Four beasts.Living beings. And, behold, an open door in heaven, and the first voice which 1 heard, the voice which was, as it were, of a trumpet. Genesis 49:9 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? He showed Himself an object of holy worship in the past creation of all things: more fully He shows Himself so in governing all things: He will, in the highest degree, show Himself so in the consummation of all things. Revelation 4:3. V. The worship.The point to notice is, that Gods praise is begun by creation; taken up and ennobled by the redeemed Church, but perfected only when all are redeemed, and the completed Church can join the song of Nature, and so all the earth praise God.. Though the context better suits, it was because of Thy will, that "they were" (so one oldest manuscript, A, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, instead of English Version "are": another oldest manuscript, B, reads, "They were not, and were created," were created out of nothing), that is, were existing, as contrasted with their previous non-existence. Remembering how jealous the Jews were of the primary truth of the Divine unity, we can easily see that it would have been a fatal objection to Christianity if it could be reasonably shown that it put Christ in the place of God. Or the idea of waving sea, settled into glassy stillness, may suggest the sublime peace of Gods eternal presence. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. (G), 4I looked, and I saw a windstorm(H) coming out of the north(I)an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. 50+ reference books. It stands solid, calm, and clear, God's judgments are called "a great deep" ( Psalms 36:6 ). 611, than as a proem to the book at large. The future tenses, shall worship, shall cast, indicate what is often and customarily done in heaven. 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. Start for FREE. The seal on the forehead of God's elect. It resembled the former "voice" in this, that it was "like the sound of a trumpet," but besides that there does not seem to have been anything that would suggest to him that it came from the same source. 6. Two oldest manuscripts, A, B, Vulgate, Coptic, and Syriac read, "As it were a sea of glass." The honour and dignity of God is the supreme concern of every living thing. The dwelling place of God is with men. Proud member The seal for ever and ever--Greek, "unto the ages of the ages.". 5 is intimately connected with it, but it is rather to be regarded as a special proem to chap. Revelation 4:6. Such a vision, as to this particular, John had at Christs baptism, Matthew 3:1-17, and Stephen when he was stoned. 2He said to me, Son of man,[c](AP) stand(AQ) up on your feet and I will speak to you. (AU) Say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says.(AV) 5And whether they listen or fail to listen(AW)for they are a rebellious people(AX)they will know that a prophet has been among them. 2. Compare Eze 1:1; Mt 3:16; Ac 7:56; 10:11. These in Ezekiel's vision are described as having only four. In the arched iris spanning the Divine throne the ancient Church beheld an emblem of the Divine severity, blended with love; in it she saw the dark showers of His judgments, gilded by the bright beams of His mercy. And, behold, a door was opened; I saw the heavens opened, as Matthew 3:16 Acts 7:56. MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Revelation 4:1-11. It will not be forgotten that this is elsewhere the manner of St. John. (CB) 14The Spirit(CC) then lifted me up(CD) and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord(CE) on me. WebThe books of Revelation and Ezekiel are basically the same books written with the same biblical imagery. The cherubim here have six wings, like the seraphim in Isaiah 6:2 ; whereas the cherubim in Ezekiel 1:6 had four wings each. The former verb indicates the breaking of the silence, the latter the matter of the address. In Revelation 15:2 it is a "sea of glass mingled with fire." New Jerusalem. IV. And the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet talking with me. This colour is, however, unsuitable as a description here. They are not angels, for they have white robes and crowns of victory, implying a conflict and endurance, "Thou hast redeemed us": they represent the Heads of the Old and New Testament churches respectively, the Twelve Patriarchs (compare Revelation 7:5-8 , not in their personal, but in their representative character), and Twelve Apostles. Ezek.1. It cannot escape even the most unobserving, how greatly this whole scene resembles the inaugural theophanies in Isaiah 6:0 and Ezekiel 1:0 (Stuart). Here is the transition from "the things which are" ( Revelation 1:19 ), the existing state of the seven churches, as a type of the Church in general, in John's time, to "the things which shall be hereafter," namely, in relation to the time when John wrote. Revelation 4:8. 1In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles(A) by the Kebar River,(B) the heavens were opened(C) and I saw visions(D) of God. 16At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me:(CH) 17Son of man, I have made you a watchman(CI) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 1. In Ezekiel, theres a wheel Almighty.Heb. shall cast their crowns," namely, in acknowledgment that all the merit of their crowns (not kingly diadems, but the crowns of conquerors) is due to Him. (AY) 6And you, son of man, do not be afraid(AZ) of them or their words. He might absorb too fully the interest of His disciples, and therefore we find Him, in His conversations with them, constantly putting His Father, as it were, in front of Himself. the first voice which I heardthe voice which I heard at first, namely, in Re 1:10; the former voice. the honour . 