Revelation 4

Revelation 4:1-3

PART SECOND: VISIONS

Revelation 4:1 to 5:14

 

SECTION ONE: GOD SEEN IN HEAVEN

Revelation 4:1-11

 

1. THE OF GOD UPON HIS THRONE Revelation 4:1-3

 

1 After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven,—“After these things” means after the things mentioned in the preceding chapters–the initial vision and the reception of seven letters. The words “I saw, and behold” introduce a new vision that was opening to John, which is fully described in the two chapters of this part of the book. The brief vision of 1:10-19 represents Christ as standing by John; in this the scene is transferred to heaven and John is permitted to view it through the door opened for that purpose. This is similar to the words of Ezekiel, “The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1.) Just how John was enabled to see things in heaven is not explained, but we know it was by the exercise of miraculous power in some way.

 

and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.–Some commentators understand that the “first voice that I heard” refers to the same voice mentioned in 1:10 that spake to John first. Others think it means that the first sound or speaking that he heard was a voice saying, “Come up hither.” The latter seems the more natural view. The essential point, however, is what the voice said. The promise to show what “must come to pass hereafter” is unmistakable proof that the things to be shown in the visions to follow would be events that would take place after the time the voice was speaking them. No other meaning for these words is possible. Some scholars join the word “hereafter” with the next verse, the meaning, as they view it, being that after the voice said “Come up hither” he was straightway in the Spirit. This would not change the meaning of verse 1; for things which “must come to pass” refer to things in the future.

 

 

2 Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;–Seeing the open door in heaven and hearing the voice, mentioned in verse 1, implies some degree of spiritual exaltation for John, but being “in the Spirit,” as expressed here, probably means that he was given such measure of spiritual enduement that he could fully see and describe the visions that passed before him. This is clear from the command to come up hither and he would be shown certain things that must come to pass. He was so deeply absorbed that the things before his mind appeared as if material objects. Such miraculous experiences are inexplicable to man; they are accepted as true by faith. Heaven is represented as a great room into which John looked through the open door. He saw a throne upon which a glorious being was sitting. Though not named, the description unquestionably refers to God.

 

3 and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.–It is worthy of note that no personal description of God is attempted here or elsewhere by divine writers. No suggestion is given that might lead to images or idolatrous practices. The stones mentioned and the rainbow that circled about the throne were doubtless meant to show the divine majesty and royalty of God as the supreme Ruler of the universe. From such a description no one could make an image, yet the glorious splendor of God in heaven could be presented most impressively. Speculating as to what is signified by the stones mentioned is probably time wasted. The entire scene presents the indescribable majesty of God; nothing more was necessary in showing his position and power.

Revelation 4:4-8

2. THOSE ABOUT THE THRONE

Revelation 4:4-8a

 

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.–The visions of this section (chapters 4 and 5) are evidently intended to represent the authority and power of God; his authority to determine the destiny of all classes of beings and his power to execute his decrees. Hence, the general setting is that of a kingdom–the exercise of royal power and its consequential glory and praise. God sitting upon his throne is represented as being surrounded by twenty-four elders sitting upon thrones. These, though inferior to God, are clearly presented as ruling in some secondary sense, for they have crowns of gold on their heads. The essential and most important lesson here, doubtless, is that all intelligent creatures are required to worship and serve Jehovah. Commentators have disagreed much as to why they were called “elders” and why the number twenty-four.

It should be remembered that heavenly things can only be described understandingly through something earthly. The term “elders” represents a leading class in both Jewish and Christian systems and, therefore, is an appropriate word to describe those who exercise a secondary rule under God’s authority. The number twelve probably indicates completeness, and double that number may be used to emphasize that idea. Some think the number was suggested by the twelve patriarchs of the old covenant and the twelve apostles in the new. If they only describe a class of purely angelic beings, and have no typical significance at all, it shows that all creatures of that class worship God. If all heavenly beings worship God, then all human beings should do so.

This sustains the leading purpose of the vision. Clothed in white robes indicates purity and shows their worthiness to sit in positions of secondary authority.

