A Door Standing Open - Revelation 4:1-4

Revelation 4:1-4 ESV
Chapter 4
The Throne in Heaven
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, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty- four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty- four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

John looks upward and sees a way into heaven. The way has been opened shown with an open door to symbolize something new and unique. Jesus said He is the door and no one comes to the Father except through Him, though the invitation is extended to all.

A trumpet implies a number of things. It is a trumpet that sounds when the risen Savior returns for His people. Later we will see trumpets used to herald, or announce, the proclamation of the judgements of the seals, and signal the execution of those judgements symbolized by the outpouring of the seven bowls. A trumpet was heard on Mt Sinai when God descended to earth to speak to Israel.

The green rainbow may remind us of God's covenant and mercy with and toward His people. The solid color may be representative of the single and pure nature of the relationship. The dove left Noah's hand and returned with a green sprig from an olive tree. The Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove and remained. Green may point us to life and to the greening that is part of the new creation. The tree of life will have green leaves for the healing of the nations.

Around the throne of God are twenty-four thrones. We remember there were twenty-four divisions of priests to serve God in the temple. There are twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem which are the Apostles. They represent the rock and the Church that is in Jesus Christ.