LHC Midday Word: The REVELATION of Jesus Christ

1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all round, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

‘“Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,”

who was, and is, and is to come.’

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honour and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being.’

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Revelation 4: “appearance” (v.3)

Any vision will leave a significant impression, but John’s was overwhelming, “a door open in heaven” (v.1). He is invited up to be shown “what must take place” (v.1), and sees “a throne … with someone sitting on it” (v.2). Trying to describe the sight challenges his ability: “the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian” (v.3). They are both a darkish red blood colour.

He also sees 24 enthroned “elders dressed in white” (v.4), and 4 “living creatures” (v.6) of varying aspect, expressing their adoration in unison to the “Lord God Almighty” (vv.8 & 11).

Breathtakingly awesome!

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READINGS

The REVELATION of Jesus christ

Chapter Four

Read by Sir David Suchet