3Then he said to me, Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it. So I ate(BK) it, and it tasted as sweet as honey(BL) in my mouth. As the rainbow was first reflected on the waters of the world's ruin, and continues to be seen only when a cloud is brought over the earth, so another deluge, namely, of fire, shall precede the new heavens and earth: the Lord, as here, on His throne, whence ( Revelation 4:5 ) proceed "lightnings and thunderings," shall issue the commission to rid the earth of its oppressors: but then, amidst judgment, when other men's hearts fail them for fear, the believer shall be reassured by the rainbow, the covenant token, round the throne (compare DE BURGH, Exposition of Revelation). and behold, a door was opened in heaven: not in a literal sense, as the heavens were opened at Christ's baptism, and at Stephen's martyrdom, but in a figurative sense; and the phrase is to be understood of a discovery of things that were, or were to be in the church of God, which in this book is oftentimes signified by "heaven": and it must be conceived as done in a visionary way, just as Ezekiel, in the visions of God, was brought to Jerusalem, and the temple there, and in at a door was shown all the abominations committed in the court and temple; so John, in a visionary way, through an opened door, had a scene of things in the church presented to him, as follows: and the first voice which I heard was, as it were, of a trumpet talking with me; this voice is not called the first voice with respect to any other voices that were to follow; but it designs the former voice, the voice that John heard behind him, when he saw the first vision; and this, as that, was clear, loud, and sonorous as a trumpet, so that he thoroughly heard, and rightly understood what was said; it was the same Person that made the following representation of things as did then, even he who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ, the author of the whole revelation; the "first" is left out in the Arabic version: the allusion is to the blowing of trumpets at the opening of the door of the temple; "every day there were one and twenty soundings of a trumpet in the temple, three , "at the opening of the doors", and nine at the daily morning sacrifice, and nine at the daily evening sacrifice (f).''. But which shall happen hereafter both to my church and to her enemies: from which it appears, that God did not here show his prophet the destruction of Jerusalem, for that was already past, in the time of Titus Vespasian the Roman emperor, about the year 69, or 70, after the incarnation; this (as all confess) was in Domitians time, about the 11th or 12th year of his reign, about twenty-six or twenty-seven years after that was past, which makes the notion of two late annotators very strange. was as it wereOmit was, it not being in the Greek. Before the great contest delineated in the fourth gospel, which begins at chap. I lookedrather as Greek, "I saw" in vision; not as English Version means, I directed my look that way. Moreover, the rainbow was the appointed token of God's covenant with all flesh, and His people in particular. What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? You may read the text and similarities and you be the judge for yourself. round about the throne--one in the midst of each side of the throne. The agree-ment belongs to a series of parallels between Ezekiels inaugural vision and the accounts of Pauls call or conversion in Acts 9:19, 22:611, and 26:1218. Illustrate by the experiences of Yogis, Brahmans, Buddhists, and even Dervishes. An eagle, bird of prey. These cherubim used two of their wings for flying and the other two for covering their bodies (Ezekiel 1:6, 11, 23). Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel Zechariah and Malachi contribute to our knowledge of Revelation. And one of them was called the great door of the temple; and he that slew the daily sacrifice, did not slay till he heard the sound of that door when it was opened (g); so here at the opening of the door in heaven, in the church, of which the temple was a type, the voice of the Son of God is heard as the sound of a trumpet, talking loudly and familiarly to John: which said, come up hither; from the isle of Patmos, where he was, up to heaven; not into the third heaven, where Paul was caught up, but rather up into the Gospel church, the Jerusalem which is above; though this, as before, is to be understood in a visionary way, in like manner as Ezekiel was lifted up by the Spirit between the earth and the heavens; and so John, in a vision, was called up from Patmos into the air, where he had a representation of the church made unto him: and I will show thee things which must be hereafter; in the world, in the Roman empire, and in the church of God, to the end of the world; not but that there were some things shown him, as before, in the church prophecy, which had been, and were, and which was done to give him a complete view of things from first to last: and these things were shown in the following visions of the seals, trumpets, and vials, and by the Lord Jesus Christ, who talked with him, and to whom this revelation was given to show unto his servants; and it was of things that "must" be, because determined and resolved upon in the unalterable