Revelation 4:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 4:1-7

We have here an account of a second vision with which the apostle John was favoured: After this, that is, not only ?after I had seen the vision of Christ walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks,? but ?after I had taken his messages from his mouth, and written and sent them to the several churches, according to his command, after this I had another vision.? Those who well improve the discoveries they have had of God already are prepared thereby for more, and may expect them. Observe, I.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 4:5-6

4:5-6a And flashes of lightning and voices and peals of thunder were coming forth from the throne. There were seven torches of fire burning before the throne, and these are the seven Spirits of God. And in front of the throne there was what I can only call a sea of glass like crystal. John adds more details to his mysterious and awe-inspiring picture of heaven. The voices are the voices of the thunder; and thunder and lightning are often connected with the manifestation of God. In the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:5

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings , and voices ,.... Which may be understood either of the doctrines of the Gospel which come out of Zion, and out of Jerusalem, the church of God, where he has his throne; and which are comparable to "lightning", both for the light and knowledge they give, and for the swiftness with which they were spread over the world, by the apostles of Christ; and to "thunderings", for the awfulness, authority, and majesty of them, especially... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:5

Seven lamps of fire - Seven angels, the attendants and ministers of the supreme King. See Revelation 1:4 , and the note there. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:1-6

The Divine government symbolized. In the forms of earth the formless heavenly things are represented—the Divine government which in our thoughts is so often restricted to the conditions of human government. It is needful to remind ourselves that when we have conceived the most lofty notions of the Divine rule, we are infinitely below the real and actual. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

The high court of heaven. If the portions of this book hitherto considered have had their difficulties, those on which we now enter are far more beset therewith. But the solemn sanctions given to the reading and study of this book send us, in spite of its difficulties, to the earnest examination of its sayings, certain that in them, even in the most mysterious of them, there lies a message from God to our souls. May he be pleased to make that message clear to us. This fourth chapter gives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:2-11

Man's higher sphere of being: (2) Spiritually entered. "And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne," etc. We need not suppose that the supermundane world appeared to John's bodily eye in the forms in which it is here presented. It was a mental vision and nothing more, and a mental vision is often more real, more significant, more impressive, than a material. Commentators of this book have treated these objects as those which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 4:5

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundering and voices. The present tense (see on Revelation 4:4 ). The whole symbolical of the power and majesty of God, as of old he manifested his presence on Sinai. "There were thunders and lightnings and … the voice of the trumpet" ( Exodus 19:16 ). And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. The Holy Spirit, represented in his sevenfold operation, by lamps, which illumine. The same... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 4:5

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices - Expressive of the majesty and glory of Him that sat upon it. We are at once reminded by this representation of the sublime scene that occurred at Sinai Exodus 19:16, where “there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud.” Compare Ezekiel 1:13, Ezekiel 1:24. So Milton:“Forth rushed with whirlwind sound.The chariot of Paternal Deity,Flashing thick flames.”“And... read more

Group of Brands