Revelation 4:1-11

John continues writing about events occurring during the past, the present, and the future - but in chapters 4 and 5 the events take place in heaven (not on earth as chapters 2 and 3).

Revelation 4:1:

^4:1After I saw these-things, and look!, a door having been opened² in the heaven and the sound, the first (sound) which I heard as of a trumpet uttering-forth with me, saying, "You must ascend here and I will point-out to you which-things are necessary to come-to-pass after these-things."

After I perceived (knew with my mind) the things already described in this writing (chapters 1-3)...

and look (behold, see - in the sense of calling attention)!,
a door that has been opened and continues open (standing open granting entrance/access or exit)
- in the heaven (as opposed to being on earth)
and the sound (voice, uttered-tone),
- emphatically and specifically the first sound which I heard (the same voice from whom I heard initially; refer to Revelation 1:10)
  - as of a trumpet (which is strong and loud and thereby summons the hearer's attention)
- speaking in company and association with me,
saying (the one from whom the voice came was laying out words of instruction to me),
- "You must ascend here (mount or come-up into this location close to me)
- and I will point-out (indicate, as pointing with my finger) to you regarding the things which are binding to happen (which must occur, ought to become, come into being)
  - after these things (following the present age, what happens afterwards)."

[Reference: Revelation 1:1, 10, 12 and 19.]

Verses 2-7:

^.2Immediately I became in spirit, and look!, a throne used-to-lie in the heaven, and (One) sitting-down on the throne, ^.3even the (One) sitting-down like a sight - a jasper and sardian stone; and a circle-of-light from-around the throne like a sight - emerald; ^.4and from-around the throne twenty four thrones, and on the thrones twenty four elders sitting-down having been clothed² in white outer-garments and on their heads golden crowns; ^.5and from the throne journeys-out lightnings and sounds and thunders; and seven torches of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God; ^.6and before the throne as a glassy sea like crystal; and in (the) midst of the throne and circling-round the throne four living-beings being-full of eyes in-front and from-behind - ^.7and the living-being, the first (living-being) like a lion, and the second living-being like a calf, and the third living-being having the face as a man, and the fourth living-being like a flying eagle;

Straightaway (directly) I came to pass to be in spirit (within the sphere of action of spirit; "in spirit" refers to the time when John was receiving information via his holy spirit-life - not by reading a book or some other form of learning; refer to Revelation 1:10)...

and look (behold, see, pay attention)!,
a throne (a "throne" is the high seat designated for a king and so it would include all the regal authority associated with that position)
- was lying in the heaven (this verb is in the imperfect tense because from the viewpoint of the prophecy of this writing God's throne used to be laid within the heaven above the earth, but this will not be the case at the time of the end of this writing when it will be caused to lie down, to be set or placed into its position on earth, which is still future to us today),
and there was One (God) sitting down on the throne,
- emphatically the One sitting down like (similar to)
  - a sight (something to be seen being presented to me to be perceived with my eyes and known by me) - what kind of a sight? -
  - a jasper (a quartz of potentially many colors either opaque or translucent; Revelation 21:11 refers to a jasper being as crystal)
  - and sardian (or "sardius" - with ruby red coloring)
    - stone (a precious, honorable, and beautiful gem, a prized jewel);
    - [Note: John does not describe God Himself but only what emanates from Him; refer to Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15, I Timothy 1:17, Hebrews 11:27.]
and there was a circle of light (a complete circle of colored light, as the iris of an eye or the halo around the sun)
- from around the throne like (similar to)
  - a sight - what kind of a sight? -
  - emerald (made of/with an emerald stone with green coloring);
and from around the throne I saw twenty four (24) thrones,
- and on the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting down (the “elders” in this context are referring to beings who have more knowledge, wisdom, dignity, etc, relative to God and the things of God - elders in service to/for God - 24 is the number associated with government and rule - 24 elders who serve and praise God as priests and kings, leading, governing, ruling others who also serve and praise God)
  - having been clothed and continuing clothed in white outer-garments (garments that are radiant, emitting light, effulgent, brilliant and bright, which had already been thrown or cast around them as a vesture, wrap, covering)
  - and on their heads I saw golden crowns (similar to the victory wreath or garland prize put on the head of the victor/winner of a contest or race - these crowns were made of/with gold);
and from the throne journeys-out (making their journey, proceeding, passing out from God's throne)
- lightnings (the sudden speedy flashes of shining bright light, the quick supplying of light)
- and sounds (voices, uttered-tones)
- and thunders (rolling, rumbling sounds - figuratively referring to God's presence and expression of command, judgment, and righteousness/justice in action);
and there were seven torches of fire (lamps consisting of fire)
- burning before the throne (in the sight and presence of God's throne)
  - which are the seven spirits of God (these 7 spirits are dedicated to God and carry out activities in connection with His throne; refer to Revelation 1:4 and 3:1);
and before the throne there was something in comparison to
- a glassy sea (a body of water made of/with clear glass) similar to
  - crystal (transparent ice);
and in the middle of the throne and all around the throne there were four living-beings (4 is the number associated with God's creation, the universe and all that is in it - 4 alive creatures located in the exact positions to cover the ways or directions of east, west, north, and south, and the 4 quarters or quadrants of the heavenly zodiac written in the stars)
- being full (stuffed as a ship loaded with freight) of eyes
  - in-front (which see what is before, forward, or ahead of them)
  - and from-behind (which see what is at the rear, backwards, behind them) -
- and the living-being, emphatically and specifically the first living-being was similar to
  - a lion,
- and the second living-being similar to
  - a calf,
- and the third living-being
  - having the face as a man,
- and the fourth living-being similar to
  - a flying eagle.

