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A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER FOUR: A Vision of God and The Throne
Revelation 4:1-3 – The Throne Room
RV4:1 After these things I saw,172
and look! a door was opened173
in the Celestialum. The first voice I heard speaking to me174
was like a trumpet, saying: “Step up here!175
[Exodus 29:24 LXX] I will show176
you
what must take place.”177
[Daniel 2:28]
172
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]
173
A door was opened: Perhaps something like Luke 3:21.
174
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.
175
Step up here: Or, Come up here [TCN]. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #305, ascend, rise, mount] The language is similar to Exodus 29:24.
176
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.
177
What must take place: This phrase is straight out of Daniel 2:28 (LXX).
RV4:2 After these things I immediately came to be in the Pneuma.178
And, look! a Throne179
was situated in the Celestialum.
178
In the Pneuma: PME: inspired. From this moment John is under the influence or pressure of the Pneuma and though largely he is within
a heavenly vision, he is also transported to other locations and observes what is to happen on earth.
179
A Throne:
It is first without the article and thereafter always “the” Throne. Some phrases seem to refer to the Throne-room. “Throne” occurs 43 times. Note the “throne” of Revelation 20:12 is “a throne” and therefore different
from the Throne. Compare Isaiah 6:1-10; Ezekiel 1:4-28.
RV4:3The One enthroned180
was like viewing181
a jasper stone and sardius.182
Like viewing an emerald
rainbow183 encircling the Throne. [Ezekiel 1:26]
180
The One enthroned: Or, One sitting on the Throne. There is but “one” and not two or three. The Apocalypse completely lacks the Trinity.
There is similar language at Isaiah 6:1.
181
Like viewing: Or, like seeing. John is inspired but he apparently
has the freedom to describe things from his own perspective. The Greek is HOPASEI and clearly means to view something.
182
Jasper stone and sardius: Three are noted here: jasper, sardius, and emerald. What is being described is light and its colors: diamond-like crystal, reddish-brown (or, yellowish red); and the green of emerald. These colors must play in a glorious symphonic
display. There is no other description of God beyond these abstractions. [Compare similar language at Ezekiel 1:25-28.]
183
Rainbow: The Greek is IRIS and suggests something circular and not a half circle.
Revelation 4:4-6 – 24 Elders and 7 Lamps
RV4:4 Encircling184
the Throne were 24185
thrones.186
24 Presbyters sat on the thrones.187
They were enwrapped in white outer garments.188
Upon their heads were golden crowns.189
184
Encircling: There are several words used in relation to position in the Throne-room: in the midst, upon, encircle, out of, before
(in the sight of), etc. The Greek here is CYCLOTHEN from which “circle” is rooted.
185
24: This number
is now introduced and occurs 6x: Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:8; 11:16; 19:4. Compare 1 Chronicles 23:4-27. There were 24 divisions of the priests under David. The number breathes of priestliness as the double of 12, the number for Israel.
186
Thrones: These are sharing the same room with the Throne of God and so are associated with divine rule.
187
24 Presbyters sat on the thrones: Or, elders. The Greek is PRESBYTEROUS and so these are Presbyters. These 24 occur 12 times: Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:5,
6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4. The word is used of the ancients (Mark 7.3) and church administrators. (1 Timothy 5:17) It is curious that the 12 Apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel equal 24. Various explanations have been given for this symbolic
group. That there are literally 24 seems to be shown by the fact that “one of the Presbyters” speaks with John in chapter 7, leaving 23. Some would see the group on thrones and with crowns as a symbol of the glorified Church represented by these
Presbyters much as the 70 elders represented all of Israel. Since the 24 orders of Davidic priests rotated in their temple service, it may infer there is a rotating body represented before God.
188
Garments: The Greek is HIMATIOIS and not the STOLE. Compare notes in chapter 7.
189
Golden crowns: Gold is viewed as a symbol of heavenly things. The word “crown” occurs 7 times (if one deletes the “like” of Revelation 9:7): Revelation 2:10; 3:11; 4:4, 10; 6:2; 9:7; 12:1; 14:14.
The word is always associated with heaven and rulership.
RV4:5 Out of the Throne came
lightnings,190voices,191and thunders.192
[Exodus 19:16]
7 lamps193
of fire burn in sight of the Throne.194
These 7 lamps are the 7 spirits of The God.195
Thunders: Occurs 8 times in the plural: Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 10:3, 4; 11:19; 16:18; 19:6; and twice singular: Revelation 6:1; 14:2. The whole phrase in combination occurs 4 times: Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18. It finds its source in Exodus 19:16. Compare also Hebrews 12:18, 19. It betokens events of extreme and sublime importance.
193
7 lamps: This is the only plural occurrence of the word, though “lamp” occurs at Revelation 8:10; 18:23; 21:23. This later verse shows the City of God without any “lamp” for God and the Lamb are the “lamp.” The phrase is from Zechariah 4:2.
