Overall Summary - Chapters 4 and 5 contain a vision prior to destruction coming on Jerusalem in AD 70.

The language used in these chapters is drawn heavily from Isaiah chapter 6 and Ezekiel 1, as the following shows:
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Isaiah 6 v 9, 10 illustrates the lack of response of Israel when it says "Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this� people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and� convert, and be healed". This in turn is quoted in the New Testament in Matthew 13 v 14, Mark 4 v 12, Luke 8 v 10, John 12 v 40, Acts 28 v 26 and Romans 11 v 8.

Ezekiel 2 v 3 says that Ezekiel was being sent to a rebellious nation and v 10 says that they would face "lamentations, and mourning and woe" (the last three trumpets are referred to as woes - see Revelation 8 v 13).

In the light of the context of Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6, Revelation chapters 4 and 5 can be considered to be a vision that was seen prior to God's punishment being sent to Israel. It will be seen that Revelation chapter 6, which deals with the opening of the seals of the book that is first seen in Revelation 5 v 1, deals primarily with the punishment of Jerusalem in AD 70. As such, there is consistency between the context of Revelation chapters 4, 5 and 6, and the context of Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel chapters 1 and 2.

The reference to �a rainbow round about the throne� (Revelation 4 v 3) alludes to the covenant that God made with Noah. Genesis 9 v 13 - 15 says �I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud : and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living� creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh�. The promise that the waters shall no longer become a flood to destroy all flesh is borne out by Revelation 12 v 15, 16, where the earth swallows up the flood which comes from the dragon / serpent (see notes on chapter 12). The notes on chapter 20 also make reference to the flood which comes on the land in the days of Gog and Magog.

Revelation 4 v 4 introduces 24 elders who are �clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold�. They are mentioned in the following passages as well:
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4 v 10, 11������ - they fall down before God and worship him
5 v 8 - 10������� - they fall down before the lamb and sing a new song
11 v 16 - 18��� - they fall on their faces and worship God
19 v 4������������ - they fall down and worship God.

The number 24 can be traced back to 1 Chronicles 25 v 9 - 31, which details the 24 groups of descendants of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun who were to �prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals� (1 Chronicles 25 v 1) and who were �instructed in the songs of the Lord� (v 7).� The elders in Revelation have harps (Revelation 5 v 8) and sing (Revelation 5 v 9),� just like those who lived in the time of David.

The� elders are clothed in the same way as those who are faithful to Christ (they wear crowns (4 v 4) - see 2 v 10 ; they have white garments (4 v 4) - see 3 v 4). Additionally they sing a new song (5 v 9), which is what the saints will do (14 v 3).

The elders may be in the likeness of the saints because they speak about God�s purpose� of bringing salvation to the faithful (see 5 v 9 - 10 ; 11 v 17 - 19) and because they foreshadow the role that the saints will play in the kingdom.

In Revelation 4 v 6 it describes a "sea of glass like unto crystal". This can be contrasted with Revelation 15 v 2 where a "sea of glass, mingled with fire" is seen. In the Book of Revelation, many references are made to the earth (gk ge) and sea. In Daniel chapter 7, the 4 beasts that Daniel saw emerge from the sea. As the beasts represent world powers this leads to the conclusion that the sea represents gentile peoples. The greek word "ge" can stand for the earth in its broadest sense (e.g. Acts 7 v 49) or to a specific land (e.g. Acts 7 v 3). These notes have been produced on the premise that the use of the greek word "ge" in the Book of Revelation stands for the land of Israel, whereas the sea equates to the Gentile nations. The identification of �the earth� with the land of Israel is based on its use in passages like Revelation 1 v 7, where �all the kindreds (or tribes) of the earth� is a reference to the tribes of Israel (this passage quotes Zechariah 12 v 10 - 12) and the land they inhabit. Similarly, Revelation 8 v 13 makes reference to the �inhabiters of the earth�, which quotes from Joel 2 v 1, and where again �earth� is the land of Israel. Other instances� of the use of earth in Revelation which quote from passages describing the land of Israel are Revelation 7 v 1 (quotes Ezekiel 7 v 2) and 11 v 18 (quotes Jeremiah 51 v 25).

The reference to "a sea of glass" without fire in Revelation 4 v 6, indicates that the Gentiles are not suffering God's wrath at this stage. Instead the land is to suffer and this is described in chapter 6.

The "sea of glass, mingled with fire" seen in Revelation 15 v 2 precedes the 7 vials. This leads to the suggestion that the vials describe God's wrath being poured out on the Gentile nations (although they suffer this while being in possession of the land of Israel - see notes on chapter 16).

