Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 4

Seeing a “door standing open in heaven,” John is told to “come up here” (cf. Ezekiel 1:1). He receives a new view of God’s majesty and power (throne) so that he can understand the events on earth that relate to the seven-seal vision (cf. 1 Kings 22:19). For the first time in Revelation, the reader is introduced to the frequent interchange between heaven and earth found in the remainder of the book. What happens on earth has its heavenly counterpart.

Chapter 4 focuses on the throne vision that provides the setting for the dramatic action of the slain Lamb in ch. 5. There is a connection between this throne vision and the vision of the glorified Christ in 1:11–16. We are told that John heard the same voice speaking to him that he “had first heard speaking... like a trumpet” (cf. 1:10). The words of the messenger relate to what has just transpired: “I will show you what must take place after this”—after the time of the historical churches in Asia (cf. 1:19).

There is no good reason for seeing the invitation for John to come up into the opened heaven as a symbol of the rapture of the church. Some have so interpreted it and have inferred that the absence of the word “church” (GK 1711) from Revelation till 22:16 and the continued references to the “saints” indicate that at this point the church departs from the earth. But the word “church” or “churches” always stands in Revelation for the historic seven churches in Asia and not for the universal body of Christ. Since 4:1–22:15 concerns the believing community as a whole, it would be inappropriate to find the narrower term “church” in this section (cf. 3Jn 6, 9–10).

Finally, it is significant that the visions that continue to the end of the book refer to the throne, the book, the crowns, the four living creatures, the twentyfour elders, and the victory of the Lamb. In all this, the central focus appears to be the five hymns of praise that begin in 4:8 and continue through ch. 5.

Chapter 4 is above all a vision of the royal throne of God. The prophet ascends “in the Spirit” to see the source of all that will happen on earth (cf. 1:10). It will all be an expression of the throne’s purpose; nothing happens in the past, present, or future apart from God’s intention. Whatever authority is given to an angel or to a horseman is given by God. The throne symbolizes God’s majesty and power. Yet his majestic transcendence is fully safeguarded—John does not attempt to describe the “someone sitting on” the throne (cf. 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Psalms 47:8; Isaiah 6:1ff.; Ezekiel 1:26–28).

The minerals “jasper” and “carnelian” portray the supernatural splendor of God while the “rainbow, resembling an emerald,” conveys the impression of God’s encircling brilliance (cf. Ezekiel 1:27–28). But we need not find symbolism in each element of the vision; it is enough to allow the imagery to create the impression of transcendent glory. Whether John intends God’s judgment to be part of the symbolism of the throne vision (cf. Psalms 9:4, 7) is not clear. What is unmistakably clear is that all—whether elders, angels, lamps, sea of glass, or living creatures—centers on the throne and the one who sits on it, “who lives for ever and ever” (v.9).

Chapter 4 is above all a vision of the royal throne of God. The prophet ascends “in the Spirit” to see the source of all that will happen on earth (cf. 1:10). It will all be an expression of the throne’s purpose; nothing happens in the past, present, or future apart from God’s intention. Whatever authority is given to an angel or to a horseman is given by God. The throne symbolizes God’s majesty and power. Yet his majestic transcendence is fully safeguarded—John does not attempt to describe the “someone sitting on” the throne (cf. 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Psalms 47:8; Isaiah 6:1ff.; Ezekiel 1:26–28).

The minerals “jasper” and “carnelian” portray the supernatural splendor of God while the “rainbow, resembling an emerald,” conveys the impression of God’s encircling brilliance (cf. Ezekiel 1:27–28). But we need not find symbolism in each element of the vision; it is enough to allow the imagery to create the impression of transcendent glory. Whether John intends God’s judgment to be part of the symbolism of the throne vision (cf. Psalms 9:4, 7) is not clear. What is unmistakably clear is that all—whether elders, angels, lamps, sea of glass, or living creatures—centers on the throne and the one who sits on it, “who lives for ever and ever” (v.9).

Next John sees “twenty-four elders.” It would be helpful if we could ask an interpreting angel, “Who are the elders?” (5:5–14; 7:11–17; 11:16–18; 12:10–12; 14:3; 19:4). There are at least thirteen different views of their identity, ranging from the twenty-four ruling stars (or judges) in the heavens to a simple figure of wholeness and fullness. The elders are always associated with the “four living creatures” (4:6ff.) and engage in acts of worship of God and the Lamb. While not entirely ruling out the elders’ possible representative or symbolic significance, the arguments of those who interpret the elders as a class of heavenly spirit-beings belonging to the general class of angels and living creatures seem more compelling. From this viewpoint, the “angels,” the “twenty-four elders,” and “the four living creatures” all designate actual supernatural beings involved with the purpose of God on earth and his worship in heaven. They are always distinguished from the “saints” (5:8; 11:17– 18; 19:1–4).

In the Bible “twelve” appears to be the number of divine government— twelve months in a lunar year, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, twelve gates in the New Jerusalem, twelve angels at each gate, twelve foundations, twelve thousand sealed from each tribe, etc. Multiples of twelve—such as twenty-four, etc.—probably have a similar significance. “Thrones” are related to the heavenly powers in Col 1:16. In Revelation “white” clothing generally belongs to the saints but relates to angelic beings elsewhere in the NT (e.g., Jn 20:12). While the “crowns of gold” (cf. 4:10; 9:7; 14:14) are likewise usually related to the redeemed, here they refer to the royal dignity of those so closely associated with the throne of God (cf. 1 Kings 22:19; Psalms 89:7).

“Flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder” coming from the throne symbolize God’s awesome presence and the vindication of the saints and occur with slight variation three more times in Revelation (8:5; 11:19; 16:18; cf. Exodus 19:16; Ezekiel 1:13; Psalms 18:13–15). On the expression “seven blazing lamps,” see comment on 1:4 (cf. Ezekiel 1:13).