Revelation 4:5 KJV

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 4:5

(5) And out of the throne proceeded (rather, proceed; there is a change in the tense used) lightnings and thunderings and voices.—These are viewed by some as the indications of approaching judgments. Perhaps it is better to view them as the tokens of God’s power of judgment than as hints of immediately approaching judgments. The scene at Sinai (Exodus 19:16) was no doubt in the prophet’s mind. There the clouds and lightnings were not so much tokens of coming judgment as the symbols of that... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 4:1-11

Elevation and Vision Revelation 4:1 It is a serious error to suppose that we can rightly apprehend the highest truths whilst we live on a low plane of thought and conduct, and yet it is a very common error. Those who grovel in the dust, nay, who wallow in the sensual mire, yet believe themselves competent to discuss the most solemn problems of existence and destiny: they conclude that the truths concerning God His existence, laws, government, revelation and purpose are apprehended and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

CHAPTER III.ANTICIPATIONS OF THE CHURCH’S VICTORY.Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14.WE have seen in considering the first chapter of the Apocalypse that the book as a whole is to be occupied with the Church’s struggle in the world; and in the second and third chapters the Church herself has been placed before us as she occupies her position upon the field of history. But the struggle has not yet begun, nor will it begin until we reach the sixth chapter. Rev. 4 and 5 are therefore still to be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

III. THE THINGS WHICH ARE AFTER THESE, THE END OF THE AGE, THE CONSUMMATION, AND FINAL MESSAGES (4-22) CHAPTERS 4-5 1. The open door and the vision of the throne (Revelation 4:1-3 ) 2. The twenty-four elders and the throne (Revelation 4:4-5 ). 3. The four living creatures and the worship (Revelation 4:6-11 ) 4. Who is worthy to open the book? (Revelation 5:1-3 ) 5. The answer (Revelation 5:4-5 ) 6. The vision of the Lamb (Revelation 5:6-7 ) 7. Worship and praise (Revelation 5:8-14 )... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 4:5

4:5 {6} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.(6) By effects, in that most mightily he speaks all things by his voice and word, Psalms 29:3 and with the light of his Spirit and prudence peruses and passes through all. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

A Door Opened in Heaven From this point in Revelation the Church is never again seen on earth, but always in heaven or coming as the armies in heaven with her Lord to judge the earth (Revelation 19:11-14). The indication of her being raptured to glory is seen in the first verse, for John himself plainly represents the Church, and a door is opened in heaven for him to enter. A number of times in Scripture we read of heaven being opened, always indicating a public event of great significance,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

THE SEVEN SEALS This section might also be entitled “The things which shall be hereafter.” It is assumed that the true church is not upon the earth at the beginning of chapter 4, but that the translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 has taken place. Christendom is here, but the church is with the Lord in the air. To some this may seem a bold assumption, but not to those who have pursued the study of the earlier books in this commentary. To them it will appear natural and proper that the church... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 4:4-11

(4) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (5) And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (6) And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:5

Lightnings, a symbol of God's majesty and power. --- Seven lamps burning, which signified the seven spirits of God, the chief spirits that attend his throne. See chap. i. 4. (Witham) --- The lightnings, loud voices, and thunders, which come from the throne of God, announce alarms and severe hardships, such as persecutions, heresies, calamities, &c. by which he tries the fidelity of his servants on earth. And the seven spirits of God, who appear under the form of burning lamps, are seven... read more