194
In sight of the Throne: This phrase is ENOPION TOU THRONOU and occurs 8 times with regard to this Throne: Revelation 4:5, 6, 10; 7:9, 11, 15; 8:3; 14:3 and always means heaven. It occurs once with regard to “a great white throne” of Messiah’s judgment at Revelation 20:12. God has given the authority to judge to the Lamb. (John 5:22)
195
The 7 spirits of The God: Some see “the seven angels of the Presence.” (NJB ftn) But, compare the seven attributes of Messiah in Isaiah 11:1-3. (LXX) The seven inspired letters given by the Pneuma should not be overlooked.
RV4:6 There was a sea of glass like crystal before the Throne.196
In the midst of the Throne-room and encircling the Throne were
4 Living Creatures
[Ezekiel 1:5 LXX]
full of eyes front and back.197
[Ezekiel 1:18]
196
Sea of glass like crystal before the Throne: This may be the floor though some see the “great sea” of Solomon’s
Temple. (1 Kings 7:23-26) This is doubtful, as it is a place situated in “the courtyard” (Revelation 11:2) and was used to cleanse sacrifices and priests. In the Apocalypse certain temple words are always from the type of Moses’ tabernacle
and not Solomon’s temple. (Revelation 15:2)
197
4 Living Creatures full of eyes front and back: The four
Greek ZOA (from which “zoo” is derived) are seen individually speaking elsewhere indicating a literal number. The number four can indicate a certain universality as in the “four winds” meaning the four directions of the compass. The
imagery is out of Ezekiel 1:5-21. (Compare Isaiah 6:1-10) Early Church fathers saw these as symbols for the four Gospels. It is more likely they, like the Presbyters, are attendants upon God’s immediate Throne. They may symbolize the cardinal attributes
of the Throne and God’s rule. Various symbols are established for the lion (justice), bull (power), man (love), and eagle (wisdom). Regarding the “eyes” one may imagine the peacock. “Eyes” may symbolize inspection or awareness.
Revelation 4:7-8 – The Praise of 4 Creatures
RV4:7 The first Living Creature was like a
lion. The second Living Creature was like a
young bull. The third Living Creature had
the face of a human. [Ezekiel 1:10] The fourth Living Creature was like a flying
eagle.198
198
Eagle: These four are drawn from Ezekiel 1:10.
RV4:8 The 4 Living
Creatures
each had 6 wings.199
[Isaiah 6:2]
They were full of eyes, on either side. [Ezekiel 1:18]
199
6 wings: Perhaps the logical figure. But,
the number 6 finds itself out of character in this celestial realm. [See Isaiah 6:2]
Revelation 4:9-11 – Heavenly Praise of the Creator
RV4:9 They never rest and they keep saying: “Holy, holy, holy,200
[Isaiah 6:3] YHWH The God,201
the Almighty,
The-One-Who-Is, [Exodus 3:14] and, The-One-Who-Was, and, The-One-Who-Is-Coming.”202
200
Holy, holy, holy: Some hear the Trinity. It is from the LXX at Isaiah 6:3 where YHWH occurs and therefore it is limited to
Jehovah. Note the triadic phrase is of The Almighty and does not include the Lamb. Often repetitions in threes are for emphasis.
201
YHWH The God: Scofield has “Jehovah” in the margin. A few would have YHWH here.
202
The One-Who-Is,
and, The-One-Who-Was, and, The-One-Who-Is-Coming: The apocalyptic Name for God, here in three tenses: past, present, and future. See notes on Revelation 1:8 and compare Exodus 3:14 LXX.
RV4:10 When
the Living Creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to the One sitting on the Throne,203
the One living into throughout all future periods of time,204
the 24 Presbyters prostrate before205the One sitting on the Throne. [Isaiah 6:1] They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
203
The One sitting on the Throne: This is the “one” to whom the three “Holy” are rendered. It is clear
who the One is on the Throne: God Almighty.
204
All future periods of time: Or, ages of the ages, eternity. Generally
rendered “forever.” It is literally, “eons upon eons.” The phrase occurs 7 times of God (Revelation 1:18; 4:9, 10; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 15:7), once of Christ and his rule (Revelation 11:15), once of the Saints and their rule (Revelation
22:5), and three times as punishment for the wicked. (Revelation 14:11; 19:3; 20:10) Never is the phrase used of anyone else and their life. The language in this verse may be a conflate from Isaiah 6:1 and Daniel 4:34; 6:26.
205
The 24 Presbyters prostrate before: The Presbyters worship God and acknowledge His sovereignty. Here ENOPION (before; in sight of) means heaven.
RV4:11 “The Supreme Being206
and our God,207
you are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power because You created everything.208
Because of Your will they exist and were created.”
206
The Supreme Being: Or, Lord. In English the word “Lord” may be
used of the Supreme Being and is so rendered from time to time. If YHWH is used here it is from the mouth of celestial beings.
207
God: The Greek is HO THEOS.
208
You created everything: Including the Son. (Revelation 3:14)
