Revelation Chapter 4

From The Open Bible Project

4:1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this."

• (1) Hereafter follows the second part of this book, altogether prophetical foretelling those things which were to come, as was said in (Revelation 1:19). This is divided into two histories: one common to the whole world, till Chapter 9 and another unique to the Church of God, till Chapter 22. These histories are said to be described in several books (Revelation 5:1,10:2). Now this verse is a passage from the former part to this second: where it is said, that heaven was opened, that is, that heavenly things were unlocked and that a trumpet sounded in heaven, to stir up the apostle, and call him to the understanding of things to come. The first history has two parts: one the causes of things done and of this whole revelation in this next chapter, another of the acts done in the next four chapters. The principal causes according to the economy or dispensation of it, are two: One the beginning, which none can approach, that is, God the Father, of whom is spoken in this chapter. The other, the Son, who is the secondary cause, easy to be approached, in that he is God and man in one person; (Revelation 5:5-9).

4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne

• (2) The manner of revelation:
• (a) See (Revelation 1:10). (3) A description of God the Father, and of his glory in the heavens, explained to men by his office, nature, attending company, effect, instruments and events that follow afterwards. In this verse he is presented in office as a judge as Abraham said; (Genesis 18:25) which is declared by his throne as sign of judgment, and his sitting on it.

4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

• (4) By his nature, in that he is the Father, most glorious in his own person, and with his glory outshining all other things.

4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

• (5) By the company attending about him in that, as that most high Judge, he is accompanied with the most honourable attendance of prophets and apostles both of the old and new Church, whom Christ has made to be priests and kings; (Revelation 1:6, [{Revelation 5]]:10).

4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

• (6) By effects, in that most mightily he speaks all things by his voice and word, (Psalms 29:3) and with the light of his Spirit and prudence peruses and passes through all.

4:6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

• (7) By instruments used, in that he has both a most ready treasury and a workhouse excellently furnished with all things, to the executing of his will, which things flow from his commandment, as repeated in (Revelation 15:2) and has also the angels ready administers of his counsel and pleasure to all parts of the world, continually watching, (in this verse) working by reason otherwise than the instruments without life last mentioned, courageous as lions, mighty as bulls, wise as men, swift as eagles (Revelation 4:7) most apt to all purposes as furnished with wings on every part, most piercing of sight, and finally, pure and holy spirits always in continual motion (Revelation 4:8).

4:7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

4:8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "[15] Holy, holy, holy [See Revelation Footnotes 15] is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"

• (b) Every beast had six wings.
• (8) By events, in that for all the causes before mentioned, God is glorified both by angels, as holy, Judge, omnipotent, eternal and immutable and also after their example he is glorified by holy men (Revelation 4:9) in sign and speech (Revelation 4:10).

4:9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,

• (c) God is said to have glory, honour, kingdom, and such like given to him, when we godly and reverently set forth that which is properly and only his.

4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,

• (9) Three signs of divine honour given to God, prostration or falling down, adoration and casting their crowns before God: in which the godly, though made kings by Christ, willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious respect for the majesty of God.

4:11 "Worthy are you, our Lord [16] and God, the Holy One, [See Revelation Footnotes 16] to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!"

• (10) The sum of their speech: that all glory must be given to God: the reason, because he is the eternal beginning of all things, from whose only will they have their being, and are governed: and finally in all respects are that which they are.
• (11) That is, that you should challenge the same to yourself alone. But as for us, we are unworthy, that even by your goodness we should share in this glory. So far has been discussed the principal cause unapproachable, which is God.