Revelation 4:5-6 - The Coming Storm of Judgment

“And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.” We have been looking at the throne that John saw as the focus of attention in heaven. God is “on the throne” in heaven. “Around the throne” is a rainbow and also twenty-four elders along with the “four living creatures.” And now, “from the throne there proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.” These are indications of a coming storm and reminders of God's awesome power. Usually before we experience a thunderstorm in the summer we can see lightning in the distance and hear sound of thunder getting closer and closer. In the Old Testament when the judgment of God, the plague of hail, was about to fall on Egypt it was proceeded this sight and sound. “And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.” (Exodus 9:23-24) Later when the LORD came down to Mt. Sinai to give Moses the Law, He was accompanied with lightening and thunder: “Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.” (Exodus 19:16-18) When the people of Israel saw this they were filled with awe and fear! “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:18-19) Later in Revelation these "storm signals" will be repeated during the time of judgment, always proceeding from the throne and temple of God. Notice this happened when the angels sounded the trumpet judgments: “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (Revelation 8:5).  And when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet we again read: “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19) Our world and even most Christians today do not like to think of God as a God of judgment. We prefer to look at the rainbow around the throne and ignore the lightning and thunder out of the throne. God certainly is a God of grace, but His grace reigns through righteousness (Rom. 5:21). This was made clear at the cross where God manifested both His love for sinners and His wrath against sin. My friend, I must ask the question. Are you prepared for the coming storm of judgment?