REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 4.8

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter Four

 

Survey

The Apostle John, while in the Spirit on the Isle of Patmos, is caught up in Heaven and given a vision (a photographic prophetic view of the future) of what must take place after the Church Age (v.1).

 

He is seeing the triune God seated on the Throne of judgment epitomized by the dazzling brilliance of a white jasper stone and a blood-red sardine stone. His faithfulness toward the covenantal relationship with Israel is also typified by these precious gems.

 

Encircled around the Throne is an emerald green-lighted rainbow exemplifying and guaranteeing God's fidelity to His promise. Also seen is the presence of twenty-four church elders, representatives of the universally redeemed church, and four living creatures who embody the faithful angelic realm of created beings. Both groups are seen continuously praising the creator God affirming His holiness.

 

In the following verses, John is describing one of the most glorious moments in Heaven and the greatest praise festival in the entire universe – Worshipping Almighty God. God gets all the glory!

 

Worship on Earth

While on earth, everyone's responsibility to God should be:

1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

A preacher once articulated to his congregants: If you ask many people the question - Are you going to Heaven? The answer will always be, yes.  Very rarely will you hear someone say, I am going to spend the rest of eternity in Hell?

 

A better question might be: Why do you want to go to Heaven? If your answer is to avoid Hell, then the motive is not a sound one. The truth of the matter is this: When individuals go to Heaven, they are going to spend most of their time getting down or up off of their faces to worship the Trinity. There will never be a time when the world God made is not praising Him.

 

So, if you see someone in a fellowship who is bored with Sunday morning worship, then the question should be: Are you sure you want to go to Heaven? Because, when we get to Heaven that is the primary thing we will be doing.

 

There are three elements needed to understand worship:

1.  The Meaning of Worship

2.   The Nature of Worship

3. The Purpose of Worship

 

The Meaning of Worship

The word worship (Hebrew, shâchâh – Greek, proskuneō) means to prostrate (fall down humbly) oneself in homage, reverence, or adoration to the One whose worth is acknowledged. To accredit honour to God expresses the relationship that the creature holds to the Creator. Some examples in Scripture include:

Genesis 24:52 - And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

 

Exodus 4:31 - And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

 

John 18:6 - As soon then as He (Jesus) had said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

 

The Nature of Worship

True worship is ascribed to God out of great respect, reverence, devotion, praise, and adoration.

Genesis 25:51 - And he (Abraham) removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

 

Philippians 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

 

John 4:23 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

 

The nature of worship for the Old Testament saints was purely physical (a shadow) whereas the New Testament believers worship God in spirit and truth. This may be done by various means.

A few examples include:

1.  Prayer

2.   Supplication

3. Fasting

4.   Singing

5. Making a joyful noise

6.  Lifting up holy hands

7.  Holy Communion

 

The Purpose of Worship

Worshipping God is the creation's ultimate response to a Sovereign God. He desires to conform us not to this world but to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet first, we must submit our will to the Holy Spirit who renews our minds daily as we surrender our lives to Christ (cf. Romans 12:2). In doing so, the Lord is preparing us to live and reign with Him in a glorified body throughout eternity. Therefore, we worship God for:

1.   Who He is

2.   What He has done

3.   What He is about to do

Thusly, we give Him all the praise, honor, and glory.

 

WORSHIP IN HEAVEN

(Verse 6b)

And in the midst of the Throne, and round about the Throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind...

(Verse 8a)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within:

(Verse 8b)

And they rest not (lit. have no rest) day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

 

From verse 8b to verse 10 is a Praise Anthem of creation.

 

The Worshippers

1. The four living creatures are the representatives of all the elect angels (discussed in the previous study), the first set of worshippers. They are seen around the Throne of God in a conscious ceaseless act of worship, saying…

 

Holy, holy, holy

The word Holy [Greek: Hagios, ἅγιος (Strong's G40)], when stated three times, is emphatically known in ancient hymnology as a tris-hagion: A threefold praise addressing the Triune God.

Isaiah 6:3 - And one [angel] cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.

 

Lord God Almighty

The Lord God Almighty is an all-inclusive term taken from Revelation 1:8 to describe the supreme authority of the universe. He is the supreme, sovereign Almighty One (Omnipotent) to whom we pay reverence and homage.

