Revelation Chapters 4 and 5

Verses 1-5

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. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, fa throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 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. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw mfour and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.[1]

Verse 1

After this – Does not mean anything in a particular chronological order, but after the previous vision he’d seen, hearing the letters to the church.

The voice which I first heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me – This voice is and person is described in the first chapter as Jesus Christ.

Come up hither – This is an invitation to John (more of a command) to come and see the events that must take place. It is here where John will see most of the vision of the tribulation period.

Things which must be hereafter – The first portion of Revelation, chapters two and three, were written of churches that currently existed and dealt with problems they presently had. This next vision will deal with things to take place in the future.

Verse 2

Immediately I was in the Spirit – It is unclear and debated whether John’s spirit had gone up to Heaven to see these visions or if this is all seen in visionary. In any case, John’s body would continue to reside where it was on the Island Patmos.

A throne was set in Heaven – Everything we shall see in chapters four and five center around the throne or the person who is sitting on the throne. A throne has represented power and authority. In Revelation three, those who overcome are promised a seat at the throne and in this chapter we first see these images.

One sat on the throne – An important reminder that God has not left His throne. He still sits and rules from His throne and He is still sovereign over His creation.

Verse 3

He that sat was to look upon – John has been careful to not describe the appearance of God. He does, however, concede to tell us that He looked like a Jasper, which we know as a somewhat opaque stone, but in this case is clear, almost diamond-like. And a Sardine stone, which is a coppery reddish stone. The Jasper and the Sardine stones were the first and last stones worn on the high priests breast.

There was a rainbow round about the throne – I love what Kendell Easley had to say about this: “Whether this encircled the throne horizontally or vertically or was like an aura or halo we don’t know. The only rainbows mentioned in Scripture are these: the beautiful but fleeting covenant rainbow of Noah’s time (Gen. 9:13–16) and the beautiful but everlasting rainbow surrounding beings in heaven (Ezek. 1:28; Rev. 4:3; 10:1). When God made the rainbow a sign of his covenant with humanity, he took something from his eternal throne and endowed it with fresh meaning. At the same time, the rainbow around the throne of heaven has become an eternal reminder of God’s covenant promise to humanity.[2]”

Verse 4

Twenty-four seats – Around the central throne of God there are twenty-four lesser thrones.

Twenty-four elders – The identity of these elders are not specified, but they are human. The fact that they had on their heads crowns of gold tells us they are saved people. It has been expressed that twenty-four could represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, together representing all of who would be saved. Some have speculated that while that is what it could represent, that it is not the twelve sons nor the twelve apostles. It has also been suggested that this could be symbolic of the twenty-four orders of the priesthood.

In any case, the identify of who these people are is left unknown.

Verse 5

The great and heavenly throne is accompanied by lightnings and thunderings and voices.

Seven lamps of fire which are the seven Spirits of God – This should be understood as describing the Holy Spirit and not seven individual spirits. With the description of Him who sits on the throne and the Spirit, the stage is now set to reveal Jesus as the Lamb who was Slain in the next chapter.

Verses 6-11

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. 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. 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, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and hhonour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and hhonour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.[3]

Verse 6

A sea of glass, like unto a crystal – Surrounding the throne is what John describes as a sea of glass, perfectly clear, and like a crystal. It has been debated what the sea of glass is, but it is the finest of glass. The best connection to understand the sea of glass is reminiscent of the washing of the water of the word.

Four beasts, full of eyes before and behind – John focuses on the beasts in this chapter more than any other created being. They captive him as they are full of eyes, before and behind. This represents seeing, and with seeing wisdom. They careful observe and see all that is around them.

David Guzik says “These beings of great intelligence and understanding live their existence to worship God. All failure to truly worship is rooted in a lack of seeing and understanding.[4]”

Verse 7

Lion, calf, man, eagle – It has been widely debated the meaning of these images. Some have said that Lion, represents the king of the beast, where the calf, represents the most powerful of domesticated animals. Man, representing God’s chief creation, and the Eagle, representative of the birds. That together, they represent all of the created beasts.

Others have said that they are attributes of God, the Lion, indicating majesty and omnipotence. The ox, patient and hard working. Man, Intelligence, and the eagle, representing supreme sovereignty.

Another view presenting is that of all representing Christ through the gospels, the Lion, as the Lion of Judah in Matthew. The ox, as the humble servant in Mark. Man, as Christ in the flesh in Luke, and the Eagle, as the divine Son in John.

Which, if any of these, are the correct meaning is unclean and they are not interpreted for us. We can learn from each of these meanings, in the first, that creation is meant to glorify and praise God, and so should we. We can learn of God’s attributes, and we can look to Christ as the Lion of Judah, who faithfully served us on the cross as God in the flesh.

Verse 8

They rest not day and night – We know there is no day or night in Heaven. Nevertheless, Johns meaning is clearly understood. They were created to worship continually. They never stop singing, they never stop praising.

