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revelation 4
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==revelation 4:1:
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After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
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Revelation 4:1 describes the Apostle John looking up and seeing a door opened in heaven, through which he hears a voice that sounds like a trumpet inviting him to come up to heaven to see the things that will take place after this. This open door symbolizes access to divine revelation, allowing John to enter and witness God's throne room and the future events that will unfold.
John's vision begins with this open door, which represents an opportunity to see heavenly things. The same voice that spoke to John in Revelation chapter 1 calls to him, using a trumpet-like sound to get his attention. The voice gives the command, "Come up here," and promises to reveal what must happen in the future. John is immediately transported into a spiritual state, allowing him to see heavenly realities. The open door signifies that heaven is accessible to John, symbolizing the availability of divine insight and revelation from God. Through this open door, John receives a glimpse into heavenly realities, setting the stage for the visions of the throne room that follow. The invitation to "Come up here" is a call to John to witness God's plan unfold from a heavenly perspective, enabling him to communicate these future events to others. |
==revelation 4:2-7:
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
==revelation 4:8-11:
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8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” |
Notice the submission made by falling down and casting their crowns before the throne. “They worship..saying” and then follows a beautiful and majestic verbal expression of adoration. By definition, worship is directed to God, yet the glorification or God is magnified when words of adoration are heard by others.
In the four living creatures, each of them with six wings are full of eyes all around and within and day and night. They never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” This chapter, Revelation Chapter Four contains one of the most glorious pictures of God on his throne, which obviously there is so much imagery here, and all over Revelation for that matter, that just sends our imaginations running wild. -Radical
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The rewards and crowns received at the judgment seat of Christ are not to be displayed in our heavenly homes but will be used to cast before the feet of our Lord and Savior as an act of gratitude. Revelation 4:9-11 makes this clear.