Revelation 5:2

Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”

·         This angel seems to come out as a champion, with a challenge to any or all the creatures to try the strength of their wisdom in opening the counsels of God (MH)

·         It is as if the strong angel looked through the entire universe to find someone worthy, and had not found anyone worthy to even look at the scroll. (DG)

Revelation 5:1

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

·         He is favored with a sight of the methods of His government, as they are all written down in a book which He holds in His hand (MH)

·         God holds the book in His right hand, to declare the authority of the book. (MH)

Revelation 4:9-11

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

 

·         Acts of adoration:  fell down before Him that sat on the throne and cast their crowns before the throne (MH)

·         The ground of their adoration:  (1) He is the Creator of all things,  (2) He is the preserver of all things, and (3) He is the final cause of all things (MH)

 

Revelation 4:8

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The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.  And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”

 

·         The songs heard:  they adore one God, and one only, the Lord God Almighty.  They adore three holies in this one God. (MH)

·         The cherubim constantly repeat the phrase holy, holy, holy. God’s holy nature and character is declared, and emphasized with a three-time repetition.  (DG)

Revelation 4:7

The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

·         Like a lion . . . like a calf . . . a face like a man . . . like a flying eagle: John describes four cherubim, each with a different face. From comparison with Ezekiel 1:6-10, we can see that each of the cherubim have four faces, and at the moment, John sees each one of the four different faces pointed in his direction. (DG)

·         The four different faces of the cherubim are often taken as symbols of Jesus as represented in each gospel. In classical church architecture, these four “characters” are repeated often as a motif that signifies both heaven and the four gospels. (DG)

Revelation 4:6

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.  And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

·         In this all those must be washed that are admitted into the gracious presence of God (MH)

·         Living creatures – four animals – between the throne and the circle of the elders (as seems most probable), standing between God and the people (MH)

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)