What is the Chief End of Humanity? (Revelation 4:1-11)                                                  2010. 01. 17                                  Pastor Richard Yu

        John’s vision in Revelation 4 and 5 gives us a heavenly perspective that sharpens our visions to see what really happens on earth.  Chapter 4 describes an entirely transcendent and sovereign God who is almost unapproachable; yet chapter 5 tells us that this unapproachable God comes to us as a slain Lamb. The key to understand chapter 4 is the five directional descriptions regarding the throne in the center. John is struck by what is on the throne, what comes from the throne, what is before the throne, what is encircling the throne and what is around the throne.

        1. On the throne there is someone sitting. This clearly is an image of transcendence and sovereignty. The dazzling imagery of color and radiance suggests that this one is altogether lovely and majestic beyond description. He is “the Lord God Almighty.” He has all might and strength. He is not subject to any circumstances or human power. This must be quite a comfort for John and his hearers. Because while the church is being persecuted by the Roman emperors, they are assured that God is still in charge.

        The living creatures also call him, “Who was, and is, and is to come.” He transcends time and exists eternally. Powerful leaders and nations have risen and fallen. Ideologies have come and gone. The balance of political power and the center of economic power have shifted. Yet, one thing has not changed – God always sits on the throne. And everything that is, owes its being to him. We all live and move and have our being in him.

        2. From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings and peals of thunder. Tracing this language back to Mount Sinai (Ex.19:16-19) and through the rest of the Bible, we learn that it is a way of declaring how awesome, powerful and holy God is. It declares God’s right to judge and his ability to overcome evil. We are dealing with an awesome God. He is bigger than the whole universe, more massively powerful than anything we can imagine. Therefore we must pay attention to him.

        3. Encircling the throne was a rainbow, resembling emerald. The rainbow reminds the hearers of God’s promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. It is the symbol of God’s mercy and faithfulness. It declares that we can trust God when he judges. His judgments are merciful and just. 

        4. Before the throne seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Seven is the number of completeness. “The seven spirits” is a way of referring to the Holy Spirit in all his manifold characteristics and ministry. Seven spirits of God means the Spirit of God completely manifested, completely available, completely involved in God’s work of judgment and redemption.

        Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. For John, the sea represents everything that opposes the will of God – all that seeks to overcome, undo, and destroy the work of God. To the people at the time, the sea symbolizes chaos. So what John is saying to his first readers, and us, is that before the throne chaos is stilled, chaos is subdued.

        5. Around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. Also, in the center, around the throne were four living creatures. Who are these elders and living creatures who surround the throne?

        There are numerous interpretations concerning the identity of the twenty-four.  But most likely they are symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ – a symbol of all the redeemed people of God; both before and after the first coming of Jesus.  All have been bought by the blood of the Lamb.

        The living creatures perhaps represent God’s creation. Four is the number of creation, of the earthly realm: four corners of the earth, four winds, etc. Therefore they most likely represent the whole animate creation made by God.

        And what are they doing around the throne? They are worshipping. The twenty-four elders and four living creatures know who truly deserve to be worshipped. No one else is worthy because no one else created us and sustains us. This heavenly vision puts us all in our places and calls us to our highest vocation. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” And the answer: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

        Chapter 4 addresses one of the main story lines of Revelation: “Who is worthy of worship? Who is at the center of all things?” If we see clearly that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the one, then we would gain reassurance and strength in the face of persecution and chaotic life circumstances; on the other hand, we would be feeling uneasy and disturbed if we become complacent and self-satisfied and succumb to the worldly temptation to accommodate the contemporary culture.

        John tells us that God is infinite, transcendent, eternal, the creator, and sovereign. God alone is worthy of our worship. Someone says it well: “it is the dimensions and clarity of our vision that determines the dimensions of our world and the quality of our lives.” May the Spirit help us to gain a clear and unmistaken vision of the heavenly throne.