Revelation 4 introduces us to the sanctuary in Heaven. There is the throne of God, the lamp-stands symbolizing God’s presence, and the worship team consisting of 24 elders and four living creatures.
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Revelation 4:1-5 |
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”After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. |
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Revelation 4:6-8 |
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6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.7And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. |
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Revelation 4:9-11 |
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9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” |
It is apparent from Revelation 4:9-10 that the four beasts are portrayed as worship leaders of the 24 elders; this fulfills the prototype for Davidic worship. David organized the worship team of the temple into 24 divisions. First Chronicles 25:1-6 records that there were four worship leaders. David, who was assisted by Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. The crowns, however, were given to the elders rather than the worship leaders; Christ intended for the whole church, and not just an elite group within the church, to realize her royal position.
Introducing the Heavenly worship team
The 24 elders and the four living creatures are presented as the worship team. Who are these people? Rev 5:8-10 gives us a clue.
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Revelation 5:8-10 |
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“8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” |
There are 24 ancient Greek manuscripts that have Revelation 5:9. 23 of them have ‘hemas’ (sometimes transliterated ‘hmas’ or ‘hmaV’), which is translated ‘us’ which has been found in the majority of manuscripts and is the KJV and NKJV translations. Only one manuscript that contains Rev 5:9, Codex Alexandrinus, lacked ‘hemas,’ and as a result most modern translations omit ‘us’ and replace it with ‘men’.
There are several good reasons to believe the KJV is rendering the original text in this case. First, all of other Greek manuscripts that contains Rev 5:9 have ‘ hemas,’ including Sinaiticus. Sinaiticus, which is of equal antiquity to Alexandrinus, has ‘hemas (ημαϲ) ‘ Jerome’s Vulgate, which is contemporary to Codex Alexandrinus, contains the Latin equivalent to ‘ hemas.’ Rev 1:5-6 contain almost identical language to Rev 5:9, yet it has ‘hemas’ in all the same manuscripts, including the Codex Alexandrinus. As one proceeds in the study of Revelation, it becomes apparent that the four living creatures and the 24 elders are acting in the capacity as kings and priests to God. As these elders and creature render prayers, praise, and proclamation of the Word of God, the judgments of God fall upon the earth. There is no provision in God’s program for angels to fill this role. This is God’s program for redeemed humanity. Eph 2:4-7 tells us (verse 6) that God has already “raised us up with Christand seated us with himin the heavenly realmsin Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6 NIV).” First Peter 2:9 (NIV) says “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The passage in 1 Peter even foreshadows the ministry of exercising spiritual authority through praise, prayer, and proclamation that is seen throughout the book of Revelation in the worship service in Heaven. The 24 elders and the four living creature fulfill the role that Scripture teaches we have as co-rulers with Christ. The story of these elders is therefore the story of the overcoming church.
Neither death nor rapture necessary – all you need is a crown.
According to Eph 2:4-7, we are already seated with Christ in heavenly places. We are already appointed as kings and priests, appointed as kings and priests so that we can “shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light(1 Peter 2:9; also Rev 1:6).”
Since we are already appointed kings and priests, we need to be training to effectively operate in this capacity. We were re-generated to be priests and king for the glory of God, not for our own glory. The purpose of the letters to the seven churches is to free us from those issues that prevent us from operating as the kings and priests God has called us to be.
Two of the seven churches received no rebuke from the Lord Jesus Christ: Smyrna and Philadelphia. These two had one more thing in common: crowns. Christ promised to the church in Smyrna a crown if she remains faithful through the persecution that is about to befall her (Rev 2:10). The church in Philadelphia, however, was already in possession of a crown. Christ warned them to “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.(Revelation 3:11).” Because of the faithfulness of the Philadelphia church, Christ is using His royal authority, symbolized by the Key of David, to open the door to access to God’s throneroom. “These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it(Revelation 3:7-8).” It is this door that opens up to heaven for John in Revelation 4:1.
The Key of David is the symbol of Christ’s royal authority, and the crowns are the symbols of the right of access granted through Christ’s use of the Key of David. The Twenty-Four Elders all have crowns. While it is apparent from the description of the first act of worship that the four beasts – living creatures – lead the worship, it is the elders that have the crowns. This means that this kingship is not given to an elite within the church, but the whole body of Christ.
The Power of Prayer, Praise, and Proclamation
The Scriptures teach in multiple places that supernatural power from God is manifested during praise, prayer, and proclamation. These acts of worship primarily grow us in our relationship to God, but also have the added effect of releasing God’s power on our behalf.
The power of praise was first demonstrated in human history during the Battle of Jericho. God sent the musicians in the lead the battle charge. They marched around seven days, and on the seventh day, when the musicians blew the trumpets, the walls collapsed.
