Verse 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.

I. After this.

A. These words refer to Revelation 1:19.

1. Write the things you have seen.

2. Write the things that are.

3. Write the things that shall be.

B. The things which John saw

1. Chapter 1 is the things which John saw.

2. Chapter 2 and 3 are the things which are.

3. Chapter 4-22 are the things which shall be.

II. The opened door.

A. The door is an opening, or a way into heaven.

1. This is a most inviting scene.

2. Nothing at all like the opening of the sixth seal when these people looked into heaven, saw God, and prayed to the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the lamb.

B. Revelation 3:8 – When God opens the door, it will not be shut, but if God does not open the door, it will not be opened.

1. John was not asked if he wanted to receive and give this prophecy, but God told him he would do it.

2. There is such a thing as "free-will", and John freely wills to receive and give this prophecy.

III. The first voice.

A. The voice John heard is not the voice of Christ.

1. Revelation 1:15 describes the voice of Christ as the sound of many waters.

2. Revelation 4:1 describes this voice as sounding like a trumpet.

B. There are many voices John will hear during the course of this revelation.

1. Revelation 4:5 – There are many voices coming out of the throne of God.

2. Revelation 6 – It appears each of the beast that appear with the opening of the six seals has a voice.

3. Revelation 7:2 – As in this verse, there are several different angels who utter with their voices.

4. Revelation 10:4 – When John heard the seven thunders utter their voices, and was about to write, he heard a voice from heaven saying he was not to write what the thunders uttered.

5. The voice of Revelation 4:1 appears to be what is introducing or leading John through the revelation of the end times.

IV. The first thing John saw is the throne of God.

A. He did not see his friends or relatives who had died and gone on before him.

1. I have heard it said the joy of heaven will be having a "family reunion" in heaven.

2. I Corinthians 13:12 states, For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

3. This passage is not talking about a "family reunion" in heaven.

4. When we get to heaven, we will be so overjoyed to see Jesus, we will not be thinking about anybody or anything else.

5. Besides that, there will not be families in heaven as we know families on this earth.

6. In Luke 20:27, the Sadducees showed their ignorance of how it would be in heaven by asking Christ who a certain woman would be married to.

a. Christ explained to them there was no marriage in heaven.

b. Many believe silly things about heaven, some declaring that children who die in their youth are made into angels, or that some are sent back to the earth to live another life in an attempt to be good enough to get into heaven.

V. I believe this verse speaks of the rapture of the saints.

A. Chapter 3 closes the door on the church age.

1. The word "church" is not found in the remainder of the book of Revelation.

a. Revelation 22:16 states, I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

b. This passage refers to a time before the tribulation period.

c. John is writing this book of Revelation to the churches of Asia, therefore refers to those churches in the close of the book.

d. There is no doubt the warnings of Revelation should be taken by churches of today.

2. Therefore the church is not present during the tribulation period.

a. There is no need for the church of Christ to be complacent about faithfulness because we will not endure the judgments of the tribulations.

b. We are not going to hell either, but we should not be complacent toward those who are going, but preach the gospel because we know the terror of God.

B. Almost everything we see from Revelation chapter 4 on is futuristic, or prophecy.

1. Some of the things: the opening of the seven seals are progressive, that is, the principles involved have already begun.

2. Just as Revelation 13 speaks of the Anti-Christ kingdom being progressive, but coming to completion during the tribulation, so the seals are progressive and come to completion during the tribulation period.

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

I. This verse does not mention John’s death.

A. I do not believe he died, but that he was immediately in a "spirit state" in order to be able to see and understand things he could not see or understand in his physical body.

1. Daniel 8:27 – Daniel fainted and was sick certain days after receiving a vision from God. This proves the physical body and mind cannot contain spiritual things.

2. Daniel 10:2-3 , 8, 16-17 reveals that without supernatural power, the physical body and mind cannot stand spiritual things.

B. Just as God is able to give his children a new heart at salvation, yet keep them living in this fleshly body, he is able to keep John alive in his fleshly body, while transforming him into heaven to see the future.

II. The one on the throne is God the Father, not Jesus Christ.

A. A careful reading of Revelation 5:1-6 indicates that Jesus Christ is separate from his Father at this time.

1. Revelation 4:2 reveals that there is one sitting on the throne – this is God the Father.

2. Revelation 5:6 reveals there is one in the midst of the throne – this is Jesus Christ.

B. The purpose of seeing God in chapter 4 and Jesus Christ in chapter 5 is so everybody will know who brings wrath on this earth during the tribulation period.

1. Many would refuse to believe God does anything – good or bad.

2. This is why the opening of the sixth seal lets people see God in heaven, and his coming wrath.

3. In Revelation 16:9 men know the great heat is from God, yet do not repent, but blaspheme God.

a. Revelation 16:10,11 reveals that men will gnaw their tongues for pain, yet continue to blaspheme God and do not repent.

b. Revelation 16:21 declares that when great hailstones fall on the earth, each weighing approximately , men will blaspheme God, but will not repent.

1.) According to the commentaries I have, each hailstone weighed between 56 and 100 pounds.

2.) I have heard some say the hailstones weighed approximately 600 pounds.

3.) It makes no matter to me – a block of ice weighing 100 pounds, falling from the sky will do a great deal of damage!

Verse 3 - And 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.

I. The appearance of God.

A. The "physical" features of God are not described at all.

1. God doesn’t look anything like we have him pictured in our minds.

2. Often, we picture in our minds that God (and Christ) looks like the pictures we see.

3. Isaiah 44:13 states that men makes their gods to look like the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.

4. But God doesn’t look as we think he looks.

B. The appearance of stones.

1. The jasper stone.

a. Jasper is an opaque (impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent) stone in various shades of red, yellow or brown.

b. Exodus 28:20 – The jasper stone is the last stone in the high priest breastplate.

c. Revelation 21:19 – The jasper stone is the first foundation in New Jerusalem.

d. Revelation 21:18 – The jasper stone makes up the wall of the New Jerusalem.

e. This stone does not seem to be like what we normally think of as jasper.

f. According to Revelation 21:11 jasper is described as a light, clear as crystal.

2. The sardine stone.

a. Carnelian is a precious stone of blood-red color that during bible history was sometimes called "Sardine stone," or "sardius" because in ancient times it was obtained from Sardis in Asia Minor.

b. Exodus 28:17 – The sardine (sardius) stone is the first stone in the high priest breastplate.

c. Revelation 21:20 – The sardius (sardine) stone is the sixth foundation in New Jerusalem.

d. This stone is bright red in color, reminding us of the blood of Christ.

