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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Revelation 4:6 - 4:11
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The sea of glass, the beasts, and the hymn of praise:
v. 6. And 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.
v. 7. And 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.
v. 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.
v. 9. And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever,
v. 10. the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
v. 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.
This description further enhances the majesty of the picture: And before the throne there is like a glassy sea resembling crystal; and in the middle of the throne and round about the throne four living beings full of eyes, before and behind. There was not really a sea in the throne-room of God, but the appearance of the air was so clear and calm, so shimmering and motionless, as to remind the seer of purest crystal. The reflection of this crystal-like surface served all the more to bring out the beauty of the Lord's glory. To complete the picture, John now describes
The four living beings, the four cherubs of Eze_1:5-18, who stood in the middle of either side of the throne, as it is said of the Lord that He dwells between the cherubim, 1Sa_4:4; 2Sa_6:2; Psa_80:2; Isa_37:16. Full of eyes they were toward the outside and toward the inside; they were able to look out in all directions, and yet some of their eyes were also fixed upon the Lord, lest any of His words and actions escape them. The four living beings, or cherubs, are now described: And the first living being was like a lion, and the second living being like an ox, and the third living being had his face like that of a man, and the fourth living being was like a flying eagle; and the four living beings, each of them having six wings, are full of eyes round their bodies and on the inside. The form of the four living beings, or cherubs, is the same as that in the vision of Ezekiel, chap. 1:4-11. In their appearance is symbolized, first of all, the power and the regal majesty of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, whose Word and Spirit and power makes the believers kings before Him. They typify, furthermore, the power of the sacrifice of the New Testament, Heb_9:13-19, which cleanses the consciences from dead works. In the human face the kindness and benevolence of the Son of Man is revealed, as He assumed a true human nature in order to gain a complete salvation for us. And the flying eagle, ascending to the very heavens in wonderful power, signifies the new strength which comes to the believers through the message of the Gospel, Isa_40:31. From olden times the Church has seen in these cherubs the types of the four evangelists: Matthew, who emphasizes the human descent of Christ, being the man-cherub; Mark, who stresses the victorious power of Christ, being the lion-cherub; Luke, who pictures the sacrificial act of Christ in giving His own body for the sins of the world, being the ox-cherub; and John, who emphasizes the divine origin of Christ and His return to God, being the eagle-cherub. Every one of these cherubs had six wings covering his entire body, like the seraphim which Isaiah saw, Isa_6:2. They were full of eyes, not only all around their bodies, but even underneath their wings; they could see the Lord continually and yet watch all that transpired in all parts of the heaven and on the earth.
The work of the living beings: And they have no rest by day and by night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming. That is the constant occupation of these cherubs before the throne of God; without ceasing, by day and by night, their chant sounds forth in praise of the Triune God. They strike up a great Tersanctus, they sing a threefold Holy in praise of the Trinity, in honor of Him who alone is holy, whose name may be hallowed only by such as have learned to know the holiness and perfection of Him who is separate from sinners and higher than the heavens. He is God, the one God; He is Jehovah the Lord, He is the Almighty; He it is that is today, the unchanging, the everlasting Lord; He it is that was from eternity, the same faithful and true God; He it is that is coming, whose return for the last great Judgment is imminent. His glory has filled heaven and earth, and His praise should rise in an endless hymn of glorification.
The hymn of the Church: And whenever the living beings give glory and honor and praise to Him that sits upon the throne, to Him that lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him that sits upon the throne, and they worship Him that lives forever and ever, and they cast their golden crowns before the throne, saying: Worthy art Thou, Lord, our God, to receive glory and honor and power, because Thou hast created all things, and through Thy will they existed and were created. The hymn of the cherubs was an unending anthem of praise; they gave praise to God by extolling His holy majesty, honor by worshiping Him in holy fear, and thanksgiving through the proclamation of His grace and mercy. All their praise is offered to the almighty Ruler of the universe, to the eternal King of Glory. As this overpowering testimony goes forth from the mouths of the cherubs, it is impossible for the Church, through the twenty-four elders that represent her, to hold her peace. With a spontaneous impulse of worship they fall down before the great King of the universe, before the everlasting Lord, and their prayer rings out in an endless hymn of praise. At the same time they cast down their golden crowns at the feet of the Lord, in token of their total dependence upon Him and upon the mercy which was shown them in Christ. All that the believers have they hold by His mercy and power; this they openly confess by their act. But no less is this confession contained in their words, in this preliminary anthem of praise. By virtue of the creation, as a proof of God's power and of His providence in upholding all things by the Word of His power, He is worthy of this hymn, in which glory and honor and power is given to Him alone. Neither Satan, who presumed to strive after the glory of God, nor any mere human being can aspire to the praise which is God's alone, Isa_42:8. All things exist because He created them, because He brought them into being by His almighty power; and they have their being to the present day and hour because of the benevolent mill which He had toward them. He sent forth His Spirit, they were created; and He renewed the face of the earth. If He hides His face, all creatures are troubled; if He takes away their breath, they die, and return to their dust, Psa_104:29-30. All Christians, therefore, will join in this hymn of ceaseless praise in honor of the almighty Creator and King of the universe, thereby acknowledging their unending indebtedness to His benevolent power. To God all praise and glory!
Summary
The prophet, at the beginning of His second vision, describes the throne of the Lord, the elders and the seats of the elders, the cherubs and their proclamation of God's glory, to which the elders respond with a wonderful hymn of praise.