Revelation 4:5 – 11

5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

In the previous lesson we determined the throne was for someone with the authority to rule both heaven and earth. The one who sat on the throne was one of most value and brilliance and is overcast with a rainbow of authority.

Now we see there are lightnings, thunderings, and voices issuing out from the throne. These represent the authority which comes out from the being on the throne. The voice of this being is as penetrating as lightnings and as impressive as a loud roll of thunder.

The seven lamps before the throne show complete illumination.

“The seven Spirits,” Paul notes there is but one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4), so we can see this is a figurative term meaning a sense of completeness by the number seven. The seven Spirits is before the throne because the Spirit is always a method of God and Christ for carrying out their divine plans, so it is appropriate that the spirit is represented as being stationed before the throne waiting near at hand to receive their commands.

The sea which is as clear and pure as a deep and crystal glass symbolizes the beauty of the scene around the throne.

The New King James has fittingly called the 4 beings around the throne as “living creatures” this is the original meaning. The King James and some other translations referred to these creatures as beasts. A beast is thought of as an animal, these beings are not animals but living creations of God. These creatures are symbolized as having eyes all around showing its ability to see in all directions.

Each of the living creatures were different, one was like a lion, bold and strong; one like a calf, meekness; one like a man, symbolizes more intelligence than other creatures; and one like an eagle, which shows exaltation and fleetness.

These beings were unique because they have 6 wings, we think of a flying creature to use only 2 wings for flying. Isaiah 6:2 gives us an idea of what the 6 wings were used for, two were for covering his face indicating humility towards God, two were for covering his feet indicating modesty toward the throne, and two were for flying indicating a readiness to take any errand given them by God. These can be considered to be meek, modest, and ready to serve creatures of God. Being full of eyes show they can intelligently assess any and all of their surroundings.

These creatures continuously praised and thanked God, they gave honor and glory to the Lord continuously. Later in this book we will see the reason for their thankfulness.

Earlier in this chapter we identified the 24 elders as representing the two main religious methods ordained by God, the twelve tribes of the Mosaic Law and the twelve apostles of the Christian dispensation.

Do not think of “casting their crowns” as a throwing of them, but think more of it as a gesture of respect such as men today may tip their hat or cap as method of showing respect for a person. They are showing honor for the blessing of being honored with a crown.

All of this honor and praise is because the one they are honoring is the one who created and maintained everything which is in existence either on earth or in heaven.