Revelation 4 - Personal Study Guide

Revelation Chapter 4 – Outline

I.                  Approaching Rev. 4 with the Right Perspective/Attitude

a.     This chapter is one of the most mysterious pieces of literature ever written in the history of mankind. I cannot think of anything more awesome than a true description of the place where God dwells and governs the earth from. This entire chapter is a picture of the Beautiful God of mercy exercising His sovereignty in fierce judgment. These are two realities that we often separate in out thinking. However, we are shown here that God reconciles these realities in perfect harmony as He governs the earth in the last days scenario.

b.     Because of the awesomeness of this book we want to approach it in the right way. When our motivations for learning are wrong God will oppose us and not reveal His hidden secrets to us. God rewards the humble and lowly in heart, and He also resists the proud of heart. It is one thing to have an understanding of what is going on in the Scripture, but it something totally different to have that understanding ‘causing our hearts to burn’. This burning heart comes from the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

c.      God is the only one who can transform our understanding into a deep burning ‘knowing’. We may understand something to be true, but God alone has the transformational power to show us that it’s true.

d.     As we approach this chapter over the next season we want to come to it with an attitude of reverence so that God will cause it to come alive within us. When the Scripture is alive in our hearts we can then labor out of a place of rest (Heb. 4.11).

II.               Why was this Book Written?

a.     Rev. 1.1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John

b.     This book was written to equip the saints with the true knowledge of God and the things concerning God. It is also meant to produce inspiring and overwhelming fear (respect) and profound reverence in our God image.

c.      It is meant to give us understanding of these future events while simultaneously producing deep worship. We must tap into both of these elements: the understanding and the worship.

d.     We want to pursue the understanding of these mysterious records so that we may anticipate what is lying ahead of us, while at the same time remembering that the result of understanding should be believing and worshiping.

                                                             i.      If our understanding fails to produce belief and worship then it remains in our head alone and never makes it to our heart/spirit. If our learning doesn’t lead to worshipping God in that truth then it only produces a chaotic thought life.

                                                           ii.      We don’t want a bunch of thoughts, we want to worship God in the truth that He has revealed.

III.           Chapter 4 – In 3 Sections

a.     This chapter of Revelation can be divided into three separate categories or sections. In each section John addresses different issues and aspects of what is taking place around him.

The Relevance of the Old Testament and the Law

The Relevance of the Old Testament & Law

 

I.                   Modern Misconceptions of the Old Testament

A.    That the OT is irrelevant.

B.     Irrelevant because of:

1.     Belief Structures – Ancient gods/myths compared to today’s theories (evolution, etc.)

2.     Languages – Ancient vs. Modern

3.     Technology – Sandals vs. Nike’s

4.     Patriarchs/Clans – Families and Neighborhoods

5.     Religious Experiences – Fire from heaven consuming sacrifices, etc.

C.     The differences between these OT experiences and our current NT experiences can create a sense of difference or division between the two. This feeling can give an appearance of the OT being irrelevant.

II.                Apparent Contrast Between OT and NT Teachings

A.    Jesus’ Words -

1.     Matt. 5.17 - “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

i.      This is generally interpreted as our Lord signifying differences between the OT and NT teachings and beliefs concerning God and salvation.

Considerations For Interpreting the Elders of Rev. 4.4

I.                   2 Broad Categories

a.       Attempts to identify the elders have fallen into two broad categories, one saying that they are men and the other saying that they are angels.

b.      Each category has three variations.

                                                              i.      Those who interpret the elders as men say that they could be:

1.      Representatives of Israel

2.      Representatives of the Church

3.      Representatives of both Israel and the Church

                                                            ii.      Those who believe the elders are angels say that they could be:

1.      Representatives of the Old Testament Priestly Order

2.      The Faithful of All the Ages

3.      A Special College of Angels

II.                The evidence for interpreting the Elders as men –

a.       The word “elder” - This group finds its strongest support in observing that presbyteroi “elders” is more easily applied to men than angels (cf. Hebrews 11.2).

                                                              i.      However, the strength of this argument is minimized by the observation that the LXX (Lexicon) reading of Isaiah 24.23 refers to a heavenly assembly, presumably angels, whose members are heavenly beings called ton presbyteron “the elders” (Hebrew: זקן zâqên zaw-kane’).

                                                            ii.      The word presbuteros is used in the KJV, but this word is different than the word originally used in the Greek Lexicon. The original word in the Greek Lexicon was presbyteros.

Sanctification & Self Denial

I.                  The Process of Sanctification

Sanctification is the process of putting off the old creation and putting on the new one. It is a process. You have been sanctified, you are being sanctified, you will be sanctified. You have been sanctified for the purpose of continuing on in your sanctification, so that you may ultimately be sanctified. Our initial sanctification is at New Birth. We are currently in the process of’ putting off and putting on’ to ultimately arrive at the point of glorification which is the end of this process.

A.    Sanctification is the process dying to our old nature and taking up our new nature.

                                                              i.      It is a process.

