John’s Apocalypse is a magnificent and wonderfully designed message of the salvation that is available in Jesus Christ. The book blesses all who ponder it and sternly warns those who oppose Christ and the Good News and those whose Christian walk is shallow. The unfolding drama of the book stretches the imagination while bearing witness to God’s supreme power. Its visions describe the plight of …
1Después de esto miré, y he aquí una puerta abierta en el cielo; y la primera voz que oí, como de trompeta, hablando conmigo, dijo: Sube acá, y yo te mostraré las cosas que sucederán después de estas.
2Y al instante yo estaba en el Espíritu; y he aquí, un trono establecido en el cielo, y en el trono, uno sentado.
3Y el aspecto del que estaba sentado era semejante a piedra de jaspe y de cornalina; y había alrededor del trono un arco iris, semejante en aspecto a la esmeralda.
4Y alrededor del trono había veinticuatro tronos; y vi sentados en los tronos a veinticuatro ancianos, vestidos de ropas blancas, con coronas de oro en sus cabezas.
5Y del trono salían relámpagos y truenos y voces; y delante del trono ardían siete lámparas de fuego, las cuales son los siete espíritus de Dios.
6Y delante del trono había como un mar de vidrio semejante al cristal; y junto al trono, y alrededor del trono, cuatro seres vivientes llenos de ojos delante y detrás.
7El primer ser viviente era semejante a un león; el segundo era semejante a un becerro; el tercero tenía rostro como de hombre; y el cuarto era semejante a un águila volando.
8Y los cuatro seres vivientes tenían cada uno seis alas, y alrededor y por dentro estaban llenos de ojos; y no cesaban día y noche de decir: Santo, santo, santo es el Señor Dios Todopoderoso, el que era, el que es, y el que ha de venir.
9Y siempre que aquellos seres vivientes dan gloria y honra y acción de gracias al que está sentado en el trono, al que vive por los siglos de los siglos,
10los veinticuatro ancianos se postran delante del que está sentado en el trono, y adoran al que vive por los siglos de los siglos, y echan sus coronas delante del trono, diciendo:
11Señor, digno eres de recibir la gloria y la honra y el poder; porque tú creaste todas las cosas, y por tu voluntad existen y fueron creadas.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 4:1–5:14 This section introduces the visions and judgments to come. John presents God in his heav…
4:1–5:14 This section introduces the visions and judgments to come. John presents God in his heavenly court—the scene of the drama of Revelation (4:1-11)—and the Lamb, who has a central role (5:1-14). John contrasts the majesty of God with the so-called majesty of Caesar. God’s power and splendor is unequaled by the ceremonial court of any earthly ruler.
4:1-11 The description of God’s throne room stretches the imagination. It builds on the visions of Isa 6:1-4, Ezek 1:4-28, and Dan 7:9-10, where God is seen enthroned in power and majesty. God’s throne dominates Revelation, and the worship in the rest of the book flows from this scene. God’s magnificence, grace, and glory are fundamental to the church’s worship.
4:1 Then . . . I saw: This introductory phrase (see also 7:9; 15:5; 18:1; cp. 19:1) does not signal chronological sequence but the beginning of a new visionary experience. • Come up here: The voice of the Lord invites John to look at things from God’s perspective.
II
Versículo 2
II. 4:2 By being in the Spirit, John could experience spiritual realities (see 1:10; 17:3; 21:10; Eze…
4:2 By being in the Spirit, John could experience spiritual realities (see 1:10; 17:3; 21:10; Ezek 11:1) and grasp insights about God’s presence, the heavenly realm, and God’s intentions in history.
III
Versículo 3
III. 4:3 Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4; Deut 4:15-19), John uses gemstones a…
4:3 Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4; Deut 4:15-19), John uses gemstones and the rainbow (Gen 9:8-17; Ezek 1:28) to suggest God’s qualities. The rainbow speaks of God’s grace as it recalls God’s covenant with Noah (Gen 9:13-17) that he would never again destroy the earth with water. In Revelation, however, we see the earth destroyed by fire (cp. Gen 19:24-29).
IV
Versículo 4
IV. 4:4 The twenty-four elders on their thrones probably represent all of God’s people. They might co…
4:4 The twenty-four elders on their thrones probably represent all of God’s people. They might correlate to the twelve tribes of the old covenant and the twelve apostles of the new (see 21:12-14), although some have identified them with the twenty-four divisions of the Israelite priesthood (1 Chr 24:1-19). In the drama, they act as an antiphonal chorus (alternating groups of speakers or singers).
V
Versículo 5
V. 4:5 The thunder that follows flashes of lightning is God’s call to attention (see 8:5; 11:19; 16:…
4:5 The thunder that follows flashes of lightning is God’s call to attention (see 8:5; 11:19; 16:18). • in front of the throne were seven torches: In ancient times, torches were set before rulers to show their authority. These torches with burning flames represent the perfect Spirit of God.
VI
Versículo 6
VI. 4:6 a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal: The most eye-catching part of ancient theaters …
4:6 a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal: The most eye-catching part of ancient theaters was the glistening mosaic where the speaking orchestra was positioned to provide perspective (cp. 15:2-4). • The four living beings represent the whole created order. • covered with eyes: This phrase probably indicates that they had knowledge or understanding. In the ancient world, figures were covered with a particular feature to emphasize that quality (e.g., statues of Artemis were covered with breasts to emphasize fertility). Cp. Ezek 1:18.
