Revelation 4:5-11 NKJV – 5 And from the throne proceeded lightning, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire [were] burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne [there was] a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, [were] four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature [was] like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature [was] like a flying eagle. 8 [The] four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
V5 “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire [were] burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” All the sights and sounds show the great majesty and holiness of God. The flaming lamps are the seven-fold Holy Spirit, which refers to His ministry (Isaiah 11:2). We read of similar times when God’s glory was revealed—Exodus 19:16 and Hebrews 12:18-19. Warren Wiersbe points out that this is not the Throne of Grace but the Throne of Judgment. Remember that chapters 4-5 are showing the prelude to the many judgments that start in chapter 6.
V6 “Before the throne [there was] a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, [were] four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back..” The floor of the throne room was this sea of glass which is also mentioned in Exodus 24:10-11 and Ezekiel 1:26-27. The four living creatures are the Cherubim—see Ezekiel 1:5-14 (Ezekiel 1:4-28). Yet, there are some differences. In Ezekiel, the cherubim have 4 wings, while the seraphim have 6 in Isaiah. Personally, I identify the “eyes” as shining lights. When cherubim are seen in most places, they do not have the wheels with eyes or are covered with eyes. The symbolism is knowledge and wisdom. Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:18-20, and Ezekiel 10:16.
V7 “The first living creature [was] like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature [was] like a flying eagle.” There are various guesses as to the 4 faces of these spirits. Scripture does not make it clear, so anything would be a guess. Believer’s Bible Commentary has “The description in verse 7 parallels the way Christ is presented in the Gospels: lion—Matthew—King; calf or ox—Mark—Servant; man—Luke—Son of Man; eagle—John—Son of God.”
Barclay (beware) has: “Irenaeus goes on to say that the fourfold form of the beasts represents the four principal covenants which God made with the human race. The first was made with Adam, prior to the flood. The second was made with Noah, after the flood. The third consisted of the giving of the Law to Moses. The fourth is that which renovates man in Christ, “raising and bearing men upon its wings into the heavenly kingdom.”
But, as we have said, there were a variety of different identifications.
The scheme of Athanasius was: Matthew = the man, Mark = the ox, Luke = the lion, and John = the eagle.”
V8 “[The] four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”” See the notes above.
V9 “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever…” This doesn’t appear to be the only assignment they have. They have protection, praise, missions of importance, etc. Praise is the recognition of God’s character traits. It includes thanksgiving and acknowledgment. Honor is their character and the throne room. A great king has a great throne room; the greatest and supreme king has the greatest throne room.
V10 “…the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying…” The mission of these elders is unknown by Scripture. They are close to God’s throne and appear to always be there. They are ready to offer the same willingly and approvingly.
V11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Two reasons for all this honor are the beauty, greatness, intelligence, etc., of His creation and that all was created for a purpose.
We learn:
- The greatness of the King of kings, His throne room, and His officials