 

Which was, and is, and is to come

Jesus Christ is identified in this praise, also taken from Revelation 1:8, the beginning and the ending (the Alpha and Omega).

 

The Worship Service

(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,

 

2. The Twenty-four Elders

Also mentioned in the previous study, the twenty-four elders, the church representatives of all God's visible redeemed people from Pentecost to the Rapture, are seen in a prostate position joining the living ones (the angelic hosts) in this amalgamated act of worship. Scriptural references include:

Genesis 17:3 - And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with Him.

 

Joshua 5:14b - And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship.

 

Matthew 17:6 - When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground (NASB).

 

Note: Israel, except for the elect [today called Messianic Jews], is not in Heaven at this point. They appear later in Revelation when another worship service will transpire.

 

Forever and ever – Unto the ages of ages – Eternity. The Lord God shall be worshipped throughout eternity.

 

Casting crowns

During antiquity, it was customary that when a king surrendered to another king in battle, he cast his crown at the victor's feet. [See discussion in Revelation studies 2.8b and 4.4]. However, in this passage, they are not kingly crowns (diadem) but victor's prize crowns (stephanos).

1.  A Diadema – a crown of royalty generally worn by a king

2.  Stephanos – a garland usually made of interwoven laurel given to a victorious athletic contestant. These crowns, worn in the arena of faith, are crowns of service during a Christin's life

The Bible mentions at least five possible crown rewards:

1.  Crown # 1 – An Incorruptible Crown (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-25)

2.  Crown # 2 – A Crown of Righteousness (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8)

3.  Crown # 3 – The Crown of Rejoicing (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19)

4.   Crown # 4 – The Crown of Glory (cf. 1 Pet. 5:4)

5. Crown # 5 – A Crown of Life (cf. Rev. 2:10)

 

God will reward the overcomers according to their capacity, ability, or talents. In an act of adoration, the saints will be casting their warranted crowns at God's feet. In doing so, God is ultimately glorified. Sadly, there will be some that will not be casting crowns because they have not earned one.

 

 

(Verse 11)

 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created (did create) all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

This phrase accentuates a definitive act of creation at a definite period in time. According to Genesis 3:15 (the promise of a Redeemer), all creation is awaiting deliverance from the bondage of corruption and sin caused by the disobedience of our first parents.

Romans 8:20- 22 – For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

This anticipation is likened to a pregnant mother awaiting the birth of her newborn.

 

Praise and Worship

From a multitude of recordings, three were randomly selected fitting to our contemporary atmosphere of worship – A mere taste to whet our appetite:

 

1.  Unnamed source:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWndDW_271g

 

2.  Unnamed source:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdbxSpJn1yQ

 

3. Brooklyn Tabernacle Mass Choir:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=holy+holy+lord+god+almighty+brooklyn+mass+choir&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=F915692B972B9F50B59EF915692B972B9F50B59E

 

 

Jesus Christ

The Object of Worship

Philippians 2:9-11 - Why God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Only He is worthy - Thou art worthy to be praised. We will never be able to realize our worthiness until we are changed into immortality and presented faultless before the presence of His glory (cf. Jude 24). Praising Jesus will be our ultimate goal.

 

Without Him, there would be no victory over sin and death. This warrants sleepless praise of:

Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Only Thou art worthy

To thine be the glory

 

God made us for His pleasure and His purpose:

Colossians 1:16 - For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.

 

No man or man-made thing should ever be the object of any worship. The universe was created to give Him glory. Hence, verse 11 is the culmination of everything that is contained in the Bible.

 

 

Chapter 4 gives us a glimpse of life after the grave. In the next study, Chapter 5, there will be more proof of Who is worthy – A continuation of Chapter 4.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the true meaning of worship?

2. What is our purpose in life?

3. Why did God give us the Bible?

4. What will be doing in Heaven?

5. Who are the twenty-four elders?

6. Who are the living creatures?

7. What will we do with our reward crowns?

 

 

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REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 4.6

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter Four

 

The Throne of God (continued)

 

1. On the Throne - One seated: God (v. 2)

2. Round about the Throne –

       a. An Emerald Rainbow (v. 3b)

b. Twenty-four Elders (v. 4)

c.  Four Living Creatures (v. 6b)

 

3. Out of the Throne –

a. Thunder and Lightning (v. 5)

b. Voices (v. 5)

c. The Seven Spirits of God (v. 5)

 

4. Before the Throne 

 

 

(Verse 6a)

 

And before the Throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal.

