Rev 4 / 5 Study – The Lamb in the Throne Room of Heaven

 Chapter 4: The Throne Room of Heaven (4:1-11)

(4:1) – A Door Open in Heaven

(4:2-3) – One Sitting on a Throne – God the Father

(4:4) – 24 Elders – Symbolic for all God’s People

(4:5-6a) – The Throne, the 7 Spirits and the Sea of Glass, and the 4 Living Creatures

(4:6b-9) – The 4 Living Creatures – Created beings that are always near God’s throne and reflect truths concerning Jesus Christ

(4:10-11) – The 24 Elders Worship God

Chapter 5: The Scroll (Book) and the Lamb (5:1-14)

(5:1, 5:7) – The Book

(5:2-6) – The Lamb is Worthy to Open the Book

(5:8-14) – The Beasts, the 24 Elders and Every Creature Praise God

Chapter 4: The Throne Room of Heaven (4:1-11)

(4:1) – A Door Open in Heaven

(Rev 4:1)  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

 

• After this, I looked – See discussion on Rev 1:19. The ‘things that were’ refer to Rev 1, the ‘things that are’ refer to the message to the then existing 7 churches of Asia and the things that shall be refer to the events of Rev 4-22.  John looks (spiritually sees) the things concerning prophecy that will unfold.
• A Door Open in Heaven – a portrait of salvation
  • Jesus is the door to salvation – John 10:1-9, 1 Cor 16:9, 2 Cor 2:12, Col 4:3, Rev 3:8, Rev 3:20, Lk 13:25, Eze 1:1, Mat 3:16, Mat 25:10, Acts 7:56, Acts 10:11
  • Door closed at Judgment Day – Mat 25:10, Psa 95:11; Luk 13:25; Heb 3:18-19;
  • Jesus at the door at Second Coming – Mat 24:33, Mk 13:29, James 5:9, Mat 25:10
• Voice like a Trumpet – see Rev 1:10 notes, Jesus Christ reveals end time judgment – 1 Cor 15:52
  • Judgment Day ‑ 1 Cor 15:52, 1 Thess 4:16, Mat 24:31, Zech 9:14, Joel 2:1,15, Is 27:13, Heb 12:19, 1 Chr 15:24, Rev 8:2, 11:15, Jud 7:19
  • Signified Jubilee ‑ Lev 25:9‑10 w/ Josh 6:5 (Heb: Yobel), Josh 6 (Heb: shophar)
  • OT symbols of Judgment Day ‑ Ex 19:16 (shophar), Ex 19:13 (Yobel), Is 27:13 (shophar), Ps 47:5 (shophar)
  • Loud voice to declare transgression ‑ Is 58:1
  • Blow trumpet at full moon and new moon ‑ Ps 81:3 (i.e. festival that points to Christ)
  • Alarm for war ‑ Neh 4:19‑20, Num 10, Jud 3:27,7:8‑22, Josh 6, Jer 4:5,19‑21, 6:1,17, 51:27, Zeph 1:16
  • As a warning ‑ Num 10, Ez 33:3‑6, Amos 3:6
  • Num 10 ‑ 2 Silver Trumpets (10:1‑10)
    • both blown ‑ all congregational fathers at tent of meeting
    • 1 blown ‑ elders assemble
    • blow first alarm east camps set out
    • second alarm ‑ south camps set out
    • alarm for war
    • day of gladness, feasts, first of month ‑ blow over sacrifice and offering
  • Come up here – heaven is where the Word of God originates from- Ex 19:3. Ex 19:14, Ex 19:24, Ex 24:12, Ex 34:2-3, 2 Cor 12:1-10
    • Cannot refer to the rapture – John was later back on earth – e.g. Rev 11:1, Rev 13:1
  • I will show you – God must reveal His Word (inspiration)
    • Special revelation – 2 Tim 3:16, Acts 4:25, 1 Thess 4:15, 1 Pet 1:11
    • Natural Revelation – Ps 19, Ro 1:19-20, Ps 8:1, Ps 50:6, 105:7, Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24f

(4:2-3) – One Sitting on a Throne – God the Father

(Rev 4:2)  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

(Rev 4:3)  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

• Immediately – God’s sovereignty / His will to be done without delay (e.g., Mk 1:42, Mk 2:12, Mk 10:52, Mat 8:3)
• In the Spirit – see Rev 1:10 notes (Eph 5:18 with Col 3:16, 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27, Rev 17:3, 21:10, Eze 3:12-14, John 14:26, John 16:7-13)
  • Saved in the spirit – John 3:3-8, Eph 2:1-8
  • Souls saved at the return of Christ – Heb 10:39
  • Walk in the spirit – Gal 5:16, Gal 5:25
• A throne standing in Heaven
  • Kingship (see 1:5-6 notes) and Judgment of God (2 Cor 5:10, Ro 14:10, Rev 20:11-15)
• One Sitting on the Throne – Is 6:1, Dan 7:9, Heb 8:1, Rev 22:1
  • Oneness of God – Deut 6:4-6, Deut 4:35-39, John 10:30, 1 Cor 8:4, Eph 4:6
  • Majesty God is King ‑ Lord of Lords, King of Kings ‑ see 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 19:16, Ps 136:3, Deut 10:17, Pr 8:15‑16, Dan 2:47
  • God is sovereign ‑ Eph 1:11, Is 14:24, Mat 28:18, Ps 29:10, , Ps 24:1-2, Mat 19:26, Ps 97:9, Ps 8:1, Heb 1:3, Ps 90:2, Col 1:16-17, Ro 8:29-30, Ps 135:6, Ps 115:3, 2 Pet 2:5, Dan 4:35, Job 42:2, Jonah 1:14, Is 45:9, Gen 2:16, Is 53:10‑12, Heb 10:14, Ro 9:18, Col 2:10, etc.
• Like a jasper stone and a sardius
  • Jasper – opaque quartz – polished
    • New Testament (G2393) – Rev 21:11 (glory), Rev 21:18-19
    • New Jerusalem – Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal – (Rev 21:11) – clear as crystal – see Rev 22:1 (only other occurrence of crystal) – points to the river of the water of life. Job 28:17 (crystal) refers to great value compared to the greater value of wisdom
    • See additional notes on Rev 4:6 concerning crystal
    • Walls of New Jerusalem – jasper – Rev 21:18
    • 1^st stone in foundation – Rev 21:19
    • Old Testament (H3471) – Eze 28:13 (precious stone covering Satan in Garden of Eden), Ex 28:20 (4^th stone in Aaron’s breastplate – Ex 39:13)
  • Sardius – a red stone – Rev 21:20
    • New Testament (H4555/H4556) – a red stone – Rev 4:3 / Rev 21:20
    • Old Testament – H124 (odem), similar to Edom (H123) – Ex 28:13, Ex 28:17, Ex 39:10
    • Sacrifices ‑ Num 19:2, Ex 25:5, 26:14, 35:7, 23, 36:19, 34
    • Red as blood – 2 Ki 3:22
    • Edom ‑ Gen 25:30
    • David was ruddy ‑ 1 Sam 16:12, 17:42
  • Rainbow like an emerald
    • Rainbow – Eze 1:28 (glory), Rev 10:1, Gen 9:13-16 (covenant), Is 54:9-10, Rev 10:1
      • Bow (Old Testament – H7198) – used for bow as in bow and arrow
    • Emerald – green stone
      • Stone in New Jerusalem foundation – Rev 21:19
      • Stone was covering of Satan in Garden of Eden (cherub that covers) – Eze 28:13
      • Stone in Aaron’s breastplate – Ex 28:18, Ex 39:11
      • Syria merchandise – Eze 27:16
    • All three stones are in Aaron’s breastplate (12 tribes – Ex 39:8-17, Ex 28:15-24) and in New Jerusalem foundation (Rev 21:17-27)

