28th May 2026

28th May 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Revelation 4v4-6) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Heaven is where the Faithful go when we die and if we aren't convinced by that then John has something to say. He had been given a view of Heaven by Jesus and his initial vision focused on the immense beauty and glory of God. Then as his eyes took in the wider scene, the Apostle saw twenty-four elders who were dressed in white and wearing crowns on their heads (v4).


Who were these elders? Twelve plus twelve is twenty-four and these figures were representative of the entire church of Christ. Twelve tribes and twelve Apostles makes twenty-four with their white robes symbolising how they had been forgiven with their crowns showing their victory. The message is clear - when we think of Heaven we cannot help but consider that it is our home. The Church triumphant is there right now and they are before the throne of God day and night. Who can hurt them? Who can trouble them? Who can pluck them from the Lord's hand? No one.


As if to underpin this point further John is aware of flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder (v5) coming from the throne. This same language was used of God when He gave His law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20v18). For the suffering Christian in John's day it was a clear word of testimony that the Lord was still working and moving in power. Throughout Revelation as God worked we are told of peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake (Revelation 8v5, 11v19, 16v18). Heaven therefore is not just a place of rest but it is a place where the Lord continues His mighty work which is carried out by the seven spirits of God (v5b).
Should we think that there is the Holy Spirit and seven others? No. This is a description of the Holy Spirit who is perfect and therefore the number seven is His. Seven throughout Scripture denotes completeness and so once more God's people are given a glimpse of Heavenly realities which show a mighty, moving, working God who sends out His Spirit and whose will be done.


But if Heaven sounds like a busy and extraordinarily loud place, John saw before the throne a sea of glass like crystal (v6). If the world is in constant turmoil then Heaven never is. The Lord is there and He is both glorious and at work and the Saints of God are there and they are both saved and secure. If all we long for in this world is a bit of peace then we can be certain that we have it when we see glory. What is Heaven like now? God is reigning, His people praising and His will is done.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q79 Which is the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
​