Sea of Glass - Rumor notes 23

 

Revelation 4

6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"

9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!"

Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal

A sea is generally a body of water that seems to have unlimited boundaries while a lake has observable shores that limit its scope in our thinking. This sea of glass seems to include something along the line of a dividing plane between what dwells in heaven and what is full of contamination here on earth.

I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

Is there any possible connection between this sea of glass mixed with fire and the 3 lakes of fire found near the end of Revelation? When comparing them I find compelling reasons to believe they are closely related, possibly even co-located or very close. We will explore this much more when we get to that study which is part of what God used to radically alter my thinking and feelings about Him.

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:10-11)

The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. (Revelation 21:18)

The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.

(Exodus 24:9-10)

Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above. (Ezekiel 1:22)

Crystal breaks light down into rainbow colors and can generate resonate notes.

Clear crystal is not a rock or a stone.

Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. (Ezekiel 1:26)

Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. (Ezekiel 10:1)

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

What all can we find located in the midst of the throne?

I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A choenix of wheat..." (Revelation 6:6)

They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:16-17)

I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst of it as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. Out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. (Ezekiel 1:4-5)

What is indicated as being around the throne?

A rainbow around the throne (v. 3)

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones (v. 4)

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders... (5:11)

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures... (7:11)

Four Living Creatures

around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind

The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within

Let's begin with the eyes. They are full of eyes. They are before, behind, about and within.

These are all perspective terms. In front and in back, external and internal.

When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn't turn when they went. As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about. (Ezekiel 1:17-18)

When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn't turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it; they didn't turn as they went. Their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. (Ezekiel 10:11-12)

What is the significance of eyes? What are they used for? What do the represent?

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. (Matthew 6:22)

What are the 4 creatures and what might they represent?

The first creature was like a lion

the second creature like a calf

the third creature had a face like a man

the fourth was like a flying eagle

How do these correspond to the 4 standards held on the 4 sides of the camp of Israel in the wilderness, each composed of 3 tribes per side? Is there a discrepancy in their sequence? Discuss.

Throughout chapters 4 and 5 these 4 creatures are constantly listed in connection with the 24 elders. In fact, throughout the book whenever they are mentioned it is almost always linked with the elders in some way. When the Lamb begins to break the seals from the scroll taken from the hand of the One on the throne, the first 4 breaks are accompanied by an announcement from one of these creatures.

This is clearly expanded upon in Ezekiel where these creatures are presented in much greater detail. There is much to learn by examining the descriptions and activities of these creatures, for they have far more to do with us than we might first imagine.

What I find maybe most compelling in what we can discern in connection with these creatures and elders is the idea of synchronization. These are the connecting links that provide communication between heaven and earth, between the family of heaven in God's immediate presence to the family on earth where darkness constantly attempts to block all light and obfuscate reality that is clear to the rest of the universe.

What we are learning is that these creatures represent the emotional dimension that is central to relationships, especially our relationship with God. Satan hates this intimacy with God for which we were designed, so he does everything possible to discredit or minimize this truth. But without emotional involvement, it is impossible for anyone to come into harmony with God's design for life, love, joy and peace.

These creatures are unique and quite different from each other, representing varying personality types, characteristics and diversity. Yet what they reveal is how the Spirit of God organizes and synchronizes those who are willing to be led by the Spirit as she works all things together for the good of those who receive and reflect love from the heart of God. This beautiful, powerful, compelling vision of harmony in complexity is seen as similar to a matrix of wheels turning, moving, flying and yet somehow completely unified in the description given by Ezekiel.

I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst of it as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. Out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures.

This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings were joined one to another; they didn't turn when they went; each one went straight forward.

As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle.

Their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of each one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn't turn when they went.

As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn't turn when they went.

As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.

When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above. Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.

When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings.

There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.

I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. (Ezekiel 1:4-28)

Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city. He went in as I watched.

Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. The glory of Yahweh mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh's glory. The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim, that he went in, and stood beside a wheel. The cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.

