What is going on so far in Revelation? John writes of “the things which must soon take place” (1:1); “the time is near” (1:3) so the audience needs to “read” and “hear” and “heed” the things written in the book.
The message is from Jesus, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5). Jesus loves us and released us from our sins (1:5). In doing that, He made us to be a kingdom of priests (1:6). And, Jesus is coming again (1:7).
The penman is John, the fellow-partaker in the tribulation [Observe that tribulation was then in existence] and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus (1:9). So, John writes to these seven congregations of Christians to encourage, teach, and challenge to faithfulness in the face of potential death. That brings us to chapters four and five.
By seeing a vision of heaven, “John was allowed to see a different perspective on the troublesome events which were causing such anxiety among the churches” (Shelly, 45). In this way, John “anchors each series of events in the sovereignty of God, who controls events that transpire upon earth” (Aune, I:313).
All the seven churches were told to “overcome” because all were about to enter a period of intense persecution/tribulation/hour of testing. To console them and to encourage them, God gives John a special vision of the throne of God and His Lamb. As Polishing the Pulpit t-shirts announced this year: “No matter who’s president, Jesus is still king.” That’s the message of Revelation 4 & 5.
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Two thoughts strike me from chapter 4, the vision of the Father. First, we have no description of God Himself. We only see what is going on around Him. Secondly, with God in heaven, in His throne room, how do all those around Him react? The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures? They worship Him. Regardless of what transpires on earth, worshipping God is (ought to be) the focus of our service.
Two thoughts likewise draw my attention to chapter 5, the vision of the Lamb. As we have said, the seven churches and their membership were exhorted to “overcome.” Jesus is the Lamb who was “overcome” (5:5). In fact, it was through His death that made Him worthy to open the book (5:9). Three times in this text, Jesus (in heaven) is portrayed as the Lamb that was slain (5:6, 10, 12). Again, while Christians are called to be faithful and true in their testimony on earth, those who are in heaven worship the Lamb (5:12-14).
In all of life, from sun-up to sun-down, from poverty to riches, from cradle to grave, the most important behavior is worshiping God and His Lamb.
–Paul Holland
