The book of Revelation (not Revelations) is a fascinating book to study and it is also amazing what some people pull out of it. I want to challenge you on this reading to try to pull out the message of Revelation. We get so caught up trying to find out what is going to happen in our tomorrows and what is going to happen to us (where is America in Revelation?, etc.) that we miss the meaning that the Holy Spirit inspired John to write to the seven churches that the revelation is addressed to in Revelation 2 and 3.
In Revelation 4 John is taken up into heaven to see what is going on there. He is actually moved like this 'in the Spirit' several times between heaven and earth. It shows for us that while 'this' happens on earth, 'this' is going on in heaven. I compare to a two story house. The bottom floor is the events of earth. The top floor is the events of heaven. John, 'in the Spirit', gets to go up and down the 'steps' several times to see what is going on.
In Revelation 2 & 3 we got to see what was going on with the seven churches on earth. We got to see from the Spirit's perfect perception the good, bad, and ugly. Meanwhile, in Revelation 4 notice what is happening in heaven.
Revelation 4.6-8 -And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
These four living creatures around the throne represent the living things of the earth. The lion is the king of the wild frontier and represents those type animals. The ox is the king of domesticated animals and represents them. The eagle is the king of the air and so represents them. The man is the king of the earthly living things and so represents us. Notice that when they have the ability to see all things (the many eyes), what do they do? They spend all their time giving praise to The Lord.
Now there are a lot of little things here that we don't have time for right now, but don't miss the overarching message: at the name of Jesus or the the throne of God every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. We are challenged to do that on earth...meanwhile...all of heaven does it.
Let's live heavenly today and give God praise.
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