Revelation:4
Seeker Overlay ON
rwp @
Revelation:4:1 @{
After these things } (\
meta tauta \).
Change in the panorama ,
not chronology (
7:1 ,
9 ;
strkjv @
15:5 ;
strkjv @
18:1 ;
strkjv @
19:1 |).
This vision is of heaven ,
not of earth as was true of chapters strkjv @
Revelation:1 ;
2 |.
The first vision of Christ and the messages to the seven churches began in strkjv @
1:12f |.
This new vision of the throne in heaven (
4:1-11 |)
succeeds that to which it here alludes . {
I saw } (\
eidon \).
Second aorist active indicative of \
hora \. {
Behold } (\
idou \).
Exclamation of vivid emotion as John looked .
No effect on the structure and nominative case \
thura \ (
door )
follows it . {
Opened } (\
ne
igmen \).
Perfect (
triple reduplication )
passive participle of \
anoig \
as in strkjv @
3:8 | (
door of opportunity )
and strkjv @
3:20 | (
door of the heart ),
here the door of revelation (
Swete ). {
In heaven } (\
en t
i ouran
i \).
As in strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:1 ;
strkjv @
Mark:1:10 ;
strkjv @
John:1:51 |.
In Revelation always in singular except strkjv @
12:12 |. {
The first } (\
h
pr
t \).
Reference is to strkjv @
1:10 |. {
Speaking } (\
lalous
s \).
From \
lale \,
rather \
legous
s \
of strkjv @
1:10 |
from \
leg \,
both agreeing with \
salpiggos \ (
trumpet ). {
Saying } (\
leg
n \).
Present active participle of \
leg \
repeating the idea of \
lalous
s \,
but in the nominative masculine singular construed with \
ph
n \ (
feminine singular ),
construction according to sense because of the person behind the voice as in strkjv @
11:15 ;
strkjv @
19:14 |. {
Come up } (\
anaba \).
Short _Koin
_
form for \
anab
thi \ (
second aorist active imperative second person singular of \
anabain \). {
Hither } (\
h
de \).
Originally "
here ,"
but vernacular use (
John:6:25 ;
strkjv @
10:27 |). {
I will show } (\
deix \).
Future active of \
deiknumi \
in same sense in strkjv @
1:1 |. {
Hereafter } (\
meta tauta \).
Some editors (
Westcott and Hort )
connect these words with the beginning of verse 2 |.
rwp @
Revelation:4:2 @{
Straightway I was in the Spirit } (\
euthe
s egenom
n en pneumati \).
But John had already "
come to be in the Spirit " (
1:10 |,
the very same phrase ).
Perhaps here effective aorist middle indicative while ingressive aorist in strkjv @
1:10 | (
sequel or result ,
not entrance ), "
At once I found myself in the Spirit " (
Swete ),
not "
I came to be in the Spirit "
as in strkjv @
1:10 |. {
Was set } (\
ekeito \).
Imperfect middle of \
keimai \,
old verb ,
used as passive of \
tith
mi \.
As the vision opens John sees the throne already in place as the first thing in heaven .
This bold imagery comes chiefly from strkjv @
1Kings:22:19 ;
strkjv @
Isaiah:6:1ff .;
strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:26-28 ;
strkjv @
Daniel:7:9f |.
One should not forget that this language is glorious imagery ,
not actual objects in heaven .
God is spirit .
The picture of God on the throne is common in the O .
T .
and the N .
T . (
Matthew:5:34f .;
strkjv @
23:22 ;
strkjv @
Hebrews:1:3 |
and in nearly every chapter in the Revelation ,
strkjv @
1:4 |,
etc .).
The use of \
kath
menos \ (
sitting )
for the name of God is like the Hebrew avoidance of the name _Jahweh_
and is distinguished from the Son in strkjv @
6:16 ;
strkjv @
7:10 |. {
Upon the throne } (\
epi ton thronon \). \
Epi \
with the accusative ,
as in strkjv @
4:4 ;
strkjv @
6:2 ,
4f .;
strkjv @
11:16 ;
strkjv @
20:4 |,
but in verses 9 ,
10 ,
strkjv @
4:1 ,
7 ,
13 ;
strkjv @
6:16 ;
strkjv @
7:15 |
we have \
epi tou thronou \ (
genitive ),
while in strkjv @
7:10 ;
strkjv @
19:14 ;
strkjv @
21:5 |
we have \
epi t
i thron
i \ (
locative )
with no great distinction in the resultant idea .
rwp @
Revelation:4:3 @{
To look upon } (\
horasei \).