3. The emerald.

a. An emerald comes in various shades of green and bluish green.

b. Clear stones with dark, yet vibrant color demand the highest prices.

II. The rainbow

A. Represents the promises of God.

1. Genesis 9:13-16 - I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

2. The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant between God and man that God would no more destroy the world by water, but he will destroy it by fire.

3. When God appears with the rainbow, it is a symbol that he is remembering his promise(s).

a. This is a very great thing, because if God did not remember his promises to us, we would all be quickly destroyed.

b. We often forget the promises God gives to us, but God never forgets the promises he gives to us.

B. Ezekiel saw the appearance of the rainbow when he saw the likeness of God.

1. Ezekiel 1:27-28 - …I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

2. Anytime God reveals himself he is shown to always remember his covenants.

3. God is not like us, who frequently forget out commitments and covenants; or give excuses why we cannot fulfill them.

C. Revelation 10:1 reveals an angel, whose cry causes seven thunders to utter their voices.

1. The appearance of the mighty angel reveals that this angel had been in the presence of God, as Moses face shone when he had been in the presence of God.

2. Our appearance changes when we have been in the presence of God.

3. We can be in the presence of God by reading his word and praying to him.

Verse 4 - And 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.

I. John sees 24 seats before the sees the 24 elders.

A. The seats are thrones, therefore the 24 elders are ruling with Christ.

B. Christ has promised his people they will rule with him.

1. Matthew 25:14-30 – In the parable of the talents, the faithful rule be made ruler over many things.

2. Luke 19:11-28 – In the parable of the pounds, the faithful have rule over various numbers of cities, according to their faithfulness.

3. Revelation 15:2 reveals those killed during the Great Tribulation standing on the sea of Glass.

a. These are standing, not sitting, therefore they are not ruling with Christ.

b. While they do not rule, they occupy a very prominent place before the eternal throne of God, continually worshipping him and constantly rejoicing over the victory they have through his grace and mercy.

c. Their witness is an eternal witness – a witness no other can have.

II. There is much dispute about who the 24 elders are.

A. The Bible does not explicitly say, but there are comparisons so we can know.

1. They are clothed with white raiment, which represents the righteousness of the saints.

a. There are many scriptures which speak of God’s children being clothed in white, or walking white.

1.) Revelation 3:4,5 – Overcomers in the church at Sardis will be clothed in white.

2.) Revelation 3:18 – Members of the church at Laodicea are counseled to buy white raiment from God.

b. Revelation 6:9-11 – White robes were given to the souls under the altar which were slain for the word of God.

c. Revelation 7:9 and 13-14 – Those that have come out of great tribulation have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb.

d. Revelation 19:8 – The bride of Christ is clothed in white raiment.

e. Revelation 19:14 – The armies of heaven are clothed in white.

2. The elders have crowns of gold on their heads.

a. The crown is a symbol of those that rule.

b. Crowns of gold speak of a costly, dignified rule for the glory and honor of God Almighty.

c. These crowns are not the crown of rewards, but the crown of eternal life.

1.) The crown of rewards will be received at the judgment seat of Christ.

a.) Hebrews 9:27 states that the judgments comes after death, and that is true.

b.) God will not judge us until after all our opportunities to labor for him in this life is over.

c.) Another point is that the results of all our labour for Christ will not be over until time ceases.

2.) The Judgment Seat must not take place until at least after the tribulation period because there will be people saved (and die) during the tribulation.

a.) Revelation 20:5,6 – It might be that the Judgment Seat of Christ does not take place until after the millennium because the first resurrection is throughout this entire period.

b.) It seems more likely to me, however, that the judgment of the saved takes place right after the tribulation period, so there is a placement of rulers during the millennium.

B. I believe these 24 elders represent all the saved (at least 12 elders represent the tribes of Israel and 12 elders represent the apostles, which represent the church Christ established during his personal ministry) up to the time of the Second Coming.

1. I Chronicles 24:7-18 – David established 24 orders of priests to serve in the temple by course.

2. According to Revelation 1:6, and 5:10 the 24 elders are made kings and priests before God continually.

C. These elders sitting on thrones, clothed in white, with golden crowns on their heads reveals that the rapture has already taken place.

1. If the order of the book of Revelation is carefully and faithfully followed, it is clearly seen that the rapture takes place before the tribulation period begins, not during, or after.

2. Keeping everything in chronological order will make it much easier to see the entire picture of the book of Revelation.

Verse 5 - And 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.

I. Lightnings, thunderings, and voices.

A. There are various places in the Bible where God appears with either thunder, voices or lightning, or some other natural phenomenon but the only verses in the entire Bible that speak of God appearing with both thunders, lightning, and voices are always associated with the giving of the law and the fierce judgment of God.

B. The places God appears with both thunder and lightning.

1. Exodus 19:16 - And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

2. Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

3. Revelation 4:5 - And 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.

4. Revelation 8:5 - And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

5. Revelation 11:19 - And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

6. Revelation 16:18 - And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

C. The study of the six places.

1. Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

a. The giving of the law to Moses.

1.) It is interesting that when God gives the law to Israel he appears with thunders, lightning a thick cloud, and the very loud trumpet, so that all the people trembled.

2.) When God appears to carry out the judgment of the law, he always appears with thunders and lightnings and voices.

3.) There is no doubt the appearance of God with all thunders and lightnings is exceeding terrible, so terrible that men cannot describe the trembling.

4.) Revelation 6:16 describes the terror of men when they see God, and he is not accompanied with thunders, lightning, voices, or the very loud sound of a trumpet.

b. Today, many have disregarded the law of God, declaring that Christ fulfilled the law on the cross, and it is not applicable to us today.

1.) This is a grave error, because the law is rejected as God’s school master, which brings us to Christ, Galatians 3:24.

2.) According to I John 3:4, sin is still the transgression of the law.

c. Exodus 20:18 states, And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off;

1.) It is a shame Israel did not hear the law, but only saw the thunderings, the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet and mountain smoking.

2.) If they had heard what the law said, it would have been their school master to bring them to Christ.

3.) According to Nehemiah 1:5, God is a most terrible God, yet his mercies are tender to those that remember his holy law.

a.) Psalms 119:77 affirms, Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

b.) Psalms 119:156 declares, Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

c.) Psalms 145:9 states, The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

4.) Those that disregard the law of God today will face the judgment of God, because they have rejected the schoolmaster, which brings them to Christ.

2. Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

a. David was in great distress when he called on God, evidently because of some trouble in his life.

1.) In verse 10, David remembers his resignation to his trouble and his having to endure his troubles.

