Worthy to Receive Glory

Before Revelation shows any trouble on earth, it shows heaven’s throne room. John sees a door opened in heaven and hears the trumpet voice say, Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this. Immediately he was in the Spirit, and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne. This scene sets the foundation for the rest of the book: whatever happens, God reigns.

John describes God through shining images rather than features. The one on the throne looked like a jasper stone and a sardius, and a rainbow like an emerald circled the throne. Twenty-four elders in white robes with golden crowns sat on thrones around it. Lightnings, sounds, and thunders came out of the throne. Seven lamps of fire burned before it, and in front of it was a sea of glass like crystal.

Four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind, surround the throne. The first was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each had six wings. Day and night they never rest from saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come! Whenever they give glory and honor, the twenty-four elders fall before the one on the throne. They throw their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created.