VII
Versículo 7
VII. 4:7 These four creatures symbolize four types of beings: a lion represents wild animals, an ox re…
4:7 These four creatures symbolize four types of beings: a lion represents wild animals, an ox represents domesticated animals, a human represents humanity, and an eagle represents the birds (cp. Ezek 1:10). These four figures are drawn from Ezek 1 (cherubim) and Isa 6 (seraphim). They probably represent the best of creation as worshiping God. Missing from this worldwide orchestra are fish, which ancient people associated with the evil sea (see Rev 21:1), and insects, represented by locusts in the evil kingdom (see 9:1-11).
VIII
Versículo 8
VIII. 4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness,…
4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness, his power (the Almighty), and his eternity (see study note on 1:4). • Holy, holy, holy comes from Isa 6:3 and is the highest worship affirmation in Scripture. To double something makes it emphatic; to triple it makes it ultimate.
IX
Versículo 9
IX. 4:9-11 The antiphonal chorus of twenty-four elders provides divine perspective on creation. • The…
4:9-11 The antiphonal chorus of twenty-four elders provides divine perspective on creation. • The one sitting on the throne is typical Jewish indirection to avoid speaking God’s name.
X
Versículo 11
X. 4:11 You are worthy: This phrase is never used of God in the Old Testament but was frequently use…
4:11 You are worthy: This phrase is never used of God in the Old Testament but was frequently used in Rome during emperor worship. As emphasized here, only God deserves worship. • you created all things: Many in the ancient world believed that the gods were too busy to be concerned with humans. But God is Almighty in more than a philosophical sense; he is involved as Creator and Lord. In Revelation, creation affirms that God is in sovereign control of the world (see 3:14; 10:6; 14:7; 21:1). • they exist because you created what you pleased: God had a purpose for everything that he created.
Nuevo Testamento
Revelation — Capítulo 4
John’s Apocalypse is a magnificent and wonderfully designed message of the salvation that is available in Jesus Christ. The book blesses all who ponder it and sternly warns those who oppose Christ and the Good News and those whose Christian walk is shallow. The unfolding drama of the book stretches the imagination while bearing witness to God’s supreme power. Its visions describe the plight of …
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Después de esto miré, y he aquí una puerta abierta en el cielo; y la primera voz que oí, como de trompeta, hablando conmigo, dijo: Sube acá, y yo te mostraré las cosas que sucederán después de estas.
2Y al instante yo estaba en el Espíritu; y he aquí, un trono establecido en el cielo, y en el trono, uno sentado.
3Y el aspecto del que estaba sentado era semejante a piedra de jaspe y de cornalina; y había alrededor del trono un arco iris, semejante en aspecto a la esmeralda.
4Y alrededor del trono había veinticuatro tronos; y vi sentados en los tronos a veinticuatro ancianos, vestidos de ropas blancas, con coronas de oro en sus cabezas.
5Y del trono salían relámpagos y truenos y voces; y delante del trono ardían siete lámparas de fuego, las cuales son los siete espíritus de Dios.
6Y delante del trono había como un mar de vidrio semejante al cristal; y junto al trono, y alrededor del trono, cuatro seres vivientes llenos de ojos delante y detrás.
7El primer ser viviente era semejante a un león; el segundo era semejante a un becerro; el tercero tenía rostro como de hombre; y el cuarto era semejante a un águila volando.
8Y los cuatro seres vivientes tenían cada uno seis alas, y alrededor y por dentro estaban llenos de ojos; y no cesaban día y noche de decir: Santo, santo, santo es el Señor Dios Todopoderoso, el que era, el que es, y el que ha de venir.
9Y siempre que aquellos seres vivientes dan gloria y honra y acción de gracias al que está sentado en el trono, al que vive por los siglos de los siglos,
10los veinticuatro ancianos se postran delante del que está sentado en el trono, y adoran al que vive por los siglos de los siglos, y echan sus coronas delante del trono, diciendo:
11Señor, digno eres de recibir la gloria y la honra y el poder; porque tú creaste todas las cosas, y por tu voluntad existen y fueron creadas.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 4:1–5:14 This section introduces the visions and judgments to come. John presents God in his heav…
Versículo 2
II. 4:2 By being in the Spirit, John could experience spiritual realities (see 1:10; 17:3; 21:10; Eze…
Versículo 3
III. 4:3 Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4; Deut 4:15-19), John uses gemstones a…
Versículo 4
IV. 4:4 The twenty-four elders on their thrones probably represent all of God’s people. They might co…
Versículo 5
V. 4:5 The thunder that follows flashes of lightning is God’s call to attention (see 8:5; 11:19; 16:…
Versículo 6
VI. 4:6 a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal: The most eye-catching part of ancient theaters …
Versículo 7
VII. 4:7 These four creatures symbolize four types of beings: a lion represents wild animals, an ox re…
Versículo 8
VIII. 4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness,…
Versículo 9
IX. 4:9-11 The antiphonal chorus of twenty-four elders provides divine perspective on creation. • The…
Versículo 11
X. 4:11 You are worthy: This phrase is never used of God in the Old Testament but was frequently use…