Download ppt - Revelation 4. 3.The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7) a. The Throne-room of Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)

Revelation 4Revelation 4

3.3. The Vision of the Seven The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)Seals (Rev. 4-7)a. The Throne-room of a. The Throne-room of Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)

Revelation 4:5-6aRevelation 4:5-6a

And from the throne proceeded lightnings, And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.crystal.

““lightnings, thunderings, and voices”lightnings, thunderings, and voices”

Simply showing the power of God Simply showing the power of God

Seven lamps of fire were burning before Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of the throne, which are the seven Spirits of GodGod

Representing the Holy Spirit (Rev. 1:4; Representing the Holy Spirit (Rev. 1:4; 3:1)3:1)

““sea of glass”sea of glass”

The sea was before the tabernacle, a The sea was before the tabernacle, a basin of waterbasin of water

1 Kings 7:23; Exodus 30:181 Kings 7:23; Exodus 30:18What we see here is the originalWhat we see here is the originalSome say it represents Christ who cleans Some say it represents Christ who cleans

us from sin.us from sin.

““sea of glass”sea of glass”

Having said that there appears to be a real Having said that there appears to be a real sea in front of the thronesea in front of the throne

Rev. 15:2Rev. 15:2

Revelation 4:6b-8Revelation 4:6b-8

And in the midst of the throne, and around the And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"come!"

Is this the first time we have seen Is this the first time we have seen these creatures?these creatures?

Ezekiel 1:5; 10:12Ezekiel 1:5; 10:12Their being “covered with eyes” (vs. 6; Their being “covered with eyes” (vs. 6;

Ezek. 1:18; 10:12) suggests that nothing Ezek. 1:18; 10:12) suggests that nothing on earth is hidden from them (Zech. 4:10), on earth is hidden from them (Zech. 4:10), with the implication, “How much less from with the implication, “How much less from God himself?” God himself?”

Four CreaturesFour Creatures

Beasts is a very poor translation, should Beasts is a very poor translation, should be creatures or living beings be creatures or living beings

Are different from angels (Rev. 5:11)Are different from angels (Rev. 5:11)Similar to Isaiah 6:2, 3 Similar to Isaiah 6:2, 3 Earliest view said they represent the four Earliest view said they represent the four

gospels and their writers, thus John is the gospels and their writers, thus John is the eagle eagle

Irenaus said the lion is John, calf is Luke, Irenaus said the lion is John, calf is Luke, man is Matthew, and the eagle is Markman is Matthew, and the eagle is Mark


Augustine – Lion is Matthew; Calf is Luke; Augustine – Lion is Matthew; Calf is Luke; Man is Mark; and the eagle is JohnMan is Mark; and the eagle is John

Jerome – Lion is Mark; Calf is Luke; Man Jerome – Lion is Mark; Calf is Luke; Man is Matthew; and John is the eagle is Matthew; and John is the eagle

Burgkmair, Hans the Elder (1473-1531)

CANO, AlonsoSpanish painter (1601, Granada, d. 1667, Granada)


Later view said they are the four virtues of Later view said they are the four virtues of ChristianityChristianity

Lion- nobilityLion- nobilityOx/calf – patience or strengthOx/calf – patience or strengthMan – intelligence/wisdomMan – intelligence/wisdomEagle - speedEagle - speed


Likely represent the four types of life on Likely represent the four types of life on earthearth

Lion – wild Lion – wild Calf – domesticatedCalf – domesticatedMan – usMan – usEagle – birds Eagle – birds

Jewish rabbinical document Jewish rabbinical document Midrash Shemoth Midrash Shemoth sayssays::

Four kinds of exalted beings have been Four kinds of exalted beings have been created in the world. The most exalted of created in the world. The most exalted of all living creatures is man; of birds, the all living creatures is man; of birds, the eagle; of cattle, the ox; and of wild beasts, eagle; of cattle, the ox; and of wild beasts, the lion. All of these received royalty and the lion. All of these received royalty and had greatness bestowed upon them, and had greatness bestowed upon them, and they are set under the chariot of God…they are set under the chariot of God…

lionlion

Lion is king of the beasts, he represents Lion is king of the beasts, he represents majesty and powermajesty and power

