Revelation 4 Commentary

Revelation 4 KJV	Commentary
¹After 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter.	4:1 Chapters 4 and 5 are an introductory scene to the vision of the seven seals. The door mentioned here as being opened in heaven was to the heavenly sanctuary, the throne room of heaven! Isaiah 6:1-5; Ezekiel 1; Acts 7:56.
²And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. ³And 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. ⁴And 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.	4:2-4 The special focus of the book of Revelation is Jesus’ work as our High Priest and the events that occur during and after the completion of His ministry. When the work is finished He will put on His kingly garments and return to Earth to claim His people. The “rainbow” around the throne shows the beauty to be found in holiness; it brings to mind Noah, and the promise God made not to again destroy the earth with a flood. The “rainbow” is God’s pledge that He will honor His promises. The “four and twenty elders” are engaged in worshipping God and assisting in the heavenly sanctuary services. Revelation 5:5, 8-11.
⁵And 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.	4:5 The Holy Spirit is represented by the “seven lamps” burning in the heavenly sanctuary. The Holy Spirit brings light into the lives of God’s people and illuminates the way to salvation.
⁶And 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. ⁷And 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. ⁸And 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.	4:6-8 The “beasts” or living creatures in this scene are similar to the angel cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision. The shapes of the living creatures were probably symbolic. (In this same vision Jesus was represented as both a lion and a lamb, symbolizing His power and His gentleness.) The human face symbolizes Jesus’ humanity; the lion’s face, strength; the ox’s willingness to serve; and the eagle’s swiftness and perceptiveness.
⁹And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, ¹⁰The 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, ¹¹Thou 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.	4:9-11 God is worthy of praise and honor because He “created all things.” Satan has attacked God’s status as Creator with the lie of evolution, and he has prompted men to discard the fourth commandment that identifies God as the Creator. “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth.” Exodus 20:9-11.

Revelation 4 KJV

Commentary

Ahead to Revelation 5