From the Throne: sounds of thunder and lightning: (4:5a).
“And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder”. These are indications of a coming storm and reminders of God’s awesome power (Ex.19:16). These “storm signals” will be repeated during the time of judgment, always proceeding from the throne and temple of God. In (Rev.8:5) “the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lighting (11:19; 16:18). It appears that John saw a preview of the divine wrath that will be poured out on the earth, described in (chap. 6-19). Our world does not like to think of God as a God of judgment. They prefer to look at the rainbow around the throne and ignore the lightning and thunder out of the throne. He certainly is a God of grace, but His grace reigns through righteousness (Rom. 5:21). This was made clear at the cross where God manifested both His love for sinners and His wrath against sin.
Before the Throne: – Lamps and a sea: (4:5b-6a):
John sees 7-lamps of fire without a lampstand. These were outdoor torches giving of the fierce, blazing light of a fiery torch. John identifies them as “the 7-Spirits of God.” The lamps or torches are associated with war (Jud.7:16; Nah.2:3-4). John’s vision depicts God as ready to make war on sinful, rebellious humanity and the Holy Spirit as His war torch. The seven lamps imply completeness and symbolize the Holy Spirit of God (Rev. 1:4; Ezek. 1:13).
John also saw “something like a sea of glass like crystal.” That sea is metaphorical, since there is no sea in heaven (21:1). What John saw at the base of the throne was a vast pavement of glass, shining brilliantly like crystal. (Ex.24:10) records a similar scene when Moses, Aaron and the elders of Israel saw the God of Israel. Heaven is a world of brilliant light refracting and shining as through jewels and crystal in a manner beyond our ability to describe or imagine.
John seems to suggest in Revelation that the “heavenly sanctuary” follows the pattern of the earthly tabernacle and temple (Heb. 9:23).
In and around the Throne: (4:6b-8a):
The 4-living creatures appear both in the centre and around the throne. They will play a significant role in the events of Revelation. They Ezekiel gives a detailed description. (Eze.1:4-25). Both Ezekiel and John describe the 4-living creatures as divine war machine ready to unleash judgement. (Eze.10:15) specifically identifies them as the “Cherubim which appeared near the river Chebar.” They are the exalted order of angels frequently associated in Scripture with God’s holy power. They are full of eyes in front and behind, symbolizing their awareness, alertness and comprehensive knowledge. Nothing pertaining to their duties escape their scrutiny. Ezekiel describes that each one possesses all 4-facial features, but John points out the “the first was like a lion, the second a calf, the third like a man and the fourth was like a flying eagle.” It is significant that the 12-tribes of Israel camped under these 4-banners: some with Reuben (symbolized by a man), others with Dan (symbolized by an eagle), others with Ephraim (symbolized by the calf or ox) and the rest with Judah (symbolized by a lion).
The 6-wings denote that their supreme responsibility and the privilege is to constantly worship God. From Isaiah’s vision (is.6:2), they had 6-wings, 2-wings used to cover their faces, 2-wings to cover their feet ad rest 2-wings to fly. In other words they use 4-wings to worship the Lord.