Revelation 4:1 – Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” (NLT)
In chapter 1 & 2, the Risen Christ was giving his message to the churches, now the scene changes to a vision of the heavenly court. This chapter begins with ‘Then’, other translations have ‘After this’. What is implied is that John did not receive everything we have in this book during one day. It could have taken weeks, even months. The Spiritual application for us is that sometimes it takes time to fully understand God’s plan.
The voice in verse one tells John that he will be shown “what must happen after this”. This letter was originally written to the churches in that part of the Roman Empire, many of whom were facing trials and persecutions. ‘What must happen after this’ refers to what must take place during their lifetime. This letter was not written to predict the distant future. However, like anything we find in the Bible, the application of its teaching’s are timeless and we can learn something for our days.
What follows is a description of God, and it is interesting to note that John uses no human characteristics. Along with this description of God was the glow of a rainbow. This was significant. Remember that a rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant to never destroy humankind again. This book is not about the destruction of the world! It is about overcoming evil and the temptation to compromise our faith. These are words of hope, not of doom and gloom! This is why this book is so powerful, for Christians have always battled evil and the desire to compromise.
Who were the twenty-four elders? There are several interpretations. One states that they represented all the faithful, for there were twelve tribes of Israel, and the Gentiles made up the other twelve. Whoever they were, they represented the faithful who had conquered evil in this life.
The four creatures will appear frequently in this book, and they are always found near the throne, praising and worshiping God. They are guardians of the throne. It has been interpreted that they represent the created order (four winds, four points of the compass). In the common literature of that day, each creature had significance. The lion was supreme among the beasts; the ox supreme among the cattle; the eagle supreme among the birds; and man supreme among all creatures. What we can take away from this is twofold. God cares for all of creation, and all of creation worships God. This is a common theme in the psalms: “Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs” (Psalm 66:4).
Today, let us join in with all of creation, worshiping and praising God. Let us also remember that God has a place reserved for us in this great heavenly court!
Posted by Ramon Torres
OK, “the 7 spirits of God”? I understand that 7 is the number of completeness, the number of God. So, would it be correct, in the total symbolism of Revelation, that this passage represents the total and complete presence of God? in context, it makes sense.