2.) David determines he will remember the good works of God in days gone by, when God revealed himself to a trembling world as described in verse 18.

3.) God delivered David from his troubles, even though he did not deliver him quickly.

4.) Therefore David writes this psalm, declaring the glory of God in releasing him from his troubles.

b. We, according to II Timothy 3, are living in dangerous times; times when it seems God is not hearing our prayers, and Satan is having his way in this wicked world.

1.) We must be as David, who resigned himself to his troubles, and determined he will remember the greatness and goodness of God in days gone by.

2.) That memory so blessed him that he was able to remain faithful to God during his troubles.

3.) Like David, when we think God has not heard our pleas for help, and will not help, we determine we will remain faithful because of God’s past blessings.

4.) God suddenly appears at the rapture, and blesses with more and better blessings than we ever though possible.

3. The presence of God in Revelation, revealed by thunder, voices, lightnings, and earthquakes.

a. Revelation 4:5 - And 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.

1.) This takes place at the very beginning of the tribulation period, at the rapture, before any judgment comes from God to the earth and its inhabitants.

2.) Those that have declared God is dead will be surprised, not only at the rapture, but also that they face the judgment of God.

b. Revelation 8:5 - And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

1.) This takes place at the opening of the seventh seal, which causes the seven thunders to sound.

2.) There will no doubt to the inhabitants of the earth they are facing the judgment of God because of his broken law.

c. Revelation 11:19 - And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

1.) This takes place at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which is the third woe, which is the beginning of the seven vials.

2.) There will no doubt to the inhabitants of the earth they are facing the judgment of God because of his broken law.

d. Revelation 16:18 - And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

1.) This takes place when the seventh vial (the final judgment) is poured out on the earth.

2.) There will no doubt to the inhabitants of the earth they are facing the judgment of God because of his broken law.

D. God is using these verses to teach us that before he brings any judgment, he always reveals his law first.

1. Exodus 19:16 reveals God gave his law to Israel so they (and us) would understand what he expects of us.

2. In Psalm 77, David saw the power of God during tribulation, therefore we can have hope as the tribulation period draws near.

3. In Revelation 4:5, 8:5, 11:19 and 16:18 God reveals his perfect standard of righteousness before he brings his righteous judgments.

a. People have a "choice".

b. They can either reject God’s standard of holiness, or accept it.

c. Rejecting God’s standard of holiness involves a denying of personal sinfulness and wickedness while accepting God’s standard of holiness involves a recognition of personal sinfulness and wickedness and a subsequent turning to Christ for eternal forgiveness.

E. When the judgments of God begin, no man will be able to stand and they groan in their sorrow and pain, but the people of God rejoice.

1. This is a great contrast, but it is always true.

2. When God reveals himself, the people of God always rejoice with great rejoicing.

3. The people who have rejected God always mourn with great sorrow, but they refuse to repent, even then.

II. The seven spirits of God.

A. We will cover the following points in this section of the study.

1. The seven spirits of God and the seven lamps of fire.

2. The seven horns.

3. The seven eyes.

B. These seven spirits (which is the complete description of the Holy Spirit of God) are shown only in the following verses.

1. Scriptures:

a. Revelation 1:4 – John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

b. Revelation 3:1 – And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

c. Revelation 4:5 And 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.

d. Revelation 5:6 – And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

1.) Revelation 1:4 and 4:5 reveal the seven lamps are the seven spirits which burn before the throne of God the Father.

2.) These reflect the manifestation of the power of God.

3.) Revelation 3:1 and 5:6 reflect that Jesus is in possession of the seven spirits of God.

4.) The seven spirits manifest the light and power of God in perfect obedience.

2. Some interesting comparisons between God and Satan using seven spirits.

a. Matthew 12:45 states, Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

b. Luke 8:2 declares, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

c. According to Revelation 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, and 17:7 Satan has seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns upon the seven heads, and upon his seven heads the name of blasphemy.

1.) Satan continually copies the works of God, yet never matches any holy work.

2.) The seven heads of the Anti-Christ are an effort to copy the seven spirits of God.

3. Isaiah 11:1,2 lists six attributes of the Spirit of God – And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

a. Spirit of wisdom.

b. Spirit of understanding.

c. Spirit of counsel.

d. Spirit of might.

e. Spirit of knowledge.

f. Spirit of the fear of the Lord.

g. John 16:7 gives the seventh attribute of the Spirit of God – Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

4. The seven lamps of fire are burning before the throne of God, and link God and Christ together as one.

a. Revelation 4:5 states, And 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.

b. Revelation 5:6 declares, And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

5. The seven lamps of fire.

a. Scriptures:

1.) Exodus 25:37 states, And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

2.) Exodus 37:23 declares, And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

3.) Numbers 8:2 states, Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.

4.) Zechariah 4:2 states, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

b. According to Exodus 25:37 and Numbers 8:2, the lamps of fire give light in the worship of God in the tabernacle.

1.) It was dark in the holy place and "internal" light was needed, as little external light could penetrate the holy place.

2.) John 4:24 – True worshippers worship in spirit and in truth.

3.) No person has the mental or spiritual power to worship God in spirit and in truth.

4.) It is only when God gives his light that we understand and are able to truly worship.

5.) Jesus is the light of the world. John 8:12 states, Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

6.) Men love darkness. John 3:19 declares, And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

c. Zechariah 4:2 reveals that the worship of God (and all things relating to revealing the power of God) is done by the power of the spirit of God, not by fleshly power or strength.

1.) Many believe Israel worshipped God according to the outward symbols given to them, but do not understand that even in Israel, there were true worshippers who worshipped according to spirit and truth.

2.) In every generation there are those who attempt to worship by symbols, and those who worship in spirit and in truth.

3.) Zechariah 4:6 continues the explanation that worship is not by power or might, but by the spirit of God.

4.) Zechariah 4:10 links the seven lamps with the seven eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro in the entire world, measuring everything with the plummet of God.

C. Except for Revelation 5:6, there is only one place in the entire Bible where seven horns (describing Christ) are mentioned. (Satan is mentioned as having seven horns in Revelation 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, and 17:7.)

1. The scriptures in Joshua.

a. Joshua 6:4 states, And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

b. Joshua 6:6 testify, And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.

c. Joshua 6:8 declares, And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

d. Joshua 6:13 states, And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

2. These verses speak of the power of God that is available to all the children of God.

a. Every child of God must have the word from God in order to have the power of God.

b. It is not for children of God to strike out on their own, in an attempt to achieve God’s will.

c. Every child of God must carefully follow the instructions given to them if they are to see the power of God.

