1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
The True Meaning of Revelation 4
The Book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible, was written by the apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos. John in this chapter describes a vision he had of the throne of God in heaven, providing a glimpse into the heavenly realm and the worship of the Almighty.
The events described in this chapter set the stage for the unfolding of the end times, as John is granted a divine revelation of the sovereign power and majesty of God. The imagery he presents, with its vivid descriptions of the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, offers a profound and awe-inspiring perspective on the nature of God and the worship that is due to Him.
Throughout this passage, John makes references to other biblical texts, such as the vision of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:4-28) and the worship of God described in the Psalms (Psalm 29:1-2). These connections serve to reinforce the continuity of God’s revelation and the timeless nature of His glory.
Revelation 4:1-6
The verses in Revelation 4:1-6 mark a pivotal moment in the book as they transition from the messages to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 to the heavenly visions that John receives starting in chapter 4. Let’s break down this section further:
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Verse 1: “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. An open door invites John to ascend to heaven in this verse. This symbolizes a shift from the earthly focus of the letters to the churches to a more heavenly perspective. The invitation to “Come up here” is significant as it signifies a divine invitation for John to witness and understand the future events that will unfold. This mirrors similar invitations in the Bible where individuals are granted prophetic visions, like Ezekiel’s visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1) or Isaiah’s vision in the temple (Isaiah 6:1).
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Verse 2-3: “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. John immediately enters the Spirit and beholds a majestic scene of the throne of God in heaven in these verses. The description of God on the throne is symbolic of His glory and majesty. The appearance of jasper and ruby signifies purity and righteousness, while the rainbow, reminiscent of the rainbow after the flood in Genesis 9:12-17, highlights God’s faithfulness to His promises. This imagery emphasizes God’s sovereignty and the beauty of His presence.
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Verses 4-6: “Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Seven lamps were blazing in front of the throne. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.”
These verses introduce the twenty-four elders, who are often believed to represent the united body of believers in both the Old and New Testaments. They are clothed in white, symbolizing purity and righteousness, and wear gold crowns, signifying their victory and reward in Christ. The flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder echo the imagery of God’s majesty and power, as seen in various Old Testament accounts like when God revealed Himself at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20). Revelation 4:1-6 sets the stage for the heavenly vision that John is about to witness, depicting the throne of God, the elders, and the divine presence in all its glory. These verses serve to remind readers of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and majesty, inviting them to reflect on His power and the ultimate victory that believers will have in Him.
Revelation 4:7-11
The verse in Revelation 4:7-11 describes the scene in the heavenly throne room where John witnesses a vision of God’s majesty and glory. Let’s break down this verse into important sections to understand its significance in the context of Revelation.
Verse 7 mentions the four living creatures in the midst of the throne of God. These living creatures are often identified as cherubim and are described as having different faces: the first like a lion, the second like a calf, the third with a face like a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. These intricate descriptions symbolize different aspects of creation. The lion symbolizes strength, the calf (or ox) signifies service or sacrifice, the human face represents intelligence or reason, and the eagle symbolizes swiftness or transcendence. These four living creatures can be identified with the cherubim seen by the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 10:20.
The passage continues in verse 8, describing the living creatures as having six wings, full of eyes around and within. The eyes symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and awareness. The imagery of the eyes alludes to God’s all-seeing nature and His omniscient presence. This reaffirms the idea of God’s sovereignty and His awareness of all things, past, present, and future. The focus shifts to the worship taking place in the heavenly throne room in verses 9-11. The twenty-four elders, representing the redeemed and glorified saints, fall down before God, casting their crowns before the throne as an act of humility and worship. This act signifies their acknowledgment of God’s supremacy and their submission to His will. The elders declare the holiness, worthiness, and eternal nature of God, recognizing His role as the Creator of all things. This scene of worship reminds believers of the importance of honoring and glorifying God in all circumstances, acknowledging His sovereignty over all creation.
The imagery in Revelation 4:7-11 underscores the theme of God’s supreme authority and majesty, emphasizing the reverence and worship due to Him. Through the symbols of the living creatures, the elders, and the heavenly throne room, the passage conveys the eternal truth that God is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. It serves as a reminder to believers to exalt God above all else and to worship Him with reverence and awe.
This passage in Revelation echoes themes found throughout the Bible, such as the worship of God by heavenly beings (Psalm 148:1-2), the acknowledgment of His holiness and righteousness (Isaiah 6:2-3), and the exaltation of His name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11). The depiction of heavenly worship in Revelation 4:7-11 serves as a powerful illustration of the eternal praise and adoration that God rightfully deserves from all creation.
After Revelation 4
The elders fell down before the one seated on the throne, worshiping the eternal God who created all things. They cast their crowns before the throne, proclaiming the worthiness of the Lord to receive glory and honor. A great multitude in heaven sang a new song, praising the Lamb who was slain and is now seated at the right hand of God.
This vision of the heavenly throne room reveals the ultimate authority and sovereignty of God. The worship and adoration of the heavenly beings demonstrates the supreme power and majesty of the Lord. We will see how this vision of God’s glory sets the stage for the unfolding of the end times events that will shake the very foundations of the earth as we move forward. The people of God must hold fast to their faith, for the day of the Lord is at hand.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.