Revelation 4

From hence to the end of the seventh chapter there is described the second Vision, containg the first prophecy of the things that were afterwards to come to pass. 1. Where in the first place there is showed to the Apostle a Royal Throne in the opened heaven, 2. And the glory of God sitting upon the throne, 3. And afterwards 24. Elders sitting round about the Throne, together with thundering, lightnings, and burning lamps, 4. And a sea of glass, and four beasts and the 24. Elders sang unto God, 9.

1. After this [Viz. the first Vision being finished] I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I had heard, [viz. chapter 1. Ver. 10. Which was the voice of Christ, whose glory is described there, and whose words here do agree with those explained, ch. 3. 1] speaking with me as a trumpet, said, come up here, and I will show thee what must come to pass [in regards of God’s providence, as in the world in general, so especially in the Church of God, for a punishment to the bad, and the trial and comfort of the good, as chapter 1. 1. And 22. 6.] hereafter. [i.e. from henceforth unto the end of the world, as is made plain afterwards by the Revelation it self.]

2. And forthwith I became in the Spirit: [i.e. fell into a new trance or rapture of my sences through the Spirit, as above, chapter 1. 10.] and behold there was a Throne set in heaven, [many compare this Vision with that which Isaia saw, chapter 6. 1. And Ezekiel, chap, 1. 4. Representing the Majesty of God in heaven: and there are doubtless divers things in this Vision, which are common to those others. Yet this is observable, that this Vision as well as those, borrowed many things from the Tabernacle or Temple of the Old Testament, which Moseh was charged to make according to the pattern showed him in the mount, as is to be seen, Exodus 25:8, 9, 40. Hebrews 8:5. And 9. 24. By which observation, many parts and properties of this and the following Visions are so much the better understood, as will appear further by the sequel] and there sat one [viz. God the Father, who gave this revelation to Christ, as is expressed, chapter 1. 1. And which appears also from comparing the 6. And 7. Verses of the next chapter Where Christ takes the book out of his hand that sat upon the throne] upon the throne. [viz. as a Judge of all, but especially as King and Protector of his Church; and it is to be noted, that this throne from whence the thundering issued forth, is said to be in the Temple of Heaven, chapter 6. 17, 18. As also that the Altar is said to stand before this throne of God, chapter 8. 3. And 9. 13. In which Temple the Ark of the Testimony is seen, chapter 11. 19. And thence the Angels are sent forth as Cherubims from the presence of God, chapter 14, 15, 17, 18. All which and other the like things have respect to the type of the Temple and Tabernacle though here they are seen in heaven.]

3. And he that sat thereon was in regard like unto the stone of Jasper and Sardias: and there was a rain-bow round about the throne, [Hereby is fitly represented God’s covenant of grace with his Church, that namely, notwithstanding all the storms and tempests of persecution and other troubles they must encounter with in this unsteady world, yet he will never suffer them to perish, as God spake once of the waters of the deluge, Genesis 9:12. & c.] in regard like unto the Emarald stone. [by the three precious stones mentioned in this verse, whereof the first is of various colours, the record of a bright carnation, and the third of a lively green, there is aptly represented here the manifold glory, and yet withal the unchangeableness of God’s being, illustrating all things with his glory, and supporting them with his strength. And it is remarkable, that here is no similitude or shape of God’s countenance described, that men might not take occasion hence to make his Image; as Moses expressly showeth, why God appeared on mount Horeb in fire, Deuteronomy 9:15. And therefore in the apparitions, Isa. 6. Ezek. 1. And 10. & Dan. 7. There is no peculiar shape of the face expressed. The Israelites also in the Old Testament, never durst, under the pretence of any such apparition exhibited unto the Prophets, make any image or portrait of God, as likewise the Apostles and the primitive church in the Apostles times, never attempted to practice, it being so directly against God’s express commands, Deuteronomy 4:15, 23. Isaiah 40:18. Acts 17:29. Romans 1:23.]

4. And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw the four and twenty Elders sitting [These 24. Elders some do take to betoken the twelve Patriarchs and the twelve Apostles, as leaders of the whole Church of the old and new Testament. But John as one of the Apostles being himself alive yet, and this Vision being represented in heaven, others do here understand all the leaders of the Old Testament: and the comparison to be taken from the Priests and Levites which ministered in the Temple, and were divided into 24. Orders, and had therefore 24. Leaders, which went before all the Israelitish Church, as we read, 1 Chr. 24.] clothed in white raiment, [which betokeneth their holy and Priestly function, and their having overcome] and they had golden crowns upon their heads. [whereby is signified the Royal dignity which they received in and from Christ, as overcomers and conquerors of Satan and the world, chapter 6. 1.]

