We have learned that eschatology is seen from six reference points. History is seen as unfulfilled prophecy, and prophecy is seen as unfulfilled history. The context for Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 is Rosh Ha Shannah (Lev 23; Col 2.16-17; 1 Thes 5.1) and the coronation of a Jewish king, and the believers are being “caught up” to be there in v 1. Rosh Ha Shannah is known as the “head of the year” and this chapter deals with Rosh Ha Shannah, year 6001 from creation. Other names for it are: Yom Ha Din, or “day of Judgment”, the enthronement festival, the Wedding of the Messiah, the “gates are opened” is an idiom for it based on Isa 26.1-3, “the day no man knows”, and the Day of the Lord. Lev 23 says that the festivals are called “Moedim” which means “appointments” and they are also called a “mikrah” which means a “rehearsal.” The festivals were given to teach about the Messiah.
v 1…After these things I looked and behold a door opened (the gate”opened” is an idiom for Rosh Ha Shannah. It is alluding to the Natzal-1 Thes 4; 1 Cor 15. A “door” being opened means an opportunity to discern spiritual truth and prophecies. This day begins the “Day of the Lord” or the final 1000 year period called the Atid Lavo) in heaven (“shamayim” which is plural), and the first voice which I had heard (the first thing John hears is a voice), like the sound of a shofar (an idiom for Rosh Ha Shannah is “the Last Trump”, the festival of Shavuot is called the “First Trump” and Yom Kippur is called the “Great Trump.” Rosh Ha Shannah is also called the “day of the Lord” or “Lord’s Day”-1 Thes 4.13-17; 2 Thes 2.1-8) speaking with me said, “Come up here and I will show you what must take place after these things (Rosh Ha Shannah is also called ‘Yom Ha Kiseh” which means the “Day of Concealment”-Zeph 2.1-3; Psa 81.3 because it happens on a new moon. Believers will be concealed on this day).
v 2… Immediately I was in the spirit (an idiom meaning “under the control of, or purpose of” and also means it is not in the “physical” he sees this, but in the spirit); and behold, a throne was standing in heaven and One sitting on the throne (This is directly related to Dan 7.9-10, so this is “the Ancient of Days”, the Father, and the Jewish Encyclopedia identified this day as Rosh Ha Shannah. So, the similar terms shows us this is Rosh Ha Shannah and the Natzal, or rapture, is taking place. In the passage in Daniel it says that the “books are opened” referring to a Yom Ha Din, or day of judgment).
v 3…And he who was sitting (the “Ancient of Days”, the Father of Dan 7.9-10) was like a jasper stone (like a diamond, white, meaning “mercy”, the last of the stones on the High Priest breastplate, meaning the “last” or alluding to the aleph-tav, the first and the last) and a sardine stone (red, blood meaning judgment) in appearance; and a rainbow (signifying “mercy” and alludes to Noah, and Joseph’s coat of many colors, the sign of a tzaddik, or righteous one. This rainbow is seen in Ezek 1.28, which is a vision of God-Ezek 1.1) around the throne, like an emerald in appearance (which is green, meaning “life”).
v 4…And around the throne were 24 thrones (24 is associated with the priests and they represented Israel. There were 24 districts in Israel with 24 governors, there were 24 qualifications of a priest- Mishnah, Avot 6.6, there were 24 courses for the priests, 24 parts to each thread in the Mishkan, called “living threads”-Exo 26.6; 1 Pet 2.5 where “stones” are used conveying the same message. The stones on the breastplate were unknown until recently. The heavenly Temple is mirrored in the earthly Temple); and upon the thrones I saw 24 elders (like the priests, these elders represent believers) sitting, clothed in white (righteousness) and golden crowns on their heads (They have been judged and received their reward; these are “stephanos” in Greek, meaning a victory garland or wreath won in sporting games, not “diadem” which is used for a king. It is unclear as to who these elders are, but they are human and not angels).
v 5…And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning (illumination) and sounds (voices) and peals of thunder. And seven (complete) lamps of fire (The Ruach Ha Kodesh-Isa 11.2-3) burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God (this alludes to Mount Sinai when the Torah was given-Exo 20. 18-20. The “voices” allude to Acts 2.6, and the “voices” were seen in Exo 20.18 and Deut 4.12
v 6… and before the throne is a sea of glass (speaks of the tranquility of God’s people, no bronze basin the heavenly temple because there is no need to cleanse the people from their sins) like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures (called “chai’ot”, a type of angel and part of the Merkavah in Ezekiel 1.10 ) full of eyes (meaning “perceiving” with wisdom) in front and back (John is seeing something similar to what Ezekiel and Isaiah saw, except for the wings).
v 7… And the first creature was like a lion (the “king” of beasts, speaks of the kingdom-Gospel of Matthew), and the second creature like an ox (servant-worker-Gospel of Mark), and the third creature had a face like a man (human-Gospel of Luke), and the fourth like a flying eagle (Yeshua in all his deity, heavenly-Gospel of John. In the wilderness, the Mishkan was surrounded by the 12 tribes. Ephraim was on the west and had the flag with an ox on it. Dan was north and it had an eagle on its flag. Reuben was south with a amn on its flag and Judah was east with a lion).
v 8…And the four living creatures (chai’ot), each one of them having six wings (an insignia of rank), are full of eyes around (speaks of application of doctrine) and within (speaks of perception of doctrine, similar to Isa 6.1-3) and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come (on Sabbaths and festivals, a prayer called the Kedusha (meaning “holy”) was prayed three times, declaring the kingship of God).
v 9… And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
v 10…the 24 elders will fall down before him who sits on the throne, and will worship him who lives who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns (“Greek “stephanos” which means a garland or wreath, not a diadem like a king) before the throne, saying,
v 11… Worthy are you, or Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things (John 1.1-3; Col 1.16) and because of thy will they existed, and were created.”
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