D. There is only one place in the Bible where seven eyes are mentioned:

1. The scriptures in Zechariah.

a. Zechariah 3:9 states, For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

b. Zechariah 4:10 declares, For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

1.) Zechariah 4:6 is the key to understanding the meaning of the seven maps, the seven pipes, and the seven eyes: …Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

2.) The efforts of men are futile, but the weakest of men, accompanied with the power of God, cannot be stopped.

c. Many try to determine who the two anointed ones of Zechariah 4:14 are, some claiming they are the two witnesses of Revelation.

1.) I do not think these two are people or anything like that.

2.) I believe these two speak of God not needing any external power, help or aid to bring about his power, but that he is the eternally existing one, who derives power, help and aid from himself to bring about that which he alone had pre-determined.

2. God is watching everything concerning Israel (and us).

a. When the time is ripe, God will destroy all that are against Israel, and will bless Israel with his presence.

b. God speaking of the graving in the stone he has placed before Joshua reveals the absolute sureness of all prophecies concerning Israel.

c. The words of Zechariah 3:9 …I will engrave… speaks of God opening (or bring to pass and giving understanding) …the graving… (the carving in the stone).

III. Verse 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.

I. The sea of glass.

A. The sea of glass is empty at this point.

1. Revelation 15:1-4 reveals the sea of glass filled with the faithful.

2. The sea of glass is empty in Revelation 4 because it is reserved for those who have gotten the victory over the beat, his image, and his mark and the number of his name.

B. The occupants of the sea of glass are slain during the tribulation period.

1. They are standing, not sitting, as the 24 elders are sitting.

2. If sitting means the 24 elders are ruling, then those on the sea of glass are not ruling.

3. Not ruling is not bad, because these are placed in a position right in front of the throne of God, to praise him continually.

4. Every person will be very content with their position in eternity.

C. God’s "principle of reservation".

1. God reserved the place of those he knew would be slain during the tribulation period.

2. John 14 reveals that there are many mansions and places in heaven reserved for the elect of God.

3. The names written in the book of life were written from the foundation of the world, not when they were saved.

a. Revelation 13:8 declares, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

b. Revelation 17:8 states, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

4. We have eternal life because we are reserved unto salvation, not because of anything we have done.

II. The four beasts.

A. The description of the four beasts is given in verse seven.

1. This beast is more aptly described as a "living creature".

a. This word "beast" comes from the Greek word "zoon".

b. This word means "a living being".

2. The "beast" of Revelation 13 is a "wild, untamed one".

a. This word "beast" comes from the Greek word "therion".

b. This word means "a wild, savage, ferocious beast.

B. Why does the King James Version use the same word "beast" to describe both the Anti-Christ kingdom and Christ?

1. This is not an error in translation.

a. There are no translation errors in the King James Version of the Bible.

b. If there are translation errors, God is unable to preserve his Word.

c. There are many errors of understanding, but no errors of translation.

d. God used the word "beast" in Revelation 4 and 13 to cause us to search the scriptures and see for ourselves the difference in the two creatures.

2. It is not necessary to learn the Greek language to understand the Bible.

a. I do not understand Greek, have never studied Greek, and have no intention of ever studying Greek.

1.) It is not wrong to study Greek, as understanding that language can confirm proper contextual Bible interpretation.

2.) Some people can better understand the KJV if they understand the Greek language, but everybody is not like that.

b. God knew everybody would not have Greek available to them, therefore gives us proper Bible interpretation without understanding the Greek language, if we will only study the context of each passage.

1.) A casual reading, comparing Ezekiel 1:5, 10 will reveal the living creatures is the same as the beasts of Revelation 4:7.

2.) A casual reading of Daniel 7:3 will reveal these four beasts is the same as the beast of Revelation 13:1-4.

3.) Daniel 7:9 reveals there is a great difference between the Ancient of Days (God) and the beasts Daniel saw.

3. Satan is always copying Christ.

a. Satan never initiates anything, but copies everything Christ does.

1.) Satan copies God, and the trinity.

2.) Satan copies salvation, giving false hope to his followers.

3.) Satan copies Holy Spirit filling by filling his followers with demons.

4.) Satan copies the Lord’s church with the universal, visible, or invisible church.

5.) Satan copies service, making it self-serving instead of God-serving.

6.) Satan copies happiness by giving a false hope of obtaining earthly possessions, while God gives assurance of obtaining eternal rewards while he supplies every material need.

b. Satan’s ways are always ways of destruction, while the ways of Christ gives life and life more abundantly.

C. It is important to note that the four beasts, which represent Jesus Christ, are in the midst of the throne and round about the throne where God the Father sits.

1. The four beasts (living creatures) are in the midst of the throne.

a. They are not off to one side, on top of, or below.

1.) This shows that Jesus Christ is equal to his father, and the other parts of the trinity.

2.) The son is the Father, and the Father is the son.

3.) All parts of the trinity are equal, and in complete agreement.

b. Jesus Christ is equal to God the Father, therefore he is in the midst of the throne

2. The position of Jesus Christ.

a. The four living creatures, which represent Jesus Christ, are in the midst of the throne of God and round about the throne of God, where the thrones of the 24 elders are located.

1.) This reveals that Christ is an integral part of God and his eternal kingdom.

2.) Compare Revelation 4:4 with Revelation 4:6 to see that Christ is an integral part of the eternal rule of the 24 elders, as the four living creatures are round about their throne, encompassing and authorizing their rule and authority.

b. Revelation 5:6 confirms the authority of Christ to rule eternally.

1.) John sees the Lamb:

a.) In the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and

b.) In the midst of the elders.

c.) This passage confirms that Christ is God, and is separate from the 24 elders, who represent the chosen of Israel and the church Jesus established during his personal ministry.

2.) There is great rejoicing when the Lamb is revealed as the advenger of God’s justice.

a.) Revelation 5:8 – The four living creatures recognize the Lamb by falling down before him with the prayers of the saints.

b.) Revelation 5:9 – The four living creatures and the 24 elders sing a song declaring their redemption.

1) The four living creatures are a part of this singing because Christ has made his elect an inseparable part of himself.

2) We, the elect, are joint heirs with him, just as the bride of Christ becomes one with him.

c.) Revelation 5:11 – An innumerable company of angels proclaim the greatness of God and Jesus Christ.

d.) Revelation 5:13 – The four living creatures say "Amen".

3. The position of the bride of Christ.

a. Revelation 1:13 states that Jesus Christ is in the midst of his churches, of which he is the head, therefore an inseparable part of them.