Ox or calfOx or calf

The most useful of domesticated animals The most useful of domesticated animals in the ancient world, representing in the ancient world, representing patience, strength, and continuous laborpatience, strength, and continuous labor

manman

Man is the highest order of God’s creation, Man is the highest order of God’s creation, representing intelligence and rational representing intelligence and rational powerpower

EagleEagle

Excels among the birds and portrays Excels among the birds and portrays swiftness and supremacy swiftness and supremacy

Covered with eyesCovered with eyes

God has oversight over all things, He is in God has oversight over all things, He is in chargecharge

Notice why they praise HimNotice why they praise Him

Revelation 4:9-11Revelation 4:9-11

Whenever the living creatures give glory and Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were things, And by Your will they exist and were created."created."

Scene in heavenScene in heaven

Notice there is no liturgy in heavenNotice there is no liturgy in heavenThey cast their crowns before HimThey cast their crowns before HimWhat do they sing about?What do they sing about? In chapter five it is about redemptionIn chapter five it is about redemptionNotice that God did not create out of need, Notice that God did not create out of need,

he chose to createhe chose to createThis gives us purpose in lifeThis gives us purpose in life

How would you describe God to someone How would you describe God to someone who had never read the Bible?who had never read the Bible?

How would you answer someone who How would you answer someone who complained that “heaven will be boring…complained that “heaven will be boring…like one eternal church service”?like one eternal church service”?

Revelation 5Revelation 5

The Lamb of God and the The Lamb of God and the ScrollScroll

3.3. The Vision of the Seven The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)Seals (Rev. 4-7)a. The Throne-Rome in a. The Throne-Rome in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)b. The Scroll and the Lamb b. The Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-14)(Rev. 5:1-14)

How would you describe the How would you describe the scene from Chapter 4?scene from Chapter 4?

Revelation 5:1Revelation 5:1

And I saw in the right hand of Him And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.seven seals.

See Ezekiel 2:9-10 and Exodus See Ezekiel 2:9-10 and Exodus 32:15-1632:15-16

What is the purpose of a What is the purpose of a seal?seal?

To designate ownershipTo designate ownership To assure genuineness of authorshipTo assure genuineness of authorship To protect against change or abuse of To protect against change or abuse of

contentscontents To conceal until official opening by the To conceal until official opening by the

proper authoritiesproper authorities In the case of a will, seven seals were In the case of a will, seven seals were

required with the presence of designated required with the presence of designated individuals for the solemn opening.individuals for the solemn opening.


Then I saw a strong angel Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" And no one in loose its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.to look at it.

Why was no one able to open Why was no one able to open it?it?

It took a divine hand, one that is able to It took a divine hand, one that is able to control history again see Ezekiel 2:9-10control history again see Ezekiel 2:9-10

Recall back in 4:11 what it said about Recall back in 4:11 what it said about GodGod

The contents of the scroll is described The contents of the scroll is described in 6:1-8:1 in the sense that it tells us in 6:1-8:1 in the sense that it tells us what happens when it is opened and what happens when it is opened and God’s will is executed. God’s will is executed.

Strong Angel Strong Angel

Daniel 8:16; 9:21; 12:4 speak of a Daniel 8:16; 9:21; 12:4 speak of a mighty angelmighty angel

Revelation 10:1 and 18:21 use this Revelation 10:1 and 18:21 use this same termsame term


So I wept much, because no one was So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.scroll, or to look at it.

Why did he weep?Why did he weep? The prophet is drawn in emotionally The prophet is drawn in emotionally

and later physically. and later physically.


But one of the elders said to me, "Do But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."loose its seven seals."

Overcome or Prevail is a Overcome or Prevail is a themetheme

To overcome is to plow through To overcome is to plow through difficult times and stay faithful, this is difficult times and stay faithful, this is a clear theme.a clear theme.

