Revelation Lesson 4 Revelation 4:1-11 In the previous lesson, we finished the last of the instructions of Jesus Christ to the angels (messengers) of the seven types of the Church. In the Tabernacle, the seven lamps were to shine the light of Christ to the world. The seven churches were types of every kind of believer in the Church Age which will end with the Rapture of the Church. With Revelation 4:1 the prophecy transitions from the Church Age to the end times, which Revelation describes as what must take place after this. The Transition Revelation 4:1 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 [a] said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. At this transition a trumpet sounds, and John is invited to come up to Heaven to hear what will happen after the Church Age. Consider the significance of the Trumpet sound at the Rapture of the Church in the two well-known Rapture passages in scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, [b] with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, [c] and the dead in 1 / 17
Christ will rise first. [d] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds [e] to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. This passage in Revelation can be seen as a shadow of the Rapture of the Church. John is a part of the Church Age and part of the Church. What happens to John here will also happen at the Rapture when the Church is taken up to the third heaven. [f] The Use of Images in End Times Prophecies Before we get into the visions that are seen by John in the rest of the Book of Revelation, it is important to realize that the scenes that appear here are only types of the reality that is being taught. Like the prophetical scenes in visions given to Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, and Zechariah, they are not literal, but figurative graphic aids in understanding complex concepts. These visions thus convey complex ideas in a condensed form. 2 / 17
For example, in the vision in Daniel 2, Jesus Christ is described as a great rock that crushes the feet of a statue (Daniel 2:45). In the vision in Daniel 10-12, Jesus is described as a man standing above the waters, dressed in linen, with gold belt, a body like chrysolite, a face like lightning, eyes like torches, arms and legs like burnished bronze. In the vision in Zechariah 3, Jesus Christ is prefigured by the High Priest Joshua with a Kingly crown on His head. In Zechariah 10:4, Jesus is described as the cornerstone, the tent peg, and the battle bow. In the scene in the vision of this chapter (and the rest of the chapters of Revelation) the figures also represent shadows of Christ, His plan, and His Body (Israel and the Church). The key to interpreting the meaning of these figures, as always, depends on looking to see how those figures are used in the rest of the Bible. Remember, it was all inspired by one author, the Holy Spirit. The Throne Room of Heaven Revelation 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it and upon the throne (He) was sitting. [g] We have to assume that John was transported by the power of the Holy Spirit to the scene he described here. We cannot know whether this transportation took place physically, or just spiritually. Paul, who personally experienced a similar vision, testified he was not sure either. [h ] In this vision, the one on the throne is Jesus Christ looking as He was represented in Revelation 1:13-14 a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet, with a golden sash around his chest, His head and hair white like wool, and his eyes like blazing fire. We know that this is Jesus Christ on the throne because we know that (according to Revelation 4:11) the one on the throne is the one who created all things. We know that it was Jesus - before His incarnation - did this. [i] 3 / 17
Therefore, we know the one on the throne here is Jesus Christ. Revelation 4:3a And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. The physical appearance of Christ spoke symbolically of His righteousness, holiness, and His sacrifice: The Greek word Jasper ἴασπις {ē'-ä-spēs} seem to have been derived from a Hebrew word, י ש פ ה {'ā shef yä} Exodus) plate-breast s priest high the in inserted twelve the of one was which 28:20). The jasper is described in Revelation 21:11 as clear as crystal. It was thus emblematic of the glory of God (4:3) and His spotless Holiness. Carnelian is literally, sardine stone The Greek word here is σάρδιον {sä'r-dē-on}. It is from a root meaning red ). It is a gem of a blood-red color. It was called sardius because obtained from Sardis in Lydia. It is enumerated among the precious stones in the high priest s breastplate (Ex. 28:17; 39:10). It is our red carnelian (carnelian denotes the color of raw flesh) as it is translated here. Being red, it definitely speaks of the blood of Christ. Revelation 4:3b A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 / 17
The rainbow resembling an emerald also describes the promises and judgments related to the Throne of Christ: The rainbow is the symbol of God s covenant with man not to destroy the world in Genesis 9:13. In the context of this vision of the end times, where at times it will look as if the world is about to be destroyed, that is significant! The Greek word used to denote emerald here is σμάραγδος {smä'-räg-dos}, which is ך פ נ thought to mean live coal. The Hebrew word translated emerald in the OT here is {nō' fek} (Exodus 28:18, Exodus 39:11) which means the glowing stone. The stone is also mentioned (Revelation 21:19) as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. God is often connected with live coals to speak of His judgment. I suspect that in this context it is speaking of the fact that God s throne is also one of judgment. Revelation 4:4a Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. The twenty four elders most likely represent the elders of the twelve tribes of Israel, plus the twelve apostles of the Church. That is because these two twelves are referenced again in the description of Heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21: Revelation 21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the 5 / 17
gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Revelation 21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. These twenty four elders represent all those who will be in Heaven after the rapture of the Church. They will be the saints of Israel and the saints of the Church. Revelation 4:4b They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. They are shown dressed in white to represent the righteousness of Christ in which they and all believers are dressed: Revelation 3:4b-5a They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes (believers) will, like them, be dressed in white. 6 / 17
They are also shown with crowns of gold on their heads to represent the crown of righteousness that they and all believers will wear. 2 Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (believers). The crowns also indicate that they are part of the royal family. Revelation 4:5a From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. The flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder spoke of the judgment of God about to be revealed. [j] Lighting and thunder was also part of the manifested presence of the LORD on Mt. Sinai during the Exodus. [k] 7 / 17
Revelation 4:5b Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. The seven lamps which are said to be the seven spirits of God refer to the light of the Holy Spirit that speaks to the whole world (seven is the number of completion or fullness) according to the rule of the throne (plan) of God. Revelation 4:6a Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. [l] How do we understand what this figure means? We look at the reverse of a sea of glass. A wild foamy sea is often connected with falsehood and instability: 1 Peter 1:13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for which blackest darkness has been reserved forever. James 1:6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Therefore, we understand that the sea of glass before the throne of God means that God s relationship with mankind is not ruled by the instability of falsehood, which like the waves of the sea, can take a thousand shapes. Our relationship with God is ruled by the never changing Truth of the Word of God, which is unambiguous and clear as crystal. 8 / 17
Revelation 4:6b-7 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures living things, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature living thing was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. [m] The word that is translated by the NIV as living creatures is the Greek word >T@< {pronounced dzo'-on} which is more accurately rendered living things. The English word creatures connotes the created apart from the creator. Since these living things seem to represent aspects of Jesus Christ, the creator, the distinction is important. These are not necessarily the created. What is interpreted in Ezekiel 1:5 as living creatures is also the Hebrew *( chay {pronounced - khah'-ee} which is also really more accurately translated living things. In this light, remember what Hebrews 4:12 says: For the word of God is alive and powerful. There the Greek word is the verb form of the same word. Therefore, we should not think that it is extraordinary for the proclamation of the Gospel to be described as a living thing. I am firmly of the opinion, as many others are, that the four faces stand for the four aspects of Christ presented in the four gospels. The face of a lion stands for the Gospel of Matthew. The lion was the symbol of the Throne of Israel: 1 Kings 10:19 The throne (of Israel) had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Jesus is most clearly described as the promised King in the Gospel of Matthew. The 9 / 17
Genealogy of Christ given in Matthew 1 begins by calling Jesus Christ the son of David. In that genealogy the line of Christ is traced through the legal line of inheritance through his legal father Joseph, and through the legal line of the Kings of Israel through Solomon to David. This was not His biological lineage (given in Luke 3). In Matthew 2, the story is told of the star of prophecy that heralded Jesus as the King of the Jews. It has far more references to Jesus being King of the Jews than the other Gospels. Matthew clearly concentrates on the fact that Jesus is the Son of David. The book refers to Jesus by the title Son of David, nine times. It was to David that it was promised that God was raise up for him a descendant who would reign as King forever. This is as opposed to Son of David being used three times each in Mark and Luke. John never referred to Him by that name. The face of an ox stands for the Gospel of Mark. The ox stands for being a servant, even as the role of the ox was to grind and plow. The ox was also sometimes used for sacrifice. In Mark, the emphasis is on all the things Jesus did to serve His people. It includes the passage: Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark s Gospel is the simplest of all the Gospels. As such, it is symbolized by the simple unassuming, hardworking ox. Mark was clearly written to the Gentiles. [n] We conclude this from the fact that Mark makes no reference to the Jewish law, and that it takes care to interpret words which a Gentile would be likely to misunderstand. Jewish usages are also explained. Mark also uses certain Latin words not found in any of the other Gospels. He only quotes from the Old Testament twice. The face of a man stands for the Gospel of Luke. The Genealogy of Christ given in Luke goes all the way back to Adam (the Hebrew word translated man). It follows the biological line 10 / 17
through David s son Nathan, not Solomon the King. The Gospel of Luke gives us 2,421 words on the birth and childhood of Christ, Matthew gives us 795. Mark and John give us nothing on that subject. The face of an eagle stands for the Gospel of John. The eagle is often used in scripture as a symbol for God in the Heavens: Deuteronomy 32:10-11 In a desert land he (the LORD) found him (Israel), in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. [o] The Gospel of John does not deal with Jesus genealogy or birth at all, but begins with the clear statement that Jesus was God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Although all four aspects of Christ are presented in all four gospels, it is clear that each one has a particular emphasis. 11 / 17
Revelation 4:8a Each of the four living creatures living things had six wings [p] and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Why six wings? Why eyes all around? Six is the number of man because man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31). Eyes all around clearly represent the omniscience of God. [q] It seems to me that these things represent the fact that if any man seeks to know God, God will know it and send his truth to them. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. John 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Also, remember what was said about the living word of God in Hebrews 4. It was said to lay bare everything in all creation: Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Revelation 4:8b Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. 12 / 17
