Rev 4:9-11 | KingComments | STEP | . After the differences between the living creatures you also see what they have in common. Each of the living creatures has “six wings”. The seraphim that Isaiah saw in his vision also have them ( ). In the book of Isaiah you read what they did with the six wings. With two of their wings they covered their face, for they cannot behold the glory of God. With two other wings they covered their feet, which indicates that in the light of that glory they do not find themselves worthy of serving Him, while they continually show their readiness of that service with yet two more moving wings. It seems that with the living creatures all six wings are moving. They have no rest as long as the earth is still in chaos and rebellion against God, as long as there is no harmony between heaven and earth and heaven is not yet reigning on earth. The holiness of God, so long trampled on earth, is before them. To that end, they want to go about their work for Him as the executors of God's judgment. They are perfectly equipped for this work. There is perfect insight in all things around them, “full of eyes around”, and inwardly they are perfectly aware of God’s holiness, “full of eyes … within”. Besides that it causes them to carry out their judgmental work, for which they are, as it were, eager with impatience, they also worship God because of His holiness. They are full of that holiness, which you hear in the three times saying “holy”. They know Him as the God of the history, “Who was”, and the present, “and Who is”. He is also the One “Who is to come” to fill the world with His holiness. He is the Almighty, He is able and He will do it. . The four living creatures have characteristics which distinguish them from each other and they have characteristics in which they are the alike. They also collectively give “glory and honor and thanks” to God. He sits on the throne and has all power to reign. His kingdom will never come to an end, for He “lives forever and ever”. With Him and His throne they are closely connected. They cannot but honor Him and to carry out His will. All of their actions in the execution of the judgments have God’s glory as a starting point and purpose. You can also apply that to the church if sin has been publicly revealed in its midst ( ). The judgment of sin must also be done from this awareness. Personal motives should not play a role. It is only about the honor of God. In that honor also lies the blessing of man. That honor the Lord Jesus always sought, and what a blessing came to men as a result! . After the worship of the living creatures comes that of the elders. The cause of their worship is certainly also God’s holiness and omnipotence. They also give thanks for the crowns that they have received from Him as a reward for their faithfulness on earth. They have the deep consciousness that their faithfulness was finally the result of what His grace has worked in them. Therefore they will also cast their crowns with much gratitude before the throne and express their admiration for Him. . In their tribute the elders address Him directly, while the angels speak about Him, not to Him. They begin by saying to Him: “Worthy are You.” That involves His Person. He personally is worthy. His personal glory is evidenced here by His works. In the next chapter it is said once again that He is worthy ( ). There it happens because of the greatness of His work of redemption. Here you see that the Object of worship is both the triune God Who sits on the throne and the Son Who because of His work on the cross has been given all power. When the elders speak about what God is worthy of to receive, it does not mean that something is given to God which He does not have yet. Their desire is that what He has will be seen and admired by the whole creation and that this will be spoken out to Him. All things have been created by Him. All things exist because He wanted that and because He has carried out His will and actually created all things. You may now already tell Him that you see His glory, honor and power in His works and that you admire Him for it. Then you will now already be doing what you see the elders doing here and what you will also be doing soon in heaven. Isn’t it great to say this to God and the Lord Jesus? Now read Revelation 4:8-11 again. Reflection: What will you soon be able to offer before the throne of the Lord Jesus?

‏ Revelation of John 4:9-11

The Four Living Creatures

Rev 4:8. After the differences between the living creatures you also see what they have in common. Each of the living creatures has “six wings”. The seraphim that Isaiah saw in his vision also have them (Isa 6:2). In the book of Isaiah you read what they did with the six wings. With two of their wings they covered their face, for they cannot behold the glory of God. With two other wings they covered their feet, which indicates that in the light of that glory they do not find themselves worthy of serving Him, while they continually show their readiness of that service with yet two more moving wings.

It seems that with the living creatures all six wings are moving. They have no rest as long as the earth is still in chaos and rebellion against God, as long as there is no harmony between heaven and earth and heaven is not yet reigning on earth. The holiness of God, so long trampled on earth, is before them. To that end, they want to go about their work for Him as the executors of God's judgment.

They are perfectly equipped for this work. There is perfect insight in all things around them, “full of eyes around”, and inwardly they are perfectly aware of God’s holiness, “full of eyes … within”. Besides that it causes them to carry out their judgmental work, for which they are, as it were, eager with impatience, they also worship God because of His holiness. They are full of that holiness, which you hear in the three times saying “holy”. They know Him as the God of the history, “Who was”, and the present, “and Who is”. He is also the One “Who is to come” to fill the world with His holiness. He is the Almighty, He is able and He will do it.

Rev 4:9. The four living creatures have characteristics which distinguish them from each other and they have characteristics in which they are the alike. They also collectively give “glory and honor and thanks” to God. He sits on the throne and has all power to reign. His kingdom will never come to an end, for He “lives forever and ever”. With Him and His throne they are closely connected. They cannot but honor Him and to carry out His will. All of their actions in the execution of the judgments have God’s glory as a starting point and purpose.

You can also apply that to the church if sin has been publicly revealed in its midst (1Cor 5:13b). The judgment of sin must also be done from this awareness. Personal motives should not play a role. It is only about the honor of God. In that honor also lies the blessing of man. That honor the Lord Jesus always sought, and what a blessing came to men as a result!

Rev 4:10. After the worship of the living creatures comes that of the elders. The cause of their worship is certainly also God’s holiness and omnipotence. They also give thanks for the crowns that they have received from Him as a reward for their faithfulness on earth. They have the deep consciousness that their faithfulness was finally the result of what His grace has worked in them. Therefore they will also cast their crowns with much gratitude before the throne and express their admiration for Him.

Rev 4:11. In their tribute the elders address Him directly, while the angels speak about Him, not to Him. They begin by saying to Him: “Worthy are You.” That involves His Person. He personally is worthy. His personal glory is evidenced here by His works. In the next chapter it is said once again that He is worthy (Rev 5:9). There it happens because of the greatness of His work of redemption. Here you see that the Object of worship is both the triune God Who sits on the throne and the Son Who because of His work on the cross has been given all power.

When the elders speak about what God is worthy of to receive, it does not mean that something is given to God which He does not have yet. Their desire is that what He has will be seen and admired by the whole creation and that this will be spoken out to Him. All things have been created by Him. All things exist because He wanted that and because He has carried out His will and actually created all things.

You may now already tell Him that you see His glory, honor and power in His works and that you admire Him for it. Then you will now already be doing what you see the elders doing here and what you will also be doing soon in heaven. Isn’t it great to say this to God and the Lord Jesus?

Now read Revelation 4:8-11 again.

Reflection: What will you soon be able to offer before the throne of the Lord Jesus?