Revelation 4: Difference between revisions

Revelation 4
Revelation 4
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	Revelation 3:19-4:3 on Uncial 0169 from the fourth century.
Book	Book of Revelation
Category	Apocalypse
Christian Bible part	New Testament
Order in the Christian part	27

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Revelation 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle,^[1]^[2] but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate.^[3] This chapter contains an inaugural vision of heaven, portraying the throne room of heaven,^[4] and the heavenly worship which the writer observes there.^[5]^[6]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 11 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are among others:^[7]^[a]

Codex Sinaiticus (330-360)
Uncial 0169 (4th century; extant verses 1–3)
Codex Alexandrinus (400-440)

Old Testament references

Revelation 4:8: Isaiah 6:3^[9]

God on the Throne

God's sovereignty over all things is symbolized by the throne, which visions are found both in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament prophetic tradition (cf. 1 Kings 22:19—23) as well as in some Jewish apocalypses, and in this chapter (echoing Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1) is seen as "already fully acknowledged in heaven, and therefore as the true reality which must in the end prevail on earth".^[6] Taken up into heaven, John can see that "God's throne is the ultimate reality behind all earthly appearances".^[6]

Verse 1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.

And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."^[10]

"After these things" refers back to "the entire vision in Revelation 1:10 to Revelation 3:22".^[11]

Verse 8

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”^[12]

"Four living creatures": reflecting a combination of the cherubim in Ezekiel 1 and seraphim in Isaiah 6:2, they function as 'the priests of heavenly temple'.^[13] Their song is an adaption of Isaiah 6:3 with the incorporation of 'two of the key designations of God' (cf. Revelation 1:4 , 8).^[14]

Verse 11

"You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created."^[15]

The depiction of God's sovereignty starts with him as the 'Creator of all things', then as 'Redeemer' to restore his universal sovereignty on earth (Revelation 5), with the expectation to renew his whole creation in the end (Revelation 21:5).^[14]

Notes

^ The Book of Revelation is missing from Codex Vaticanus.^[8]

References

^ Davids, Peter H (1982). I Howard Marshall and W Ward Gasque (ed.). New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle of James (Repr. ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. ISBN 0802823882.
^ Evans, Craig A (2005). Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John, Hebrews-Revelation. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Victor. ISBN 0781442281.
^ F. L. Cross, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), 45
^ Revelation 4:1–11: New King James Version
^ Revelation 4:1–11: New Revised Standard Version
^ ^a ^b ^c Bauckham 2007, p. 1292.
^ Elliott, J. K. "Revelations from the apparatus criticus of the Book of Revelation: How Textual Criticism Can Help Historians." Union Seminary Quarterly Review 63, no. 3-4 (2012): 1-23.
^ Claremont Coptic Encyclopaedia, Codex Vaticanus, accessed 29 September 2018
^ "Biblical concordances of Revelation 4 in the 1611 King James Bible".
^ Revelation 4:1 NKJV
^ Meyer, H. A. W., Meyer's NT Commentary on Revelation 4, accessed 15 October 2018
^ Revelation 4:8 NKJV
^ Bauckham 2007, pp. 1292–1293.
^ ^a ^b Bauckham 2007, p. 1293.
^ Revelation 4:11 NKJV

Bibliography

Bauckham, Richard (2007). "81. Revelation". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1287–1306. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

External links

Revelation 4 King James Bible - Wikisource
English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate Archived 2019-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)

[9] The Book of Revelation is missing from Codex Vaticanus.^[8]

[1] Davids, Peter H (1982). I Howard Marshall and W Ward Gasque (ed.). New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle of James (Repr. ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. ISBN 0802823882.

[2] Evans, Craig A (2005). Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John, Hebrews-Revelation. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Victor. ISBN 0781442281.

[3] F. L. Cross, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), 45

[4] Revelation 4:1–11: New King James Version

[5] Revelation 4:1–11: New Revised Standard Version

[FOOTNOTEBauckham20071292-6] Bauckham 2007, p. 1292.

[7] Elliott, J. K. "Revelations from the apparatus criticus of the Book of Revelation: How Textual Criticism Can Help Historians." Union Seminary Quarterly Review 63, no. 3-4 (2012): 1-23.

[8] Claremont Coptic Encyclopaedia, Codex Vaticanus, accessed 29 September 2018

[kingjamesbibleonline.org-10] "Biblical concordances of Revelation 4 in the 1611 King James Bible".

[11] Revelation 4:1 NKJV

[12] Meyer, H. A. W., Meyer's NT Commentary on Revelation 4, accessed 15 October 2018

[13] Revelation 4:8 NKJV

[FOOTNOTEBauckham20071292–1293-14] Bauckham 2007, pp. 1292–1293.

[FOOTNOTEBauckham20071293-15] Bauckham 2007, p. 1293.