(4:4) – 24 Elders – Symbolic for all God’s People

(Rev 4:4)  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

• 24 (see also Rev 5:8, Rev 5:14, Rev 7:11, Rev 19:4) – (represents the government of all of God’s people – Old Testament and New Testament)
• Represents the government of the work of the church of God as a pillar for sending forth truth
  • 12 Patriarchs / 12 tribes of Old Testament Israel, which was the church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38)
  • 12 Tribes of Israel – Acts 7:8-9, Gen 49:28, Ex 24:4, Ex 24:21, 39:14, Num 1:44
  • 12 Apostles – Mat 10:1-5, Acts 1, 6:2, 1 Cor 15:5-6, Lk 6:13, Mk 3:14
  • 12 disciples / apostles of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God for New Testament Christian church
  • 12 pillars connected to the writing of the Word of God by Moses – Ex 24:4
  • Israel is a type of the church (God’s People) – church in the wilderness – Acts 7:38
  • 12 Tribes (designation of which tribes varied, but the number 12 was always maintained) – Rev 7 with Num 1, 2 and 10, Gen 29:31 – Gen 30:24, Gen 35:16-19, Gen 49, etc.
  • 12 points to leadership
    • 12 princes leaders of tribes of Israel – Num 1:2-16, Num 1:44
    • 12 leaders of each tribe to search out the land – Deut 1:23, Num 13:3-13
    • Disciples to sit on 12 thrones of glory judging the 12 tribes of Israel – Lk 22:30, Mat 19:28
  • 12 to not serve tables, will not leave the Word of God (establishment of deacons) – Acts 6:2
    • Jacob begat the 12 patriarchs – Acts 7:8
    • 24 Elders – (see Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10, Rev 5:8, Rev 5:14, Rev 7:11, Rev 19:4)
  • 12 points to two sixes (work of the church in witnessing to the world)
    • 2 – points to witnessing the Gospel to the world
    • 6 – points to work
    • Jesus sent disciples out two by two (therefore, 6 groups of 2) – Mat 10:5, Mk 6:7
    • 6 wagons of offerings with 12 oxen – Num 7:3
    • Showbread (symbol for bread of life, word of God) arranged in two rows of six cakes – Lev 24:5
  • Elders on thrones
    • Judging 12 Tribes – Lk 22:30, Mat 19:28, all Christians will judge with Christ – 1 Cor 6:1-3, Ps 49:145, Ps 149:5-9, Dan 7:18, Zech 14:5, 1 Thess 3:13, Jud 14-15, Rev 2:26-27, Rev 3:21, Rev 20:4
    • Once saved, Christians are seated with Christ on His throne – Eph 2:6 with Rev 3:19, see also Rev 1:6 notes
    • Elders have authority – 1 Pet 5:1-5, 1 Tim 5:1, 1 Tim 5:17-19, Titus 1:5-7, 2 John 1, Heb 13:17
    • Elders give account – Heb 13:17 (represent the church)
    • Leaders of 12 tribes – Deut 1:9-18, Ex 18:21-26, 1 Chr 28:1, 1 Chr 27:16-22
    • There will be authorities in heaven – Lk 19:11-27, Mat 25:14-30
    • Same reward in heaven – Mat 19:27-30, 20:1-16, Lk 22:24-27, etc.
    • Holy Temple – Eph 2:21
    • Elders represent all true Christians (1 Tim 5:1, 2 Cor 5:20, Eph 6:20, 1 Pet 5:5, John 8:9)
    • See Greek cognate words – G4242 through G4247 for all applications of ‘elder’
  • White garments
    • Soiled garments (see Rev 3:4-5, Zech 3:3, Jude 23) refers to the dirtiness of sin and the need for cleansing – Eze 36:25, Is 4:4, Eph 5:26, 2 Pet 1:9, Titus 2:14. The soiled garments are also a contrast to the fine linen (righteous acts) of the saints – see Rev 19:7-10.
    • White garments symbolizes that they are God’s holy people (Christians) – covered (Is 61:10, Gal 3:27)
    • Nakedness of shame of sin – Deut 22:30, 1 Sam 24:4-11, Ruth 3:7-9, Hos 2:10, Eze 23:29, Eze 16:37, Is 47:2-3, Jer 27:20, Jer 13:22-26, Lam 1:9, Nah 3:5, Rev 16:15, Rev 3:17
  • Golden crowns on their heads
    • Golden – see notes on Rev 1:12 (highest value)
    • All believers receive the crown (1 Cor 9:25, 2 Tim 4:8, 1 Thess 2:19, 1 Pet 5:1-4, James 1:12, Rev 2:10, Rev 3:11) of eternal life.
    • God has made us kings so that we reign with Christ – Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10, 1 Pet 2:9‑10, Eph 2:6, 2 Tim 2:12, Ro 5:17.
    • Believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places – Eph 2:1-6, Ro 5:17.

(4:5-6a) – The Throne, the 7 Spirits and the Sea of Glass, and the 4 Living Creatures

(Rev 4:5)  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

(Rev 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.

