Revelation 4:2, Revelation 4:4 NIV

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Revelation 4:1-99

Revelation 4 THE FIRST verse of chapter 4 is, we judge, a very important one. It introduces the unveiling of “the things which must be hereafter;” that is, according to Rev_1:19 , the third section of the book. The vision now takes a fresh departure, and John sees a door opened in heaven and hears an authoritative call to come up into heavenly scenes. Being, as he tells us, “in the Spirit,” all that he experienced and saw had to him a vivid reality, and though a vision it conveys prophetic... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Revelation 4:1-5

The Vision of God's Throne of Majesty and Glory. Revelation 4:1-1 Kings : The throne and the seat of the elders: v. 1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. v. 2. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. v. 3. And He that sat was to look... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Revelation 4:1-11

SPECIAL DOCTRINO-ETHICAL AND HOMILETICAL NOTES (ADDENDUM)Section FourthSecond Grand Vision. Heaven-picture of the Seals. (Chs. 4, 5)General.—a. Translation of the Seer to Heaven. A vision within a vision, at the same time denoting a momentary translation into the light of the consummation.—The import of Heaven in the whole of Sacred Writ, from Genesis 1:1 throughout, is at once cosmical and spiritual. Heaven is, so to speak, the plastic symbol of religion, and especially of Christianity. God’s... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

“A Throne Set in Heaven” Revelation 4:1-11 The vision of the ascended Lord introduced the seven letters to the churches, so the visions of this and the next chapters introduce the seven seals. They resemble the frontispiece or illuminated capitals of the old missals. There is no form for the Divine Being. God is Spirit, and His glory can only be hinted at by appropriate imagery. His being should excite emotions in our spirit similar to those which these objects excite in our mind. The jasper... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

This chapter introduces us to the Revelation of Christ in His government of all world affairs in which a most remarkable vision of the heavenly order is presented to us. Everything is seen as surrounding the throne. Four and twenty elders are seated round about that throne. In an inner circle are four living creatures, symbolically described as, the first like a lion, the second like an ox, the third as a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. The whole interest centers in Him who sits on... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

The Throne Preparing for Judgment Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We are now approaching the second division of the Book of Revelation. Chapter three concludes the message to the Seven Churches. Chapter four begins "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven." It seems to us that we are now passing into the story of the Tribulation, in its beginnings the first half of that time known as the Day of Jacob's trouble. 1. We are living in a solemn... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:2

THE TRIUNE GOD IN HEAVEN‘Immediately I was in the Spirit, and, behold, a throne was set in heaven.’ Revelation 4:2 Other Feasts of the Christian year show our Lord God in the works and wonders which He has done; the Feast of Trinity declares to us what God is in Himself, in His divine Being. Here we see the Triune God in heaven. The whole chapter is appointed as the Epistle for Trinity Sunday. Let us consider its teachings: I. The enthroned Jehovah.—St. John was permitted ‘in the Spirit’ to... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:2

‘Immediately I was in Spirit and, behold, there was a throne set in Heaven, and one sitting on the throne.’ There is no suggestion this time that he is carried forward to the Lord’s day. Rather he is carried ‘upward’ into Heaven. And there he sees a throne set in Heaven. Whatever happens on earth, God is on His throne. ‘One sitting on the throne’. This is the description used throughout the book for God the Father (see Revelation 5:13; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10). The Lord reigns! (1... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

Revelation 4. The Vision of Heaven.— In this chapter the real Apocalypse commences. A door is opened in heaven and the seer sees the throne of God, flashing like jewels, and surrounded by a rainbow. Twenty-four elders sit on thrones, and with four “ living beasts” offer continual praise and worship to God. Much of the imagery is traditional, and derived from similar descriptions of heaven and the Divine majesty in OT; cf. Isaiah 6:1-Numbers :, Ezekiel 12:4-Hosea :, Daniel 7:9 f. Revelation... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 4:2

In the Spirit; in an ecstasy, as Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:2, and Peter, Acts 10:10, and Ezekiel, Ezekiel 3:12, and himself was both before and after this, Revelation 1:10; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 21:10. A throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne: God is constantly described, in the prophetical visions, as sitting upon a throne, to denote his power and dominion, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. See Daniel 7:9, &c. read more