Revelation 4:6 Revelation 4:6 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 beasts full of eyes before and behind. This sea of glass beareth some resemblance unto the sea of brass in Solomon’ s Temple, \ like crystal, that is, clear and perspicuous; such is the gospel of the grace of God, \ wherein we have an open vision of Jesus Christ, who is the image of the unseen glory of God. \ By this sea of glass we may understand the pure worship of God under the gospel, \ mixed with fire; that is, with fiery trials, persecutions and sufferings for Christ, on which the victors stood with Christ, singing, praising and worshipping him. “ And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts” Tessara zwa (quatnor Animalia) four living creatures, (zyon) signifies (Animale Rationale) a rational living creature, not a beast, for these were some of Christ’ s redeemed ones, \ they were men who worshipped God. \ The four and twenty elders were the ministers of God in general: these four living creatures were the four sorts of officers of Christ in special, fixed and set by him in every particular congregation and church of saints, who waited and attended on the work of the ministry in the church. \ "Full of eyes, before and behind" whereby is signified the watchfulness of the elders, whom the holy spirit hath made overseers of the flock of God, the church of saints. \ They had eyes within; that is, the pastors and teachers are to look to themselves, and to their doctrine. \ They had eyes before; that is, they ought to look that no false brethren creep in unawares. \ And they had eyes behind; that is, they ought to look after the members of the church, and see that they walk orderly, \ and have their conversation as becometh the gospel. \