Revelation4
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.
2Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;
3and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.
4And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.
5And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;
6and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
7And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.
9And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever,
10the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A vision of God, as on his glorious throne, around which were twenty-four elders and four living creatures. (1–8). Whose songs, and those of the holy angels, the apostle heard. (9–11).
vv1-8
After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches “the things that are,” there was another vision. The apostle saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God's awful justice. The rainbow is a fit emblem of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing colour was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honour, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies nearness to God, the sight and enjoyment they have of him. They were clothed in white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness: they had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with him. Lightnings and voices came from the throne; the awful declarations God makes to his church, of his sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne; the gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits upon the throne. In the gospel church, the laver for purification is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin. In this all must be washed, to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth, and his glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures, between the throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, because of their place between God and the people. This also is shown by the description given, denoting wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion, and the affections by which they mount up toward heaven.
vv9-11
All true believers wholly ascribe their redemption and conversion, their present privileges and future hopes, to the eternal and most holy God. Thus rise the for-ever harmonious, thankful songs of the redeemed in heaven. Would we on earth do like them, let our praises be constant, not interrupted; united, not divided; thankful, not cold and formal; humble, not self-confident.
Key Words
μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))
ταῦτα (taûta): these things
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδού (idoú): used as imperative lo!;
θύρα (thýra): a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
ἀνοίγω (anoígō): to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
οὐρανός (ouranós): the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
πρῶτος (prōtos): foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
Cross References
Revelation 4Direct verbal echo of the Seraphim's threefold praise: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days seated upon a set throne in heaven.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The rainbow surrounding God's glorious throne in Eze 1:28 corresponds directly to John's vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The four faces of Eze 1:10 (lion, ox/calf, man, eagle) correspond to the four beasts.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
John enters the prophetic state of ecstasy, being 'in the Spirit', with a trumpet-like voice.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The rainbow is the established covenant token assuring mercy amidst divine judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God's majestic presence manifests with lightnings, thunderings, and voices as at Mount Sinai.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The seven lamps represent the multi-faceted operations of the 'seven Spirits of God'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Isaiah's vision of the Lord sitting upon a high and lifted up throne.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ezekiel's vision of the four living creatures out of the midst of the glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The six-winged Seraphim in Isaiah parallel the six wings of the four beasts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The living creatures being full of eyes round about reflects Ezekiel's vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Micaiah's vision of the Lord sitting on His throne with the host of heaven standing.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The twenty-four courses of priests in the sanctuary typify the twenty-four elders.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The crystal-like firmament above the living creatures parallels the sea of glass.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Further vision of the victorious saints standing upon the sea of glass.
Supported by JFB
Transition from 'things which are' to the 'things which must be hereafter'.
Supported by JFB
Confirms Christ as Creator of all things, aligning with the elders' praise of creation.
Supported by JFB
The opening of the heavens in vision to reveal divine truth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB