The "voice" that invites John into heaven is the voice of Christ (cf. [Verse 1-2]). Many Bible scholars believe that John's entrance into heaven is a picture of the church being taken up at that time to be with the Lord [1Thess 4:13-18]; [1Cor 15:51-53]. The Lord Jesus promises to show John "what must take place after this." These words correspond to the last part of [Rev 1:19] and support the use of this verse as a summary for the book.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-30 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
The Throne
[Verse 1]. It is important to see that with this chapter a new part of the book starts [Rev 1:9]. This new part, which is also the last and longest one of the book, starts with “after these things”, which is after the events covered in the previous two chapters. In it you have seen the development of professing Christianity on earth, in which the true believers have been addressed. From chapter 4 all true believers have been taken up in heaven. That has happened at the coming of the Lord Jesus for the church and all Old Testament believers [1Thess 4:15-18].
Now the way is free for God to start His work with the earth (cf. [2Thess 2:6]). He is going to judge the world and cleanse it of everything that rebels against Him. After these judgments, the Lord Jesus will come to earth to reign for thousand years. He will fulfill all promises that have been prophesied by all prophets. No word that God has spoken will remain unfulfilled.
Christ shows John the whole work that God is going to do after the rapture of the church. John sees “a door [standing] open in heaven”. From there the first voice that he “heard, like [the sound] of a trumpet” [Rev 1:10] – which is the Lord Jesus – speaks with him. The voice is saying to him to come up to heaven to see everything that will happen on earth. And you and I may look over John’s shoulder!
[Verse 2]. Immediately after the command to come up, John is in the Spirit. He doesn’t have to come in his own strength; neither could he. For this he receives the power of the Holy Spirit. You also cannot get insight in the future of the Lord Jesus by your own efforts. You need the Holy Spirit to show you that [John 16:13]. For that, however, you must give Him room and there must be no hindrances due to unconfessed sins or a carnal walk.
The first thing John sees in heaven is “a throne” and “One sitting on” it. You are in the throne hall from which reigns and judges. This is the place of action for the rest of the book. The word ‘throne’ appears no less than forty-two times as the throne of God and still five more times with another meaning, while it appears only fifteen times in the rest of the New Testament.
The throne “was standing”, which indicates the stability and firmness of Divine authority, in contrast to all earthly unsteady and changeable thrones. It is also standing “in heaven” and therefore beyond all earthly thrones. Once all earthly thrones will also be visibly subdued. That the actual government is in heaven may be an encouragement to all who suffer as believers under ungodly rulers.
There is also Someone on the throne. It seems that John cannot properly discern Him. From the description he gives, shows a great brilliance. The Person Who sits on it is magnificent, full of glory and brilliance. It is no one else than the glorified Son of Man Who has received the whole judgment of the Father in His hands [John 5:22-27].
[Verse 3]. John uses pictures from nature to describe the splendor of Him Whom he perceives on the throne. He first mentions two gemstones. Gemstones reflect the light of the sun in numerous colorful beams. They are used to describe the glory of God in the new Jerusalem [Rev 21:19]. Twelve gemstones are on the breastplate of the high priest [Exod 28:17-20]. Of these precious stones on the breastplate, the ‘sardius stone’ is mentioned first and the ‘jasper stone’ last.
The “rainbow” is the symbol of the faithful covenant of God with the earth. It reminds us that the flood destroyed the earth and also of the blessing thereafter [Gen 9:8-17]. This symbol also indicates that God’s judgments have a limit and that He in the midst of the wrath also remembers mercy [Gen 8:1]; [Hab 3:2]. The rainbow “around the throne”, which is not a half but a whole closed circle, announces that His kindness never ceases, but is everlasting.
The rainbow is “like an emerald in appearance”. An emerald has a beautiful green color, the typical color of creation. This is the color of the rainbow as the glorified saints will always see it. While the judgment on rebellious man and evil is announced, the remembrance of God’s grace and promises toward His creation are vividly before their eyes.
[Verse 4]. The Lord Jesus does not reign alone. Beside Him there are “twenty-four thrones”, and on them “twenty-four elders”. The number ‘twenty-four’ consists of two times twelve. In these twenty-four elders the believers from the Old Testament and the New Testament are symbolically represented. You can understand that when you remember that God’s people in the Old Testament is originated from the twelve sons of Jacob and that God’s people in the New Testament is built on the foundation of the twelve apostles of the Lord Jesus.
The “white garments” indicate the purity and priestly character of the elders. They sit as kings on thrones, as co-rulers with the Lord Jesus. They have “golden crowns on their heads”. These crowns are no royal diadems, but wreaths given to overcomers. The value is not in the material, but in the public tribute. You may consider that an encouragement for yourself. If on earth you are faithful to following the rejected Lord, you will soon be allowed to reign with Him.
[Verse 5]. What goes out from the throne announces coming judgments. It reminds us of the appearance of God on Mount Sinai [Exod 19:16]; [Exod 20:18]. The throne here is not the throne of mercy, what it is to you today [Heb 4:16]. Also in the millennial kingdom of peace the throne is a throne from which blessing comes in the form of a stream of water [Ezek 47:1-12]. But before that happens, judgments must come out from the throne, so that the blessing can have ample room.
With the throne of God the Spirit of God is connected. The Spirit is here represented sevenfold in “seven lamps of fire”. The number ‘seven’ indicates perfection and ‘fire’ symbolizes judgment. The judgments of God are different to each situation, but always perfect. They are executed without a chance of mistake under the perfect working of the Spirit of God. It is a good thing to consider that the God Whom you may call Father is at the same time a consuming fire with regard to everything in your life which is not in harmony with Him [Heb 12:29]; cf. [1Pet 1:17].
[Verse 6]. It is remarkable how everything in this chapter is connected with the throne. You have read about
“One” on the throne,
“the elders” around the throne,
“lightning and sounds and peals of thunder” coming out from the throne and
“the seven Spirits of God” who were before the throne.
Now you see something else before the throne and even something else in the center and around the throne. We first look at what is before the throne: something “like a sea of glass, like crystal”. That reminds us of the great laver in the temple of Solomon, called the ‘sea’ [1Kgs 7:23]. That laver was filled with water with which the priest had to wash his hands and feet before he entered the sanctuary. The water here is ‘crystal’. In heaven there is no more need for washing. That the sea is before the throne means that the purity in heaven is perfectly in harmony with the holy character of the throne.
To understand somewhat what these four living creatures in the center and around the throne represent, you need to read some verses from the book of Ezekiel [Ezek 1:5], [Ezek 10:18]; [Ezek 10:12-14]. If you compare what John sees of it with what Ezekiel sees of it, you see that the living creatures are related to the judgments of God on earth characterized by four things. That they are related to judgments is already evident from their position in connection with the throne. They are in the center of it, so they are, as it were, identified with the throne.
That there are four of them emphasizes the generality of the judgment. The number ‘four’ is typical for the earth. You hear it in expressions like: four wind directions, four corners of the earth, four seasons. With respect to the earth, the four living creatures are not only all-encompassing in their judgment, but they also exercise it with full insight in the future, “full of eyes in front”, and in the past, full of eyes “behind”. This insight belongs to God’s nature, which makes Him act with full knowledge of all circumstances, of all causes and of all consequences.
[Verse 7]. The characteristics of His judgments are compared with four of His creatures:
1. In the first place there is “a lion”. The lion is the king among the beasts which does not retreat before any [Prov 30:30] and against whom no one can resist. In the lion you see the power and majesty of God’s reign and judgments.
2. His judgments also continue steadily, like “a calf” that is plowing continues steadily.
3. His judgments are executed with wisdom and insight, with which He has gifted “man” as a creature above the beasts.
4. Finally you see in the “flying eagle” the fastness in which the judgments from heaven will strike the earth (cf. [Deut 28:49]).
Now the way is free for God to start His work with the earth (cf. [2Thess 2:6]). He is going to judge the world and cleanse it of everything that rebels against Him. After these judgments, the Lord Jesus will come to earth to reign for thousand years. He will fulfill all promises that have been prophesied by all prophets. No word that God has spoken will remain unfulfilled.
Christ shows John the whole work that God is going to do after the rapture of the church. John sees “a door [standing] open in heaven”. From there the first voice that he “heard, like [the sound] of a trumpet” [Rev 1:10] – which is the Lord Jesus – speaks with him. The voice is saying to him to come up to heaven to see everything that will happen on earth. And you and I may look over John’s shoulder!
