Rev:6...and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7And the first beast was like a lion,and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man,and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they restnot day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
The Bible translation, KJV, used here mentions beasts. Beasts are for living creatures or four living ones as mentioned in other translations. Beasts refer to a creature other than man. We will see theres appear frequently in Revelation and, when mentioned, some things are the same each time:
1. They are found near the throne and The Lamb, Jesus.
2. They are full of eyes and have 6 wings.
3. Constantly worshiping and praising God.
4 They send the "invite" or the "come" command to the manifestations of the wrath of God.
These guys have appeared before in Ezekiel's vision in the first chapter of Ezekiel. This too is concerning the end times and the Revelation details.
The beasts are as follows:
A lion, representing majesty, here divine majesty.
A calf or young ox, strength graciously serving man. Here again, divine strength.
The face of a man, representing purpose and intelligence.
The eagle suggesting swiftness in detesting evil and executing judgment.
Each of these creatures has a "royalty" of it's class...Lion, king of the jungle, ox, seen as strongest of the cows, eagle is supreme among the birds, and man, ruler of all the previous mentioned. We get a vision of strength, beauty and greatness all together worshiping and praising God. Inn addition, there are the 24 present doing the same thing. Man and nature together praising God! How AWESOME is that!?
There have been mention that the four creatures found symbolic connection with the four Gospels representing the four aspects of the work of Christ.
The eyes mentioned are for the ever knowing Lord or omniscience. The wings are representative of incessant activity, never resting.
But, we need rest and this is a good place to stop!
Blessings on all,
Calabash!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Revelation 4:5 & 6
5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lampsof fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: ...."
Thunder and lightning were often connected with the manifestations of God. :
Look at Psalms 77:18, "18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook." Notice the comparison with thunder and lightning.
Then see Exodus 19:16,"..that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud;..."
Two additional places to visit are Job 37:4 and Ezekiel 1:13.
The idea that the thunder and lightning is "proceeding or coming from" the throne of God indicates that a terrible, dreadful storm is about to fall on this world. Be ready!
The seven lamps of fire have been seen before, they stood outside the veil, before God's throne here on earth. We have spoken of these lamps in our study before as well. These are the "seven Spirits of God" and are in more detail in Chapter 1:4.....If you need a refresher, just go back to that blog. The seven Spirits are not seven different sprits acting independently, but seven fold of His power.
It is interesting to note here that some scholars see a Babylonian influence in the seven. Babylonians feel the planets were divine. The planets were in the presents of God and could be compared to the lamps. Could the planets be a sign for this?
The sea of glass:
The creation story may be a clue to this vision with the description of the waters under the firmament and the waters above the firmament. (Gen. 1:7)
It is mentioned again in Psalms 148:4, "4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens."
A great sea in Heaven? Look at Psalm 104:3, "3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters:" So the water can be built on?
We do know that right now, water is used to cleanse. We are sanctified and cleaned by washing ourselves in the water of the Word. We see the utilization of water for the baptisms to signify the washing away of the old sinful self to a new reborn person of Christ.
This sea is not for cleansing, we will see later that the martyred saints standing on it. Ironsides book, "Lectures on the Revelation", he states, "It is the Word of God still, but no longer needed for cleansing, because desert experiences are viewed here as forever passed. But the Word abides, stable and sure forevermore..." I like this statement. This is a good place to stop, Praise God and just be in His presents.
Blessings on all,
Calabash.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Revelation 4:4
Rev 4:4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; andthey had on their heads crowns of gold.
A. First lets turn to the Old Testament for a possible mentioning of these 24:
Job 1:6 ; 2:1 -States that the sons of God come to meet with him.
1 Kings 22:19- Speaks of heavenly hosts standing around God while he is on his throne
Isaiah 24:23- Here Isaiah talks of God reigning in glory and the elders are present.
B. Now to the New Testament for words concerning the 24:
We can only speculate who the 24 really are. Here are some more possible explanations which may fit.
