Revelation 4, 5: The Second Facet

Week 4, Monday: Look up!
The first facet of the diamond which is the book of Revelation is the one we see most frequently, that which is immediately before us in the churches of the Lord. We have seen that the Lord has a message for all churches in all times, and we must be willing to hear what the Spirit says to the churches and strive to be overcomers, come what may.

Now we begin to consider the second facet of Revelation. John is instructed to look up, to look beyond the veil and come through the door that separates seen from unseen things, to look with the eye of faith into mysteries never before seen, and to write what he sees as instruction and encouragement for all the Lord’s churches (Rev. 1.19).

Read Revelation 4

Meditate on Revelation 4.1-3
1.      Meditate on Ephesians 1.15-23. Paul says we may see into unseen things with the “eye of the heart.” What is the eye of the heart? How does it enable us to look up into unseen things?

2.      Reflect on verse 1, and compare it with Revelation 1.10. Who opens the door to unseen things? According to verse 2, what is necessary for us to “see” into this unseen realm? What does this mean?

3.      Meditate on Hebrews 11.1. How would you describe the role of unseen things in the life of faith? Is it important that we look with the eye of the heart on such unseen things as John is about to see? Why or why not?

4.      We must be “in the Spirit” in order to enter into unseen things. Look at John 6.63 and Ephesians 5.18-21. What seem to be important things for being “in the Spirit”?

5.      The most prominent feature in heaven is a throne. Who sits on this throne? How is He described? Why do you suppose it is important that John tells us first of all about this throne in heaven?

My Reflection
How would you describe your practice of seeing with the eye of the heart to gaze into unseen things?

The Glory of God
Through Jesus, in the Spirit, and according to God’s Word, we are invited to look into the unseen things of the spiritual realm. If seeing into these unseen things is so important, why does God say so little about them? And why do most believers find it so hard to do this?

Glory to Glory
How does John depict the glory of God as He sits upon His throne? If John saw God’s glory in these terms, the terms of creation, should we expect to be able to see God’s glory in other created things? Meditate on Psalm 19.1-4 and Romans 1.18-21. How should we respond to God’s glory, as we see it manifested in creation? What does Paul say about those who fail or refuse to see God in created things?

Memorize
Our memory verse for this week is Revelation 4.11. Write this verse on an index card, using your preferred translation of the Bible. Carry this with you throughout the week, and spend some time each day working to memorize this verse.

Closing Prayer
All Your works shall praise You, O Lord,
And Your saints shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations

Psalm 145.10-13

T. M. Moore

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The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.