Adoration of Jesus.
The splendor of the throne, its surroundings, and adoration confirmed that he who sat on the throne was the King of kings – Jesus Christ. Such an unequaled splendor could belong only to the one who was dead and is now alive forever, Jesus Christ. John observed “four living creatures” who never rest from saying who is seated on the throne. “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the all-powerful. Who was and who is, and who is still to come.” Revelation 4:8, NET. John observed that the twenty-four elders echoed the adoration of Jesus by the four living creatures. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!
Revelation 4:11., NET.
The description of splendor and the activity surrounding the throne reminds the readers of how God displayed his glory throughout the Old Testament. The adoration by the living creatures and the elders assert that God the Father and Jesus Christ are the same. This is how it was presented in the first century of Christianity. Jesus asserted the same. “Jesus said to them, I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am.” John 8:58. The “I am” was reserved for God the Creator in the Old Testament Scriptures. This is confirmed by Jews taking up stones to stone Jesus for saying so. The appearance of what exists in heaven differs from what was observed and described on earth. However, they are the same. One is from God’s point of view; the other is from a human point of view.
Now, John begins to fill in the details of the messages to the Churches. John’s description of what he observed in heaven answers the questions and dispels all doubts concerning Jesus Christ. He confirms that Jesus has ascended to heaven and received all power and authority in heaven and on the earth, as he said. The yielded believers are safe in the hands of him who hung on the cross so God could remove the sin from humankind and restore it to him as his children. The hope of the members of the body of Christ is based on what John observed in heaven. The creation and the redemption are God’s acts on behalf of helpless humankind because he loves it.
The enthronement of Jesus. Read the next blog.
