Revelation 4:2-4 NLT,NIV,ESV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 4:3

Revelation 4:3. He that sat was to look upon like a jasper Shone with a visible lustre, like that of sparkling precious stones, such as those which were of old on the high-priest’s breast-plate, and those placed as the foundations of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:19-20. If there be any thing emblematical in the colours of these stones, possibly the jasper (one species, at least, of which, according to Pliny, is milky white, and according to Daubuz, of a white and bright shining... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 4:4-5

Revelation 4:4-5. And round about the throne In a circle; four and twenty seats Greek, θρονοι , thrones; and upon the thrones four and twenty elders Signifying, perhaps, the most wise, holy, and useful of all the former ages, whether of the patriarchal, Jewish, or Christian Church, Isaiah 24:23; Hebrews 12:1. In the number, there seems to be an allusion to that of the patriarchs and apostles, and they may be called elders, because the presidency of elders was common among the Jews.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

4:1-5:14 A VISION OF HEAVENVision of the throne (4:1-11)Jesus has shown John the present state of the churches as he sees them. He now shows him, again from the divine viewpoint, certain things that are going to happen as God works out his purposes in the world. By means of a vision of heaven, John begins to have some understanding of how God sees the world’s affairs. He is given a glimpse of the place where God, the possessor of absolute authority, reigns majestically in indescribable glory... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:2

was = became, came to be. See Revelation 1:9 , Revelation 1:10 . in the Spirit. i.e. in or by the power of the Spirit, as Revelation 1:10 . Spirit. App-101 . sat = sitting. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:3

look upon. Compare App-133 . jasper = jasper stone. According to Pliny, this stone was translucent. sardine stone = sardius stone. A precious stone from Sardis, red in color. rainbow. Greek. iris. Only here and Revelation 10:1 . In Genesis 9:13 ; Ezekiel 1:28 , &c, the Septuagint uses toxon, bow, for the Hebrew kesheth. insight. Same words as "to look upon", above. unto = to. emerald. Only here. A kindred word in Revelation 21:19 , and in Exodus 28:18 with Exodus 39:8 (Septuagint) read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:4

four and twenty. See App-10 and App-197 . seats = thrones, as Revelation 4:2 . See Revelation 1:4 . saw. The texts omit. elders. Greek. presbuteros. These are evidently heavenly beings, "a pattern" after which David arranged his twenty-four courses of the sons of Aaron (1 Chronicles 24:3-5 ). they had. The texts omit. crowns of gold. The only other wearer is the Son of Man (Revelation 14:14 ), a fact which proves the exalted station of these "elders". read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:2

Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;Straightway I was in the Spirit ... This seems to be out of place in the eyes of some, since John was already "in the Spirit" when he heard the voice out of heaven; but there were definite reasons for the statement here. The words "come up hither" in Revelation 4:1 have often been interpreted as a reference to "the rapture," in which all of the redeemed of earth (at the time) are... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:3

and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.There is little that can be known positively about these symbols. Note that, "There is here no description of the Divine Being, so as to point out any similitude, shape, or dimensions."[22] If there had been, people would probably have made idols of it and worshipped it. Regarding the stones here mentioned, we do not know exactly what they were, nor... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:4

And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.There are almost as many explanations of this as there are commentators. Who are these elders? They have been variously identified as symbolical of: (1) the "raptured" church which allegedly had already happened;[27] (2) the twenty-four star gods of the Babylonian pantheon;[28] (3) in the Targum the elders are... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 4:2

Revelation 4:2. Immediately I was in the spirit:— This phrase signifies to be under a strong and supernatural impulse, caused by the miraculous operation of the Spirit of God, acting on the imagination in such a manner as to open extraordinary scenes, which had not any exact, external archetype; and it is much illustrated by the view presented to Ezekiel, when he sat in his house among the elders of the people, who probably saw nothing but the prophet himself, as one in a trance or extacy, or... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 4:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 4:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:2

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:3

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 4:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 4:2

Group of Brands