29 March, 2024

Lesson for April 22, 2018: The Lord God Almighty (Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11)

by | 16 April, 2018 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 4 (weeks 13–16; April 1–22, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

______

By Mark Scott 

Randy Harris teaches at Abilene Christian University. In his freshman Bible class he gives students the following outline to the Book of Revelation: (1) God’s team wins. (2) You get to pick a team. (3) Don’t be stupid. It’s a good outline.

The last two lessons for this month come from Revelation 4 and 5. They are not unrelated to the earlier lessons on the resurrection of Jesus from Luke and John. Jesus was resurrected from the dead because the Lord God Almighty is still on his throne.

 

Description of the Throne | Revelation 4:1-4

Following John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation 1 and Jesus’ addresses to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, John was ushered through an open door into Heaven. We should not miss the obvious larger structure—to get to Heaven you must meet Jesus and go through the church. No doubt John pushed language to the breaking point to describe what he saw. But first, he heard a voice. It was the same trumpet-like voice he heard earlier (Revelation 1:10). The voice called John to come up hereso that he could see what would take place (to get Heaven’s perspective). To connect this passage with 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (and thus some kind of rapture) seems like a stretch, but many Bible-honoring people believe that. It would seem that John was more likely describing a state of inspiration since he mentioned being in the Spiritas he did in 1:10.

John’s attention was directed to the throne of God. Before the judgments of God come upon the earth dwellers (Revelation 6-11) who follow the trinity of evil (Revelation 12-18), which will be condemned, John needed to see who really controlled the world—and it was not Rome. Throneis a major word in Revelation. More often than not it refers to God’s throne, but there are other thrones too, as we will see in this context. Revelation may be called the tale of two cities, but it could also be called the tale of two thrones—Heaven versus Rome.Throneappears 10 times in these verses.

The Lord God Almighty sits on this throne. It is described in majestic splendor. God is pictured in beautiful red (jasper and ruby). He is surrounded by a rainbow of brilliant green (emerald). The rainbow is not the only thing surrounding this throne. There are 24 other smaller thrones (see Matthew 19:28). Twenty-four is twelve doubled, symbolic of God’s people in both testaments. On these smaller thrones sit 24 elders. They have been redeemed (dressed in white) and reign with God (crowns of gold on their heads). It is quite a place.

 

Power from the ThroneRevelation 4:5-7

Thrones have no inherent power. Throneis a metonymy for God. God has power, and his power bursts forth as lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. In the Bible, these are all symbols of immense power. There are also blazing lamps. Sunglasses are advised. The seven spirits of Godsymbolize the complete power of God. The Holy Spirit and power are often connected in the Bible (Acts 1:8).

Even though there was this awesome power, the sea of glass clear as crystal,perhaps a symbol of purity, was calm. This scene is similar to when Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41). The disciples were afraid of the storm. But when Jesus calmed it, they were terrified of him. Calm but powerful. Speaking of power, there were also living creaturesaround the throne. These are identified in the non-printed portion of our text (verse 7) as a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. Whatever they represent, they see (covered with eyes) and say (which the next section indicates).

 

Worship at the Throne | Revelation 4:8-14

It is as if the living creatures and the 24 elders cannot help themselves. They were in the presence of God. What else could they do besides worship? Their worship is cognitive (covered with eyes indicates knowledge). Their worship is continual (day and night). Their worship is about God’s character (holiness to the third power, eternality, and creative). Their worship is contagious (the living creatures and the elders seem to prompt each other to join in). Their worship is submissive (they lay their crowns before the throne).

This is a worship service like no other. The seven churches (little colonies of Heaven on earth) would be encouraged in their worship to know what is taking place above them. On a really good day sometimes the church feels like this throne room.

________

Lesson study ©2018, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, ©2013, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
April 16: Genesis 9:8-17
April 17: Job 1:6-12
April 18: Exodus 19:20-25
April 19: Hebrews 12:1-6
April 20: Ezekiel 1:5-14
April 21: Revelation 19:1-8
April 22: Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11  
<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us