REVELATION 4: A THRONE SET IN HEAVEN


Revelation 4:1

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.


“After this I looked”

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (Revelation 15:1)

The term “I looked” or “I saw” is often used by John to describe new scenes or symbols in the prophetic narrative. Combined with the term after this, as in Revelation 4:1, it is saying after the previous vision or symbol, “Now I see (or saw) something else.” In the above texts it is readily seen how the expression “I looked” or “I saw” introduces new symbols and scenes. What is seen may not be chronological, for John’s visions carry us forward and in some cases backward, as further details are added to previous visions.

The Historical Fulfillment

The heavenly scene in chapters 4 and 5 is understood in the historical interpretation of prophecy as being an event distinct from, and not chronological with, the previous vision of the seven churches. The events associated with the opening of the sealed scroll, which Christ alone is able to open, are events that, like the message to the seven churches, relate to the church from John’s day until the coming of the Lord.

The Biblical Lesson

In Daniel chapter 7, Daniel sees a scene in heaven: “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:10). There is a lesson to be learned in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, which is pointing us to the same event as recorded by Daniel. John’s visions often deal with the same themes Daniel saw and recorded, but with greater detail.

In the message to Philadelphia, we are told of an open door, a door that Christ alone could open or shut. Chapters 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of that open door in heaven and what was to transpire once that door was opened. Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 speaks of a time of judgment in which the spiritual counterfeits and wicked works of the little horn, which is the same power as the beast of Revelation 13, would be dealt with. We learn that in the judgment the saints of God will be vindicated, and God and His truth will triumph.

Laodicea represents the state of the church from the mid 1800s onward. It is the last church, and it depicts the professed people of God in general. Because of Christ’s faithful and true witness, some in Laodicea will be overcomers and be vindicated. With this basic overview in mind, chapters 4 through 9 provide lessons for us today. While not a future interpretation or fulfillment, they do give us biblical views of the events that transpired during the time of judgment prior to the coming of Christ.

The sealed book in Christ’s hand is part of the books of judgment that Daniel saw. The events that occur as the seals are opened transpire from the mid 1800s—when the door was opened that no man can shut, and the people of God fell into the Laodicean state—to the coming of the Lord.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne! (Revelation 4:2 AMP)

“I was in the spirit”

See references under Revelation 1:10.

Being “in the spirit” is an expression used by John the Revelator as he is shown in vision events spanning hundreds and thousands of years, along with glimpses of heaven and activities transpiring there.

“A throne set in heaven”

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)

I beheld till the thrones were cast down [set], and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. (Daniel 7:9)

The Ancient of Days whom Daniel saw, and the Lord of hosts whom Isaiah saw in vision, are different names for the One John sees in vision. It is the God of the universe, seated upon His throne of universal dominion.

Revelation 4:3

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.

“He that sat was to look upon”

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. (Ezekiel 1:26–27)

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:9–10)

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment. (Psalm 104:1–2)

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16)

“Like a jasper and a sardine stone”

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:10–11)

Both Daniel and John were permitted to see the throne of God in heaven, yet is was not the full view of the Almighty. For Daniel and John as all human beings, were frail men of the dust. Thus Jehovah declared to His servant Moses, “For there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20).

Daniel says God’s “garment was white as snow.” John says He looked “like jasper,” sometimes synonymous with the diamond. Daniel says, “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.” John says He was like “a sardine stone,” or the sardius, a brilliant red gem. The dazzling white of the jasper or diamond could represent His holiness, while the fiery blood red of the sardius symbolizes His righteousness and the redemption purchased for us by the blood of God’s only begotten Son.

“There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald”

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. (Revelation 10:1)

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezekiel 1:28)

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. (Genesis 9:13–16)

The rainbow results from the union of sunshine and shower. It is a symbol of God’s past judgment in a global flood for sin, combined with the promise of His mercy. The bow above God’s throne is a symbol and a lesson to us, representing the union of His mercy and His justice.

While the description of God is glorious and inspiring, personal descriptions are missing, unlike the more personal descriptions of Christ. This is because Christ is the Mediator between man and God, and the Son of man who became one with us, is approachable, while the awesome glory and power of God is impenetrable to sinful man. Yet God’s character of love and mercy, goodness and kindness, and even His justice can be clearly known and experienced.

Revelation 4:4

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

“I saw four and twenty elders sitting”

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him. (1 Chronicles 24:1, 4–5, 19)

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. (Luke 1:8–10, 23)

These twenty-four elders in heaven parallel those who ministered in the Old Testament sanctuary. There the priesthood was divided into twenty-four groups who rotated in their service. These priests worked with and assisted the high priest. Sanctuary symbolism is one of the keys to understanding the prophecies and visions in the book of Revelation.

Here in the heavenly sanctuary, John sees twenty-four elders, priests and kings unto God, who assist Christ, our great High Priest, in His work. In Revelation 5:8 they are seen offering up sweet incense, the same work as the priests in the Old Testament sanctuary service. These elders are those who have been redeemed from the earth to assist in the work of the sanctuary in heaven. (See Revelation 5:8–11, 14.)

