Now on to chapter 4. There is line in the first verse that sets all this futuristic looking up: "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things" Now I have no doubt that the book of Revelation, based on this line has something to do with the future. The problem is does anyone notice how vague and nebulous this line is about the future. It only says: 'what must take place after these things.' No time frame is given. Other versions say 'what must shortly come to pass." Shortly is never defined.
Here is an approach based on the fact that the book itself never defines a time or times at all; it just puts things into visions as an order based on those visions:
1. Given that over 1900 years have passed since its writing it is quite possible that the 'shortly' may have taken place in some of the visions and they have already taken place.
2. It is also conceivable that some of the visions have not taken place because they are conditional on other events taking place. There is an order to the book but ... there is no mention in the book itself that that order is to be shoved into a seven year time period called the Great Tribulation (by the way this is another phrase, like 'seven years' that is not in the book).
3. It is also conceivable that many of the visions are constant, that is they are being fulfilled all the time -- past, present and future.
4. Looking at the chart above the visions may be more of a guide to interpretation along with what the seven churches would have understood about the book than anything else.
Chapter 4 is the first half of a vision concerning the throne of God and the scroll with seven seals. To be honest it is a very now vision and John speaks of himself as if he is participating in the now. I believe this vision of which chapter 4 is the first half falls under the constant fulfillment -- it is fulfilled at all times. It is a vision of the eternal and ever constant throne of God that has not changed ever.
1. God is always there sitting on his throne
2. The four angelic beasts are always there saying 'holy ,holy, holy'
3. The four and twenty elder are there even now and worship and serve God at all times as well
Bring back our seven churches into the mix, why would this vision of god's throne be significant to them?
To all the seven churches it would have reminded of the eternal sovereign God who is on his throne. The mighty Roman Empire they lived in suddenly becomes a pale shadow of nothing in comparison to this vision of glory and power and holiness.
1. Ephesus sees who should be their first love
2. Smyrna sees the source of all strength in tribulation
3. Pergamum sees a higher throne than Satan's where Christ has said they live and a motivation to throw off all that is unholy for the sake of the holiness of God
4. Thyatira sees the source of the authority they should be serving not the authority of Jezebel that they should remove from themselves
5. Sardis sees why they should rise from the dead to serve the living God
6. Philadelphia sees the one who has opened the door for them that no one can shut.
7. Laodicea see who it is they should be coming to for gold, eye salve and clothing instead of trusting in their own strength and abilities.
In short all of them should see the god who is High and lifted up and to whom they owe their absolute allegiance. That is a message not only for the future but for the now that even we need to hear.
Next: The Worthy Lamb
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