that he heard at FIRST [πρῶτος] – Revelation 1:10
      • The VOICE told John he must COME up [imperative] to Heaven…
      • There John would [future] see – what MUST happen AFTER the CHURCH [μετὰ ταῦτα]
    • The RAPTURE…
      • This is speaking of the RAPTURE of the church – when we go to meet Jesus!
      • I Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven… with the trumpet of God. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up [ἁρπάζω]… to meet the Lord…”
      • There is a DAY coming VERY soon – when the TRUMPET will sound…
      • God will CALL the CHURCH to come HOME to be with Him FOREVER…
      • The KEY is we must be LISTENING when Jesus CALLS us – hear the TRUMPET…
      • No one knows the exact day or hour – only the Father in heaven – Mark 13:32
      • But we can be READY – knowing the time is SHORT – the RAPTURE is near!
  • 4th – In the Spirit… vs. 2
    • Immediately I was in the Spirit!
      • The MOMENT Jesus called – John was instantly in SPIRIT [πνεῦμα] – in HEAVEN…
      • This seems to emphasize the idea John was not physically in heaven…
      • It was a VISION the Lord gave to him regarding what was [future] to come…
      • Much the same way Paul the Apostle had his VISION of heaven!
      • II Corinthians 12:3 – “Whether in the body or out of the body I do not know…”
    • This BODY cannot go to heaven…
      • Because FLESH and BLOOD – cannot enter into GLORY – I Corinthians 15:50
      • When we are RAPTURED – we are CHANGED…
      • It is believed our bodies will NOT be left – because we will NOT die!
      • I Corinthians 15:51-52 – “I tell you a mystery: We shall not all [die] but we shall all be changed – in a moment – in the [blink] of an eye – at the last TRUMPET.”
      • With NO warning – it will happen in the BLINK of an eye [ἄτομος]
      • All believers who are in the CHURCH will be changed [μεταμορφόω] – II Corinthians 3:18
      • Receive eternal bodies – and we will be caught up to heaven – II Corinthians 5:1

