The Sovereign Throne

The Scripture says that Isaiah saw the Lord had lifted up on his throne his train filled the temple and we see it is is a look at the Atlantic. He saw the authority in the holiness and the power of God in such a way that he fell down on the temple floor groveling in fear and guilt and anxiety. And he cried out trees to the Lord. He said woe is me, for I am undone from an unclean man who has unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.

What did John see differently than than did Isaiah they saw the same Lord. They saw the same throne, but John John didn't just see the promise of the Messiah, John Saul, the Messiah warned that he knew one that he already love John did not just see the promise of substitutionary atonement. But John actually seen the substitutionary atonement completed free was there at the cross and he saw Jesus die and pay RCN debt and and suffer our hail for us. When Isaiah heard the message. The message was this holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is filled with his glory. But Isaiah heard it a little differently. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

What is that mean Isaiah was able to look at that one on the throne, who is the eternal glorious powerful holy perfect God.

The sovereign God of this universe and what did he know it was his Jesus. Jesus, who is been here forever who is right now and who is coming back. RC Sproul said all worship on earth should be a foretaste of heaven and is God himself was to lay out a worship service, what would it look like Steve Lawson says we don't have to guess we don't have to imagine it's right here in Revelation 4, and what you see you see a service that is God centered, not man centered in the average American church in 2019. Conviction is been replaced with with comfort, the infinite has been replaced with the informal, the vertical has been replaced with a horizontal, the transcendent has been replaced with a trivial, the purpose is to make the church more like the world in its services and brothers and sisters at the stench in the nostrils of a holy God. Last Sunday morning I was getting ready to preach here in the service, and as I was getting ready this vision of God that Isaiah's JUST coursing through my mind and then Eugene got up to lead us in and worship. We sang the song be into your name. Listen to these words, we are a moment. You are forever Lord of the ages God before time.

We are a vapor you reach Col. love everlasting raining on high, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, worthy is the Lamb who was slain highest praises honor and glory be into your name be into your name. As I was singing that song my heart filled up with such joy.

I thought I was gonna pop.

I mean the presence of Jesus was so real, so sweet so humbling. I just stood over there in my spot and tears begin to roll down my cheeks.

I decide must have Doug get it together. You got a good preach and and I knew that this was to glorious just to shut down and I thought of myself, my goodness. If the presence of Jesus.

Is this overwhelming in a church in Harrisburg, North Carolina then what in the world is heaven going be like when we see Jesus Christ on his throne in all of his glory and we see him face-to-face. What did John see in Revelation chapter 4 will as John looked at heaven he sees number one throne the word throne is mentioned 38 times the book of Revelation to mention 17 times in Revelation Chapter 4 Chapter 5 circa verses one through three after this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven and the first voice which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said come up here I will show you what you must take at, which must take place after this at once. I was in the spirit in the holder throne, student heaven, with one seated on the throne and he sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of a when the Scripture says that John was in the spirit. What is that mean it means that he was under the inspiration of the spirit, and that means that everything that he wrote down. He wrote down infallibly. That means that what we have here is perfectly without era, every word, every every letter, every jot every table exactly as God wanted it. And when God gave Isaiah the vision of himself on the throne.

He was saying to Isaiah get your eyes off the earthly king. He's dead, he's gone and put your eyes on me, the eternal God, the eternal King who will never leave you nor forsake you. That's what John is saying, but John gets a few details that are added.

Verse two John says immediately, or at once I was in the spirit just like that in a split second in the twinkling of an eye P as they are before the throne of God and he is watching that such as your pastor. Let me just stop here and say something I want you to know that every single one of us are one split-second way for maternity. I was a got a good friend Josh Rose that he and his brother Jeremy were working on his big pickup truck in their driveway two months ago and they were taken out a differential had it jacked up and as they both were underwritten something happen the scar, but get truck struck, begin to move in the Jack slipped in the whole pickup truck fell down Josh was able to roll out but Jeremy has his brother was terribly crushed and killed in that in that accident and Jeremy is 42 years old. He was in perfect health and just like that in a split second, his life is taken from this earth, I'll guarantee you when Jeremy woke up that morning.

He never had any idea that this would be his last day but it was much this life is fragile.

We are not promised tomorrow. We don't know what if today was the day that the Lord were to take you to be with him and you would have to stand today before the Lord of this universe. Would you be able to say I love the Lord Jesus Christ I've repented of my sins.

