Revelation 4

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

After this, I looked up, and, behold, the heaven seemed to open itself to me, and a large door appeared to be set wide open therein: and, as my eye was taken up with this sight, so my ear was filled with the sound of a voice from thence; which was strong and loud, as of a trumpet, talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter accomplished.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

And immediately I had, in a further continuation of this vision, represented to me a glorious throne, which was set in heaven, and a person of great glory sitting on the throne.

Revelation 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

And he, that sat upon it, was God the Father; full of resplendence and majesty; having a shining brightness, like to the most sparkling precious stones: and the throne was encompassed about with a glorious rainbow, in the mixture of the colours whereof the green smaragd-like colour was most eminent; to impart that gracious and comfortable reconciliation, which is betwixt God and his people.

Revelation 4:4

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats of state or judicature: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty ancient and majestical persons sitting, which were the Patriarchs and Prophets of the Old Testament, and the Apostles and Evangelists of the New, and the Saints of both; which were honoured with their participation of glory, and their assistance of the righteous judgment of God: and these Elders, to signify that perfect righteousness and glory wherewith they were invested, were clothed in white raiment, and had crowns of gold upon their heads.

Revelation 4:6

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

And, to import how clear and transparent all things are before the face of God, there was before the throne a sea of glass, like unto crystal; and round about and under the throne, as supporters of the frame thereof, were Angels of several ranks and employments; all of them, to signify their great knowledge and perspicacity, were full of eyes before and behind.

Revelation 4:7

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

And these Angels had forms answerable to those eminent graces that were in them; as those which were stout and majestical as lions, strong as bulls, wise as men, swift as eagles.

Revelation 4:8

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, &c.

And those Angels, to shew their agility and readiness to execute the will and pleasure of God, had each of them six wings; and, to express their exquisite knowledge, they were full of eyes within: and they never cease landing and praising the Lord, with the joyful acclamations of Holy, &c.

Revelation 4:10

And cast their crowns before the throne.

And, as ascribing all thanks and praise to God for his mercy in glorifying them, and in an humble acknowledgment of all power and majesty to be derived from him, they did cast their crowns before the throne.