1.) Jesus Christ is an integral part of his church, as he is the head.

a.) Ephesians 1:22 – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

b.) Ephesians 5:23 – For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

c.) Colossians 1:18 – And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

d.) Jesus is the head of his church, and cannot be separated from the churches or the churches will die, just as a human body cannot live without the head.

2.) John 14:3 states, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

3.) Unworthy sinners are made a part of the eternal rule/dominion of God through the blood of Jesus Christ and his perfect cleansing.

a.) Revelation 21:3 – God will dwell in the new earth with his people.

b.) Revelation 21:23 – There will be no need of the sun, moon or any light because Jesus Christ is the light.

c.) Matthew 25:21,23 – In the parable of the talents, faithful believers who have received talents from the Lord will rule and reign as he directs.

d.) Luke 19:17 – In the parable of the pounds, faithful believers who have received pounds from the Lord will rule over the number of cities Christ gives to them.

e.) Matthew 20:20-23 – Those who sit on the left and right of Jesus is given to those to whom it is prepared. (God chooses his bride.)

b. Just as the marriage of a man and woman make them one flesh, so Christ choosing his bride from his churches makes Christ and his bride one, with all the privileges thereof.

1.) I believe Christ will choose his bride from the faithful in all his churches.

2.) Revelation 19:7 – The bride has made herself ready.

3.) If it is not that way, I will be perfectly content with however it is.

c. Salvation is much, much more than keeping us out of hell.

1.) In II Corinthians 11:2, Paul proclaims that he had espoused the Corinthian church to Christ as a chase virgin, which reveals that Jesus will choose his bride from his churches.

2.) There is no doubt faithfulness is a part of the preparation of the bride, as stated in Revelation 19:7, but all faithfulness is because of the mercy and grace of God.

d. All believers are not in the bride.

1.) Comparing Revelation 4:6 with Revelation 15:2 reveals those saved and killed during the tribulation period are not a part of the bride of Christ.

2.) Revelation 19:6,7 reveals a great multitude of believers who are not a part of the bride of Christ, but introduce the bride.

3.) Revelation 21:24-27 reveals nations of saved who bring their glory and honor into the New Jerusalem, ye they are not a part of the bride of Christ.

e. Believers who are in the bride of Christ have received the grace and mercy of God, and have nothing to brag about, except Jesus Christ, who loved them and died and put them into the bride of Christ.

D. The four living creatures, their wings, and their eyes will be described in my notes on verse 7 and 8.

Verse 7,8 - 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. 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.

I. This beast (or living creature) represents and describes Jesus Christ.

A. The four living creatures are representative of the four gospels, which represent the fourfold earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

1. Lion – Matthew – King.

a. Jesus is seen in Matthew as the king of the Jews.

b. The genealogy given in Matthew 1:1-16 traces the genealogy of Christ through Joseph, who can be traced back to David, King of the Jews.

1.) Although the genealogy in Matthew is traced through Joseph, he is not the father of Jesus.

2.) The father of Jesus is God the Father.

3.) The genealogy is traced through Matthew because he is a descendant of King David.

c. The Jews were looking for a physical king, but rejected Christ when he came to them as a spiritual king.

d. Jesus is the spiritual king to all who will repent and believe on him for eternal life.

2. Calf, or Ox – Mark – Servant.

a. There is no genealogy in Mark, because nobody looks for the genealogy of a servant.

b. Mark 10:45 states, For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

3. Man – Luke – Man.

a. The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 reveals Jesus lineage through Mary, who can be traced back to David, King of the Jews.

b. Luke 3:23 states, And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

1.) Joseph is not the father of Jesus Christ, as is seen in the words (as was supposed).

2.) The father of Mary is Heli, while Matthew 1:16 reveals the father of Joseph is Jacob.

3.) There is no contradiction between Matthew 1:16 and Luke 3:23, but reflects two distinct genealogies – both going back to King David.

4. Eagle – John – Saviour.

a. There is no genealogy given in this book because Jesus is the Saviour, the only begotten son of God, who has neither beginning nor end.

b. Jesus is portrayed as an eagle because as eagles fly far above all other fowls, so Jesus is far above all humans, although he was made a little lower than the angels.

II. The beasts (living creatures) worship (defer their glory to God, which reveals they represent God, just as we represent God) God continually.

A. They rest not.

1. They do not need rest because they have no sin.

2. In eternity, we will be able to worship God continually and never get tired because we will then have no sin.

B. They continually cry, or loudly proclaim with great enthusiasm:

1. Holy, holy, holy.

a. These beasts represent Jesus Christ, who continually praises his heavenly Father through his obedience.

b. Jesus always did the will of his Father.

c. So we should obey our heavenly Father by recognizing his complete holiness.

d. Isaiah 6:3 – The Seraphims also continually cry Holy, holy, holy… before the throne of God.

1.) The Seraphims are not angels, but created beings who are so holy, they are burning with their own holiness.

2.) Yet, they recognize their holiness is nothing compared to the holiness of God.

e. God is the most holy of all.

1.) Revelation 3:7 - And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

2.) Exodus 15:11 - Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

3.) Isaiah 6:3 - And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

f. Anytime any person really sees the holiness of God, he immediately recognizes how depraved he is.

1.) Isaiah 6:5 – Isaiah said, Woe is me! For I am undone…

2.) Revelation 1:7 – When John saw Jesus (God in the flesh), he fell at his feet as dead.

2. LORD God Almighty.

a. LORD refers to the King of kings and the LORD of Lords.

b. God refers to the everlasting, self-existing one.

c. Almighty refers to the complete power of God over all things, both physical and spiritual.

3. Which was, and is and is to come.

a. This phrase refers to the eternity of God.

b. God never had a beginning, continually exists, and will never have an end.

c. Nobody created God, because he lives in a realm we know nothing of.

d. God is timeless, but we live in time.

e. Eternity is not time without end, it is without time.

III. Cherubs (are not fat little children with wings) and Seraphims are not angels (messengers), but created beings who represent Jesus Christ.

A. Ezekiel 1:5-10 reveals these living creatures are the same as the living creatures of Revelation 4.

1. Ezekiel 1:5, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21,22, 3:13, 10:15, 17, 20 reveals the living creatures are the same as the living creatures of Revelation 4.

2. The living creatures are representative of Jesus Christ.

B. Ezekiel 10:20 reveals the living creatures are cherubims.

1. Ezekiel 10:12 – The beasts are here described as cherubims (verse 14), therefore we know that cherubims are not angels, but created beings which represent Jesus Christ.

2. Ezekiel 10:15 states, And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

C. Isaiah 6:1-4 – The creatures here are described as Seraphims, therefore we know the Seraphims are not angels, but created beings (separate from Cherubims) which represent Jesus Christ.