[16] Revelation 4:11 NKJV

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+{{New Testament chapter short description}}
 {{Bible chapter|letname=Revelation 4|previouslink= Revelation 3 |previousletter= chapter 3 |nextlink= Revelation 5 |nextletter= chapter 5 | book= [[Book of Revelation]] | biblepart=[[New Testament]] | booknum= 27 |category= [[Apocalypse]] | filename= Uncial 0169 Ap 3,12-4,1.jpg |size=200px | name= Uncial 0169, 4th century |caption=<div style="width: 250px; text-align: center; line-height: 1em">Revelation 3:19-4:3 on [[Uncial 0169]] from the fourth century.</div>}}
-'''Revelation 4''' is the fourth chapter of the [[Book of Revelation]] or the Apocalypse of John in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]]. The book is traditionally attributed to [[John the Apostle]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Davids|first=Peter H|title=New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle of James|year=1982|publisher=Eerdmans|location=Grand Rapids, Mich.|isbn=0802823882|edition=Repr.|editor=I Howard Marshall and W Ward Gasque}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Craig A|title=Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John, Hebrews-Revelation|year=2005|publisher=Victor|location=Colorado Springs, Colo.|isbn=0781442281}}</ref> but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate.<ref>F. L. Cross, ''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'', (New York: [[Oxford University Press]], 1997), 45</ref> This chapter portrays the throne room of [[heaven]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|4:1-11|NKJV}}: [[New King James Version]]</ref> and the heavenly worship which the writer observes there.<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|4:1-11|NRSV}}: [[New Revised Standard Version]]</ref>
+'''Revelation 4''' is the fourth chapter of the [[Book of Revelation]] or the Apocalypse of John in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]]. The book is traditionally attributed to [[John the Apostle]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Davids|first=Peter H|title=New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle of James|year=1982|publisher=Eerdmans|location=Grand Rapids, Mich.|isbn=0802823882|edition=Repr.|editor=I Howard Marshall and W Ward Gasque}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Craig A|title=Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John, Hebrews-Revelation|year=2005|publisher=Victor|location=Colorado Springs, Colo.|isbn=0781442281}}</ref> but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate.<ref>F. L. Cross, ''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'', (New York: [[Oxford University Press]], 1997), 45</ref> This chapter contains an inaugural vision of heaven, portraying the throne room of [[heaven]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|4:1-11|NKJV}}: [[New King James Version]]</ref> and the heavenly worship which the writer observes there.<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|4:1-11|NRSV}}: [[New Revised Standard Version]]</ref>{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|p=1292}}
 ==Text==
-The original text is written in [[Koine Greek]]. [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|This chapter is divided into]] 11 verses.
+The original text was written in [[Koine Greek]]. [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|This chapter is divided into]] 11 verses.
+===Textual witnesses===
-Some of the oldest manuscripts containing this chapter are:
+Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are among others:<ref>Elliott, J. K. "Revelations from the apparatus criticus of the Book of Revelation: How Textual
-*[[Codex Sinaiticus]] (AD 330-360)
+Criticism Can Help Historians." ''Union Seminary Quarterly Review'' 63, no. 3-4 (2012): 1-23.</ref>{{efn|The Book of Revelation is missing from [[Codex Vaticanus]].<ref>Claremont Coptic Encyclopaedia, [http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/ref/collection/cce/id/491#img_view_container Codex Vaticanus], accessed 29 September 2018</ref>}}
-*[[Uncial 0169]] (4th century; extant: verses 1-3)
-*[[Codex Alexandrinus]] (ca. AD 400-440)
+*[[Codex Sinaiticus]] (330-360)
+*[[Uncial 0169]] (4th century; extant verses 1–3)
-*The Book of Revelation is missing from [[Codex Vaticanus]].<ref>Claremont Coptic Encyclopaedia, [http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/ref/collection/cce/id/491#img_view_container Codex Vaticanus], accessed 29 September 2018</ref>
+*[[Codex Alexandrinus]] (400-440)
+===Old Testament references===
+* {{bibleverse|Revelation|4:8|KJV}}: {{bibleverse|Isaiah|6:3|KJV}}<ref name="kingjamesbibleonline.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Reuelation_4_1611/|title=Biblical concordances of Revelation 4 in the 1611 King James Bible}}</ref>
+==God on the Throne==
+God's sovereignty over all things is symbolized by the throne, which visions are found both in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament prophetic tradition (cf. {{bibleverse|1 Kings|22:19—23|KJV}}) as well as in some Jewish apocalypses, and in this chapter (echoing [[Isaiah 6]] and [[Ezekiel 1]]) is seen as "already fully acknowledged in heaven, and therefore as the true reality which must in the end prevail on earth".{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|p=1292}} Taken up into heaven, John can see that "God's throne is the ultimate reality behind all earthly appearances".{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|p=1292}}