• 2^nd – Description of Heaven… vs. 2-7
  • 1^st – The Throne… vs. 2-3
    • Behold – a throne set in heaven – and ONE sat on the throne!
      • The FIRST thing John saw when he got to HEAVEN – was the [ὁ] THRONE…
      • It was something we MUST [imperative] see [ἰδού]!
      • Because if we SEE the THRONE because of the RAPTURE…
      • Then we will NEVER have to stand before the THRONE in JUDGEMENT – Revelation 20:11
    • Describing the THRONE…
      • This does not appear to be a DESCRIPTION of God…
      • Rather this appears to be a DESCRIPTION of the THRONE of God…
      • Because the word ONE is in italics – and HE is implied in the original text…
      • Also remember when REVELATION uses key WORDS – such as LIKE or AS…
      • It is not to be taken LITERALLY – it is FIGURATIVE language!
    • He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance!
      • The THRONE is described as being BRIGHT and COLORFUL…
      • JASPER – is a STONE that was very SHINY – from HEBREW [יָֽשְׁפִה]
      • SARDIUS – is a RED stone – perhaps a reference to the BLOOD of Jesus…
      • EMERALD – is a GREEN stone – perhaps a reference to NEW life!
    • There was a rainbow around the throne – in appearance like an emerald!
      • All around the THRONE was a RAINBOW [ἶρις]
      • RAINBOWS are ONLY mentioned SIX times in the whole Bible…
      • THREE times in relation to HEAVEN – also Revelation 10:1 – Ezekiel 1:28
      • THREE times in relation to the JUDGEMENT – Genesis 9:13-16
      • It was the PROMISE given to MEN He would never judge the world again with the FLOOD…
      • A PROMISE that surrounds [constant reminder] the THRONE of God in HEAVEN!
      • God has been faithful to that promise – the world has never been flooded again…
      • The next time you see a rainbow remember that God keeps His PROMISES!
      • II Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.”
  • 2^nd – The Elders… vs. 4
    • Around the throne were twenty-four thrones – on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting!
      • Also surrounding the THRONE of God – were TWENTY FOUR thrones…
      • Seated on these thrones – were TWENTY FOUR elders…
      • ELDER [πρεσβύτερος] – the same term John used to describe himself – II John 1:1
      • TITLE and POSITION [sitting on thrones] of these ELDERS – speaks of their AUTHORITY!
    • Clothed in white robes. They had crowns of gold on their heads!
      • Their APPAREL undoubtedly marks these ELDERS as MEN who have been REDEEMED…
      • They have WHITE robes – which are the righteousness of Christ – Revelation 7:14
      • And they have gold CROWNS – which are the CROWN of LIFE – Revelation 2:10
      • So they are BELIEVERS who are in positions of AUTHORITY – but who are they!
    • Two VIEWS…
      • FIRST – generically they represent the CHURCH as a whole…
      • Although obviously there are more than TWENTY FOUR believers who get to heaven!
      • SECOND – specifically they are the two groups God has ordained to LEAD…
      • Referring to the TWELVE tribes of Israel [OT] – and the TWELVE Apostles of Jesus [NT]!
  • 3^rd – The Spirit… vs. 5
    • From the throne proceeded lightnings – thundering – and voices!
      • This sets the TONE for great POWER coming OUT [ἐκ] of the [ὁ] THRONE…
      • And that POWER is SPEAKING [voices] to those who are LISTENING!
      • The FIRST time the word LIGHTNING [לַפִּיד] appears in the Bible – Exodus 20:18
      • Was when God descended on Mount Sinai – to SPEAK to the nation of Israel…
      • Bur it caused great FEAR in the camp – because of the display of the POWER of God!
      • Exodus 20:18 – “When the people saw it – they trembled and stood afar off.”
    • Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne – which are the seven Spirits of God!
      • The SOURCE of all the POWER – SEVEN lamps of FIRE burning before the THRONE…
      • Which REPRESENT [are] the [ὁ] SEVEN SPIRITS of the [ὁ] GOD…
      • SEVEN is the number of COMPLETION – emphasizing we are talking about THE Holy Spirit!
      • Peter denied Jesus THREE times just before the crucifixion…
      • But FIFTY days later – the SPIRIT came down in tongues of FIRE – Acts 2:3
      • And that same man stood up and preached a message so POWERFUL – the church was born!
      • God SPEAKS to us from His THRONE – He wants to give us POWER…
      • He desires to set us on FIRE – with the POWER of the HOLY Spirit…
      • Transform us from TIMID failures – to UNSTOPPABLE preachers…
      • The way He does it is by giving us the POWER [δύναμις] of the SPIRIT…
      • POWER that is available to ALL believers – all we have to do is ask – Luke 11:13
  • 4^th – The Angels… vs. 6-7
    • The FOUR creatures…
      • The FINAL thing described – is the FOUR angels…
      • This is one of THREE main passages in the Bible describing these ANGELS…
      • Here in REVELATION they are called CREATURES [ζῷον] – meaning to be ALIVE…
      • The prophet Isaiah also described them – Isaiah 6:2-3
      • He called them the SERAPHIM [שְׂרָפִים] – meaning the ones who BURN…
      • The prophet Ezekiel gave an almost identical description – Ezekiel 1:5-14
      • He called them the LIVING [חַיּוֹת] – because they are full of LIFE…
      • But Ezekiel would go on to call them CHERUBIM [כְרוּבִים] – Ezekiel – 10:20
      • Like the one who guarded the GARDEN after the fall of MAN – Genesis 3:24
      • Like those who were carved over the top of the MERCY seat on the ARK – Exodus 25:18
      • We are given THREE facts here about these CHERUBIM!
    • FIRST – where the CHERUBIM are…
      • Before the throne there was a sea of glass – like crystal. 
      • In the midst of the throne – and around the throne – were four living creatures!
      • These ANGELS were BEFORE the THRONE – that looks LIKE [NU] a sea glass – LIKE crystal…
      • They were MIDST the THRONE – and AROUND the THRONE…
      • Giving us the sense these ANGELS do not sit still – they move around a LOT!
    • SECOND – what the CHERUBIM see…
      • Full of eyes in front and in back!
      • These ANGELS had LOTS of eyes – both in FRONT and in BACK!
      • Like a mom who seems to have eyes in the back their head…
      • Meaning they seem to SEE everything – you cannot sneak anything past them!
    • THIRD – the faces of the CHERUBIM…
      • The first living creature was like a lion – the second living creature like a calf…
      • The third living creature had a face like a man – the fourth living creature like a flying eagle!
      • These CHERUBIM had FOUR kinds of FACES – lion – cow – man – and bird…
      • This is ONE of FOUR places in the Bible were we see this!
      • FIRST – the TWELVE tribes were commanded to camp on FOUR sides of the Tabernacle…
      • Each side had its own banner – Number 2:34
      • We are not told in the Bible what was on these banners…
      • But Jewish tradition tells us: Judah = Lion – Ephraim = ox – Reuben = man – Dan = eagle!
      • SECOND – Ezekiel tells us all FOUR angels had on all FOUR faces – Ezekiel 1:10
      • THIRD – some see the same imagery again in the GOSPELS…
      • Matthew – Lion [Jesus is King] – Mark – Ox [Jesus is the servant of all]
      • Luke – Man [Jesus is the perfect sacrifice] – John – Eagle [Jesus is the King of Kings]
      • FOUR different part of the Bible – all picturing these around the THRONE of God!
        
