Podcast Episode 16 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes. We’re studying Revelation 4. If you haven’t read my previous blog post on Revelation 1-3, I encourage you to do so. Click here to check out Revelation 3 podcast episode instead. God has been speaking through John regarding the seven churches. I encourage you to read Revelation 4 prior to finishing this blog post or you can follow along with me. I’ll be paraphrasing and breaking down certain parts, since I’ve already studied the chapter.
Revelation 4 invites readers into what the throne of God in heaven looks like. It should serve as a reminder to worship Him only.So, John looked and saw a door open in heaven. The same voice sounded like a trumpet (Jesus) said, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen after this.” (Revelation 4:1). Clearly, Jesus invites John into another realm in the spirit to discover who all worships in heaven nonstop. John was instantly caught up in the spirt (Revelation 4:2).
Also in Revelation 4:2, John saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. John describes who and what he sees as “brilliant as gemstones” (Revelation 4:3). In other words, what John saw was very bright. It goes on to say in verse 3 that it was like “jasper and carnelian”. This was a magnificent sight. Further along, it states, “and the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow”.
There were 24 elders who sat around the actual throne. Those elders were people. We’re not sure who these 24 elders were. It could be the disciples (minus Judas). It could also be Paul and others. These are just some thoughts being that the scripture doesn’t directly tell us.
Revelation 4:4 states, “they were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads”. White represents purity. Gold represents divinity, royalty, success, or even achievement.
Lightening and thundering came from the throne. Even a light flashed continuously. So, what we know is that the thundering noise came from the actual throne. Verse 5 mentions how “in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames”. These were the sevenfold spirit of God.
One may ask, what are the sevenfold spirit of God? There are several suggestions, but after careful study, I believe the 7 spirits represents the perfected number of the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
- The spirit of the Lord.
- The spirit of wisdom.
- The spirit of understanding.
- The spirit of counsel.
- The spirit of power.
- The spirit of knowledge.
- The spirit of fear of the Lord.
In verse 6, a sparkling sea of glass was directly in front of the throne. It is amazing how the word “throne” is mentioned at least 15 times between Revelation 4 and 5.
In the actual center of the throne and around it was four living beings (Revelation 4:6). Each of the four living beings were covered with eyes in the front and back (Revelation 4:8). These beings were 24/7 watchmen for God. Verse 7 describes what John saw.
“The first living being was like a lion.
The second living being was like an ox.
The third living being was like a human.
The fourth living being was like an eagle.”
Being that John said these being “were like” doesn’t mean they were exactly that. It just means that this was the closest that John could describe them as—similarities rather.
Revelation 4:8-11 is so powerful. I found it important to quote word verbatim.
“Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
There is so much to digest. First, it is vital to understand that John isn’t the first person to report seeing something similar. That is why it is so important to study to show ourselves approved before God (2 Timothy 2:15).
Similarities: In Ezekiel 1, it documents Ezekiel’s vision of living beings just like John in Revelation 4. Both John and Ezekiel see four living beings. Both of them see wings (even though the number of wings differ between the two).
Differences: John looked and saw a door open in heaven, then the vision was released. Ezekiel was with the Judean exiles when the heavens opened, then the vision was released. John saw 6 wings on each being. Ezekiel saw 4 wings on each being.
Does this mean that there were multiple groups of beings? We’re not sure, but that is just a thought. It states in Ezekiel 10:20, “These were the same living beings I had seen beneath the God of Israel when I was by the Kebar River. I knew they were cherubim”. Cherubim are angelic beings that are majestic and holy.
In Isaiah’s vision, He saw 6 wings just like John did in Revelation 4. Isaiah described them with similar sayings. I encourage you to read Isaiah 6:1-2. I remember reading Revelation 4 before and wondering why each of the four beings have different faces.
