Revelation 4:2 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Immediately I was in the Spirit’ – he was in a prophetic state, a state to receive revelation from God. Whether it was a trancelike state, we cannot say, but he was in a prophetic condition, carried away to view these things. He sees into heaven: ‘Behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.’ This is going to be about the Father on high, for he is later distinguished from the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Of course John cannot see the Father; God is invisible to him. In his mortal condition he cannot look upon the infinite holiness and glory of God. So God must be presented to him in a vision. This throne is the central feature of heaven around which all other things in heaven are arranged. From it, heaven and indeed the whole of creation are ruled. There is a single one sitting upon the throne and he has no rival. He is a King before whom all other kings fall down and worship. From him comes every command that is issued in heaven and he is the giver of every perfect gift. His rule is total and comprehensive. He initiates everything. Nothing occurs without his knowledge. He is the ultimate first cause of everything (Hendriksen). David was king on earth as a type of Christ, the King of glory, but no earthly king ever had absolute sway over every event that takes place in God’s kingdom.