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Revelation Chapter Four

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Chapter of the Throne

I. Coming to the throne (v.1)

II. One sat on the throne (v.2-3)

III. Those that are around the throne (v.4-8)

IV. Worship and praise to the one who sat on the throne (v.9-11)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rev. 4:1 “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”

   YLT: “After these things I saw, and lo, a door opened in the heaven, and the first voice that I heard as of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, `Come up hither, and I will shew thee what it behoveth to come to pass after these things;'”

   Meaning of Words: “look”: see, behold, observe, be aware; “show”: point, reveal, display.

   Literal Meaning: “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.” “After these things” shows that the things described in the following chapters took place after John had seen the vision in the first chapter and probably there were a few days or a short period of time. “A door standing open in heaven” indicates that the third heaven where the throne of God is opens towards John the apostle.

And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying” refers to the voice heard in 1:10.

“‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’” “Come up here” refers to coming up to the third heaven (See 2Cor. 12:2), showing that the first vision is seen on the earth. “Things which must take place after this” refers to the things that will be accomplished continually after the ascension of Christ.

   Controversial Clarification: according to the traditional interpretation in the Christianity, this chapter is listed in the things that will take place in heaven after the Lord’s second coming. Based on this opinion, they considered that John’s coming up to heaven represented the whole church’s being raptured. And the twenty-four elders (See v.4) were explained as the elders of the church (please note that John the apostle was contrarily not in the twenty-four elders of the church). However, there are many contradictions and flaws in such explanations and they are not accepted in this book.

  The most reasonable explanation should be that the vision in this chapter is regarded as the normal state before God in heaven. Before the seven seals are opened, John the apostle was made to see the vision of the center of God’s heavenly administration and he was told how the things that must take place develop chapter by chapter.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The heavenly vision cannot be seen by everyone. When God wants to reveal His will to those who are of Him, the heaven will be opened (See John. 1:51).

2) The Lord tells us the things which must take place after this in advance not to satisfy our curiosity but to make us watch and wait and prepare ourselves.

 

Rev. 4:2 “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

   YLT: “and immediately I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne was set in the heaven, and upon the throne is sitting,”

   Meaning of Words: “immediately”: at once, shortly; “throne”: seat, a special chair used by a king; “set”: be laid up, be put.

   Literal Meaning: “Immediately I was in the Spirit;” “was in the Spirit” shows that John was raptured into heaven in the Spirit instead of being raptured in the body.

“And behold, a throne set in heaven,” “a throne” refers to the throne of God’s administration which is specially related to judgment, instead of the throne of grace (See Heb. 4:16).

“And One sat on the throne.” “One” refers to God Himself and He sits on the throne as king (See Ps. 29:10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though there is always fierce rivalry on the earth and it seems to be lawless and godless, a throne is set in the heaven and everything is under the control of God.

2) When we see the world by our eyes, everything seems to be out of order and a system of management is lacked seemingly. However, when we return to the Spirit, we will see the throne of God in heaven and know that He still sits as king there.

 

Rev. 4:3 “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

   YLT: “and He who is sitting was in sight like a stone, jasper and sardine: and a rainbow was round the throne in sight like an emerald.”

   Meaning of Words: “sat”: sit down; “jasper”: the translucent crystal or diamond.

   Literal Meaning: “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance;” “He who sat” refers to God. “Jasper” is the translucent stone and its color is closest to light among all stones. “Sardius” refers to the stone and the color of which is close to blood-red. In the Old Testament, the first one in the stones engraved in the breastplate of the high-priest is a sardius stone and the last one is a jasper stone (See Exod. 28:17, 20).

“And there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” “A rainbow” is the sign that God established a covenant with Noah (See Gen. 9:8-16). “Around the throne” the rainbow that common ones see is the semicircular arc, however, the rainbow in heaven is a ring around the throne. “An emerald” is a kind of grass green stone.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance;” “Jasper” symbolizes the highest, holy and pure and it transfers to the life of God. “Sardius” symbolizes God’s wrath and judgment and here it transfers to the redemption.

