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.