Read Revelation 4:1–11
There are many wonderful and spectacular images and symbols in Revelation, and we begin to see them here in the throne room of God. The strangeness of some of these symbols, like the descriptions of the four living creatures and the appearance of the throne, can also be a distraction if we are not careful. John’s purpose in this passage is not for us to marvel at how he adapts the Old Testament or to nail down precisely what each symbol represents. His purpose is for us to marvel at the greatness of God and nail down exactly how we and all creation compare to Him. But there is no comparison. God is greater than all of creation and greater than anything else we can think of. That means that whatever situation we face, no matter how dire or severe, it is not worthy to be compared with the glory of God. He created all things and by His will all things exist, and “apart from Him, not one thing that was created has been created” (John 1:3). If we believe that, then how can we say about anything we experience, “Surely this is outside of God’s control”? This is the tone John sets for everything that follows in Revelation. For the rest of this book, we will see the spiritual realities that are behind our physical experiences. Throughout the devastation described, and which we experience every day, when sickness, death, and tragedy are all we know, the words from our lips should be, “You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (4:11).
