WORSHIPING GOD IN HEAVEN
Revelation 4:6-11.
Rev 4:6 In front of the
throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and
around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and
back. Rev 4:7 The first of these living beings was like a
lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was
like an eagle in flight.
The sea of Glass is not explained I have googled it to death
and there is no definitive answer that I have found. It could represent the
calm Christ made when he was on the boat with his disciples or just represent
the calm of God's home. If you find a good explanation let me know.
The four being are another thing. From Bro. Michael Jacob
THE FOUR LIVING
CREATURES Rev. 4 : 6
Beginning at the 6th verse of
Revelation 4, there is a detailed description of "the four
beasts". Literally, it should be translated "living ones" or
" living creatures" rather than "beasts".
There is a
symbolism here that demands close attention.
The First beast was like a LION
The Second was like a CALF
The Third was like the face of a MAN
The fourth was like a flying EAGLE.
The Second was like a CALF
The Third was like the face of a MAN
The fourth was like a flying EAGLE.
To
understand the meaning of these symbols, we need to go back to the Old
Testament. In Ezekiel 1, we have a description of "four living
creatures". In Ezekiel 1 : 10, we are told that on the right side
they had the face of a man, and the face of a lion. On the left side they had
the face of an ox, and the face of an eagle. These are the identical symbols of
the Living Creatures in Revelation 4. As in Revelation so in Ezekiel
"there was by them the likeness of a throne" (Ezek 1: 26). In both
visions the glory of the Lord is manifested (Ezek 1: 28). In both cases there
is a rainbow about the throne, These angelic creatures in Ezekiel were
CHERUBIMS ( See also Ezekiel 10).
Notice that
John does not describe these beasts except to liken them to something that we
would be familiar with. Especially notice the words "like" and
"as" in Rev 4 : 7. The first part of Verse 8 adds to this description
when it says, "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him;
and they were full of eyes within".
While John
could only describe the beasts by comparison, he is very precise in telling
what they do, And they rest not day and night, saying, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, which was, and is, and is to come" (Rev 4 :8).
The four
LIVING CREATURES are CHERUBIMS (Refer Ezekiel 10 :20, 21).
In
describing the four living creatures, John says that the first
"beast" was like a LION. A LION is the "King of the beasts"
and represents majesty. Thus Christ is portrayed in the Gospel of Mathew as
"King of Kings".
The Second
living creature is said to be "like a calf". The word translated
"calf" can also be translated as "bullock" or
"heifer". This of course, was an animal frequently used for
sacrifice. CHRIST here is portrayed as "Sacrifice" for our sins. Mark
in his Gospel presents "CHRIST as the SERVANT who was to be
sacrificed."
The Third
living creature "had a face as a man". The third creature would
represent CHRIST as a MAN. The Gospel of Luke presents CHRIST as the Perfect
Man. Also, as described in Philippians 2, Christ left His position of Glory
with the Father and became a man so that He might die on the cross for our sin.
The fourth living
creature was "like a flying EAGLE". The eagle symbolizes
Sovereignty and Supremacy. Thus the living creature represents CHRIST in all
his DEITY. The Apostle John in his Gospel presents JESUS CHRIST as the
SON OF GOD and shows His relationship with heaven.
These four
living creatures do not rest day or night as they protect the throne of GOD in
its holiness. In the old testament we read something very much similar to Rev
4. When Israel was camping in the wilderness, there were special precautions
taken with the tabernacle which was the habitation of God in their midst. The Tabernacle
was always in the center of the camp and was surrounded by 12
tribes.
EPHRAIM WEST -> OX FLAG
DAN NORTH -> EAGLE FLAG
REUBEN SOUTH -> MAN FLAG
JUDAH EAST -> LION FLAG.
DAN NORTH -> EAGLE FLAG
REUBEN SOUTH -> MAN FLAG
JUDAH EAST -> LION FLAG.
On the east
side was Judah which had a banner of a Lion. Ephraim was on the west with a
standard of the ox. Reuben was on the South with the standard of a Man and Dan
was on the north with a standard of an eagle.
Rev 4:8 Each of these living beings had six wings,
and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day
and night after night they keep on saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
God, the Almighty—the One who always was, who is, and who is still to
come." Rev 4:9 Whenever the living beings give glory and
honor and thanks to the One sitting on the throne (the One who lives forever
and ever), Rev 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship
the One sitting on the throne (the One who lives forever and ever). And they
lay their crowns before the throne and say, Rev 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to
receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because
You created what You pleased."
See My blog on Wednesday,
March 18, 2015 foe a definition of the 24 elders.
The one thing that I see in
this is that it is complete praise and worship. Do I think that we are going to
just praise God forever and ever, no. He has what is mentioned above to do
that. I am guessing a bit but This is God showing his son to John. God is pointing
out that he is supreme above all else and this is his way of pointing it out
Agape
Dave
No comments:
Post a Comment