When the angels praise God for the salvation of man, the elders are seen around the throne, showing the intimacy of their work and relationship as kings and priests unto God. One of the elders is given the task, as one redeemed by Christ, to explain to John what he saw. (See Revelation 7:11–15.)

When the earthly kingdoms give way to the kingdom of God and of His Christ at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the elders voice their approval in praise and adoration. (See Revelation 11:16–17.)

The elders voice their approval of the judgment of Babylon. (See Revelation 19:1–2, 4.)

Where Did These Elders Come From?

They themselves declare that they were redeemed from the earth. They are, therefore, sinners saved by grace. A priest had to be chosen from among his brethren, “wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

These elders, being priests, were chosen representatives for Christ. He was not the only one to arise from the grave. “The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matthew 27:52–53). Then, “when He [Christ] ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, [a multitude of captives redeemed from the grave], and gave gifts unto men” (Ephesians 4:8).

When Christ was installed as our High Priest, it was said of Him, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:9). Those “fellows” were not angels; they were men. They were His brethren who arose with Him from the grave. They were the antitypical wave-sheaf offering, representing the ceremonial wave sheaf or first fruits, for Jesus and these fellows arose on the day of the first-fruit offering.

Thus the elders are God’s pledge and promise to us of redemption from sin and the grave. The elders themselves declare, “Thou [Christ] wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Being redeemed from among men, like the priests of old, they are “ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that [they] may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that [they themselves also are] compassed with infirmity” (Hebrews 5:1–2).

The elders declare of themselves that Christ “hast made us unto our God kings and priests” (Revelation 5:10), associate priests with Christ according to the Old Testament types in which there were twenty-four courses of priests who assisted the high priest in the work of the sanctuary.

“Clothed in white raiment”

They have … washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14)

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. (Revelation 3:18)

The white raiment and robes represent the lives of sinners made clean through justification by faith and accounted righteous in the sight of God. Further, the white raiment is the garment given to those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb, this shows that the elders are men saved by the blood of Christ.

“They had on their heads crowns of gold”

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)

The crown is the symbol of victory gained. Thus the elders redeemed from among men are seen clothed in garments of righteousness, having overcome in Christ, and wearing the crown of victory.

Revelation 4:5

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.

“Lightnings and thunderings and voices”

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:5)

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Revelation 11:19)

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. (Revelation 16:17–18)

Lightnings, thunders, and voices are seen several times in the book of Revelation. Each time the term is used, it seems to indicate a new act in the drama for man’s redemption and the judgment of ungodly men. What is being depicted represents the ceaseless coming and going of angels, as lightning coming to and from the earth, in their work for the redemption of men. With all heaven astir, but in perfect order, instructions proceeding from the throne of the Almighty direct heavenly beings who help carry on the work of the great Master of the universe.

Revelation is concerned with the events of earth and the souls of men. Thus all this effort and work seen by John is for the redemption of man. “And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning” (Ezekiel 1:14). The four living creatures are like lightning as they move at the will of God to accomplish His purposes.

“Seven lamps of fire”

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuff dishes, of pure gold. (Exodus 37:23)

Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold. (2 Chronicles 4:20)

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. (Exodus 25:31, 37)

The seven lamps of fire are a type of the seven-branch candlestick in the Holy Place of the sanctuary, which burned before the oracle or throne of God in the Most Holy place. The lamp represented the light of God’s Word, fed by the oil, a representation of the Holy Spirit.

“Which are the seven spirits of God”

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. (Revelation 1:4. Grace and peace are administered to humanity through the Holy Spirit. This is the oil that keeps the lamp burning, making the light of God’s Word available to man.)

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1. Christ, the fullness of the perfection of God, is represented by the seven Spirits.)

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a 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. (Revelation 5:6)

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. (Isaiah 11:2–3. The seven-fold spirit rested upon Christ and manifested itself through His ministry.)

And in front of the throne seven blazing torches burned, which are the seven spirits of God [the seven-fold Holy Spirit]. (Revelation 4:5 AMP)

The seven-branched candlestick in the earthly sanctuary was a physical item that represented spiritual truth. So too the seven lamps of fire in heaven are a type of the seven-branched candlestick; they have a meaning beyond being simply a physical item.

There are not literally seven Holy Spirits. The number seven in Scripture depicts divine perfection and completeness. Thus the seven lamps of fire represent the complete and perfect work of the Holy Spirit in the salvation of men, to enlighten mankind and to lead us to the Son so that we might receive forgiveness of sins. Remember, all of heaven is involved in the salvation of men.

Chapters 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of that activity involving God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the elders, the angels, and the living creatures. Truly it can be said, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Revelation 4:6

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.

