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After these things I saw,1 and look! a door was opened2 in the Celestialum. The first voice I heard speaking to me3 was like a trumpet, saying: “Step up here!4 [Exodus 29:24 LXX] I will show5 you what must take place.”6 [Daniel 2:28]
| 1 | I saw: John was instructed by Christ to record what he had seen and heard begins an example. What follows is not necessarily something future but something already present and in operation. One may view chapter four as a detailed description of what Daniel saw. [Daniel 7:2-14] |
| 2 | A door was opened: Perhaps something like Luke 3:21. |
| 3 | The first voice I heard speaking to me: Note that John sees and hears but not always together. Sometimes he sees something without hearing it. This voice is the first of many to follow. The word “voice” occurs 37 times in the Apocalypse. |
| 4 | Step up here: Or, Come up here [TCN]. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #305, ascend, rise, mount] The language is similar to Exodus 29:24. |
| 5 | I will show: That is, a thing seen – a vision, or series of visions. Thus, the often-repeated phrase, “I saw.” The phrase occurs 46 times. John also “hears” things which he does not necessarily “see.” The word group “hear(d)” occurs 32 times. |
| 6 | What must take place: This phrase is straight out of Daniel 2:28 (LXX). |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Revelation 4:1 as the theme verse of chapter four – A Vision of God and His Throne-Room. Like Daniel the beloved apostle John is called up to heaven to see God and His throne-room. [1-3] God Almighty is described by the color of the light of certain gems – diamond-like bursts of light [perhaps with rainbows], dark pigeon-blood red with an aura of emerald green.
John sees 24 elders and 7 lamps. [4-6] He describes them as well as the sounds he hears. He sees the throne-rooms floor like a sea of glass and four Beasts encircling the Throne. He describes these four as a lion, bull, human and eagle. [7, 8]
Now John hears heavenly praise of the Creator break forth. [9-11] The person on the throne is designated as God Almighty who is also called “THE ONE WHO IS, THE ONE WHO WAS, AND THE ONE WHO IS COMING.” The elders declare The Supreme Being is worthy of glory, honor and power because He is the Creator.
Abba our Father bless those who praise God Almighty.
[18 September 2002]
It is generally agreed that with this chapter the third section of Revelation begins. The fourth and fifth chapters are preparatory visions. It is not until the sixth chapter is reached that the future begins to be uncovered. In these chapters there is revealed through the open door of heaven the Almighty upon the throne in glory surrounded by adoring creatures. The symbolism declares that he holds in his hands the destinies of the world and knowledge of the future. Then it is declared that to the Lion of the tribe of Judah it has been given to open the book of destiny and to reveal the future. To the Son, who appears in a symbolic form, the book is given amid the praises of Elders and living creatures.