• Flashes of lightning, Peals of thunder – Rev 8:5, Rev 11:19, Rev 16:17-18, Ex 19:16, Ex 20:18, Ps 18:13-14, Ps 68:35, Joel 3:16, Heb 12:18-29
• Out of throne lightning and thunder – Rev 4:6
  • Thunder – power – Job 26:14, judgment – Is 29:6, 1 Sam 7:10, Ex 9:23-34, Ex 19:16
  • God’s voice as thunder – Rev 19:6, Rev 14:2, John 12:29, Ps 104:7, Ps 77:18, Ps 29:3, Ps 18:13, Job 40:9, Job 37:4-5, 2 Sam 22:14
  • James and John – sons of thunder – Mk 3:17
  • Thunder as judgment – Ex 20:18, Rev 16:18, Rev 11:19, Rev 10:3-4, Rev 8:5, Rev 6:1, Rev 4:5, Is 29:6, Ps 81:7, Ps 78:48, Job 38:25, Job 26:14, 1 Sam 7:10
  • Judgment / hail on Egypt – Ex 9:23, Ex 9:28-29, Ex 9:33
  • Thunder and lightning on Mt Sinai – Ex 19:16, Ex 20:18
  • Thunder associated with rain – 1 Sam 12:17-18 (judgment for wanting a king)
  • Lightning – Quickness of Christ coming in judgment – Lk 17:24, Mat 24:27 (every eye will see Him – see Rev 1:7 notes)
  • Lightning results in scattering (judgment) – 2 Sam 22:15, Ps 18:14, Ps 144:6
  • God utters His voice – Lightning with rain – Jer 10:13, Jer 51:16, Ps 135:7
  • Voice of thunder, the lightning lightened the world – Ps 77:18
  • Living creatures ran as lightning – Eze 1:14
  • Vision of a Man – appearance of lightning – Dan 10:6, Mat 28:3 (angel)
  • Satan as lightning fell from heaven – Lk 10:18
  • God’s judgment – army as lightning – Nah 2:4
  • Lord’s arrow goes forth as lightning – Zech 9:14
  • Lightning enlightens the world – Ps 97:4
  • Way for lightning of the thunder – Job 28:26 , Job 38:25
  • Lightning to the ends of the earth – Job 37:3
• 7 Lamps of fire burning before the throne (see notes on Rev 1:12)
  • 7 – Perfection of God’s Purpose
  • 7 Spirits of God – Rev 1:4, Rev 3:1, Rev 4:5, Rev 5:6 (Christ’s eyes)
  • Lamp – Gr: lampos (G2985, 9 occurrences) – Mat 25:1-8, Rev 4:5, Rev 8:10, Acts 20:8, John 18:3
  • Derived from G2989 (lampo, 9 occurrences) – to brightly shine – Mat 5:15-16 (2), Mat 17:2, 2Co 4:6 (2), Act 12:7, Lk 17:24
  • Burning (Greek: kaio, G2545, 12 occurrences)
    • Mat 5:15 – burn a candle, brings forth light
    • John the Baptist, a burning and shining light – John 5:35
    • Lake of fire, judgment day, eternal hell – Rev 19:20, Rev 21:8, John 15:6
    • Judgment – Rev 8:8, Rev 8:10, 1 Cor 13:3
    • Disciples hearts burned within them when Christ shared the Scriptures – Luke 24:32
    • Sinai burned with fire – Heb 12:18
  • Fire – Gr: pur (G4442)
    • Points to judgment that can also bring forth light – Mat 3:10-12 (3), Mat 5:22, Mat 7:19, Mat 13:40, Mat 13:42, Mat 13:50, Mat 17:15, Mat 18:8-9 (2), Mat 25:41, Mar 9:22, Mar 9:43-49 (7), Luk 3:9, Luk 3:16-17 (2), Luk 9:54, Luk 12:49, Luk 17:29, Luk 22:55, Joh 15:6, Act 2:3, Act 2:19, Act 7:30, Act 28:5, Rom 12:20, 1Co 3:13 (2), 1Co 3:15, 2Th 1:8, Heb 1:7, Heb 11:34, Heb 12:18, Heb 12:29, Jam 3:5-6 (2), Jam 5:3, 1Pe 1:7, 2Pe 3:7, Jud 1:7, Jud 1:23, Rev 1:14, Rev 3:18 (2), Rev 8:5 (2), Rev 8:7-8 (2), Rev 9:17-18 (2), Rev 10:1, Rev 11:5, Rev 13:13, Rev 14:10, Rev 14:18, Rev 15:2, Rev 16:8, Rev 17:16, Rev 18:8, Rev 19:12, Rev 19:20, Rev 20:9-10 (2), Rev 20:14-15 (2), Rev 21:8, Heb 10:27
  • Eyes as lamps of fire – Dan 10:6
  • 7 Lamps – Rev 1:12, Rev 1:20, Ex 25:37, Zech 4:2, Zech 4:11-14, 2 Chr 4:20, Ex 37:23, Exo 30:8; Lev 24:2-4; 2Ch 13:11
  • 10 virgins with lamps (5 wise, 5 foolish) – Mat 25:1-8
  • Lamps of fire among the living creatures (Cherubim) – Eze 1:13
  • Baptized with Holy Spirit and fire – Mat 3:11, Lk 3:16
  • Baptized with Holy Spirit – 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 2:38; 10:47; 11:16.
  • Lamps – they are the seven Spirits of God (see notes on Rev 1:4-5)
  • Cloven tongues of fire – Acts 2:3-4 – points to the Word of judgment
    • The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire – Ps 29:7
    • Ps 39:3 – My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue
    • Ps 78:21, Ps 105:39 – at night, Israel led by the light of fire
    • If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Pro 25:21-22, see also Ro 12:20-21)
    • Two-edged sword (Rev 1:16, Heb 4:12 – dividing of soul and spirit)
    • For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2Co 2:15-16)
  • Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:7-11
  • The Holy Spirit is one, but given separately to Christians
    • But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Rom 8:9)
    • That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us. (2Ti 1:14)
    • … the Father … shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. (Joh 14:16-17)
    • Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1Co 12:4)
    • But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1Co 12:7)
    • But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires. (1Co 12:11, MKJV)
    • 7 – The Number of Perfection of Purpose
    • God’s purpose to work through His people to send forth the Gospel
  • Word of fire / judgment – Jer 5:14, Jer 20:9, Jer 23:29; Mal 3:2-3; Rev 11:2, Mat 3:11; Luk 24:32
  • God’s wrath burns like fire – Ps 89:46
  • Holy Spirit sends the Gospel, teaches all things (John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-13, 1 John 2:18-27)
  • Lamps bring forth light / judgment – see notes on Rev 1:12 concerning relationship with the church
  • Burning points to judgment – (see notes on Rev 1:14-15, Ps 89:46, Deut 29:23, 2 Ki 22:17, 2 Chr 34:25, John 16:7-13)
    • Greek: lampas (9 occurrences in New Testament)
    • A torch (e.g., 10 virgins with torches – Mat 25:1-8)
    • Greek: lampas (torch) based on lampo (to brightly shine forth)
    • Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:15-16)
    • For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:6)
    • But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Heb 10:27)
    • Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house (Mat 5:15)
    • John the Baptist was a burning and shining light – John 5:35
    • John beheaded – Mat 14:8-11
    • That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1Pe 1:7)
  • Sea of glass like crystal
    • Before the throne (location of Holy Spirit, God’s People and Prayer altar):
      • And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev 4:5)
      • 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. (Rev 4:6)
      • The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying … (Rev 4:10)
      • After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands … And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God … Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (Rev 7:7,9,11,15)
      • And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (Rev 8:3)
      • And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth … And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev 14:3,5)
    • Sea – Gr: Thalassa (92 occurrences):
      • (Sea) Galilee of the Gentiles – Mat 4:15, Mat 4:18,Mat 15:29, Mk 1:16, Mk 7:31
      • Sea of Galilee is the Sea of Tiberias – John 6:1(see also John 21:1)
      • Jesus stills the tempest in the sea – Mat 8:24-27, Mat 14:24-26, Mk 4:39-41, Mk 6:47-49, John 6:16-19
      • Jesus sat by sea and taught – Mat 13:1, Mk 2:13, Mk 3:7, Mk 4:1
      • Kingdom of heaven like a net cast into the sea – Mat 13:47
      • Coin in mouth of fish from the sea – Mat 17:27
      • Millstone – drowned in the sea – Mat 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21
      • Move mountain into the sea – Mat 21:21, Mk 11:23
      • Move sycamine tree into sea – Lk 17:6
      • Hypocrites compass sea and land to make a proselyte – Mat 23:15
      • Other side of sea – country of Gadarenes – swine rush into sea – mat 8:32, Mk 5:1
      • Pass by ship to other side of sea – Mk 5:21
      • Judgment day – sea and waves roaring – Lk 21:25
      • Other side of the sea – John 6:22, John 6:25
      • Appeared to disciples at the Sea of Tiberias – John 21:1
      • Peter cast himself into sea naked – John 21:7
      • Lord made the heaven, earth and sea – Acts 4:24, Acts 14:15
      • Simon a tanner – house by the sea – Acts 10:6, Acts 10:32
      • Paul travels by the sea – Acts 17:14
      • Paul’s shipwreck at sea – Acts 27:30, Acts 27:38, Acts 27:40, Acts 28:4
      • Paul in perils at sea – 2 Cor 11:26
      • Israel numbered as the sand of the sea – Ro 9:27, Heb 11:12
      • Fathers passed through the sea, baptized in the sea (Red Sea) – 1 Cor 10:1-2, Acts 7:36, Heb 11:29
      • He who doubts is like a wave of the sea – James 1:6
      • False teachers, raging waves of the sea – Jude 13
      • Sea of glass – Rev 4:6, Rev 15:2 (victorious people stand on the sea of glass)
      • All creatures including those in the sea praise God – Rev 5:13
      • Holding back 4 winds to not blow on the earth, sea or on any tree – Rev 7:1-3
      • 2^nd trumpet – great mountain burning with fire thrown into the sea – 1/3 part became as blood, 1/3 part in the sea died, 1/3 ship destroyed – Rev 8:8-9
      • Little book (7 thunders) – angel with right foot on sea, left foot on land – Rev 10:2, Rev 10:5-6, Rev 10:8
      • Woe to inhabitants of earth and sea – devil has great wrath – short time – Rev 12:12
      • Beast rises out of the sea (Antichrist) – Rev 13:1
      • Worship Him that made heaven, earth, sea and fountains of waters – Rev 14:7
      • 2^nd bowl of wrath – sea – blood of dead man, all souls died – Rev 16:3
      • Those who trade by sea (merchants) mourn for Babylon – Rev 18:17, Rev 18:19
      • Millstone cast into sea – fallen Babylon – Rev 18:21
      • Those who battle as the sand of the sea – Rev 20:8 (Judgment day)
      • Sea gave up the dead who were in them – Rev 20:13
      • No more sea in the New Heavens and New Earth – Rev 21:1
    • ‘Sea’ before the Holy Place in Solomon’s Temple – 1 Ki 7:30, 1 Ki 7:23-44, 2 Ki 16:17, 2 Ki 25:13, 2 Chr 4:1-6, 2 Chr 4:14-15, 2 Chr 6:13
      • The Bronze Laver before the Holy Place – Ex 30:17-21, Ex 30:26-28, Ex 31:9, Ex 35:16, Ex 38:8, Ex 39:39, Ex 40:11, Ex 40:30, Lev 8:11
      • Wash feet and hands – Ex 30:19-21
      • Laver anointed – Ex 30:26-28, Ex 40:11, Lev 8:11
      • Contributions for the laver – Ex 35:16
      • Washings – Exo 19:10; Exo 29:4; Exo 29:17; Exo 30:18; Exo 30:19; Exo 30:20; Exo 30:21; Exo 40:12; Exo 40:30; Lev 1:9; Lev 1:13; Lev 6:27; Lev 9:14; Lev 16:4; Lev 16:24; Lev 16:26; Lev 16:28; Num 19:7; Num 19:8; Num 19:10; Num 19:19; Num 19:21; 2Ch 4:6; Psa 26:6; Psa 51:2; Psa 51:7; Psa 58:10; Luk 7:38; Joh 9:7; Joh 9:11; Joh 13:5; Joh 13:6; Joh 13:8; Joh 13:10; Joh 13:14; Act 22:16, Heb 6:2, Heb 9:10
    • Sea often points to damnation – Ps 78:53, Ps 106:10-11, Rev 15:2, Ex 38:8, 1 Ki 7:23, Ps 124:3-5
    • Hell involves the sea (Jonah 2:1-5 w/ Mat 12:39-41, Lk 11:29-32, Gen 6-9 w/ Mat 24:37-39, Lk 17:27, Ps 18:16-17, Ps 136:15, Ps 32:6, Ps 93:3-4, Ps 46:1-3, Ps 69:1-3, Ps 69:13-15, Ps 124:1-5, Ps 144:7-8, Job 22:11, Hos 5:10, Rev 13:1)
    • Pharaoh’s Army destroyed in the Sea – Ex 14:23-31, Exo 15:10; Deu 11:4; Neh 9:11; Psa 78:53; Hab 3:8-10, Hab 3:13; Heb 11:29
    • Raging waves – Jude 13, wicked no peace – Is 57:20-21, James 1:6, Ps 107:25, Job 9:8
    • Waves represent trouble / judgment – Job 9:8, Ps 42:7, Ps 65:7, Ps 88:
      • When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid (2Sa 22:5)
      • Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. (Job 9:8)
      • And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? (Job 38:11)
      • Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psa 42:7)
      • Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. (Psa 65:7)
      • Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. (Psa 88:7)
      • Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. (Psa 89:9)
      • The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. (Psa 93:3)
      • The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (Psa 93:4)
      • For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. (Psa 107:25)
      • He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. (Psa 107:29)
      • O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea (Isa 48:18)
      • But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name. (Isa 51:15)
      • Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? (Jer 5:22)
      • Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name (Jer 31:35)
      • The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof. (Jer 51:42)
      • Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered (Jer 51:55)
      • Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up (Eze 26:3)
      • For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (Jon 2:3)
      • And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away. (Zec 10:11)
      • And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. (Mat 8:24)
      • But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (Mat 14:24)
      • And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (Mar 4:37)
      • And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring (Luk 21:25)
      • And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. (Act 27:41)
      • But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (Jas 1:6)
      • Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (Jud 1:13)
    • The Flood points to Judgment – Gen 6:7-9, Gen 6:17, Gen 7:1, Gen 7:4, Gen 7:21-23, Gen 8:1-2, Is 54:9, Nat 24:36-39, Lk 17:26-27, 1 Pet 3:20-21, Dan 9:26, etc.
    • But, very calm (or dried) sea points to peace and salvation (Mat 8:23-27, Mk 4:36-41, Lk 8:22-25, John 6:15-21, Mat 14:22-33, Mk 6:45-51)
      • Jesus calms the sea – Mk 4:39, Lk 8:24, Mat 8:26 (calm: Greek: galena, 3 occurrences, tranquility)
      • Jesus walks on water – John 6:16-21, Mat 14:22-33, Mk 6:45-51 (Job 9:8)
        • Wind ceased – Mat 14:32, Mk 6:51
        • Wind arose / contrary – Mk 6:48, Mat 14:24, John 6:18 (Ps 107:25)
      • Calm sea – Jonah 1:11-12, Ps 107:30 (Heb: H8367)
      • Key Old Testament passages (points to salvation) – Ps 65:7, Ps 89:9, Ps 107:25-30, Jonah 1:11-15 (see also Job 38:8-11, Ps 93:3-4, Ps 29:10)
      • Sea is dried – salvation – Ps 66:5-6, Nah 1:4, Ps 78:13, Ps 106:8-12, Ps 104:5-7, Ps 136:13-14, Ex 14:21-22, Is 63:13-14, Josh 3:14-16, Ex 15:1-21, Rev 15:2-3
    • Crystal (Gr: krustallo, literally – ice, G2929/G2930 – 3 occurrences – Rev 4:6, Rev 21:11, Rev 22:1)
      • Rev 21:11 – New Jerusalem – Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal
      • Rev 22:1 – And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
      • Ice – Old Testament Hebrew: qerach (H7140 – 7 occurrences, literally – ice)
        • Eze 1:22 – firmament over the heads of 4 cherubim
        • Ps 147:17-18 – ice melted by God’s word
        • Job 37:10 – ice created by the breath of God, straightening the waters
        • Job 38:29 – ice is the hoary frost of heaven that covers
        • See also Job 6:16, Gen 31:40, Jer 36:30
      • Pure Stone – Job 28:17 (H2137, see cognates H2134, H2135, H2136 below)
        • Job 28:17 – crystal (clear stone) compared to wisdom (H2137, only occurrence)
        • H2134 (Heb: zak, Literally, pure) – 27:20, Exo 30:34, Lev. 24:2, Lev 24:7, Job 8:6, Job 11:4, Job 16:17, Job 33:9, Pr 16:2, Pr 20:11, Pr 21:8.
        • H2135 – Job 15:14, Job 25:4, Ps 51:4, Ps 73:13, Ps 119:9, Pr 20:9, Is 1:16, Mic 6:11.
        • H 2136 – Dan 6:22
      • Glass (G5193 (hualinos) / G5194 (hualos) – 4 total occurrences)
        • And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal … (Rev 4:6)
        • And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev 15:2)
        • And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (Rev 21:18)
          • Glass equate with ‘pure’ (G2513, katharos – literally, pure – 28 occurrences)
          • ‘Pure’ cognates – G2511-G2514 (66 occurrences as pure, cleansed, clean, etc.)
        • And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Rev 21:21)
          • Transparent (G1307, diaphanous, literally – to shine through (G5316))

(4:6b-9) – The 4 Living Creatures – Created beings that are always near God’s throne and reflect truths concerning Jesus Christ

(Rev 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.