“And there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” “A rainbow” symbolizes that God is the one faithful to keep covenant. “An emerald” symbolizes the mercy of God. The whole sentence symbolizes that the faithful God still remembers the covenant established by Him on His throne of judgment and therefore He will be merciful and won’t destroy the life on the earth by flood when He judges in future (See 21:24, 26).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Our God is quite fearful like a consuming fire (See Heb. 12:21, 29), however, He made Himself appeared like a jasper and a sardius stone before the eyes of John-----He keeps redemption in mind (a jasper) and is willing to provide His holy life (a sardius stone).

2) God’s throne which is specially related to judgment shows that He still keeps the covenant established by Him (a rainbow) and is merciful (an emerald) when He judges.

 

Rev. 4:4 “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

   YLT: “And around the throne thrones twenty and four, and upon the thrones I saw the twenty and four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and they had upon their heads crowns of gold;”

   Meaning of Words: “elder”: a senior, a grand old man.

   Literal Meaning: “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones,” “twenty-four thrones” indicates that those who sat on them assist God in carrying out the administrative management in the universe and execute judgment (See Matt. 19:28).

“And on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting,” “twenty-four elders” refers to the old ones who are created the earliest and have the highest positions in all creatures in the universe.

“Clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.” “Clothed in white robes” means that they are innocent of sins and have not committed sins and probably they have the position of God’s priests (See 5:8; Lev. 16:4; 1Chron. 24:7-18). “Crowns of gold” mean that they have the position of king in the universe.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In God’s administrative arrangement, He has the authority to set some honorable vessels in all creatures (See Rom. 9:20-21). The more deeply we know the administration of God, the easier it will be for us to be obedient and have less rebellious ideas.

2) Christians who overcome, in the coming kingdom of one thousand years, serve Him as priests to God and Christ (clothed in white robes) on one hand and on the other reign with Christ (having crowns of gold on their heads) to manage everything in the kingdom (See 20:6).

 

Rev. 4:5 “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

   YLT: “and out of the throne proceed do lightnings, and thunders, and voices; and seven lamps of fire are burning before the throne, which are the Seven Spirits of God,”

   Meaning of Words: “lamps of fire”: firebrand, torch; “burning”: set on fire, consume.

   Literal Meaning: “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.” It shows that it is the throne of God’s righteous judgment and it makes men feel awesome and fearful (See Heb. 12:18-19).

Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,” “Seven lamps of fire” refers to seven firebrands with the shape of trumpet in the original.

“Which are the seven Spirits of God.” “The seven Spirits of God” does not mean that God has seven Spirits but that God’s Spirit has the perfect effect of work because the seven Spirits are sent out into all the earth. And the seven lamps indicate that the Spirits have the perfect light, can discern everything and are omniscient (See 3:1).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Once we touch the things related to the administration of God (the throne), we should hold the fearful intention and attitude (there are lightnings, thunderings, and voices) and be deeply afraid of offending God.

2) Before God’s throne of judgment, everything cannot be covered because the Spirit is able to lighten and observe everything like the seven lamps of fire.

 

Rev. 4:6 “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

   YLT: “and before the throne a sea of glass like to crystal, and in the midst of the throne, and round the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind;”

   Meaning of Words: “living creatures”: animals, livestock; “full”: be full, fill up.

   Spiritual Meaning: “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.” “A sea of glass” does not have water but have fire (See 15:2). In future God’s judgment is not by flood but by fire (See 2Pet. 3:7-12). “Like crystal” symbolizes that in the light of God’s judgment, everything is bright like crystal and there is no escape.

And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures” “in the midst of the throne” refers to the midst under the throne. “Four living creatures” they are the representatives of the animals in all creatures (See v.7).

“Full of eyes in front and in back.” They can see everything around them clearly and it symbolizes that they clearly and brightly know the plan and arrangement of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Before the judgment throne of God, all negative things will be burned by fire to be pure and bright like crystal.

