Apocalipse 4
R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
Apocalipse 4
Lenski - Let us think of the flashing, white light of the diamond and of the brilliant, burning of the glowing carnelian, of majesty joined to judgment. This seems to be the best we are able to do. A CIRCULAR RAINBOW LIKE AN EMERALD And there was a rainbow around the throne (thronos), like an emerald in appearance - What did the rainbow symbolize? It is not too imaginative" to interpret the rainbow as s symbol God's faithfulness to His covenants with man, not just the Noachic covenant, but all of His covenants, the pinnacle of course being the New Covenant in Jesus' blood (Lk 22:20+). In Genesis 9 (see above) the rainbow was the sign of God's promise to never destroy the earth by water. The rainbow (Greek = iris only 2x in NT - Rev 4:3, 10:1) that John saw in heaven was not a half bow we see on earth, but it was a complete circle because it went all the way around the throne. A circle has no beginning and no end, just like God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, which are ALL "yea and amen" in Christ Jesus (2Co 1:20KJV+). The Greek word for emerald (smaragdinos) is found only here in the NT (no uses in Septuagint) and describes the rainbow with the term of comparison like an emerald in appearance. In light of the fact that John could only see it and did not touch it or feel it, the sense affected was sight which almost certainly describes the rainbow as a brilliant green. Liddell Scott cite a use of the Greek word smaragdeios which meant "green." What does it symbolize? Honestly, I am not sure and anything I say would be speculation. Green is certainly a pleasant color to gaze at and thus would be apropos for the Most High God. David Guzik makes an excellent point - A throne says, “I can do whatever I want, because I rule.” A promise says, “I will fulfill this word to you, and I cannot do otherwise.” A rainbow around the throne is a remarkable thing, showing that God will always limit Himself by His own promises. Warren
Apocalipse 4
Lenski - The idea that, of the seven colors of the rainbow, the green only predominated is unwarranted; this bow has only the one color, emerald green which symbolizes grace....Green is also the color of hope, and the rainbow the symbol of peace (“grace to you and peace” in the epistles). (ED: I AGREE WITH THE FIRST COMMENT ABOUT 7 COLORS, BUT NOT SURE HOW HE ARRIVED AT FOLLOWING INTERPRETATIONS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONTEXT THAT SAYS THIS SYMBOLIZES GRACE, HOPE OR PEACE. AGAIN, WE MUST BE CAUTIOUS WHEN INTERPRETING SYMBOLS.) R L Thomas suggests "The symbolism of the stone seems to lie in its green color, which represents the grace and mercy of God." Given that this is the only use of the Greek word for emerald in Scripture, this statement seem to be somewhat of a "stretch." I think it is okay regarding some of the symbolism like this in the Revelation to say that we simply don't know the significance and to avoid speculation. Adrian Rogers has some interesting thoughts regarding the possible meaning for the circular rainbow -- “So when we see this complete rainbow around the throne, a never-ending circle of green, it speaks of the eternal life that belongs to the children of God. It represents the perfection of His grace and speaks of the God who will never break His covenant. Another thing the rainbow means is that the storm is over for the saints of God. But the storm is not over for those on earth, because God is about to judge this world … So a storm is brewing on earth, but round about the throne it is peaceful indeed.” THOUGHT - Does not John's attempt to describe the indescribable give you as a finite creature, a sense of awe and wonder at the infinite, thrice holy One Who sits upon the throne? If not, you might read and re-read Revelation 4 prayerfully and even on your knees as an act of worship. I think you will be amazed at how the Spirit will illuminate these passages and stir your heart to greater love for Him Who sits on the throne then you have ever experienced. And greater love will energize a greater obedience (Jn 14:15) and a greater desire to be holy as He is holy (1Pe 1:15-16+). Take a moment and sing the following song from your heart to Him Who sits upon the throne (note especially the line "majesty enthroned above")... You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words; Too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard. Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom? Who can fathom the depth of Your love? You are beautiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above. And I stand, I stand in awe of You, I stand, I stand in awe of You; holy God, To Whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You.” (Read the story of how Mark Altrogge came to write the words to this song) “Once we personally come to grips with John’s vision of God, our response can be nothing less than utter awe, unwavering commitment, and deep reverence for the eternal King.” -- Charles Swindoll Jasper (2393)(iaspis) translates the Hebrew word yashepheh. It was a gem of various colours, and was one of the twelve stones in the high priest's breastplate (Ex 28:18, Ex 39:13). In Heaven jasper is a component of the building of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:18, 19+). The New Jerusalem's "brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper." (Rev 21:11+). Jasper was a symbol of the glory of God in Rev 4:3. Jasper in Wikipedia. Iaspis is used 4x all in the Revelation - Rev. 4:3; Rev. 21:11; Rev. 21:18; Rev. 21:19. Here are the uses in the Septuagint - Ex 28:18; Ex 39:11; Isa. 54:12; Ezek. 28:13 speaks of Satan before his fall = "“You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. " Charles Swindoll says "To help us understand the astonishing imagery in Revelation 4, we need to look back to similar visions in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic writings of Isaiah and Ezekiel. I find it easiest to see these connections in the form of a chart." The chart below is from his book Insights on Revelation REVELATION 4 ISAIAH 6; EZEKIEL 1 & 10 Heavenly throne (Rev 4:2–6) I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. (Isa. 6:1) Rainbow (Rev 4:3) As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. (Ezek. 1:28) Thunder and lightning (Rev 4:5) As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. (Ezek. 1:4) In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning. (Ezek. 1:13–14) Spirit of God (Rev 4:5) Wherever the spirit was about to go, they [the living beings] would go. (Ezek. 1:12) Glassy crystal sea (Rev 4:6) Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads. (Ezek. 1:22) Four living creatures (Rev 4:6–8) Within it [the storm] there were figures resembling four living beings. (Ezek. 1:5) Full of eyes (Rev 4:6) As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. (Ezek. 1:18) Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around, the wheels belonging to all four of them. ( Ezek. 10:12) Lion, calf, man, and eagle (Rev 4:7) As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle. (Ezek. 1:10) And each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. Then the cherubim rose up. They are the living beings that I saw by the river Chebar. (Ezek. 10:14–15) Six wings (Rev 4:8) Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (Isa. 6:2) Singing “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD” (Rev 4:8) And one [of the Seraphim] called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isa. 6:3) Swindoll concludes "The similarities between these three accounts lead me to the conclusion that the four living creatures are angelic beings called “seraphim” in Isaiah 6:2 and “cherubim” in Ezekiel 10:15. The Hebrew term seraphim literally means “burning ones,” indicating their nature as heavenly beings. The term cherubim emphasizes their function as protectors or “guardians” of the throne of God. Of course, God doesn’t need protection from anything in heaven or on earth. Rather, it may be that these intermediate beings serve to protect other creatures from being consumed by the blazing glory of God! These four living creatures—the highest-ranking angelic beings—lead all creation in worship of their almighty Creator." (Insights on Revelation) Revelation 4:4 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. twenty-four thrones: Rev 11:16 20:4 Mt 19:28 Lu 22:30 twenty-four elders: Rev 4:10 5:8,14 7:11 19:4 clothed: Rev 3:4,5 6:11 7:9,13,14 19:14 crowns: Rev 2:10 9:7 Es 8:15 Ps 21:3 2Ti 4:8 Revelation 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS ON TWENTY-FOUR THRONES Around the throne (thronos) were twenty-four thrones (thronos) and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders (presbuteros) sitting (kathemai) - John now presents a picture with 4 things stated - around the throne, 24 thrones, on thrones 24 elders, sitting. Around (kuklothen from kuklo - around) means all around, from all sides, on all sides of (Only 3 uses in NT - Rev 4:3, 4, 8). Having established God as the central focus of heaven, John begins to move outward from the throne of God, first seeing twenty-four thrones all around God's throne. And John does not leave us in the dark, but explains that on each throne is an elder sitting. Unfortunately, he does leave us a little in the dark by not specifically giving the nature of the 24 elders (discussed more below) Personally, I feel the text definitely favors these figures as 24 elders, most likely representative of the church. Sitting (kathemai) is a key word in Revelation (32x/32v) and in these first two "prologue" chapters, Revelation 4-5 (Rev 4:2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 5:1, 7, 13). Sitting is in the present tense indicating continually seated, except of course then they cast their crowns at He Who is on the throne (Rev 4:10 for proskuneo or worship indicates prostrating oneself). Alan