Revelation 4:3-11

3 And he that sat, was like [to] the sight of a stone jasper, and to sardine; and a rainbow was in [the] compass of the seat, like [to] the sight of emerald [like to the sight of smaragdus].

4 And in the compass of the seat were four and twenty small seats; and above the thrones four and twenty elder men sitting, covered about with white clothes [And in compass of the seat were four and twenty small seats; and upon the thrones four and twenty elders sitting, girded about with white clothes], and in the heads of them golden crowns.

5 And lightnings, and voices, and thunderings came out of the throne; and seven lamps burning before the throne, which be the seven spirits of God.

6 And before the seat as a sea of glass, like [to] crystal, and in the middle of the seat, and in the compass [and in compass] of the seat, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast like a lion; and the second beast like a calf; and the third beast having a face as of a man [and the third beast having a face as a man]; and the fourth beast like an eagle flying.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings; and all about [and in compass] and within they were full of eyes; and they had not rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God almighty, that was, and that is, and that is to coming [and that is to come].

9 And when those four beasts gave glory, and honour, and blessing to him that sat on the throne, that liveth into worlds of worlds,

10 the four and twenty elder men [the four and twenty elders] fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth into worlds of worlds. And they cast their crowns before the throne, and said [saying],

11 Thou, Lord our God, art worthy to take glory, and honour, and virtue; for thou madest of nought all things, and for thy will those were [and for thy will they were], and be made of nought.

Revelation 4:3-11 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.