What happens when the door to heaven stands open? In this installment of our Revelation series, we step through the “open door” with the Apostle John to witness the ultimate reality: the Throne of God.
While the world looks to the stars and the moon for answers, the Bible invites us to look beyond the physical universe to the heavenly sanctuary. In this message, we explore the majesty of the Triune God seated upon His throne and the powerful parallels between the earthly tabernacle and the heavenly original. Discover why the throne of God isn’t just a place of sovereign rule, but a “throne of grace” where we can find mercy and help in our time of need.
Key Highlights in this Sermon:
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The Three Doors of Revelation: Evangelism, Invitation, and Revelation.
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The Heavenly Sanctuary: How the earthly temple serves as a “copy and shadow” of the true temple in heaven.
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The Sovereignty of God: Understanding the throne as the center of the universe.
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Bold Access: How Jesus, our Great High Priest, has consecrated a way for us to enter the Holiest place.
“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.” — Revelation 4:2
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Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in
heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me,
saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven,
and One sat on the throne.
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin quote
Lyrics “Armstrong”
But the world all stopped to watch it
On that July afternoon
To watch a man named Armstrong
Walk upon the moon
And I wonder if a long time ago
Somewhere in the universe
They watched a man named Adam
Walk upon the earth
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in
the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—
such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
1 Kings 8:27 “… Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You…”
But even though heaven, as it were, cannot contain Him, it is His home.
Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom
rules over all.
Psalm 47:8, “God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.”
Psalm 93:2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have
entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who
love Him.”
Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked … and I will show you things which must
take place after this.”
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and
the things which will take place after this.
There are three times doors are mentioned directly in Revelation.
1. There is the open door for evangelism and missions,
Revelation 3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no
one can shut it; …”
2. There is the open door of invitation to receive Christ
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
3. There is a door open into heaven
Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in
heaven …”
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, …
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through Me.
Revelation 4:1 “… And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with
me, saying, “Come up here, …”
In Revelation chapter four “throne” is mentioned 11 times and thrones twice
Revelation 4:2 “… One sat on the throne.
Revelation 4:3 “… around the throne.
Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones,and on the thrones
Revelation 4:5 And from the throne … before the throne,
Revelation 4:6 Before the throne … And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne
Revelation 4:9 “… Him who sits on the throne, and cast their crowns before the throne
Revelation 4:10 “… Him who sits on the throne
There are Seven Things Around the Throne of God:
1. SEATED UPON THE THRONE IS THE TRIUNE GOD.
Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven,
and One sat on the throne.
Revelation 4:5 Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.
Revelation 5:6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the
four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had
been slain, …”
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 3:15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one
could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such
a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens,
Hebrews 8:2 A Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord
erected, and not man.
Hebrews 8:5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses
was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said,
See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Revelation 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day
and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of
His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings,
an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a
loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
The parallels between the Earthly temple and the Heavenly sanctuary
The Earthly temple had the Holy of Holies
The Heavenly sanctuary has The throne of God
The Earthly temple had a Seven-branched candlestick
The Heavenly sanctuary has the Seven lamps of fire before the throne
The Earthly temple had a Bronze laver
The Heavenly sanctuary has a Sea of glass
The Earthly temple had Cherubim over the mercy seat
The Heavenly sanctuary has Four living creatures around the throne
The Earthly temple had Priests
The Heavenly sanctuary has Elders (kings and priests)
The Earthly temple had a Brazen altar
The Heavenly sanctuary has an Altar
The Earthly temple had an Incense altar
The Heavenly sanctuary has an Incense altar
The Earthly temple had an Ark of the covenant
The Heavenly santuary has an Ark of the covenant
Revelation 21:22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb
are its temple.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the
blood of Jesus,
Hebrews 10:20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is, His flesh,
Hebrews 10:21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