Clearly Jesus has overcomeClearly Jesus has overcome

Lion of the Tribe of JudahLion of the Tribe of Judah

Genesis 49:9-10Genesis 49:9-10

Root of DavidRoot of David

Isaiah 11:1Isaiah 11:1

He has prevailedHe has prevailed

What has He prevailed over?What has He prevailed over? Romans 1:3-4Romans 1:3-4 Matthew 12 – sign of JonahMatthew 12 – sign of Jonah At the same time get the central At the same time get the central

paradox of the Christian faith: Jesus paradox of the Christian faith: Jesus conquered not by force but by death, conquered not by force but by death, not by violence but by martyrdom. not by violence but by martyrdom. The Lion is a Lamb!The Lion is a Lamb!


And I looked, and behold, in the midst And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.throne.

What is the significance of a What is the significance of a lamb?lamb?

Remember our discussion on Wednesday Remember our discussion on Wednesday night from Hebrews?night from Hebrews?

John 1:29John 1:29 Gen. 22:7Gen. 22:7 Exodus 29:38-42Exodus 29:38-42 Passover 1 Cor. 5:7Passover 1 Cor. 5:7 Isaiah 53:6, 7, 12Isaiah 53:6, 7, 12 1 Peter 1:18, 191 Peter 1:18, 19

7 horns7 horns 1 Samuel 2:101 Samuel 2:10 Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is likeis like the firstling of his the firstling of his

bullock, and his horns bullock, and his horns are likeare like the horns of unicorns: the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earthends of the earth

Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.arm is broken, saith the LORD.

Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom areare ten kings ten kings thatthat shall arise: and another shall rise after shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.shall subdue three kings.

Daniel 8:3-8Daniel 8:3-8 Lam. 2:3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn Lam. 2:3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn

of Israelof Israel

Notice the source of this great powerNotice the source of this great power Zech. 4:6 So he answered and said to Zech. 4:6 So he answered and said to

me: "This is the word of the LORD to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.LORD of hosts.

7 eyes7 eyes

Jesus has the fullness of the Holy Jesus has the fullness of the Holy SpiritSpirit

Luke several times says this, Acts 10Luke several times says this, Acts 10 Zech. 3:9; 4:6, 10Zech. 3:9; 4:6, 10 But in Zechariah, the eyes that watch But in Zechariah, the eyes that watch

over God’s purposes and his people over God’s purposes and his people belong to God Himself; here they belong to God Himself; here they belong to the Lambbelong to the Lamb


Now when He had taken the scroll, Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saintsare the prayers of the saints

Harp – a lyre or zitherHarp – a lyre or zither

Prayers of the saintsPrayers of the saints

What would have been astonishing to What would have been astonishing to a Jewish audience is that the prayers a Jewish audience is that the prayers are offered to the Lambare offered to the Lamb


And they sang a new song, saying: "You And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made people and nation, And have made them to be a kingdom of priests to them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they will reign on serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."the earth."

What does He redeemed us What does He redeemed us mean?mean?

Same word for bought or purchased, Same word for bought or purchased, simply to buy back something simply to buy back something

Will there every be an end to Will there every be an end to discrimination, racism, elitism, and discrimination, racism, elitism, and injustice? Will people ever regard injustice? Will people ever regard each other as equals?each other as equals?

Verse 9 says yesVerse 9 says yes Genesis 1:31Genesis 1:31

Kingdom of PriestsKingdom of Priests

Refer back to Rev. 1:6Refer back to Rev. 1:6

Revelation 5:11-13Revelation 5:11-13 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels

around the throne, the living creatures, and the around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" And every creature which is in heaven and on the And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"and ever!"

MyriadsMyriads

The word used is The word used is muriosmurios – basically – basically means a number so big I can not means a number so big I can not count it, so we translate it ten count it, so we translate it ten thousand times ten thousand often thousand times ten thousand often times times

Daniel 7:10Daniel 7:10


Then the four living creatures said, Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.lives forever and ever.

Chapter 4 is all about creation, Chapter 4 is all about creation, Chapter 5 is all about redemptionChapter 5 is all about redemption