Revelation 4:5

And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.  Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

·        God gave the Law with lightnings and voices; thus the gospel has not less glory and authority than the law (MH)

·        Lamps speak of the various gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God (MH)

Exodus 19:16  Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

Zechariah 4:2  And he said to me, “What do you see?”  So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps.

Revelation 4:4

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

·        Some translations don’t include “twenty-four” but only thrones.

·        Twenty-four may be 12 apostles and 12 leaders of tribes of Israel

·        Crown of gold signify the honor and authority given them of God, and the glory they have with Him (MH)

Psalm 21:3-6  For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head…..

Exodus 4:29  Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.

Revelation 4:3

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

·        God is not described by any human features, so as to be represented by an image, but only by his transcendent brightness (MH)

·        The rainbow was the seal and token of the covenant of providence that God made with Noah (MH)

Ezekiel 1:26  And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

Daniel 7:9  I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated:  His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool.  His throne was a fiery flame.

Revelation 4:2

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

·        Throne set in heaven – the seat of honor, and authority, and judgment (MH).

·        One sat on the throne – That was God (MH)

Isaiah 6:1  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple

Jeremiah 17:12  A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary

Revelation 4:1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.  And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you tings which must take place after this.”

·        We can know nothing of future events but what God is pleased to discover to us; they are within the veil, till God opens the door (MH)

·        To prepare John for the vision, a trumpet was sounded, and he was called up into heaven, to have a sight there of the things which were to be hereafter. (MH)

Isaiah 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Exodus 24:1  Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

Revelation 3:22

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

·        It is a proverbial expression, implying that the highest attention should be given to what was spoken  (Barnes)

·        Anything serious, and of great importance, was delivered; and which required attention, and was not easily understood:  (Gills)

·        The demand for universal attention (MH)

 Isaiah 48:16  “Come near to Me, hear this:  I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there.  And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”

Zechariah 7:12  “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.  Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 3:21

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

·         This promise is offered to all Christians in the Millennium (Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 20:4). Jesus promised the apostles that they would eat and drink with Him and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:29-30).

·         This distinguishes between two thrones, Jesus’ and the Father's; the Father’s Throne is in heaven and Jesus’ Throne will be on earth as the son of David (Ps. 122:5; Ezek. 43:7; Lk. 1:32). Jesus’ earthly Throne is turned over to the Father at the end of the Millennium (1 Cor. 15:24-28).

 

Psalm 110:1  The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”