      • What do all FOUR have in common – God is at the CENTER…
      • The CHERUBIM circle around the LORD – Israel gathered around the LORD…
      • The GOSPEL message – is all about Jesus – who is the LORD…
      • The point – this life has ONE purpose – and that is to put God at the CENTER – John 17:3

The MEANING of life is to KNOW Jesus – because He is WORTHY!

3^rd – Worship in heaven… vs. 8-11

1^st – Song of the angels… vs. 8

The four living creatures – each having six wings – were full of eyes around and within.

And they do not rest day or night – saying:

Holy – holy – holy – Lord God Almighty – who was and is and is to come!

These FOUR creatures [cherubim] – each with SIX wings full of MORE eyes…

Were created to SING constantly [day and night] before the LORD!

Their SONG…

SINGING – HOLY [ἅγιος] – which they repeat THREE times [Father – Son – Spirit]

This is the SAME song that Isaiah heard before the Lord called him – Isaiah 6:3

Calling Him the Lord [κύριος] – meaning He is the MASTER

THE God [ὁ θεὸς] – because He is THE one and ONLY God – Deuteronomy 6:4

THE [ὁ] Almighty – a compound word meaning ALL [πᾶς] and POWERFUL [κράτος]

The God who WAS [past] – IS [present] – and is to COME [future]

Is it no wonder our TRIUNE [holy 3x] God should be worshiped…

He is our MASTER – who is the ONLY God – who has ALL power…

Who has ALWAYS been – and will ALWAYS be forever!

2^nd – Casting Crowns… vs. 9-10

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne…

Who lives forever and ever – twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne…

And worship Him who lives forever and ever – and cast their crowns before the throne! 

As often as the ANGELS sing – worshiping Him who lived FOREVER [2x for emphasis]

Meaning this WORSHIP has been going on since the beginning – and will continue FOREVER…

And recall that the ANGELS sing a LOT – DAY and NIGHT…

The TWENTY FOUR elders all BOW and WORSHIP – and CAST their CROWNS!

This passage is the ONLY mention of CASTING crowns in the Bible…

It is where we get the IDEA – after our WORKS have been TESTED – I Corinthians 3:12-14

We will cast the CROWNS we received as a REWARD – before the THRONE of God…

But there are TWO problems with this INTERPRETATION…

FIRST – we do NOT know for sure who these TWENTY FOUR elders are [church?]

SECOND – CROWN [στέφανος] is always singular when it refers to REWARD – Revelation 2:10

So we do NOT receive CROWNS [plural]– we only receive ONE crown [singular]!

God is WORTHY of ALL our praise – and we may well cast our CROWN [singular] – at His feet…

But the idea of CROWNS [plural] as REWARDS – focuses on the wrong thing…

It leads us to believe we EARNED extra rewards [CROWNS] for our efforts…

But when we get to HEAVEN there will be NO boasting – just giving THANKS…

To the ONE who deserves all the GLORY – all the HONOR!

Ephesians 2:9-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith – and that not of yourselves – it is the gift of God – not of works – lest anyone should boast.”

3^rd – Song of the Elders… vs. 11

Saying: You are worthy – O Lord – to receive glory and honor and power.

The SONG of the ELDERS emphasizes WHO the focus will be in heaven…

It is NOT those who have CROWNS – it is the One who sits on the THRONE…

He is WORTHY [ἄξιος] – to WEIGH something and see it has WEIGHT!

If we got to the STORE and buy some VEGETABLES – we first WEIGH them…

We want to find out how much WORTH they have before we BUY!

If God is WORTHY to be worshiped in HEAVEN – He is also WORTHY now…

Because He is our Lord [κύριος] – we should give Him THREE things…

GLORY [δόξα] – to THINK about the Lord – give Him our MIND…

HONOR [τιμή] – to consider Him as valuable – give Him our HEART…

POWER [δύναμις] – to work for Him – give Him our STRENGTH!

Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart – with all your [mind] – and with all your strength.”

For You created all things – and by Your will they exist and were created!

The REASON why He is WORTHY – He CREATED all [πᾶς] things – Hebrews 1:2

Genesis 1:3 – God SAID – the WORD of God [Jesus] – and the UNIVERSE was created…

Not just the things we can see – Jesus also created the ANGELS – HEAVEN…

John 1:3 – “God created everything through [Jesus]… nothing was created except through him.”

But it is also by the WILL of GOD – that ALL things still [εἰσί] EXISTS…

Meaning Jesus did not make EVERYTHING – He keeps it all working – Colossians 1:17

We are continually bombarded with LIES about what LIFE is all about…

We are enticed to chase after MONEY – BEAUTY – POSSESSIONS…

But NONE of these things are the REASON why we were CREATED…

God made us – and keeps us – for one purpose – to WORSHIP Him…