Revelation 4:2

“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”

After John heard Jesus speaking about the seven churches of Central Turkey the Spirit lifted him up, for God has much more to show him to help him to understand what is happening on the earth, where he is – why the churches are being attacked from the inside with false doctrines and beliefs – and from the outside by Caesar’s determination that everyone in the mighty empire of Rome acknowledge him as God almighty, above whom there is no greater.

John saw that in the “heavenlies” there is no throne for Satan there, nor for the Emperor of Rome.

These pressures from within and without resulted in John’s being on Patmos, far from his beloved brothers and sisters. He was a prisoner of Rome in a strange land. He needed to have a new vision of Jesus Christ to at least try to comprehend what is happening to himself and the seven churches.

I am surprised that the vision God gave him is not about Caesar or the Roman Empire or the evils of emperor worship, all pressing issues for John and the churches, but God whisked him off to see what was happening in heaven before he could comprehend what was happening in Turkey.  John had to see Turkey through the eyes of those in the heavenlies – God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and all the host there.

He saw in heaven a throne  “with someone sitting on it.” v 2  Then, instead of concentrating on the “someone” at this point, John saw all heaven united in purpose and focused praise.  The throne was the center of it all. It was beautiful beyond telling – glittering and shining as a rainbow, surrounded by 24 lesser thrones on which the elders sat.  From the throne came flashes of lightning and a great roaring thunder.  All was lit by seven blazing lamps. John tried to take it all in.

He then fixed his attention on the worshiping creatures of heaven, all hovering around and over the throne with four singing incessantly, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come.” v 8  As John heard all heaven sing this song, John’s spirit must have been greatly warmed. Maybe he began to hum along!

When John saw and heard all this he knew in his heart it was true beyond doubt whatsoever.  God is in charge, not Caesar.  Caesar has no throne in heaven.

God is redeeming John’s faith and is reshaping his way of looking at things now through God’s eyes, not his own.  God is forever full of truth and mercy.  Praise his name.