Holy, holy, holy – The three fold declaration of holy describes God’s holy nature and character.

Who was, and is, and is to come – First expressed in chapter one, this describes God’s eternal nature. God was, before creation and time began, God is today, and God will be with each tomorrow.

Lord God, Almighty – Almighty is the sense of the phrase “sovereign one” and carries with it the idea that God alone is sovereign. He has His hand on everything, He is in control of the cosmos.

Verse 9

The worship of the beasts prompt the elders into worship.

Who lives forever and ever – Another description of God’s eternal nature.

Verse 10

Fall down – This is the formal position of worship, laid out in prostrate that is common in the Middle East.

Worship – That is, to credit worthiness to.

Cast their crowns before the throne – Though we will be given crowns of reward, we shall cast them back to Jesus, because He is the one who earned the crown. He is the one worthy.

To receive glory, and honour, and power – If God is worthy of the glory, and honor, and power, then He should get the crown.

Verse 11

In this verse, God is worthy because He is the creator and we were created for His pleasure. While this is a very true and valid reason, later God will be deemed worthy for He has been slain to redeem (purchase) us to God with His blood.

Chapter 5

Verse 1

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.[1]

This scroll has been highly debated about what it is, as it is untitled. A few things that are interesting about this scroll and require some discussion.

Written within and on the backside – Scrolls were typically written only on the inside, along the lines of the papyrus stems that formed the inside of the document. It became much more difficult to write on the outside and would have been an uncommon sight.

The image of the scroll written inside and out is that of a scroll containing almost too much information. At this point, the data contained in the scroll is unknown, but shall be revealed in the next chapter.

This scroll is likely an allusion to the scroll in Ezekiel 2:9-10, which is offered, unrolled, and is written on both sides of it lament and mourning and woe.

Sealed with seven seals – A document would be rolled up (a scroll) and then tied with a string around it. The actual seal was a stamped piece of wax that would be placed over the knot of the string. It is uncommon to seal a document with seven seals and this shows that the document is sealed completely.

In the roman period, a last will and testament was required to be sealed with seven seals. Only the authorized person could open the seals. There is probability this hints as to the purpose of this scroll, as it’s contents will be revealed as the judgements of the earth, God’s last actions He shall take with this world before He ushers in the New Heavens and New Earth.

Others have speculated that the scroll is the deed to the earth.

Verses 2-4

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.[2]

Verse 2

A strong angel – This angel is supernaturally strong and mighty.

Proclaiming with a loud voice – This is the first of twenty occurrences in Revelation of an angel with a loud voice. In this chapter, the idea is that his voice penetrated the cosmos, the entirety of creation.

Who is worthy? – The angel issues a challenge and he searches the universe, to the far reaches. He searches the heavens above, the earth, and below the earth. That is, he searches all of creation for one worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof. The angel is not looking for someone powerful, or who can claim a legal right, but he is looking for someone worthy.

Verse 3

And no man in heaven… Earth… Under the earth – After searching far and wide he has found himself unable to locate anyone from within creation to open the seals of the scroll. The reality is, though we may be justified, we are not worthy. As we will see in the next passage, Christ is worthy to open the seals. What does this tell us?

It tells us that contrary to the beliefs of some denominations, such as the Mormon church, Jesus is not a created being. For of all the creation, not one was worthy to open the scroll. That means Jesus must exist outside of creation.

Verse 4

And I wept much – John weeps, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. John has this overwhelming sense of hopelessness. If no one can open the book, then, he begins to think, God’s plan is stopped in it’s tracks. The thought of the book remaining sealed and the progression of the plan stopping had caused much grief and pain to John.

Verses 5-7

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood oa Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.[3]

Verse 5

One of the elders said to me – For the majority of the book and his visions, John is alone. There are few places where he is guided or given interpretation from a visitor. In most cases, this is with the guidance of an angel, though, here and in chapter seven one of the elders will perform this task.

Weep not – This should be translated literally as “stop crying.”

Behold, the lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David – John is informed that one has been found worthy to take the scroll. The lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David. This Messianic title comes from Genesis 49:9-10, Isaiah 31:4, and Hosea 11:10.

Hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals – The phrase, “hath prevailed” indicated He has already been given the victory. He is worthy is the open the book and break the seals.

Verse 6

And I beheld, and lo – John is told of the Lion of Judah that is worthy to open the book, and he turns to see this lion.

In the midst of the throne… four beasts…elders – Some commentators would state that the Lion was next to the throne, but Johns vision gives the image of the Lion being in the center of everything. He is in the center of the throne. He is in the center of the beasts, and the elders, and the angels. Christ is in the center of all creation.

A Lamb – John turns to see the Lion the elder tells him of, and turns to see instead, a Lamb. The Lion represents the power and strength of the Lord to rule, but the Lamb represents the one who was the sacrificial offering for our sins.

