Revelation 4

King James Version

Full text for Revelation Chapter 4

1¶ After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.

8¶ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

John is granted a vision of an open door in heaven, where he is called to witness future events. Immediately, he sees a glorious throne occupied by one resembling precious stones, encircled by an emerald-like rainbow. Around the throne are twenty-four crowned elders and four unique living creatures, all engaged in perpetual worship of the Almighty Creator.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with John's vision of an open door in heaven, through which a trumpet-like voice invites him to ascend and behold things to come. Instantly, John is in the Spirit, perceiving a magnificent throne in heaven, upon which a divine figure, resembling jasper and sardine stones, is seated. An emerald-like rainbow encircles the throne, and around it are twenty-four lesser seats occupied by crowned elders in white raiment. From the throne issue lightnings, thunderings, and voices, while seven lamps, representing the seven Spirits of God, burn before it, alongside a sea of glass. Four living creatures, each full of eyes and possessing six wings, are also present, resembling a lion, calf, man, and eagle. These creatures ceaselessly proclaim God's holiness and omnipotence. In response, the twenty-four elders fall down, cast their crowns, and worship the eternal Creator, acknowledging His worthiness to receive all glory, honour, and power for having created all things for His pleasure.

Long Summary

Revelation 4 commences with the Apostle John's profound vision of an open door in heaven, from which a voice like a trumpet beckons him to ascend and witness "things which must be hereafter." Immediately, John is "in the spirit" and perceives a majestic throne established in heaven, upon which a divine figure is seated. The appearance of this one on the throne is described with imagery of precious stones, specifically jasper and sardine, conveying brilliance and purity. Encircling the throne is a rainbow, vivid and green like an emerald, symbolizing God's covenant and majesty. Surrounding this central throne are twenty-four other seats, occupied by twenty-four elders, depicted in white raiment and wearing crowns of gold, indicating their status. From the throne itself proceed awe-inspiring phenomena: lightnings, thunderings, and voices, emphasizing its power and authority. Before the throne burn seven lamps of fire, explicitly identified as the "seven Spirits of God," representing the fullness of the Holy Spirit. A vast "sea of glass like unto crystal" extends before the throne, suggesting purity and tranquility. In the midst and around the throne are four extraordinary living creatures, each uniquely described as full of eyes both before and behind. The first resembles a lion, the second a calf, the third has the face of a man, and the fourth is like a flying eagle. Each of these four beasts possesses six wings and is full of eyes within. Their primary function is perpetual worship, as they "rest not day and night," continually proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." This unending adoration from the living creatures prompts a corresponding act of worship from the twenty-four elders. When the creatures give glory, honour, and thanks to the eternal God, the elders fall prostrate before the throne, casting their golden crowns before Him. Their worship culminates in a declaration of God's supreme worthiness to receive glory, honour, and power, affirming Him as the Creator of all things, which exist and were created for His divine pleasure.

Core Concepts

  • Heavenly AccessJohn is granted a vision of an open door in heaven, symbolizing direct access to the divine presence and revelation of future events.
  • The Throne of GodA central and glorious throne is established in heaven, upon which God is seated, depicted with radiant imagery of precious stones and encircled by a rainbow.
  • The Twenty-Four EldersTwenty-four elders, clothed in white and crowned with gold, sit on lesser thrones around God's throne, representing a group involved in heavenly worship and governance.
  • The Seven Spirits of GodSeven lamps of fire burning before the throne are identified as the seven Spirits of God, signifying the complete and active presence of the Holy Spirit.
  • The Four Living CreaturesFour unique beings, resembling a lion, calf, man, and eagle, full of eyes and with six wings, are positioned around the throne, serving as perpetual worshipers of God.
  • Perpetual WorshipBoth the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders engage in unceasing adoration, proclaiming God's holiness, omnipotence, and His worthiness as Creator.
  • God as CreatorThe chapter concludes with the elders' declaration that God is worthy of all glory, honour, and power because He created all things, and they exist for His pleasure.