CHAPTER IV. _John sees the throne of God in heaven surrounded by twenty-four_ _elders; and four living creatures, full of eyes; which all_ _join in giving glory to the Almighty_, 1-11. NOTES ON CHAP. IV. Verse Revelation 4:1. _A DOOR WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN_] This appears to have been a visible ap... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:2. _I WAS IN THE SPIRIT_] Rapt up in an ecstasy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:3. _AND HE THAT SAT_] There is here no description of the Divine Being, so as to point out any _similitude, shape_, or _dimensions_. The description rather aims to point out the surrounding glory and _effulgence_ than the _person_ of the almighty King. See a similar description Nu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:4. _FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS_] Perhaps this is in reference to the smaller _Sanhedrin_ at Jerusalem, which was composed of twenty-three elders; or to the _princes of the twenty-four courses_ of the Jewish priests which ministered at the tabernacle and the temple, at first appointed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:5. _SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE_] Seven angels, the attendants and ministers of the supreme King. See Revelation 1:4, and the note there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:6. _FOUR BEASTS_] τεσσαρα ζωα _Four living creatures_ or _four animals_. The word _beast_ is very improperly used here and elsewhere in this description. _Wiclif_ first used it, and translators in general have followed him in this uncouth rendering. A _beast_ before the throne of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:7. _THE FIRST BEAST_ WAS _LIKE A LION_] It is supposed that there is a reference here to the _four standards_ or _ensigns_ of the _four divisions_ of the tribes in the Israelitish camp, as they are described by Jewish writers. The first living creature was like a _lion_; this wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:8. _THE FOUR BEASTS HAD EACH OF THEM SIX WINGS_] I have already observed, in the _preface_ to this book, that the _phraseology_ is _rabbinical_; I might have added, and the _imagery_ also. We have almost a counterpart of this description in _Pirkey_ _Elieser_. chap. Revelation 4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:10. _CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE_] Acknowledge the infinite supremacy of God, and that they have derived their being and their blessings from him alone. This is an allusion to the custom of prostrations in the east, and to the homage of petty kings acknowledging the suprem... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 4:11. _THOU ART WORTHY, O LORD, TO RECEIVE_] Thus all creation acknowledges the supremacy of God; and we learn from this song that he _made all things for his pleasure_; and through the same motive he _preserves_. Hence it is most evident, that he hateth nothing that he has made, an... [ Continue Reading ]