Nehemiah 4:1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He ridiculed the Jews
Nehemiah 4:2 before his colleagues and the efficient men of Samaria, and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they revive it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
Nehemiah 4:3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!”
Nehemiah 4:4 Listen, our God, because we are despised. Make their insults return on their heads and let them be taken as plunder[1] to a land[2] of captivity.
Nehemiah 4:5 Do not cover their violation[3] or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders.
Nehemiah 4:6 So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had the heart to keep working.
Nehemiah 4:7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious.
Nehemiah 4:8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion.
Nehemiah 4:9 So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.
Nehemiah 4:10 In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall.
Nehemiah 4:11 And our enemies said, “They won’t realize it until we’re among them and can kill them and stop[4] the work.”
Nehemiah 4:12 When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.”
Nehemiah 4:13 So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by clans[5] with their swords, spears, and bows.
Nehemiah 4:14 After I inspected, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”
Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his work on the wall.
Nehemiah 4:16 From that day on, half of my boys[6] did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The captains supported all the people of Judah,
Nehemiah 4:17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
Nehemiah 4:18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me.
Nehemiah 4:19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall.
Nehemiah 4:20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”
Nehemiah 4:21 So we continued the work, while half the men held spears from daybreak until the stars came out.
Nehemiah 4:22 At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his boy spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.”
Nehemiah 4:23 And I, my brothers, my boys, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
Nehemiah 3:1 The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.
Nehemiah 3:2 The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri built.
Nehemiah 3:3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They used beams to build it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
Nehemiah 3:4 Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made it strong. Beside them, Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made it strong. Next to them, Zadok, son of Baana, made it strong.
Nehemiah 3:5 Beside them, the Tekoites made it strong, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their lords.[1]
Nehemiah 3:6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah made the Old Gate strong. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
Nehemiah 3:7 Next to them, the repairs were done by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River.
Nehemiah 3:8 After him, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith, made it strong, and next to him, Hananiah son of the perfumer made it strong. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
Nehemiah 3:9 Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, captain of half the district of Jerusalem, made it strong.
Nehemiah 3:10 After them, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made it strong across from his house. Next to him, Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made it strong.
Nehemiah 3:11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab made it strong to another section, as well as to the Tower of the Ovens.
Nehemiah 3:12 Beside him, Shallum son of Hallohesh, captain of half the district of Jerusalem, made it strong– he and his daughters.
Nehemiah 3:13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars, and repaired five hundred yards of the wall to the Dung Gate.
Nehemiah 3:14 Malchijah, son of Rechab, captain of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
Nehemiah 3:15 Shallun, son of Col-hozeh, captain of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and roofed it. Then he installed its doors, bolts, and bars. He also made it strong to the wall of the Pool of Shelah near the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the city of David.
Nehemiah 3:16 After him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, captain of half the district of Beth-zur, made it strong up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Warriors.
Nehemiah 3:17 Next to him, the Levites made it strong under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, captain of half the district of Keilah, made it strong for his district.
Nehemiah 3:18 After him, their fellow Levites strengthened it under Binnui, son of Henadad, captain of half the district of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3:19 Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, captain of Mizpah, made it strong to another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the Angle.
Nehemiah 3:20 After him, Baruch son of Zabbai furiously[2] repaired another section, from the Angle to the door of the house of the high priest Eliashib.
Nehemiah 3:21 Beside him, Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made it strong to another section, from the door of Eliashib’s house to the end of his house.
Nehemiah 3:22 And next to him, the priests from the surrounding area made it strong.
Nehemiah 3:23 After them, Benjamin and Hasshub made it strong opposite their house. Beside them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, made it strong beside his house.
Nehemiah 3:24 After him, Binnui son of Henadad made it strong to another section, from the house of Azariah to the Angle and the corner.
Nehemiah 3:25 Palal son of Uzai made it strong opposite the Angle and tower that juts out from the king’s upper palace, by the courtyard of the guard. Beside him, Pedaiah son of Parosh
Nehemiah 3:26 and the temple servants living on Ophel made it strong opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
Nehemiah 3:27 Next to him, the Tekoites made it strong to another section from a point opposite the great tower that juts out, as far as the wall of Ophel.
Nehemiah 3:28 Each of the priests made it strong above the Horse Gate, each opposite his own house.
Nehemiah 3:29 After them, Zadok son of Immer made it strong opposite his house. And beside him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, guard of the East Gate, made it strong.
Nehemiah 3:30 Next to him, Hananiah, son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, made it strong to another section. After them, Meshullam son of Berechiah made it strong opposite his room.
Nehemiah 3:31 Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made it strong to the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upstairs room on the corner.
Nehemiah 3:32 The goldsmiths and merchants made it strong between the upstairs room on the corner and the Sheep Gate.