(Rev 4:7)  And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

(Rev 4:8)  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

(Rev 4:9)  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

• In center and around the throne
  • …and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Revelation 4:6)
  • And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne … (Ezekiel 1:26)
  • Cherubims are in the middle, around and below the throne
    • Cherubims reflect the glory of God
    • Jesus is on the throne / King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Heb 12:2, Heb 8:1, Eph 1:20
    • And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1)
    • These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
    • …behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures…(Ezekiel 1:4-5)
  • Four Living Creatures
    • Comparison of Eze 1 with Eze 10 indicated living creatures of Eze are cherubim (as identified in Eze 10,) – For example, compare Eze 1:22 with Eze 10:1
    • Cherubim (Rev 4:6-7, Eze 1:5-14, Eze 9:3, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 11:22, Eze 41:18-25, Ex 25:18-20, Ex 26:1, Ex 26:31, Ex 36:8, 1 Ki 6:23-28, 1 Ki 8:7, 2 Chr 3:7-14, 2 Sam 22:11, Ps 18:10, 1 Sam 4:4, Heb 9:5)
    • Creatures (Gr: zoon – beasts) – created beings
    • Cherubim elsewhere in Revelation (Rev 5:6-14, Rev 6:1-7, Rev 7:11, Rev 14:3, Rev 15:7, Rev 19:4)
    • Living creatures (cherubims) are different than angels – Rev 5:11, Rev 7:11, Rev 15:7
    • Spirit of cherubim are in their wheels (transport – go out into all the earth) – Eze 1:12, Eze 1:20-21, Eze 10:17
  • Four – the Number of Universal Extent
    • 4 – Number of universal extent – (Rev 7:1, Rev 17:15, Rev 20:8, Rev 21:13, Dan 7:2-3, Jer 49:36, Mat 24:31, Mk 13:27, Acts 10:11, Is 11:12, Gen 2:10, Eze 7:2, Eze 14:21, etc)
  • 4 beasts – Rev 4:6, Rev 4:8, Rev 5:6, Rev 5:8, Rev 5:14, Rev 6:1, Rev 6:6, Rev 7:11, Rev 14:3, Rev 15:7, Rev 19:4
  • 4^th beast – flying eagle – Rev 4:7
  • 4^th seal – Rev 6:7
  • 4^th part of the earth – Rev 6:8
  • 4 angels – Rev 7:1-2, Rev 9:14-15
  • 4^th angel – Rev 8:12, Rev 16:18
  • 4 horns of golden altar before the throne of God – Rev 9:13
  • 4 quarters of the earth – Rev 20:8
  • Foursquare – New Jerusalem – Rev 21:16
  • 4^th stone – an emerald – Rev 21:19
  • Other related numbers to four are 40, 400, 4000 which symbolically point to trials / testing. But, in order to find out the most basic symbolic meaning of the number 4, the focus should be on analyzing the numbers 4 and one-fourth.  The key categories of usage of the number 4 in a symbolic manner are:
  • Universal extent of the creation (4 corners, 4 points of the compass, 4 quarters, 4 winds, etc.)
  • Universal extent of people (4 beasts, 4 kings, 4^th generation, 4 divisions / groups of people)
  • Universal extent of the work of Cherubim and angels
  • Universal extent of 4 in the tabernacle, temple, law, etc.
  • Universal extent of time
  • Full of Eyes in Front and Behind, around and within
    • Eyes of the Lord (omniscience) – Ps 34:15, 1 Chr 16:9, Ps 90:8, Zech 4:10, Job 34:21, Job 24:23, Job 31:4, Pr 5:21, Pr 15:3, Jer 16:17, Heb 4:13
    • Eyes symbolize spiritual understanding – Eph 1:18, Rev 3:18, Lk 11:34, Mat 6:22, Acts 26:18, Mat 13:13-16, Jer 31:8. Acts 28:26f, Ro 11:8, Ro 11:25, Is 6:9, Jer 5:21, Ez 12:2, John 9:39-41, Is 59:10, Is 35:5, Is 42:7, Is 42:16-19
    • Spiritually seeing – Ro 1:20, Job 12:7-9,  Ps 19, Ro 10:18, Ps 8:3

• Man – man created in the image of God
  • Christ in His humanity – Phil 2:1-10
  • Son of man – e.g., Mk 8:38, Mk 9:9, Mk 9:31, Mk 10:33, Lk 5:24, Lk 7:34, Luke 9:22, John 3:14
• Ox – sacrifice Note:  the ox face is called a cherub face in Eze 10:14.
  • Calf (not ox, Gr: moschos G3447 / G3448, 7 occurrences) – Eze 1:10, points to sacrifice of Christ (Jer 34:18-19, Lk 15:23, Lk 15:27, Lk 15:30, Heb 9:12, Heb 9:19, Acts 7:41)
  • Jesus Christ as a sacrifice, Heb 9:12-15, Mat 20:28, 1 Pet 1:19, Eph 5:2, Titus 2:14, 1 Pet 3:18, etc.
  • Sacrifice (calves)  of our lips – Hos 14:2, Ro 12:1-2
• Lion – Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah
  • Judgment ‑ 2 Ki 17:25‑26, Jer 2:30, Jer 5:6, 2 Ki 13:26, 1 Sam 17:37, Hos 11:10, Dan 6, Pr 19:12
  • Christ as a Lion: devours in judgment by Word of God (Gen 49:9, Rev 5:5, Rev 4:7, Pr 19:12, Hos 11:9‑11, Is 31:4, Jer 25:30, Amos 1:2, Judges 14:5, Lam 3:10, Joel 3:16, Hos 13:7‑8, 5:14, Amos 3:6‑8, Rev 10:3)
  • Lord roars in judgment – Hos 11:10, Joel 3:16, Amos 1:2, Rev 10:3, Is 5:29, Pr 19:12
• Eagle – Heb: H5403, H5404 (28 occurrences)
  • Have wings (Dan 7:4) – see wings study below
  • Unclean animal (Lev 11:13, Deut 14:12)
  • Makes nest on high – Job 39:27
  • Spreads wings – salvation / protection – Ex 19:4, Deut 32:11, Is 63:9, Jer 48:40, Jer 49:22, Is 40:31, Ps 103:5, Rev 12:14, Job 39:27-30
  • Judgment – Mat 24:28, Lk 17:37 w/ Rev 19:17-18, Pr 30:17-19, Jer 4:13, etc.
  • Flying eagle – Deut 28:49, 2 Sam 1:23, Is 40:31, Eze 1:8-10, Eze 10:14, Dan 7:4, Ob 4,
  • Flying – judgment – Rev 19:17, Rev 14:6, Rev 8:13, Rev 12:14, Is 6:2, Jer 48:40, Is 11:14, Hab 1:8
  • Judgment of Babylon on Israel – Deut 28:49
  • Fast/swift – 2 Sam 1:23, Job 9:26
  • Prey/scavenger – Job 39:28-30
  • Youth renewed as an eagle – Ps 103:5
  • Judgment – Pr 30:17-19, Jer 4:13, Jer 48:40, Jer 49:16, Jer 49:22, Lam 4:19, Eze 17:3-7, Hos 8:1, Hab 1:8
  • Be alert and ready – Rev 1:3, 3:11

• Six wings – Is 6:2, Eze 1:6, 10:21-22, 2 Tim 4:2
  • 6 – Number of work (Gen 2:1-3, Ex 20:9-11, Ex 23:10, Lk 13:14, John 19:14-18)
  • Wings – transport God (i.e. work) – Eze 1,10
  • Where God protects/shelters (refuge/salvation) – Ps 17:8, Ps 36:7, Ps 57:1, Ps 63:7
  • Cherubim wings overshadow mercy seat – Ex 25:20, 1 Ki 8:7, 1 Chr 28:18, Heb 9:5
  • The word ‘wings’ (Hebrew: kanaph, H3671) occurs a little more than 100 times in the Old Testament and is often used in conjunction with birds spreading their wings. A similar word (H83, eber, pinions) is also used 3 times I the Bible. From a negative viewpoint, we find that overspreading wings of a bird was used as an idol (Deut 4:17).   It is also used in a negative manner regarding Judah seeking refuge in the great wings of Egypt (Eze 17:3-7).  In Dan 9:27, we find that trusting in abominations rather than the overspreading wings of God, shall make Jerusalem desolate.
  • From a positive viewpoint, we find that the spreading of wings can represent salvation / Protection that God provides – Ex 19:4, Ps 17:8, Ps 36:7, Ps 57:1, Ps 61:4, Ps 63:7, Ps 91:4, Is 8:8, Ruth 2:11-12, Eze 5:3, Eze 16:8, Hag 2:12, Zech 8:23, Mal 4:2, Mat 23:37.
  • God rides on the wings of the spirit – 2 Sam 22:11, Ps 18:10, Ps 104:3
  • Cherubims (high order spiritual being, always associated with God and His throne) and Seraphim (a symbol of Jesus Christ)
    • The seraphims in the representation of God had 6 wings (Is 6:2). The four living creatures in Ezekiel had 4 wings (Eze 1:6-11, 23-25, Eze 3:13, Eze 10:5-2, Eze 10:16-19, etc.).
    • The cherubims that were above the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies each had 2 overspreading wings (1 Ki 6:24-27, 2 Chr 3:11-13, Ex 25:20, etc.).
  • Day and Night – Continual glory, honor, and praise
    • Our example – Rev 7:15, Is 62:1-7, Acts 20:31, 1 Thess 2:9, 2 Thess 3:8-9
  • Holy, Holy Holy – Set apart, sinless God – Is 6:3, Ex 15:11, 1 Pet 1:15-16, Lev 11:44f, Lev 19:2, Lev 20:7, Lev 20:26
    • Trinity – God’s will in the number 3
  • Lord God – Covenant God (Ex 3:14)
  • Almighty – Omnipotence of God – see notes on Rev 1:8
  • Who is, who was and who is to come – eternity of God – see notes on Rev 1:4
  • Glory (due to who He is) – Ro 11:36, Lk 2:14, Ro 1:23, 2 Cor 1:20, Is 6:3, Ex 33:18-22, etc.
  • Honor (due to what He does) – 1 Tim 1:17, 6:16, Heb 2:7-9,Heb 3:3, Rev 5:12-13, Rev 4:11, Rev 19:1
  • Thanks (due to what He has done for us) – Col 2:7, Eph 5:4, Phil 4:6, Ps 26:7, Ps 50:14, Ps 69:30, etc.

