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ReadRevelation 4:1-4

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John looks and sees a door opened in heaven and the first voice that he heard was as if it were of a trumpet talking with him which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. John then finds himself in the spirit. He beholds a throne in heaven, and One sat on the throne. It was like looking at a rainbow and emeralds, jasper, and sardine stones.Revelation 4:1-

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1)First of all, they are not angels, for the name “elder” is never applied to angels in the Bible. Neither are angels ever said to wear crowns or sit on thrones.

2)These elders are said to be sitting on thrones. They have been granted authority, they are rulers.

3)They are clothed in white raiment, evidence that they have been redeemed by Christ’s blood.

The Twenty-

Four Elders

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The Twenty-

Four Elders4)They are wearing crowns. The word used does not refer to the diadem, the crown of the reigning monarch, for it is reserved for Christ alone. The word used here is the word stephanos and refers to the victor’s crown. This crown was awarded to those who won an athletic event. These crowns were usually woven as a garland of oak, ivy, parsley, myrtle or olive. But this victor’s crown is made of gold.

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The Twenty-

Four Elders5) They are twenty-four in number. In the Bible,

the numbers twelve and twenty-four are usually used to designate the redeemed of God. For these reasons, the twenty-four elders in Heaven seem to represent all those who have been redeemed throughout the ages

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It is interesting to note that in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9) the twelve gates of the city are named after the twelve sons of Jacob, and the twelve foundations upon which the city wall is built are named after the twelve apostles of Jesus. I believe the twelve apostles represent the New Testament saints, and the twelve sons of Jacob represent the Old Testament saints. The two groups combined add up to twenty-four, and represent all the redeemed of all the ages (Matthew 19:27-29, and Revelation 5:8-10).

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Read Revelation 4:5-6

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The thunderstorm is often used to portray God’s divine power and judgment (1 Samuel 2:10, Job 37:4, and Psalms 18:9). God is the source of the judgment that is about to come to earth. We must always remember that God is holy, and His holiness demands that sin be judged.

Seven Lamps – This imagery is probably from Ezekiel 1:12-13. “Fire” is often used in the Bible as a symbol of “judgment”. “Seven” is used to refer to that which is “full” or “complete”. The fullness of God’s judgment is about to be unleashed on earth.

Revelation 4:5

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The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to in this manner. In Isaiah 11:2, we are given the seven-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit. He is called “the Spirit of the Lord”, the “Spirit of wisdom”, the Spirit of understanding”, “the Spirit of counsel”, “the Spirit of might”, “the Spirit of knowledge”, and “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord”. God uses the Holy Spirit to bring man to repentance in this age (John 16:8), and He will be the agent used to bring judgment upon man in the age to come.

Revelation 4:5

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In the Old Testament Temple of Solomon, there was a laver where the priest washed his hands before he entered into the presence of God. It was sometimes called a “sea” (1 Kings 7:23). When the Apostle John looked at the laver in Heaven, he noticed that there was no water in it. It was glass. In Heaven, there will be no need for continual cleansing. We are made clean once and for all through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

The glassy sea that John saw looked like “crystal”. The word is krustallos and means “ice”. This again emphasizes that there was no longer any need for the cleansing water of the laver.

Sea of Glass (Revelation 4:6)

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Read Revelation 4:7

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All of God’s living creatures will bring glory and honor to Him in Heaven and will be redeemed from the curse of sin

The word “beast” is zoa which means “living creatures”. Ezekiel tells us that these creatures are angelic beings called “cherubim”, (Ezekiel 10:20), and it is their responsibility to guard the holiness of God (Ezekiel 1:22-28). Isaiah refers to them as “seraphim” (Isaiah 6:2).

It appears that they are on each of the four sides of the throne. (Ezekiel 1:5-14).

These creatures are “full of intelligence” and can see into the past and into the future. This phrase refers to their ability “to see, or perceive”.

The Four Beasts (Rev. 4:6-9)

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First Beast (Rev. 4:7)The lion is the king of the jungle, and here represents the majesty and great strength of these angelic creatures. This creature is sometimes used to symbolize the Gospel of Matthew which presents Jesus as King.

Second Beast (Rev. 4:7)The word “calf” is the word for “ox”. The ox was an animal of service. These angelic creatures are servants of God, and they render service to Him. This creature is sometimes used to symbolize the Gospel of Mark which presents Jesus as Servant.

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Third Beast (Rev. 4:7)Man is the most intelligent of all God’s creatures. These angelic beings have the intelligence and understanding of man. This creature is sometimes used to symbolize the gospel of Luke which emphasizes the humanity of Jesus.