[Verse 2]. Immediately after the command to come up, John is in the Spirit. He doesn’t have to come in his own strength; neither could he. For this he receives the power of the Holy Spirit. You also cannot get insight in the future of the Lord Jesus by your own efforts. You need the Holy Spirit to show you that [John 16:13]. For that, however, you must give Him room and there must be no hindrances due to unconfessed sins or a carnal walk.
The first thing John sees in heaven is “a throne” and “One sitting on” it. You are in the throne hall from which reigns and judges. This is the place of action for the rest of the book. The word ‘throne’ appears no less than forty-two times as the throne of God and still five more times with another meaning, while it appears only fifteen times in the rest of the New Testament.
The throne “was standing”, which indicates the stability and firmness of Divine authority, in contrast to all earthly unsteady and changeable thrones. It is also standing “in heaven” and therefore beyond all earthly thrones. Once all earthly thrones will also be visibly subdued. That the actual government is in heaven may be an encouragement to all who suffer as believers under ungodly rulers.
There is also Someone on the throne. It seems that John cannot properly discern Him. From the description he gives, shows a great brilliance. The Person Who sits on it is magnificent, full of glory and brilliance. It is no one else than the glorified Son of Man Who has received the whole judgment of the Father in His hands [John 5:22-27].
[Verse 3]. John uses pictures from nature to describe the splendor of Him Whom he perceives on the throne. He first mentions two gemstones. Gemstones reflect the light of the sun in numerous colorful beams. They are used to describe the glory of God in the new Jerusalem [Rev 21:19]. Twelve gemstones are on the breastplate of the high priest [Exod 28:17-20]. Of these precious stones on the breastplate, the ‘sardius stone’ is mentioned first and the ‘jasper stone’ last.
The “rainbow” is the symbol of the faithful covenant of God with the earth. It reminds us that the flood destroyed the earth and also of the blessing thereafter [Gen 9:8-17]. This symbol also indicates that God’s judgments have a limit and that He in the midst of the wrath also remembers mercy [Gen 8:1]; [Hab 3:2]. The rainbow “around the throne”, which is not a half but a whole closed circle, announces that His kindness never ceases, but is everlasting.
The rainbow is “like an emerald in appearance”. An emerald has a beautiful green color, the typical color of creation. This is the color of the rainbow as the glorified saints will always see it. While the judgment on rebellious man and evil is announced, the remembrance of God’s grace and promises toward His creation are vividly before their eyes.
[Verse 4]. The Lord Jesus does not reign alone. Beside Him there are “twenty-four thrones”, and on them “twenty-four elders”. The number ‘twenty-four’ consists of two times twelve. In these twenty-four elders the believers from the Old Testament and the New Testament are symbolically represented. You can understand that when you remember that God’s people in the Old Testament is originated from the twelve sons of Jacob and that God’s people in the New Testament is built on the foundation of the twelve apostles of the Lord Jesus.
The “white garments” indicate the purity and priestly character of the elders. They sit as kings on thrones, as co-rulers with the Lord Jesus. They have “golden crowns on their heads”. These crowns are no royal diadems, but wreaths given to overcomers. The value is not in the material, but in the public tribute. You may consider that an encouragement for yourself. If on earth you are faithful to following the rejected Lord, you will soon be allowed to reign with Him.
[Verse 5]. What goes out from the throne announces coming judgments. It reminds us of the appearance of God on Mount Sinai [Exod 19:16]; [Exod 20:18]. The throne here is not the throne of mercy, what it is to you today [Heb 4:16]. Also in the millennial kingdom of peace the throne is a throne from which blessing comes in the form of a stream of water [Ezek 47:1-12]. But before that happens, judgments must come out from the throne, so that the blessing can have ample room.
With the throne of God the Spirit of God is connected. The Spirit is here represented sevenfold in “seven lamps of fire”. The number ‘seven’ indicates perfection and ‘fire’ symbolizes judgment. The judgments of God are different to each situation, but always perfect. They are executed without a chance of mistake under the perfect working of the Spirit of God. It is a good thing to consider that the God Whom you may call Father is at the same time a consuming fire with regard to everything in your life which is not in harmony with Him [Heb 12:29]; cf. [1Pet 1:17].