1. In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah declared he had seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

2. This is Jesus, the son of God.

3. In John 14:9, Jesus declared to Phillip, …he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; …

D. Angels are not cherubims, nor are they seraphims.

1. Angels are never represented as being the same as cherubims or seraphims.

2. Angels are never described as having wings or singing.

a. Luke 2:13, probably the most popular verse which is thought to promote angelic singing states, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

b. Singing is reserved for the emotional response in worship, which emotional response is denied angelic beings.

c. Cherubims (living creatures) are created beings that are described with wings and singing.

d. Seraphims (Isaiah 6) are also described with wings and continually praise God by saying, …Holy, holly, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

3. A seraphim is a fiery serpent, that which bit the Jews in Numbers 21.

IV. The wings of the beasts speak of the power of God in various pronouncements.

A. The Seraphims of Isaiah 6:2 are said to have six wings, (Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly) and the number of wings on the each of the cherubs of Ezekiel 10 is six.

1. Ezekiel 1:11 - Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

2. Ezekiel 1:23 - And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

3. So we understand that each of the Seraphims and each of the cherubims have six wings apiece.

B. The wings reflect the various means whereby God continually saves his people from destruction.

1. Exodus 19:4 - Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

2. Revelation 12:14 – God saves Israel during the tribulation period by giving her wings of a great eagle. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

C. The wings reflect the various means whereby God continually stirs his people to "grow up" spiritually – Deuteronomy 32:9-12 - For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

D. The wings reflect the various means of God’s protection.

1. Ruth 2:12 – Boaz speaks to Ruth of her trust in God –The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

2. II Samuel 22:11 – When David did not see any way of victory over his enemies, he saw the victory of God in the wings of the wind – And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

3. Matthew 23:37 – Jesus would have gathered Israel as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but Israel would not – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

E. The wings reflect the means of God’s glory leaving Israel because of her continual transgression.

1. Ezekiel chapter 1 gives a description of the cherubims and the wings of each cherub.

2. Ezekiel chapter 2-9 are God’s instructions to Ezekiel concerning how he is to prophesy to rebellious Judah.

a. Ezekiel 1 – God reveals himself to Ezekiel, just as God revealed himself to John.

b. Ezekiel 2 – God calls Ezekiel to be a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel, giving him the truth to speak.

c. Ezekiel 3 – God relates to Ezekiel that Israel will not hear him, but he is commanded to prophesy to them regardless.

1.) Verses 13-14 – Ezekiel obeys the command of the Lord, but there is little joy in his ministry. God compels him to go.

2.) Verses 17-21 – God establishes Ezekiel as a watchman.

3.) Verses 22-27 – God informs Ezekiel of all the troubles he will face, and the power of God that will be upon him.

d. Ezekiel 4 – God instructs Ezekiel to be a "physical" witness to Israel by laying on his left side for 390 days and by laying on his right side for 40 days.

1.) Verses 9-13 – God makes provision for all the food Ezekiel will need during that time.

2.) Verses 14-15 – God makes gracious provision for Ezekiel to have a clear conscience before God.

e. Ezekiel 5 – God gives Ezekiel more physical evidences to perform in the sight of Israel.

1.) Verses 1-5 – Ezekiel will cut his hair and dispose of the hair in the sight of Israel, which is a symbol of future calamities.

2.) Verses 6-11 – God establishes terrible judgments on Israel because they have disregarded the laws of God.

3.) Verse 12-17 – A third part of Israel shall die with the pestilence, a third by the sword and a third will be scattered throughout the world, where God will chase them with a sword.

f. Ezekiel 6 – God’s judgments against the land of Israel.

1.) Verses 1-7 – God pronounces his judgments against the mountains (physical as well as governmental and spiritual powers) and altars of worship and the dwelling houses of all the people.

2.) Verses 8-10 – For all the destruction that God will bring on Israel, he will leave a remnant, which shall know and understand that the judgment upon them is just.

3.) Verse 11-14 – God will bring righteous judgment upon all Israel, whether they live in the land, or whether they live afar off.

g. Ezekiel 7 – God declares the time of his judgment against Israel has come.

h. Ezekiel 8 – Ezekiel sees the secret abominations Israel has committed against God.

i. Ezekiel 9 – God’s judgment against Israel is just.

1.) Verses 1-7 – God looks on the heart and sets a mark on all those that desire to worship him, sparing them from the coming destruction.

2.) Verses 8-11 – When Ezekiel sees all this destruction, he cries unto the Lord for mercy, but there is no mercy.

F. The steps of God removing his presence from Israel.

1. Ezekiel 10:3 – The glory of God is on the right side of the house of God and the cloud of God fills the outer court – Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

a. The glory of the Lord filled both the tabernacle and the temple to show God’s acceptance, approval and presence.

1.) Exodus 40:34,35 states, Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

2.) I Kings 8:10-11 declares, And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

b. The glory of the Lord leaving Israel shows his rejection of the nation of Israel, his disapproval of their wicked ways, and his absence from their worship, protection, and guidance.

2. Ezekiel 10:4,5 – The glory of God stood over the threshold of the house and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory – Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’S glory. 5 And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

3. Ezekiel 10:18,19 – The glory of the Lord lifted up from the threshold and all Judah watched – Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

4. Ezekiel 11:22,23 – The cherubims and the glory of God leave the city and go east to the Mount of Olives – Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

5. Ezekiel 43:1-4 – The glory of God returns to Jerusalem and the temple at the end of the Babylonian captivity.

V. The eyes of the beast (living creature) are "the all seeing eyes of the Lord", represented by the seven spirits of God, which go all over the earth, looking into everything that is happening, even looking into the thoughts and intents of the heart of every man and bringing righteousness judgment and blessings.

A. Because people in these last days do not want to submit themselves to the all seeing God, there are a growing number of "eyes in the sky".

1. I am told England has more than 4,000,000 cameras pointed at the every day public life of its citizens.

a. This trend is coming to the United States, as officials try more and more things to solve crimes and keep society safe.

1.) In these United States, there are more and more cameras at traffic lights, and police are giving tickets to motorists who run red lights.

2.) Many department stores have cameras to stop shoplifting, while some department stores have publicly confessed they will not prosecute any thief who steals less than $25.00.

b. If people would only submit themselves to Almighty God, there would be no need for all these cameras.

2. It is publicly stated there is not enough personnel to look at the recordings to solve crimes, therefore only large crimes are investigated.

a. Men cannot see, nor investigate each crime, but God knows the heart and judges righteous judgment.

b. Men, in using all these cameras, try to do outwardly what can only be done in the heart – stop crime and keep society safe.

