After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And 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.” v1

First thing to notice is “Where is The Church”? This is strong evidence for a Pre-Trib Rapture. The Church will not be mentioned again till later in the book around Chapter 20

Here we see the Apostle John is taken up to Heaven, and gets a glimpse at the Throne Room of God. This is very similar to Isaiah’s experience of being taken to the Throne of God

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. v2

John is “In The Spirit” just as the Apostle Paul was in the Spirit and taken up to the 3rd Heaven. The Apostle John is standing before the Throne of God

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. v3

The Breastpiece of Judgement in the book of Exodus 28 has a Ruby (Sardius) in the front row and a Jasper stone in the last row. This is symbolic that Jesus is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega. The Rainbow Gods sign and promise of His covenant with us

You shall mount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. Exodus 28:16-20

The Rainbow is a reminder of Gods covenant with humanity. Judgement has finally come upon the Earth!

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. v4

What an interesting sight, not 12 but 24 thrones around Christ . So much for the replacement theology majors who believe God is finished with Israel. We see the 12 Tribes of (Israel) and the symbolic 12 Apostles (Church) united finally under One Covenant

How is this possible, Jesus Christ made this possible , keep reading and you’ll find out!

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1

And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.v5

Imagine yourself walking towards the throne of Christ and sounds of thunder and flashes of lightning all around you. This is a terrifying seen, symbolic of the power and majesty of Christ. And the Judgement that is about to be set on the Earth!

We also see the Holy Spirit (Seven Spirits of God) present at the throne.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 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, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. v6-7

The 4 Living Creatures are probably one of the most mysterious things in the entire Bible. The Living Creatures (Beings) are Symbolic of Gods Nature , also represented in the 4 Gospels. The Man (Intelligence) The Lion (Power), The Eagle (Victory) The OX (Sacrificial), This is the same creatures seen by the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah

Seas are usually symbolic for a great mass of people, since this sea is clear, we can assume there is a great multitude of “Christians” who are surrounding the throne of Christ

As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle. Ezekiel 1:10

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!” v8

Amazing accuracy to Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s visions. The 6 wings are interesting. Most feel it represents 2 wings ready for service, 2 wings to cover their faces in unworthy to look at the Lord, and 2 wings in reverence or respect to the Lord.

Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:2-3

Holy, Holy, Holy another reference to the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Reminds me of the beautiful hymn Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty!

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the 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, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” v9-11

Here we see worship going on at the Throne of God, the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders are worshipping and proclaiming “You are worthy, O Lord” casting their crowns at the feet if Jesus! Amen!

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3