We have a vision of the throne, and the One who sits there. He is ruling all things now from heaven that happens upon the earth. All worship is directed towards him in the recognition of his sovereign goodness. He sends out gospel preachers, so his people can worship. He is to be highly regarded and worshiped with our lives. Christ unfolds this revelation of his Father, and Christ makes us worthy to appear in his presence and live forever.

First, these things must happen “after this,” meaning they were not fulfilled when John ministered, or in his lifetime. These things concern the End. Revelation 4:1 - "After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."”

The End is coming, and Christ will return. Judgment will be executed. This chapter doesn’t speak of the End as much as the One who sits on the throne, who is bringing everything to conclusion. He is God our Father who rules everything by Jesus Christ. He is over all, and he is soon to judge the earth by the Man that he has appointed. Adore him, and observe him. He is your Lord.

Secondly, this rainbow reminds us of the covenant, and God’s promise to be faithful to his people. Revelation 4:3 - "The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.” He says, Isaiah 54:9-10 - ""This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." God’s going to be faithful to us, no matter what!

The first thing we see about God is his faithfulness for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. He’ll reprove us and correct us, but he’ll never take away his love. He’ll discipline us, but he’ll bring us back to himself, and home to safety. He is the God who saves sinners irrevocably, because he set his electing love upon us. Then, no matter what, he brings us home to glory. He is our Redeemer, Savior, and Corrector: He is the One who keeps us faithful [Jer 24:6-7]. We have great hope in God. He remembers his covenant; it is the essence of himself, and his promises cannot fail.

Oh, how wonderful it is to be loved with permanent, unbreakable covenant love - to be predestined, and guaranteed glorification… to have a God who forgives and cleanses, who gives repentance, and who restores our soul. The wonder of God is he can be sinned against, and still be faithful. He can be abused, rise from the dead, and bid his murderers to blessings!

Thirdly, the throne is an awesome place, because God is holy. Revelation 4:5 - "Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God." He punishes sin. He’s approached by Jesus Christ, or not at all. He’s a consuming fire.

Today, God’s holiness is disregarded. In the Bible, however, it is front and center. The preachers of the gospel cry, “Holy, holy, holy,” day and night. The whole earth is filled with the cry to repent and believe the gospel, because the End is near, and judgment is coming. God must be regarded as One to be dealt with through a mediator. Even as Moses trembled, the mountain of his law burns with fire and fury. Hebrews 12:18 - "For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest." It is only in Christ that we are safe.

Do not disregard this holiness. Don’t refuse to preach it. Don’t limit God to love. Preach his holiness, and you’ll see what love really means. He saved us from the wrath that’s coming. Christ is necessary, because God hates sin.

Fourthly, these living creatures are gospel preachers, and John describes us. Revelation 4:7 - "The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle."

We are like lions. We are bold, because our confidence is in Christ. We’re justified by faith, and we go forth with a clean conscience, preaching the Christ that we know practically. We are led and empowered by the Spirit.

We are like the ox who labors. We work hard to tread the corn, delivering the gospel to our brothers and sisters as our joy. We are actually strengthened the more that we labor, and serve the church. Preaching the gospel is a compulsion to us; it is what we’ve been called to do. 1 Corinthians 9:16 "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" Therefore, it burns in our heart with passion, and we must have an outlet. Jeremiah 20:9 - "I say, ‘I won't mention him or speak any longer in his name.’ But his message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail."

We are men. We are simply men - sinners who’ve experienced redemption. We know how weak we are, so we can preach unto you. We know the way of escape for strugglers, because we’ve obtained mercy. We have compassion, because we’ve been there. We know failure and temptation. We can preach Christ feelingly, because we feel just like you - forgiven, redeemed, and helped. We don’t preach the gospel as a theological proposition; we preach it for every day practical living, so that we can honor God.

We are like a flying eagle, protective of our flock, and quick to do the Father’s will. We are given keen insight into the gospel, and we have love in our heart that cares. We have been perfectly equipped by God himself to be what his people need. Romans 10:15 - "And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"" He uses us, because he loves his church. He chose the foolishness of preaching, so he equips the preachers and sends us out.

Let us THANK GOD for his glorious grace in giving gifts to his church. Thank him, and be built up by his preachers, so you can do God’s will. Ephesians 4:12 - "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Gospel preachers don’t serve alone!

Fifthly, here is the response of God’s people: When the gospel is preached, and we hear God’s glory, we fall down in worship. Revelation 4:9-11 - "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say, Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” Bless God. He delights our soul. When Moses saw his glory, he immediately worshiped, and so do we. Exodus 34:8 “So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.”

Praise God for his goodness. Give his grace the glory it’s due. Receive the gospel blessing, and worship him. Lift up your hearts to him in prayer, and take your needs to the Son of God, because you believe him worthy of trust. Rejoice in his goodness, and delight in his love. Live your life in worship, expressing God’s glory by how you treat your family, and how you live. This is the wonderful thing about beholding God’s glory: it transforms us!