I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. And I know and love him. I'm not asking you for your perfect.

I know you're not perfect were not to be perfect until we get to heaven until were in glory but I'm asking you this to you love Jesus.

Do you loving and have you trusted him. Have you turn from your sins and true repentance we need to be prepared for when our time comes. It may not come through a long, lingering sickness, where we have a long time to contemplate. It may come in the twinkling of an eye.

The Scripture says here that the one on the throne had the appearance of jasper and sardius or think the ESV says carnelian of carnelian stone affects our God is not a stone that's not what he's saying. But these particular stones are used to teach us truth about God that we are to take seriously. We are to take literally the truths that they represent another jasper is is what the jasper is a transparent clear beautiful stone we would call it a diamond and what is it represent it represents the purity and the righteousness of Christ books there is no hint of guile. There's no hint of deceit.

There is no hint of any sin in Jesus. He is perfectly completely and totally righteous. The other stones carnelian our sardius, we would call the Ruby is the brightest deepest red stone on the face of the earth. What is it represent it represents the blood of Christ and what did the blood of Christ, do Jesus went to the cross and did what he God for what, that he might pay our sin debt that our sins might be washed away by his precious blood, folks. The one who settled that throne was a picture of perfect holiness, but is also a picture of perfect love.

Jesus himself said for greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend in the Old Testament the high priest would wear a breastplate and that breastplate had 12 stones or 12 J in it and he what what did they represent. They represented the 12 tribes of Israel, which represented the Old Testament people of God and and they were. They are where they were on his breastplate, the high priest wore those jewels representing the people of God, right next to his heart.

And guess what the first jewel in the breastplate was a jasper the last stone in the breastplate was a sardius or carnelian. What a beautiful picture of Christ, who is this Jesus P as arcane is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last 10 he is our high priest, the one who holds us his people right next to his heart. Then verse three says that there was a rainbow around the throne that appeared as an emerald. When we see a rainbow in the sky will see the whole rainbow doing vote for the horizon cuts it off, but if we could get out in outer space and we could see it from there, we would say that the rainbow is a complete circle. The rainbow represents eternity. A circle has no beginning and has no ending. And when God created the rainbow and he put it in the sky. He said to Noah, this is not my promise to you that that I will never destroy the earth. Again Bob flood the rainbow was a divine covenantal promise. But when man makes a promise.

What good is it when man says I will what does it matter we we know it probably won't keep it but when God Almighty makes a promise.

It's a promise that all hail can't change the rainbow around the throne represents the promises of God and represents a God that is a covenantal God, a God that keeps his promises of God who says to us. I will be your God and you will be my people.

So the first thing that John saw in heaven. Was this great throne and the one on it was filled with grace and glory like the second thing he saw was the elders look at verse four around the throne were 24 throne succeeded on the frontage of 24 elders clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their head. These 24 elders are seated around the throne's own front of the throne on frontage themselves and they have on their heads. Golden crowns now some of sticks conjectured that maybe these are angelic billions, I don't think so. You never see an angel that is enthroned or crowned with these absolutely are. How many are there there 24. What are they represent a represent the 12th that the 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the 12 apostles in the New Testament. I represent the Old Testament people of God and the New Testament people of God and notice their apparel. They are where and what they are wearing white apparel that is a picture of purity is a picture of the righteousness of Christ books, when Jesus died on the cross he died that our sins might be forgiven. He washed away. RC is by his blood, and forgave us of everything we've ever done, past, present and future is not all he did. He also imputed to us his perfect righteousness he gave to us the righteousness of Christ and that we are closed in it so that when God looks at us in judgment. He doesn't see us NCO, sinful, dirty, undeserving Doug Agnew what is he saying he sees the righteousness of Christ. This because of that and that alone that he is able to say to us international into the joy of the Lord is 24 elders were rated white.

They also have crowns on their heads.

