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?

 

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