Revelation 4:1-11 Lesson 474
Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."
In this lesson:
Heaven's throne.
A peek at God's glory.
Heaven's throne.
A peek at God's glory.
Who are the...
Twenty-four elders -
Some scholars believe the twenty-four elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. Other scholars believe they stand for the twenty-four orders of Levite priests selected by King David to lead Israel in worship (1 Chronicles 24-25) while still others are convinced they depict the Christian church saved by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 5:8-10).
The four beasts -
There are to many interpretations on the meaning of each beast to cover here. The most common comes from Hebrew folklore which held that these four animals represent God's creation, with the lion being the strongest wild animal, the calf or ox (Ezekiel 1:10) being the strongest domesticated animal, the eagle the strongest bird, and man the strongest of all. Others believe that the lion symbolizes strength and courage, the calf patience and loyalty, the eagle sovereignty, and man represents wisdom. Still another interpretation is that the four beasts represent "the four standards or ensigns of the four divisions of the tribes in the Israelitish camp, as they are described by Jewish writers. The first living creature was like a lion; this was, say the rabbins, the standard of Judah on the east, with the two tribes of Issachar and Zabulon. The second, like a calf or ox, which was the emblem of Ephraim who pitched on the west, with the two tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. The third, with the face of a man, which, according to the rabbins, was the standard of Reuben who pitched on the south, with the two tribes of Simeon and Gad. The fourth which was like a flying (spread) eagle, was, according to the same writers, the emblem on the ensign of Dan who pitched on the north, with the two tribes of Asher and Naphtali." (Adam Clarke's Commentary). Notice the similarities (right down to the rainbow) of John's vision with the vision Ezekiel had seven hundred years earlier (Ezekiel 1:1-28).
Twenty-four elders -
Some scholars believe the twenty-four elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. Other scholars believe they stand for the twenty-four orders of Levite priests selected by King David to lead Israel in worship (1 Chronicles 24-25) while still others are convinced they depict the Christian church saved by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 5:8-10).
The four beasts -
There are to many interpretations on the meaning of each beast to cover here. The most common comes from Hebrew folklore which held that these four animals represent God's creation, with the lion being the strongest wild animal, the calf or ox (Ezekiel 1:10) being the strongest domesticated animal, the eagle the strongest bird, and man the strongest of all. Others believe that the lion symbolizes strength and courage, the calf patience and loyalty, the eagle sovereignty, and man represents wisdom. Still another interpretation is that the four beasts represent "the four standards or ensigns of the four divisions of the tribes in the Israelitish camp, as they are described by Jewish writers. The first living creature was like a lion; this was, say the rabbins, the standard of Judah on the east, with the two tribes of Issachar and Zabulon. The second, like a calf or ox, which was the emblem of Ephraim who pitched on the west, with the two tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. The third, with the face of a man, which, according to the rabbins, was the standard of Reuben who pitched on the south, with the two tribes of Simeon and Gad. The fourth which was like a flying (spread) eagle, was, according to the same writers, the emblem on the ensign of Dan who pitched on the north, with the two tribes of Asher and Naphtali." (Adam Clarke's Commentary). Notice the similarities (right down to the rainbow) of John's vision with the vision Ezekiel had seven hundred years earlier (Ezekiel 1:1-28).
Study Tip:
When you read each Bible passage a second time you reinforce lessons learned and catch important points you might have missed with the first read.
When you read each Bible passage a second time you reinforce lessons learned and catch important points you might have missed with the first read.
