Bible Commentaries
Revelation 4

Verses 1-11

THE THRONE ROOM AND SEALED SCROLL

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven… Revelation 4:1a

The Lord knows how a vision of heaven can sustain those in deep persecution. John is here called up to heaven to see its wonders. The invitation to heaven is issued in a trumpet sound saying, "…Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this" (4:1b). Once again we realize that Revelation is dealing with things to come or things in the future.

When John arrives in the heavenly realm he sees the throne of God, the twenty-four elders, and the beasts or living creatures around the throne (cf. Ezekiel 1:4ff; 10:12-14). He sees lightning from the throne and hears the rumble of thunder (4:5), all which seem to indicate that a mighty divine storm is about to break.^(F1) John then experiences the awesome and unceasing worship in heaven (4:8-11).

As heaven's praise continues, the twenty-four elders fall down before the throne and worship the Lord. They cast their crowns before the Lord (4:10) as they worship. This likely indicates that all rule and authority belongs to God. These elders seem to symbolize the leadership in both the Old and New Testaments.