As if it had been slain – John was used to seeing slain animals on the markets, and slain lambs in the Levitical sacrificial system. Here, at the end of times, thousands of years after the cross, the wounds are as fresh as the day it happened. This is the evidence that the atonement is all covering throughout the ages, prior to and long after, the cross.

Pastor Clarke says of the Lamb, as if it had been slain:

“As if now in the act of being offered. This is very remarkable; so important is the sacrificial offering of Christ in the sight of God that he is still represented as being in the very act of pouring out his blood for the offences of man. This gives great advantage to faith; when any soul comes to the throne of grace, he finds a sacrifice there provided for him to offer to God. Thus all succeeding generations find they have the continual sacrifice ready, and the newly-shed blood to offer.[4]”

Seven horns – The symbol of power, the Lamb is no object of pity, but has the sign of omnipotence. This is the sign of the Lion of Judah.

Seven eyes – The symbol of wisdom and knowledge, He has the sign of omniscience. Nothing escapes the all-knowing God, and He has wisdom and power fulfilled.

The seven Spirits of God – That is, the Holy Spirit appears in vey close connection to Jesus as He does with the Father. The Holy Spirit proceeds forth equally from the Son as He does the Father, and it was of Christ the Spirit was sent into all the earth on the day of Pentecost.

Verse 7

No created being was worthy to take the scroll, but the Lamb, Christ who is God was worthy, and He takes the scroll from the one seated on the throne (The Father).

Verses 8-10

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.[5]

Verse 8

When He had taken the book – It is at the moment that Christ takes the book that the four beasts and four and twenty elders who were in prostrate giving worship to the Father then give the same worship to Christ (another indicator that He is God. To give worship to anyone other than God Himself is idol worship.)

Having every one of the them harps, golden vials full of odours – Since it is impossible for one to lay prostrate and hold harps and bowls, this is symbolic of them performing the priestly acts as representatives of the priestly people of God.

Which are the prayers of the saints – This describes that they symbolically present the prayers of God’s people before the throne. Now, while they presented the prayers, they are not interceding or functioning as mediators between us and God.

We should be reminded there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5)

“For there is on God, and one Mediator Between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

This also demonstrates to us how God views the prayers of His people, that they would be as precious incense to be held in golden bowls or vials.

Verse 9

They sing a new song – In the worship prompted by the taking of the scroll, the elders and beasts sing a song to Jesus ascribing His worthiness to Him.

Thou art worthy… For thou wast slain – The worthiness of Christ to take the book, and to open the seals thereof is ascribed to His sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of mankind. Surely, many have died and been slain for the cause of the kingdom, but only Christ is God who lived sinlessly to give His live for the purpose.

Thou hast redeemed us – Some translations, such as the NIV, say “and with your blood you purchased for God” but the literal translation and sense of the word is as the KJV says, “hast redeemed us.” Through the blood of Christ, He redeemed a fallen people unto God.

Out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation – This four-fold phrase shows up seven times in Revelation, and is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that through His seed all nations of the earth would be blessed. People from all walks of life, all people groups and cultures have had the ability to be redeemed by the blood of Christ.

Verse 10

Made us kings and priests unto our God – I could put this better than David Guzik, He said:

“Believers are kings because of their royal birth and their destiny to reign with Jesus. They are priests because they need no mediator other than Jesus Himself.[6]”

Verses 11-14

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive ipower, and riches, and wisdom, and istrength, and hhonour, and hglory, and kblessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, kBlessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, pAmen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.[7]

Verse 11

I heard the voice of many angels – In chapter four, it was the angels who prompted the elders into worship. Now, the elders prompt the angels into worship. At first, one may be confused as the why the angels did not join with the elders in the last passage, who ascribed salvation and redemption to God. At no point in the Biblical narrative has an angel been said to be redeemed or saved. It is then, the worship of the elders redemption that prompt the angels to worship God for His glory.

Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands – This is millions, well over a hundred million voices. The image that John attempts to paint is of an innumerable company.

Verse 12

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain – Though they did not receive salvation, they were careful observers of salvation. In response to His glory and greatness, the credit Power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessings to Christ.

Verse 13

Every creature – every creature is all inclusive, that all of creation joined into the worship. John wants to ensure that we understand all of creation, and he does so with the description which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them.

Creation joins in with crediting to God, as did the angels blessing and honour, and glory, and power.

Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb – Again, we see that Christ has a place with the Father. If Christ were a created being, this would be blasphemy.

Verse 14

Who lives for ever and ever – God is eternal. He lives and He reigns for ever. Men, kings, celebrities, they come and go, but God is forever.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 5:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 5:2–4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 5:5–7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] Guzik, D. (2013). Revelation (Re 5:5–7). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 5:8–10). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[6] Guzik, D. (2013). Revelation (Re 5:8–10). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 5:11–14). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 4:1–5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] Easley, K. H. (1998). Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 75). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 4:6–11). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] Guzik, D. (2013). Revelation (Re 4:6b–8a). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.