[1] We should naturally expect that a vision vouchsafed to an
Apostle of Christ, at the end of the first century of the
Christian era, would be larger in scope, brighter in glory,
less enigmatical in structure, in significance, than those
which were attached to the ministrations of prophets. This
expectation is not disappointed. We find the visions of the
throne of God which prophets saw revived and incorporated
in the Apostle's vision, and we find the Christian seer
enlightened with a more distinct understanding of the
heavenly symbols. _Isaiah_ saw the throne of God in the
temple, surrounded by seraphim, "crying one to another,
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts." _Ezekiel,_ sitting
by the river of Chebar, saw the throne of God, as a chariot
of war coming out of a whirlwind and going forth over the
earth, attended by mighty ministers of judgment, carrying
the Son of Man to victory. _Daniel_ beheld the great
session of justice; the gathered myriads before the awful
purity of the Divine Judge; the consuming laws executed by
the faithful servants. But the Christian _Apostle,_ looking
through the door of heaven, beheld all these ancient
visions, which had come down through eight centuries of
time, blended into one. He saw Isaiah's seraphim, but they
had the appearance of Ezekiel's living creatures, with
fourfold countenances; their wings were still visible, and
their voices still responded, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty!" He saw the thrones round about _the Throne,_ as
Daniel saw them, but he was able to count them; they were
four and twenty; and upon the seats he "saw four and twenty
elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and they had on
their heads crowns of gold." The stream of fire, which the
prophet saw proceeding from under the throne was now "a sea
of glass like unto crystal." He that sat on the throne, who
appeared to Ezekiel as though He were clothed with fiery
amber, was "to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone;"
and the rainbow was still there, "round about the throne,
in sight like unto an emerald." "Lightnings, thunderings,
and voices" proceeded out of the throne, as before fire
flamed out and devoured. "The seven spirits of God," like
"burning lamps of fire," stand in the presence of the Holy
One. And the Apostle witnesses the sublime service of
heaven, the living creatures "giving glory and honour and
thanks to Him that sat on the throne;" and, in response to
their worship, "the four and twenty elders falling down
before Him and worshipping Him," and singing their united
praises, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for
Thy pleasure they are and were created!"--_R. A. Redford._