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Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 are an introductory scene to the vision of the seven seals which follows in Chapter 6 and 8:1. In chapters 4 and 5, John is shown a scene in heaven that sets the stage for the opening of these seals. It shows us some key individuals in the heavenly throne room, and some surprising characteristics of these indivduals. Also, we see a dilemma taking place in heaven - where a Person is needed - the right Person - who can open the seals.
Revelation 4 KJV |
Commentary |
The door mentioned here as being opened in heaven was to the heavenly sanctuary, the throne room of heaven as evidenced by verse 2 and verse 5. The "seven lamps of fire" are the antitype of the seven-branched candlestick that was in the first apartment of the sanctuary. Isaiah 6:1-5; Ezekiel 1; Acts 7:56. Also Exodus 25:31,32,37; 26:35; 27:20. |
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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. Ezekiel 1:26 describes God's throne as having the appearance of a sapphire stone. 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. (Genesis 9:13-17) The “rainbow” is God’s pledge that He will honor His promises. It is a mixture of sunshine and rain - just as God's throne is a blend of mercy and justice.
The rainbow round about the throne is an assurance that God is true, that in Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. We have sinned against Him, and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas, “Do not abhor us, for Thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us.” Jeremiah 14:21. When we come to him confessing our unworthiness and sin, He has pledged Himself to give heed to our cry. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word unto us. i. The “four and twenty elders” are engaged in worshipping God and assisting in the heavenly sanctuary services. Revelation 5:5, 8-11. But who are these elders? Where did they come from? Their white robes and the crowns on their heads indicate that they have gained victory over sin - sinners saved by grace. In Chapter 5:9, they themselves declare that they have been "redeemed from the earth" by God's blood "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation". When Jesus died, the graves were opened and many dead were resurrected and went into Jerusalem and appeared to many. (Matt 27:50-53) This is indicated also in Psalm 68:18 and Ephesians 4:8 where it refers to leading "captivity captive". These resurrected ones were taken to heaven when Jesus went to heaven as firstfruits with Christ. (1 Cor 15:20) These 24 elders seem to be from that company.
A priest had to be chosen from among his brethren. Hebrews 2:17. These men, being priests, were the chosen representatives from every race and nation of the world. When Christ arose from the grave, "many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves." Matthew 27:52, 53. Then "when He ascended on high, He led a multitude of captives." Ephesians 4:8, margin.
Twenty-four priests appear with Christ in His priestly ministry. This, too, is a fulfillment of the type. In the temple service there were twenty-four courses of the Levitical priesthood. See 1 Chronicles 24:3-19; 2 Chronicles 8:14.ii.
i. Christ's Object Lessons, Ellen White p. 148
ii.Unveiling Daniel and the Revelation, Roy Allen Anderson |
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. Seven is a figure of completeness or perfection. The Holy Spirit brings light into the lives of God’s people and illuminates the way to salvation. Revelation 5:6 tells us that the seven Spirits of God are the eyes of the Lord, and Zechariah 3:9 and 4:10 tells us that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro in the earth. This is symbolic of God's spirit that works in behalf of men and God's omniscience that sees all things hidden and secret. The Holy Spirit searches constantly throughout the whole world for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3 |
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 "sea of glass" here mentioned is also mentioned in Revelation 15:2 as the place where the overcomers stand before God and praise Him who has given them the victory. 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 symbolic. (In this same vision Jesus was represented as both a lion and a lamb, symbolizing His power and His gentleness.) Similar imagery is used in Ezekiel chapter 1. There are different opinions about the different qualities of each of the living creatures. In general it is believed that the human face symbolizes reason or Jesus’ humanity; the lion’s face, strength; the ox’s willingness to serve or perseverance; and the eagle’s swiftness to obey or perceptiveness. Like the elders, these living creatures ascribe to God praise for having redeemed them from the earth in Revelation 5:9. They therefore belong to the same company and represent a part of the great multitude, who, as already described, have been led up on high from the captivity to death. Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10 seem to indicate that these creatures may be part of God's moveable throne. Another idea is suggested for the meaning of the symbolism of the four living creatures by Roy Allan Anderson in his book Unveiling Daniel and the Revelation:
Commentators for centuries have linked these symbols with the four aspects of our Saviour as emphasized particularly in the four Gospels.
"They rest not" is a happy unrest as the theme of their constant worship is the holiness of God. They repeat it "day and night" or continually - but it is not a mindless kind of repetition, but an intelligent statement. We mortals are likely to tire of the repetition of the simple testimony we bear here to the goodness and mercy of God. We are sometimes tempted to say nothing, because we cannot continually say something new. But may we not learn a profitable lesson from the course of these holy beings above, who never grow weary of the ceaseless repetition of these words, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty;" and to whom these words never grow old, because their hearts ever glow with a sense of His holiness, goodness and love? Praise does not become to them monotonous, for with every utterance they gain a new view of the attributes of the Almighty. They reach a greater height of comprehension in their vision of His perfections; the horizon expands before them; their hearts enlarge; and the new emotions of adoration draw from them a fresh utterance of their holy salutation, new even to themselves, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! ii.
ii. Daniel and the Revelation, Uriah Smith p. 412, 412
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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. |
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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.