Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Revelation 4
Concise Complete
A vision of God, as on his glorious throne, around
which were twenty-four elders and four living creatures. (1-8) Whose songs, and
those of the holy angels, the apostle heard. (9-11)
Verses 1-8
After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches "the
things that are," there was another vision. The apostle saw a throne set in
heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One
upon the throne, not described by human features, so as to be represented by a
likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of
the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God's awful justice. The rainbow is
a fit emblem of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the
Head of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing colour was a
pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant.
Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty
elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes
honour, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies
nearness to God, the sight and enjoyment they have of him. They were clothed in
white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness: they
had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with him.
Lightnings and voices came from the throne; the awful declarations God makes to
his church, of his sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning
before the throne; the gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God in the
churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits
upon the throne. In the gospel church, the laver for purification is the blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin. In this all must be
washed, to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth, and his
glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures, between the
throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These
seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, because of their place between
God and the people. This also is shown by the description given, denoting
wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion, and the affections by which they
mount up toward heaven.
Verses 9-11
All true believers wholly ascribe their redemption and conversion, their present
privileges and future hopes, to the eternal and most holy God. Thus rise the
for-ever harmonious, thankful songs of the redeemed in heaven. Would we on earth
do like them, let our praises be constant, not interrupted; united, not divided;
thankful, not cold and formal; humble, not self-confident.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
