在约翰看到关于天上的异象中，我们很快便领悟到，异象的焦点是坐在宝座上的那一位。在这里，启示录领我们来到可敬可畏的主大能的神面前。
这里不是圣经首次提到有人站在全能主的面前的（参考以赛亚书 6:1-8；以西结书 1；但以理书 10）；不过，自从耶稣升天之后（使徒行传 1:9-11），如此持续和详细地描写那位“坐在宝座上的，”还是第一次。虽然如此，这里的描述，仍然不是主的完全面目。
神给我们这个启示，并不是为了满足我们的好奇心，耶和华神打开天上的门、又让我们站在祂面前，好叫我们因相信祂得到充满活力的生命、更坚定的信念、和持续的盼望。
在我们这个情感和处境交杂的世界－喜乐与哀伤、疑惑与确信、成功与失败、健康与疾病－神希望我们看到，我们的世界是以祂为中心的。
马可福音告诉我们，耶稣是以“神的国近了”（马可福音 1:15） 。这句话开始祂的传道事工的，而在启示录这卷书中，我们看到，坐在宝座上的耶稣的使命，仍然在继续下去。
哈利路亚！神在掌权！
主啊，你赐给我们的是何等有力和慈爱的恩典！你掌管万有，我们怀着敬畏和惊叹站在你面前。求你帮助我们对你有更深的信心、倚靠、和盼望。奉你的名、我们的主和救主祈求，阿们。
启示录 4:2-6a
2我立刻被圣灵感动，见有一个宝座安置在天上，又有一位坐在宝座上。
3看那坐着的，好像碧玉和红宝石，又有虹围着宝座，好像绿宝石。
4宝座的周围又有二十四个座位，其上坐着二十四位长老，身穿白衣，头上戴着金冠冕。
5有闪电、声音、雷轰从宝座中发出。又有七盏火灯在宝座前点着，这七灯就是神的七灵。
6宝座前好像一个玻璃海，如同水晶。宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物，前后遍体都满了眼睛。
“The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby.” - Revelation 4:3
In John’s vision of heaven we soon see that the focal point is the one who sits on the throne. Here Revelation brings us into the awesome presence of the Lord God Almighty.
This is not the first time the Bible tells of someone standing before the Lord Almighty (see Isaiah 6:1-8; Ezekiel 1; Daniel 10). But since the time of Jesus’ ascension to heaven (Acts 1:9-11), this is the first sustained and detailed description of “the one who sat on the throne.” Even so, we are not given a full description of the Lord.
This revelation is not for satisfying our curiosity. The Lord God opens heaven’s door and has us stand in his presence so that faith in him may spring to life, grow in conviction, and be sustained in hope.
In our world of mixed emotions and situations—joy and sorrow, doubt and conviction, success and failure, health and sickness—God wants us to see that our world is centered in him.
The gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus’ ministry began with the words “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). And here in Revelation we see that Jesus’ mission continues as he is seated on the throne.
Hallelujah! Our God reigns!
Lord, what a powerful and gracious gift you give us! We stand in awe and amazement that you reign over all things. Help us to have deeper faith, trust, and hope in you. In your name, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