 

5 And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders.–These awe-inspiring sounds which John heard were, doubtless, intended to indicate the majesty and power of God. Proceeding from the throne would show that whatever they represented was to come from God’s power. It is almost the same description that Moses gave as literally occurring at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16) when God spake directly to the people, giving commands and prohibitions. This shows God’s power to bless or punish according to his promises. As the display of power at Mount Sinai warned the people to hear and give heed to what was to he spoken, so this display of the same powers in the vision warned John, and through him all others, to give heed to the things about to begin to be revealed. It was a divine assurance that the things to be revealed to John would surely come to pass.

 

And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;–Seven lamps burning show that the scene was perfectly and continuously illuminated. John himself says that these lamps are “the seven Spirits of God.” This is final as to what they mean in this verse. On the expression “seven Spirits” see notes on 1:4, where it is argued that the Holy Spirit is meant. It indicates that the Holy Spirit would make a complete and accurate revelation to John of all the things to come to pass just as he had made a correct revelation in things contained in other scriptures.

 

6 and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; –To John there appeared spreading out before the throne a sea smooth and clear as ice or crystal. It is useless to spend time speculating as to what this sea symbolizes; it might be only a part of the heavenly vision with no special significance. Still it will do no harm to mention two facts, true in themselves, that may be involved in the language (1) The broad expanse may suggest the worldwide extent to which God’s rule can go. (2) The calmness and smoothness of a glassy sea may indicate the peace of those who are pure worshipers of God in his kingdom. This would be in contrast with the raging and turbulent sea that symbolizes the upheavals in sinful nations.

 

and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.–Commentators are agreed that the word “beast,” found in the King James Version of this verse, is an indefensible translation. It is a different Greek word from that correctly translated “beast” in 13:1, 11. “Living creatures” is broad enough in meaning to include all creatures having life, but here the expression is applied to the four described in the next verse. What these four creatures represent is a question answered in a variety of ways by scholars. The most plausible explanation is based upon information furnished by the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah. In his first chapter Ezekiel describes “visions of God” which he saw by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans. These visions are so similar to what John saw that either may be used in explanation of the other.

Ezekiel also saw “four living creatures,” but his description of them varies some from that of John. Seeing in the visions some things that did not appear to John does not change the fact that he was viewing God surrounded by heavenly attendants.

In his tenth chapter Ezekiel describes another vision and says, “This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar.” (Verse 15.) Mentioning the faces which he saw he said, “They were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar.” (Verse 22.) Referring to the creature again (verse 20) he said, “And I knew that they were cherubim.” In Genesis 3:24 we learn that cherubim guarded the approach to the tree of life, and in Exodus 25:18 that two cherubim made of gold were placed upon the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Since those John saw were living creatures, not a gold image, the cherubim must refer to some kind of heavenly beings that continually wait upon and worship God. An understanding of their nature, of course, is impossible. In Isaiah 6:1-4 the prophet gives a similar vision of the “Lord sitting upon a throne” and above him seraphim. This word means “fiery ones,” and probably indicates a bright and glorious appearance on those about God’s throne. The sum of the matter seems to be that the creatures John saw were heavenly beings who are continually about God’s throne.

 

In the midst of the throne and round about the throne is supposed to mean that one stood on each of the four sides of the throne. “Full of eyes before and behind” probably means their ability to see in all directions or comprehend all God’s glory and be ready to give proper adoration.

 

7 And the first creature was like a. lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.–The living creatures that Ezekiel saw (1:6, 10) appeared to have four faces each; those John saw appeared with one face each. But the faces of a lion, ox, man, and eagle are mentioned by both. These faces represent four classes of created life–man, wild animals, tame animals, and birds. This is strictly a vision of what John saw in heaven about God’s throne, but doubtless was intended to show that all classes of God’s creatures must render proper honor to him as creator. It may also imply that all God’s creatures must share properly in whatever punishments that may be inflicted against evil.

 

8 And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within:–Full of eyes is repeated here from verse 6. See note there. Wings naturally indicate the swiftness of movement, and probably show the readiness and speed with which they served God.