 ==Verse 1==
+:''After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.''
-[[New King James Version]]
-:''After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven ...''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:1|NKJV}}</ref>
+:''And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:1|NKJV}} [[New King James Version|NKJV]]</ref>
-"After these things" refers back to "the entire vision in {{bibleverse||Revelation|1:10|NKJV}} to {{bibleverse||Revelation|3:22|NKJV}}".<ref>Meyer, H. A. W., [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/revelation/4.htm Meyer's NT Commentary] on Revelation 4, accessed 15 October 2018</ref>
+"After these things" refers back to "the entire vision in [[Revelation 1:10]] to {{bibleverse|Revelation|3:22|KJV}}".<ref>Meyer, H. A. W., [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/revelation/4.htm Meyer's NT Commentary] on Revelation 4, accessed 15 October 2018</ref>
-== Verse 8 ==
+==Verse 8 ==
+:''The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:''
-[[New King James Version]]
-: ''The [[Four Living Creatures|four living creatures]], each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:''
 ::''“Holy, holy, holy,''
-::''Lord God Almighty,
+::''Lord God Almighty,''
-::''Who was and is and is to come!”''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:8|NKJV}}</ref>
+::''Who was and is and is to come!”''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:8|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
+*"[[Living creatures (Bible)|Four living creatures]]": reflecting a combination of the cherubim in [[Ezekiel 1]] and seraphim in [[Isaiah 6:2]], they function as 'the priests of heavenly temple'.{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|pp=1292–1293}} Their song is an adaption of [[Isaiah 6:3]] with the incorporation of 'two of the key designations of God' (cf. [[Revelation 1:4]][[Revelation 1:8|, 8]]).{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|p=1293}}
-== Verse 11 ==
+==Verse 11 ==
+:''"You are worthy, O Lord,''
-[[New King James Version]]
+:''To receive glory and honor and power;''
-:: ''“You are worthy, O Lord,''
+:''For You created all things,''
-:: ''To receive glory and honor and power;''
+:''And by Your will they exist and were created."''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:11|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
-:: ''For You created all things,''
+The depiction of God's sovereignty starts with him as the 'Creator of all things', then as 'Redeemer' to restore his universal sovereignty on earth ([[Revelation 5]]), with the expectation to renew his whole creation in the end ([[Revelation 21:5]]).{{sfn|Bauckham|2007|p=1293}}
-:: ''And by Your will they exist and were created.”''<ref>{{bibleref2|Revelation|4:11|NKJV}}</ref>
-== See also ==
+==See also==
-* [[Book of Daniel]]
+*[[Book of Daniel]]
+*[[Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty]], 19th-century English Christian hymn
-* [[John's vision of the Son of Man]]
-* [[John the Apostle]]
+*[[John the Apostle]]
+*[[John's vision of the Son of Man]]
-* [[Tetramorph]]
-* Other related [[Bible]] parts: [[Revelation 5]], [[Revelation 6]]
+*[[Revelation Song]]
+*[[Tetramorph]]
+*Related [[Bible]] parts: [[Isaiah 6]], [[Ezekiel 1]], [[Revelation 5]], [[Revelation 6]]
-== References ==
+==Notes==
+{{notelist}}
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
+==Bibliography==
-== External links ==
+*{{cite book|last= Bauckham | first= Richard |authorlink = Richard Bauckham | chapter = 81. Revelation | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 1287–1306 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
-* [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=4&version=31 Revelation 4 NIV]
+==External links==
+*{{bibleverse|Revelation|4|KJV}} King James Bible - Wikisource
+*[http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=27&c=4 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617044118/http://latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=27&c=4 |date=2019-06-17 }}
+*[http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Revelation+4 ''Online Bible'' at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
+*[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=4 Multiple bible versions at ''Bible Gateway''] (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)
 {{Book of Revelation}}

v t e Book of Revelation
Bible chapters (New Testament)	Revelation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Places	Armageddon Asia Babylon Egypt Ephesus Euphrates Jerusalem Laodicea Patmos Pergamum Philadelphia Sardis Smyrna Sodom Thyatira
Persons	Asher Balak Balaam Benjamin David Gad Issachar Jesus Christ Jezebel John Joseph Judah Levi Manasseh Michael Naphtali Reuben Simeon Zebulun
Events/ Terms/ Phrases	Abaddon/Apollyon Alpha and Omega Beast Book of Life Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Four Living Creatures Lake of Fire Last Judgment Millennialism New Jerusalem Number of the Beast Seven bowls Seven churches of Asia Seven seals Seven trumpets Son of Man Three Angels' Messages Whore of Babylon Woman of the Apocalypse Wormwood
Interpretation	Futurist Historicist Idealist Preterist by John Foxe
Related	Authorship John of Patmos Textual variants
Manuscripts	Papyrus 18 24 43 47 85 98 115 Crawford Aramaic New Testament manuscript
Sources	Greek Text Latin Vulgate Wycliffe Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Version