Revelation 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 4:2

Revelation 4:2. Immediately I was in the Spirit Even in a higher degree than before. “This phrase,” says Doddridge, “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, (Ezekiel 8:1,) who... 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

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

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 4:2

2. And—omitted in the two oldest manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac. I was, c.—Greek, "I became in the Spirit" (see on :-): I was completely rapt in vision into the heavenly world. was set—not was placed, but was situated, literally, "lay." one sat on the throne—the Eternal Father: the Creator ( :-): also compare Revelation 4:8 Revelation 1:4, where also the Father is designated, "which is, and was, and is to come." When the Son, "the Lamb," is introduced, Revelation 1:4- :, a new song is sung which... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 4:1-5

III. THE REVELATION OF THE FUTURE 4:1-22:5John recorded the rest of this book to reveal those aspects of the future that God wanted His people to know (cf. Revelation 1:19). He revealed the events in chapters 4-18 to enable the readers to understand events leading up to Jesus Christ’s second coming."The closest modern parallel to this mode of communication is the political cartoon, which has gained an established place in the popular press all over the world." [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. 16.]... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 4:2

As soon as John heard this invitation, he entered another visionary state (cf. Revelation 1:10). His body remained on the earth, but he saw a throne and someone sitting on it in heaven (cf. Ezekiel 11:1; Ezekiel 11:5). [Note: See J. M. Vogelgesang, "The Interpretation of Ezekiel in the Book of Revelation," (Ph.D. dissertation, Harvard University, 1985).] "Throne" occurs 45 times in Revelation and only 15 times in the rest of the New Testament. The tense of the Greek verb translated "sitting"... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 4:2-8

The glory of God 4:2-8 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

The Glory of GodThe Church has been encouraged in the midst of her tribulation and temptation by the vision of the presence and support of Christ. Now (Revelation 4, 5) a further series of visions begins, in which are shown, under figures, the forces by which the life of the Church is affected, or, in other words, those who are for her and those who are against her. She is shown God and the Lamb, and she is shown the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and the apostate city. Then she is shown... read more

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