Revelation 4:8-11

3. THE WORSHIP

Revelation 4:8-11

8b and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.–Already these creatures have been described as being “full of eyes”; here they are said to be sleepless, having no rest day or night. Their praise and worship of God goes on unceasingly. The thrice used word holy in their song of praise indicates perfect sacredness of God as a supreme and faultless Being to be worshiped by all intelligent creatures. The fact that these creatures spake their praise of God shows they were intelligent beings, not animals, though three of them appeared to have faces of animals. Compare the note on verse 7. Being called the “Almighty” shows that God has abundant power to bring to pass all the future events that were to be revealed to John.

On the expression who was, is, and is to come, see the note on 1:4. Past, present, and future indicate the everlasting or unending existence of God. This shows that, however long he might be in bringing to pass the things to be revealed to John, his words would be verified, for neither his existence nor power could cease.

 

9 And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever,–Since verse 8 shows that the living creatures give glory to God continually, the expression “when” they shall give glory must mean they repeated their praises again and again. God is so perfect in being and acts that the heavenly intelligences were continually repeating their thanksgiving because of his glory–ascribing to him all honor. “Liveth for ever and ever” is an explanation of what is meant by “who was and who is and who is to come.”

 

10 the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne,–Whatever caused the living creatures to give glory and honor to God also caused the twenty-four elders to fall before him and do the same. The elders wearing crowns show that in some sense they were rulers. Casting their crowns before God evidently indicates that they recognized that all their success came from God, and that their garlands of victory were as nothing in comparison with worshiping God. Jhn’s seeing them cast their crowns down most impressively shows that fact.

 

saying, 11 Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.–This song of praise is practically the same as that of the living creatures, adding the word “power” and declaring God to be the Creator of all things. The power indicates that he has strength to do all he has promised, and being Creator he has the right to do as his infinite wisdom and justice may direct. Even if the living creatures and elders do not represent anything on earth, two important facts are apparent: (1) The vision shows that all heavenly intelligences render strict obedience to God. This implies that all responsible human beings on earth should obey him. (2) The display in the vision of God’s power, majesty, and eternal existence proves that he will bring to pass the things which he revealed to John in the following visions. These are the essential lessons in the visions of this section.

 

LESSON 10

THE THRONE IN HEAVEN

Read Rev. 4

1. After this what did John see? Ans. Revelation 4:1.

2. How did the first voice sound which John heard? Ans. Revelation 4:1.

3. What did the voice say John would be shown? Ans. Revelation 4:1.

4. Then what did he see? Ans. Revelation 4:2.

5. Describe the throne and him that sat upon it. Ans. Revelation 4:3

6. This throne was encircled by how many thrones? Ans. Revelation 4:4.

7. Describe the twenty-four elders who sat on these seats or thrones. Ans. Revelation 4:4.

8. What proceeded out of the throne? Ans. Revelation 4:5.

9. When and where was there a similar manifestation of the divine presence? Ans. Exodus 19:16-18; Hebrews 12:18-21.

10. What do the seven lamps of fire represent? Ans. Revelation 4:5.

11. What was before the throne? In the midst and round about the throne? Ans. Revelation 4:6.

12. Describe each of the four living creatures. Ans. Revelation 4:6-8.

13. What were they saying continuously? Ans. Revelation 4:8.

14. Name three things which the living creatures give to him who sat on the throne. Ans. Revelation 4:9.

15. Then what was done by the twenty-four elders? Ans. Revelation 4:10.

16. What did they say? Ans. Revelation 4:11.

17. Who else had had “visions of God”? Ans. Ezekiel 1:1.

18. Where was Ezekiel when he had these visions? Ans. Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 10:15; Ezekiel 22:19. Describe the four living creatures that Ezekiel saw. Ans. Ezekiel 1:5-14.

19. How did the living creatures that Ezekiel saw differ from the four living creatures that John saw? Ans. Ezekiel 1:5-14; Revelation 4:6-8.

20. Tell of Micah’s vision of the throne. Ans. 1 Kings 22:19.

21. Describe the throne as Isaiah saw it. Ans. Isaiah 6:1-4.

22. Tell of Daniel’s vision of the throne. Ans. Daniel 7:9-10.

23. What was Stephen permitted to see? Ans. Acts 7:55-56.

24. What do the twenty-four elders, the sea of glass, and the four living creatures of John’s vision represent? Ans. No one knows, because God has not revealed what these things mean. Man should not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6).