158 14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples
throne upon which someone was seated. Although some have suggested
that these verses are best read as the “rapture of the church,” nothing in
the text would signal as much. Rather, at the outset of Revelation 4, John
the prophet is describing a revelatory encounter with God, a heavenly
ascent (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:1–4).
4:3–6a. The “one seated on the throne” is none other than God. John
likens his appearance to precious stones (jasper [in antiquity it was
often translucent and green in hue (cf. Rev. 21:11, 18–19)] and carne-
lian [reddish-brown in color (cf. Rev. 21:20)]). Additionally, John saw
an emerald-colored rainbow around the throne (4:3). Furthermore,
the prophet reports that around God’s throne were twenty-four other
thrones upon which white-robed, golden-crowned elders sat. (It is possi-
ble that the twenty-four elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel on the
one hand and the twelve apostles on the other [cf. Rev. 21:12–14].) (4:4).
Meanwhile, emanating from the throne were “f lashes of light-
ning” and “rumblings and peals of thunder.” Storm imagery sometimes
accompanies divine revelation in the Old Testament, most famously
at Sinai (Exodus 19:16–19), and appears at pivotal points in Revelation
(see, e.g., 8:5; 11:19; 16:8). The prophet also indicates that in front of the
throne were lights (“seven f laming torches”) for the One who is light (cf.
Rev. 21:23–24; 22:5) as well as a celestial, crystal-like sea of glass (cf. Rev.
15:2).
The Worship of God (Revelation 4:6b–11)
4 : 6 b – 7. John continues to recount the heavenly vision to which he was
privy by noting the “four living creatures” surrounding the throne.
These creatures are akin to the ones described by the prophet Ezekiel in
his inaugural vision (Ezek. 1:5–25). The first, John indicates, looked like
a lion, the second an ox, the third a human face, and the fourth an eagle.
The early church associated the four Gospels with these suggestive sym-
bols (Mark = lion; Luke = ox; Matthew = human face; and John = eagle).^1
4:8 –11. Verse 8 further describes the creatures’ appearance and tells of
their praise. Both mobile (six-winged creatures [cf. Isa. 6:2]) and watch-
ful (“full of eyes” [cf. Rev. 4:6]), they continuously laud the Lord God as
holy, Almighty, and eternal. When they sing praise to the thrice-holy