The Throne, the Lamb, and the Unveiling of Judgment (Revelation 4-5)

Who is worthy ...

God’s judgment on wickedness and rebellion has been known since the beginning. From the earliest pages of Scripture, it is clear that sin carries a cost and that justice, though often delayed by mercy, remains certain. In His gracious patience, God has restrained judgment, allowing history to unfold under His long-suffering rule, yet the appointed moment has always stood firm. As Paul affirms, a day is coming when God “will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31).

Revelation 4–5 draws back the veil to show the foundation of that future judgment before it is enacted. John is summoned into the heavenly throne room where God reigns in absolute holiness, surrounded by the Four Living Creatures who continually declare His worthiness and authority. In the right hand of the One seated on the throne rests a sealed scroll, symbolizing the rightful administration of God’s purposes in creation and history. The tension of the scene turns on a single question: who is worthy to receive it? Revelation 5 answers decisively—the Lamb who was slain. His worthiness is not derived from power seized, but from obedience completed and sacrifice accepted. The worship that erupts in heaven makes clear that divine authority now rests in the hands of the Lamb. Before judgment proceeds, heaven testifies to this truth: the One who will open history is the One who redeemed it.

THE THRONE ROOM OF HEAVEN

Revelation 4 marks a decisive transition in John’s vision. What follows is not yet the execution of judgment, but the unveiling of the divine authority from which judgment will proceed. The scene shifts from earthly assemblies to the heavenly sanctuary, where God’s throne stands as the immovable center of moral order. Scripture consistently affirms that judgment does not arise arbitrarily, but flows from God’s righteous rule:

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." — Psalm 89:24

"Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne." — Psalm 97:2

John is now permitted to see that throne.

v1 "After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

"a door standing open" -the way into the heavenly sanctuary for direct vision is inaccessible apart from divine invitation and mediation. Jesus opens the way by this sacrifice (John 14:6, Revelation 3:8). He is the gate (John 10:7-9). The gate is narrow means that there are no other way but Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14, Psalm 100:4). Christ is the curtain to the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19-20).
"in heaven" - what Paul later describes as the ‘third heaven’ where Jesus currently dwells with God the Father. Jesus tells Nathanael what happens when the door of heaven is open (John 1:51). Ezekiel reflected that when heaven is open, visions are seen (Ezekiel 1:1).
"the voice" - Jesus Christ, ministering in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1–2)
"speaking to me like a trumpet" - this description of the divine voice is consistent with Exodus 19:16-19 (Mt. Sinai), Isaiah 58:1 (like loud declarations), 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (loud divine command and summons) and Revelation 1:10 (divine command and summons to John).
"Come up here" - 3rd Heaven
"what must take place" - a reference to Revelation 1:19 where Jesus says "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later." A pre-tribulation framework suggests that what takes place is after the Rapture event (see Revelation 4:2 for an example of this framework, not timing).

v2 "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

... was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it" - a singular, personal presence seated in royal authority as He rules over the universe. John does not identify this entity specifically at God the Father (4:2-3 and 5:1), but in light of the knowledge of the Trinity and the later identity of the Holy Spirit (v5-6) and Jesus Christ (5:5-13), this can only be God the Father. (Psalm 103:19, Isaiah 6:1)
- throne, seated Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9–10)
- heaven as God’s throne (Isaiah 66:1)
- LORD seated with heavenly host (1 Kings 22:19)
- LORD on his heavenly throne (Psalm 11:4)

v3 - "And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne."