[Reference: Genesis 3:15 and 24, 9:9-17; Exodus 19:16; Numbers chapter 2; I Chronicles 24:1-19, 28:19; Psalm 11:4, 103:19 - 104:7; Isaiah 37:2; Jeremiah 19:1; Ezekiel 1:5-14, 10:20; Matthew 5:34, 23:22, 25:1; John 4:24; Acts 2:17; Romans 8:19-21; I Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 1:7 and 14, 8:5, 9:5, 12:22-24; I Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:4 and 10, 3:1 and 5, 5:5.]

Verses 8-11:

^.8and the four living-beings, uniquely one by-one of them having six wings, from-around and from-inside are-full of eyes, and they do not have a resting-up of day and night saying, "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God, the All-Strong-One, the (One Who) used-to-be and the (One) being and the (One) coming"; ^.9and whenever the living-beings will give glory and honor and thankfulness to the (One) sitting-down on the throne, the (One) living into the ages of the ages, ^.10the twenty four elders will fall before the (One) sitting-down on the throne and they will worship the (One) living into the ages or the ages, and they will throw their crowns before the throne saying, ^.11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to take the glory and the honor and the ability, because You created all-things, even because of Your intention they used-to-be and they were created."

The four living-beings...

uniquely one by-one of them having six wings (each particular one of them has six wings apiece according to its individual function),
- from around and from inside are full of eyes (stuffed with eyes, as a ship loaded with freight, so as to view every direction of God's creation),

...and they do not have a resting-up of day and night (they do not pause, temporarily stop, refresh, cease from their activity during day or night of) saying...

"Holy, holy, holy (the repetition of the word "holy" 3 times gives very great emphasis - truly and completely sanctified, set-apart from the state of being common, defiled or unclean - God's essence is holiness - He is the standard of being holy),
the Lord God
- (the word "Lord" is the Greek word kurios and here it emphasizes and confirms the validity and authenticity of God’s lordship, dominion and authority over and relative-to His creation, plus the respectful submission due to Him; also, this word is used in Greek as a translation for the Hebrew word Jehovah / Yahweh and refers to God in His covenant-relationship to that-which He created)
- (the word "God" refers to the First, Superior or Ultimate One, the One Who has power, executes judgment, and emanates what He is, His power and light; He is the only true God; also, the usage of the name of God refers to the fullness of everything involved with Himself, all that He is and will continue to be, all of His authoritative-power, ability, workings, etc, His distinguishing and distinctive constitution, character, and quality),
the All-Strong-One
- (God is the One being totally strong, having all strength, every superiority and dominion in exerted force, almighty in relation to whom/what He has created; this emphasizes God's strength from/with which He gracefully supplies what is needed to/for His people, and to/for the rest of His host of beings; refer to II Corinthians 6:18, plus Romans 9:29 and James 5:4 where God is referred to as the Lord of Hosts which is from the same root word in Hebrew),
the One Who used-to-be
- (He has existed historically during the past time)
and One Who is presently and actively being
- (He exists in living reality right now during the present time)
and the One coming
- (He is in the process of coming, the action of moving from one location to another and He will arrive at a future time; refer to Revelation 1:4 and 8, 21:1-3 and 22)";

...and at whatever time the living-beings will give...

glory (importance, splendor, renown)
and honor (estimation of being valuable, deemed worthy of price)
and thankfulness (expression of gratitude for the reception of grace, thanks for bestowed unmerited or undeserved favor)
- to the One (God) sitting down on the throne,
- emphatically and specifically the One living (God is presently and actively alive)
  - into the ages of the ages (for the durations of lifetimes throughout the durations of lifetimes to come – not only one age or a group of ages, but emphatically for all the durations of life, the entirety, for eternity, forever),

...the twenty four elders (as verse 4 above)...

will fall down (demonstrating submission and recognition of their superior) in the sight and presence of the One (God) sitting down on the throne
and they will worship the One living into the ages or the ages(they will pay homage to God, they will be obeisant towards Him),
and they will throw (cast) their crowns before the throne (demonstrating their subservience to the One Who has supreme sovereign rule, authority, and judgment) while they are saying,
"You are worthy (the word "You" is in the singular form - You presently and actively are of equal-value, of like-worth, as being correctly weighed on a scales, and thus deserving),
- our Lord and God (the Lord and the God of us; refer to verse 8 above)
to take (to actively receive so as to use)
- the glory (as verse 9 above)
- and the honor (as verse 9 above)
- and the ability (the able-power, capability - corresponding to the thankfulness in verse 9 above),
because emphatically You created all-things (in Greek there is a definite word for "You" plus the verb meaning "You created" giving emphasis - You Yourself brought everything into being, You established all things from the start and these things are still in progress),
- emphatically on account of Your intention (God's will, Your active volition and desire)
  - all things were continuing during a past time (what God said come to pass and was continuing to exist historically)
  - and they were created (all the things that God commanded were brought into being, established exactly as He specified)."

[Reference: Genesis chapters 1-3, 14:19; Psalm 19:1-6, 33:4-9 and Psalm 148; Ezekiel 10:12; Matthew 16:16, 19:4, 23:22; Acts 12:23, 14:15; Romans 1:25, 4:20, 9:26; II Corinthians 3:3, 6:16-18; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-17; I Thessalonians 1:9; I Timothy 1:17, 3:15, 4:3 and 10, 6:16; Hebrews 3:12, 9:14, 10:31, 12:22; I Peter 1:16, 4:11; II Peter 3:5-13; Revelation 1:4 and 8, 10:6, 11:17, 21:22. Note: verbs with a superscript 2 (²) immediately following them indicate the "perfect" tense - details are provided in the "Relevant Notes" link of this study.]

Revelation Chapter 5