Dr. John Oakes taught a class on worship in the Book of Revelation in San Diego October, 2013. It focuses on the picture of Jesus in Revelation Ch 1 and 5 as well as worship scenes in Revelation 7,11,15 and 19. A picture of believer’s before the throne of God is presented.

1. Revelation and WorshipRevelation and Worship
Rev 1: 10,12-18Rev 1: 10,12-18
Voice “like a trumpet” AVoice “like a trumpet” A
loud and clear messageloud and clear message
Blazing eyes See everythingBlazing eyes See everything
clearly. Nothing escapes hisclearly. Nothing escapes his
notice.notice.
Double-edged sword in hisDouble-edged sword in his
mouth Authority and powermouth Authority and power
of his words (John 12:48)of his words (John 12:48)
Q: How does this picture ofQ: How does this picture of
Jesus make you feel?Jesus make you feel?

2. Revelation Chapter 4Revelation Chapter 4
Enter the Throne RoomEnter the Throne Room

3. Revelation Chapter 4Revelation Chapter 4
Now the visions begin.Now the visions begin.
Be prepared to use your imagination.Be prepared to use your imagination.
Rev 4:1 John sees a door open in heaven.Rev 4:1 John sees a door open in heaven.
How does the vision begin? God is on hisHow does the vision begin? God is on his
throne!!!!!!throne!!!!!!

4. The Throne RoomThe Throne Room
Jasper white HolinessJasper white Holiness
Carnelian red JusticeCarnelian red Justice
Rainbow God’s promise/covenantRainbow God’s promise/covenant

5. ThroneThrone
41/181 times in Revelations41/181 times in Revelations
Greek:Greek: θρόνοςθρόνος – to set, judge, have– to set, judge, have
authority, the benchauthority, the bench

6. Throne ReferencesThrone References
 Rev 3:21 To him whoRev 3:21 To him who
overcomes, will sitovercomes, will sit
with me on thronewith me on throne
 Rev 4:2 Throne inRev 4:2 Throne in
heavenheaven
 Rev 4: 5 From throneRev 4: 5 From throne
flashes of thunderflashes of thunder
and lightningand lightning
 Rev 4:10 Set theirRev 4:10 Set their
crowns before thronecrowns before throne
 Rev 5:11 Millions ofRev 5:11 Millions of
angels surroundangels surround
throne in praisethrone in praise
 Rev 7:9-12 MultitudeRev 7:9-12 Multitude
standing beforestanding before
thronethrone
 Rev 8:3 Incense,Rev 8:3 Incense,
prayer of saints, onprayer of saints, on
golden altar beforegolden altar before
the thronethe throne
 Rev 13:2 Satan has aRev 13:2 Satan has a
throne as wellthrone as well
 Rev 16:10 Satan’sRev 16:10 Satan’s
throne will be judgedthrone will be judged

7. The Throne Room (cont.)The Throne Room (cont.)
Rev 4:4 24 elders: 12 tribes and 12 apostlesRev 4:4 24 elders: 12 tribes and 12 apostles
The 24 elders is, in essence us—God’s people.The 24 elders is, in essence us—God’s people.
Symbolism in Rev 4 & 5 is of the tabernacle.Symbolism in Rev 4 & 5 is of the tabernacle.
Rev 4:5 thunder, etc. Like Exodus 19:6Rev 4:5 thunder, etc. Like Exodus 19:6
Rev 4:6 Sea of crystal = separation of holyRev 4:6 Sea of crystal = separation of holy
from profane.from profane.
Rev 4:6b-4 Four living creatures = cherubim =Rev 4:6b-4 Four living creatures = cherubim =
protecting the holiness of God.protecting the holiness of God.

8. The Throne Room (cont.)The Throne Room (cont.)
The four creatures: Eyes = vigilanceThe four creatures: Eyes = vigilance
Garden of Eden Curtain in the Tabernacle.Garden of Eden Curtain in the Tabernacle.
Isaiah 6:2 Ezek 1:5-14 Ezekiel 10Isaiah 6:2 Ezek 1:5-14 Ezekiel 10
Lion Ox Man EagleLion Ox Man Eagle
Rev 4:8-11 Q: What impression of God doesRev 4:8-11 Q: What impression of God does
this give you?this give you?

