> [[revelation-03|← Previous]] | [[revelation-00|TOC]] | [[revelation-05|Next →]] --- # Revelation, Chapter 4 ## Chapter 4 **Vision of Heavenly Worship.** 1 After this I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.” ^revelation-04-1 2 At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat ^revelation-04-2 3 one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald. ^revelation-04-3 4 Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. ^revelation-04-4 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. ^revelation-04-5 6 In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. ^revelation-04-6 In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. 7 The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. ^revelation-04-7 8 The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: ^revelation-04-8 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ^revelation-04-9 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming: ^revelation-04-10 11 “Worthy are you, Lord our God, ^revelation-04-11 to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.” \* (4:1] – [11) The seer now describes a vision of the heavenly court in worship of God enthroned. He reverently avoids naming or describing God but pictures twenty-four elders in priestly and regal attire (([[revelation-04|Rv 4]]:4]) and God’s throne and its surroundings made of precious gems and other symbols that traditionally express the majesty of God (([[revelation-04|Rv 4]]:5] – [6]). Universal creation is represented by the four living creatures (([[revelation-04|Rv 4]]:6] – [7]). Along with the twenty-four elders, they praise God unceasingly in humble [[adoration|Adoration]] (([[revelation-04|Rv 4]]:8] – [11]). \* (4:1) The ancients viewed heaven as a solid vault, entered by way of actual doors. \* (4:2] – [8) Much of the imagery here is taken from [Ez 1] and [10]. \* (4:4) Twenty-four elders: these represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles; cf. [Rv 21:12] – [14]. \* (4:5) Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder: as in other descriptions of God’s appearance or activity; cf. ([[revelation-08|Rv 8]]:5]; [11:19]; [16:18]; ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:16]; ([[ezekiel-01|Ez 1]]:4], [13]. The seven spirits of God: the seven “angels of the presence” as in ([[revelation-08|Rv 8]]:2] and [Tb 12:15]. \* (4:6) A sea of glass like crystal: an image adapted from ([[ezekiel-01|Ez 1]]:22] – [26]. Four living creatures: these are symbols taken from ([[ezekiel-01|Ez 1]]:5] – [21]; they are identified as cherubim in [[ezekiel-10|Ez 10]]:20. Covered with eyes: these suggest God’s knowledge and concern. \* (4:7) Lion,calf,human being,eagle: these symbolize, respectively, what is noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest in creation. Calf: traditionally translated “ox,” the Greek word refers to a heifer or young bull. Since the second century, these four creatures have been used as symbols of the evangelists Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John, respectively. \* (4:8) Six wings: like the seraphim of [Is 6:2]. a. (4:2] – [3) [Is 6:1] / ([[ezekiel-01|Ez 1]]:26] – [28]. b. (4:4) [[isaiah-24|Is 24]]:23. c. (4:6) ([[exodus-24|Ex 24]]:10]. d. (4:8) [Is 6:2] – [3] / ([[revelation-01|Rv 1]]:4], [8]; [11:17]; [16:5]. e. (4:11) ([[romans-04|Rom 4]]:17]; [16:27]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[revelation-03|← Previous]] | [[revelation-00|TOC]] | [[revelation-05|Next →]]