2) It is always hard for us to understand what we encounter throughout our life, however, once we come to the countenance of God, we can see everything clearly (See Ps. 73:16-17) as if we were full of eyes in front and in back.

 

Rev. 4:7 “The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

   YLT: “and the first living creature like a lion, and the second living creature like a calf, and the third living creature hath the face as a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle flying.”

   Meaning of Words: “like”: similar, alike, same; “face”: having a face.

   Literal Meaning: “The first living creature was like a lion,” “a lion” is the king of animals and it represents the four-footed animals.

“The second living creature like a calf,” “a calf” is the king of the cattle and it represents the cattle.

“The third living creature had a face like a man,” “had a face like a man” it represents man.

“And the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” “A flying eagle” is the king of the birds and it presents the birds.

  Please note that, according to the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, there are six main classes concerning the animals created by God: the fowl of the heavens, the fish of the sea, the cattle, the insect and animals on the earth and men (See Gen. 1:20-26) among which fish had not been judged in the age of Noah and it will be judged at the end of the old heaven and the old earth and the greatest creeper in the class of insect----the snake----symbolizes Satan and therefore they are not represented before God.

   Spiritual Meaning: “The first living creature was like a lion,” “a lion” is mighty and it symbolizes the king.

“The second living creature like a calf,” “a calf” serves and it symbolizes the servant.

“The third living creature had a face like a man,” “a man” symbolizes the humanity.

“And the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” “A flying eagle” is excellent and it represents the divinity.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the Lord Jesus was the Son of Man on the earth, He had the features of the four living creatures and therefore the four gospels are needed to describe Him from four different angles. We, those who have received grace and been saved, will also be renewed by the Lord to be like the four living creatures.

2) We should be like a lion towards the enemy, a calf towards God, a man towards men and a flying eagle to the environments.

 

Rev. 4:8 “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’”

   YLT: “And the four living creatures, each by itself severally, had six wings, around and within full of eyes, and rest they have not day and night, saying, `Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is coming;'”

   Meaning of Words: “holy”: pure, sacred.

   Literal Meaning: “The four living creatures, each having six wings,” “four living creatures” their face are like that of cherub (See Ezek. 1:10). “Six wings” are like that of seraph (See Is. 6:2).

“Were full of eyes around and within.” (please see the note in v.6).

And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy,” three times of “holy”s are the worship to the Holy Trinity (See Is. 6:3).

Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’” “Is to come” refers to the second coming of the Lord. Here it is meaning that the past tense, the present tense and the future tense are used to show the existence of God and three kinds of appellations Lord, God and Almighty and three kinds of praise in v.9 and v.11 are used.

   Spiritual Meaning: four living creatures” are the combination of cherub and seraph and they symbolize the manifestation of God’s glory (See Ezek. 10:18-19; Heb. 9:5) and God’s holy nature (See Is. 6:3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (See Heb. 12:14). We must sanctify ourselves to manifest the glory of God.

2) The four living creatures have six wings, with two they cover his face, with two they cover his feet (See Is. 6:3), showing their humbleness and holiness and with two they fly, showing their quick action. They give praise to God with their mouths unceasingly and speak for God. They are indeed the good examples to those who serve God.

 

Rev. 4:9 “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

   YLT: “and when the living creatures do give glory, and honour, and thanks, to Him who is sitting upon the throne, who is living to the ages of the ages,”

   Meaning of Words: “glory”: beauty, dignity, honorable; “honor”: precious, valuable, respectable.

   Literal Meaning: “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks” Among “the living creatures”, a man and a calf are clean and a lion and an eagle are unclean. Today they can be before God, showing that they represent the creature that has been redeemed (See Rom. 8:21-22) because the creature has to wait to be really redeemed until the future. “Glory” is towards the manifestation of God. “Honor” is towards the status of God. “Thanks” are towards the works of God, especially the grace of redemption.

