Rev. 4 Rev. 4:1-3 John seeth the throne of God in heaven, Rev. 4:4–5 encompassed with four and twenty elders, Rev. 4:6–7 and four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Rev. 4:8–11 The continual adoration and worship offered by the beasts and elders before him that sat on the throne.

After this; after I had the first vision, mentioned Rev. 1, and had written what it was the pleasure of God I should write to the churches, in a book, perceiving the way God designed to reveal himself to me was by vision.

In the Spirit; in an ecstasy, as Paul, 2 Cor. 12:2, Acts 10:10, Ezek. 3:12, and himself was both before and after this, Rev. 1:10, Rev. 17:3, Rev. 21:10.

This is all but a description of the glory of God, as he appeared to John in this vision. The jasper stone is famous for its transparency, and variety of colours it offereth to the eye, and may signify the various and infinite perfections of God.

Some think (and not improbably) that here is an allusion to the twenty-four courses of the priests and Levites, established by God for his service in the sanctuary and temple of old, 1 Chron. 24:18, 1 Chron.

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: these words denote a very glorious and terrible appearance of God, denoting his majesty, and power over his enemies. There is, possibly, an allusion to God’s appearance at the giving of the law, Ex.

And before the throne; the throne mentioned before, Rev. 4:2–3, upon which one sat, & c. A sea of glass like unto crystal; another allusion to the tabernacle or temple, in which was a sea, that is, a large vessel full of water; it was for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands, and feet, and…

It is observed concerning these four living creatures, (for so they were, not beasts in a strict sense, as it is opposed to flying things, for the fourth was a fowl): 1. That they were the same mentioned in Ezekiel’s vision, Ezek.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him: the seraphims in Isaiah’s vision, Rev. 6:2, had so; there their use is declared, —with twain he covered his face, with twain his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And when those beasts, the living creatures before expressed, signifying the ministers of the gospel, give glory, &c. when they praise God who is eternal.

The whole church also paid an homage of reverence and adoration to the same God; acknowledging all the good done to them, or wrought in them, to proceed from God, and the glory of it to be due unto God alone.

All the praises, homages, and acknowledgments of all the creatures is thy due; as then art he who gavest the first being to all creatures, and therefore gavest it them, that they might praise, honour, serve, and obey thee.