Revelation 4

The Throne in Heaven

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heavenHeaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos). The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2).: 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. Parallel theme: Revelation 1:10, 1:19, 11:12, 16:17, 22:6, Exodus 19:24, 24:12, Mark 1:10, John 16:13, Acts 7:56 +5

2 And immediately I was in the spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers.: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Spirit: Revelation 1:10, 4:5, 21:10. Parallel theme: Revelation 4:9, 5:1, 5:13, 1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1:26, Daniel 7:9 +5

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 10:1, 21:11, Exodus 24:10, Ezekiel 1:26, 1:28, 28:13

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 4:10, 5:8, 5:14, 7:9, 7:11, 11:16, 20:4, Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, 2 Timothy 4:8 +5

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 GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.. References God: Psalms 68:35. Light: Revelation 8:5, 11:19, Exodus 19:16, 20:18. Spirit: Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 5:6. Parallel theme: Joel 3:16, Zechariah 4:2 +5

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 5:6, 7:11, 14:3, 15:2, 15:7, 19:4, 21:11, 22:1, Ezekiel 10:12, 10:14 +5

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 4:6, Ezekiel 1:8, 1:10, 10:14, 10:21, Daniel 7:4

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, HolyHoly: ἅγιος (Hagios). The Greek hagios (ἅγιος) denotes holiness—moral purity and separation unto God. Believers are called 'saints' (hagioi), those set apart for God through Christ's sanctifying work., holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. References Lord: Revelation 1:8. References God: Revelation 7:15, 11:17, 16:7. Holy: Revelation 15:3, Exodus 15:11. Parallel theme: Revelation 4:6, Psalms 91:1, Ezekiel 1:6, Hebrews 13:8 +5

9 And when those beasts give gloryGlory: δόξα (Doxa). The Greek doxa (δόξα) means glory, splendor, or magnificence—the radiant manifestation of God's perfection. Christ revealed the Father's glory: 'we beheld his glory' (John 1:14). and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, Parallel theme: Revelation 1:18, 10:6, 15:7, Psalms 47:8, Daniel 4:34

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, Worship: Revelation 5:14, 7:11, 11:16, 15:4, 19:4, Psalms 95:6. Parallel theme: Revelation 4:4, 4:9, 5:8, Psalms 72:11 +5

11 Thou art worthy, O LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. References Lord: Isaiah 40:28, Hebrews 1:10. Glory: Revelation 5:12, 14:7, Romans 11:36. Creation: Revelation 10:6, Genesis 1:1, Proverbs 16:4, Acts 14:15. Parallel theme: Revelation 5:9 +5