Fourth Beast (Rev. 4:7)The flying eagle soars to great heights, and is one of the fastest creatures in the animal kingdom. These angelic beings are as swift as an eagle to execute God’s will. This creature is sometimes used to symbolize the Gospel of John which emphasizes the deity of Jesus.

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ReadRevelation 4:8-9

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In Isaiah 6:2, we discover the purpose of their wings. “With twain he covered his face”, signifying reverence for God. “With twain he covered his feet”, signifying modesty or humility. “With twain he did fly”, signifying service or swiftness to obey God’s orders.

The description of their eyes is repeated to emphasize their intelligence and their ability to perceive.

We are told in Rev. 22:5 that there will be no night in Heaven. The word “rest” is anapauo and means “to give an intermission from labor”.

Beasts – Responsibilities

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The first thing the “four creatures” praise God for is His holiness. The triple repetition of the word “holy” is generally accepted as a reference to the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The word “holy” is the word hagios and means “that which is set apart, or separate”.

The term “Lord God Almighty” is used frequently in Revelation, but appears nowhere else in the New Testament. The word “Lord” is kurios and refers to “an emperor or king”. The word “God” is theos and refers to “deity”. “Almighty” is the word pantokrator and means “ruler of all”.

Holy, Holy, Holy

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Read Revelation 4:10-11

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Casting CrownsThe glorious climax to their praise is the casting of their crowns before the Throne of God. In the ancient world, this was a sign of complete submission. When one king surrendered to another king, he cast his crown at the victor’s feet. The crowns which the twenty-four elders cast before the throne are the crowns which they have won for living faithful, holy lives. In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, the Apostle Paul refers to a time when we will be judged to determine our rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul’s main concern in life was not that he would lose his salvation (Romans 8:35-39), but that he would lose his reward.

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ReadRevelation 5:1-8

23Revelation 5:1-8

Who is worthy to open the book?

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The word “stood” is estekos and means “standing”. The Lamb is standing in the midst of the throne, preparing to present himself as the “Kinsman Redeemer” of God’s universe (Ruth 3:9). The word used here for “lamb” is arnios. It occurs only one other time in the New Testament (John 21:15). This word refers to “a little pet lamb”. In Exodus 12, the Passover lamb was to be brought into the house of the Israelites and kept for four days as a household pet before it was offered as a sacrifice. This little lamb was identified with the family; it was loved, cuddled, petted, and caressed. The reference here is obviously to the lamb that was sacrificed for the Passover. Jesus was God’s Passover Lamb (John 1:29,36; Acts 8:32, 1 Corinthians 5:7; and I Peter 1:19).

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In the Old Testament, the “horn” symbolized “power” (Deuteronomy 33:17). Seven refers to “that which is complete”. The meaning is that the Lamb (Jesus) has complete power, He is omnipotent (Matthew 28:18). Jesus also has complete perception, He is omniscient. He knows all. This description is probably taken from Zechariah 4:10. The “seven spirits” refer to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God has been sent to all the earth (John 16:7-8).

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The Lamb Takes the Book (5:7-14)The Lamb took (literally “has taken”) the book from the right hand of God without hesitation, for He is worthy! When the Lamb took the book, the response of the angels, along with all the redeemed of God, was to fall before Him and worship Him. The elders had “harps” which was the instrument of praise (Psalms 33:3, 98:5, & 147:7). The elders also had golden bowls full of odours (thumiamaton) or “incense”. When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies in the Temple with his bowl of incense, the people remained outside and prayed (Luke 1:10). As the smoke of the incense went up to Heaven, it was accompanied by the prayers of God’s people.

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ReadRevelation 5:9-14

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A New Song New – “new in time” Worthy – “rightful heir” Slain – “violently

murdered” Redeemed – “to buy”

A Kingdom of Priests Millennial Reign (one

thousand years)

Kings & Priests

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Power: The word is dunamis and means “power that is supernatural in origin and character, and is indescribable in nature”.Riches: The word is plouton and means “material wealth” (2 Corinthians 8:9, and Ephesians 3:8).Wisdom: The word is sophian and refers to God’s wisdom.Strength: The word is ischun and means “to have ability or strength that is inherent.Honour: The word is timen and means “to esteem something highly because of its value”.Glory: The word is doxan and means “honor resulting from one’s own worth”.Blessing: The word is eulogian and means “to speak well of or praise”.

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The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders were the first to praise God; then the angels joined in, and now at this point, every created thing joins the Heavenly host in praising the Lamb. Even those who are eternally lost will one day bow their knee to the eternal God. This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:9-11.

The grand chorus of praise is brought to a dramatic conclusion when the four angelic creatures say “amen” – “so let it be!”

Here, as in Revelation 4:10, the redeemed of God, bow in worship before Him Who is the “eternal God” (Psalms 9-:2).