(4:10-11) – The 24 Elders Worship God

Note: They worship as a result of living creatures that give glory and honor and thanks

 

(Rev 4:10)  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

(Rev 4:11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

• Fall Down Before Him – Complete submissive worship (Lk 8:41, 17:16, John 11:32, 1 Cor 14:25, Rev 22:8, Job 1:20, Dan 9:18, Dan 9:25)
• Cast their crowns before the throne – see Rev 2:10, 3:11, 4:4 (although they are kings and have judgmental power, they are submissive to God to do His will)
• Before the throne – see notes on Rev 4:6
• Worthy to receive glory, honor and power because He created
  • The significance of Creation – omnipotence – see notes on 1:8, see also Gen 1:1, John 1:1-3, Ro 11:36, Col 1:16-17, Eph 3:9, Acts 17:24, Jer 10:11, 32:17, Is 40:26,28, Ex 20:11
  • Worthiness of God – Rev 14:7, Deute 32:4, 1 Chr 16:28-29, Neh 9:5, Job 36:3, Ps 29:1-2, Ps 68:34, Ps 96:7-8

Chapter 5: The Scroll (Book) and the Lamb (5:1-14)

(5:1, 5:7) – The Book

(Rev 5:1)  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

(Rev 5:7)  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

• Right hand – God’s will / sovereignty (salvation / judgment) / where Christ is – see notes on Rev 1:16 and Rev 2:1,
  • To be given into the hand of another meant that the other person now had control – Judges 11:32, Judges 13:1, Judges 15:12‑13, Judges 16:23‑24, 1 Chr 14:10, 1 Ki 15:18, 2 Sam 8:1, Ps 37:33, Ps 71:4, Ps 106:41-42.
  • God’s right hand – salvation for His people. Ps 44:3, Ps 20:6-8, Ps 98:1, Jud 7:6, Ps 10:12, Ps 28:5, Ps 78:54, Ps 89:21, Ps 98:1-4, Ps 106:41‑42, Ps 136:12, Ex 13:16, Ex 15:6, Ex 15:16‑17, Jer 18:1‑6, Jer 32:21, Eze 3:14, Ex 6:6, Acts 11:21, Lk 1:66.
  • Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father – Acts 7:55-56, Ps 110:1, Joh 14:3; Heb 1:3, Heb 8:1, Heb 10:12, Heb 12:2; Mar 16:19; Luk 20:42-43; Act 2:33, Act 7:56; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20-22; Col 3:1; 1Pe 1:21, 1Pe 3:22; Rev 3:21
  • Jesus comes to do the will of the Father – John 6:38, Joh 4:34, Joh 5:30; Psa 40:7-8; Isa 53:10; Mat 26:39-42; Rom 15:3; Php 2:7-8; Heb 5:8, Heb 10:7-9
• Sat on a throne
  • Points to kingship / sovereignty of God and to Judgment – see notes on Rev 4:2-3
• Scroll – Word of God  – Rev 1:11, Gal 3:10, Lk 4:17, Jer 25:13, Jer 30:2
  • G974 (Greek: bibliaridon) – little book / booklet, 4 occurrences – Rev 10:2, Rev 10:8-10 – 7 thunders sealed up – points to a small portion of Scripture
  • G975 (Greek: biblion, smaller scroll or book, 32 occurrences) – points to a book or section of the Bible
    • Book of Isaiah – Luk 4:17 (2), Luk 4:20
    • Book of John – Joh 20:30
    • Works of Jesus – all the books in the world could not contain – John 21:25
    • Book of the law (e.g., Leviticus / Deuteronomy) – Gal 3:10, Heb 9:19, Heb 10:7
    • Book of revelation – Rev 1:11, Rev 5:1-5 (5), Rev 5:7-9 (3), Rev 22:7, Rev 22:9-10 (2), Rev 22:18-19
    • Book of Life – Rev 21:27, Rev 20:12
    • Book of works of people – Rev 20:12
    • Paul’s books – 2Ti 4:13
    • Book of divorcement – Mk 10:4, Mat 19:7
    • Sky rolled up as a scroll – Rev 6:14 (Is 34:4)
  • G976 (Greek: biblos, scroll or book, 13 occurrences)
    • Book of the generation of Jesus Christ – Mat 1:1
    • Book of Moses – Mar 12:26
    • Book of Isaiah – Luk 3:4
    • Book of Psalms – Luk 20:42, Act 1:20
    • Book of prophets (minor prophets, Amos) – Act 7:42
    • Book of life – Phi 4:3, Rev 3:5, Rev 17:8 (2), Rev 20:15
    • Books of works – Rev 20:12
    • Book of this prophecy – Rev 22:19
    • Curious arts books – Act 19:19
  • Old Testament – Heb: H6512 – sepher / siphrah – 186 occurrences (book / scroll)
  • Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. (Zec 5:1-4)
• The importance of the written Word
  • Write – Heb H3789, kathab – 223 occurrences
  • Write – Gr: G1125, grapho, 194 occurrences
  • Scripture – Gr: 1124, graphe, 51 occurrences
  • Written – Gr:1123, graptos, 1 occurrence
  • Scribe – Gr: 1122, grammateus, 67 occurrences
  • Letter – Gr: 1121, gramma, 15 occurrences
  • ‘It is written’ occurs 93 times – 8:31; 2Sa. 1:18; 1Ki. 2:3; 2Ki. 23:21; 2Ch. 23:18; 25:4; 31:3; 35:12; Ezra 3:2,4; 6:18; Neh. 6:6; 8:15; 10:34,36; Est. 1:19; 8:8,9; Psa. 40:7; Isa. 4:3; 65:6; Jer. 17:1; 25:13; Dan. 9:13; Mat. 2:5; 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; 26:24,31; Mark 1:2; 7:6; 9:12,13; 11:17; 14:21,27; Luke 2:23; 3:4; 4:4,8,10; 7:27; 19:46; 24:46; John 6:31,45; 8:17; 10:34; 12:14; Acts 1:20; 7:42; 13:33; 15:15; 23:5; Rom. 1:17; 2:24; 3:4,10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13,33; 10:15; 11:8,26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3,9,21; 1Co. 1:19,31; 2:9; 3:19; 9:9,10; 10:7; 14:21; 15:45; 2Co. 4:13; 8:15; 9:9; Gal. 3:10,13; 4:22,27; Heb. 10:7; 1Pe. 1:16; 1Jn. 2:21.
  • For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Mat 5:18, see also Lk 16:17)
  • Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1Ti 4:16)
  • And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2Ti 2:2)
  • Do not add or remove from the Word of god – Rev 22:18-19, Rev 30:6
• … written on inside and back (Eze 2:9-10) – Word of God is complete (no lack) – Col 2:10, Col  4:12,  Lk 1:1, Ps 119:160, Ps 139:17-18, John 21:25, Exo 32:15
• Sealed with Seven seals
  • Seven –Perfection of purpose (see notes on Rev 1:4-5)
  • Seal represents a guarantee (certainty) – Mat 27:66, Neh 9:38
    • King Ahasuerus seals decrees with the king’s ring – Est 3:12, Est 8:8, Est 8:10
    • No man can reverse – Est 8:8
    • Books are sealed until the end time – Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9
  • Seal on a letter – guarantee that the letters will not be read except by the addressee
    • Jezebel sealed letters with a seal to elders / nobles – 1 Ki 21:8
    • Learned one cannot read books that are sealed – Is 29:11
  • Christians are sealed – John 3:33, John 6:27, Ro 15:28, Ro 4:11, 1 Cor 9:2, 2 Tim 2:19, Rev 7:2-8
    • With Holy Spirit as the earnest (downpayment) – Eph 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13
    • Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction – Job 33:16
    • End (seal up) sin and seal prophecy and vision – Dan 9:24
    • Seal of living God to the 144,000 on their foreheads (Rev 7:2-8, Rev 9:4)
    • Transgressions sealed up in a bag – Job 14:17
    • 12 patriarchs were engraved in High Priest’s breastplate stones by signet – Ex 28:11, Ex 28:21
  • Word of God is sealed – Neh 9:38, Job 9:7, Job 33:16
    • Revelation book with 7 seals – Rev 5:1-2, Rev 5:5, Rev 5:9, Rev 6:1, Rev 6:3, Rev 6:5, Rev 6:7, Rev 6:9, Rev 6:12, Rev 8:1
    • Seal not prophecy of this book – Rev 22:10
    • 7 thunders sealed up – Rev 10:4
    • Satan sealed in pit so he would not deceive – Rev 20:3
    • End (seal up) sin and seal prophecy and vision – Dan 9:24
    • And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot;  for it is sealed – Isa 29:11
    • Bind up the testimony, seal the law to God’s disciples – Is 8:16
    • Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction – Job 33:16
    • Daniel to seal up the book until the end – Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9
    • Jeremiah purchases land – one book sealed, one book unsealed – Jer 32:10-14
  • Sealed – New Testament Passages
    • Gr: G4972, sphragizo – sealed, 26 occurrences
    • Gr: 4973, sphragis – seal, 16 occurrences
    • Jesus tomb sealed – Mat 27:66
    • Those who receive Christ’s testimony seal that God is true – John 3:33
    • Food (bread) that is given to Christians, who are sealed – John 6:27
    • The sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised – Ro 4:11
    • Fruit sealed to saints at Jerusalem – Ro 15:28
    • Corinthians were the seal of Paul’s apostleship – 1 Cor 9:2
    • Christians are sealed – given the earnest of the Spirit in their hearts – 2 Cor 1:22
    • After hearing Word of truth, Gospel, Christians were sealed with Holy Spirit of promise – Eph 1:13
    • Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption – (Eph 4:30)
    • The seal of the Lord knowing who are His, who depart from iniquity – 2 Tim 2:19
    • Scroll (book) with 7 seals (right hand of God) written inside and outside (Lamb of God opens) – Rev 5:1-2, Rev 5:5, Rev 5:9, Rev 6:1, Rev 6:3, Rev 6:5, Rev 6:7, Rev 6:9, Rev 6:12, Rev 8:1
    • Seal of living God to the 144,000 on their foreheads (Rev 7:2-8, Rev 9:4)
    • 7 Thunders sealed up – Rev 10:4
    • Satan sealed in the bottomless pit for 1000 years – Rev 20:3
    • Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand – Rev 22:10
  • Sealed – Old Testament Passages
    • H2856 (chatham – seal, 27 occurrences)
    • H2368 (chotham – signet, 14 occurrences) – see also H2885 – ring (lit: sink ring)
    • And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue … (Lev 15:3)
    • Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? (Deu 32:34)
    • Jezebel sealed letters with a seal to elders / nobles – 1 Ki 21:8
    • … we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal  unto it. (Neh 9:38)
    • Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah  (Neh 10:1)
    • King Ahasuerus seals decrees with the king’s ring – Est 3:12, Est 8:8, Est 8:10
    • Mordecai receives the king’s ring – Est 8:1-2
    • God commands the sun and seals up the stars – Job 9:7
    • My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity – Job 14:17
    • In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. (Job 24:16)
    • Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction – Job 33:16
    • He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work – Job 37:7
    • A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed – Son 4:12
    • Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples – Isa 8:16
    • And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot;  for it is sealed – Isa 29:11
    • And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances – Jer 32:10
    • So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open Jer 32:11
    • Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days – Jer 32:14
    • Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD – Jer 32:44
    • Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty – Eze 28:12
    • Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end [lit: seal] of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy – Dan 9:24
    • But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased – Dan 12:4
    • And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end – Dan 12:9
    • And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him – Gen 38:18
    • With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold – Exo 28:11
    • And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve  tribes – Exo 28:21
    • And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD – Exo 28:36
    • And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel – Exo 39:6
    • And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, everyone with his name, according to the twelve  tribes – Exo 39:14
    • And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD – Exo 39:30
    • It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment – Job 38:14
    • His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal – Job 41:15
    • Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame – Son 8:6
    • As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence – Jer 22:24
    • In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts – Hag 2:23
  • God’s Word is sure, but also a mystery – see also Mk 4:34, Ps 49:4, Ps 78:2
    • No one understood the vision of Daniel – Dan 8:27, Dan 12:8-9
    • Christians have eyes to see – Mat 13:14-15
  • Seal with signet ring ‑ 1 Ki 21:8, Est 8:8, 10, Jer 32:10‑14, Jer 32:44
  • God’s Word is a mystery (see notes 1:20, Dan 8:6, Dan 12:4-9, Is 8:16, Is 29:11)
  • Blindness of man – (Mat 13:13-16, Acts 28:26f, Ro 11:8,25, Is 6:9, Jer 5:21, Ez 12:2, John 9:39-41)
  • But, Christians understand spiritual truth – 1 Cor 2:14-15 , Mat 13:10-16, 1 Cor 2:6-16, 1 John 4:6, 2 Cor 3:12-4:4, Heb 10:16, Jer 31:33-34, 2 John 1-2, Col 3:9-10, John 10:3, 2 Tim 1:7, John 2:26-27, Ps 19:7-8, 25:12-14, 32:8, Luke 11:33-36, Phil 3:15, Mk 5:15, 2 Thess 2:11, John 8:47, John 18:37
• Christ is the Word of God – John 1:1-3
  • Jesus Christ came to bring God’s Word – See Rev 1:1
  • The Spirit sent by the Father (John 14:16) that declares the truth about the Christ (John 14:26, 1 John 2:20-27).
• Took the book – Christ does the will of the Father
  • God the Father gave Jesus Christ commandment as what to say – John 12:49, Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32, Joh 5:30, Joh 8:26, Joh 8:42, Joh 14:10, Joh 15:15, Joh 17:8; Deu 18:18, Rev 1:1
  • Jesus is the Word of God – John 1:1

