Chapter 4: Before God’s Throne and the Twenty-four Elders

Next Part Chapter 5: Christ Unseals the Prophecy

---

Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!

---

The 4th and 5th chapters represent the setting for the central part of the Revelation, which is to follow. They set the stage for unveiling the great prophecies explaining the theme of the book.

In Rev 4:1, John describes a door opening in heaven and an invitation from a great voice to “come up” to be shown things “which must be hereafter.” Understand that John was actually on a small island (Patmos) in the Mediterranean Sea and all of what he saw was occurring in vision. He was not literally in heaven. In Rev 4:2, John saw the Father on His throne, introducing Him and presenting a magnificent picture of the setting in which God exists. Surrounding Him are 24 additional “seats” (lesser thrones), occupied by “twenty-four elders.”

It is important to study this chapter with chapter 5, because they present a descriptive picture of four “beasts” (living creatures), as well as the twenty-four elders—and Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God (vs. 6), standing before God’s throne.

This awe-inspiring setting pictures the environment—atmosphere—magnificent beauty—of God’s throne. The description is simply stunning!