Reading for April 21st

THE LITURGY IN HEAVEN In 4.1-11.18: The action of this whole section derives from what happens in heaven. It is thus in the most ovious way a revelation: a glimpse into the hidden inner workings of the divine court. Read Reveleation 4.1-11 In 4.1-11: The order of creation. The scene presents the cosmos as it was meant to be with all creation gathered around the throne of God. The notion of access to heaven through through an open door is also found in the Testament of Levi 5.1 and 1 Enbnoch 14.8-15. The first voice is a reference to the opening vision, 1.10. Come up here expresses John's view of the universe as three-leveled with the earth as the cnter; see also 5.3. The phrase after this both opens and closes this sentence. The basic idea is one of correspondence between heaven and earth so that what John sees in heaven must take place on earth. In verse 2: The phrase in the spirit opened the first vision (1.10) also probably indicates that this was at one time a separate vision. Notice that john ascends by going inward. The throne image is central to Revelation, contrasting God's throne with that of Satan (2.13). It is a political image. Such throne visions were common feature of Jewish mysticism, derving ultimately from Ezek 1.3. In verse 3: We cannot be sure what gems John intended by jasper and camelian; it is surprising that God is described as a stone. The rainbow is a sign of divine protection (Gen 9.12-13; Ezek 1.28; Rev 10.1). In verse 4: Twenty-four is a doubing of the number of God's people; several explanations have been offered (the 12 tribes plus the 12 apostles, the 24 orders of priests; the 24 figures associated with the zodiac). The only clear point is that these elders represent the heavenly counterpart to the earthly community. The white robed signal their victorious lives (3.5) as do the golden crowns, for they are the kind given to victors in athletic contests (1 Cor 9.25). In verse 5: The lightning, thunder, and fire signal the manifestation of the divine presence (or theophany; see Ex 20.18). The seven spirits represent the Holy Spirit; see 1.4-5 and Zech 4.2, 10. In verses 6-8: Four marks the living creatures as of the earth, probably the four orders of creation; the same four appear in Ezekiel 1; see also Isa 6. They are full of eyes because they have full understanding, deriving from fullness of the spirit (5.6). Holy, Holy, Holy derives from Isa 6.1 and had become a traditional part of Jewish and Christian worship in john's time. In verses 9-11: Notice how the various participants work in concert, creating harmony. Such worship is proper. because the object is worthy, and this worthiness is based on the act of creation. Comments or Questions..