 

(5:2-6) – The Lamb is Worthy to Open the Book

(Rev 5:2)  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

(Rev 5:3)  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

(Rev 5:4)  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

• Strong Angel – Ps 103:19-22 (serve and obey), Rev 10:1, Rev 18:21
• Angel – literally means messenger
• Proclaim (Gr: kerusso, preach the Gospel) – Mat 4:17, Mat 9:35, Lk 4:18-19, 2 Tim 4:2, Col 1:23
• Loud Voice – John 11:43, Mk 15:34-37, Rev 5:12, Rev 6:10, Rev 7:2, Rev 7:10, Rev 8:13, Rev 10:3, Rev 12:10, Rev 14:7-9, Rev 14:15, Rev 14:18, Rev 19:17
  • Significance and importance of the Gospel
  • Not ashamed of the Gospel (bold) – Ro 1:16-17
• Only Christ is Worthy to Reveal
  • Spirit of Christ revealed to prophets – 1 Pet 1:10-12, Ro 8:9, Is 41:27-29, Ro 3:9-10, Ro 11:34
  • Holy Spirit is Helper / Teacher – John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-11, 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27
  • No man can reveal except God – Is 41:28, Is 63:5, Dan 2:10-11, Dan 4:7-8, Dan 5:8
• In Heaven, On Earth, Under the earth refers to all in subjection to Christ (Phil 2:10, Is 45:23, Ro 14:11, Eph 1:10, Rev 5:13)
  • Under earth = pit, hades, grave (hell) – every knee will bow to Christ
• Sorrow over not having Word of God – Ps 119:27-29, Dan 12:8-9
  • Desire the Word of God – 1 Pet 2:2, Ps 19:10, Ps 119:72, Ps 119:127, Job 28:15-17
  • The Imprecatory Psalms – e.g. Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137, 139 (desire for God’s judgment)

(Rev 5:5)  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

• Elders – represents all Christians – see Rev 4:4
• Lion – points to judgment – see notes on Rev 4:5-9

• Lion – Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah
  • Judgment ‑ 2 Ki 17:25‑26, Jer 2:30, Jer 5:6, 2 Ki 13:26, 1 Sam 17:37, Hos 11:10, Dan 6, Pr 19:12, Is 5:29,
  • Christ as a Lion: devours in judgment by Word of God (Gen 49:9, Rev 5:5, Rev 4:7, Pr 19:12, Hos 11:9‑11, Is 31:4, Jer 25:30, Amos 1:2, Judges 14:5, Lam 3:10, Joel 3:16, Hos 13:7‑8, 5:14, Amos 3:6‑8, Rev 10:3)
  • Lord roars in judgment – Hos 11:10, Joel 3:16, Amos 1:2, Amos 3:8, Rev 10:3, Is 5:29, Pr 19:12