[Verse 6]. It is remarkable how everything in this chapter is connected with the throne. You have read about
“One” on the throne,
“the elders” around the throne,
“lightning and sounds and peals of thunder” coming out from the throne and
“the seven Spirits of God” who were before the throne.
Now you see something else before the throne and even something else in the center and around the throne. We first look at what is before the throne: something “like a sea of glass, like crystal”. That reminds us of the great laver in the temple of Solomon, called the ‘sea’ [1Kgs 7:23]. That laver was filled with water with which the priest had to wash his hands and feet before he entered the sanctuary. The water here is ‘crystal’. In heaven there is no more need for washing. That the sea is before the throne means that the purity in heaven is perfectly in harmony with the holy character of the throne.
To understand somewhat what these four living creatures in the center and around the throne represent, you need to read some verses from the book of Ezekiel [Ezek 1:5], [Ezek 10:18]; [Ezek 10:12-14]. If you compare what John sees of it with what Ezekiel sees of it, you see that the living creatures are related to the judgments of God on earth characterized by four things. That they are related to judgments is already evident from their position in connection with the throne. They are in the center of it, so they are, as it were, identified with the throne.
That there are four of them emphasizes the generality of the judgment. The number ‘four’ is typical for the earth. You hear it in expressions like: four wind directions, four corners of the earth, four seasons. With respect to the earth, the four living creatures are not only all-encompassing in their judgment, but they also exercise it with full insight in the future, “full of eyes in front”, and in the past, full of eyes “behind”. This insight belongs to God’s nature, which makes Him act with full knowledge of all circumstances, of all causes and of all consequences.
[Verse 7]. The characteristics of His judgments are compared with four of His creatures:
1. In the first place there is “a lion”. The lion is the king among the beasts which does not retreat before any [Prov 30:30] and against whom no one can resist. In the lion you see the power and majesty of God’s reign and judgments.
2. His judgments also continue steadily, like “a calf” that is plowing continues steadily.
3. His judgments are executed with wisdom and insight, with which He has gifted “man” as a creature above the beasts.
4. Finally you see in the “flying eagle” the fastness in which the judgments from heaven will strike the earth (cf. [Deut 28:49]).
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-7
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
 | Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-01-24 Source: Title: Revelation Author: Ger de Koning |
After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches “the things that are,” there was another vision. The apostle saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God’s awful justice. The rainbow is a fit emblem of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing color was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honor, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies nearness to God, the sight and enjoyment they have of him. They were clothed in white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness: they had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with him. Lightnings and voices came from the throne; the awful declarations God makes to his church, of his sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne; the gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits upon the throne. In the gospel church, the laver for purification is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin. In this all must be washed, to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth, and his glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures, between the throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, because of their place between God and the people. This also is shown by the description given, denoting wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion, and the affections by which they mount up toward heaven.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-8
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
No sooner had St. John received in the preceding vision the documents he was to transmit to the seven Churches of Asia[Asia Minor], when, behold, a new scene displays itself. Heaven opens, and St. John is invited up thither by the voice which had spoken to him before, and is told he shall see what is to happen in future ages. On a sudden appears a throne, and the Almighty himself seated upon it. The rainbow which surrounds the throne, denotes the covenant of reconciliation and peace between God and man. (Walmesley) — Behold a door open. Here begins what may be looked upon as the second part of the Apocalypse, and from hence to the two last chapters are contained wars and victories of the Church over all its enemies, the devil, Jews, heathens, and heretics. These visions are so differently expounded, when applied to different events, that this alone may convince us how uncertain are those various interpretations. The servants of God are taught that they must expect to meet with many trials, afflictions, and persecutions; but this ought to be a great subject of consolation to the faithful, that they are assured of victory if they fight manfully, and of a recompense of endless happiness for their short labours. Such visions and majestic descriptions shew that St. John was inspired by the same spirit of God, as the ancient patriarchs and prophets. — I will shew thee the things which must come to pass hereafter; i.e. after the things already revealed concerning the seven Churches, and therefore after the destruction of Jerusalem, which was about twenty years before St. John wrote this Apocalypse. (Witham)
 | Author: George Leo Haydock Rank: Author AD: 1849 Source: Title: Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary Year (original): 1859 Number of pages: 571 Print: Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York |
"After this," is often repeated, and it does not mean succession of time, but it means that he moved to a new vision. We find that some successive visions talk about one period of time in various visions for assurance, and clarification, or to reveal an aspect different from the preceding one.
