Revelation 4:1

Translations

Modern

After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”

Traditional

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Literal

After these things I saw, and behold, a door was standing open in heaven, and the first voice that I heard as a trumpet is speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what is necessary to take place after these things.”

Latin

Post hæc vidi: et ecce ostium apertum in cælo, et vox prima, quam audivi tamquam tubæ loquentis mecum, dicens: Ascende huc, et ostendam tibi quæ oportet fieri post hæc.

Original

Greek

English

After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”

Notes

Revelation 4:1

After this I … saw: This introductory phrase does not show the order of events (see also Revelation 7:9; 15:5; 18:1; compare 19:1). Instead, it signals a new vision that John receives.
Come up here: The Lord’s voice invites John to see what will happen from God’s point of view.

Revelation 4:1–11

The description of God’s throne room is beyond what people can easily imagine. It continues the visions in Isaiah 6:1–4, Ezekiel 1:4–28, and Daniel 7:9–10, where God is seen on a powerful and majestic throne. God’s throne is a central theme in Revelation. The worship that appears throughout the rest of the book begins from this scene. God’s greatness, grace, and glory form the foundation of the church’s worship.

Revelation 4:1–5:14

This section introduces upcoming visions and judgments. John presents God in his heavenly court, which is the setting for the drama of Revelation (Revelation 4:1–11). The Lamb also plays a central role (Revelation 5:1–14). John contrasts God's majesty with the supposed majesty of Caesar. God's power and splendor surpass any earthly ruler's ceremonial court.

Theme notes and profiles

Celebration The Theater and Revelation Visions

Related verses

Revelation 11:12
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
Exodus 24:12
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
Revelation 1:19
Therefore write down the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.
Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
Revelation 1:1–3
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,
Mark 1:10
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.
Exodus 34:2–3
Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop.
Revelation 16:17
Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”
Revelation 22:6
Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”
Acts 7:56
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
Exodus 19:24
And the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”

Glossary

Book of Revelation Glorification Heaven Praise Throne

Topics

OBEs Out of Body Experiences Trumpet: Symbolical Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Open Door

Revelation 4:1

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Translations

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Related verses

Glossary

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