Revelation 4:5

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 4:5

proceeded = proceed. seven. See App-197 . lamps. App-130 . See John 18:3 . burning. Greek. kaio. See Joh 5:55 . Spirits. App-101 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 4:5

And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;Thunder and lightning, etc. ... "These announce the presence of God, as at Sinai (Exodus 19:16), and the seven burning lamps refer to the Holy Spirit."[36] The combined symbols of this verse convey no meaning except that of "God's omnipotent power."[37] Subsequent versions use "torches" here instead of lamps, and perhaps that is... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 4:5

Revelation 4:5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings— There is an observable difference in the several descriptions of the throne of God in the prophets: The glory, or Shechinah, in the temple, is represented as under the wings of the cherubim, 1 Kings 8:6-7. In Isaiah's vision, the glory of the Lord is represented as sitting on a throne, and above it stood the seraphim, (Isaiah 1:2.) that is, "above the place on which the throne was set, as attending ministers to him who sat upon the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 4:5

5. proceeded-Greek, "proceed." thunderings and voices—The two oldest manuscripts transpose, "voices and thunderings." Compare at the giving of the law on Sinai, :-. "The thunderings express God's threats against the ungodly: there are voices in the thunders ( :-), that is, not only does He threaten generally, but also predicts special judgments" [GROTIUS]. seven lamps . . . seven Spirits—The Holy Spirit in His sevenfold operation, as the light-and-life Giver (compare :-, seven eyes . . . the... 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 4:2-8

The glory of God 4:2-8 read more

Thomas Constable

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

The lightning and thunder are evidently portents of judgment to come and symbolize God judging (Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18; cf. Exodus 19:16)."In Revelation the symbols of thunder and lightning are always connected with a temple scene and mark an event of unusual import." [Note: Mounce, p. 136.] The wrath of God proceeds from this throne. The seven burning lamps (or torches, Gr. lampades, cf. lychniai, "lampstands," Revelation 1:12; Revelation 1:20) probably picture... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 4:5

4:5 lamps (f-15) Lampas . only here and ch. 8.10 where the word is translated 'torch.' Not the lamp as a utensil ( luchnia , ch. 1.13), but what furnished the light itself read more

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