Revelation 4:2

Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;

Straightway I was in the Spirit ... This seems to be out of place in the eyes of some, since John was already "in the Spirit" when he heard the voice out of heaven; but there were definite reasons for the statement here. The words "come up hither" in Revelation 4:1 have often been interpreted as a reference to "the rapture," in which all of the redeemed of earth (at the time) are caught up to heaven. Addressing himself to this misconception, Nee pointed out that all the theories of the "rapture" posit the resurrection of their bodies:

The rapture of the church is a bodily rapture, yet here it is in the Spirit (Revelation 4:2). And thus this verse cannot be interpreted as referring to the rapture of the church.[15]

Thus, it is not hard to see why some object to the book as the sacred author composed it. After pointing out that "many commentators place the `rapture' of the church between Revelation 3 and Revelation 4," entailing the inconsistency that John had somehow missed it and had to be called up in Revelation 4:1, Wilbur M. Smith stated that, "Inasmuch as the text itself is silent on such a subject, one questions the wisdom of even discussing it here."[16]

And behold, there was a throne set in heaven ... See chapter heading for further discussion of "The Throne of God." From first to last, John's vision is dominated by this symbol of divine sovereignty (the throne)."[17] It stands here at the head of all that John would reveal concerning the future; and, at last, when all is concluded, the throne alone will be all that is standing. Heaven and earth shall have disappeared, but the throne and its holy occupant are eternal. The word "throne" is used ten times in the eleven verses of this chapter, and "over forty times"[18] in Revelation.

There was set ... This means, "There was situated in heaven a throne. There is no action of setting up or placing."[19] God's throne must not be understood as some kind of moveable headquarters, now appearing in one place, then in another. "The throne was not there for this vision only; it was set, established as the throne of heaven (Psalms 103:19; Psalms 119:89)."[20] "And one sitting upon the throne ..." Again, reference is made to the discussion at the head of this chapter. The personality of the supreme and universal Authority is gloriously affirmed by this. And this is exceedingly important! Interpretations of details in this chapter can hardly be affirmed with any dogmatic certainty, but the great and overwhelming message of the throne with the Person of God himself upon it is impossible to miss. Being sure of this, one may well afford to hold judgment in abeyance concerning some of the details. As Lenski said:

Do not stress our conceptions of space and time in order to draw deductions from them, for they would be picayunely, childishly false ... Symbols can only show the ineffable realities in a degree for beings that are still on earth.[21]

[15] Watchman Nee, "Come Lord Jesus" (New York: Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1976), p. 53.

[16] Wilbur M. Smith, op. cit., p. 1064.

[17] G. B. Caird, op. cit., p. 62.

[18] J. W. Roberts, The Revelation of John (Austin, Texas: R. B. Sweet Company, 1974), p. 56.

[19] A. Plummer, op. cit., p. 144.

[20] Foy E. Wallace, Jr., The Book of Revelation (Nashville: Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Publications, 1966), p. 127.

[21] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 170.