“To Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,” refers to the living God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Glory is given to God because His manifestation is glorious. Honor is given to God because He is the most-high. Thanks are given to God because the depth of His grace is unlimited.

2) Everything is vain except God. Things in the world are dung without God. Without God’s grace, existence is meaningless.

 

Rev. 4:10 “the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

   YLT: “fall down do the twenty and four elders before Him who is sitting upon the throne, and bow before Him who is living to the ages of the ages, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,”

   Meaning of Words: “fall down”: bow, fail; “worship”: adore, show respect.

   Literal Meaning: “the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever,” “fall down…worship” indicates that their actions show that their worship is of sincerity.

“And cast their crowns before the throne, saying:” it means that they themselves are unworthy of the honorable positions.

   Enlightenment in the Word: if we have crowns, it is completely of God’s grace----He gives us grace without cause. If we have this knowledge, we will be glad to cast our crowns before His feet.

 

Rev. 4:11You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.’”

   YLT: “`Worthy art Thou, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power, because Thou -- Thou didst create the all things, and because of Thy will are they, and they were created.'”

   Literal Meaning: You are worthy, O Lord,” It means that our God is our Lord.

To receive glory and honor and power;” “power” is towards the sovereignty of God. Here it is not mentioned that He is worthy of “thanks” (See v.9) because the twenty-four elders had not experienced the grace of redemption. They were given power in the beginning and therefore power is used to replace thanks.

For You created all things,” the twenty-four elders are the founding members of the creature and therefore they had special impression of God’s creation.

And by Your will they exist and were created.’” It means that God’s creation is closely related to His will and the reason why God created all things is to accomplish His will in which He delights.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We give God worship because of our knowledge of Him. And therefore if we want to make the fitting worship, we should seek to experience and know His being and works more and more deeply.

2) All things, including us (men), are created for the will of God. In other words, the aim of life is to satisfy the will of God and therefore if we live for ourselves, we have lost the meaning of existence.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Throne and One Sat on the Throne

I. The throne:

  A. set in heaven (v.2)----it is God’s heavenly center of administration

  B. there was a rainbow around the throne (v.3)----He executes judgment and still keeps the established covenant faithfully.

  C. like an emerald (v.3)----He is still merciful in the judgment.

  D. from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices (v.5)----awesome and fearful

  E. seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne (v.5)----bright and being able to discern everything.

  F. there was a sea of glass, like crystal (v.6)----the fire dissolves everything.

II. One sat on the throne:

  A. like a jasper and a sardius stone (v.3)----paying the precious and immeasurable price to accomplish the redemption

  B. holy, holy, holy (v.8)----the Holy Trinity

  C. Lord God Almighty (v.8), O Lord (v.11)----God is the Lord of all.

  D. Who was and is and is to come! (v.8)----unchangeable

  E. who lives forever and ever (v.9, 10)----the living one

  F. you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power (v.9, 11)----because of what He is and what He does

  G. you created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created (v.11)----the will of God is the source of all.

 

The Creatures that Are the Closet to God

I. The twenty-four elders:

  A. they sat on the thrones which were around the throne (v.4)----they assist God in carrying out the heavenly administration.

  B. they were clothed in white robes (v.4)----they are innocent priests.

  C. they had crowns of gold on their heads (v.4)----they are kings.

  D. they fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him (v.10)----the wholehearted and sincere worship

  E. they cast their crowns before the throne (v.10)----being humble

  F. they give praise to God for His creation (v.11)----confessing that they exist because of the will of God

II. The four living creatures:

  A. in the midst of the throne, and around the throne (v.6)----they bear witness to the salvation of God. ,

  B. full of eyes in front and in back (v.6, 8)----discerning everything around them brightly and clearly.

  C. like a lion, like a calf, had a face like a man, like a flying eagle (v.7)----they have the balanced witness.

  D. each having six wings (v.8)----being humble, holy and fast

  E. they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy” (v.8)----giving praise as a sacrifice

  F. give glory and honor and thanks to God (v.9)----knowing grace and having gratitude for grace

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren