03.09. Lesson 09
Lesson 9:Read Revelation 4:1-11 at least three times, without looking at notes or commentaries. Also remind yourself of what happened immediately prior to the dictation of the seven letters to the churches by re-reading Revelation 1:10-20. Also read the visions of Ezekiel and Isaiah: Ezekiel 1:1-28, Isaiah 6:1-13. Then answer the following questions.
(1) Who says to John "Come up here" in Revelation 4:1? Look back at Revelation 1:1-20.
(2) Who is sitting on the throne? How do you know?
(3) Why are there 24 elders? Who might they represent? What occurrences of the number 12 can you remember from other parts of Scripture? What is the meaning behind their white garments and golden crowns?
(4) In Revelation 4:5, what is meaning of the phrase "the seven spirits of God"? Look at Revelation 1:4, and recall our discussion there. Look also at 2 Chronicles 4:19-20 and Zechariah 4:1-6.
(5) Try to picture in your head the four living creatures, as described here. How successful are you in doing so? Consider the visions of Ezekiel and Isaiah. How similar are these creatures to those seen by the Old Testament prophets? How are they different?
(6) Looking only at Revelation 4:1-11, what purpose do the living creatures serve? How often do they say, ‘Holy, holy, holy"?
(7) The 24 elders "cast their crowns before the throne" (see verse 6 for a description of what is before the throne). What is the purpose of a crown (see 2 Timothy 4:8)? What does the action of casting their crowns before the throne symbolize?
(8) Compare Revelation 4:11 to Revelation 4:8. How are the statements of the creatures and the elders similar? How are they different?
(9) Go to the chapel and find the hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy." Compare the words of the hymn to this chapter.
(10) Does Jesus appear in this chapter?
(11) Consider the impression left by this chapter, in the context of the seven letters to the churches which we have just read. What is your response to John’s description of what he sees here? What purpose does this chapter serve?
Commentaries:
Read Stedman chapter 10 and Wilcock pages 59-68. Wilcock focuses most of his attention here on the symbolism behind the numbers used throughout the book; stop reading on page 68 when you come to "Chapter 5 amplifies. . . ."