Revelation of John 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A door was opened in heaven - This appears to have been a visible aperture in the sky over his head.
Open source ↗VISION OF GOD'S THRONE IN HEAVEN; THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS; THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. (Rev 4:1-11) After this--Greek, "After these things," marking the opening of the next vision in the succession. Here is the transition from "the things which are" (Rev 1:19), the existing state of the seven churches, as a type of the Church in general, in John's time, to "the things which shall be hereafter," namely, in relation to the time when John wrote. I looked--rather as Greek, "I saw" in vision; not as English Version means, I directed my look that way. was--Omit, as not being in the Greek. opened--"standing open"; not as though John saw it in the act of being opened. Compare Eze 1:1; Mat 3:16; Act 7:56; Act 10:11. But in those visions the heavens opened, disclosing the visions to those below on earth. Whereas here, heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth, but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven, whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the scenes of the several visions require. the first voice which I heard--the voice which I heard at first, namely, in Rev 1:10; the former voice. was as it were--Omit was, it not being in the Greek. "Behold" governs in sense both "a door," &c., and "the first voice," &c. Come up hither--through the "open door." be--come to pass. hereafter--Greek, "after these things": after the present time (Rev 1:19).
Open source ↗After this I looked,.... After John had seen the vision of Christ, in the midst of the golden candlesticks, with seven stars in his right hand; after he was bid to write what he had seen, and what were, and should be hereafter; and after he had by order written the seven epistles to the seven churches, he looked about him to see what else he could, having his desires and expectations raised of seeing more, and other things, for the eye is never satisfied with seeing; though this is to be understood, not of looking with the eyes of his body, but with the eyes of his mind; of his beholding things in a visionary way, as the prophets did, whence they are called "seers", and their prophecies "visions": how long this was after the first vision is not certain, it may be but a few minutes; and it is to be observed, that as the first chapter of this book, with the vision in it, is the preface or introduction to the church prophecy delivered out in the seven epistles; so this and the following chapter, with the vision therein, contain the preface or introduction to the book prophecy exhibited in the opening of the seven seals of the sealed book: and behold, a door was opened in heaven: not in a literal sense, as the heavens were opened at Christ's baptism, and at Stephen's martyrdom, but in a figurative sense; and the phrase is to be understood of a discovery of things that were, or were to be in the church of God, which in this book is oftentimes signified by "heaven": and it must be conceived as done in a visionary way, just as Ezekiel, in the visions of God, was brought to Jerusalem, and the temple there, and in at a door was shown all the abominations committed in the court and temple; so John, in a visionary way, through an opened door, had a scene of things in the church pr…
Open source ↗We have here an account of a second vision with which the apostle John was favoured: After this, that is, not only "after I had seen the vision of Christ walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks," but "after I had taken his messages from his mouth, and written and sent them to the several churches, according to his command, after this I had another vision." Those who well improve the discoveries they have had of God already are prepared thereby for more, and may expect them. Observe, I. The preparation made for the apostle's having this vision. 1. A door was opened in heaven. Hence we learn, (1.) Whatever is transacted on earth is first designed and settled in heaven; there is the model of all the works of God; all of them are therefore before his eye, and he lets the inhabitants of heaven see as much of them as is fit for them. (2.) 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. But, (3.) So far as God reveals his designs to us we may and ought to receive them, and not pretend to be wise above what is revealed. 2. 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. He was called into the third heavens. (1.) There is a way opened into the holiest of all, into which the sons of God may enter by faith and holy affections now, in their spirits when they die, and in their whole persons at the last day. (2.) We must not intrude into the secret of God's presence, but stay till we are called up to it. 3. To prepare for this vision, the apostle was in the Spirit. He was in a rapture, as before (Rev 1:10), whether in the body or out of the body we cannot tell; perhaps he himself could not;…
