Episode 45: Understanding the Book of Revelation, Chapter 4-Vol. 4 | By Dr. Bern Zumpano

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Revelation, chapter 4, marks a critical chronological shift in the book of Revelation, moving the narrative from "the things which are" (the messages to the seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3) to "the things which shall take place after these things." This phrase, repeated in verse 1, signifies the end of the current church age. John is given a vision of "a door standing open in heaven" and is commanded, "Come up here." This event is widely interpreted by scholars as a symbolic depiction of the Rapture of the Church. This view is supported by the fact that immediately after this chapter, the Church (a term frequently mentioned in Chapters 1-3) is conspicuously absent from the earthly events and judgments described in the subsequent chapters, only reappearing in Chapter 19 for the return of Christ.

The heavenly scene in Revelation 4 immediately presents God the Father on a glorious throne, surrounded by twenty-four thrones occupied by twenty-four elders, who are clothed in white garments and wear golden crowns. The text explains that the elders are representatives of the Church, implying that the entire body of believers has been gathered into heaven. This gathering, or "snatching away," is what is commonly referred to as the Rapture, a concept that is substantiated throughout the New Testament, particularly in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which describes believers being "caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air." The transcription emphasizes that the rapture is imminent and does not require any further prophecy to be fulfilled, contrasting with the Second Coming of Christ, which has specific preconditions.