Vision of God

Twenty-four Elders. The twenty-four elders surrounding God are Christians from the New Testament church. We do not know who they are, but we do know that they are saints or “holy ones” because they are clothed in white garments. God had promised those who attended two of the seven churches (Sardius and Laodicea) that if they responded to His warnings they would be clothed in white (Rev. 3:5, 18). Later in our study (Rev. 7:9, 13 and Rev. 19:14), we will discover that the ones who are clothed in white garments are believers.

And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. (NASB) Rev. 4:4

The crowns indicate that God has given these twenty-four elders authority. These elders appear in the book of Revelation throughout the Tribulation. When the Tribulation ends, they disappear from the heavenly scene because Jesus’ kingdom is established on earth. When the earthly kingdom is established, all Christians will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6) for 1,000 years. This is the promise that Jesus has given to us (2 Tim. 2:12). This is a wonderful reminder that we are joint-heirs or fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). We will share in Jesus’ inheritance.
Seven Lamps. Before God are seven lamps. These lamps represent the Holy Spirit (Rev. 1:4),

And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God . . . (NASB) Rev. 4:5

Where is Christ? So far, we have seen God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. So far, we have seen two members of the Trinity. Is the Holy Spirit God? Acts 5:3-4 gives us the answer when we read,

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” (NASB) Acts 5:3-4

The Apostle Peter says that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and then later added that Ananias lied to God. He lied to the Holy Spirit who is God. So, we have seen two members of the Trinity. Jesus will arrive in the next chapter.
Four Creatures. Next, we discover that there are four very special beings before the throne of God.

. . . and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” (NASB) Rev. 4:6-8

We know very little about these four living creatures - angels. Cherubim are described in Ezekiel 1:5-25 and in Ezekiel 10:1-22. Cherubim have four wings (Ezekiel 10:8, 20-21) and seraphim have six wings (Isa. 6:2-3). The faces of the four creatures are similar to the faces of the cherubim and their wings are like the wings of the seraphim. This is the only place in scripture where the four living creatures appear to be described.
Glory To God. I wonder how the apostle responded to what he saw? The apostle does not describe a tunnel of light or a great light. He does not describe a human being with great powers as some have us believe. He did not try to help us understand that we are part of god and ‘yet all God.” He did not say that God was some mysterious force. No! He described two beings in their glory. He saw God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

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