Revelation 4:4-8 - "Our New Reality Awaits"

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul explains that in our physical state, we see through a glass darkly. We see shadows, images that are not clear. The physical properties of earth do not exist in heaven. God dwells in a reality that is not ours on this earth. In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul speaks of a third heaven, where Paul was caught up. This is the home of God, or where He dwells. While scripture is clear that there is no place that can contain God (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 6:18, Isaiah 66:1 and many others), heaven, as it were, is His home. We get a glimpse and some understanding of the third heaven from scripture. Ezekiel chapter 1 describes God's throne in heaven. Ezekiel describes what he saw when God gave him a look at heaven. In Revelation 4, John has been called up into heaven, to write the things that he saw, the things that were, and the things that are, and the things that are to come. This is the record of what John saw and heard when he was taken to heaven. Last week, in part one of chapter four, the apostle saw a throne set in heaven, describing the dwelling place of God. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, but represented by a likeness - His surpassing brightness, symbolizing the perfect excellence of His Divine nature, and of His justice. The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in Him. And the color of emerald showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. This week John begins with a description of the four-and-twenty seats around the throne, filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes a place of honor and rest. They are sitting around the throne, in the presence of God, seeing Him face to face. They are clothed in white raiment, which is the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness through Christ: and they had on their heads, crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with Him.