Revelation 4:6

The clear glass-like sea before the throne may represent the need for cleansing before approaching God. The laver (called a "sea" in the Old Testament, e.g., 1 Kings 7:23, et al.) served the need for cleansing in the Israelite tabernacle and temple. Perhaps the fact that this sea is solid indicates that those who can approach God’s throne have attained a fixed state of holiness by God’s grace. [Note: Strauss, p. 134.] Perhaps the sea represents the forces opposed to God’s will and His people. This is what the sea symbolized in the ancient Near East. John now saw these forces under God’s sovereign control (cf. Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:22; Ezekiel 1:26). [Note: Johnson, p. 463] The best explanation seems to be that this sea pictures some type of firmament that separates God in his holiness and purity from all of His sinful creation (cf. Genesis 1:7; Exodus 24:10-11; 1 Kings 7:23; Psalms 104:3; Ezekiel 1:22; Ezekiel 1:26). [Note: Thomas, Revelation 1-7, p. 353.]

The four living "creatures" seem to be angelic beings that reflect the attributes of God. They form an inner circle and surround the throne and God (cf. Ezekiel 1:12), so they must constitute an exalted order of angelic beings. They appear similar to the seraphim (Isaiah 6:2) and even more like the cherubim (Ezekiel 1:4-14; Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10), though because of their differences they seem to be in a class by themselves. They appear to have a judicial function (cf. Revelation 6:1; Revelation 6:3; Revelation 6:5; Revelation 6:7) and to have some connection with animate creation (cf. Revelation 4:9-11; Revelation 15:7). Their many eyes evidently symbolize their penetrating intelligence that makes them immediately aware of whatever is happening that affects their judicial responsibility (cf. Ezekiel 1:18; Ezekiel 10:12). [Note: Ibid., pp. 358-59.]