Throne of God: The vision of the future is set against the backdrop of God’s throne room in heaven. There, the LORD is surrounded by subordinate rulers upon their own thrones, twenty-four elders who represent the entire church of God.[1] Around God’s throne are also four living creatures[2] who later summon the horsemen of the first four seals (6:1, 3, 5, 7). These creatures ceaselessly worship God (4:8), and the elders ascribe to Him praise (4:11). As the supreme ruler, Creator, and the sole object of worship, God reigns over the world. This is His world, and all creation exists to bring His will to pass (4:11).
Sealed Scroll: God holds in His right hand a sealed scroll,[3] and only one man is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals: Jesus, the Lion of Judah, the root of David, the overcomer (5:5).[4] John sees Him as a slain Lamb that stands. He is the risen One who gave up His lifeblood to redeem His people (5:9-10), yet He lives (1:18; 2:8). The risen Christ receives[5] the scroll from God’s hand and breaks open the seals to reveal what comes after the time of the seven churches (4:1): conquest, wars, inflation, and death. These are the beginning of the birth pangs (Matt. 24:8), the continued groans of the fallen world (Rom. 8:22). The next two seals reveal the martyrdom of the saints, their prayer for justice, and God’s answer (6:16; 11:18; 15:1; 19:15). The seventh seal reveals God’s reign with His righteous judgments (11:15; 12:9-10; 15:1-4; 19:1-6).
[1] Although this is not a critical area of doctrine, it is reasonable to see these as symbolic figures that represent the church: They sit on thrones (20:4), wear white garments (3:4, 5, 18; 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:7-8, 14), and hold out the prayer of the saints (5:8; 8:3-4). They appear throughout the book (4:4, 10; 5:5, 6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4). Their number matches the names in New Jerusalem, those of the 12 tribes of Israel (21:12) and the 12 apostles (21:14), the bride of Christ comprised of Jews and Gentiles together (Eph. 2:19; 3:6).
[2] These were cherubim-like (Ezek. 1:10), except the six wings which were more seraphim-like (Isaiah 6:2).
[3] The “book” is a biblion (βιβλίον) which in the first century had the form of a “scroll” (NKJV, ESV).
[4] Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Gen. 49:9-10), the root of David (Is. 11:10), and the overcomer (3:21).
[5] “Take” (5:7, 8, 9) is lambanō (λαμβάνω) is bettered rendered “receive,” which aligns with Dan. 7:14.