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indication that we are dealing with a new vision. The words, "after this," do not
necessarily mean that chapter 4: succeeds chapter 3: in order of fulfillment. John
hears through the open door of heaven the former voice which he had heard sounding like
a trumpet (1: 10) speaking with him, and saying, "come up hither, and I will show thee
what things must come to pass hereafter." "Immediately I came to be in spirit,"
continues the writer, "and, behold a throne was set in heaven." Let it be duly pondered,
that at the forefront of this central section we have brought into prominence a THRONE
SET IN HEAVEN. It is the day of the Lord, a day of justice, of vengeance, of reward.
The Revelation is the book of the throne. Thronos occurs sixty-one times in the N.T.,
fifteen of these occurrences are apportioned between the books of Matthew to Jude, the
remaining forty-six occurrences being found in the Revelation, or more than three times
as many as the rest of the N.T. It is not the standing or atmosphere of the church. The
throne set in heaven is the central, governing fact of the Revelation. We dare not hurry
over our exposition, every item in this opening vision being pregnant with meaning, and
containing illumination for the remainder of the visions.
The opening vision of chapter 1:, which spoke of Him Who ruled among the churches,
shewed us the vision of One Who was heaven's Priest. The vision that now opens shows
us the throne of heaven's Judge and King. It is suggestive of the change of subject to
note the difference carefully.
Chapter 1:
Chapter 4:
The voice as a trumpet.
The voice as a trumpet.
I saw seven golden lampstands. In the
Behold, a throne was set in heaven. One sat
midst One like the son of man clothed with
thereon. He was like a jasper and a sardine
garment to the foot, girded with golden girdle,
stone: there was a rainbow round the throne
hair like wool and snow, eyes like flame of fire,
like an emerald; lightnings, thunderings and
feet like burnished copper, voice like many
voices.
waters.
In chapter 1: John sees no other beside the Son of man, but in chapter 4: there are
many accompaniments of kingly state. To realize the prophetic import of the words, "a
throne set in heaven," we must turn for awhile to O.T. scriptures. Psa. 103: 19-22 is
parallel; we not only have the throne set, but the call to the heavenly powers to bless the
Lord, as they do in Rev. 4:, "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His
kingdom ruleth over all."
Proud Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that "the Most High ruleth among the kingdoms
of men," and John, who was to behold in vision the awful days of tribulation, apostacy,
and blasphemy, is shewn first of all the throne, that he may know, and that we may know,
that all is still within the hollow of His hand, and that "that day" shall vindicate the
wisdom, the righteousness and the holiness of Him Who sitteth upon the throne. This is
brought out very fully in Psa. 11: There the psalmist says that in the Lord he had put his
trust, and the wicked are about him ready to shoot privily at the righteous. "If," says he,
"the foundations be destroyed" (as they must be when the righteous are persecuted and
the wicked triumph), "what can the righteous do?" For answer he continues, "the Lord is