USB ~ Revelation 4

Vision of Heavenly Worship. †

1 After this I had a vision of an open door† to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.”

2 † At once I was caught up in spirit. a A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat

3 one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.

4 Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders† sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. b

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder.† Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

6 c In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal.† In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.

7 The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle† in flight.

8 The four living creatures, each of them with six wings,† were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” d

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

11 “Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.” e

Footnotes

†. 4:1-11 The seer now describes a vision of the heavenly court in worship of God enthroned. He reverently avoids naming or describing God but pictures twenty-four elders in priestly and regal attire (Rev 4:4) and God’s throne and its surroundings made of precious gems and other symbols that traditionally express the majesty of God (Rev 4:5-6). Universal creation is represented by the four living creatures (Rev 4:6-7). Along with the twenty-four elders, they praise God unceasingly in humble adoration (Rev 4:8-11).

†. 4:1 The ancients viewed heaven as a solid vault, entered by way of actual doors.

†. 4:2-8 Much of the imagery here is taken from Ez 1 and 10.

†. 4:4 Twenty-four elders: these represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles; cf. Rev 21:12-14.

†. 4:5 Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder: as in other descriptions of God’s appearance or activity; cf. Rev 8:5; 11:19; 16:18; Ex 19:16; Ez 1:4, 13. The seven spirits of God: the seven “angels of the presence” as in Rev 8:2 and Tb 12:15.

†. 4:6 A sea of glass like crystal: an image adapted from Ez 1:22-26. Four living creatures: these are symbols taken from Ez 1:5-21; they are identified as cherubim in Ez 10:20. Covered with eyes: these suggest God’s knowledge and concern.

†. 4:7 Lion,calf,human being,eagle: these symbolize, respectively, what is noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest in creation. Calf: traditionally translated “ox,” the Greek word refers to a heifer or young bull. Since the second century, these four creatures have been used as symbols of the evangelists Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John, respectively.

†. 4:8 Six wings: like the seraphim of Is 6:2.

4:2-3 Is 6:1 / Ez 1:26-28.
4:4 Is 24:23.
4:6 Ex 24:10.
4:8 Is 6:2-3 / Rev 1:4, 8; 11:17; 16:5.
4:11 Rom 4:17; 16:27.