God Rules – The Immovable Reality of Heaven!
Revelation 4-5
21 Fellowship, SBC - Midway, TX
Dr. Simon Goncharenko
Big Idea: The scene of heaven as the introduction to the judgments of earth reminds us that the painful realities of tribulation are set to restore the creation to its original state of praising and worshipping God.
I. God is on the throne (and we are not) – 4:1-11.
A. His splendor fills the heavens – 4:1-3.
B. He is surrounded by His people – 4:4.
C. He is accompanied by the Holy Spirit – 4:5.
D. He is served by His angels – 4:6-11.
|
Earthly temple |
Heavenly sanctuary |
|
Holy of holies |
The throne of God |
|
Seven-branched candlestick |
Seven lamps of fire before the throne |
|
Bronze laver |
Sea of glass |
|
Cherubim over the mercy seat |
Four living creatures around the throne |
|
Priests |
Elders (kings and priests) |
|
Brazen altar |
Altar (Rev. 6:9–11) |
|
Incense altar |
Incense Altar (Rev. 8:3–5) |
|
Ark of the covenant |
Ark of the covenant (Rev. 11:19) |
II. Jesus alone is worthy to inaugurate God’s judgment program – 5:1-14.
A. No other qualified person existed anywhere – 5:1-4.
B. Jesus’ qualifications for opening the scroll – 5:5-14.
i. Who He is – 5:5.
ii. Where He is – 5:6.
iii. What He does – 5:8-10.
iv. What He has – 5:11-14.
