It can be argued that John, writing “on the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10 NIV), is imagining himself worshipping with members of his seven congregations on Sunday, listening to God’s Word. He reminds them of their common bond and center; the Lord Jesus who is the Word made visible (Rev. 1:7-8). After he turns “to see the voice that was speaking” (Rev. 1:12 NIV), he writes to each of his seven congregations the revealing Word from God, ending each revelation with the charge, “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22 NIV).
One theory of the pattern of the whole letter of John’s Revelation argues that the seventh revelation introduces the next cycle in the series of revelations. Before the common refrain (“he who has an ear...”) comes at the end of the revelation to the church in Laodicea, John introduces the picture of the “open door” (Rev. 3:20 NIV). Jesus says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Rev. 3:30-21 NIV).
The reference to the seven golden lamp stands (Rev. 1:12-13) evokes the intimate and immediate presence of God in the holy place of the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:37-40). It can be argued that John sees his seven congregations as the instruments of light before the great light of the throne of God. John’s little, scattered congregations can be seen, like all members of God’s covenant, worshipping people, as always before the throne of God, receiving his revealing Word.
Who can enter into the centre of God’s holy throne, his intimate presence? The answer is: The one who “hears my voice and opens the door” (Rev. 3:20 NIV). How is his voice heard and how is that door opened? John immediately answers this question. The next thing John describes is “a door standing open in heaven” (Rev. 4:1 NIV). God opens that door. He says, “Come up here and I will show you what must take place after this” (Rev. 4:1 NIV). God initiates the very possibility of a relationship with him. It is an invitation to commune with the very community of God. The triune God (the Spirit, the Word, and the One on the throne) invites John into his presence to experience relationship with him. John writes,
I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it (Rev. 4:1-2 NIV).
This is the regular experience of the community of God’s covenant people who come together to listen to the Word of God “on the Lord’s day.” John goes on to describe the regular experience of relationship with God through worship and God’s revelation. God says, “I will show you what is to happen next” (Rev. 4:2 NIV). John then describes a picture of what happens “next,” every time Christians assemble to pay attention to the radiating Word of God.
The Church is centered on the revealing, living God, not on herself or on her individual members. Like concentric circles, God’s revealing Word radiates outward. John sees “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it” (Rev. 4:2 NIV). This is the central person of God who is on his throne. From this center, God reveals himself to the cosmos that he has created and that he sustains through his Word. He has “the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne” (Rev. 4:3 NIV). Like the gleam of precious jewels, God’s light is refracted out from his encircled center.