1. Look to 1 Chronicles 24 where King David appointed 24 elders to represent the Levitical priesthood the entire Levitical priesthood. It was actuially divided into 24 courses to serve in Solomon's temple for two weeks at a time. There were so many preist, thousands really, that they could not come together all at once. But, when the 24 came together all at once, the entire priestly house was represented. This means that all the redeemed who have died, or who will be living at the Lords return! In John's vision, all that were saved are not seen as the multitude but represented by the twenty four at the throne. Everyone is included, the Old Testiment saints, all the priests, all who believe!...yes, the new dispensation! Praise God!
2. There are 12 patriarchs in Isreal and 12 apostles. There have been some that have suggested that these are the 24.
3. It could also be that the 24 represent the people of God, symbolically.
Revelation 3:4 said the white robe was promised to the faithful. Revelation 2:10, the crown was for those who were faithful till death. Now turn to Matthew 19:27-29,..Peter asks, what will we get?...those who have left everything to follow Jesus? Jesus answers,..."a glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The description does seem to fit with the promises that God has made.
Ideas of yours of who the 24 are?
Would love to hear from you.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
A. First lets turn to the Old Testament for a possible mentioning of these 24:
Job 1:6 ; 2:1 -States that the sons of God come to meet with him.
1 Kings 22:19- Speaks of heavenly hosts standing around God while he is on his throne
Isaiah 24:23- Here Isaiah talks of God reigning in glory and the elders are present.
B. Now to the New Testament for words concerning the 24:
We can only speculate who the 24 really are. Here are some more possible explanations which may fit.
1. Look to 1 Chronicles 24 where King David appointed 24 elders to represent the Levitical priesthood the entire Levitical priesthood. It was actuially divided into 24 courses to serve in Solomon's temple for two weeks at a time. There were so many preist, thousands really, that they could not come together all at once. But, when the 24 came together all at once, the entire priestly house was represented. This means that all the redeemed who have died, or who will be living at the Lords return! In John's vision, all that were saved are not seen as the multitude but represented by the twenty four at the throne. Everyone is included, the Old Testiment saints, all the priests, all who believe!...yes, the new dispensation! Praise God!
2. There are 12 patriarchs in Isreal and 12 apostles. There have been some that have suggested that these are the 24.
3. It could also be that the 24 represent the people of God, symbolically.
Revelation 3:4 said the white robe was promised to the faithful. Revelation 2:10, the crown was for those who were faithful till death. Now turn to Matthew 19:27-29,..Peter asks, what will we get?...those who have left everything to follow Jesus? Jesus answers,..."a glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The description does seem to fit with the promises that God has made.
Ideas of yours of who the 24 are?
Would love to hear from you.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Revelation 1-3
Rev 1, 2 & 3...1 heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be here after 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne 3And he that sat was to look uponlike a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
As soon as John's spirit was taken to heaven, he saw the throne of God which is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. See Psalms 47:8, Isaiah 6:1 and there are many more. The throne of God is mentioned frequently in Revelation, in fact the only chapters it is not mentioned in is 9,8 and in Chapter 2. Our human connection with the throne is one of respect, royalty, someone in control, and of majesty. We make those connections with our Heavenly Father now, it is only fitting He would be on a throne.
John mentions "and one sat on the throne". Notice John does not mention any form to God, instead He is described as the most precious stones of that time; jasper, sardian and emerald. We find these stones mentioned prior in Ezekiel 28: 13 with the King of Tyre and again in Exodus 218:17 on the breastplate of the High Priest and we will see them again in Revelation.
John mentions a rainbow. This was a promise to Noah and to all God's people from the Noahic covenant,( will not destroy the earth again by water) and it reminds us of God being unchanging in his promises to us even though we fail and sin.
