Revelation 4
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedJohn sees "a door was opened in heaven" and hears, "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter," and he sees "a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." Around it are "four and twenty elders" in white with "crowns of gold," and "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God," and four beasts who never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." The elders "cast their crowns before the throne," saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things." Revelation 4:1Revelation 4:2Revelation 4:4Revelation 4:5Revelation 4:6Revelation 4:8Revelation 4:10Revelation 4:11
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The one who sits on the throne, the twenty-four elders, and the four beasts. Revelation 4:2Revelation 4:4Revelation 4:6
Where
In heaven, before the throne. John received the vision on "the isle that is called Patmos" and wrote to the seven churches of the Roman province of Asia. Revelation 4:1Revelation 4:2Revelation overview
When
Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation overview
How it fits
Chapter 3 ended the letters to the churches. Chapter 5 continues the same scene: "I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals." Revelation 3:22Revelation 4:1Revelation 5:1
Key verses
- Verse 5
The chapter names one symbol's meaning: "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." Revelation 4:5
- Verse 8
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8
- Verse 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." Revelation 4:11
Takeaway
God rules from His throne, and He is worthy of glory and honour and power as the Creator of all things. Revelation 4:2Revelation 4:11
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
The throne in heaven
1After 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. 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3And 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. 4And 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. 5And 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. 6And 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.
Holy, holy, holy
7And 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. 8And 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. 9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The 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, 11Thou 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.