Locative case of \
horasis \,
old word (
from \
hora \,
to see )
for appearance (
in appearance )
as in strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:5 ,
26 |. {
Like a jasper stone } (\
homoios iaspidi \).
Associative-instrumental case of \
iaspis \,
old word (
Persian ),
used for stones of different colors ,
one opaque like opal ,
one translucent (
21:11 ,
18f .|,
possibly here ,
only N .
T .
examples ),
one a red or yellow stone (
Isaiah:54:12 |).
Some even take it for the diamond .
Certainly not our cheap modern jasper . {
A sardius } (\
sardi
i \).
Old word ,
in N .
T .
only here and strkjv @
21:20 |.
The carnelian or other red stone ,
derived from Sardis (
Pliny ). {
Rainbow } (\
iris \).
Old word ,
in N .
T .
only here and strkjv @
10:1 |.
From strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:28 |. {
An emerald } (\
smaragdin
i \).
Adjective (
from \
smaragdos \,
strkjv @
Revelation:21:19 |),
of emerald (
supply \
lith
i \),
in associative instrumental case after \
homoios \.
John sees no form for God (
Exodus:24:10 |),
but only the brilliant flashing gems . "
In the vision the flashing lustre of the \
iaspis \
and the fiery red of the \
sard \
are relieved by the halo (\
iris \)
of emerald which encircled the Throne " (
Swete ).
A complete circle .
rwp @
Revelation:4:4 @{
Round about the throne } (\
kuklothen tou thronou \).
Here as a preposition with the genitive ,
though only adverb in strkjv @
4:8 | (
only N .
T .
examples save Textus Rec .
in strkjv @
5:11 |). {
Four and twenty thrones } (\
thronoi eikosi tessares \).
Songs:P Q ,
but Aleph A have accusative \
thronous \ (
supply \
eidon \
from strkjv @
4:1 |)
and \
tessares \ (
late accusative in \-
es \).
This further circle of thrones beyond the great throne . {
I saw four and twenty elders } (\
eikosi tessaras presbuterous \).
No \
eidon \
in the text ,
but the accusative case calls for it .
Twenty-four as a symbolic number occurs only in this book and only for these elders (
4:4 ,
10 ;
strkjv @
5:8 ;
strkjv @
11:16 ;
strkjv @
19:4 |).
We do not really know why this number is chosen ,
perhaps two elders for each tribe ,
perhaps the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles (
Judaism and Christianity ),
perhaps the twenty-four courses of the sons of Aaron (
1Chronicles:24:1-19 |),
perhaps some angelic rank (
Colossians:1:16 |)
of which we know nothing .
Cf .
strkjv @
Ephesians:2:6 |. {
Sitting } (\
kath
menous \).
Upon their thrones . {
Arrayed } (\
peribebl
menous \).
Perfect passive participle of \
periball \ (
to throw around ). {
In white garments } (\
himatiois leukois \).
Locative case here as in strkjv @
3:5 | (
with \
en \),
though accusative in strkjv @
7:9 ,
13 |. {
Crowns of gold } (\
stephanous chrusous \).
Accusative case again like \
presbuterous \
after \
eidon \ (
4:1 |),
not \
idou \.
In strkjv @
19:14 | \
ech
n \ (
having )
is added .
John uses \
diad
ma \ (
diadem )
for the kingly crown in strkjv @
12:3 ;
strkjv @
13:1 ;
strkjv @
19:12 |,
but it is not certain that the old distinction between \
diadem \
as the kingly crown and \
stephanos \
as the victor '
s wreath is always observed in late Greek .
rwp @
Revelation:4:5 @{
Out of the throne } (\
ek tou thronou \).
Back to the throne itself .
The imagery is kin to that in strkjv @
Exodus:19:16 ;
strkjv @
24:9f .;
strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:22 ,
27 |. {
Proceed } (\
ekporeuontai \).
Graphic historical present . {
Lightnings and voices and thunders } (\
astrapai kai ph
nai kai brontai \).
Songs:exactly in strkjv @
11:19 ;
strkjv @
16:18 |,
but in strkjv @
8:5 |
with \
brontai \
first , \
astrapai \
last ,
all old and common words . "
The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power :
cf .,
e .
g .,
strkjv @
1Samuel:2:10 ;
strkjv @
Psalms:18:9f .;
strkjv @
Job:37:4f |." (
Swete ). {
Seven lamps of fire } (\
hepta lampades puros \).
Return to the nominative (\
idou \,
not \
eidon \)
with \
san \ (
were )
understood .