B. The living creatures are full of eyes before and behind.

1. Ezekiel 1:18 – the rings circling the cherubs are full of eyes round about all four of the cherubs - As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

a. This passage is the only time the word "rings" is mentioned in regard to the description of God.

a.) The word has to do with the foundation or underlying structure that supports the entire structure.

b.) Leviticus 14:9 states, But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

1) The word "eyebrows" and "rings" is translated from the same word.

2) The word refers to a prominent feature that defines the eyes of each individual.

c.) 1 Kings 7:33 states, And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their axletrees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all molten.

1) The word "naves" and "rings" is translated from the same word.

2) The word refers to the undercarriage of ten brass bases in the temple.

d.) Job 13:12 relates, Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

1) The word "bodies" and the word "rings" is translated from the same word.

2) The word refers to the physical structure (fleshly bodies) that the friends of Job were living in.

e.) Ezekiel 16:24, 31, 39 translate the word as "eminent place".

1) Israel has given God’s place to false gods.

2) This is the reason God is judging them, condemning them to the 70 years Babylonian captivity.

f.) Ezekiel 43:13 translate the word as "higher place".

1) This passage described the measurements of the temple and its furniture.

2) Ezekiel 40:5 describes the temple measurement as a cubit and a hand breadth, or between 20" and 24".

3) Ezekiel 43:13 gives specific instructions that the altar, the place of God’s sacrifice, will be larger than normal, to give emphasis on the sacrifice of Christ for our eternal salvation.

2.) The underlying structure of God is so great it cannot be described.

a.) In addition to the underlying structure of God being so great it cannot be described, there are four of them.

b.) Each of this four foundations are full of eyes, thus there is no limit to what God can see, understand and act upon.

c.) The underlying structure of God is described as "rings" because it is continuous, without end.

b. These rings reflect the eminence of God is higher than we can ever imagine.

1.) In Ezekiel 16:24, 31, and 39, God informs Israel he knows they have given the eminent place to false gods, therefore he is turning his wrath upon them.

2.) The word "eminent" and "rings" in Ezekiel 1:18 is translated from the same word.

c. The rings are full of eyes …round about them four… referring to the four sides, or four faces of God, who is Christ.

2. Ezekiel 10:12 – The entire body of each of the living creatures were covered with eyes – And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.

a. The word "backs" comes from the same word as the word "rings" in Ezekiel 1:18.

b. Psalms 129:3 uses this same word to describe how the wicked have vainly tried to destroy the sovereignty of God.

c. The issue is not that people have not accepted the majesty of Christ, but have attempted to destroy that majesty.

C. God is not a great big eye-ball, but he has many eyes which see everything.

1. There is no way any person can escape the all-seeing eyes of God.

2. Ezekiel 8:5-18 – God shows Ezekiel the secret things Judah believes they have hid from God.

D. According to Revelation 5:6, the eyes of the beasts are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

1. The seven eyes are the seven spirits of God, which go forth into all the earth.

2. The Holy Spirit of God, which is a part of the trinity of God and represents all of God, communicates with all the earth at all times.

3. It must be noted that the eyes of God go forth into all the world.

a. God sees everything – good and bad.

b. Therefore God knows everything exactly the way it is – the "heart" of the matter.

E. Zechariah 3:8,9 states, Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. 9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

1. It is clear the branch that is set before Joshua is Jesus Christ, the stone, which has seven eyes.

a. The word "engraving" means "to open or loose" – to bring to pass.

b. The word "graving" means that which is carved – set in stone.

c. Therefore, God will bring to pass prophesies concerning the return of Israel to him.

2. Zechariah 4:10 states, For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

a. In the day of judgment, all Israel shall see the plummet (a level or a plumb bob) in the hand of Zerubbabel.

b. All will know God sees every work and nothing can be hid from God.

c. II Kings 21:13 states, And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

d. As God prophesied his righteous judgment against Israel in the days of King Manasseh, so the all seeing eyes of God will judge the world during the tribulation period, as he does at all times.

Verse 9-11 - And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The 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, 11 Thou 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.

I. Introduction.

A. The scene before us in Revelation 4:1-8 is more glorious than we could ever describe it.

1. When these things are all revealed and we see them before our own eyes, we will all voluntarily fall down and worship God.

2. His splendor, power, majesty, and everything about him, is greater than we could ever imagine.

B. All eyes are on Christ.

1. There are no divisions here, but all the inhabitants of heaven give glory and honor to God and his only begotten son, Jesus Christ.

2. This worship is as it should be on this present earth.

3. In glory, all pride and self-righteousness is removed – there is no person desiring to share the spotlight with Christ, but all submit themselves to his glory and power.

C. Where is the local church, or the bride of Christ?

1. Some would ignorantly declare there is no local church now because they do not see a local church in this group of worshippers.

2. The thousands of local churches which were scattered all over the world during the 2000 years of the church age are all assembled together with all the believers of all the ages.

a. Revelation 19:6-7 reflects the time when the bride is glorified.

1.) Before the bride is glorified, the groom is glorified.

2.) There is a great multitude that introduces the bride of Christ, therefore we know there is a great multitude of believers that are not included in the bride.

3.) All of these believers are saved, because they are in heaven, and are given the privilege of introducing the bride.

b. Revelation 21:14 reveals the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are written on the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem.

3. The nation of Israel is also gathered together in this vast group of people, but they, like the local church, is not mentioned separately.

a. Revelation 21:12 reveals the names on the twelve tribes of Israel is written on the twelve gates of New Jerusalem.

b. God has promised the nation of Israel an everlasting presence, and so it will be!

c. It is no accident that the dwelling place of the bride is called "New Jerusalem", after the first Jerusalem.

II. The worship of the beasts.

A. It is important to recognize the order of worship.

1. The beasts first give glory and honor to God.

2. Then the 24 elders fall down and worship God.

a. They fall down before the throne, and cast their crowns before the throne.

b. Then they worship him with their voices.

B. They give glory, honor and thanks.

1. Glory is defined as relating to the opinion or the judgment or view of the four living creatures.

2. Honor is value, or reflecting how precious God is to them.

3. Thanks is defined as being grateful, or expressing thankfulness for the unmerited favor of God toward them.

C. If these beasts represent Jesus Christ, how do they give glory, honor and thanks to God?

1. Everything gives glory to God, even those things created by God to represent himself.

a. Colossians 1:15-17 – Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

b. Luke 19:40 states, And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

c. The natural creation recognizes the power of God Almighty over them, just as humans should recognize that same power over them.

