The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope

The Rapture is described before the beginning of the Great Tribulation
which commences in Chapter 6. Chapters 4 and 5 describe the scene
in heaven as the Church gathers around the Lord at the throne of
grace.
All attention is focused on the One who sits upon the throne. He is
likened to a jasper and sardine stone - the last and first stones on the
high priest's breastplate. Peter says ,
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious" (1Pet.2:7)
Ezekiel saw the same throne:
"As the appearance of a saphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne
was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it... it had
brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the
cloud in the day of rain" (Ezek.1:26-28).
The rainbow which circles the throne is the token of God's covenant
of mercy to Noah (Gen.9:13), and indicates that the Church does not
come before a throne of judgment as in Rev.20:11, but to a throne of
grace! Before the throne is the crystal sea, and around the throne are
four angelic beings, each with six wings, which proclaim the eternal
holiness of God. Before the throne are "seven lamps of fire...which are
the seven Spirits of God" (Rev.4:5), and "in the midst of the throne...stood
a Lamb as it had been slain" (Rev.5:6).
On twenty-four seats round about the throne are seated elders with
crowns on their heads. These elders are representative of the Church
for they are from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation"
(Rev.5:9). They no doubt will exercise a role in the orderly worship of
the saints in heaven, just as there were twenty-four courses of priests
appointed to lead the worship of Israel (1Chron.24:7-19; Luke 1:9,23).
Crowns are rewards for service, and there are many crowns promised
to believers. There is the crown of life for martyrs (Rev.2:10; Jas 1:12),
a crown of glory for faithful elders (1Pet 5:4), a crown of rejoicing for
soul-winners (1Thess 2:19; Phil 4:1), and a crown of righteousness for
all who love His appearing (2Tim.4:8).
These are incorruptible crowns (1 Cor.9:25) given at the judgment
seat (bema seat) of Christ to those who labour for Him. Jesus says,
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown." (Rev.3:11).
The elders "cast their crowns before the throne" (Rev.4:10). Our labour
is for His glory!
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The Book of the Revelation