• Tribe of Judah – Gen 49:8-12, kingly line (Mat 1:1-17, Jesus of the line of Judah)
  • Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Gen 49:8-10)
    • Judah – celebrate / praise
    • Whelp – a baby Lion – points to Christ’s humanity / incarnation
    • Shiloh – tranquil – peace
  • Jesus Christ is the Lion Judge
    • For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Joh 5:22-29, see also Acts 10:42-43, Rev 20:11-15, Rev 19:11-21, etc.)
  • Root of David – Rev 5:5 and Rev 22:16
    • Root – Gr: rhiza – 17 occurrences
      • And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Mat 3:10)
      • And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (Mat 13:6)
      • Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Mat 13:21)
      • But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. (Mar 4:6)
      • And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. (Mar 4:17)
      • And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. (Mar 11:20)
      • And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Luk 3:9)
      • They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luk 8:13)
      • For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (Rom 11:16)
      • And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (Rom 11:17)
      • Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (Rom 11:18)
      • And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Rom 15:12)
      • For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1Ti 6:10)
      • Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Heb 12:15)
      • And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev 5:5)
      • I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Rev 22:16)
    • Jesus Christ was source of David and also David’s offspring – Rev 22:16
    • Jesus Christ (Israel – Hos 11:1) as a root in the Old Testament (comes from the ground – points to the humanity of Jesus Christ)
      • Root – H8327 / H8328 / H8330 (sharash / shoresh) – 44 occurrences
      • Israel: Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.  (Psa 80:7-11)
      • He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. (Isa 27:6)
      • Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. (Jer 12:2)
      • And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. (2Ki 19:30)
      • The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. (Pro 12:12)
      • And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isa 11:1)
      • And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isa 11:10)
      • And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. (Isa 37:31-32)
      • For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isa 53:2-7)
      • For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:8)
      • I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. (Hos 14:5)
    • David was a victorious king
      • Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee wherever you went, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. (2Sa 7:8-9)
      • He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand has held me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. (Psa 18:34-37)
    • Son of David, but also his Lord – Mat 22:41-46
      • While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Mat 22:41-46)
    • Jesus (as a man) is the Son of David – Mat 1:1; Mat 1:20; Mat 9:27; Mat 12:23; Mat 15:22; Mat 20:30; Mat 20:31; Mat 21:9; Mat 21:15; Mat 22:42; Mar 10:47; Mar 10:48; Mar 12:35; Luk 3:31; Luk 18:38; Luk 18:39.
    • David (literally, Beloved) ‑ type of Christ ‑ Eze 34:23‑24, 37:24, Jer 30:9, Is 55:3‑5, Hos 3:5, Lk 1:69, Acts 2:30, 13:23‑24
    • David, a man after God’s own heart ‑ 1 Sam 13:13, Acts 7:46, 13:22
    • David, the great Psalm writer ‑ 2 Sam 22:1, 23:1‑3
    • The covenant of salvation with David ‑ 2 Sam 7, 1 Chr 17, Lk 1:32
    • Promise of salvation through David’s seed – 2 Sam 7:10-17, Ps 89:4, Ps 132:11, 1 Chr 17:11-14, 2 Chr 6:16, Acts 2:30-31, Acts 13:23,34, Eze 34:23, Eze 37:24-25, Jer 23:5-6, 30:9, Zech 6:12, Hos 3:5, Lk 1:69, Is 11:10, Is 55:3-5, Rev 22:16, Ro 1:3, Ro 15:12
  • Overcome (prevailed, Gr: nikao – literally, victory) – Christ defeated Satan on cross
    • A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Mat 12:20)
    • But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:57)
    • For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1Jn 5:4-5)
    • And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11)
    • These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Rev 17:14)
    • Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1Jn 4:4)
    • I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1 Jn 2:13-14)
    • If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (Luk 11:18-22, see also Mat 12:22-29)
    • Bruised on head/subjection under feet – Heb 1:13, Heb 2:8-15, Heb 10:13, Acts 2:34=35, Mk 16:19, Mat 11:27, Mat 22:44, Mat 26:64, Mat 28:18, Ps 8:6, 110:1, Eph 1:22, 1 Cor 15:24-27, Rev 13:3, Rev 13:12-14
    • Satan bound – Rev 20:1-3, Mat 12:22-29
    • Satan no longer has access to Heaven/cast out – John 12:31, Lk 10:18, Rev 12:7-12
    • Satan Judged – John 16:11w/ John 12:31
  • The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Rev 1:1
  • Loose the seals – allow for understanding of the Word of God by the sending of the Holy Spirit – see notes on Rev 5:4 above

(Rev 5:6)  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

• Lamb – New Testament
  • Sheep – G4263, Gr: probaton – 41 occurrences
    • Acts 8:32 – Christ as a sheep led to the slaughter (see also G286)
    • John 2:14-15 – sheep sold in the temple
    • Rev 18:13 – part of merchandise of Babylon
    • 37 occurrences – refer to Christians – Mat 9:36, Mat 10:6, Mat 10:16, Mat 12:11-12 (2), Mat 15:24, Mat 18:12, Mat 25:32-33 (2), Mat 26:31, Mar 6:34, Mar 14:27, Luk 15:4, Luk 15:6,  Joh 10:1-4 (6), Joh 10:7-8 (2), Joh 10:11-13 (5), Joh 10:15-16 (2), Joh 10:26-27 (2), Joh 21:16-17 (2), Rom 8:36, Heb 13:20, 1Pe 2:25, Rev 18:13, Mat 7:15,
  • Lamb – G286, Gr: amnos – 4 occurrences (all refer to Christ)
    • John 1:29, John 1:36 – Behold, the Lamb of God
    • Acts 8:32 – As a lamb, dumb before his shearer (see also G4263)
    • 1 Pet 1:19 – Christ, a Lamb without spot or blemish
  • Small Lamb – G721, Gr: arnion – 30 occurrences
    • 28 occurrences in Revelation as Jesus Christ – Rev 5:6, Rev 5:8, Rev 5:12-13 (2), Rev 6:1, Rev 6:16, Rev 7:9-10 (2), Rev 7:14, Rev 7:17, Rev 12:11, Rev 13:8, Rev 14:1, Rev 14:4 (2), Rev 14:10, Rev 15:3, Rev 17:14 (2), Rev 19:7, Rev 19:9, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:14, Rev 21:22-23 (2), Rev 21:27, Rev 22:1, Rev 22:3
    • 1 occurrence in Revelation as the False Prophet – Rev 13:11
    • 1 occurrence in John 21:15 – refers to Christians
  • Goat –G5131, Gr: tragos – 4 occurrences
    • Sacrifices – Heb 9:12-13, Heb 9:19, Heb 10:4
  • Goat (hairy) – G0255 / G0256, Gr: eriphion / eriphos
    • Mat 25:32-33 – Goats as compared to sheep
    • Lk 15:29 – given at the return of the prodigal son
  • Lamb – Old Testament
    • Lamb H3532, Heb: kebes, literally lamb or sheep – 107 occurrences
      • Sacrifice of the 1^st year – Num
    • Young goat or sheep (Kid / lamb) – H7716, Heb: seh, literally, a member of a flock – 47 occurrences
      • Isa 57:3 – quoted in Acts 8:32, lamb for the slaughter
    • Flock of sheep or goats – H6629, Heb: tson, literally a flock of cattle, sheep or goats – 274 occurrences
      • Passover
    • Lamb (small sheep) – H3775 / H3776, Heb: keseb – 3 occurrences
    • Lamb – H2924 / h2922, Heb: tela, taleh – 3 occurrences
    • Ram – H3733, Heb: kar – a ram – 16 occurrences
    • Ewes – H7353, Heb: Rachel – 4 occurrences – Is 53:7
    • Goats:
      • Goat – H5795 (kid) / H5796, He-goat – H6842, Goat – H6260, Goat – H8163, He-goat H8495
    • Lamb – points to sacrifice – Rev 5:9, Rev 5:12, Rev 6:16, Rev 7:9-17, Rev 12:11, Rev 13:8, rev 17:14, Rev 21:23, Rev 22:1-3, Is 53:7-8, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet 1:19-20
    • Slay (G4969) – sphazo (G4969 – sphagion)
      • Violent slaying of beasts for sacrifice – Acts 7:42
      • Lamb slain – Rev 5:6, Rev 5:9, Rev 5:12, Rev 13:8
      • Babylon has slain those on earth – Rev 18:24
      • Red Horse slays – Rev 6:4
      • Antichrist wounded – Rev 13:3
      • Souls under the altar – Rev 6:9
    • Midst of the throne and the elders
      • Midst (Greek: mesos literally means middle) – points to intercessory nature of sacrificial lamb. Jesus Christ focus of attention – see notes on Rev 1:12-13, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:7 (midst of 7 golden candlesticks, which are the churches)
    • Seven horns and eyes
      • 7 is the number of perfection of purpose – see notes on Rev 1:4-5
    • 7 Horns – Strength to achieve salvation
    • Gr: keras, G2768 – 11 occurrences
    • Heb: qeren, H7161/H7162 – 90 occurrences
    • Strength of Salvation
    • Lord Jesus Christ – Horn of salvation (strength to bring salvation) – Lk 1:69, Ps 18:2, 2 Sam 22:3, 1 Sam 2:10 (strength), Ps 18:2
    • Horn of David to bud – Ps 132:19
    • Horn of Israel to bud – Eze 29;21
    • Lamb with 7 horns – Rev 5:6 (perfection of Lamb’s perfect purpose of salvation)
    • 4 horns of golden altar before the throne – Rev 9:13
    • Place of atonement – Ex 30:2-3, Ex 30:10, Lev 16;18 (Day of Atonement, Lev 16:8,12‑13)
    • Construction of 4 horns ‑ Ex 27:2, Ex 30:2-3, Ex 37:25‑26, Ex 38:2, Eze 43:15, Eze 43:20
    • Where blood is placed ‑ Lev 8:15, Lev 9:9, Lev 4:7‑34, Ex 29:12, Ex 30:10
    • Sacrifice bound to the horns of altar – Ps 118:28
    • Sin of Judah written on horns of altar – Jer 17:1
    • Hill, where the vineyard is – Isa 5:1
    • Ram caught by horns offered by Abraham – Gen 22:13
    • Horns of Joseph push people to ends of earth – Deut 33:17
    • God has horns (strength for salvation) out of his hand – Hab 3:4
    • Lord’s horn exalted because of salvation – Ps 112:9
    • Also, a horn can refer to strength of kingdoms / leaders to attempt salvation
    • Where repentance is attempted ‑ appeal to authority of God at altar ‑ 1 Ki 1:50‑51, 1 Ki 2:28, Ex 21:14
    • Horns of the altar of Bethel to be cut off – Amos 3:14
    • Take horns by own strength – Amos 6:13
    • Antichrist – Rev 13:1, Rev 13:11
    • Satan’s kingdom – Rev 12;3, Rev 17:3, Rev 17:7, Rev 17:12, Rev 17:16
    • 10 horns – Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:3,9-12, Dan 7:7-8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20-21, Dan 7:24 (fullness of sovereign strength)
    • 2 Horns of Greece – Dan 8:3, Dan 8:6-7, Dan 8:20
    • Strength of nations to scatter Judah, Israel and Jerusalem – Zech 1:18-21
    • Horns of ivory brought as a present from the men of Dedan – Eze 27:15
    • Need to be saved from horns of unicorns – Ps 22:21
    • Prideful Horn of wicked – Ps 75:4-5
    • Shepherds of Israel pushed the diseased with their horns – Eze 34:21
    • Horns of iron push Syrians – 1 Ki 22:10, 2 Chr 18:10
    • Horn of Moab cut off – Jer 48:25
    • Horn of Israel cut off – Lam 2:3, Lam 2:17 (horn of adversaries set up)
    • Horn of God’s people favored by God
    • In the Lord’s favor, horn will be exalted – Ps 89:17
    • In the Lord’s fithfulness and His name horn exalted – Ps 89:24
    • Exalted, anointed with oil – Ps 92:10
    • Horn of his people exalted – Ps 148:14
    • Trumpet – Jericho – Josh 6:5
    • Samuel’s horn filled with oil for anointing – 1 Sam 16:1, 1 Sam 16:13
    • Hannah’s horn exalted due to salvation – 1 Sam 2:1
    • Horns of wicked cut off, horns of righteous exalted – Ps 75:10
    • Zadok anointed Solomon – 1 Ki 1:39
    • Musician’s horn lifted up – 1 Chr 25:5
    • Job’s horn defiled in the dust – Job 16:15
    • Horn of Zion like iron for judgment – Mic 4:13
    • Cornet – Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15 (worship of image)
    • Eyes – refer to Spirit of God (see notes on Rev 1:4-5, Rev 4:5-9, 2 Chr 16:9, Zech 3:9, Zech 4:10)
    • Eyes of the Lord (omniscience) – Ps 34:15, 1 Chr 16:9, Ps 90:8, Zech 4:10, Job 34:21, Job 24:23, Job 31:4, Pr 5:21, Pr 15:3, Jer 16:17, Heb 4:13
    • Eyes symbolize spiritual understanding – Eph 1:18, Rev 3:18, Lk 11:34, Mat 6:22, Acts 26:18, Mat 13:13-16, Jer 31:8. Acts 28:26f, Ro 11:8, Ro 11:25, Is 6:9, Jer 5:21, Ez 12:2, John 9:39-41, Is 59:10, Is 35:5, Is 42:7, Is 42:16-19
    • Spiritually seeing – Ro 1:20, Job 12:7-9,  Ps 19, Ro 10:18, Ps 8:3
    • Holy Spirit enlightens those who are saved – John 14:26
    • Spirit of Christ, Jesus (Holy spirit sent by Jesus Christ0 – 1 Pet 1:10-11, 2 Pet 1:21, John 14:26,  John 14:16, John 15:26, John 16:7, Lk 24:49, Acts 1:4
    • 7 Spirits of God is the Holy Spirit as He is sent out throughout the world to implement the perfection of God’s purpose – see notes on Rev 1:4 and Rev 4:5
    • All the earth – refers to extent of Gospel, not limited to National Israel (Mat 28:18-19, John 3:16, Eph 2:11-22, etc.)