Early on, God had plans to reveal Himself supernaturally through prayer, praise, and proclamation. God led King David to organize worship for the House of the Lord (1 Chronicles 25). He supervised the worship with the help of three assistants: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthan. These four supervised 288 musicians who were organized into 24 divisions. They were to use the music toprophesy. Prophecy is proclamation, and proclamation set to music is lifted up as prayer and praises to God.
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1 Chronicles 25:1 |
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“Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals” |
This is similar to the 24 elders and four living creatures in Rev 4. The four living creatures are worship leaders, and the elders worship God. Through the book of Revelation, acts of worship by these unleash judgments of God upon the earth.
God would soon put to good use the worship structure created by David at His command. When Solomon dedicated the temple, supernatural power from God was manifested on at least two instances. The first instance was in the leading worship.
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2 Chronicles 5:11-6:1 |
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“5:11And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:12Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
13It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;14So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
6:1 Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” |
When the worship team began to offer united praise to the Lord, God came in as a thick cloud. The ministers of God “fell under the power.” They could “not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lordhad filled the house of God(2 Chronicles 5:14).”
After the God Presence came in a mighty way, the mightiest manifestation since the days of Moses, Solomon began to proclaim God’s Word, which has been recorded through the remainder of chapter 6. Second Chronicles 6:40-7:1 record the prayer Solomon utters after his proclamation. When Solomon finished praying, the fire of God entered the sanctuary, consuming the burnt offering rendering the ministers of the Lord unable to enter the temple.
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2 Chronicles 7:1-3 |
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“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.2And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” |
We also see this in the New Testament. In Acts 16, we read that Paul and Silas were imprisoned. At about midnight they began to praise the Lord. God responded with His powerful Presence and did two miraculous works: loosening everyone’s chains and preventing immediate escape by drawing people closer to the Presence of God.
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Acts 16:24-28 |
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“24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: andimmediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” |
The Scriptures present as doctrine the principle that praise, prayer, and proclamation of God’s Word unleashes supernatural power.
The power of praise is affirmed in several passages. Jesus, in response to those who criticized the praise that was lavished on him during His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, said that”Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise (Matthew 21:16).” He paraphrased Psalm 8:2. He substituted “perfected praise ” for ”ordained strength.” In Psalm strength was ordained “out of the mouth.”
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Psalm 8:2 |
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“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. |
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Matthew 21:16 |
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And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? |
Jesus swapped these words to teach that through praise there is strength from the Lord. This idea is echoed in Psalm 22, when David writes:
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Psalm 22:3-4 |
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“3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.” |
The Lord “inhabits” the praises of his people. This mean that praise is a vehicle to enter into the Presence of God. By bringing us into the special presence of God, praise gives us access to His Strength. In three places in Scripture; song, strength, and salvation are interconnected: As We praise the Lord until it is true that “the Lord is my strength and song,” He becomes for us – “is become” – our salvation.
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Exodus 15:2 |
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”TheLordis my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. |
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Psalm 118:14 |
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”“TheLordis my strength and song, and is become my salvation. |
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Isaiah 12:2 |
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“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. ″ |
God makes himself available to answer prayer. In the Old Testament, He put special emphasis on prayers uttered in the temple. God gives a promise of restoration for those who seek Him.
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2 Chronicles 7:12-15 |
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“12And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.13If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.15Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” |
In the New Testament, The Temple of God is not focused on any particular building. God indwells people who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus (Rom 6:1-13;Eph 2:20). Jesus Christ promises to make Himself present whenever two or more are gathered in His name. Whenever we gather in His name, meaning under His authority, He is present.
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Matthew 18:8-20 |
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“19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” |
There is also power in proclamation of the Word of God. In Romans 10:10 it is written that “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” confession is a vehicle to transmit the power present in faith. confession is to faith as a bow is to the arrow.
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Romans 10:8-10 |
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“8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” |
The power of faith is in that it points to that which God has already decreed in His Word. Faith has no power of its own; It is powered by God’s Word, and the power of God’s Word is rooted in who He is. Faith is the “evidence of things unseen, the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:6).” Faith substantiates, or in modern jargon, instantiates that which God has decreed in His Word.
Because faith transforms realities that exist in seed form in God’s Word to visible manifestations in the visible world, our faith and confessions must be based on God’s Word and reflect His Kingdom priorities. We are not free to confess whatever we want and expect God to honor that; neither are we free to suborn particular passages to pursue our wants. Our blessing is found in seekingfirst the “Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:31-33).” The next chapter lays out Kingdom priorities for the Final Great Awakening or latter rain.