Glimpse Of Heaven Series

Revelation 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.”

In front of the throne describes the place where John was. Sea is metaphorical since there is no sea in heaven there is no sea in heaven. John saw at the base of the throne was a vast pavement of glass, shining brilliantly like sparkling crystal.

Revelation 4:7, “The first of these living beings had the form of a lion’ the second looked like an ox; the third had a human face; and the four had the form of an eagle with wings spread out as though in flight.”

Those descriptions view the four cherubim in relation to the created world; the lion represents strength, the calf domestic animals, the eagle flying creatures, and man the pinnacle of creation. Symbolically, the lion represents strength, the calf service, the man reason and the eagle speed.

Revelation 4:8, “Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they kept saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty-the one who always was, who is, and who is to come.”

The repetition of holy, holy signifies God’s attitudes. At the core of who God is, is His holiness. Holiness is the essence of who God is. The theme of God’s holiness as displayed in Revelation 4 is the praise for God’s holiness specifically exhibited through judgment. Being holy God hates sin and pours out His wrath on it.

The Lord Almighty is a distinction of who He is. This is the title identifying Himself as Himself to mankind. This shows His power, strength, immutability, and conquering power. Because God is Almighty, He can effortless do whatever His holy will purposes to do. Who always was describes that He was before time. Who is describes that He exists outside out of time out of our comprehension and understanding. And who is still to come describes the reference to the fact that He is coming again for His people that we can rest assured of His promise to return.

Revelation 4:9-11, “Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns down before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our god, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”

These hymns explicit the main point of the vision and of the whole chapter: God is to be glorified because of his holiness and sovereignty. The bowing down of the elders is significant. The manner in the way they addressed the one on the throne is significant for us if anything because they understand that it was not them they were worshipping but the One who deserved the worship. The twenty four elders specifically represent the purpose of the redeemed humanity, which is to praise and glorify God, and this purpose is actually carried out not only by them in heaven, but also by the true community of faith on earth.