“A sea of glass”

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. (2 Chronicles 4:2)

And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Exodus 38:8)

The laver and the “molten sea” of Solomon’s temple were meant for the priest’s cleansing before entering into God’s presence in the sanctuary. It was a type of the sea of glass, where the saved of all ages shall gather around the throne of God. The redeemed who shall gather there have experienced the washing of the water of regeneration, the purifying of conscience through the ministry of Christ.

The laver was placed in the courtyard before the temple. The temple and the work carried on there were representations of the plan of salvation for the redemption of man. God’s throne was represented in the Most Holy Place. (See Hebrews 10:22.)

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

The unfathomably beautiful sea of glass presented to John, whatever its actual construction may be, is where the inhabitants of heaven gather before the throne of God. The overcomers, those who have made Christ their hope and trust, shall gather on the sea of glass in heaven. Truly, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Upon the new earth, in the new Jerusalem, the city of God and the Lamb, where the faithful of the ages shall gather to worship and praise God, the streets shall be pure gold, transparent like glass. In the city there is no night, no darkness of sin or error or falsehood. The sea and the streets of glass reflect the purity of heaven and the glory of God. If you are faithful, you can be there too.

“About the throne were four beasts”

And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. (Ezekiel 10:12–15)

Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. (Ezekiel 1:5, 10, 13–14)

Revelation 4:7

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.

These living creatures, as seen in John’s vision, each have attributes reflecting the character or ministry of Christ.

“Was like a lion”

Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:9–10)

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. (Revelation 5:5)

“The second beast like a calf”

And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. (Leviticus 9:2)

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin. (Isaiah 53:10)

“The third beast had a face as a man”

Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)

“The fourth beast was like a flying eagle”

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. (Deuteronomy 32:11–12)

Christ is from the tribe of Judah and, having the strength and power of the lion, He has gained for us the victory. Christ was our great offering for sin, even as the Old Testament calf was offered up for sin. Christ became a man, in the mystery of the incarnation, to save us from our ruin. Christ provides His protection and care for us, as does an eagle for her young. Thus the four living creatures each reflect an attribute of Christ.

Revelation Reveals the Activities of the Four Beasts:

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a 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. (Revelation 5:6)

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. (Revelation 5:8)

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:14)

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Revelation 6:1)

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:6)

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. (Revelation 7:11)

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3)

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 15:7)

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4)

The pattern here is that the four beasts are very active in heaven and are consistently seen around the throne of God. Their intimate knowledge of God and His work for the salvation of man leads them, with the other inhabitants of heaven, to offer willing praise to God.

Revelation 4:8

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.

“Were full of eyes”

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (Job 34:21)

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. (Psalm 66:7)

The four living creatures, as servants of God, are represented as being full of eyes. Under the command of God they have all understanding and discernment to carry out the tasks of God. Being before the throne of God, they are able to take in all the beauty and splendor of God. 

Being full of eyes may also be understood as a symbol of the intelligence and ceaseless vigilance of these heavenly beings.

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God”

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain [two] he covered his face, and with twain [two] he covered his feet, and with twain [two] he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:1–3)

Holiness is the very nature of God. It is also the chorus of praise of all heavenly beings, especially of the living creatures who are before the throne of God.

Revelation 4:9–10

And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever. 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.

“Give glory”

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. (Psalm 115:1)

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2)

“And honor”

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. (Psalm 71:8)

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4:37)

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

“And thanks”

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. (Psalm 75:1)

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 106:1)

It is not only the four living creatures that dwell in God’s presence who can recognize and acknowledge God, thus giving Him glory, honor, and thanks. Even in this world, where we walk by faith and not by sight, we can know and acknowledge God. We should live to give Him glory, honor, and thanks, for He is worthy.

The twenty-four elders, being redeemed from the earth, know—even more than the living creatures can know—that glory and honor and thanks belong unto God. Unlike the living creatures and the inhabitants of heaven, they have a different knowledge of God’s goodness through their experience as sinners saved by grace.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord”

I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (2 Samuel 22:4)

The worthiness of God to be praised is not to be known and experienced by the inhabitants of heaven alone. It is our privilege to learn and understand, while here on this earth, the worthiness of God that He may be praised and honored. Only then will we one day, with heaven’s inhabitants, gather around His throne and sing His praises.

“For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”

I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. (Isaiah 45:12)

The recognition of God as Creator, acknowledging that we are but created beings, should lead us to live here and now in such a way as to please and honor God.

Revelation 4 opens to our view a door in heaven. Disclosed to our eyes is a scene of intense interest, for through that door we see the throne of God.

In the midst of the throne are seen twenty-four elders, priests of God, humans redeemed by the blood of Christ. Men who, by faith, have overcome the trials and temptations of this life. Men who, like Christ, can sympathize with the saints on earth. Men who vindicate the decisions of the Father and Son.

This scene, in conjunction with chapter 5, sets the stage for chapters 6 to 9, which depict events described in the seals and trumpets that began in John’s day and carry us down to the end of time and the coming of the Lord.

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