Revelation 4

Revelation 4:3

God’s being like the whitish transparent jasper denotes his infinite holiness and glory; the marvellously-mingled display of his perfections in his works of providence and grace; and his gracious regard to his people. His likeness to the bloody-coloured sardine denotes his justice and fiery indignation against his enemies. The greenish rainbow round about the throne represents the covenant of grace as ever in God’s eye, and the perpetual rule of all that he does in the government of the world or the church

Revelation 4:4

The twenty four crowned elders represent the saints of the Old and New Testament enjoying fixed and familiar fellowship with God, by virtue of the covenant of grace; and they are called twenty-four, in allusion to the courses of the Hebrew priests; or the twelve patriarchs of the Jewish church, and twelve apostolic founders of the Christian

Revelation 4:5

The seven lamps of fire before the throne represent the Holy Ghost in the variety and perfection of his gifts and graces, which he distributes for enlightening, purifying, and warming, the souls of his ministers and people

Revelation 4:6

The clear sea of glass before the throne is Jesus’ blood, in which all the redeemed worshippers must be washed from their iniquities. 6—8. The four living creatures, full of eyes before, behind, and within, denote gospel ministers, sent to preach the gospel to all the ends of the earth, remarkable for spiritual knowledge, prudence, and exact observation and attention to receive direction and influences from God, and to watch over and feed their people, and to look well into, and keep, their own hearts. Their having six wings each denotes their readiness, alacrity, and diligence, in their work. Their being likened to lions, oxen, men, eagles, denotes their undaunted boldness and courage; patience and fitness for labour; wisdom, prudence, and compassion; deep penetration into the mysteries of God; sublime sentiments and devotion; together with their eminent zeal, activity, and vigour, in the service of God

Revelation 4:10

The elders falling down and casting their crowns before the throne, denote their deep humility, holy reverence, and profound adoration; and their professing themselves unworthy of any honour in God’s presence, and that all their honour proceeds from him

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Great in the mercy that an abundant careless REPLACTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Great is the mercy that an abundant entrance 149. 167* into heaven is opened, by Jesus’ blood, for every one washed in it. Happy are they who, directed and drawn by the Holy Ghost, now enter by faith as a pledge and earnest of their personal admission hereafter! With what awful majesty and grandeur, new covenant faithfulness and grace towards his people, and just terribleness to his enemies, nay, with all-adorable perfections, does God manifest himself on his imperial throne! Yea, high are the honours to which his servants and people are exalted in connection with him; and profound their holy reverence, and cordial their adoration of him. Faithful ministers ought to be filled with spiritual knowledge; and should be prudent, vigilant, courageous, laborious, compassionate, and active, in the discharge of their office, and in the exercise of their gifts and graces, under the direction and assistance of the Holy Ghost. With diligent care should they lead the religion and worship of the churches, and unweariedly ascribe to God alone all the glories of Godhead, and of the works of creation, providence, and redemption