Revelation 4:5 Commentary and Bible Study

This is about the majesty of God. Here is the powerful throne, the throne of the everlasting God of love, and yet he is a just God, and he will bring to judgement all sin and all rebellion. This throne is indeed awesome. The phenomena that surround it indicate to John that the one upon the throne has power that exceeds the greatest of power on earth. These are same phenomena seen on Sinai which filled the people with dread so that they asked not to see the Lord face to face anymore. They teach us God’s capacity to be angry with and to punish sin. As lightening darts forth almost instantaneously, so God, who knows all that his creatures do, acts instantaneously and directly. The effect of his will comes straight from the throne to the place where he acts. He has the ability to do whatever he wills with no possibility of interference. The thunder and lightning also remind us of Mount Sinai and the giving of the law. John’s Gospel records that some mistook the Father’s voice speaking to Christ as thunder (John 12:28-29). The seven lamps are interpreted for us; they are the seven Spirits of God, the same representation of the Holy Spirit that we have already seen in chapter 1, where they are also said to be before the throne of God. In chapters 2 and 3 this sevenfold Spirit proceeds to speak as one Spirit in addressing the churches. The number seven is used throughout the book as a number for perfection; here it is perfect sight. The word for lamp means ‘a torch’ designed to light the way, to give light in a place that would otherwise be in darkness.