5. And from the throne there issued forth lightnings, and thunderclaps, and voices, [Hereby is set forth the powerful working of God and his word, said to come forth out of the Temple of Heaven, chapter 16. 17.] and seven fiery lamps were burning before the throne, [viz. even as there were seven lamps on the candlestick in the Tabernacle, which were always to be supplied with oil and kept burning, whereof see the signification above chapter 1. 4.] which are the seven spirits of God. [i.e. the holy Ghost with the variety of his gifts, and the Church of Christ. See chapter 1. 4.]

6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like Crystal, [This Comparison is likewise taken from the Temple, or Tabernacle, where there was a great Copper Vessel kept full of water, called the Copper, or molten Sea, 1 kings 7. 23. Which is said here to be of Crystal, because it was altogether visible and transparent before the throne of God: and it signifies the multitude of Nations in the World, who are often stirred this way and that way, but continue still in the presence, and under the power of God, and may easily be broken or calmed. Thus the word waters, whereof the sea is a gathering, is explained hereafter by the Angel, chapter 17. 15.] and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four beasts, being full of eyes, from before and from behind. [Some do hereby understand, the four beasts which Ezekiel treats of, chapter 1. And 10. In the like Vision, whereby the Angels of God are there signified; yet it appears plainly by the sequel, chapter 5. 9. That here by these beasts, men are to be understood, such as were redeemed by the blood of Christ, out of people, tongues and nations; as also the twenty four Elders before mentioned, both which are plainly differenced from the Angels, chapter 7. 11. Therefore others interpret this of the their great knowledge in Christ’s life and actions: and had six wings, having diligently searched and dived into the life, death and glory of Christ, on all sides, and imparted the same unto us, that we might obtain everlasting life by it through Christ, on all sides, and imparted the same unto us, that we might obtain everlasting life by it through Christ: of whom Matthew is said to have a face as a man, he having most evidently testified of Christ’s incarnation. Mark that of a Lion, as beginning his Gospel with the call and cry of John the Baptist in the wilderness. Luke that of Calf, or Bullock, because of the Relation he makes of Zacharia, that offered in the Temple: and John is likened to an Eagle, as beginning his Gospel with the high and transcendent birth of the Son of God, out of the Father. And this opinion is very ancient in the Christian Church: nevertheless John living on earth yet, and they also singing, chapter 5. 8. That they are redeemed with the blood of Christ, out of all Tongues and Nations, whereas the four Evangilists were only of the Jews; therefore others take it as sittingly, for the Pastors and leaders of the New Testament in general, which are said to be four, because the Gospel was spread by them towards the four corners, or quarters of the world, and that the Apostle Paul expresseth four several orders of them, Ephe. 4. 11. Viz. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Pastors, or Teachers, who in their office, in Christ’s matters, ought to be endued with the courage of a Lion, the patience and perseverance of an ox, the prudence and discretion of man, and the searching and soaring of an Eagle; wherefore also many eyes and wings are here ascribed unto them.]

7. And the first beast was like unto a Lion, and the second beast like unto a Calf, and the third beast had the face of a Man, and the fourth beast was like to a flying Eagle:

8. And the four beasts had each of them for himself, six wings round about, and within they were full of eyes, and they take no rest. [i.e. they never cease thanking and praising God before his throne] day and night, [evermore, perpetually, for in the Heavenly Jerusalem there is no night at all, but an everlasting day, enlightened by God and the Lamb, chapter 21. 23, 25.] saying; Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, that was, and that is, and that is to come.

9. And when the beasts gave glory, and honour, and thanksgiving, to him that sat upon the throne, [i.e. acknowledged his glory and honour with a thankful heart, as Joshua 7:19.] that liveth in all eternity. [Gr. In the eternities of eternities, as also in the next verse.]

10. Then the four and twenty Elders fell down before him, that sat upon the throne, and worshipped him that liveth in all eternity; and cast down their crowns, before the throne. [Not to deprive themselves of them, but to show their acknowledgment, that overcoming came not from themselves, but from him that sat upon the throne, which they testified by this their falling down, and casting off their crowns] saying;

11. Thou Lord art worthy to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power; [i.e. that all the world should acknowledge thy Glory to exceed all other, and worship thee as God above all, and stand in awe of thy power, as almighty] for thou hast created all things thy will, they are, and were created. [They are existent, subsisting still so as they were created, Romans 11:30.]