4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
John is given a view of heaven. He is transported there shortly after the seven letters to the churches are relayed to him. He hears the voice he first heard (Jesus) compelling him to follow, and this voice, like a trumpet is going to reveal to him what is going to happen. When he is brought forward into the throne room, he sees someone sitting on the throne ahead of him.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
Everything is described in relation to the throne. He describes the figure as jasper and ruby in color, with a rainbow circling the throne. This rainbow shines like emerald. Many believe this is symbolic for God’s grace, mercy and covenant. John is not shown the face of God, but His brilliance.
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
As we expand this vision, we see 24 thrones surrounding God’s throne. On these thrones sit 24 elders, who are dressed in white and are clothed in white. They also wear golden crowns on their heads. The text implies that there are glorified human beings.
When we look at the numbers, we get some further insight. 24 elders are two sets of 12. 12, in biblical symbolism, is the number for perfection in governments. Also, when looking at the number 12, we will remember that there were 12 tribes as well as 12 apostles. Both of these represent the faithful to God.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
Lightning and thunder rocks the scene, reminiscent of Mt. Sinai. This speaks to the activity of God. The 7 lamps represent the 7 spirits o God. The first theory is that its representative of the Holy Spirit (7 meaning perfection). The second idea is that it refers to possible angels, seraphim and Cherubim. The third are the attributes of God, as seen in Isaiah 11:2.
Ahead of Johns a sea of glass. And finally, around the throne are four living creatures covered in eyes.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
These creatures are similar to what we find in Ezekiel 1:4-14. The covering of eyes is symbolic for these creatures having greater insight than man. The four living creatures make a number of appearances in Revelation 4:6–9; 5:6–14; 6:1–8; 14:3; 15:7; and 19:4. They are most likely an exalted order of angels due to their close proximity to the throne Also, they have a special duty: To worship Jesus with he same reverence as God. They also have something to do with God’s justice (6:1-2), (15:7)
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
When the living creatures give glory to God a few things happen: 1 The elders fall and worship 2. They give their achievements back to God
Their crowns (Stephanos, Greek) are crowns of victory, implying they were once human but have been victorious, have overcome things on earth meant for them to overcome.