Book of Revelation - Part 12 Revelation 4:6-11 Revelation 4:6-11, In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature 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. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. First, revisit 2 Attributes of the 4 Living Creatures: Vs 8, Each had six Wings 4 Living Creatures X 6 Wings = 24 Wings - 1 for each Elder representing the Redeemed Human Race Vs 8, Covered with Eyes, even under the Wings When a bird has offspring, it rests it s wings on them and looks outward to protect them - This image of eyes under the wings as well, shows the ultimate quest of God towards us. - He not only protects us, He communes with us, He watches us Matthew 23:37, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. These same 4 symbols show up in other parts of scripture. - To try to discover more about them, let s looked at those other sightings: Ezekiel 1:4-28, 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, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 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. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. 15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. 23 Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. 25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Throne Room Similarities: - Flashing Lightning (- Cloud like on Mount Sinai in Exodus) - Brilliant Light - 4 Living Creatures - Throne (Lapis lazuli - a bright blue rock) - A figure of a Man on the Throne ( someone ) - The mix of Red Fire and White Light - A Rainbow around Him - Notice the non emphasis on green - this is Old Testament - green is thought to represent the New Covenant - God no longer deals with the sinner but instead deals with the sin - Ezekiel fell face down - John fell down when he saw Jesus 4 Living Creatures: - Similarities: - Faces of Lion, Ox, Man, Eagle - Wings - Eyes - Differences: - 4 Faces Each (instead of each with 1 face) - 4 Wings each (instead of 6) - Additional Information - Human form - Straight Legs - Feet like a Calf (gleaming like burnished bronze) - Human hands under their wings - Each had a Wheel (their spirit) full eyes all around Why the difference? Perhaps it s because this is the Old Testament and the Revelation depiction is post New Testament what must take place after this (Rev. 1:1) Couper Theory on the difference between the Old Testament Living Creatures and the New Testament Living Creatures: The Effects of the Redemption Work of Jesus - The eyes moved from the wheels to ALL OVER the Living Creatures - The eyes are the creatures spirits - There seems to be a physical disconnect from the spirit and the body but they still move together. Separate but Together. - Since the Holy Spirit functions with our spirits, the eyes represent the location of The Holy Spirit on humans - The Holy Spirit moves from being WITH people to being IN people Numbers 11:25, Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied but did not do so again. - The hands are no longer under the wings. Instead, they are replaced by eyes - Human hands no longer are part of the purification process, now people are purified by Jesus and the Spirit (eyes) replaces the need for the human effort (hands) - Feet like a Calf (gleaming like burnished bronze) are gone in Revelation - Our earlier study: Burnished Bronze = The Purifying of Fire on the Altar - Also perhaps indicates the change in the purification process - The Burnished Bronze is no longer on the Creatures but is on Jesus - The wings covered their bodies - In Revelation, the wings are not because John sees the eyes all over the body, even under the wings. - They also seem to be below the Throne Room (not in it) Vs. 22 - Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.
Vs.25-26 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. - In the Old Testament, Heaven was not for Humans. It was only for God and the Angels - Jesus Work of Redemption opened up Heaven for Humans - They moved at times and stayed still at times: - When they moved they sounded like the Almighty - When they stayed still the Almighty would speak * Perhaps unable to have the Spirit of God IN them with constant, intimate communion, they would Be Still and hear His Voice and then Move according to God s bidding therefore representing Him A creature with 6 wings show up in Isaiah 6 - These were called Seraphim Isaiah 6:1-3, In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above Him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory. - Similarities: - 6 wings - Saying the similar words as the 4 Living Creatures in Revelation 4 - Differences: - Seraphim are angels (thought to be of the highest order of angels) - No description of the faces, however, 2 wings were enough to cover there faces - They were calling to one another, the Revelation 4 Living Creatures were leading others in worship - They are Above the Throne instead of Around the Throne * I don t believe these are the same Creatures as the 4 Living Creatures I believe the 4 Living Creatures represent Redeemed Humans and the differences from Ezekiel to Revelation is the Redemption process from Human s Purifying themselves through constant Blood Sacrifices to Jesus Purifying us Once and For All by His Sacrifice Furthermore: The 4 Living Creatures seems to be in contrast with the 4 Beasts - 4 Living Creatures represent Redeemed Human Kind functioning with the Holy Spirit - 4 Beasts are Unredeemed Human Kind functioning with evil spirits Daniel 7:17, The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. - Matched with the 4 Beasts of Revelation, we see these humans functioning with evil spirits: - The Beast that comes up from the Abyss (Revelation 11:7) - The Beast out of the sea (Revelation 13:1) - The Beast out of the earth (Revelation 13:11) - The scarlet Beast with the prostitute riding on it (Revelation 17:3) - Whether Good or Evil - 4 represents the number significant of world-wide extension (the 4 corners of the world) - 4 Directions (East, West, North, South) - This reinforces and highlights the necessity of the collective worshippers worshipping together to be successful in their function (Representing the Full Attributes of God) Now let s look at what they were saying in Revelation 4:8-11: Vs 8, Day and night they never stop saying Continual worship in Heaven! - Worship was never meant to be a moment or a song or a prayer designated to a place or time. True worshippers, are called to worship 24/7. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 34:1, I will extol the Lord at all times His praise will always be on my lips. Proverbs 3:6, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Vs 8, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come Holy = Exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
