John is transported to God’s throne room to provide a first-handaccount of the end-times.

 After this I looked, and there before mewas a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking tome like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 

 (Revelation 4:1) From God’s throne room John observed epicworld events centuries ahead of time.

 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heavenwith someone sitting on it.

 (Revelation 4:2) John was given vision into futurekingdoms and events. This phrase,

in the Spirit 

, means something like, “I thensaw a new vision” (Revelation 1:10; 17:3; 21:10). Here John sees a

throne inheaven

, with God sitting on that throne. John described God in terms of thereflection and brilliance of precious stones (Revelation 4:3).

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated onthem were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns ofgold on their heads.

 (Revelation 4:4) The elders dress as Jesus had promised the