Revelation 4:1-5

The Throne in Heaven

1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God.

Revelation 4:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 4

This chapter contains an account of the second vision John saw, as preparatory to the sealed book, and the opening of it, as the first vision was to the epistles to the seven churches. The preface to this vision, or the introduction to it, and preparation of John for it, are in Re 4:1,2, which declare the time of it, the position John was in, what he saw and heard, a call to him to come up, and the effect it had upon him; and then follows the vision itself, which is of a throne, described by the place where it was set, in heaven; and by him that sat upon it, Re 4:2, who was like to a jasper and a sardine stone; and by what was about it, first a rainbow of an emerald colour, Re 4:3, then four and twenty seats, with as many elders upon them, sitting clothed and crowned, Re 4:4, and by what went out from it, lightnings, thunderings, and voices; and by what were before it, seven burning lamps, which are the seven spirits of God, Re 4:5, and a sea of glass like crystal; and by what were between it all around, and the elders, four living creatures, described in general by their being full of eyes, before and behind, Re 4:6, in particular, the first by its likeness to a lion, the second by its likeness to a calf, the third by its likeness to a man, and the fourth by its likeness to a flying eagle, Re 4:7, and by what were common to them, first by their wings, of which they had each of them six; and by their eyes, they were full of within; and by their constant employment in celebrating the perfections of God, and in giving glory, honour, and thanks unto him, Re 4:8,9, at which time also the four and twenty elders appear in a worshipping posture, and give adoration to God; partly by deeds, casting their crowns before his throne; and partly by words, ascribing glory, honour, and power to him; giving a reason for it, taken from his creating all things for his pleasure, Re 4:10,11.

Cross References 15

  • 1. S Matthew 3:16
  • 2. Revelation 1:10
  • 3. Revelation 11:12
  • 4. Revelation 1:19; Revelation 22:6
  • 5. S Revelation 1:10
  • 6. ver 9,10; 1 Kings 22:19; Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 20:11
  • 7. Revelation 21:11
  • 8. Revelation 21:20
  • 9. Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 10:1
  • 10. Revelation 21:19
  • 11. ver 10; Rev 5:6,8,14; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 19:4
  • 12. S Revelation 3:4,5
  • 13. Exodus 19:16; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18
  • 14. Zechariah 4:2
  • 15. S Revelation 1:4

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, the sevenfold Spirit
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