Revelation

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Revelation 4-part 2 The 4 Living Creatures June 14, 2015


SLIDE 1 Last week we look at the throne and the one sitting on the throne. We discussed the colors and the characters surrounding the throne. Notice the activity emanating 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, (imagine what that would be like in heaven) and before  the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,6and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, (like crystal.) We will study in Chapter 21 when heaven comes down to earth there will be no sea.)
SLIDE 2 Revelation 4:6a and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
The laver in Solomon’s temple is made of solid brass polished like mirrors do each time the Priests wash in the laver they must look at their reflection. One commentator (Gaebelein) believes the laver is now like crystal, therefore “solidified because no more water is needed for the cleaning of the Saints”
 Revelation 4 part 2
SLIDE 3 Four Living Creatures
This week we will concentrate on the four creatures nothing like we see on earth.
REV.4:6 And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
Think about a creature covered in eyes. Think of a potato kept too long in the dark. A Mr. Potato head with eyes all over his body would make a wonderful cartoon character.
Why would the creatures be full of eyes? What do we use our eyes for? Have you ever wished for eyes in the back of your head? Teacher or mother may tease kids that they have eyes in the back of their heads.
2 Chronicles 16:19 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

 SLIDE 4 Ezekiel and Isaiah were prophets of God. Both saw these creatures 400 years before Christ was born. Ezekiel had a vision when he was among the exiles in Babylon and “the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God……”
Ezekiel 1:10-11 As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.11 Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.
 REVELATION 4:7
Philippians 2: 6-8
SLIDE 5 Here are some thoughts on the 4 living creature
Verse 7 says the first  living creature like a lion, (a lion of jungle protector, Christ is the Lion of Judah and Jesus was born a King):
the second living creature like an ox, (a beast of burden, Mark describes Christ as a Servant)
Paul says in Philippians 2: 6-8 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.) the third living creature with the face of a man,   (this could show Christ's humanity; in Luke Christ is the Son of Man) and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. (This could represent the Holy Spirit. John writes of the Deity of Christ in his gospel.)
 SLIDE 6 Amy Van Gerpen shares her understanding in this chart from trackingbibleprophecy.com Copyright © 2015. In Genesis God created every living thing.
Type of creature
Likeness of living creature
Wild beasts (Genesis 2:19)
Lion
Domesticated (Genesis 2:19)
Calf
Man
Birds (Genesis 2:19)
Eagle
           
SLIDE 7 The wings reminds of the Seraphim from Isaiah vision in chapter 6: 2Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.3And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
 SLIDE 8  REVELATION 4:8-9 And the four living creatures,  each of them with six wings, are full  of eyes  all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy,  holy,  holy,  is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and everl
If the creatures in heaven never cease to praise the LORD why are we too embarrassed to praise Jesus in our churches? Let’s read together prayerfully what will happen on that day!
Philippians 2: 9-11Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 SLIDE 9 REVELATION 4:10-11 the twenty- four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the   throne,saying,11 " Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
SLIDE 10 Verse 4 of the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
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A special "Thank you" to Mark Copeland at http://executableoutlines.com/ for questions.

10) What lies before the throne? (6)

11) What is seen in the midst and around the throne?  How are they described? (6-8)

12) What do they proclaim without rest, day and night? (8)

13) When the creatures offer glory, honor, and thanks to God, what    happens? (9-10)

14) Why do the twenty-four elders deem God worthy of glory, honor, and power? (11)

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