Revelation Chapter 4
| 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. | John saw a door opened in the sky. As it was opened he heard a trumpet-like voice speaking to him. The voice commanded that he ascend through the door into the very presence of the Lord. He was to receive further instructions regarding the future events on earth, in the Church, and amongst the false religions. Some read the Rapture into verse one, but we must be extremely careful that we do not lose sight of what is really happening in this text. | |
| 2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. | Instantly John is transported through the portal into Heaven itself. He stood before the throne of God, and saw someone seated upon it. | |
| 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. | The figure he saw had the appearance of glorious beauty. The gemstone illustration describes the unspeakable glory of God, as does the green-coloured throne itself. A rainbow surrounds the throne. This rainbow speaks of God's mercy and His promise. The rainbow was first seen after the Flood of Noah's day. | |
| 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. | Twenty-four elders surround the throne. These men may refer to the twelve leaders of Israel and the twelve apostles of Christ. They are obviously exalted saints since they are clothed in white and wear golden crowns - both of which are symbolic of imputed righteousness and eternal life. | |
| 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. | Various voices appeared to come from the throne. Are these the voices of the Trinity? Also brilliant light and thunders proceeded from it. The seven lamps are said to be the seven spirits of God. The seven spirits, as we know, represent the seven angelic messengers which God has placed over each of the seven church. | |
| 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. | The sea of glass. Such symbolism usually represents masses of people in Scripture. Instead of appearing like a restless sea, it is peaceful and calm. Around the throne there are four living creatures. These are angelic beings (seraphim or some other class of angels). They were able to see in all directions without turning their heads, for they had eyes all around their heads. | |
| 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. | The first living creature look like a lion. The second like a calf. The third like a man. The fourth like an eagle in flight. Ezekiel records something similar to this vision. Some commentators suggests that these creatures represent the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. This may not need interpretation, for they may literally be angelic beings around the throne. If we believe the throne to be literal, why not the living creatures? Remember, all of this is a revelation of the glory of God. | |
| 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. | The living creatures each had six wings. Eyes appeared to cover each of the creatures (or their wings). These living creatures continuously offer praise and worship to God. Their eternal song rejoices in the fact that God is everlasting and almighty. | |
| 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, | They offer endless glory, honour and thanksgiving unto God. | |
| 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, | The twenty-four elders also bow before Him who sits on the throne. As a sign of their submission, they cast their golden crowns before Him. This acknowledges that their righteousness and salvation comes from the Lord God who inhabits Heaven. | |
| 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. | They also have a song to sing. Their song is all about Him who sits on the throne. All honour, glory, and majesty belong to Him. He is the Creator, Sustainer and Lord of everything. He is the one who created all things both in Heaven and on earth. It is far better to believe what the twenty-four elders say than Charles Darwin! |