The lamb in Revelation 5 v 6 is described as having 7 eyes, which are sent into all the earth. �Seven eyes� quotes Zechariah 3 v 9� and �into all the earth� Zechariah 4 v 10. In turn, Zechariah 4 v 10 bears similarities to Zechariah 1 v 10, 11, which states that red, speckled and white horses (1 v 8) walk to and fro through the land (AV earth), leading to the conclusion that the horses in Zechariah chapter 1 are another manifestation of the spirits. In Zechariah 3 v 9 it says that the seven eyes are �upon one stone�, i.e. they are looking at it. The stone which it refers to was �laid before Joshua� (Zechariah 3 v 9 - Joshua was the high priest in Zechariah�s day) and is the foundation stone of the temple that was laid (see Ezra 3 v 11). This foundation stone symbolises the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 28 v 16, 1 Peter 2 v 6), who is the foundation of the temple of the New Covenant that is being constructed (Ephesians 2 v 20).

Revelation 5 v 6 says that the eyes are the 7 spirits of God which the lamb has. So between the period of Zechariah and Revelation, the eyes have transferred from looking at the stone or lamb, to being part of the lamb. The reason for this difference can be explained by the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ had not been born in the time of Zechariah, whereas in Revelation 5 v 6 he has been raised from the dead and given �authority over all flesh� (John 17 v 2). In Revelation 5 v 6 the lamb is empowered by his Father to achieve his will in the earth, hence he has the 7 eyes or 7 spirits.

In Revelation chapter 6 the first four seals are represented as horses, using the symbology for the seven eyes or spirits employed in Zechariah chapter 1. The seals can be considered to be the spirits of God going forth again in the land, this time directed by the Lord Jesus to achieve his father�s will.

The AV presents a difficulty when it describes the 24 elders (Revelation 5 v 8) stating "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred ... and hast made us ... kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth" (verses 9 - 10). This could indicate that the vision that John saw in chapters 4 and 5 relates to the period after the kingdom is established and when the saints have been granted eternal life.

However, it is now generally agreed that it should read "you have redeemed to God� by your blood out of every kindred ... and have made THEM ... kings and priests: and THEY will reign on earth".

As such, the vision does not have to be placed at the time when the faithful are reigning on the earth, but can be assigned to a time prior to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The vision� John sees is of heaven (e.g. 4 v 1 and 2), which is where God dwells (e.g. 1 Kings 8 v 54). Using this definition, the ekklesia could be considered to be included in this definition of "heaven" (see 2 Corinthians 6 v 16). Israel should have fallen within this definition of heaven as well (e.g. Exodus 29 v 45), but their iniquity meant that this was not possible. Additionally,� Heaven (or Heavens) signifies authority and power, whereas Earth indicates those who are ruled. An example of this meaning of Heavens and Earth is provided by comparing Isaiah 1 v 2 and 1 v 10. In 1 v 2 it says "Hear O heavens ... give ear O earth", whereas in 1 v 10 it says "Hear ... ye rulers ... give ear ... ye people". The rulers of Israel should have been representing Yahweh, instead their behaviour and leadership meant that they were ruling over something that resembled Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah 1 v 10).

Revelation 5 vs 11, 12, 13 quote from Daniel 7 v 10 - 14 �ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands ... (worthy is the lamb) to receive power ... glory ... glory ... power�.

In Revelation 5 v 12 the angels, beasts and elders say� �Worthy is the lamb to receive power ... glory�, whereas Daniel 7 v 14 describes the time when this actually happens. Separating the first part of Daniel 7 v 10 (which equates to the events of Revelation chapter 5) and v 14 (which is when the lamb receives power and glory) is the opening of the books (Daniel 7 v 10) and the slaying of the fourth beast that Daniel saw (v 11).� This beast in Daniel chapter 7 is the same as the beast encountered in Revelation 11 v 7 - 19 v 20. However, it is chiefly the �little horn� phase of this beast which the Book of� Revelation deals with (as the beast in Revelation �speaks great things� (13 v 5 - which quotes from Daniel 7 v 8). The destruction of the beast is described in Revelation 19 v 20, and the opening of the books in Revelation 20 v 12 (see the notes of these chapters for more details). It is possible that the statement in Daniel chapter 7 v 10 about opening books could include the opening of the sealed book in Revelation chapter 6 as well as the� books of judgement in Revelation 20 v 12, i.e. it covers a significant period of time.

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