Revelation 4:4-7 Prelude of Praise

Rev 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.  5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,      which are the seven Spirits of God;  6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.  7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.

What is around the throne? Who is sitting on the 24 thrones? Describe them. (4:4)

·      24 thrones are around the throne of God (4:4).

·      24 elders are sitting on the 24 thrones around the throne of God (4:4).

·      The 24 elders are sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns are on their heads (4:4).

What comes out from the throne? What are burning before the throne? What are they? (4:5)

·      Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder (4:5).

·      7 lamps of fire are burning before the throne (4:5).

·      The 7 lamps of fire are the 7 Spirits of God.

 (Context) List the 7 attributes of the Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2.

·      (1) Spirit of the LORD; (2) spirit of wisdom; (3) understanding; (4) spirit of counsel; (5) strength; (6) spirit of knowledge; (7) the fear of the LORD.

What is before the throne? (4:6a) What is in the center and around the throne? (4:6b)

·      Before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal (4:6).

·      In the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind (4:6).

Describe each of the four living creatures. (4:7)

·      Creature #1 – like a lion.

·      Creature #2 – like a calf.

·      Creature #3 – had a face like that of a man.

·      Creature #4 – like a flying eagle.

What do you learn about God in Rev 4:4-7?

God is wholly distinct from what is common to man. He sits on a throne out of which come flashes of lightning, sounds, and peals of thunder. God’s throne is surrounded by 24 crowned elders in white, 7 lamps of fire (the 7 Spirits of God), and 4 living creatures.

How could this truth transform your life?

Worship God who is clothed and surrounded in splendor and majesty, for He is holy, wholly distinct from what is common to man.

Yahweh,

LORD God Almighty,

Living God,

holy, holy, holy God,

clothed in splendor and majesty,

Creator King,

divine in nature,

eternal in power,

Ancient of days,

the One sitting on the throne in heaven,

surrounded by 24 crowned elders in white,

who worship You, prostrate, on their faces,

for You are worthy.

Surrounded by the 7 lamps of fire, the 7 Spirits of God,

for You are the LORD,

the God of wisdom, understanding,

counsel, strength, knowledge,

and fearsome to behold.

4 living creatures also surround Your throne,

like a lion, like a calf, like the face of a man, and like a flying eagle.

You are the Creator, wholly distinct from Your creatures, the work of Your hands.

Holy, holy, holy,

LORD God, the Almighty,

Who was and Who is and Who is to come.

Worthy, worthy, worthy,

LORD God, the Almighty,

to receive glory, honor, and praise.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.