Revelation of John 4:2
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At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And--omitted in the two oldest manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac. I was, &c.--Greek, "I became in the Spirit" (see on Rev 1:10): I was completely rapt in vision into the heavenly world. was set--not was placed, but was situated, literally, "lay." one sat on the throne--the Eternal Father: the Creator (Rev 4:11): also compare Rev 4:8 with Rev 1:4, where also the Father is designated, "which is, and was, and is to come." When the Son, "the Lamb," is introduced, Rev 5:5-9, a new song is sung which distinguishes the Sitter on the throne from the Lamb, "Thou hast redeemed us to God," and Rev 5:13, "Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." So also in Rev 5:7, as in Dan 7:13, the Son of man brought before the Ancient of days is distinguished from Him. The Father in essence is invisible, but in Scripture at times is represented as assuming a visible form.
Open source ↗In this chapter the prophetical scene opens; and, as the epistolary part opened with a vision of Christ (ch. 1), so this part is introduced with a glorious appearance of the great God, whose throne is in heaven, compassed about with the heavenly host. This discovery was made to John, and in this chapter he, I. Records the heavenly sight he saw (Rev 4:1-7). And then, II. The heavenly songs he heard (Rev 4:8 to the end).
Open source ↗4:2 By being in the Spirit, John could experience spiritual realities (see 1:10; 17:3; 21:10; Ezek 11:1) and grasp insights about God’s presence, the heavenly realm, and God’s intentions in history.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever,
From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,