Metaphor drawn from strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:13 ;
strkjv @
Zechariah:4:12ff |.
Our word "
lamp ,"
but here a torch as in strkjv @
8:10 |,
identified with the Holy Spirit (
the Seven Spirits of God )
as in strkjv @
1:4 ;
strkjv @
3:1 |,
not \
luchniai \ (
lampstands )
as in strkjv @
1:12 ,
20 |,
nor \
luchnos \
a hand-lamp with oil (
Matthew:5:15 |). "
These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God " (
Swete ).
rwp @
Revelation:4:6 @{
As it were a glassy sea } (\
h
s thalassa hualin \).
Old adjective (
from \
hualos \,
glass ,
strkjv @
21:18 ,
21 |),
in N .
T .
only here and strkjv @
15:2 |.
Possibly from \
huei \ (
it rains ),
like a raindrop .
At any rate here it is the appearance ,
not the material .
Glass was made in Egypt 4 ,
000 years ago .
In strkjv @
Exodus:24:10 |
the elders see under the feet of God in the theophany a paved work of sapphire stone (
cf .
strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:26 |).
The likeness of the appearance of sky to sea suggests the metaphor here (
Beckwith ). {
Like crystal } (\
homoia krustall
i \).
Associative-instrumental case after \
homoia \.
Old word ,
from \
kruos \ (
ice and sometimes used for ice ),
in N .
T .
only here and strkjv @
22:1 |,
not semi-opaque ,
but clear like rock-crystal . {
In the midst of the throne } (\
en mes
i tou thronou \).
As one looks from the front ,
really before . {
Round about the throne } (\
kukl
i tou thronou \).
Merely an adverb in the locative case (
Romans:15:19 |),
as a preposition in N .
T .
only here ,
strkjv @
5:11 ;
strkjv @
7:11 |.
This seems to mean that on each of the four sides of the throne was one of the four living creatures either stationary or moving rapidly round (
Ezekiel:1:12f .|). {
Four living creatures } (\
tessera z
a \).
Not \
th
ria \ (
beasts ),
but living creatures .
Certainly kin to the \
z
a \
of strkjv @
Ezekiel:1 ;
2 |
which are cherubim (
Ezekiel:10:2 ,
20 |),
though here the details vary as to faces and wings with a significance of John '
s own ,
probably representing creation in contrast with the redeemed (
the elders ). {
Full of eyes } (\
gemonta ophthalm
n \).
Present active participle of \
gem \,
to be full of ,
with the genitive ,
signifying here unlimited intelligence (
Beckwith ),
the ceaseless vigilance of nature (
Swete ).
rwp @
Revelation:4:7 @{
Like a lion } (\
homoion leonti \).
Associative-instrumental case again .
In Ezekiel :(
1:6 ,
10 |)
each \
z
on \
has four faces ,
but here each has a different face . "
The four forms represent whatever is noblest ,
strongest ,
wisest ,
and swiftest in nature " (
Swete ).
But it is not necessary to try to find a symbolism in each face here like the early baseless identification with the Four Evangelists (
the lion for Mark ,
the man for Matthew ,
the calf for Luke ,
the eagle for John ). \
Moschos \
is first a sprout ,
then the young of animals ,
then a calf (
bullock or heifer )
as in strkjv @
Luke:15:23 ,
27 ,
30 |,
or a full-grown ox (
Ezekiel:1:10 |). {
Had } (\
ech
n \).
Masculine singular (
some MSS . \
echon \
neuter singular agreeing with \
z
on \)
present active participle of \
ech \,
changing the construction with the \
triton z
on \
almost like a finite verb as in verse 8 |. {
A face as of a man } (\
pros
pon h
s anthr
pou \).
Shows that the likeness in each instance extended only to the face . {
Like an eagle flying } (\
homoion aet
i petomen
i \).
Present middle participle of \
petomai \,
to fly ,
old verb ,
in N .
T .
only in strkjv @
Revelation:4:7 ;
strkjv @
8:13 ;
strkjv @
12:14 ;
strkjv @
14:6 ;
strkjv @
19:17 |.
The \
aetos \
in strkjv @
Matthew:24:28 ;
strkjv @
Luke:17:37 |
may be a form of vulture going after carrion ,
but not in strkjv @
Revelation:8:13 ;
strkjv @
12:14 |.
rwp @
Revelation:4:8 @{
Each one of them } (\
hen kath '
hen aut
n \). "
One by one of them ,"
a vernacular idiom like \
heis kata heis \
in strkjv @
Mark:14:19 |. {
Having } (\
ech
n \).