                                                            ii.      It is very hard.

                                                          iii.      It requires all of our effort and intention.

                                                          iv.      It is ultimately rewarding

                                                            v.      It is produced by God and carried out by us.

Philippians 2.12-13 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

1.       You have always obeyed

2.      Work it out with fear and trembling

3.      God works in you the ability to will and the ability to do

4.      Why? For His good pleasure.

a.      He works in us the abilities that we need in order to continue on being sanctified. He wroughts in us to will; to want and desire what He wants and desires.

9 Realities of Salvation: #9 - Reconciliation

  Reconciliation

Romans 5.10 – For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

 

Romans 5.1-3 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

 

Romans 5.6 – For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

Romans 5.8-11 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

                                                              i.      Having been reconciled we shall be saved. Or because we have been reconciled we will be ultimately consumed with our total salvation.

                                                            ii.      We now have peace with God.

                                                          iii.      It is in our weakness and ungodliness that we are reconciled, not when we clean ourselves up. We can’t clean ourselves up. Our flesh is good for nothing but dying. It must be crucified.

                                                          iv.      As enemies we have received the reconciliation.

9 Realities of Salvation: #8 - The New Creation

    Birth of a New Creation 

 

Galatians 2.19-20 – For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

Ephesians 4.17-24 – This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; ¹⁹ who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 6.12-14 – ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

 

1.       The New Creation is alive to God.

2.      It is no longer I who live, but Christ. He is living in me.

a.      No longer the flesh that should avail or triumph over the spirit.

b.      Christ’s Life should be manifested through your mortal body, because He now lives in union with your spirit.

c.       The life we live in the flesh, we live by faith.

3.      We should no longer act as we once did.

a.      In the futility of our minds

b.      Having our understanding darkened

c.       Alienated from the life of God

                                                                                                                                      i.      Because of ignorance

                                                                                                                                    ii.      Because of blindness of heart

1.       results in lewdness, uncleanness and greediness

4.      You put it off!

a.      The entire old man

b.      All his former conduct which grows corrupt

c.       Don’t let sin reign in your mortal bodies

d.      Don’t present yourself to sin

5.      You put it on!

a.      Be renewed in the spirit of your mind

b.      Put on the new man

c.       Your alive from the dead

New birth justification assures us of our ultimate glorification.

9 Realities of Salvation: #7 - Crucified with Christ

 Positional Crucification of Old Creation: Crucified with Christ

Romans 6.11 – Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Romans 6.1-4 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6.5-7 – ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin.

 

Romans 6.8-11 – ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

                                                              i.      Misconceptions Concerning Co-Death with Christ

1.       After Paul joined in baptism to Christ’s death, it is he himself (Paul) who lives the new life of faith. We cannot misapprehend the commandment of God to die to self to mean that we totally eclipse our own personalities. God does not want us to obey Him like robots, void of desire and volition.

2.      Yes, it is I, myself, who dies with Christ, and yet it is also I who live my new life by faith in the Son of God. Though I die, I am never replaced or effaced. I am never completely removed from functioning as a person.

3.      Paul, after passing through the cross, says he still lives. If we misconstrue the meaning of this commandment to die we will end up aiming for self-annihilation, renouncing all personal wishes, interests and tastes, which is neither needed nor beneficial.  

God commands us to die to self, but this in no way implies self-effacement or withdrawal. God does not want to erase us out or take “us” out of the equation.

9 Realities of Salvation: #6 Translation

   Translation of Kingdoms

Philippians 3.20 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                              i.      Identity

1.       Who are we?

2.      Are we pilgrims?

                                                            ii.      Citizenship

1.       Our citizenship is in heaven.

2.      …from which we wait for the Savior

a.      It is from the place of this revelation that we wait for our Savior.

We wait for Christ’s coming as His children and as citizens of His Kingdom.

9 Realities of Salvation: #5 - Adoption

  Adoption

Romans 8.12-16 - Therefore, brethren, we are debtors–not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 8.17 – and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

 

Galatians 4.5-7 - to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

                                                              i.      God is your Father.

Jesus cried out on the cross, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ This cry is found in the depth of our souls. It is the deepest question we could come in touch with. To contemplate and deal with this cry in our hearts is to arrive experientially and wholly at the place of sonship.

9 Realities of Salvation: #4 Justification

   Justification by Faith (Looking at Romans 3.24)

To gather an understanding of the doctrine of Justification by Faith we will look at one of the main sections of Scripture that lead to the Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s. These few verses in Romans are arguably some of the most important verses in all of the Holy Writings. These verses form a synopsis of the Christian Faith, and so they are important to understand if so that we comprehend the main points of what we believe.

Romans 3.21-23 - But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

                                                              i.      Our main verse is 24, but it is a good rule when studying something to start with the wider content so that we can understand what we’re looking at in its context.

1.       From verse 21 through 22a Paul is describing the general way of salvation.

2.      From verse 22b through verse 23 he is emphasizing the exclusiveness of the Gospel, regarding the Jew and the Gentile.