There appeared in the cherubim the form of a man's hand under their wings. I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone. As for their appearance, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel have been within a wheel. When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn't turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it; they didn't turn as they went. Their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, the whirling wheels. Every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third face the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. The cherubim mounted up: this is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar. When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also didn't turn from beside them. When they stood, these stood; and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. The glory of Yahweh went forth from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. The cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went forth, and the wheels beside them: and they stood at the door of the east gate of Yahweh's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim. Every one had four faces, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves; they went every one straight forward. (Ezekiel 10:1-22)

Beryl is a most alluring and popular mineral. It occurs in a diversity of colors, and has several important gemstone varieties. The green variety, Emerald, is one of the most precious gems. Only green Beryl with a deep green color is called Emerald; light green Beryl is simply "Green Beryl" (or Heliodor if it has a yellowish color.)

Aquamarine, another important gemstone, is the greenish-blue to blue variety of Beryl. Green Beryl from certain localities can be heat treated to produce sky-blue Aquamarine. Other popular gem varieties of Beryl are the pink Morganite, and the yellow Heliodor and Golden Beryl. A deep red variety of Beryl, known as Red Beryl (or Bixbite) is extremely rare, and only comes from two localities in Utah. When in good specimens, Red Beryl commands an outstanding premium and is very difficult to obtain.

Pure Beryl is colorless. However, a wide range of impurities cause the diverse amount of colors and many varieties. The green color in Emerald is usually caused by traces of the element chromium, and the blue color of Aquamarine usually by iron.
Beryl is naturally transparent, however inclusions and impurities may make it opaque.

Beryl often crystallizes in perfect, six-sided hexagons. Crystals are usually as individual prismatic hexagons. Crystals may be enormous in size; some 30 foot long (8 meter), well-crystallized examples have been found. Beryl may also be short, stubby crystals, and occasionally in tabular crystals and plates.

Beryl forms some of the most well-known and prized gemstones. The deep green variety Emerald is one of the most valuable gems. Aquamarine, a semi-precious gem, is the most popular light blue gem. Morganite, Golden Beryl, and Heliodor are also used as gems, though Goshenite and Red Beryl are less frequently faceted into gemstone cuts.

Beryl is also an important industrial mineral, and is mined for the element beryllium (formerly known as glucinium). Beryl is the main ore or beryllium. Beryllium is a very tough metal, and is sometime used in alloys to strengthen other metals.

Golden beryl can range in colors from pale yellow to a brilliant gold. Unlike emerald, golden beryl generally has very few flaws.

Colorless beryl is called goshenite.

Morganite, also known as "pink beryl", "rose beryl" "pink emerald." Orange/yellow varieties of morganite can also be found, and color banding is common.

Red beryl is very rare and has been reported only from a handful of locations.

(https://www.minerals.net/mineral/beryl.aspx)

each one of them having six wings

Why are there only 4 wings described by Ezekiel of these creatures, while in Revelation there are 6?

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

They have no rest day and night

The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11)

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up. (Luke 18:1)

Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; (Romans 12:10-12)

with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: (Ephesians 6:18)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!

Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:2-4)

One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished. (Revelation 15:7-8)

The tight interconnections of so many passages is starting to become more clear. And most importantly, the centrality of continual praise is key to appreciating and participating in filling the whole world with the glory of God. This is the content of the new song that must be learned by all who will be God's primary representatives at the end.

What we see in this chapter is how the highest beings in the universe in concert with the representatives in heaven of God's children on earth, all synchronize their activities and voices to give honor, glory and praise to the One on the throne, to counter all the slander and repair the damage caused to His reputation by the prince of darkness. We are invited to personally get involved in this, for we are not spectators or bystanders but are all very much part of the scenes we are watching here.

If the 4 creatures represent emotional organization and synchronization of God's people to the emotions of heaven and the heart of God, then we see how the descriptive words involving music, sounds, vivid colors, movement and everything else can arouse similar intense emotions in the human psyche.

What we need to appreciate more is that with our will we can choose to amplify the emotions that contribute to salvaging God's reputation and thus shorten the time it takes to bring all the mess in the universe to a final end. The end point of evil is when the only thing left, the only game in town will be praise, honor and gratitude to God because He is good with no shadow or hint of darkness at all. The sooner we lock into this mindset and settle our hearts in loyalty to this truth about God, the sooner the end will come and we can live in the unveiled glory of passionate love described as rivers of fire flowing from the throne of God.