Illustratively, both stones are a variety of chalcedony stone, meaning their shine would have a waxy luster, and may be semitransparent or translucent due to their high content of minute crystalline structures with silica and quartz.
- Jasper - Also called Bloodstone. It is a translucent stone of many different colors, but mainly a medium to dark green with specks of red. In Hebrew, it is called "yashpheh" and it was translated into Greek as "iaspis". On the the Ephod of the High Priest, it was the last stone of the last row that represented the Tribe of Benjamin, the last born. The Hebrew name "Ben-yamin" means 'the son of my right hand' or 'the son of my power.' (Genesis 35:18, Exodus 28:20, 39:13; Job 28:18; Ezekiel 28:13; Revelation 21:11, 21:18-19)
- Carnelian - Also called Sardius or Odem. It was reddish-orange in color. On the the Ephod of the High Priest, it was the first stone of the first row that represented the Tribe of Reuben, the first born. The Hebrew name "Reuben" means “behold a son”. It was often been used for ring stones and wax seals. (Genesis 29:32, Exodus 28:19, 39:10; Matthew 3:17, Revelation 21:20)
- Together, the stones visually frame the covenant line from firstborn to lastborn, culminating in the Son who stands at the Father’s right hand (perhaps "See my only begotten son at my right hand", pointing to the Lamb that was worthy in Chapter 5).
"A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne"
- The rainbow was a symbol of a promise / covenant to not destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:12-17). The emerald rainbow recalls the covenant mercy of Genesis 9, signaling that even as judgment proceeds, God’s actions remain bounded by covenant faithfulness.
- While not determinative for interpretation, scientifically rainbows are created by the refraction of light through a prism (water, crystal, etc.). Green is radiation with wavelengths between 500 and 600 nanometers and it has the highest luminous efficiency, meaning it appears brighter than any other color. Unlike the primary colors used for paint pigments (Red, Blue, Yellow), green replaces yellow as a primary wavelength for light. The human vision system is trichromatic, meaning our complex eyes perceive wavelengths of light in the RGB or Red Green Blue spectrum, not colors.
- It reflects that the mercy of God abounds along with His judgments.

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." — Habakkuk 3:2

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22–23

v5 - "From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God."

"flashes of lightning" - Exodus 19:16–18, Psalm 18:7–14, Ezekiel 1:13–14
"rumbling and peals of thunder"
"seven lamps" - see seven spirits of God

v6a - "Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal."

"looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal" - Exodus 24:10, Psalm 104:3, Ezekiel 1:22

THE 24 ELDERS

THE 24 ELDERS (Revelation 4:4, 10-11)

v4 - "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

"surrounding the throne" - God's throne. This arrangement around the throne of God Himself indicates derived authority, not equality.
- The Ark represents God’s throne, not His total presence (Hebrews 8:5, Psalm 99:1–5).
"twenty-four" - perhaps this represents the unity of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles of Jesus. While apostles travel and evangelize, elders were a stabilizing force in the church.
- 12 tribes (Revelation 7:1-8, Revelation21:12)
- 12 apostles (Revelation 21:12-14)
"seated" - They are not standing attendants, nor anonymous observers. They are seated—enthroned—around the throne of God Himself. The elders are each seated on their own thrones, clearly distinguished from the singular throne of God at the center.
"thrones" - Their presence immediately signals that the heavenly throne room functions not merely as a place of worship, but as a place of delegated authority, testimony, and ordered participation in God’s rule. Perhaps if the throne room serves also as a universal courtroom, then they may serve as witnesses to affirm God’s judgments. Throughout Scripture, thrones signify judicial or governing authority granted by God, not merely honorific status (Daniel 7:9–10; Psalm 11:4; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:29–30).
- Thrones for judgment in God’s city (Psalm 122:5)
"elders" - Greek is masculine plural form presbýteros means mature or aged male, comparable to Hebrew zāqēn for elder that serves as representatives or judges of moral order, not hierarchy (Exodus 3:16, Deuteronomy 21:2, Numbers 11:16–17, Acts 15:2, 6, 1 Peter 5:1–4). It is an adjective describing a male or female (presbyteras is the feminine plural form for older women in 1 Timothy 5:2). They are human since creatures or angels are not enthroned, nor do not receive garments or crowns as rewards.
- [70] Elders of Israel ascending with Moses (Exodus 24:9-11)
- [24] priestly divisions / officials serving continuously in the Temple (1 Chronicles 24:1-19)
- Elders as judicial representatives (Deuteronomy 19:12; 21:2-6)
- Elders as legal witnesses (Ruth 4:1-11)
- Elders associated with divine rule (Isaiah 24:23)
"dressed in white" - external garments of reward reflecting righteousness imparted to them.
"crown of gold" - Greek "stephanos" is for victory, not ruling (2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 3:11). It is a external crown of righteousness reflecting victory over death through Jesus Christ. Angels do not get crowns. The crowns are not because of what they have done and are used as an offering back to the Lord.