(5:8-14) – The Beasts, the 24 Elders and Every Creature Praise God

(Rev 5:8)  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

(Rev 5:9)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

• Jointly sung song (cherubim and those saved of mankind) – represents whole created holy order
• Fell down -worship – see notes on 4:10-11
• Harps – Rev 14:2,15:2
  • Joy – Is 24:8, Job 30:31, Ps 81:1-5, 137:2
  • Praise – Ps 147:7, Ps 149:3, Ps 150:3, Ps 33:2, Ps 43:4, Ps 71:22, Ps 92:3, Ps 98:5, Ps 108:2
  • Word of God – Ps 49:4
  • Thanks – Ps 57:8-9
  • Musicians refer to praising God (e.g., Ps 147:3, 150:3, 92:3, 57:8, 33:2, etc). The entire book of Psalms is essentially the Word of God to music.
  • Musical instruments were often an accompaniment to vocal singing (e.g., Ps 71:22, 98:5, etc.).
  • Hanging harps on willow trees is featured when Israel was taken captive to Babylon (Ps 137:1-3) in that the joy was taken away.
  • Harps are featured as heavenly instruments (Rev 5:8, 14:2, 15:2, etc.).
  • Harps are also connected to joyful occasions (Is 24:8).
  • David the King played a harp to sooth Saul when he was spiritually afflicted (1 Sam 16:16, 23, 2 Sam 6:5, 2 Chr 29:25). The Levite also used harps (2 Chr 29:5).  Notably, a harp is closely connected to the Word of God in Ps 49:4 in that the Bible refers to parables and a dark saying on a harp.
• Golden bowls full of incense – prayers (Ps 141:2, Is 1:13, 60:6, Num16:6-7, Rev 8:3-5, Ex 30:1-10, 34-38)
  • Bowls – Rev 15:7, 16:1-17, 17:1, 21:9
  • Golden – great value of prayer (see notes on 1:12, James 5:16)
  • The Greek word used for odors is the same root used for ‘incense’ in Rev. 5:8, 8:3-4, Lk 1:9-11 and Heb 9:4.
  • In Heb 9:4, the odors are from the golden censer used in the tabernacle.
  • In Rev 5:8, the odors before God are defined as the prayer of the saints (see also Ps 141:2 and Rev 8:4).
  • God does not hear the prayer of the wicked (John 9:31, Ps 66:18-19, 1 Pet 3:12, Is 58:9, Pr 1:28-29, etc.).
• Singing to the Lord
  • Preaching Gospel – Col 3:16, Eph 5:19, Ps 51:14-16, 59:16,13:6,101:1,105:2,106:12,138:5, 1 Chr 16:9,23, Is 35:6
  • New Song – Rev 14:3, Is 42:10, Ps 33:3, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1
  • Joy – Is 42:11, 26:19, 44:23, 49:13, 52:8-9, 65:14, Jer 31:7, Zeph 3:14, Zech 2:10, Ps 67:4, 95:1
• Worthy – see notes on 5:1,7
• Break seals – enlightenment – see notes on 5:1-3
• Slain, Purchase for God
  • Redemption of the Lamb
  • agorazo –   to use or acquire at the market place (Rev 5:9, 14:3-4, 2 Pet 2:1, 1 Cor 6:20, 7:23)
  • ekagorazo –   go to the market and buy out of the market (Gal 3:13, 4:5)
  • lutroo –  pay for a slave (Titus 2:14, 1 Pet 1:18, Heb 9:12,15, Col 1:14, Eph 1:7, 1 Cor 1:30, Ro 3:24, 8:23, Lk 2:38)
  • Slavery to Sin – Ro 6:6, 17-18, Gal 4:3-11, 21-31, 5:1, Titus 3:1, 1 John 5:19, John 8:34, 44, 2 Tim 2:25-26).
  • The significance of the blood – Lev 17:11,14, Gen 9:4, Heb 9:22 (see 1:5 notes)
• Saves those from all nations – see notes on Rev 5:6, Rev 7:9, Rev 10:11, Rev 11:9, Rev 14:6, Rev 17:15
  • Tribe (kindred) – This Greek word (phule) points to those of kin (blood relationship, race), for example ‘tribe of Israel’ – Luk 2:36, Act 13:21, Rom 11:1, Phi 3:5, Heb 7:13-14 (2), Rev 7:5-8 (13), Mat 19:28, Luk 22:30 (2), Jam 1:1, Rev 7:4, Rev 21:12, Rev 1:7, Rev 11:9 (2), Rev 13:7, Rev 5:9, Rev 14:6
  • Tongues – This Greek word (glossa) refers to one’s spoken language (Acts 1:19, 2:3-4, 11, 26, Rev 5:9, etc).
  • Peoples (Gr: laos) – This represents a group that is connected by one cause or purpose. An important example is that all true Christians from whatever background, creed, language, culture, race, etc. become one people as Christians (Rev 21:3, Heb 8:10, 2 Cor 6:18, Hos 1:10, 2:23, 1 Pet 2:10, Ro 9:25, Mat 1:231, Ro 8:29, etc.). A people could also be a group of individuals that rally behind a political figure, a society that is governed by a ruler, a social cause or any other reason by which they are unified.
  • Nations – The Greek word for nations is ‘ethnos’, which means a group of people who have a common ethnic (or cultural) background. This word is used extensively to refer to ‘gentiles’, which were those who were outside of the commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:11-12).  This word should not be used in the context of people who live in a particular country unless the people of the country are all of the same ethnicity.

(Rev 5:10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

(Rev 5:11)  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

(Rev 5:12)  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

• Kingdom and priests, Reign upon the earth – see notes on 1:6
  • When do believers reign: eternity (1 Cor 4:8, Rev 20:4)
• Myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands of Angels who surround throne, 4 living creatures, and 24 elders
  • Angels are servant messengers (human – Mat 11:10, Lk 7:24, 9:52, Ja 2:25 and angelic spirits)
  • Angels are ministering spirits (Heb 1:14, 1 Cor 11:10, Mat 4:11, Lk 22:43, Ps 34:7, Acts 12:7-9, Mat 18:10, Lk 16:22), announce Christ (Mat 1:20, Lk 1:11, Mat 28:2, John 20:12, Acts 1:10-11), work at second coming (Mat 13:39, 16:27, 24:31), not to be worshiped (Col 2:18-19, Rev 22:8-9)
  • Myriads (Gr: murias, 10,000) – Lk 12:1, Acts 19:19,21:20, Heb 12:22, Jude 14, Rev 9:16
• Loud voice – see notes on 5:2-3
• 7 results of worthiness
  • Power – see Rev 1:6, 1 Tim 6:16, Col 1:11, Eph 1:9, Eph 6:10
  • Riches – see notes on Rev 2:8-11
  • Wisdom – Lk 2:52, Phil 2:9-10, Col 2:3, Ro 11:33, Eph 3:10, 1 Cor 2:6
  • Might – see notes on Rev 1:8, Rev 4:9
  • Honor – see notes on Rev 4:9
  • Glory – see notes on Rev 4:9
  • Blessing – to desire highest spiritual good
    • Reverence (Ps 135:19-21), serve (Ps 134:1), Prayer (Ps 28:6, 184:2), Obey (Ps 103:20-22), praise (Ps 34:1-2, 115:18, 145:1-2,21, worship (1 Chr 29:20)

(Rev 5:13)  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

(Rev 5:14)  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

• Every created thing will worship On earth, Under Earth, On Sea, in Sea – see Rev 5:3 notes
  • Under earth – see notes on Rev 5:3, Phil 2:10 (every knee will bow)
• Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb – Father as King, Son as sacrifice (salvation)
• Eternal blessing, honor, glory and dominion – see notes on Rev 5:11-12, Rev 4:9
• 4 Living Creatures say Amen – see notes on Rev 3:14, see also 1 Cor 14:16, Rev 7:2, Rev 19:4
• 24 elders fell down and worshiped – see notes on Rev 4:10