Studies In Revelation
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:1 “After 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.”
- John’s usage of the phrase “after this” shows a transition from one point to another. He does similarly in other transitions throughout the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:1; 7:9; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1).
- Think about a door being opened or a view into Heaven appearing (Ezekiel 1:1, Luke 3:21, Acts 7:51-56, and Revelation 19:11).
- Similar language has been used to speak of rain coming down from above (Genesis 7:11).
- Remember, John has already heard a great voice as of a trumpet (Revelation 1:10).
- Now, think about this…. “Come up hither” (cf. II Corinthians 12:1-4).
- We will see that John was “in the spirit” in the next verse (Revelation 4:2; cf. Ezekiel 37:1 and Revelation 21:10).
- The things hereafter (Revelation 1:19) are things at hand (Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 22:10); to shortly come to pass (Revelation 1:1); to shortly be done (Revelation 22:6-7).
- Remember the word “quickly” as it related to the seven churches (Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:12, and Revelation 22:20).
Revelation 4:2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
- As we considered when looking at verse one, John was “in the spirit” (again; Revelation 1:10).
- “Immediately” is the same as saying “straightway” or “shortly” (Acts 22:29 and III John 1:14; Strong’s # 2112).
- The vision was of a throne in Heaven and one sitting on that throne. We know that it is God the Father that sits upon the throne of power and dominion in Heaven; with Christ at His right hand (Hebrews 8:1 and Hebrews 12:1-2).
- In chapter three we read of Jesus sitting down with His Father in His throne (Revelation 3:21).
Revelation 4:3 “And 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.”
- As John had this vision in the spirit, the one on the throne was to him like he was looking up jasper and a sardine stone (cf. Revelation 21:10-11).
- When God set the rainbow in the sky it was to establish a reminder of His covenant with man that He would not destroy the world by flood again (Genesis 9:13-17).
Revelation 4:4 “And 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.”
- John’s Heavenly vision shows twenty-four elders on thrones before the throne of God (Revelation 11:16).
- Later in this chapter, we see what they did with their crowns in this vision (Revelation 4:10-11).
- We will talk more about these twenty-four elders and additionally beings in this vision as we proceed through this letter (Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 19:4, etc.).
- We want to be clear on something here and forward. Jesus said no man hath seen the Father (John 1:18; cf. I John 4:12) or had ascended up to Heaven (John 3:13).
- Until Christ returns at an unknown time (Matthew 24:35-36 and II Peter 3:9-10), those who die are either in Paradise or torment in Hades (Luke 16:19-31, Luke 23:39-43, Acts 2:22-32, and I Peter 3:18-4:6).
- There are angels in Heaven (I Peter 3:22) along with the Father, Son, and Spirit (I John 5:7).
- White raiment was promised to those who overcome (Revelation 3:5), but also has a connection to angels (Matthew 28:1-3).
Revelation 4:5 “And 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.”
- The imagery of lightenings and thunderings out of the throne (Revelation 11:19).
- The seven lamps burning before the throne represent the seven Spirits of God (Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 3:1).
- God sent angels, which are spirits (Psalms 104:4), as messengers into the world (Luke 1:5-20 and Acts 8:26). The Holy Spirit was also sent (John 15:26-27). Remember the changes we see in the first century (Hebrews 1:1-2 and John 16:1-13).
Revelation 4:6 “And 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.”
- In chapter twenty-one we will see that there is no more sea (Revelation 20:11-21:1).
- Now we see that there are four beasts in addition to the twenty-four elders at the throne (Revelation 5:6 and Revelation 15:7).
- We will talk about their appearances in verses 7-8.
Revelation 4:7-8 “And 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. And 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.”
- In this vision, we see different yet similar things to visions Ezekiel had (Ezekiel 1:3-28 and Ezekiel 10:1-22).
- Consider also Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:1-13).
- Holy, holy, holy (Psalms 99:5).
- God is eternal - from everlasting to everlasting (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 90:2, Psalms 93:2, Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 44:6, I Timothy 1:17, and Hebrews 9:14).
- God is the Almighty (Genesis 17:1 and Revelation 1:8).
Revelation 4:9-11 “And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The 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, Thou 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.”
- Those beasts (Revelation 4:6-8).
- Giving glory, honor, and thanks to Him on the throne (I Chronicles 16:25-27 and Revelation 7:11-12).
- Falling before the throne (Revelation 5:14).
- Not just the Father (Revelation 5:12).
- God is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27, Isaiah 40:28, and Romans 16:26).
- As we discussed in this letter already, such does not only apply to the Father (Revelation 1:5-20).
- Worthy to be praised (Psalms 18:3 and Psalms 96:4).
- He created all things (Exodus 20:11, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 45:12, Jeremiah 32:17, and John 1:1-4).
- For His pleasure (Proverbs 16:4, Isaiah 43:21, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Romans 11:33-36, Ephesians 5:25-27, and Colossians 1:12-18).