The testimony of Jesus is the testimony of the one who was (He created all things), and is (He became a man, lived a righteous life, died for us and was raised from the dead), and is to come (He is coming again). This testimony never stops. Revelation 19:10b For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 4:9 Whenever the living creatures living things give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, The living things are the word of God and the testimony contained in the Gospels about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh. He is the manifestation of the face of God in a way that we can understand, in human terms. His life is a vivid testimony of the grace, love, and mercy of God. He is both King and Servant, both God and Man. Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. [r] As this testimony goes forth the saints of Israel and the Church cannot help but worship and rejoice. Although this is presented as the situation in Heaven after these things, there is no reason this should not be the situation in our hearts here on earth in the here and now whenever we hear of the Testimony of Jesus going forth. 13 / 17
4:10b-11 They lay their crowns before the throne and say: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. The testimony of Jesus is God s demonstration of who He is. It is not in the fire and the cloud of Mount Sinai, which spoke of God s judgment, power and unknowableness. It is in the love and mercy of Mount Zion, the cross of Christ. Moses speaking in Deuteronomy said: Deuteronomy 18:16-18 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die. The LORD said to me: What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. [a] This gives us the clue that the trumpet in scripture and the Old Testament refers to the voice of the LORD as in Revelation 1:10. [b] The Greek word here is κέλευσμα which has a connotation of an urgent or emotional outcry. It is related to the Greek word καλέω which means to call. The idea here, I believe, is that the Lord is calling his Church from all over the world, to meet Him in the air. [c] This may indicate that the Rapture of the Church will occur on 1 Tishri, the Feast of 14 / 17
Trumpets on the new moon of the seventh month of the Jewish Religious Calendar. Interestingly, in our calendar, that is close to the time of All Saints Eve (Halloween). [d] This passage indicates the dead in Christ will come with Him (verse 14 God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ). But it also indicates that the dead in Christ will rise first. What does this mean? And what does first mean. Does this mean that there will be some kind of resurrection of the dead in Christ at that time (first), just before the rapture of the living saints? Or does it mean that this resurrection will happen first, but sometime prior, perhaps at the time of their physical death? Some have speculated that it is at this time the dead in Christ will receive their glorified resurrection bodies, having inhabited an interim body until that time. We know that Moses and Elijah had the appearance of bodies when they met Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration, but they could not have had a Resurrection Body yet because Jesus himself did not have one. [e] Clouds in this verse may be speaking of the upper atmosphere, or it may be speaking of the angelic armies that will accompany the Lord when He returns. [f] There are three places which are described as heaven in scripture. The first is the atmosphere surrounding the earth. The second is the universe of the planets, stars, and galaxies. The third is the abode of God and His throne. [g] This is the literal translation. The participle translated was sitting is in the masculine singular, hence the implied He. Who is the He? It is the owner of the voice like a trumpet, who according to Revelation 1:13 was the son of man, Jesus Christ. Also Revelation 21:5-6 makes it clear that this is Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega of Revelation 1:8. [h] 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know God knows. And I know that this man whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. [i] John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 15 / 17
Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. [j] Hosea 6:5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you. [k] Exodus 19:16a On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. [l] This description ties closely to what Moses saw in Exodus 24:10b Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. [m] These are the same four faces exhibited by the living things in Ezekiel 1:1-10 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month--it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin -- the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him. I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north--an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures living things. In appearance their form was that of a man, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 16 / 17
The meaning of the image is also very similar to that of Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. (See my notes on Isaiah 6). [n] I believe the Gospel of Mark was originally written to the Church at Antioch. Mark mentions Alexander and Rufus as familiar to the people to whom he wrote his Gospel (Mark 15:21). Since we know that the people of Antioch were familiar with Rufus and his mother who helped found the Church at Antioch, we can reasonably assume that Antioch was the place to which the Gospel of Mark was originally sent. [o] Examples are seen also in Revelation 8:13, 12:14, Exodus 19:4, Ezekiel 1:10, and Hosea 8:1. [p] The number six is often associated with mankind as man was created by God on the sixth day. See also Revelation 13:18. [q] Psalms 33:18-19 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. [r] According to Revelation 19:10b The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. It is the testimony of Jesus which these living things represent which causes the twenty four elders to worship God. 17 / 17