Revelation Chapter 4

Go to Verse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Verse 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"

The messages to the seven churches have been delivered to John. Now a new view is presented to him in vision. He sees that a door has been opened in heaven. This door we will equate with the one Jesus opened in Revelation 3:7, 8 during the Philadelphia period.

We must now notice the similarities between the vision which begins in Revelation 4:1 and the judgment scene of Daniel 7:9-14.

  1. Central to both scenes is the throne of God.
  2. Both prophets mention additional thrones involved (See comments on Revelation 4:4).
  3. Daniel 7:10 says, "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him." Revelation 4:5 says, "Out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne."
  4. In both stories the participants have gathered for the opening of books.
  5. Jesus comes to the Father in Daniel 7:13 and in Revelation 5:7.
  6. The same number of heavenly attendants is mentioned in Revelation 5:11 as in Daniel 7:10.
  7. Christ receives glory at the close of both scenes. Daniel 7:14; Revelation 5:12.

We may safely conclude, therefore, that the scene observed by John in Revelation 4 and 5 is the investigative judgment portrayed in Daniel chapter 7. And the opening of the seven seals in Revelation 6 is the unfolding of history as the judgment takes place.

Verse 2

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

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 9

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

Verse 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,

Verse 11

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