Masculine participle again as in verse 7 |,
though \
z
on \
neuter . {
Six wings } (\
ana pterugas hex \).
Distributive use of \
ana \, "
six wings apiece "
as in strkjv @
Luke:10:1 | (\
ana duo \,
by twos ).
Like strkjv @
Isaiah:6:2 |,
not like strkjv @
Ezekiel:1:6 |,
where only four wings are given apiece . {
Are full of } (\
gemousin \).
Plural verb ,
though \
z
a \
neuter ,
to individualize each one . {
Round about and within } (\
kuklothen kai es
then \).
Perhaps before and behind (
4:6 |)
and under the wings , "
pointing to the secret energies of nature " (
Swete ). {
Rest } (\
anapausin \).
See also strkjv @
14:11 |.
Old word (
from \
anapau \,
to relax ),
as in strkjv @
Matthew:11:29 |.
God and Christ cease not their activity (
John:5:17 |). "
This ceaseless activity of nature under the hand of God is a ceaseless tribute of praise " (
Swete ). {
Day and night } (\
h
meras kai nuktos \).
Genitive of time ,
by day and by night . {
Holy ,
holy ,
holy } (\
hagios ,
hagios ,
hagios \). "
The task of the Cherubim together with the Seraphim and Ophannim is to sing the praises of God " (
Charles )
in the \
trisagion \ (
triple repetition of \
hagios \). {
Is the Lord God } (\
Kurios ho theos \).
See strkjv @
Isaiah:6:3 |.
The copula \
estin \ (
is )
is not expressed ,
but is implied . {
The Almighty } (\
ho pantokrat
r \).
See on ¯
1:8 |. {
Which was and which is and which is to come } (\
ho
n kai ho
n kai ho erchomenos \).
Just as in strkjv @
1:4 ,
8 |,
but with the order changed .
rwp @
Revelation:4:9 @{
When the living creatures shall give } (\
hotan d
sousin ta z
a \).
Indefinite temporal clause with \
hotan \
and the future active indicative (\
d
sousin \)
rather than the more common second aorist active subjunctive (\
d
sin \)
with the notion of repetition rather than unbroken continuance , "
whenever they give ."
The giving of praise and glory to God by the four living creatures (
representatives of nature )
is met by corresponding worship by the redeemed (
the four and twenty elders ). "
Created life adores the Uncreated " (
Swete ), "
to the one living for ages of ages ."
rwp @
Revelation:4:10 @{
Shall fall down } (\
pesountai \,
future middle of \
pipt \), {
shall worship } (\
proskun
sousin \,
future active of \
proskune \), {
shall cast their crowns } (\
balousin tous stephanous \,
future active of \
ball \).
The two actions by the two groups (
living creatures ,
elders )
are coordinated (
simultaneous in the repetition ).
They thus acknowledge that all this kingly dignity comes from God ,
who is King of kings and Lord of lords .
Charles takes the elders ,
however ,
to be angels ,
not redeemed men .
rwp @
Revelation:4:11 @{
Our Lord and our God } (\
ho kurios kai ho theos h
m
n \).
The nominative form here used as vocative as in strkjv @
John:20:28 |
and often . {
To receive } (\
labein \).
Epexegetic second aorist active infinitive of \
lamban \
with \
axios \ (
worthy ). {
The glory } (\
t
n doxan \).
The article referring to \
doxan \
in verse 9 |
and so with \
t
n tim
n \ (
the honour ),
though \
t
n dunamin \ (
the power )
is not in verse 9 |,
but is the power due to be ascribed to God . {
Thou didst create } (\
su ektisas \).
Emphasis on \
su \ (
thou ),
first aorist active indicative of \
ktiz \,
the verb used about the act of creation by Paul in strkjv @
Colossians:1:16 | (\
ektisth ,
ektistai \),
constative aorist giving a summary picture of the whole (
not as a process ). {
Because of thy will } (\
dia to thel
ma sou \).
Reason for creation of the universe as in strkjv @
Hebrews:2:10 | (\
di '
hon \). {
They were } (\
san \).
Imperfect tense with a cursory glance at the universe as a fact ,
possibly a potential existence in God '
s purpose in the eternal past before the actual creation in time . {
And were created } (\
kai ektisth
san \).
First aorist passive indicative of the same verb , \
ktiz \,
just used and in the plural ,
while Paul (
Colossians:1:16 |)
uses the singular \
ektisth \.
See strkjv @
1Corinthians:8:6 |.
God '
s will wrought through the Logos (
Christ ).