The Lord God Almighty = There is only 1. There are no competitors. The 3 time attributes, Who was, and is, and is to come, seems to match the 3 Holy s - He always was Holy - He is presently Holy - He always will be Holy - God seems to constantly be reminding us that He is Eternal: - The First and Last - The Alpha and Omega - It is one of the Attributes of God that cannot be copied - It proves that He is a 1 and only! 3 Holy s may also represent the Trinity: - The Father is Holy - The Son is Holy - The Spirit is Holy Vs 9, Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to Him Notice that Glory, Honour and Thanks aren t what they said, it s what they did. - Therefore we need to filter what they did through what they said in the verse before: - Glory - to increase what we know about something - That house looks nice from the outside - More information can Glorify the House: New furnace, air conditioning, new flooring, 10 foot ceilings, new appliances, 3 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms * Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come is to be meditated on - Increase what we know about Your Holiness, Your Might, Your Eternal Presence - Honour - to apply credit to something or someone - We can state facts without honouring someone - Worship ceases to be worship if it isn t attached to someone or something - Vain repetition is not worship * When we say, Holy, holy, holy etc. we need to think about the One who is those things and give Him the credit! - Thanks - an expression of gratitude - As words of worship are said, there needs to be some thankful realities attached to them: - Thank you that there are no competitors to you. As I glorify and honour You, I can never wonder if I have the right Person. - I am undone. I am mortal and your Powerful Essence, without the protection of the Blood of Christ WILL destroy me. - Thank you for listening to me (An expression/sign of His Love) - This should also be a template of OUR worship: Glory ; Honour ; Thanks Vs 9, Who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever Again, God s Eternal attribute is flaunted - Not only will He live forever, He will Reign forever. Never to Die or to be Dethroned - His Reign cannot be copied. It can only be given as a gift. Vs 10, The 24 elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. Notice the repetition for the sake of emphasis. Do not miss these things: - He is on a throne. He is in power. - He lives for ever and ever: He has Eternal qualities that no one else has. No one can knock Him off of His Throne. - Think about our Culture that thinks they are to intelligent to fall for this God stuff - The Created taunt the Creator. But every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess Vs 10, They lay their crowns before the throne and say: They completely let go of their position in Heaven: - They get off their thrones (fall down) - They remove their crowns - You see why in what they say
Crowns represent accomplishments, achievements and life s work - all that you did for Jesus! - What will you be able to cast at Jesus feet when you get to Heaven? Vs 11, You are worthy They are undone. Almost as if they feel their authority is a charade compared to the glory that is in the Centre of the Throne Room There is no pride in the elders position. Pure gratitude. - By what they are doing and saying, they make the statement, YOU!...not us You are Worthy = I see Worth in You - It s more than lip service - When we see something we desire - we automatically worship it - A beautiful Car, Home, Money - If we don t see Worth in God, we will never Truly Worship Him - What Makes God Valuable to you? Vs 11, Our Lord and God The confession of who God is to them. Ownership and acceptance of what they see - Though EVERYONE will bow and confess, these elders chose to during their earthly life and choose to in their heavenly life. Not forced Worship. Willing Worship! Also an expression of attachment (ownership): Our Lord; Our God - They weren t talking about someone else s King - They weren t talking about a King we know about from a different era or realm - This is OUR position in worship as well - Intimacy! Vs 11, to receive glory and honour and power Remember the 4 Living Creatures were giving Glory, Honour and Thanks in their action - They are responding to the 4 living creatures: What they are doing, You are worthy of NOTE: They don t say Thanks, they say, Power Greek Thanks = eucharistia = act grateful; grateful language Greek Power = dunamis = Miraculous Power - Though the elders are thankful, they are more overwhelmed at this point with how Powerful their God is and possibly how powerless they are (without Him) Acts 17:28, For in Him we live, and move, and have our being 2 Corinthians 12:9, But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me. - An important understanding on Earth; also a noted important understanding in Heaven. Vs 11, for You created all things Again, establishing that everything was His Idea! Hebrews 11:3, By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. Vs 11, and by Your will they were created and have their being will = Greek thelema = a Determination; Choice; Purpose Decree; Desire, Pleasure, Will - Also used in Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come. Your will be done - Also used in Matthew 18:14, it is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish Therefore BOTH interpretations of Thelema are required to grasp the text 1. His Pleasure - Refers to: were created (Past) - Genesis: God spoke everything into existence - Then he bends down and forms Man with His Hands and Breaths Life into Him - Job: Our breath is the very presence of God - Very intimate. He was Delighted and Pleased and Excited to Create you for Himself
2. His Choice - Refers to: have their being (Presently) - Creation instantly appeared when God Decided it would - Therefore, Creation could instantly disappear when God Decides it should end - Our existence is at risk at every moment of God changing His mind - The Consciousness: Once you woke up and became (came into being) you were at the mercy of God - Our eternal destiny will always be dependent on God not changing His mind - Everyone, whether believer or non-believer is at the mercy of God - And things haven t gone smoothly for God. His Creation constantly Fails Him and Rebukes Him, Ignores Him, Mocks Him, Denies His Existence with Philosophy - And think about the End Time Events: That s a lot of effort for what return? - But God is not a Human with our Feeble Attributes: - He is Faithful - He is Holy - He is Consistent - He Was, and Is, and Is to come - His is not driven by Selfish motives - HE IS LOVE! (Meditate on that; Eliminating our existence would be more painful for God than letting all of this chaos happen) - God is not there for you; you are here for God - God is not in your story; you are in God s story For Him Who Has Ears to Hear Let Him Hear what the Spirit says to the Churches