Revelation 4:1 KJV,ASV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 4:1

(1) After this (better, these things) I looked (literally, I saw; not “I looked,” as though the prophet turned his gaze then towards it), and, behold a door was opened (or, set open) in heaven.—He did not look and see a door opening; he saw, and lo! the door stood open. There are differences as well as similarities between this vision and others where glimpses into heaven were given to prophets and saints. In Ezekiel’s vision, and in the scene of Matthew 3:16 (comp, also Acts 7:56; Acts 10:11)... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 4:1-11

Elevation and Vision Revelation 4:1 It is a serious error to suppose that we can rightly apprehend the highest truths whilst we live on a low plane of thought and conduct, and yet it is a very common error. Those who grovel in the dust, nay, who wallow in the sensual mire, yet believe themselves competent to discuss the most solemn problems of existence and destiny: they conclude that the truths concerning God His existence, laws, government, revelation and purpose are apprehended and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

CHAPTER III.ANTICIPATIONS OF THE CHURCH’S VICTORY.Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14.WE have seen in considering the first chapter of the Apocalypse that the book as a whole is to be occupied with the Church’s struggle in the world; and in the second and third chapters the Church herself has been placed before us as she occupies her position upon the field of history. But the struggle has not yet begun, nor will it begin until we reach the sixth chapter. Rev. 4 and 5 are therefore still to be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

III. THE THINGS WHICH ARE AFTER THESE, THE END OF THE AGE, THE CONSUMMATION, AND FINAL MESSAGES (4-22) CHAPTERS 4-5 1. The open door and the vision of the throne (Revelation 4:1-3 ) 2. The twenty-four elders and the throne (Revelation 4:4-5 ). 3. The four living creatures and the worship (Revelation 4:6-11 ) 4. Who is worthy to open the book? (Revelation 5:1-3 ) 5. The answer (Revelation 5:4-5 ) 6. The vision of the Lamb (Revelation 5:6-7 ) 7. Worship and praise (Revelation 5:8-14 )... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 4:1

4:1 After {1} this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.(1) Hereafter follows the second part of this book, altogether prophetical foretelling those things which were to come, as was said in Revelation 1:19 . This is divided into two histories: one common to the whole world, till Chapter 9 and another unique to the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

A Door Opened in Heaven From this point in Revelation the Church is never again seen on earth, but always in heaven or coming as the armies in heaven with her Lord to judge the earth (Revelation 19:11-14). The indication of her being raptured to glory is seen in the first verse, for John himself plainly represents the Church, and a door is opened in heaven for him to enter. A number of times in Scripture we read of heaven being opened, always indicating a public event of great significance,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

THE SEVEN SEALS This section might also be entitled “The things which shall be hereafter.” It is assumed that the true church is not upon the earth at the beginning of chapter 4, but that the translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 has taken place. Christendom is here, but the church is with the Lord in the air. To some this may seem a bold assumption, but not to those who have pursued the study of the earlier books in this commentary. To them it will appear natural and proper that the church... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 4:1

CONTENTS At this Chapter, we enter upon those Prophecies which relate to the Church of God, from the Ascension of Christ, going on through a regular Progression, to the Descension of Christ, at the great Day of God. John is here introduced into the Visions concerning those wonderful Events. He is led to behold the Throne of God, and the glorified Inhabitants of Heaven round the Throne. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 4:1-3

(1) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (2) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. (3) And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Here is the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1

No sooner had St. John received in the preceding vision the documents he was to transmit to the seven Churches of Asia [Asia Minor], when, behold, a new scene displays itself. Heaven opens, and St. John is invited up thither by the voice which had spoken to him before, and is told he shall see what is to happen in future ages. On a sudden appears a throne, and the Almighty himself seated upon it. The rainbow which surrounds the throne, denotes the covenant of reconciliation and peace between... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 4:1

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 4:1-11

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 4:1

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 4:1-11

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1-11

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 4:1

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 4:1-3

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 4:1

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