The Bible Course Muestra

The Door, the Elders, and the Throne – a Vision of Heaven 

Reflect 

Do you have a favorite film director? The director’s role is hidden but is also the most influential. The actors may play out the scene but it’s the director that governs and shapes everything about the film.  

The early chapters of Revelation speak of Jesus as king. This would have been deeply reassuring for minority Christians under the heel of Rome. In a turbulent world of threats and intimidation, when King Jesus speaks ‘Do not be afraid’ over our lives he means it.  

The book of Revelation also portrays God as the director. His hand may be hidden but that doesn’t mean he is not actively influencing and shaping our world. In fact, God is the one who’s calling the shots, and we can be at peace because the director is good.  

What does the vision in chapter 4 teach us?  

Could you get your head around all that?  

We see 24 elders as representative leaders of God’s people – old and new. With them are four ‘living creatures’ with familiar and heavenly features, representing a cosmic harmony between heaven and earth. The last time we saw this kind of cosmic harmony was the Garden of Eden, right at the beginning of the Bible story. Finally, we’re back to the beginning …  

Today, maybe work, relationships or tragedies reminds us that harmony isn’t fully here. But that doesn’t mean we’re without hope. One day everything will be restored to the way it should be. Until then, God remains the director. He calls the shots, working out a good plan for our lives.   

What does the response of the elders and creatures mean for us today?  

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor’s powerful hammer can only be wielded by a ‘worthy’ person. Thor fears that he could lose his ‘worthiness’ and thus his ability to wield the hammer. The one who sits in the center of the throne is ‘worthy’ all the time. He does not fear or fluctuate; he is Jesus, the savior king, the director of the cosmos, and of our lives. He is worthy now and forever. And because of this, we can trust him now and forever.  

Respond 

Andrew Peterson’s song ‘Is He Worthy?’ captures the beauty of this truth.  

Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son 

Listen to the song and let worship rise. He is worthy!