Open source ↗4:1–5:14 This section introduces the visions and judgments to come. John presents God in his heavenly court—the scene of the drama of Revelation (4:1-11)—and the Lamb, who has a central role (5:1-14). John contrasts the majesty of God with the so-called majesty of Caesar. God’s power and splendor is unequaled by the ceremonial court of any earthly ruler. 4:1-11 The description of God’s throne room stretches the imagination. It builds on the visions of Isa 6:1-4, Ezek 1:4-28, and Dan 7:9-10, where God is seen enthroned in power and majesty. God’s throne dominates Revelation, and the worship in the rest of the book flows from this scene. God’s magnificence, grace, and glory are fundamental to the church’s worship. 4:1 Then . . . I saw: This introductory phrase (see also 7:9; 15:5; 18:1; cp. 19:1) does not signal chronological sequence but the beginning of a new visionary experience. • Come up here: The voice of the Lord invites John to look at things from God’s perspective.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; θύρα (thýra, G2374) — a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively) ἀνοίγω (anoígō, G455) — to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate κεῖμαι (keîmai, G2749) — to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively) οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ὅρασις (hórasis, G3706) — the act of gazing, i.e. (externally) an aspect or (internally) an inspired appearance ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) ἴασπις (íaspis, G2393) — "jasper", a gem σάρδινος (sárdinos, G4555) — sardine (G3037 (λίθος) being implied), i.e. a gem, so called λίθος (líthos, G3037) — a stone (literally or figuratively) ἶρις (îris, G2463) — a rainbow ("iris") κυκλόθεν (kyklóthen, G2943) — from the circle, i.e. all around θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate σμαράγδινος (smarágdinos, G4664) — consisting of emerald
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κυκλόθεν (kyklóthen, G2943) — from the circle, i.e. all around θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four εἴκοσι (eíkosi, G1501) — a score ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… περιβάλλω (peribállō, G4016) — to throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λευκός (leukós, G3022) — white ἱμάτιον (himátion, G2440) — a dress (inner or outer) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate ἐκπορεύομαι (ekporeúomai, G1607) — to depart, be discharged, proceed, project ἀστραπή (astrapḗ, G796) — lightning; by analogy, glare βροντή (brontḗ, G1027) — thunder φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἑπτά (heptá, G2033) — seven λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning) καίω (kaíō, G2545) — to set on fire, i.e. kindle or (by implication) consume ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate θάλασσα (thálassa, G2281) — the sea (genitive case or specially) ὑάλινος (hyálinos, G5193) — glassy, i.e. transparent ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) κρύσταλλος (krýstallos, G2930) — ice, i.e. (by analogy) rock "crystal" ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μέσος (mésos, G3319) — middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun) κύκλῳ (kýklōi, G2945) — akin to G2947 (κυλιόω)); i.e. in a circle (by implication, of G1722 (ἐν)), i.e.… τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal γέμω (gémō, G1073) — to swell out, i.e. be full ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) λέων (léōn, G3023) — a "lion" δεύτερος (deúteros, G1208) — (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb) μόσχος (móschos, G3448) — a young bullock τρίτος (trítos, G5154) — third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… πρόσωπον (prósōpon, G4383) — the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being τέταρτος (tétartos, G5067) — fourth πέτομαι (pétomai, G4072) — to fly
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἀνά (aná, G303) — properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.) εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἕξ (héx, G1803) — six πτέρυξ (ptéryx, G4420) — a wing κυκλόθεν (kyklóthen, G2943) — from the circle, i.e. all around γέμω (gémō, G1073) — to swell out, i.e. be full ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… ἔσωθεν (ésōthen, G2081) — from inside; also used as equivalent to G2080 (ἔσω) (inside)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… εὐχαριστία (eucharistía, G2169) — gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship) κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;…
Open source ↗τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴκοσι (eíkosi, G1501) — a score πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively) ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
Open source ↗εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art ἄξιος (áxios, G514) — deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because σύ (sý, G4771) — thou κτίζω (ktízō, G2936) — to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.
Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”
Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
And the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”