purposes and decrees of God. A simultaneous giving of glory on the part of the beasts, and on the part of the elders. were created--by Thy definite act of creation at a definite time. The Rainbow Symbol.The discovery made of the Divine mercy in the covenant of grace refreshes the mind as the green relieves the eye from the fatigue and glare of other colours. Emerald.Green. Come up hither - To the place whence the voice seemed to proceed - heaven. Bible > Commentaries > Revelation 4:1 eBibles Free Downloads Revelation 4:1 (Judah and Samaria) Ezek.16, 23, Lament over the Great City. Holy, holy, holy--The "tris-hagion" of the Greek liturgies. Thus we have "the picture of that blessed period when--the earth having been fitted for being the kingdom of the Father--the court of heaven will be transferred to earth, and the 'tabernacle of God shall be with men' ( Revelation 21:3 ), and the whole world will be subject to a never-ending theocracy" (compare DE BURGH, Exposition of Revelation). Symbols: Daniel 7-Revelation 13 | Daniel 2-Revelation 17,18 2. When the Son, "the Lamb," is introduced, Revelation 5:5-9 , a new song is sung which distinguishes the Sitter on the throne from the Lamb, "Thou hast redeemed us to God," and Revelation 5:13 , "Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. Speaking - saying ( - ). Here is the transition from "the things which are" (Re 1:19), the existing state of the seven churches, as a type of the Church in general, in John's time, to "the things which shall be hereafter," namely, in relation to the time when John wrote. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. hereafter--Greek, "after these things": after the present time ( Revelation 1:19 ). With God to will is to effect: to determine is to perform. 7. Two sets of twelve. It is admitted that it must be the same as the voice of Revelation 1:10; but it is said that the voice of Christ is heard afterwards (Revelation 1:15), not as a trumpet, but as the voice of many waters. The iris is compared to it here, because the modified and mild colour of green apparently predominates in the rainbow. Ancients felt very strongly the relief given to the eye by looking at it. Our Lord Himself recognised this possible evil, during His earthly life. seven Spirits--The Holy Spirit in His sevenfold operation, as the light-and-life Giver (compare Revelation 5:6 , seven eyes . Rev.11:8. 4He then said to me: Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. Revelation 4:8. The former represent the forces of nature, which, in the ancient religions, sat upon the throne, personified in the Pagan deities, but which, in the monotheism of the Bible, play a more modest part, and are employed in bearing up the throne of Godthat is to say, in establishing His kingdom. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Prophecy: Revelation 4:7 The first creature was like a lion (Rev. Both times, however, he retreated, thinking he had taught Judah a lesson. The vision of God. 19When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. The elders lay down their crowns, and worship him who sat on the throne. . They are, taken as a whole in respect to their ultimate design, symbolic of the all-pervading power, providence, and government, of God, who uses them as His instruments. Compare Ezekiel 1:1 , Matthew 3:16 , Acts 7:56 , 10:11 . But here the context best suits the view which regards the four living creatures as representing the redeemed election-Church in its relation of ministering king-priests to God, and ministers of blessing to the redeemed earth, and the nations on it, and the animal creation, in which man stands at the head of all, the lion at the head of wild beasts, the ox at the head of tame beasts, the eagle at the head of birds and of the creatures of the waters. Instead of being like the throne of earthly kings, i.e., resting upon inanimate and lifeless substances, its support is constituted of living, moving, rational creatures, ever watchful, and ever ready to move, as Ezekiel says, like a flash of lightning (Ezekiel 1:14). Twenty-four elders seated on smaller thrones encircle the The former idea is the more probable one, and only a figure of magnificence is intended. The Hebrews spoke of the sky above as a solid expanse; or as a curtain stretched out; or as an extended arch above the earth - describing it as it appears to the eye. 7Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Trumpet.Revelation 1:10. Has the 2nd highest PFF grade ever for a RB (barely behind Blake Corum last yr), he is a better receiver than Zeke. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns(BA) are all around you and you live among scorpions. (The fourth horse is dapple in Zechariah and pale in Revelation). Heaven is visioned as the sublime palace of the eternal King, and a door is set open so that we may enter the audience-chamber; and we may well be awed by the magnificence, the sublimity, of the scene. "Of (from) Him, through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. WebThe differences between Ezekiel and Revelation Revelation 22:1 John saw a New Jerusalem at the centre of a new earth, where everyone served God (Revelation chapters 21 and 22). This will be a sign(DK) to the people of Israel.(DL). The impressive nature of the scene presented in chap. The apostles show precisely the same anxiety. Of the Old Testament texts, however, Isaiah makes Revelation more understandable to me than Ezekiel. (CY), 24Then the Spirit came into me and raised me(CZ) to my feet. (BU), 10And he said to me, Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart(BV) all the words I speak to you. Rev.10:17. 