這一章的異象讓我們看到天上的寶座。這是一段很重要的描述，因為寶座是這齣劇中最重要的一幕。假如你有興趣，可以把第一至六節畫出來。也許你畫的跟我一樣－－二度空間的平面圖。但試試看去畫或想像成一個三度空間（像個球體）的樣子－－可能介於正方形和正方體之間。但別忘了，我們的解釋終無法令人滿意，因為約翰也只是試圖把那個無法形容的事，盡量加以描繪而已。

        有幾個要素茲錄於下：
        （1） 一個寶座。
        （2） 有一個人在寶座上。
        （3） 有彩虹環繞著寶座。
        （4） 二十四個座位環繞著寶座。
        （5） 二十四個長老在那些座位上。
        （6） 七個燈在那寶座之前。
        （7） 一個玻璃海在寶座前。
        （8） 四個活物環繞著寶座。

        另外還要加上壁玉、寶石、虹、水晶、白衣、冠冕的顏色，以及閃電的光和雷轟的震動。所以你必須用三度的空間去描繪。整個加起來，必是幅可畏的圖像。

        但是，在這幅畫中更重要的內涵，是那段信息：「聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！主上帝是昔在、今在、以後永在的全能者。」（8節下）我們所面對的乃是父上帝自己，在祂面前，我們所能有的反應是俯伏（10節）。沒有比這更適切的描述。

        全能的主啊！感謝您藉聖經向我們啟示您自己，使我們一窺您寶座的威榮。您實在是聖潔的。奉主耶穌基督的名，阿們！

English

        The vision continues. Here we see the "throne room" of heaven. It's a key description for a number of reasons, not the least of them being that this "throne room" is the main "set" of the drama. For interest's sake, you might try drawing the set as it's described in verses 1-6. Probably you'll do what I did — you'll draw in two dimensions (a flat picture, rather like a disk). But try something else: try drawing it, or imagining it, in three dimensions (like a sphere) — the difference will be rather like that between a square and a cube. And don't forget, our interpretations will always be less than satisfactory, for John is attempting to describe something that's indescribable.

        The main elements of the description are:
        (a) a throne
        (b) someone on the throne
        (c) a rainbow around the throne
        (d) 24 other thrones around the throne
        (e) 24 elders on these thrones
        (f) seven lamps before the throne
        (g) a glass sea before the throne (h) four creatures around the throne

        Add to this the colours of jasper, carnelian, rainbow, white, gold, and crystal — all lit with flashes of lightning and vibrating with peals of thunder, and you have three-dimensional description. It's an awesome picture.

        But the key factor in this picture is the verbal message: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come" (v.8b). We're dealing here with God the Father Himself. The only adequate response is prostration (v.10). No description can even come close.

        Lord Almighty, thank You for revealing to us, through the inspired scriptures, a glimpse of Your throne room in all its majesty. Truly, You are "Holy".