2. These living creatures and all creation give glory to God because he lives forever, and he has created them to reflect that eternal glory.

III. The worship of the 24 elders

A. The 24 elders fall down before God but the Bible does not indicate the beasts fall down.

1. In order for the 24 elders to fall down before God, they must get off their seats (thrones).

2. Their thrones were given to them by God, and by falling down they are physically recognizing any dominion they are given is not earned or deserved by them, but belongs to God, who gave them their dominion.

B. The 24 elders worship God as creator and Saviour.

1. They worship him because he lives forever and ever.

2. They recognize he has a kind of life that is different from their lives.

3. This worship is a most foundational worship.

C. The 24 elders cast their crowns before the throne of God.

1. There is much dispute as to whether these crowns are the crown of life given because of salvation or the crowns given for faithfulness.

a. The word "crowns" is plural, not singular.

b. It really doesn’t make any difference whether the crown is the crown of life, or the crown of faithfulness, as both are given, nor earned.

1.) Salvation is a gift of God, not something we have earned.

2.) We are faithful to God, not because of any work on our part, but because of the grace and mercy of God toward us, while we remain in our sins.

2. These crowns are cast before God because no person is able to save themselves, or keep themselves saved, or be faithful to God.

3. No person earns eternal life, but has eternal life due to the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ upon our unworthy souls.

D. The nature of the worship.

1. This is a very foundational worship of God the creator.

a. Every person who is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ must also believe they are created by Jesus Christ.

1.) This "creational truth" leads to "salvation truth".

2.) Satan is fighting special creation as taught in Genesis because he knows if people believe God created them, they are also accountable to him.

b. Satan has caused millions to doubt God is the creator, therefore, they will not recognize him as Saviour, or eternal judge.

c. The foundation of the gospel message is indelibly linked to the Christ being the creator.

d. So called "science" which proclaims evolution blinds the reality of sin, and the need of a Saviour.

e. Acts 17:24 – When Paul preached at Mars Hill concerning the unknown God, the first thing he mentioned was that the God he was presenting to them is the creator of all.

2. They, like the living creatures, declare Jesus Christ is able to receive all:

a. glory – worship or adoration.

b. honor – worthy of being precious.

c. power – The Greek word "dunamis" or strength, closely akin to authority.

3. Jesus is worthy to receive glory and honor and power.

a. Believers will freely and willingly give glory, honor and power to Christ because he is worthy.

b. Many in this world have received glory and honor and power, but they were unworthy.

c. This is so in every political situation, every vocation, every occupation and every walk of life.

4. Everything was created by God for his pleasure.

a. The Hubble telescope was put into space in 1990 as "scientists" attempted to discover the origins of the universe, but it is proving Biblical creation true.

b. The Hubble telescope is so strong that if you viewed a small coin from 75 feet away, you could still see 1500 galaxies in the area of the coin.

1.) Genesis 15:5 – Abraham could not number the stars, but God said his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.

2.) Deuteronomy 28:62 – God would cause Israel to be few in number, when they were as the stars of heaven, because they would not obey the word of God.

3.) Psalms 147:4 – God knows how many stars there are; and he also knows the names of all the stars. I know God also knows how many people belong to him, and he knows all their names, and he also knows the new name they will be given.

c. It takes the Hubble telescope 10 days of constant time exposures to capture the images inside that small coin.

d. The galaxies are 4,000,000 times fainter than that which is can be seen by the human eye.

e. There are still more galaxies that men cannot see.

f. It is my opinion that there is no end to the physical universe as we know it.

g. This reflects the fact that there is no limits to God.

E. Some believe there is no mention made of a salvation message by the 24 elders, thus they believe the 24 elders do not represent all the saved of all the ages, but instead are another of the created beings which continually give glory and honor to God.

1. The Bible records that every things that hath breath can praise God for his eternal salvation.

a. According to Colossians 1:16-17 everything and everybody ought to recognize that Jesus is the creator. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

b. Romans 11:36 states, For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

c. Before any person can recognize Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, they must first realize he has created them.

2. In Revelation 5:8-10, the four beasts and the 24 elders all have the same instruments of praise, and evidently all of them sing the same song of redemption.

a. There is nothing wrong with the four living creatures and the 24 elders singing praise of redemption because the angels tell men the redemption story.

b. Examples of angels proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1.) Matthew 1:20-23 – An angel told Joseph the son which Mary will bear is Jesus, who shall save his people from their sins.

2.) Luke 2:9-14 – Angels told the shepherds of Jesus Christ.

3.) Revelation 14:6,7 – Another angel flies through heaven preaching the everlasting gospel to all that dwell on the earth.

c. Revelation 5:11 records that the angels say God is worthy for all:

1.) Power – dynamite strength.

2.) Riches – abundance of possessions.

3.) Wisdom – knowledge and understanding.

4.) Strength – might or ability.

5.) Honour – price of great value.

6.) Glory – praise, dignity and worship.

7.) Blessing – praise, laudation, fine discourse.

3. Revelation 5:13 records that every creature in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them, gives glory and honor to God.

a. This proclamation to God is always because of his grace and mercy toward the one giving the praise, not because there is any merit in the individual.

1.) Both the twenty four elders and the living creatures fall down and worship God.

2.) To do this, they must get off their seats (thrones).

3.) Revelation 5:8 informs, And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

4.) Revelation 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

5.) Revelation 19:4 declares, And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

F. The worship of the twenty four elders includes the worship of Jesus Christ because he is more than Saviour, but also judge of the entire world.

1. Revelation 5:8-10 - And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

a. The twenty four elders not only praise God as their creator, but also as their Saviour.

b. They also praise God because he has made them kings and priests, and allowed them to reign on the earth.

1.) The earth is not only this present earth during the millennium, but also on the new earth during eternity.

2.) Reigning with Christ is because of his great grace to us, not because of any work we have done.

2. Revelation 5:14 – The twenty four elders fall down once again and worship him that liveth forever and ever.

a. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

b. The living creatures agree with the worship of all creatures mentioned in verse 13, and the 24 elders fall down and worship him that liveth forever and ever.

3. Revelation 11:16-18 – When the kingdoms of this world are turned over to God, the twenty four elders fall down once again and worship God because he has taken his great power to himself and reigned.

a. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

b. The time of this passage is the third woe, the sounding of the seventh trumpet which is the beginning of the seven vials of the wrath of God.

c. The seven vials mark the end of the tribulation period and the beginning of the millennium reign of Christ.

4. Revelation 19:4 – The twenty four elders worship God once again by falling down and saying alleluia, which means "Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah"

a. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

b. The time is after the religious whore is destroyed and Christ begins his reign.