 

Before the Throne of God and amidst all this activity of brilliance and noise, there is a calmness represented by a sea of glass that was like crystal. The Bible does not clarify but John is trying to describe something indescribable. Upon reading the portrayal of God's Throne, the feeling acquired is one of being too much for the eyes to behold.

 

Definitions

Like - The word like is a simile, and is not to be read the same as, also notice, like is not the same as is. Better translated, as it were.

 

Crystal – A smooth transparent glass or diamond-like substance – Literally, ice.

 

A Sea of Glass – This phrase is repeated in Revelation 15:2 denoting somewhat of an appearance and not the material glass of which it is made. Since there is no sea in Heaven, the phrase is used metaphorically to symbolize stillness and an eternity of holiness, purity, beauty, and perfect peace - An insightful contrast to turbulence on the earthly seas.

Compare:

Ezekiel 1:22 - And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible (awesome) crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

Reflective of God's glory, His Throne is seated before this awesome crystal-clear glass sea.

 

Shadows from the Tabernacle

Before expositing the next verses, a brief survey of the Old Testament Tabernacle is pertinent to understanding John's heavenly vision.

Key Verses:

Hebrews 8:5 - Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the Mount.

 

Hebrews 9:23 – It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these (things).

 

Hebrews 9:24 - A Holy Place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into Heaven itself.

The design or pattern for the Tabernacle (also called the Camp or Tent of Meeting) was a worldly imitation painstakingly given to Moses by God to the minutest details in the book of Exodus. Not only did it serve as an example of His heavenly home (so the glory of God could dwell among His people on earth), but it was also foundational to understanding Christ's fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. Everything was done according to the precise instructions of The Law.

 

During the previous study, the priesthood relating to the twenty-four elders was discussed. Here, the foreshadowed structure of worship is realized.

 

The Purpose of the Tabernacle

The Tent of Meeting faced east. It is the most important direction in the Bible. Congregants would enter the outer court to worship God at the eastern entrance (later called the Eastern Gate) as He specifically prescribed. The worship itself was a complex process whereby members of each tribe would bring their various offerings and sacrifices to the priests. According to the Law, Levite priests in turn would place sacrifices on the brazen altar before bringing it before the Lord, either for thanksgiving or as a propitiation for sin.

 

Before entering the Holy Place, the priest then would ceremonially cleanse himself at the brazen laver. Remarkably, the Brazen or bronze laver (washbasin) was located in the direct center of the quadrangular-shaped Tabernacle.

 

The Camps around the Tabernacle

According to the Book Numbers Chapters 2 through 4, the encampment of the Israelite tribes was situated outside the Tent of Meeting in a strict military arrangement:

1.  To the East

a.  Issachar

b.  Judah

c.  Zebulun

 

2.  To the South

a.  Simeon

b.  Reuben

c.  Gad

 

3.  To the West

a.  Manasseh

b.  Ephraim

c.  Benjamin

 

4.  To the North

a.  Naphtali

b.  Dan

c.  Asher

 

Four divisions of the tribe of Levi similarly had an inner formation surrounding the Tent of Encampment. Also, notice the sons of Joseph - Manasseh and Ephraim represented his tribe.

 

Concerning the Tabernacle, not only does a diagram of the tribes of Israel form the Star of David, but also, if a line is drawn from left to right and top to bottom to the middle of each camp, the sign of the cross is made manifest. The cleansing laver is positioned at the center and compared to the spot Jesus shed His precious blood to wash away our sins. The imagery is indeed present.

 

Question:

Why is all this significant?

Answer:

Since Jesus paid the price once and for all for the redemption of sin, the purification process by which the brazen laver was used is no longer needed in Heaven and is replaced by the sea of glass – Absolute purity before God.

 

Note: This is a concise explanation. Again, an in-depth study of the Tabernacle, along with illustrations, would be beneficial to anyone studying Scripture.

