The Scene in Heaven

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

1. The venue in heaven (Revelation 4:1) a door standing open.
2. The voice of the Son of Man (Revelation 4:1) a voice like a trumpet.
3. The vision of the throne (Revelation 4:2-11)
   1. Occupant of the throne (Revelation 4:2-3)
      1. In the spirit.
      2. Jasper and ruby.
      3. Rainbow like emerald encircled the throne.
   2. Others seated on 24 thrones (Revelation 4:4)
      1. There are 24 elders.
      2. Dressed in white.
      3. Wearing crowns of gold.
   3. Observation of what John saw (Revelation 4:5-11)
      1. Concerning the phenomena (voices, lamps, spirits)
         1. Flashes of lightning.
         2. Peals of thunder.
         3. Seven lamps blazing.
         4. Seven spirits of God.
      2. Creatures (Revelation 4:6)
         1. A sea of glass.
         2. Four living creatures in the center of the throne.
         3. Covered with eyes front and back.
      3. Characteristics of the creature (Revelation 4:7-8, Ezekiel 1:10)
         1. A lion.
         2. An ox.
         3. The face of a man.
         4. A flying eagle.
         5. Each had six wings and covered with eyes.
         6. A continuous praise, SAYING: holy, holy, holy.
            1. The Lord God Almighty.
            2. Who was, who is, and who is to come.
      4. Confession of the creature and the elders (Revelation 4:9-11)
         1. Giving glory, honor, and thanks.
         2. To the one who lives forever and ever.
         3. The elder fall down in worship.
         4. The elders lay their crowns at his feet.
         5. The elders SAY…
            1. You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power.
            2. You have created all things by your will.
4. The victor (Revelation 5:1-5)
   1. Sealed scroll (Revelation 5:1)
      1. With writing on both sides.
      2. With seven seals.
   2. Strong angel (Revelation 5:2) proclaiming, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?
   3. Silenced sorrow (Revelation 5:3-5)
      1. There was no one in heaven or on earth.
      2. John wept because there was no one to open the scroll.
      3. One of the elders: see the lion of the tribe of Judah.
5. The verdict (Revelation 5:6-14)
   1. The lamb is worthy to open the book (Revelation 5:6-7)
      1. As if he was slain.
         1. With seven horns.
         2. With seven eyes.
         3. Which are the seven spirits of God sent out into the earth.
      2. Standing at the center of the throne.
      3. Surrounded by the living creatures and elders.
      4. He took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne.
   2. The loyal worship of the hosts of heaven (Revelation 5:8-12)
      1. Once taken, the creatures and the elders fall down before the lamb.
      2. Each one had a harp.
      3. Each one held a golden bowl of incense (the prayers of God’s people).
      4. They SANG a new song, SAYING:
         1. You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
         2. You were slain.
         3. You purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
         4. You made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve God.
         5. They will reign on the earth.
      5. Myriads of angels encircled the throne with the creatures and elders.
         1. They were SAYING…
         2. Worthy is the lamb who was slain.
         3. To receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.
   3. The lamb-lion: the wonder of creation (Revelation 5:13-14)
      1. Every creature (in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea).
      2. They were SAYING…
         1. To him who sits on the throne.
         2. To the lamb.
         3. Be praise, honor, glory, and power, forever and ever.
      3. With a final response:
         1. The creatures say “amen.”
         2. The elders fell down and worshiped.

NOTES:

1. A door was opened in heaven (Revelation 4:1) – one futurist view sees the church as being raptured before the events listed in this chapter. The church so prominent in chapters 2-3 are not seen again until Revelation 22:16, and Revelation 19:7 (the wife of the lamb).
2. The 24 elders (Revelation 4:4) – the office of elder would be the ruling body of a congregation, originating in the OT (Exodus 4:29, 12:21, Numbers 11:25, 1 Kings 8:1) and carried into the NT (Acts 14:23, 15:6, 16:4, 20:28). The number 24 could be made up of 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. The symbolism may be the people of God in OT times and NT times.
3. Lightnings, thunderings, and voice (Revelation 4:5) – these phenomena happen before judgments fall, a pattern repeated in Revelation 8:5, 11:19, 16:18.
4. Four beasts (Revelation 4:6) – more accurately “the four living beings” (Ezekiel 1:5, 19), representing the four supreme orders in the world.
   1. Mankind: among all created beings.
   2. Eagles: among birds.
   3. Ox: among domesticated animals.
   4. Lion: among wild animals.
5. The song of the four living creatures (Revelation 4:8) and the 24 elders (Revelation 4:11) may be viewed as a pair. These could represent his church and the animated world (the former by the 24 elders and the later by the four living beings).
6. A scroll with seven seals (Revelation 5:1) – the seals represent a series of judgments that being in chapter 6. The contents is unsure; some believe it is a book of destiny. Others say it may the whole counsel of God. Other say it may be man’s losing his lordship over creation and the regaining of authority of saints by the Messiah.
7. We shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10) – perhaps a reference to an earthly reign of the saints with Christ (for one view, in the millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:6).