5. The Throne and the Living Creatures.The whole imagery is to be conceived of thus: The throne on which the Divine Majesty is seated rests upon four living creatures, who form its animated and moving basis. Talking with me - As of a trumpet that seemed to speak directly to me. Rev., rightly, omits was. Do We See Any Gospel Connections in the Book of Numbers? Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. Ezek.12, The prophet eats the scroll of God's judgment. WebThe first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Perhaps they represent animate nature. It is suggested that fickle, movable waters represent the unguided, unreasoning, and unprincipled thoughts of men. ago Zeke was far more productive and polished coming out than Bijan. was set--not was placed, but was situated, literally, "lay." Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning(U) flashed out of it. 1. . (AR) 2As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me(AS) to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. four beasts--The Greek for "beasts," Revelation 13:1 Revelation 13:11 , is different, therion, the symbol for the carnal man by opposition to God losing his true glory, as lord, under Him, of the lower creatures, and degraded to the level of the beast. Almighty--answering to "Lord of hosts" (Sabaoth), Isaiah 6:3 . (Curiously enough, the Fathers regard these beasts as representing the Four Gospels, which had no recognised existence in St. Johns day). The Fathers identified them with the four Gospels, Matthew the lion, Mark the ox, Luke the man, John the eagle: these symbols, thus viewed, express not the personal character of the Evangelists, but the manifold aspect of Christ in relation to the world (four being the number significant of world-wide extension, for example, the four quarters of the world) presented by them severally: the lion expressing royalty, as Matthew gives prominence to this feature of Christ; the ox, laborious endurance, Christ's prominent characteristic in Mark; man, brotherly sympathy with the whole race of man, Christ's prominent feature in Luke; the eagle, soaring majesty, prominent in John's description of Christ as the Divine Word. As the high-soaring intelligence, the eagle, forms the contrasted complement to practical labor, the ox bound to the soil; so holy judicial vengeance against evil, the lion springing suddenly and terribly on the doomed, forms the contrasted complement to human sympathy, the man. Judgment: Daniel 7-Revelation 17,18 3. The four living creatures take the lead of the twenty-four elders, both in this anthem, and in that new song which follows on the ground of their redemption ( Revelation 5:8-10 ). Ezek.34:23. 14The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.(V). (S) 13The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals(T) of fire or like torches. D. LONGINUS [On the Sublime, 9], a heathen, praises this description of God's power by "the lawgiver of the Jews, no ordinary man," as one worthy of the theme. by contrast to the four world powers represented by four beasts. Whereas here, heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth, but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven, whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the scenes of the several visions require. Properly a war-trumpet, though the word was also used of a sacred trumpet, with the epithet sacred. Some of them are listed here. The prophet Ezekiel was YHWHs messenger (angel) to the Israelite in But another, A, Vulgate, and Coptic omit this, as English Version does. The reference is to future events; and the meaning is, that there would be disclosed to him events that were to occur at some future period. I looked--rather as Greek, "I saw" in vision; not as English Version means, I directed my look that way. 1. 1. (CT), 22The hand of the Lord(CU) was on me there, and he said to me, Get up and go(CV) out to the plain,(CW) and there I will speak to you. 23So I got up and went out to the plain. In that expanse, or arch, the stars are set as gems (compare the notes on Isaiah 34:4); through apertures or windows in that expanse the rain comes down, Genesis 7:11; and that is opened when a heavenly messenger comes down to the earth, Matthew 3:16. They are the glorified embodiment and representatives of the people of God. (Stuart prefers to explain the number by the division of the priesthood into twenty-four classes which David made.) Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. By analogy, the calm, glass-like sea represents those counsels of God, those purposes of righteousness and love, often fathomless, but never obscure, always the same, though sometimes glowing with holy anger, like unto crystal, resplendent and pellucid. . In Ezekiel, they have 4 wings; in Revelation, they each have 6. As I showed in Secrets of Time, Israel was supposed to enter the Promised Land at the feast of Tabernacles in the year 2450 (years from Adam). 