The Throne and the Lamb

After this, John sees a door standing open in heaven and is invited by a voice to come up so that he may be shown what must happen after these things (Revelation 4:1). He is immediately in the spirit and observes a throne standing in heaven with someone seated on it who appears like jasper and carnelian. 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 come flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, and seven torches of fire burn before it, which are the seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5). four living creatures full of eyes, each having six wings, never stop day or 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 scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. A strong angel proclaims with a loud voice, asking who is worthy to open the book and open its seals, but no one in heaven or on 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 Judah, 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 living creatures a Lamb who appeared to have 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 living creatures and twenty-four elders fall down before the Lamb, each having harps and golden bowls full of incense, 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 from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. The text does not say the physical dimensions of the throne or the specific weight of the book.