Upon careful review, there are two options I’ve proposed. Doesn’t mean that they are true, but these are just a thought. Remember, the bible doesn’t tell us why the four beings faces are different. As believers of Christ, we must remember that God chooses to reveal some things and not reveal others (Deuteronomy 29:29).
The first thought comes from my study on the Bible Fragrances article. There were three tribes under the standard of Judah:
3 tribes to the north = face of an eagle
3 tribes to the west = face of a man
3 tribes to the south = face of an ox.
3 tribes to the east = face of a lion.
The second thought comes from early Christian scholars like Irenaeus and Jerome, among others. Maybe the faces of the four beings symbolizes the gospel of Jesus
Matthew = Jesus portrayed as the king of Jews like a lion.
Mark = Jesus portrayed as a servant like an ox.
Luke = Jesus portrayed as the Son of man like a man.
John= Jesus portrayed as the Son of God in all His majesty like an eagle.
These are all just ideas after carefully studying scriptures and information from Christian scholars and articles. I believe that the purpose of the four living beings being different is for us to realize that God calls all beings (humans and animals) to worship Him. After all, God created everything. Therefore, He is worthy to be praised by all His creations.
It is amazing how God called John to come up higher and opened a grand door unto Him into heaven. That message alone will preach all by itself. God calls us higher to come up higher into Him—to allow the Holy Spirit to use us on a higher level. Revelation 4 focuses on the beauty of worship unto God. God’s throne is mighty and majestic. All praise and worship belong to Him. Just as Revelation 4:8 says, ““Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
The Lord always was alpha and omega. The Lord is still the King of Kings and Lords of Lords. The Lord is still to come again. He will return again. He will reign on earth. He will bring judgement to the ungodly and redeem the Godly.
Revelation 4:9 talks about how the 24 elders fell down and laid down their crowns. I believe those crowns were given to the 24 elders by the Lord. God found them faithful enough to receive those crowns. Yet, despite having their own crown, they were humble enough to lay it down for the Lord. We too must be humble enough to lay down our pride, lay down our desires, lay down our burdens, and lay down everything in our lives unto God and worship Him. Nothing else really matters. Yes, I said it. Nothing else really matters.
When we come into His presence, nothing else matters. We should spend those moments focused on God, hosting the Holy Spirit, and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) We must lay it all down just like the 24 elders.
Keep in mind, these elders are in heaven. Either they’ve always been there or earned their spot in heaven. Regardless, they didn’t stop praising God. Neither did they forget why God gave them the honor TO honor Him. Don’t let that go over your head.
Just like when God blesses us or elevates us, we can’t forget to still worship God. We can’t forget to come off our high rose and lay it all down to God in praise and worship. No matter how high up we may go in life, we must remember to come down to worship the Lord.
The final verse 11 in Revelation 4 says, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
I am so glad God created me. I am so glad God created you. We weren’t created just to exist, check off everything on our vision board, be the most successful person in the world, or etc. No, we were created for worship (Psalm 66:4 Psalm 150:6, Isaiah 43:7, Matthew 4:10, and Psalm 47:6). We were created to serve the Lord (Ephesians 2:10). God was pleased when He created us (Genesis 1:27-31). Psalm 29:2 NKJV says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” David says worship is due to the Lord and that is so true. Jesus died on the cross and rose on the third day for us (1 Corinthians 15:4).
Therefore, all honor, praise, and worship is due unto God. It is my hope that this bible study blessed you. Our nation is headed in a direction that many people won’t be prepared for if they don’t get in their Word more. The bible was written for us. Therefore, Revelation is indeed a book in the bible that we should be studying more now than ever. John 4:23 NLT says, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.”
Hallelujah to the Lord! It is time now for true believers to pick up their cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). Never forget, we exist because God created what He pleased. So, praise God now until you take your last breath. He is worthy of it all. Thank you so much for reading my latest blog post. Click here to find the podcast version of this bible study to refer back to as necessary. Share this with a friend or loved one. See ya next month!