The Twenty-Four Elders will be the next blog.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
As soon as John's spirit was taken to heaven, he saw the throne of God which is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. See Psalms 47:8, Isaiah 6:1 and there are many more. The throne of God is mentioned frequently in Revelation, in fact the only chapters it is not mentioned in is 9,8 and in Chapter 2. Our human connection with the throne is one of respect, royalty, someone in control, and of majesty. We make those connections with our Heavenly Father now, it is only fitting He would be on a throne.
John mentions "and one sat on the throne". Notice John does not mention any form to God, instead He is described as the most precious stones of that time; jasper, sardian and emerald. We find these stones mentioned prior in Ezekiel 28: 13 with the King of Tyre and again in Exodus 218:17 on the breastplate of the High Priest and we will see them again in Revelation.
The colors of the stone may also be significant:
Jasper in those times was a brilliant crystal clear stone probably more like diamond than thee opaque stone we call jasper. The clear brilliance may stand for the purity of God.
Sardian was a true deep red. This could very well stand for the oncoming wrath that will be.
The piercing green of the emerald , stands for the mercy, the only way we could ever be worthy enough.
John mentions a rainbow. This was a promise to Noah and to all God's people from the Noahic covenant,( will not destroy the earth again by water) and it reminds us of God being unchanging in his promises to us even though we fail and sin.
The Twenty-Four Elders will be the next blog.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Revelation 4 :1
Rev 4:1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be here after.
As we move forward, we will switch from the Risen Christ on Earth about the churches to a heavenly place. Verse 4:1 speaks of a door opening to heaven.
We find three doors listed in Revelation:
1. Rev 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,..." Remember this is where the Risen Christ is talking to the church of Philadelphia, giving them every opportunity. So, it would be a door of opportunity for us as well. An opportunity to take the gospel to our heart and to share it, to make Christ our priority in life and live for Him.
2. Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:.." This is a beaconing from Christ to allow Him into your heart. A promise of free will, it is your choice, no forcing,. However, the choice to allow Him into your heart is one full of life and promises.
3. Revelation 4:1- the door open in heaven. A call for those saints and followers of Christ who have been faithful and are saved out of the great tribulation. A switch has taken place here, no more on earth, no more church, we are reading John caught up in spirit far above in the heavens, with a voice of a trumpet beaconing him to come an see things.
We are going to get into the visions of John in heaven with our Heavenly Father and then on to the seven sealed books of what will be happening on Earth following the rapture of the church. Before we go any farther, I want you to take time to get things right in your heart and bring aboard anyone else who needs to read this for their own experience. I am by no means an expert, I am just a student as you are, taking information from the Bible, and from reference books in an attempt to get a better understanding for myself and hopefully (with the help of the Holy Spirit) help people along the way.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
As we move forward, we will switch from the Risen Christ on Earth about the churches to a heavenly place. Verse 4:1 speaks of a door opening to heaven.
We find three doors listed in Revelation:
1. Rev 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,..." Remember this is where the Risen Christ is talking to the church of Philadelphia, giving them every opportunity. So, it would be a door of opportunity for us as well. An opportunity to take the gospel to our heart and to share it, to make Christ our priority in life and live for Him.
2. Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:.." This is a beaconing from Christ to allow Him into your heart. A promise of free will, it is your choice, no forcing,. However, the choice to allow Him into your heart is one full of life and promises.
3. Revelation 4:1- the door open in heaven. A call for those saints and followers of Christ who have been faithful and are saved out of the great tribulation. A switch has taken place here, no more on earth, no more church, we are reading John caught up in spirit far above in the heavens, with a voice of a trumpet beaconing him to come an see things.
We are going to get into the visions of John in heaven with our Heavenly Father and then on to the seven sealed books of what will be happening on Earth following the rapture of the church. Before we go any farther, I want you to take time to get things right in your heart and bring aboard anyone else who needs to read this for their own experience. I am by no means an expert, I am just a student as you are, taking information from the Bible, and from reference books in an attempt to get a better understanding for myself and hopefully (with the help of the Holy Spirit) help people along the way.
Blessings on all,
Calabash
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