THE THRONE SCENE
CHAPTER 4
1. After this [these messages] I [the
John Class] looked, and, behold, a door was opened [an opportunity to discern
spiritual truths and prophecies opened] in heaven: and the first voice
[the first messenger, the one who revealed the messages of the seven stages of the
churches, our present Lord] which I [the John Class] heard was as
it were of a trumpet [a loud proclamation] talking with me [the
John Class]; which said, Come up hither [enter into greater
understanding], and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.
2. And immediately I [the John Class of his presence] was
in the spirit [spirit-begotten condition having deeper spiritual discernment]:
and, behold, a throne [divine government] was set in
heaven [established in spiritual control], and one sat on the throne
[in the place of authority].
3. And he [God] that sat was to look upon like
a jasper [diamond—the most precious, glorious, enduring and pure] and a
sardine stone [sardius—a red stone approaching white, a reminder of a healthy
flesh color, a symbol of love]: and there was a rainbow
[an all-comprehensive and everlasting covenant] round about the
throne [the divine government], in sight like unto an emerald [a
green jewel symbolic of everlasting life].
4. And round about the throne [surrounding the divine government] were
four and twenty seats [offices of the Royal Priesthood]: and upon the
seats [filling these offices were twenty-four divisions of the Royal Priesthood] I
[ the John Class] saw four and twenty elders [the foreordained courses of
the Royal Priesthood] sitting, clothed in white raiment [invested with
righteousness]; and they had on their heads crowns of gold [authority of
divine rulers].
5. And out of the throne [divine government] proceeded
lightnings [illumination] and thunderings [resulting in
controversies] and voices [proclamations]: and there were seven
lamps of fire burning [illuminating promises, but stationary—going nowhere] before
the throne [the divine government], which are the seven Spirits of God
[divine promises to be given to the overcomers of the seven churches].
6. And before the throne [in the arrangement of the divine government]
there was a sea of glass [an eternal fixity] of glass
[purity] like unto crystal: and in the midst [central fundamental
principles] of the throne [divine government], and round about
the throne, were four beasts [living creatures, four attributes of God] full
of eyes before and behind [far-seeing in wisdom extending before his creations
and afterward maintaining his integrity].
7. And the first beast [living creature, attribute] was like a
lion [justice], and the second beast [living creature,
attribute] was like a calf [young ox, power], and the third beast
[living creature, attribute] had a face as a man [love], and the
fourth beast [living creature, attribute] was like a flying eagle
[active far-seeing wisdom].
8. And the four beasts [living creatures, attributes] had each
of them six wings [with two wings God maintains his sovereignty, with two other
wings he protects his subjects, and with the last two he carries forth his plan] about
him, full of eyes around and within, and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which
was, and is, and is to come.
9. And when those beasts [living creatures, attributes] give
glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne [seat of divine
government], who liveth for ever and ever,
10. The four and twenty elders [twenty-four divisions of the Royal
Priesthood] fall down before him [give homage] that sat on the
throne [seat of the divine government], and worship him that liveth
forever and ever, and cast their crowns [an act of deference, acknowledging God
to be the source of all authority] before the throne, saying,
11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