9. Why Cherubim significant?Why Cherubim significant?
 Ez 10:12-18Ez 10:12-18
 V13. Wheels? Take God everywhere toV13. Wheels? Take God everywhere to
reign/judge over His creation.reign/judge over His creation.
 1 Chronicles 28:181 Chronicles 28:18
 Ez 10:19-21Ez 10:19-21
 Rev 11:15-19 Who sat between theRev 11:15-19 Who sat between the
cherubim?cherubim?
 Rev 14:6-7 Emperor worship versus GodRev 14:6-7 Emperor worship versus God
worshipworship
 The religious arm of Rome set up images and demandedThe religious arm of Rome set up images and demanded
emperor worship. The specific agency of Rome was called theemperor worship. The specific agency of Rome was called the
Commune or Concillia. Roman citizen had to burn a pinch ofCommune or Concillia. Roman citizen had to burn a pinch of
incense and say “Ceasar is Lord.” (Ferguson, p.115)incense and say “Ceasar is Lord.” (Ferguson, p.115)

10. Revelation Ch. 5 The Lion and the LambRevelation Ch. 5 The Lion and the Lamb
A scroll with sevenA scroll with seven
seals which no one wasseals which no one was
worthy to open.worthy to open.
Sealed = something toSealed = something to
be revealedbe revealed
7 seals = completely7 seals = completely
sealed.sealed.

11. Enter: Jesus ChristEnter: Jesus Christ
Jesus is a lion Q: What image comes to mind?Jesus is a lion Q: What image comes to mind?
Jesus is the Root of Jesse MessiahJesus is the Root of Jesse Messiah
Jesus is triumphantJesus is triumphant
Jesus is a lamb Q: What image comes to mind?Jesus is a lamb Q: What image comes to mind?
7 horns = perfect in power7 horns = perfect in power
7 eyes = perfect in knowledge7 eyes = perfect in knowledge

12. Worship the Lamb who was slainWorship the Lamb who was slain
The most amazing worship service ever!The most amazing worship service ever!
Harps = singing to the LambHarps = singing to the Lamb
Incense = prayers of the saintsIncense = prayers of the saints
Rev 5:9-14 A New Song (compare to the SongRev 5:9-14 A New Song (compare to the Song
of Moses Exodus 15)of Moses Exodus 15)
Theme of the song: Worthy is the LambTheme of the song: Worthy is the Lamb
He has made a kingdom of priests Exodus 19:6He has made a kingdom of priests Exodus 19:6
has been fulfilled!has been fulfilled!
v. 11,13 hundreds of millions of angels and allv. 11,13 hundreds of millions of angels and all
creation worship the lamb.creation worship the lamb.

13. Revelation 7:10-17Revelation 7:10-17
 Worshipping God in his Temple.Worshipping God in his Temple.
 v. 15 He spreads his tent (tabernacle)v. 15 He spreads his tent (tabernacle)
over us.over us.

14. Rev 11:15-19 What was inside the Ark?Rev 11:15-19 What was inside the Ark?

15. Altar of IncenseAltar of Incense
 Ex 25:20-21 GodEx 25:20-21 God
sat above thronesat above throne
 Lev 16:13Lev 16:13
 Heb 12:2Heb 12:2
 Luke 1:32Luke 1:32
 Acts 2:30Acts 2:30
 Rev 15:8 WhyRev 15:8 Why
always smoke inalways smoke in
the temple?the temple?
 Hebrews 7:12-Hebrews 7:12-
1919
 Heb 8:1-2Heb 8:1-2

16. Worship in the TabernacleWorship in the Tabernacle
Hebrews 4:14-16 Let us approach throne ofHebrews 4:14-16 Let us approach throne of
gracegrace
Ephesians 3:12 Approach God withEphesians 3:12 Approach God with
Freedom and confidenceFreedom and confidence
Exodus 40:20Exodus 40:20 Atonement cover over theAtonement cover over the
testimonytestimony
Hebrews 9:1-5, Heb 10:19-22Hebrews 9:1-5, Heb 10:19-22

17. UNVEILINGUNVEILING
““Therefore,Therefore,
brothers, since webrothers, since we
have confidence tohave confidence to
enter the Most Holyenter the Most Holy
Place by the bloodPlace by the blood
of Jesus, by a newof Jesus, by a new
and living wayand living way
opened for usopened for us
through the curtain,through the curtain,
that is,that is, hishis body …body …
let us draw near tolet us draw near to
God with a sincereGod with a sincere
heart in fullheart in full
assurance of faith.”assurance of faith.”
(Hebrews 10:19-(Hebrews 10:19-
22)22)

18. GOD ALMIGHTY REIGNSGOD ALMIGHTY REIGNS
and Vindicates His Peopleand Vindicates His People
Revelation 19:1-10Revelation 19:1-10

19. Revelation 19 Hallelujia!!!Revelation 19 Hallelujia!!!
Why?Why?
v. 6 Because God almighty reignsv. 6 Because God almighty reigns
v. 7 Because the wedding has begun.v. 7 Because the wedding has begun.
We are married to Christ!We are married to Christ!
Rev 19:11-17 Our final view of JesusRev 19:11-17 Our final view of Jesus
Christ: Power!!!!Christ: Power!!!!