Bible Study

What Else Did He See Up There?...Revelation 4

by Bill Randles

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. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:
(Revelation 4;6-7)

The Apostle John has been taken “In the Spirit” into the very throne room of God, to record for us the “Things which he has seen“, as part of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We have discussed the Open door, The throne, the description of the one seated upon the throne, the rainbow, and the meaning of the twenty-four, Kingly, priestly elders.

What else did John see in that room, which in fact is the center of all reality, and out of which emits all that is true, good and holy ? John saw,

*Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeding out of the throne

This takes us back to Exodus, and the truly awful scene of the giving of the law of God on Mount Sinai. There also the lightnings, thunderings and voices were heard, to the great terror of the people.

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. (Exodus 20:18)

Lightning, thunder and voices are a revelation of the awesome power of the One who sits on the throne, as well as of His willingness to use that power to bring to judgment all that is evil, false, sinful, rebellious on earth. God is going to shake everything that can be shaken, He is going to soon use his power to destroy evil once and for all.

He shot arrows and scattered the enemies , bolts of lightning and routed them.( 2 Samuel 22:15)

* Seven Blazing Lamps Before the throne

John saw seven blazing lamps, which He reveals is a manifestation of the seven fold Spirit of God. There are not “seven Spirits ” of God, the Greek word used here is “Hepta” which means seven fold, or having seven aspects. Seven being the number for fullness, this is saying that the Spirit of God is perfect .

This passage in Isaiah refers to the Spirit in a sevenfold way,

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; (Isaiah 11:2)

* A Sea of Glass like Crystal

Before the Throne , John saw a sea of glass, crystal clear and smooth. The Nations of the world in scripture are likened unto the turbulent sea. Raging waves, foaming, dashing against rocks, waves breaking in roiling chaotic power, such is the troubled history of mankind.

O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. (Psalm 89:8-10)

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 12-13)

But in heaven and before the throne of God, Man’s turbulence is finally stilled, at the revelation of Jesus. No more strife, war, envy, murder, no more jealousy, covetousness, nor lusts . Gone are internal conflict, guilt , rage, pride, and above all God estrangement, for someone with power has spoken with a word of authority to the Raging waves of humanity, saying “Peace be still”!

As it was long before written;

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (Psalm 107:23-32)

See Also:

Into The Throne Room...Revelation 4
After hearing the heavenly voice commanding him to “Come up here”, the apostle John has been translated from “the things that are…” , through the “door opened into heaven“, into the very throne room of God.