Chapter 4 marks a turning point in the Revelation narrative. After the events of betrayal and destruction in chapters 2 and 3—symbolized by the fall of the seven messengers who broke the covenant—the heavens open to reveal a new scene: the throne of God. The phrase “After this” (Revelation 4:1) signals a transition into the phase of salvation.
John is spiritually taken up to heaven, where he sees the majestic throne of God surrounded by twenty-four elders, four living creatures, and seven blazing lamps representing the seven spirits of God. The chapter underscores God’s sovereignty and heavenly order, portraying the start of divine restoration following judgment. According to SCJ interpretation, this scene prefigures the establishment of God’s throne on earth through the new spiritual tabernacle, following the collapse of the first tabernacle due to betrayal. Then focus shifts in chapter 5 to a book sealed with seven seals held in God’s hand. No one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open the book—until the Lamb (Jesus Christ) appears. This book symbolizes God’s will and plan, which has remained hidden because it was sealed. SCJ doctrine teaches that these seals prevented all of Christianity from understanding Revelation until its time of fulfillment.
Jesus is portrayed as both the Lion of Judah and a Lamb who was slain. He takes the scroll, and heaven erupts in praise, acknowledging that He is worthy because He redeemed people by His blood to become a kingdom and priests for God.
Shincheonji interprets the opening of the scroll as the moment of revelation fulfillment—where the hidden meanings are disclosed not just spiritually, but physically, through the testimony of the Promised Pastor (the “New John”) who has witnessed the fulfillment and delivers its reality.
See Terms:
- Revelation
- Prophecy and Fulfillment
- Fulfillment of Revelation
- Betrayal, Destruction and Salvation
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapter 1
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 2-3
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 4-5
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 6-7
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 8-9
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 10-11
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapter 12
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapter 13
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapter 14
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 15-16
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 17-18
- Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapters 19-22
This is an ongoing series, and changes may occur until its completion. Additional articles will be added over time as they become available.
Revelation Chapters 4–5: The Throne in Heaven and the Sealed Scroll
New John had delivered the letters — messages of solemn warning, not written from his own mind, but spoken through the Spirit of Jesus. They were addressed to the seven messengers of the Tabernacle Temple, a once-holy place that had fallen into betrayal. Yet rather than receiving the message with trembling and repentance, those who received the letters turned against the messenger.
“Lee Man-hee, this guy… he is absurd! What a crazy bastard. He’s gone completely insane!”
Their insults echoed through the temple halls. They were not strangers — they were men he had shared the Word with, labored beside, and prayed for. But now, they spat contempt and drove him out.
He remembered the Scripture: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11). He remembered how prophets were never honored in their hometowns.
He held the Word tightly in his heart and wept — not for his own shame, but because the house of God had rejected His voice.
As he turned from the earthly temple, he was not alone. Unnamed companions clothed in white robes appeared beside him — symbolic of righteous spirits who would witness heaven’s will unfold on earth. Then came a voice, not from below, but from above — the voice of the one who calls all generations to truth:
Heavenly Voice: “New John, come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1)
In that moment, his spirit was taken — not in fantasy, not in imagination, but into the actual spiritual realm of heaven. He did not merely see a vision to later interpret. He was called as a witness to testify of its physical fulfillment, to declare the events that were to take place on earth — in real time, in real locations, with real people.
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” (Revelation 1:19)
This was the beginning of a mission that would bridge the heavenly spiritual world and the world of physical reality.
The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 93–94; The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 147–149.
As his eyes opened to the spiritual dimension, New John gasped.
A throne stood before him, unlike anything on earth. It radiated in glory — like jasper and carnelian, its light flashing with divine brilliance. Surrounding it was a rainbow, glowing green like emerald — the covenant of peace, now fulfilled and eternally established.
This throne was not an isolated symbol. It was the seat of God, encircled by the full administration of heaven.
New John turned and saw twenty-four elders (24 장로들), seated in reverence. They wore white robes — the garments of righteousness — and golden crowns, symbols of divine authority and victory. From the throne burst forth lightning and thunder — representing the spirit of God’s judgment and the Word proceeding like fire from His mouth.