1 After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: “Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with someone seated on it! 3 And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. 4 In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne 6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man’s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. 8 Each one of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all around and inside. They never rest day or night, saying: “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns before his throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!”
There are moments in Scripture when God pulls back the curtain and lets His people see what lies ahead. Not simply to satisfy curiosity, but to strengthen faith. Not to give us a timeline, but to give us a hope-line. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. It is a doorway into the future — a prophetic window into the world as it will be when God’s kingdom comes in fullness.
Many readers assume Revelation 4 is a snapshot of heaven as it exists right now. But the text itself tells us otherwise. The key phrase appears twice in the very first verse: “After this… after this.” John is not being shown the present. He is being shown the future. He is not witnessing the current activity of heaven. He is witnessing the future order of the new heavens and the new earth.
Revelation 4 is not a tour of heaven today. It is a preview of heaven tomorrow. It is not a description of the intermediate state. It is a vision of the eternal state. It is not a report of what the saints are doing now. It is a revelation of what all creation will do then.
John is invited to step through a door — a door that opens not into the past, not into the present, but into the future God has prepared for His people. And what he sees is breathtaking.
Let’s walk through this chapter and see what God shows us through this door to the future.
I. THE DOOR THAT OPENS TO THE FUTURE (4:1)
John writes, “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice… said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’”
Twice in one verse, the Spirit emphasizes the phrase “after this.” This is not accidental. It is the Spirit’s way of telling us that what follows is not a description of the present age. It is a prophetic vision of the age to come.
John is not being shown what heaven looks like right now. He is being shown what heaven and earth will look like when God’s kingdom comes in its fullness. The door is not a mystical portal into the unseen realm. It is a prophetic doorway into the future reality of the new creation.
The voice that calls John upward is like a trumpet — the same imagery used at Sinai; the same imagery used at the Second Coming. This is the language of divine revelation and divine intervention. God is about to show John the end of the story, the final order, the eternal kingdom.
And what is the first thing John sees?
II. THE THRONE THAT DEFINES THE FUTURE (4:2–3)
John says, “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.”
The first thing John sees is not angels. Not saints. Not activity. Not movement.
He sees a throne.
The throne is the central reality of the new creation. It is the anchor of the future. It is the symbol of God’s absolute sovereignty. In the new heavens and earth, everything revolves around the throne of God.
The One seated on the throne is described in gemstone imagery — jasper and carnelian. John does not describe a face or form. He describes glory. He describes radiance. He describes beauty. This is God as He will be revealed when all creation is renewed.
Around the throne is a rainbow — a reminder of God’s covenant mercy. In the new creation, mercy surrounds judgment. Grace surrounds glory. God’s throne is not only powerful — it is safe for His people.
This is the throne of the future kingdom.
III. THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE FUTURE KINGDOM (4:4)
John then sees twenty-four elders seated on thrones around God’s throne. They are clothed in white garments and wear golden crowns.
Who are they? They represent the redeemed people of God — the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, the Old Testament and the New Testament people of God united. They are enthroned because in the new creation, the saints will reign with Christ. They are clothed in white because they have been resurrected and glorified. They wear crowns because they have received the reward of faithfulness.
This is not the church as it exists now. This is the church as it will exist then. This is the church in glory. This is the church in the new creation. This is the church enthroned with Christ.
Revelation 4 is not describing the present heavenly assembly. It is describing the future destiny of God’s people.
IV. THE MAJESTY OF GOD IN THE FUTURE AGE (4:5–6)
John sees lightning and thunder coming from the throne — echoes of Sinai, symbols of God’s holiness and power. In the new creation, God’s holiness will be fully revealed. There will be no sin to hide it, no rebellion to resist it, no darkness to obscure it.
Before the throne are seven torches — the seven Spirits of God. This is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. In the new creation, the Spirit’s ministry will be unrestricted. There will be no grieving of the Spirit, no quenching of the Spirit, no resisting of the Spirit. The Spirit will fill all things.
And before the throne is a sea of glass, like crystal. In Scripture, the sea often symbolizes chaos, danger, and evil. But here the sea is calm, still, and clear. In the new creation, chaos is gone. Evil is gone. Fear is gone. The sea is conquered.
This is the future world — a world of holiness, peace, and Spirit-filled glory.
V. THE CREATION THAT WORSHIPS IN THE FUTURE (4:6–8)
John sees four living creatures — representing all creation:
The lion (wild animals)
The ox (domesticated animals)
The man (humanity)
The eagle (birds of the sky)
They are covered with eyes — symbolizing perfect perception. They see God clearly. They worship God perfectly. They declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
This is not creation as it is now. This is creation as it will be then. Romans 8 says creation groans now. Revelation 4 shows creation singing then.
In the new creation, all creation will worship without distortion, decay, or rebellion.
