Big Idea: The heavenly beings worship God as the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe.

Understanding the Text

Following John’s introductory vision of the risen and glorified Christ and his messages to the seven churches in 1:9–3:22, the scene shifts from earth to heaven in 4:1. This throne-room vision of Revelation 4–5 anchors the rest of the book. This vision first presents God as the sovereign Creator seated on his throne (4:1–11) before turning to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as the only one worthy to open the seals (5:1–14). The throne image unites Revelation 4–5 as a grand assurance to God’s people that he will accomplish his plans for creation. The only proper response is worship, first by the four living creatures (4:8), then by the twenty-four elders (4:10–11), then by a…