Revelation 4:1-11
The third part of the book, as indicated in 1:19, begins here. All the details in the vision are, of course, to be understood in a symbolic way. We will certainly not see any physical throne in heaven: that is simply the emblem of royal government. However the interpretation of these symbols is by no means left to our imagination: it is given to us in other passages elsewhere in the Bible.
In order to see these "things which must be hereafter" (after the Church has been taken away), the apostle is invited to ascend into heaven. The Christian should always consider events on earth from a heavenly view-point to see them in their true perspective, with Christ as the centre.
In accordance with the promise made to Philadelphia, the Lord’s redeemed will be kept from the hour of trial. At the moment when this is about to begin for the world (Revelation 6:1-17) we see the redeemed already gathered together in the glory. They are represented by the twenty-four elders who fall down and cast their crowns before the throne. They worship God the Creator, but in ch. 5 they worship God the Redeemer.