 

 

5. In the Midst of the Throne and round about the Throne

(Verse 6b)

And in the midst (middle) 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 (having; present tense) a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

(Verse 8a)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about (all around) him; and they were full of eyes (from) within (inside).

 

Four Living Beings

As the text unfolds these are not fabricated mysterious mythological creatures but created beings purposed by God for His glory.

 

Four Beasts

Beasts - There are two major distinctions frequently used in Greek for beasts:

1.  Thērion -  θηρίον, [Strong's G2342], translated as a dangerous, venomous destructive wild animal as opposed to a docile animal.

2.  Zōon - ζῶον, [G2226], a live animal or live one taken from the primary verb zaō meaning life.

 

In this passage, zōon is better interpreted as living beings, creatures, or living ones distinguished between thērion, the beast, or beasts noted in Revelation Chapters 11 through 20 (explained in a later study).

 

Their Identification

Their physical appearance is described in three ways:

Full of eyes before and behind

1. Each of the four living beings was covered or full of eyes in the front and back (v. 6b) having the ability to look forward to the future and backward to the past.

 

Full of eyes within (and about)

2. According to verse 8, the eyes were also inside and all-around (their heads), having the aptitude to look inward with unlimited penetration. i.e., all-seeing and all-knowing.

 

Had each of them six wings

3. And respectively, each living creature has six wings, thus demonstrating the full capacity of motion. However, similar to Seraphim two wings are used to cover their faces and two wings on their feet, for they stand on holy ground and are not able to behold the glory of God (compare and read Isaiah 6:2).

 

 

(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.

 

All four living beings or creatures resemble something:

1.  Beast number one – A lion

2.  Beast number two – A calf

3.   Beast number three – A face like a man

4. Beast number four – A flying eagle

 

Different symbolizations presented are also representative of God's creation:

1.  The Lion – Untamed animal life

2.  The Calf or Ox - Domestic animal life

3.  Man – The greatest of God's creatures on earth

4.  The Eagle – The fowls of the air

 

Notice, no sea creatures are mentioned. In the new Heaven and Earth, there will be no more saltwater sea, hence, also void of reptiles including the snake who introduced sin into the world. 

 

According to rabbinical writers, there were four representative tribes of Israel. As they pitched their tents, all of Israel marched through the wilderness under their respective banners:

1.  The tribe of Judah was symbolized by a lion

2.  The tribe of Ephraim was symbolized by an ox

3.  The tribe of Reuben was symbolized by a man

4.   The tribe of Dan was symbolized by an eagle

 

In the Gospels, each figure portrays Christ differently:

1. The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as a lion, king of the beasts. The Lion from the tribe of Judah designates the kingship of Christ.

 

2.  The Gospel of Mark pictures Jesus as an ox or calf. This beast of burden is one of servanthood and also of sacrifice. It applies to the priestly ministry of Christ.

 

 

3.   The Gospel of Luke – Here Jesus is rendered as the Son of man (cf. Luke 5:24; 22:22) denoting the humanity of Christ.

 

4. The Gospel of John portrays Jesus' deity. The eagle is considered supreme and swift above all birds. The divinity of Christ is exemplified through them.

 

Now observe the various aspects or attributes of Christ from each depiction:

1.  The Lion – Majesty, power, and strength

Amos 8:8 - The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

 

2.   The Ox – Humility, patience, faithfulness, and continual labor

1 Corinthians 9:9 - For it is written in the Law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

 

3. The Man – Intelligence, rational ability, wisdom, reason

Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.

 

4.  The Eagle – Sovereignty, and supremacy

Psalm 91:4 - He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

 

Question:

Who are these living creatures?

Answer:

The four living creatures are created (faithful) angelic beings for God and by God for a specific purpose.  

Colossians 1:16 - For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.

 

Of whom are subject to Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 3:22 - Who is gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

 

Comparable to Cherubim, these four living creatures have a specific purpose or function along with the twenty-four elders in the middle and around the Throne of God. This will be discussed in the next study.

 

 

 QUESTIONS:

1. What are the various elements surrounding God's Throne?

2. Explain the reason for a sea of glass.

3. Describe the four living creatures.

4. Why is the Tabernacle so important?

5. What realms of creation are described in each beast?

6. What is God's covenant to believers?

7. What role does Christ have on the Throne?

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

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