4. seats--rather as the Greek is translated in this very verse, "thrones," of course lower and smaller than the grand central throne. An animal, living creature. Multiplicity of eyes may symbolise vitality and vigilance. thunderings and voices--The two oldest manuscripts transpose, "voices and thunderings." Here, however, the predominating color among the prismatic colors is green, the most refreshing of colors to look upon, and so symbolizing God's consolatory promises in Christ to His people amidst judgments on His foes. If not, the The visions of Ezekiel recorded in Ezekiel 1 and that of John in Revelation 4:7 include four living creatures () that stand in the presence of the throne of God. 11. (BM) 5You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language,(BN) but to the people of Israel 6not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. They are represented by the four living creatures which are supposed to be the chefs duvre of the animal creationthe lion, the bull, the eagle, and man. As the communication respecting the seven churches opened with a suitable vision of the Lord Jesus as Head of the Church, so the second part opens with a vision suitable to the matter to be revealed. The second is like to an ox; and this is the most valuable of tame beasts, and the image of patient and useful labour. Sea of glass.Figure from the sea that was in front of Solomons temple (1 Kings 7:23, etc.). be--come to pass. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory(AN) of the Lord. So Revelation 16:10 , "the seat (rather, throne) of the beasts," in hellish parody of God's throne. I. Thus concludes this magnificent exordium to the principal visions of the book. (BD) 8But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. The four plagues Chapter 5 Chapter 6:1-8 4. This does not seem to me to mean, as Prof. Stuart, Lord, and others suppose, that he now recognized the voice which had first, or formerly spoken to him Revelation 1:10, but that this was the first in contradistinction from other voices which he afterward heard. 8. about him--Greek, "round about him." Bullinger, has stood the test of tine as an incredible Compare Ezekiel 1:1; Matthew 3:16; Acts 7:56; Acts 10:11. glory, &c.--"the glory . In most cases they prophesy about the same time period, and they deal (For Solomons throne, see 1 Kings 10:18-20). WebThe sardine, our cornelian, or else a fiery red. Officers were always in the royal presence at Eastern Courts, and these often represented the provinces of the country, or dependent nations. After this--Greek, "After these things," marking the opening of the next vision in the succession. The Eternal Throne and its Surroundings.From the very first, and still, there will be found a side of peril in the very intensity with which the Lord Jesus Christ is presented to us. They fall 4Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. Whereas here, heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth, but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven, whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the scenes of the several visions require. The shining pavement is like solidified water. The scene is changed from earth to heaven. The elders stand for the Church as at present redeemed. . The unity of any being contains two ideas. The sardine, our cornelian, or else a fiery red. Thunder and lightning are our most impressive nature suggestions of the Divine majesty and power. Rev.21. The first history has two parts: one the causes of things done and of this whole revelation in this next chapter, another of the acts done in the next four chapters. See on Matthew 24:31. Of course, all this is figurative, but it is such language as all people naturally use. Compare as to the happy and willing subjection of the lower animal world, Isaiah 11:6-8 , 65:25 , Ezekiel 34:25 , Hosea 2:18 . The Throne Vision: Chapter 1: Chapter 4: 2. Rev.1718 (Babylon). Salem Media Group. In it was a scroll,(BI) 10which he unrolled before me. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead(DW) or torn by wild animals. Ezek.9. and, behold, a door, and the first voice. The best value in digital Bible study. Milligan, D.D. Here it is zoon, "living creatures"; not beast. 1723. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,(J) 5and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. 10Weigh out twenty shekels[g](DR) of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. They were either the supports or ornamentation of the throne. So here "Holy," as He "who was"; "Holy," as He "who is": "Holy," as He "who is to come." Their position in relation to the throne is not clear. So the twenty-four throned and crowned elders are typified by the twenty-four chiefs of the twenty-four courses of priests, "Governors of the sanctuary, and governors of God" ( 1Chronicles 24:5 , 25:1-31 ). Coals from the altar are thrown down. This is divided into two histories: one common to the whole world, till Chapter 9 and another unique to the Church of God, till Chapter 22. (DP), 9Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt;(DQ) put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. By these are signified the instructions of Gods law, the encouragement of His promises, and the warnings of His judgments. Lamps of fire.I.e. 5. proceeded--Greek, "proceed." On July 13, 2019 By Gina In Revelation. 10. fall--immediately. Revelation 4:1-11 . In that manner. He leads men to God. Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. rainbow round about the throne--forming a complete circle (type of God's perfection and eternity: not a half circle as the earthly rainbow) surrounding the throne vertically. Rev.7:17. WebHe who saw them in vision though there may have been no representation to the eye, had before him what was a real and appropriate representation of coming events. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. 21When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.(AC).
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