This study, taught by pastor Barry Forder at our Sunday morning service on Sunday 28th February 2016 is the 8th in our verse-by-verse study through the book of Revelation.
In the previous session we saw a glimpse of Heaven as John is ‘caught up‘ and told “Come up here and see the things which must be ‘after these things’” – literally, things that are to occur after the church age. John is then ‘immediately’ – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye – before the throne in Heaven and sees the One sat upon the throne. Chapter 4 describes the brilliance of this scene as being like pure Jasper, yet at the same time blood red – suggestive of the impending wrath to be poured out upon this unbelieving and Christ rejecting world.
John was not the first to see this incredible scene, for we learn from 2 Corinthians 12:4 that Paul was also caught up to Heaven. However Paul simply says that what he saw ‘it wouldn’t be right to utter’ – in other words, it was so wonderful that any attempt to put it into words would not do it justice! So we have to be grateful that this ‘Revelation’ was given to John and not Paul, for at least John tries to convey what he got to see! Paul does at least say that God dwells in such a magnificent clothing of light that ‘no man can approach’! (see 1 Timothy 6:16).
As John’s eyes seem to be adjusting from the sheer brilliance of all he is looking at, he becomes aware of the most awesome sight in time and eternity! – a Lamb bearing the marks of slaughter.
As well as the audio, PDF PowerPoint slides used in the study are available for download.
To encourage you to study this chapter in more detail there is a verse-by-verse text commentary in the Pastor’s blog section of this website.
May you be blessed by this study as you continue to grow in knowledge and grace
Pastor Barry.