Before the throne blazed seven lamps, which he recognized from Scripture as the seven spirits of God — the complete and perfect Spirit that moves across the earth to fulfill God’s will and guide His messengers.
At the base of the throne spread a sea of glass, clear as crystal. It shimmered like a mirror, not reflecting chaos, but order and truth. According to Shincheonji doctrine, this sea symbolizes the revealed Word of the open scroll — transparent, uncorrupted, able to reflect God’s light in purity.
Then, at the center, New John beheld four living creatures. They stood closest to the throne, bearing terrifying beauty.
Each had a different face:
- One like a lion, roaring with power and representing judgment against wild beasts — those who reject God’s Word and act in wickedness.
- One like an ox, the faithful plower — a servant who prepares hearts for the Word, enduring in labor.
- One with the face of a man, full of discernment and wisdom — able to judge between truth and deception.
- One like a flying eagle, sharp-eyed and swift — representing the spirit sent to declare judgment, able to see far and move fast with spiritual clarityShincheonji Core Teachi….
Each creature had six wings, symbolizing perfect unity and cooperation among spiritual beings. Their bodies were covered in eyes, reflecting the countless angels — ten thousand times ten thousand — who witness the works of God.
They cried without ceasing, shaking the heavens with their voices:
Four Living Creatures: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
New John trembled in awe. The twenty-four elders rose from their seats, removed their crowns, and bowed before the throne. They cast their crowns down, saying:
Twenty-Four Elders: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)
The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 95–99; The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 150–154.
Then New John’s eyes were drawn to something sacred.
In the right hand of God was a scroll, written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. The writing was complete, but its meaning was hidden — concealed until the appointed time. Suddenly, a mighty angel cried out with a voice that shook heaven:
Mighty Angel: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2)
But no one stepped forward. Silence spread through heaven like a shadow.
No one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth was found worthy to open it — not even to look at it.
And in that silence, New John wept bitterly. His heart cried out:
New John (in prayer): “Father God, if the mystery recorded in this scroll cannot be fulfilled, does this not mean that Your hope for the salvation of mankind will never be achieved?”
He wept — not for his own sake, but for all creation, for the promised new heaven and new earth that would remain only a hope if the scroll remained sealed.
Then one of the elders, moved with assurance, leaned toward him:
Elder: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)
New John looked — and there He was.
A Lamb, appearing as though slain. It was Jesus, who had overcome death and now stood worthy to open what no one else could. The Lamb had seven horns (complete authority) and seven eyes (complete insight) — the seven spirits of God, sent to carry out the will of heaven across the earth.
New John, overwhelmed with gratitude and reverence, whispered:
New John: “Jesus, thank You.”
The Lamb stepped forward and took the scroll from the hand of God.
At that moment, the living creatures and the elders fell before Him. Each held a harp, and golden bowls full of incense — the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
Heavenly Chorus:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because You were slain,
and with Your blood You purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10)
The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 100–106; The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 155–158.
A Heavenly Chorus of Fulfillment
Then the heavens thundered in unison. Angels without number, ten thousand times ten thousand, encircled the throne and cried aloud:
Angelic Hosts: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)
And every creature — in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea — echoed the song:
All Creation:
“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)
The four living creatures answered, “Amen.” And the elders fell and worshiped.
Meaning and Fulfillment
According to Shincheonji doctrine, this is not a symbolic allegory of the distant past or a vague heavenly vision. It is a blueprint of reality — revealed through the one who saw and heard all these things: New John.
The sealed scroll is the New Testament, closed at the time of Jesus and opened only by the Lamb in heaven, and then given to the one who overcomes on earth. As Revelation 10:10 states, he eats the opened scroll and testifies to all nations.
The new song is not poetry — it is the testimony of the fulfilled Word, declared by the promised pastor. Through that testimony, the kingdom of God is established, and those who receive the Word are made into a kingdom and priests.
The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 107–110; The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 159–163.
Please take the time to check the Bible verses we’ve provided as references. Use them as a guide for your own understanding and discernment. It’s important to verify and confirm information with external sources, witnesses, and experts to ensure validity and transparency. Additionally, remember to pray for wisdom as you seek to identify any errors and ensure that your understanding aligns with biblical teachings.