2. THOSE ABOUT THE THRONE Revelation 4:4-8a 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.--The visions of this section (chapters 4 and 5) are evidently intended to represent the authority and power of God; his authority to determine the destiny of all classes of beings and his power to execute his decrees. Hence, the general setting is that of a kingdom--the exercise of royal power and its consequential glory and praise. God sitting upon his throne is represented as being surrounded by twenty-four elders sitting upon thrones. These, though inferior to God, are clearly presented as ruling in some secondary sense, for they have crowns of gold on their heads. The essential and most important lesson here, doubtless, is that all intelligent creatures are required to worship and serve Jehovah. Commentators have disagreed much as to why they were called "elders" and why the number twenty-four. It should be remembered that heavenly things can only be described understandingly through something earthly. The term "elders" represents a leading class in both Jewish and Christian systems and, therefore, is an appropriate word to describe those who exercise a secondary rule under God's authority. The number twelve probably indicates completeness, and double that number may be used to emphasize that idea. Some think the number was suggested by the twelve patriarchs of the old covenant and the twelve apostles in the new. If they only describe a class of purely angelic beings, and have no typical significance at all, it shows that all creatures of that class worship God. If all heavenly beings worship God, then all human beings should do so. This sustains the leading purpose of the vision. Clothed in white robes indicates purity and shows their worthiness to sit in positions of secondary authority. 5 And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders.--These awe-inspiring sounds which John heard were, doubtless, intended to indicate the majesty and power of God. Proceeding from the throne would show that whatever they represented was to come from God's power. It is almost the same description that Moses gave as literally occurring at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16) when God spake directly to the people, giving commands and prohibitions. This shows God's power to bless or punish according to his promises. As the display of power at Mount Sinai warned the people to hear and give heed to what was to he spoken, so this display of the same powers in the vision warned John, and through him all others, to give heed to the things about to begin to be revealed. It was a divine assurance that the things to be revealed to John would surely come to pass. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;--Seven lamps burning show that the scene was perfectly and continuously illuminated. John himself says that these lamps are "the seven Spirits of God." This is final as to what they mean in this verse. On the expression "seven Spirits" see notes on 1:4, where it is argued that the Holy Spirit is meant. It indicates that the Holy Spirit would make a complete and accurate revelation to John of all the things to come to pass just as he had made a correct revelation in things contained in other scriptures. 6 and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; --To John there appeared spreading out before the throne a sea smooth and clear as ice or crystal. It is useless to spend time speculating as to what this sea symbolizes; it might be only a part of the heavenly vision with no special significance. Still it will do no harm to mention two facts, true in themselves, that may be involved in the language (1) The broad expanse may suggest the worldwide extent to which God's rule can go. (2) The calmness and smoothness of a glassy sea may indicate the peace of those who are pure worshipers of God in his kingdom. This would be in contrast with the raging and turbulent sea that symbolizes the upheavals in sinful nations. and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.--Commentators are agreed that the word "beast," found in the King James Version of this verse, is an indefensible translation. It is a different Greek word from that correctly translated "beast" in 13:1, 11. "Living creatures" is broad enough in meaning to include all creatures having life, but here the expression is applied to the four described in the next verse. What these four creatures represent is a question answered in a variety of ways by scholars. The most plausible explanation is based upon information furnished by the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah. In his first chapter Ezekiel describes "visions of God" which he saw by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans. These visions are so similar to what John saw that either may be used in explanation of the other. Ezekiel also saw "four living creatures," but his description of them varies some from that of John. Seeing in the visions some things that did not appear to John does not change the fact that he was viewing God surrounded by heavenly attendants. In his tenth chapter Ezekiel describes another vision and says, "This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar." (Verse 15.) Mentioning the faces which he saw he said, "They were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar." (Verse 22.) Referring to the creature again (verse 20) he said, "And I knew that they were cherubim." In Genesis 3:24 we learn that cherubim guarded the approach to the tree of life, and in Exodus 25:18 that two cherubim made of gold were placed upon the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Since those John saw were living creatures, not a gold image, the cherubim must refer to some kind of heavenly beings that continually wait upon and worship God. An understanding of their nature, of course, is impossible. In Isaiah 6:1-4 the prophet gives a similar vision of the "Lord sitting upon a throne" and above him seraphim. This word means "fiery ones," and probably indicates a bright and glorious appearance on those about God's throne. The sum of the matter seems to be that the creatures John saw were heavenly beings who are continually about God's throne. In the midst of the throne and round about the throne is supposed to mean that one stood on each of the four sides of the throne. "Full of eyes before and behind" probably means their ability to see in all directions or comprehend all God's glory and be ready to give proper adoration. 7 And the first creature was like a. lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.--The living creatures that Ezekiel saw (1:6, 10) appeared to have four faces each; those John saw appeared with one face each. But the faces of a lion, ox, man, and eagle are mentioned by both. These faces represent four classes of created life--man, wild animals, tame animals, and birds. This is strictly a vision of what John saw in heaven about God's throne, but doubtless was intended to show that all classes of God's creatures must render proper honor to him as creator. It may also imply that all God's creatures must share properly in whatever punishments that may be inflicted against evil. 8 And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within:--Full of eyes is repeated here from verse 6. See note there. Wings naturally indicate the swiftness of movement, and probably show the readiness and speed with which they served God.