v.4-5 “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed with white robes and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightning’s, thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
As he beholds the throne, it becomes clear to John how magnificent it is. Not only is it crowded with light and a wide spectrum of colors, but there are lightning flashes and thunderclaps, voices, and groups of spirit-beings.
Around the throne are twenty-four elders seated upon smaller thrones, each draped in a white robe and wearing a golden crown. Who are they? I tend to agree with some commentators that these are the twelve patriarchs from the twelve tribes of Israel plus the twelve Apostles (the full representation of both the whole Israel and the whole Church). They are clothed in the same white robes Jesus will give to all of us who enter heaven, each wearing the crowns Jesus has given them as a reward (check—2Tim.4:8).
The “seven Spirits of God” is the Holy Spirit (see notes—Rev.1:4).
v.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.”
Having seen the One upon the throne, those seated around the throne, the thundering and lightning’s coming from the throne, and the Spirit before the throne, John describes what he observes at the base of the throne: a “sea of glass” as clear as crystal.
Rather than a vast translucent ocean of water, however, most commentators believe that this “sea of glass” alludes to the Tabernacle laver called the Sea. According to Scripture, the Sea (a great basin of water) was the temple furnishing where the priests of Israel ceremonially cleansed themselves whenever they were required to minister at the tabernacle (1Kings 7:23; Ex.30:18-21). This was, as it probably is here, an anti-type for the Lord Christ Jesus Himself, in whom we are made eternally clean, pure, and holy by the washing of His blood (Rev.1:5).
Finally, in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, John sees “four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.” Please note, however, that the term “creature” is an unfortunate translation. For these aren’t beasts like those that the term creature denotes but highly alert angelic beings of the highest rank and order that would better be described as the “living ones”.
v.7-8 “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. And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’”
As other symbols revealed in Revelation, the uniquely distinct forms and features of these “living ones” isn’t intended to be a literal resemblance but characterizations of something far more significant. When I refer to my truck as a “work horse” for instance, you would understand that it describes the sturdiness and reliability of my vehicle and not a literal horse. This is how we must consider the symbols. In this case, the four “faces” of these angelic beings are characterizations of Jesus Christ.
(1) The “lion” – this speaks of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed…” (Rev.5:5)
(2) The “calf” (a beast of burden) – this speaks of Him as the suffering Servant. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Mark 10:45)
(3) The “man” – this speaks of Christ in His incarnation as the Son of Man, the God who became Man. “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Phil.2:6,7)
(4) The “flying eagle” (the greatest of all birds) – this speaks of Christ in His Deity as the Son of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1, 14)
Okay, now let’s consider the uniqueness of their employment. They yield both life and breath inside a ministry of praise to Almighty God—non-stop, without rest, day and night. Listen to them:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come”
He is Lord, Jehovah, the God of Redemption; He is God, the Strong One with all power in Himself; He is the Almighty, Creator, the One Who is the source of life, strength, and nourishment. Little wonder that one whose heart has beheld God could refrain from declaring, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord…” (Ps.150:6)
