Revelation 4:2-8 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven . One was seated on the throne, 3 and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. 5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop,saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. My first time at Winter Jam was just a few years ago. I knew it would entertaining and loud but nothing could have prepared me for that first strike of the drums. It felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. That and the fact that just before it it was absolutely dark and then lights burst out along with that initial strike of the drums.Sights and sounds really get our attention and it's no wonder that God would show John such a marvelous sight in Revelation chapter 4. Imagine all the different sounds and colors- Jasper, carnelian stone, rainbow like emeralds, white gowns, golden crowns, flashes of lightening, rumbling of thunder, sea of glass and seven fiery torches.
In our passage today John is shown what human eyes cannot see. I would imagine it is figurative or symbolic in a sense because they are referred to as similes and metaphors. The reality is if there is nothing physical in a spiritual realm then you would have to use imagery that a physical being can understand and relate to. One thing that stands out to me is the posture of those in the scene. God sitting in the center as it should be. He is not roaming or pacing wondering what will happen, He is the Sovereign of all creation and the One with all authority. Then you have the 24 elders clothed in white- symbolic of the righteous imputed to them and the righteous act done through them by the Spirit of God whom the Son of God gave them, who proceeded from the Father. These 24 elders symbolize the fullness of the church, Jew and Gentile as Jesus promised, "But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. " John 10:16 These 24 elders who surround the throne are also sitting with crowns on their heads. These crowns were given to them by God as promised in various places throughout the New Testament. The imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. read more: www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-crowns.html It is said that these four living creatures- represent the gospel ministers standing between God and the Church. The same four images are found in the four Gospels which each exemplify Jesus' Himself and His ministry in a unique way. Matthew the lion= Jesus the Promised King, Mark the calf= the suffering servant of God, Luke the man= the Son of Man and John the eagle= majestic Son of God. All of this culminates in the 4 living creatures saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. The fact that God is Holy is more than just one of the many things God is. It is the river from which flows all of His attributes. God is Holy in His sovereignty. If not we would think humanly what sovereignty is, limited and localized to a particular time and place. But God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is Holy=Unique and with no equal in that He is sovereign in every place and throughout time that He Himself created! Like Isaiah who was saw the Lord seated on His throne and realized his own unworthiness so we too should be humbled as we read the description given of God and cry out with the four living creatures- Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty who was, who is, and who is coming. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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