He concluded describing the state of the churches by the closed door in the face of the Lord, while the Lord is decided not to depart, but insists on knocking and soliciting the soul to open her heart for Him to enter and dine with her. We find that the Lord reveals to us that the gate of heaven is always "opened" in front of us. All those who ascend to Him, enter from that gate and will know the mystery of God's love for mankind, and realize the amount of glory which is prepared for him. Thus, his soul longs to empty herself of all that is earthly to be concerned only with the celestials.
But who is the one who sees the highest heavens open?
John who is exiled in Patmos; Jacob who ran away from his brother Esau [Gen 28:12-13], Ezechiel the captive [Ezek 1:1], Stephen lying to be stoned [Acts 7]. In the middle of tribulations and hardships, God reveals to the soul His comforting power that she may rejoice and find pleasure.
What is the opened heaven?
Bishop Victorianus says: [The open door in heaven is the New Testament. It is wide open, for the Lord Jesus went up to the Father in heaven with His humanity].
The Lord went up to heaven as a conqueror and victor and as St. Ambrose (1), states that the Lord went up ornamented with wonderful benefits; for who enters there is not one person but all the believers in the Person of the Savior. For this reason, the Lord never stops blowing the trumpet very loudly calling "come up.”
He concluded describing the state of the churches by the closed door in the face of the Lord, while the Lord is decided not to depart, but insists on knocking and soliciting the soul to open her heart for Him to enter and dine with her. We find that the Lord reveals to us that the gate of heaven is always "opened" in front of us. All those who ascend to Him, enter from that gate and will know the mystery of God's love for mankind, and realize the amount of glory which is prepared for him. Thus, his soul longs to empty herself of all that is earthly to be concerned only with the celestials.
But who is the one who sees the highest heavens open?
John who is exiled in Patmos; Jacob who ran away from his brother Esau [Gen 28:12-13], Ezechiel the captive [Ezek 1:1], Stephen lying to be stoned [Acts 7]. In the middle of tribulations and hardships, God reveals to the soul His comforting power that she may rejoice and find pleasure.
What is the opened heaven?
Bishop Victorianus says: [The open door in heaven is the New Testament. It is wide open, for the Lord Jesus went up to the Father in heaven with His humanity].
The Lord went up to heaven as a conqueror and victor and as St. Ambrose (1), states that the Lord went up ornamented with wonderful benefits; for who enters there is not one person but all the believers in the Person of the Savior. For this reason, the Lord never stops blowing the trumpet very loudly calling "come up.”
Footnote
(1) The author: The Divine Love, p. 727-29 (in Arabic).
 | Author: Tadros Yacoub Malaty Rank: Monk Posted on: 2023-01-10 Source: Title: The book of Revelation Year (original): 1996 Author: Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty Number of pages: 257 Publisher/Editor: St. George's Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria Print: Anba Reuis Press, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt Translation: Victoria and Ramzy Malaty |
The new testament is announced as an open door in heaven.
 | Author: Victorinus of Pettau AD: 303 |
Since the door is shown to be opened, it is manifest that previously it had been closed to men. And it was sufficiently and fully laid open when Christ ascended with His body to the Father into heaven. Moreover, the first voice which he had heard when he says that it spoke with him, without contradiction condemns those who say that one spoke in the prophets, another in the Gospel; since it is rather He Himself who comes, that is the same who spoke in the prophets. For John was of the circumcision, and all that people which had heard the announcement of the Old Testament was edified with his word.
| Author: Victorinus of Pettau AD: 303 |
That is the Spirit, whom a little before he confesses that he had seen walking as the Son of man in the midst of the golden candlesticks. And he now gathers from Him what had been foretold in similitudes by the law, and associates with this scripture all the former prophets, and opens up the Scriptures. And because our Lord invited in His own name all believers into heaven, He immediately poured out the Holy Spirit, who should bring them to heaven.
| Author: Victorinus of Pettau AD: 303 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
