The Throne and the Lamb

After these things, John looks and sees a door opened in heaven and is invited by a voice to come up so that he may be shown things which must be hereafter (Revelation 4:1). He is immediately in the spirit and observes a throne set in heaven with one sitting upon it who appears like jasper and sardine stone. A rainbow like an emerald surrounds the throne, and there are twenty-four seats occupied by twenty-four elders clothed in white with gold crowns. The text does not say the specific names of these elders. From the throne proceed lightnings, thunderings, and voices, and seven lamps of fire burn before it, which are the seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5). Four beasts full of eyes, each having six wings, rest not day and night saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.'

In the right hand of him that sits on the throne is a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. A strong angel proclaims with a loud voice, asking who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals, but no man in heaven, in earth, or under the earth is able to open or look upon it. John weeps because no man is found worthy. One of the elders tells John not to weep, stating that the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book (Revelation 5:5). John then beholds in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes.

The Lamb comes and takes the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. When he takes the book, the four beasts and twenty-four elders fall down before the Lamb, each having harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints (Revelation 5:8). They sing a new song, declaring the Lamb worthy to take the book and open the seals because he was slain and has redeemed them to God by his blood out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. The text does not say the physical dimensions of the throne or the specific weight of the book.