John’s vision begins in the throne room of heaven. He is not the first prophet to witness this scene (see 1 Kings 22, Isaiah 6 or Ezekiel 1 for similar visions). Many of the details of heavenly worship—altar, incense, jewels—would be familiar to those who had worshiped in the Jerusalem temple (Note: John understands his seven churches to be the true Jews, hence his comments earlier about “synagogues of Satan,” which is why temple worship would be closely connected to the ideal). As in some of these earlier visions, John sees God’s “council,” of 24 elders. They probably represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles—a full representation of God’s people. White robes represent purity and victory; crowns identify them as the royal priesthood. More will be said later about believers with crowns. The sea of glass might represent a ceremonial “sea,” a huge bowl in the Solomon’s Temple (1Kings 7:23-26), or a reference to another apocalyptic writing.
Revelation is about revealing the truth, and here it begins. Soon John will turn his attention to the powers of the world, but first he sees what real power is. The mightiest empire is only a pale copy of the real thing. God’s power is accompanied by earthquakes and lightening—what emperor can stand in his presence? Also revealed in this heavenly vision is the truth of God’s relationship to his creation.
One criticism of the Book of Revelation is that it presents a dualistic world view: Heaven is good; earth is bad. But such an interpretation is only possible when we don’t understand the apocalyptic code. This scene presents the bigger picture. God’s people are not the only ones offering worship—all creation is represented by the four creatures representing conscious life as understood at that time: humans, and the kings of the birds (eagle), wild animals (lion), and domesticated (ox). The ocean is not represented—it is a place of chaos, perhaps even godless, as we shall see later in John’s story. The creatures are all-seeing—perhaps alert to all that is going on in God’s creation. As we will see, they are active participants in God’s plan. While the creatures offer praise, the elders provide content describing God’s acts of creation—further proof that God’s purpose is in the redemption of all he has made, not in simply rescuing the faithful from the fallen world.
Things to consider:
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like or what they do there? Does John’s vision seem like a reasonable or complete description? What do you wish you knew about heaven?
The worship offered in heaven is praise to God. Notice how praise to God also makes up part of our Sunday worship service. What is the purpose of praising God? Is this something that is part of your prayer life? Should it be?
All (conscious) creation worships God, including the representative human creature. Do you think Christians treat the rest of God’s creation as fellow-worshippers? What would it look like if we did?
If creation does belong to God, and has a relationship with its creator, why do bad things happen here? As we read Revelation, we will see John’s answer to that question, but in the meantime, what is yours?
Worship leads to the purpose behind John’s visit to heaven. God has a scroll, all rolled up and sealed, which will contain his plan for the future. The seals prevent the scroll from being read by just anyone, and so there is a crisis in heaven: Who can open the scroll? To understand the issue, we have to read Revelation within the context of salvation history (a context which John never forgets). God’s plan is not an elaborate set-up for ending everything, as so many would read Revelation in order to understand. God’s plan is salvation, the reconciliation of all things (Ephesians 1:9 is a good summary). This plan is carried out in history, through the covenants of Noah, Abraham, and Moses. But the plan has failed—those called to be faithful have not lived up to their identity. No one is worthy to open the scroll and put God’s plan into motion. That’s why John is in tears! Who can open the plan of salvation?
The Christian answer is obvious, but John presents it with drama. The lion from Judah, the Messiah, he can open the plan of salvation! John is assured here that the lion has won the victory. The lion rules! But then, as the Gospel always does, the expectations of the Messiah are reversed. The one who brings salvation does not conquer through force. Jesus’ victory doesn’t come with armies and weapons. The lion turns out to be the lamb who was slain—is this a surprise?
Notice that the lamb is no ordinary lamb. Not only has it been slain, but it has seven horns and seven eyes! Seven—an important number in Revelation—symbolizes completion. The lamb has enough eyes to see everything—its victory is complete throughout the whole earth. Its seven horns symbolize its legitimate claim to rule (horns symbolize authority). The lamb won the victory through sacrifice not destruction—even in the Book of Revelation the story of salvation is centered on Christ’s sacrificial love. The song in Heaven changes, and now the worshippers direct their praise to the lamb. Both God and the messiah are worshipped.
One other note: time in Revelation is not necessarily linear. Commentators disagree over whether the events John describes are meant to be the past, present, future or all three. N.T. Wright in his commentary, Revelation for Everyone, suggests that the visions tell the same story from three different directions, all leading to one victory, which, according to the song of heaven, is complete now.
Things to consider:
What does it mean to say that Jesus died for our sins? What does this sacrifice accomplish? What are the ramifications for us? Try explaining it in your own words.
John’s understanding of salvation is anything but private. He isn’t going to talk about a personal relationship with Jesus, and the lamb is anything but cuddly. What does it mean to worship Jesus? How is he both Lord and friend? What are the implications for you of following Jesus? Does the idea of being a royal priesthood make any sense?
John’s vision is one of contrasting truths: The Messiah is both sacrificial lamb and fierce lion. God’s plan will both save and destroy. Keeping these contradictions together is tough! How can they both be true? What would be the problem with choosing one side and dropping the other? Try listing the essential truths of both sides—how Jesus is both victor and sacrifice, for example. How can the creation be both beloved of God and punished by God?