What are those crowns represent what what are they represent the rewards that God is going to give for service for Christ. New Testament speaks of five particular crayons and only take just a moment and share with you what those crowns are the first one is called a crown of incorruption, and is found over and first Corinthians chapter 9 verse 25 says every athlete exercises self-control in all things they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. This crown is given to believers who live in obedient and disciplined life who run the race of life with a good, clear goals and and commitment set before them, and what is that clear goal in that commitment. It is to glorify God. The second crowns the crown of life. James chapter 1 verse 12 Blessed is the man who remain steadfast under trial for when you stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God's promise to those who love him. In Revelation chapter 2 verse 10 Jesus said to the church at Smyrna. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. This crown was given to those who who expressed deep steadfast faith in times of great tribulation and great persecution. It also is given to those who were martyred for their faith. You ever wondered what would happen to you if you are put in a situation where you are asked to be a martyr for your faith in Christ. Why should you do it. Here's what you should do it because you will receive a crown crown of life and what is that mean it means that you have a testimony in your testimony.

Is this Jesus Christ is worth everything I have all that I have I give to him. I even give my life to him. Peter was crucified upside down, Paul was decapitated.

James was killed by the sword. John the husk. John Hus was burned at the stake. Stephen was stoned to death. You think they regret it today whole note for all of eternity. They will have this testimony, Jesus Christ is worth it all the yeah the next crown is the crown of rejoicing.

First Thessalonians 219 to 20 says for what is our hope, or joy, or crowned boasting before our Lord Jesus. It is coming, is it not you, for you are glory and joy. This is for those who joyfully carry out the gospel, who share their faith to carry out the great commission. And then there is number four the crown of glory either elders and you listen very carefully to this one for you carry out your ministry to the glory of God. This is a crown that you receive teaching elders and ruling elders.

First Peter 5134 so I exhort the elders among you, as of fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you not for shameful gain but eagerly not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. The last one is the crown of righteousness second Timothy chapter 4 verse eight. Tim Paul said henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give you and not to them only been to all them also who love his appearing.

D. Are you excited about Jesus coming back. Do you love his appearing. Can you get it down in your heart or are you excited about seeing him face-to-face for you there be a crown of glory.

I don't know about you but that moves me when I think about that because I don't want to live out my life and then come to realize that so much of it was just nothing but just just things that had no internal worth and no eternal value her John Piper preach a sermon to the graduating class at Wheaton College several years ago stood before these brilliant students and he and he was just exhorting them not to get caught up in the American dream. Hey said don't believe this idea that what we need to lie in life to make us happy is just to fill ourselves up with material things just to get his physically rich as we can be. He said don't buy into that and then he read the article out of Reader's Digest and of this article is talking about to couple man and his wife it and they had stripped and they had saved and that worked all their life and they saved up for their retirement.

Finally, retirement time came in like they moved away from the house.

They moved down and bought a little house at the beach and so that every day they could they could go outside and go down to the shore and collect seashells and and John Piper said shales shales to spend the whole rest of your life collecting shales. What good is that what is the main reason is that what you to do that.

That season of your life where you have more time, more resources, more wisdom and more experience than you've ever had. You can a wasted collecting shales while both these elders represent us and God help us to remember what's essential and what's eternal God, help us to remember why he created us, why are you even here.

What is the chief end of man to glorify God and to enjoy him forever young people don't just go out and find a job that you can make money. I want you to consider could consider the mission field. Consider a life that is just fully surrendered to Jesus Christ because only one life will soon be passed in only what's done for Christ will last third thing that John saw was lightning quick look at verse five, from the throne came flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire which are the seven spirits of God.

What John sees here in this scene is both sobering and frightening. The same God was encircled by a beautiful rainbow that represents his covenant promises and his love for us that same God is also a consuming fire when you get to chapter 6 of the book of Revelation. You'll find out. The tribulation is coming and there's been a be great tribulation on this earth as God pours out his wrath on the Christ rejecting world burning was came across a quote from Bert Parsons. He send it to me last week and I think this is exactly what what John is getting at here in this passage said people don't want a God of holiness and wrath.

They only want a God of love and peace. They don't want a God who hates their sin. They want a cuddly teddy bear. God will be there buddy. The reality is that people don't want to fear God because I don't want God in their lives. Some professing Christians don't fear him because they don't actually know the God of Scripture. While they presume upon his grace to save them.

One of the seven spirits of God.

