Revelation

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Revelation 4 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Revelation 4 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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.

Heaven Revealed

Here starts the second scene: the book of actual history is gradually revealed by the Lamb when opening seven seals. Emperors are not in charge, armies do not change the course of history, but all is governed by God to the good of his Church. This is demonstrated by the white horse, which is Christ, going forth to conquer with the gospel.

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.

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

(4:5) "The seven Spirits of God."

On the meaning of seven, see chapter 3:1.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

(4:6-8) The four beasts
John sees four beasts, each with six wings and "full of eyes."

And they have not only eyes on the outside, but also on the inside (verse 8)! More laughs I suppose.
Obviously this has a symbolic meaning. They indicate that nothing is hidden from these four beasts.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 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.

(4:11) "Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
God created predators, pathogens, and predators for his very own pleasure. One of his favorite species is guinea worms.

God created all things, but God is not responsible for the corruption of his creatures: for that man is responsible. On the existence of predators: God did not create them, but they devolved into this. See Job 41:14.
On the particulars of pathogens: often we read about “superbugs” which indicates change. Although the language of superbug is incorrect (they are not super) but let's use this term as “scientists” also us it, so I'm entitled too. If we arrive at something that is a superbug, from a bug, what was it before it became a bug? Perhaps not one.
On the guinea worm, see Col. 1:16.