REVELATION LESSON 13

    We will begin this lesson with chapter four verse 6.
    Revelation 4:6 "And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass
like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the
throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind."

    This "...sea of glass..." reminds me very much of the laver in the
tabernacle in the wilderness. Just as this symbolized baptism in the
temple, this, too, could symbolize the need for baptism on the way to
the throne. I have described, in an earlier writing how a person could
look into this bowl of pure clear water and it was much like a mirror
to show one's reflection.  We could look into the bowl at ourself and
realize our need for a Savior and our need to be baptized.

    All around the throne were the four beasts.  Probably a little
better translation would have been living ones. The number "four"
shows the universality of these beasts or living beings.  In Isaiah
6:2-13 and in Ezekiel 1:5-28, these living beings are also called
"seraphim" and "cherabim". These beasts, or living beings, surrounding
the throne are full of eyes which means their wisdom was overwhelming.
The eyes denote wisdom or intelligence.  These beings looking
"...before and behind..." means they look back into times past and,
also, look forward into things to come. These living ones, or living
beings, also denote the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Those books truly are full of wisdom. Matthew does look back at the
history of Jesus, and chapter 24 looks ahead to the end times.

    Revelation 4:7 "And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the
second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and
the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle."

    The four living beings show the four gospels:
    Matthew.........Jesus is shown as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
The genealogy of Jesus is in Matthew, showing that Jesus truly was the
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
    Mark............Jesus is shown as the servant of man (calf).
    Luke............Jesus is shown as a man.
    John............Jesus is shown as God (eagle).
    In John 1:1, Jesus, the Word, is in fact God the Word, God the
Son. God in the flesh of man.

    Even though the four gospels tell the same story in essence, they
also show four different personalities.  You can easily see why these
beasts, living beings, are symbolically the four gospels.

    Revelation 4:8 "And the four beasts had each of them six wings
about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not
day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was,
and is, and is to come."

    The six wings spoken of in Isaiah 6 seem to show humility,
obedience, and reverence to God. The number six makes me believe,
also, that these wings show work and activity (six day work). It seems
here that one of their tasks was to proclaim the holiness of God. I
really believe the three "...holy..." and "...Lord God Almighty..."
indicate Father, Word, Holy Ghost.

    The "...which was, and is, and is to come..." just furthers that
thought and shows us the eternity of this three in one.  We do know
from First John 5:7 that there are three in heaven.  "For there are
three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one."

    Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and
thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,"
    Revelation 4:10 "The four and twenty elders fall down before him
that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever,
and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,"

    This "...when the beasts give glory and honour and thanks..." is a
never ending thing. The four gospels have proclaimed this in the past,
are proclaiming it now, and will proclaim it for all of eternity.

    "...him that sat on the throne..." is very interesting.  God the
Father is on the central throne, but immediately on His right hand
sits God the Son, Jesus.

    The "...throne..." encompasses both the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.

    "The giving of "...honour..." goes on and on and on.  The giving
of "...thanks..." is to the Spirit of God, the Trinity.

    The song of the living beings is giving praises not just then, not
just now, but continuously. We see by this honor given it should be
all glory and all honor, etc. The eternity of God is so difficult for
us to understand because our minds are programed to a life of just
under one hundred years here on the earth.

    These twenty-four elders are probably twelve disciples and twelve
major prophets who represent all of Christendom.

    At the presence of God it is a normal thing to fall down prostrate
at His feet. The "...four and twenty elders fall down before..." shows
their great humility at the presence of God.

    The word "...worship..." has been misunderstood by so many.  We
sing about it in our songs and use it in our prayers.  Do we truly
know how to worship? Our churches call Sunday services, worship, but
again, very little true worship goes on. The word that was translated
"worship" here means "absolute reverence to God, to adore Him". One of
the meanings of the word means to "kiss", like a dog licking his
master's hand. Absolute humility and adoration of God is what it
really means. Do we go to church to humbly worship and adore our God?
A deep respect and honor should be given God.

    Why do they "...cast their crowns before the throne..."?  These
crowns are the victorious crowns that Jesus has placed on their head.
They, or we, have done nothing to earn the crown. These crowns belong
to Jesus, not us. He won the victory.  He placed them on our head.
Everyone benefits from the victory, but Jesus won it. This is another
act of humility on their part. When they throw the crowns at Jesus'
feet, they are telling Him that they are His because He won them.

    Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created."

    We see here the worthiness of God and why He should be praised.
It is, in our society, the popular thing to worship the created rather
than the Creator. We are warned about this over and over throughout
the Bible. Not only in terms of getting our priorities mixed up and
thinking too much of money, jewels, family, homes, automobiles, and
recreation (which can certainly become a God to us), but many are
actually worshipping the sun, moon, stars, and rivers.  In far too
many Christian  homes today we see totem poles, Buddah's and all sorts
of horoscope paraphernalia.  God is a jealous God. He will not allow
the believer to mess around with false Gods.  How could we compare the
Creator of it all to His creations?  We must recognize God to be
supreme to all others in every way.  Before the world existed, He
spoke, and it became. The power of his Word created all that we know.

    I believe it is good to understand why He did not just leave well
enough alone, and live as He was, and not bother with all of this.  We
have been such a problem and a heartache to Him.  The earth and all
that's on it, was created for God's pleasure. He created us so that He
could fellowship with us. We are to Jesus like our children are to us.
They are great joy, but at the very same time, they can bring us hurt.
The joy far outweighs the hurt.  Perhaps that is the way it is with
God dealing with us. The joy outweighs the sorrow. We see here that
the whole universe was created for God.

    Read these additional scriptures: Matthew 3:16, l Corinthians
3:22-23, Luke 24:45, Hebrews 1:1

    Memorize 1 John 5:7 and Revelation 4:11.















                        REVELATION 13 QUESTIONS


1.  What was before the throne?
2.  What was it like unto?
3.  What were round about the throne?
4.  What does the number four mean?
5.  What in the tabernacle does the sea remind us of?
6.  What did it symbolize in the temple?
7.  When we looked into the bowl, what did we see?
8.  What does the number four show about these beasts?
9.  What do these eyes show?  Two things.
10. These four living ones denote what in the Bible?
11. What was the first beast like?
12. What book does it symbolize?
13. What was the second beast like?
14. What book does it symbolize?
15. What was the third beast like?
16. What book does it symbolize?
17. What was the fourth beast like?
18. What book does it symbolize?
19. What did the beast have six of?
20. What did the eyes within mean?
21. What was the task of these around the throne?
22. What do the three "...holy..." indicate?
23. In First John 5:7, what do we find out about God in heaven?
24. Who do the beasts glorify?
25. Who fall down before Him?
26. What do they cast before Him?
27. What does it show when they fall down before Him?
28. Why do they cast their crowns before Him?
29. What does worship really mean?
30. In our society, it is popular to worship what?
31. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive ---------and ----------and
    ---------:..."
32. God is a --------- God.
33. Why was the earth and everything in it created?
34. Write 1 John 5:7.
35. Write Revelation 4:11.
36. How do you think church services should be conducted?  Tell how
    you would handle this if you were in charge.