v10-11 - "the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

"fall down before him" - a posture is given, not required. It is a position that neither Mordecai (Esther 3) nor Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) would give to men, idols or kings in an act of worship that would defy the 1st Commandment (Exodus 20:3-4)
"worship" - The creatures offer continuous doxology, but the elders offer responsive, reasoned worship. Unlike the Seraphim who declaration of His glory is directed throughout the earth, their worship was directed toward the throne of God in admiration and submission. Their worship acknowledges the authority of God and gives evidence.
"lives for ever and ever" - God’s rule is rooted in eternity (Deuteronomy 32:40, Psalm 90:2)
"lay their crowns" - the response of all believers before the Lord
"You are worthy" - elders are making a verbal judgment as witnesses
"created and have their being" - rebellion of the wicked does not negate this fact (Nehemiah 9:6, Romans 14:11–12, Colossians 1:16–17, Hebrews 1:3)

THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES

THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES (Revelation 4:6-9)

v6-8 " 6 ... In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.' 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,"

Purpose: They minister to God in His immediate presence, making proclamations about God the Father through perpetual verbal worship rooted in the supreme holiness of God the Father. The numerous eyes signify the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, perception, and direction. Their proclamation proceeds outward from the throne.
Called "Seraphim" of Isaiah; constant source of praise to God, perhaps leading all praise
covered with eyes in front and back - influence and empowerment by the Holy Spirit
six wings (these are not just for show - all creation is designed with purpose for their environment)
- back - normal function of wings for flight
- face - covering as a veil to constant exposure to the glory of God in the example of Moses; perhaps also a sign of humility like eyes looking down to not challenge position of authority (Exodus 34:29-35)
- feet - signify movement in their own direction. Perhaps covering is a sign they will move only as moved by the Holy Spirit, not of their own accord. They will walk in the ways of the Lord to have standing in his court. (Ezekiel 1:12, Zechariah 3:1-10,
four different faces (representing the created before the Creator - Psalm 8)
- Lion - majestic hunter, courageous, protective, not a scavenger
- Ox - beast of burden, strength, content
- Man - highest form of creation
- Eagle - high flying, tenacious, fearless, excellent vision, not a scavenger

Isaiah 6:1-3 "1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Ezekiel 1:3-14 " 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was on him. 4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning."

THE SCROLL OF JUDGMENT

Revelation 5:1

v1 "Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals."

"right hand" - symbol of power (Isaiah 48:13) and authority (Psalm 110:1). The Son sat at the right hand of the Father upon the completion of His work on the cross (Ephesians 1:20–22, Philippians 2:9–11, Hebrews 1:3). Now, the authority for judgment is enacted by transference to the Son (John 5:19-30, Acts 10:42, Acts 17:31).
"him who sat" - God the Father on the Throne of Heaven. He alone determines who is worthy and will extend his right hand to the one the demonstrated worthiness. Jesus has done the will of His Father and God by providing salvation through Himself.
"a scroll" - a parchment of paper or animal skin that would be rolled up.
- Some believe this is the deed or title to the land of Israel (Jeremiah 32:6-15). This may be supported by the rule or dominion over creation given to Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-8) being transferred to the authority of Satan after their disobedience and fall (Luke 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 4:4). However, God is "very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion" (Zechariah 1:14) and Judah is Jesus' portion of inheritance from the portion of the holy land (Zechariah 2:12). Furthermore, God the Father glorified the Son by seating him at His right hand with all authority (1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 2:5-9). There was no document required when the Trinity discussed giving rule over the creation to man so why would there be one now.
- Some believe this is the Book of Life that was sealed until the end of days (Daniel 12:1-4, Revelation 20:12,15). The Book of Life and the judgment books are seen separately (Revelation 20:12). This scroll initiates actions, not the recording of names. Once the seals are broken, the text on the scroll is not read aloud. Since the Holy Spirit is a "seal" or mark that identifies believers in Christ, the names would not be a secret and need to be sealed so that no one would know.
- I believe the scroll is a singular instrument that may have a dual scope to address rebellion:
  - God's final judgment and restoration of Israel.
  - God's judgment lien against the sin of the world and its opening initiates the proclamation and processes of His judgment (Psalm 82, Daniel 7:25-27). The Book of Revelation may provide many details about the judgment and wrath to come in the Tribulation written on the scroll.
"writing on both sides" - matches description from Ezekiel 2:9–10, which contained laments, mourning and woes.
"seven" - number of completion
"seals" - Twine was wrapped around the scroll and hot wax poured over the twine so that a signet seal could be pressed into the wax. The more seals on the scroll, the more important the document. If there is any reference to Roman law, it required seven seals for a will to be legal.

