Title: Life Approved by God
Revelation (25) A life approved by God
Revelation 4:1-4
<Appearance of the throne of God>
After hearing the message to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 2-3, John sees a vision of an open door in heaven and hears a trumpet-like voice. “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after that.” John was eagerly looking forward to seeing what would happen after that, but first he saw a throne in heaven and God sitting on that throne (verse 2).
Why did He show the throne first before showing ‘the things that must happen afterward’? This is because the seven seals are torn one by one from the scroll sealed with the seven seals in the right hand of God who is seated on the throne, and “the things that must happen after that” unfold (Revelation 5:1). At that time, what did the throne and God seated on the throne look like?
First, the appearance of God seated on the throne was like a jasper (blue) and a red stone (red) (verse 3). The blue jasper represents God's holiness and majesty, and the red jasper represents God's determination and justice. At the right hand of that throne is the throne of Christ (Revelation 22:1).
Second, there was a rainbow around the throne. The shape of the rainbow was like a green gemstone (verse 3). The rainbow that surrounds the throne of heaven is not the rainbow of red, green, yellow, green, emerald green. Also, although the rainbow of the world disappears quickly, the rainbow of heaven exists forever, drawing a halo around the throne of God. What does the rainbow remind you of? It reminds me of God's covenant with Noah. After all, the rainbow symbolizes God's grace and mercy.
Third, behind the rainbow were 24 thrones, on which the 24 elders sat, wearing white robes and wearing gold crowns (verse 4). The 24 elders in this verse are supposed to refer to the saints who worked the most for God and the church. The fact that the elders wore white clothes indicates that they worked great for God and for the church. In the Bible, ‘white linen cloth’ symbolizes ‘the saints’ right conduct’ (Revelation 19:7-8). Also, the fact that the 24 elders wore gold crowns means that they had to work very hard for God's holy will and participate in God's glory.
<Life that God approves>
Your hard work and dedication on this earth will never be in vain. If you work hard and devote yourself to God's holy will, you will be blessed on this earth and will receive glory in heaven. The ultimate hope of the saints is to receive an honorable gold crown on their head in heaven. For that purpose, you must give up your lust for honor and power and learn to carry the cross on your back with joy. Revelation 16:15 says this. “Behold, I am coming like a thief, and blessed is the man who watches and keeps his garments, and does not walk naked, and does not show his shame.”
Who is blessed? Those who have wealth, power, fame, or longevity are not blessed. Such things are only for a short time on this earth. The truly blessed are those who wake up on this earth and work hard to attend the wedding feast of the Lamb in a holy white robe, not naked or underpants in a symbolic sense when the Lord comes.
Who is given such clothes? It is given to those who work hard looking for the reward of God, not the glory of this earth. I am saved and can attend the wedding feast in heaven, but because I do not have beautiful loyalty and meaningful missionary work, I do not have the ‘clothes of hard work, devotion and deeds’, so how shameful it would be to attend the feast in heaven naked or wearing panties? On the other hand, some people are saved and immediately go out for faithful service and sharing. How pleased will God be with that?
Saints must live while preparing for the robes of heaven through hard work, devotion, and deeds. Of course, the labor of saints means more than physical labor. To love the unlovable and to forgive the unforgivable is an effort that pleases God above all else. People like to win, but winning is not a victory, and losing is not a defeat. If he wins by strength but God does not acknowledge the victor, he is rather a loser. If he loses because of lack of strength, but God acknowledges the loser, he is the ultimate victor.
Do not be jealous of the person ahead of you, and do not hate others too much. Don't be too hard on yourself for your sins and faults. Don't wrestle with problems alone, and don't try too hard to be good for yourself. What is important is a life that God accepts. Forgive the person you hate and pray earnestly for his blessing. After that, leave it to the Lord. If you try to take too much from people, you will be disappointed. However, if you try to give and become empty-handed, God will hold your empty hand, see your hard work, devotion, and deeds, and will clothe you in the white robe of heaven and crown you with a golden crown.