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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. 4:11 “‘You
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 Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren