![]() * Six wings: like the seraphim of Is 6:2.ĭ. Since the second century, these four creatures have been used as symbols of the evangelists Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John, respectively. Calf: traditionally translated “ox,” the Greek word refers to a heifer or young bull. * Lion,calf,human being,eagle: these symbolize, respectively, what is noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest in creation. Covered with eyes: these suggest God’s knowledge and concern. Four living creatures: these are symbols taken from Ez 1:5– 21 they are identified as cherubim in Ez 10:20. * A sea of glass like crystal: an image adapted from Ez 1:22– 26. The seven spirits of God: the seven “angels of the presence” as in Rev 8:2 and Tb 12:15. * Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder: as in other descriptions of God’s appearance or activity cf. * Twenty-four elders: these represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles cf. * Much of the imagery here is taken from Ez 1 and 10. * The ancients viewed heaven as a solid vault, entered by way of actual doors. Along with the twenty-four elders, they praise God unceasingly in humble adoration ( Rev 4:8– 11). Universal creation is represented by the four living creatures ( Rev 4:6– 7). He reverently avoids naming or describing God but pictures twenty-four elders in priestly and regal attire ( Rev 4:4) and God’s throne and its surroundings made of precious gems and other symbols that traditionally express the majesty of God ( Rev 4:5– 6). * The seer now describes a vision of the heavenly court in worship of God enthroned. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:īecause of your will they came to be and were created.” e Who was, and who is, and who is to come.” dĩWhenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,ġ0the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: The seven spirits of God in the book of Revelation are thus a reference to the Holy Spirit in the perfection of His manifold ministry. ![]() In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.ħThe first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle * in flight.ĨThe four living creatures, each of them with six wings, * were covered with eyes inside and out. * Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.Ħ c In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. b 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.ĤSurrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders * sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. a A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne satģone whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. * 1After this I had a vision of an open door * to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.”Ģ * At once I was caught up in spirit. Sardis narrowly avoids joining Laodicea in receiving only words of criticism from Christ.Vision of Heavenly Worship. Since reputation is a good thing, this statement technically is considered a praise from Jesus. Its reputation alleged it was alive, but really it was spiritually dead. ![]() As the all-wise Head of the Church, Jesus knew the church in Sardis had a reputation that didn't match reality. Jesus identifies himself to the church in Sardis as having the seven spirits of God, likely a reference to His wisdom, and also having the seven stars, a reference to the messengers or pastors of the seven churches. Later, the Romans built a new town below the hill and left the original Sardis deserted. In AD 17 an earthquake completely destroyed Sardis. The soldier successfully sneaked into Sardis and opened its gates to Antiochus and His army. However, Antiochus the Great, a Syrian king, conquered Sardis by sending a soldier through a crack in the city's northern wall. This limited access made it easy for only a few men to defend the city. The city commanded a prominent military position atop a 1,500-foot high hill and was accessible only by a steep path on its southern side. Sardis was located about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira and 50 miles east of Smyrna. The fifth of seven letters from Jesus is addressed to the church in Sardis.
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