Revelation 4 After giving the messages to the church on earth, Jesus calls John to enter an open door to heaven.. to the very throne room of God. 

 Few living people have been privileged to view this place.. Isaiah ( chapter 6), Ezekiel (chapter 1),  Daniel(chapter 7),  maybe Paul.. and last of all John.  Every one of them gave an account of their vision...  Paul simply saying that the things he heard were "inexpressible" .. a "surpassing greatness.."  a revelation so great that he was kept from exalting himself by a "thorn in his flesh".  ( II Corinthians 12:3-7)

What the other accounts have in common give us just a tiny glimpse into that surpassing greatness.  The center of everything in all of these visions is the One who sits on the throne.  John describes Him as having the appearance of "a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance.."  Brilliant colors, like a rainbow surround the throne.  Isaiah's description is "I saw the Lord sitting on the throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple."  Ezekiel's description says, "Now above the expanse that was over their heads( of the living creatures) there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like a glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him." Daniel says, "I kept looking up until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. " 

In each account we encounter the living creatures and others worshiping around the throne.  Our God is lofty, high and lifted up! He rules from His throne, surrounded by radiance and glory and beauty. Lightning and thunder accompany Him.  The Spirit is there. The Son, the Lamb of God, is there.  Daniel tells us that "thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him."  There is singing of praises in His presence.. "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."  And.. "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed and were created." 

Hebrews 12 comes to my mind.. "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all.."  In Christ we come into the Presence of the Lord God Almighty.. "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." ( v22,23,28)

Our Father, who is in heaven.. hallowed be Your Name! We come before You with thanksgiving.. that You have revealed Yourself to us.. mere men and women..  You abide forever. You judge with righteousness. You are our stronghold and we put our trust in You. Open our eyes, Lord! We want .. we need to see Your glory and worship You with grateful hearts, with reverence and awe!  It is in the name of Jesus that we pray, for He has made a way for us to come before You.. Hallelujah and Amen.