The could be translated. The sevenfold Spirit of God. The number seven is the the the divine perfect number and I believe that the sevenfold Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is not a force Holy Spirit snow. A power Holy Spirit is not just the presence. The Holy Spirit is God's third person of the Trinity. Holy Spirit took part in the creation Holy Spirit takes part in your salvation as he regenerates a dead spirit and brings you to life and applies the blood of Christ to Europe to your life and into your own heart and the Holy Spirit will be the agent that is used in the outpouring of God's wrath on the Christ rejecting world forcefully only mentioned the creatures versus six the weight before the throne there was, as it it with their work was as it were, a sea of glass like Crystal and around the throne on each side of the throne of four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind the first living creature like a line, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face of a man in the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight and the four living creatures, each of them was six wings are full of eyes all around the within and day and night they never cease to say holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come there covered with eyes, and these creatures are around the throne they are watching the throne they are watching what's coming and they are there to be sure that no one, no one approaches that throne unworthily now here's my question. If you want to know about Jesus and these creatures are strange, they are not in there not humans.

They are angelic beings and that would not used to seeing creatures like this and and they are there different but they teach us about Jesus. Here's my question. If you want to know about Jesus where you got you go to the Catholic Church their tradition. No, you go to medieval art to look at the paintings of Christ, not because of the church historians note where you go, because the Bible go to the Bible and especially go to the Gospels, go to the Gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John. If you go to them you'll see that that all four gospel writers give us a different aspect of of Christ and who years. Matthew teaches us that Jesus is King of Mark teaches us that Jesus is a suffering servant who teaches us that Jesus is the perfect man. John teaches us that Jesus is God a look at these creatures who they represent a here is the first one and it's a lie in.

It's a picture of Matthew's aspect of Jesus where Matthew portrays Jesus as the lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of Kings and Lord of lords. The second one is an ox at a picture of Mark's presentation of Jesus, the perfect servant. And then there's the third one is it's it's up picture of the creatures. A man face of a man that's a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and loot the perfect man. The last one is the Eagle who is a picture of John's presentation, Jesus and John's presentation of Jesus is that Jesus is God and what of these living creatures doing they are worshiping.

They are singing out holy, holy, holy, Jonathan Edwards said that holiness is not just an attribute of God is the Psalm of all of God's attributes lastly owns look at the worship verses nine through 11 and whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him was seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever. The 24 elders fall down before him was seated on the throne and they worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, worthy are you are Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created to things that I will share with you here. Number one praise is contagious.

Praise is contagious. These living creatures. The four living creatures are the ones that start the praise, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty and what are the elders do the elders representing all the people of God fall down on their face before God to honor him to glorify him and they take their crayons and they cast their crayons down before his feet, folks. These crowns were not given to us.

They're not given to us to hoard and store up they were not given up to us tucked away on our heads and show off to our friends. Those crayons are rewards and they are given to enhance our worship to enhance our worship. We don't keep them for sales.

We lay them down at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes when I'm by myself nobody else is around like to just how to meditate on what Jesus did for me on the cross and is him doing that. I feel myself just well enough on the inside and in the joy gets so great. I feel like you can of pop.

What do I need I need a worship release. That's what I need and sometimes sins not enough and sometimes raise in my hands is not enough, sometimes weeping is not enough. I just wonder if in heaven.

If laying down those crayons and casting them at Jesus feet. I wonder if it'll be enough. I just I tell you I'm looking for to find an eye out because I'll make that I want to experience that kind of worship.

Not only is praise contagious.

It is also God centered. What is God deserve God deserves glory and honor and praise.

Why because he is the creator of life and the sustainer of life. Psalm 19 verse one.

David said the heavens declare the glory of God in the sky above prove proclaim his handiwork. John Calvin made this observation about that particular verse. He said creation is the theater of God's glory so we have Revelation chapter 4 to do two primary things. Number one to call us to a state of preparation because the day is coming when we are going to meet Jesus face-to-face face-to-face and number two to let us know that when we meet him. We are going to worship and all hail.

We are going to worship (heavenly father, thank you for taking the Scripture today and helping us that we might see a little clearer vision of your glory in your Majesty, your goodness of your holiness of your power of your sovereignty help us heavenly father that we might walk out of this building today more and all of you then. Then we usually are helpless Lord that we might not just see in our in our heart. A vision of Christ. But Lord, that it might change us, that it might make us more like Christ, Lord, you said that you sanctify us that that we might be conformed in your image that we might be like Jesus and we look at our hearts in our lives. We know that we become so short, so father, help us, that we might worship you more that we might worship you more seriously and more deeply, that we might be more conformed in your image. We love you Jesus, thank you for loving us helpless Lord, that we might grow in grace and Lord, that our lives might count for Christ sake, Jesus precious, holy name we pray.

Amen