A GLIMPSE INTO THE THRONE ROOM: Notes

Lesson 5: The Book of Revelation
A GLIMPSE INTO THE THRONE ROOM
Revelation 4:1 – 6:17

1. What shift of scenery takes place at the beginning of Chapter 4? What is the general
impression John and his readers would get from this opening vision of Heaven, a throne
room, the throne occupant, and the activity around the throne?

2. Throughout Revelation, worship will be a constant theme. Who are the worshippers in this
opening scene? Is worship occasional or constant? What is its theme? Are there lessons for
us to learn from this? Give at least two or three insights that come to you.

3. What caught John’s attention in the throne occupant’s right hand? Why was it deemed so
important? Why did the initial excitement over seeing it turn to sadness and tears?

4. Describe the appearance of the character who comes onto the scene and is declared
“worthy” to open the scroll. If Chapter 4 contains praise for the power of God as Creator,
then Chapter 5 turns to praise for the love of God as Redeemer. What are the key elements
of praise to the Lamb? It is obvious that both the throne occupant and the Lamb are worthy
of praise from nature, angels, and humans. Why is this so important in John’s vision?

5. The video indicates two different ways the first four seals have been interpreted by students
of Revelation. Which seems more plausible to you? Why?

6. What happens when the fifth seal is opened? What does this tell readers about the purpose
for the Book of Revelation? What question is asked by the martyrs?

7. What sort of activity begins with the opening of the sixth seal? Although some people read
these events as end-of-the-world happenings, notice how similar the language is to texts
such as Joel 2:10, Jeremiah 4:23-24, 28, and Isaiah 13:9-10. These were accounts of nations
being judged in history and overthrown for their sin. How do you think John and his first
readers would have interpreted this language?

At this point, we enter a new phase in the unfolding drama, as John is caught up to heaven and granted
privileged access to the heavenly throne-room. . . . Revelation 4 – 5 provides as it were the appropriate
perspective from which to view and make sense of what is happening on earth. Indeed, again and again
we shall revisit the heavenly scene, which reveals the one who is truly in control, and to whom true
worship is due. Here is ‘apocalyptic’ in the true sense of the word: a drawing back of the curtain which
normally restricts humanity’s view of the heavenly realm, enabling John, and those privileged to hear his
Apocalypse, to see the world in a radically new light. (Ian Boxall)