VI. THE FUTURE WORSHIP OF THE REDEEMED (4:9–11)
Whenever the living creatures give glory, the elders fall down and worship. They cast their crowns before the throne. They declare, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”
This is the worship of the future kingdom. This is the worship of the new creation. This is the worship of the redeemed in glory.
The elders cast their crowns because in the new creation, all honor belongs to God. All authority flows from God. All glory returns to God.
This is not a worship service happening right now. This is the worship service that will fill eternity.
But someone might argue, “why couldn’t this be a vision of what is happening in heaven now?” Okay, I’ll tell you why not. John 3:13 says that right now “No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.” I don’t care how many people believe that grandma is in heaven, the Bible says no human being except Jesus is there. It doesn’t matter how many preachers preach that believers go to heaven when they die. The Bible says we will be with the Lord when he returns.
VII. THE THEOLOGICAL HEART OF THE PASSAGE
Revelation 4 is not a snapshot of heaven today. It is a preview of heaven tomorrow.
How do we know?
Because the text tells us: “After this… after this.” Because the saints are enthroned — which has not yet happened. Because creation is restored — which has not yet happened. Because the Spirit fills all things — which has not yet happened. Because chaos is gone — which has not yet happened. Because worship is unhindered — which has not yet happened.
Because it says people will be there and right now that is not possible.
Revelation 4 is a vision of the new heavens and the new earth. It is a vision of the future kingdom. It is a vision of the world made new.
This is the door to the future.
VIII. APPLICATION: LIVING WITH THE FUTURE IN VIEW
What does this vision mean for us today?
1. The future shapes the present.
We live now in light of what will be then. We endure now because glory is coming.
2. The throne is our anchor.
God is already on the throne — but one day the throne will be visible. We do not live in a world ruled by chaos. We live in a world ruled by God.
3. The future worship of God’s people begins now.
We practice now what we will perfect then. Our worship today is rehearsal for eternity.
4. The door to the future is already open.
Christ has opened the way. The future is secure. The kingdom is coming.
Conclusion
Revelation 4 is not a mystery to decode. It is a hope to embrace. It is not a puzzle. It is a promise. It is not a riddle. It is a revelation.
God has opened a door — a door to the future — and He invites us to look through it. What we see is glory. What we see is worship. What we see is the throne. What we see is the world as it will be when God makes all things new.
So we pray:
“Come, Lord Jesus. Bring the future You have shown us. Make all things new. And until that day, keep our eyes on the throne.”
Nehemiah 2:1 in the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I picked up the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been so sad in his presence,
Nehemiah 2:2, the king asked me, “Why is your face sad when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”[1] I was terrified
Nehemiah 2:3 and replied to the king, “May the king stay alive[2] permanently![3] Why should I not be sad when the city of my ancestors’ graves lies in ruins, and its gates have been consumed[4] by fire?”
Nehemiah 2:4 The king asked me, “What is your request?” So, I prayed to the God of the sky
Nehemiah 2:5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may build it.”
Nehemiah 2:6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So, I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.
Nehemiah 2:7 I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.
Nehemiah 2:8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests because the gracious hand of my God was on me.
Nehemiah 2:9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent efficient[5] captains[6] and horsemen with me.
Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah, the Ammonite official, heard that someone had come to pursue the Israelites’ prosperity, they were greatly displeased.
Nehemiah 2:11 After I arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,
Nehemiah 2:12 I got up at night and took a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal[7] I took was the one I was riding.
Nehemiah 2:13 I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent’s Well and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the broken-down walls of Jerusalem and its consumed gates.
Nehemiah 2:14 I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but farther down it became too narrow for my animal to go through.
Nehemiah 2:15 So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall. Then, heading back, I entered through the Valley Gate and returned.
Nehemiah 2:16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work.
Nehemiah 2:17 So I said to them, “You see the situation we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s build Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will not continually[8] be a disgrace.”
Nehemiah 2:18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strong[9] to do this good work.
Nehemiah 2:19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they ridiculed[10] and despised us, saying, “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
Nehemiah 2:20 I gave them this reply, “The God of the sky is the one who will grant us fortune. We, his servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa,
Nehemiah 1:2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.
Nehemiah 1:3 They said, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”
Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for several days, fasting and praying before the God of the sky.[1]
Nehemiah 1:5 I said, Yahveh,[2] the God of the sky, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands,
Nehemiah 1:6 Let your ears be attentive and your eyes be open to hear your servant’s prayer. I am now praying to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both myself and my father’s family have sinned.
Nehemiah 1:7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah 1:8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.
Nehemiah 1:9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest sky, I will gather them from there and bring them to where I chose to have my name dwell.”
Nehemiah 1:10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand.
Nehemiah 1:11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today and grant him compassion in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.
jeffersonvann 