Lesson 10
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Chapter Four - The Vision of Heaven and the Throne
Review - Intro:
<4:5-6>
The environment that surrounds the throne
This throne is clearly a throne of
judgment.
This is seen in that proceeding
from it are flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder.
Also there are the 7 lamps of fire which are identified as
the 7 spirits; already seen to refer to G/H-S in His fullness. 1:4; 3:1.
Before the throne there is a sea of glass = associated
with purity and flawlessness.
The central focus of 4:6-8 is the four living creatures.
What are these 4 living
creatures?
1. Their place, in Rev. like the 24 elders is seen from
here until ch 19.
2. Identity, who are these living
beings; appearance gives us some clues;
vs:7.
Note: Like much of revelation if
you totally focus on the immediate context only in an attempt to discover the
meaning, you'll miss it; will be forgetting that much of the imagery of Rev
comes out of the OT.
Where do we go? To find a clue, a
parallel?? Ezk
1 Note
parallels!
What is a Cherub?
What is their function?
To see this joy and enthusiasm for
God's judgment > Rev 6:1, 3, 5, 7;
Look at Rev 15 also very much involved in the pouring
out of the bowl judgments. 15:7
Also Rev 19:4
- not only do they have enthusiasm but this associates them
with rapidity of carrying out the will of God.
Psa 18:10
-
"full of eyes around and within"
= perception/understanding;
* The
Function of these 4 living beings!
To
protect, to vindicate, to affirm God's righteous judgment.
Some examples of protection and
judgment associated with Cherubs.
1st
When God said to Adam and Eve, because you have sinned and are going to have to
leave the garden, what happened?
2nd
The ark of the covenant; it was on the lid, the mercy
seat, that the blood was sprinkled;
What about the 4 types or
characters represented?
- Typically in Scripture:
Lion = majesty/rule; ox calf/bull = strength
man =
intelligence/reason; eagle = rapidity
Views held: most common!
a. That they represent the
coming Messiah as presented in the Gospels.
- Matt = the lion of the tribe
of
Mark = the ox is the servant of
YHWH
Luke = the incarnate human
Jesus
John = the eagle as the divine
Son of God.
b. That they symbolically
represent the attributes of God.
- 1st that they are full of
eyes, (4:6,8) = OmSc, OmPr
- the
lion = majesty; OmPo power to rule
- calf/ox
= typical of faithful labor/patience
- man
= intelligence; ability to reason
- eagle
= greatest of birds; sovereignty
c. Some hold
that these 4 categories represent all of creation;
The greatest of the birds is
the eagle; the mightiest among domestic animals is the ox, the mightiest among
the wild animals is the lion;
and the
mightiest of them all is man.
Here John views these living
creatures as an integral part of the throne and that they are ceaselessly
worshiping God.
Pictures
then all of God's creation then worshiping Him.
<4:8-11> The Worship
Focus is on the ceaseless
worship of the 4 living beings and the ceaseless worship of the 24 elders.
And now John turns his
attention from this scene in heaven, and who is there to what is occurring;
First thing noted about them is
their dedication to worship!
"and day and night they do not cease to say,"
* What are they saying? 4:8b
If there is one thing that we
should come away from the study of Revelation and the description given of
heaven is this; It is totally theo-centric.
* Expression of Praise: 4 living beings
pick up here on the 3 key attributes of God seen in Revelation.
In the Tribulation
period there are 3 attributes of God that will be repeatedly emphasized and we see them
right here in vs:8.
#1
God is Holy! In the book of Rev, the
Holiness of God stands against the sin and open rebellion of man against God.
#2 God is OmPo! "almighty"
#3
God is eternal! strong
statement of God's eternality.