WORTHY IS THE LAMB

THE LAMB OF GOD IS WORTHY (Revelation 5:2-5:7)

v2 "And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

proclamation is rhetorical and for the purpose of the vision to reveal for John. Perhaps, all in attendance know the answer. This is another revelation about Jesus Christ. He is the only one worthy. Amen!
This asks "who is qualified", not "who will be selected" based on qualities determined by God in his righteous judgment.

v3 "But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it."

"no one ... could open the scroll" - In the law according to earthly government, it was a capital offense to open a sealed document other that the person to whom it was directed to. In God's economy, only Jesus was worthy, who first died for all sin, so that everyone might gain eternal life. The search is directed toward humanity, because only humanity fell and only humanity could redeem; but the proclamation excludes every realm and order to demonstrate that no created being—human or otherwise—possesses this worthiness apart from the Lamb, who is both God and Man (Acts 17:31).
"in heaven" - this is the sky or atmosphere of earth (1st Heaven), not space nor heavenly realm - together this speaks to anyone on the planet Earth. Jesus was in the 3rd Heaven and He is worthy. Perhaps it encompasses the entirety of the earth.
"on earth" - perhaps refers to the living
"under the earth" - this speaks to anyone who is buried/died in the earth and is considered righteous by their faith in the Messiah. This may also extend or reference those in Hades.

v4 "I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside."

This may reflect on his relationship with Jesus, hearing that no one was worthy

v5 "Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

v6 "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth."

The Lamb = Jesus Christ is called this term in John 1:29 "The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
- "lamb" - more specifically, the PASSOVER LAMB, slaughtered prior to the Exodus always pointed to, and is the reference to, Jesus the Messiah.
  - Requirements for the sacrifice - Exodus 12:5-7 "5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect [perfect, without sin], and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs."
  - Purpose of the blood - Exodus 12:12-13 "12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood [sacrifice] will be a sign [evidence of sacrifice] for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over [give mercy and salvation] you. No destructive plague [wrath or judgment against sin] will touch you when I strike Egypt [symbol of sinful world]. "
  - Jesus conquered death and the grave as a lamb, through sacrificial love (agape). He will later conquer as a lion at his Second Coming.
"looking as if it had been slain" = treatment since his arrest, including beating, flogging and crucifixion
- the Messiah was supposed to suffer - Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth."
"in the center of the throne" = place of honor and authority
"seven horns" = complete or righteous king or ruler in power
"seven eyes" = Holy Spirit

v7 "He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne."

There is no measurement of time between when the scroll was taken and the 1st seal is broken. Perhaps the scroll was given at Jesus' ascension and at the appointed time that only God determines, Jesus broke the seal at a future date.

WORSHIP OF THE LAMB

Revelation 5:8-14

v9 "... with your [Jesus] blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
- the Messiah is not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles
  - Isaiah 42:5-7 "This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the Lord, have called you [the Messiah] in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a [new] covenant [of restoration and salvation] for the people [Jews] and a light [revelation of salvation and grafting into the Jewish branch] for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are [spiritually] blind, to free captives from prison [in the bonds of sin] and to release from the dungeon [the world system / flesh] those who sit in darkness [without a relationship with the creator, God the Father]."
  - Isaiah 49:6 "he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my [suffering] servant [or Messiah] to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”