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 Judah

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.