CHAPTER IV.
Chapter four begins a new section of Revelation. This section
terminates with chapter eleven which reaches the climax at that point
with the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the judgments upon the
first great persecutor of the Christian church. Some interpreters
carry the seventh tru... [ Continue Reading ]
John's vision begins with a door opened into heaven; looking into
heaven. The vision he sees is introductory to what follows. He is now
preparing his readers for the immediate and main purpose of his
writing. The immediate purpose is to meet the moral needs of God's
persecuted people, not to amuse t... [ Continue Reading ]
He saw a throne and one sat on it, brilliant as precious stones, and a
rainbow round the throne. It was not said, who that was, but there can
be no doubt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here are twenty-four seats and twenty-four elders in white garments
and wearing crowns of gold. Who are they? Well, we see that they offer
intelligent worship, they explain certain things to John, they are
personal beings, but not angels. Since they sing: "Thou hast redeemed
us to God by thy blood,... [ Continue Reading ]
Seven lamps are before the throne. In Revelation 1:4, the lamps are
the churches, but here they are said to be the seven spirits of God.
It is important to observe that symbols are not always uniform.... [ Continue Reading ]
John next sees four beasts full of eyes before and behind, bearing a
general resemblance to a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle. Each has
wings and eyes, and they rest not day or night, saying: "Holy, holy,
etc." Our first impression is that here is all animate creation
worshipping God. We like to t... [ Continue Reading ]
These living ones give glory and honor and thanks to him that sits
upon the throne; and the twenty four elders representing the redeemed
of earth, fall down before him that liveth forever and ever and cast
their crowns before the throne saying: "Thou art worthy, Lord, to
receive glory and honor, and... [ Continue Reading ]