5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.

— Revelation 4:5-6

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

— Psalm 11:4

The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

–Psalm 93:1

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

–Romans 8:19-21

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy to you from the incarnated God, the Savior Jesus Christ.

John was taken up to God’s awesome throne room and saw all the magnificent scenes in the throne room. God’s throne room appears throughout the book of Revelation, emphatically revealing God’s limitless power and eternal rule. John’s vision pulls back the curtain to unveil God’s majestic control center. From the heavenly place, God will complete every detail of His plan to redeem His people and restore His creation. No earthly throne can rival the power and wisdom that flow from God Himself. Nothing can stop God from accomplishing His purposes.

God’s throne room is not a quiet place, with lightning, thunder, and voices coming from the throne. The floor of the throne room is described as being like a sea of glass, which represents God’s immense separation from the rest of creation. The scene of God’s throne room in the heaven offered true encouragement to John’s original readers who suffered under Roman tyrannical rule and to us the believers today. No emperor, king, president, prime minister, or general controls the universe. Even Satan himself has only the power God permits. God remains firmly in control of everything in this world.