The Throne in Heaven and Heavenly Worship
Revelation 4:1-11
Rev.4.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μετα: PREP,acc
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- θυρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ηνεωγμενη: VERB,perf,pass,part,f,sg,nom
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ουρανω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πρωτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ως: ADV
- σαλπιγγος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λαλουσης: VERB,pres,act,part,f,sg,gen
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- λεγων·Αναβα: VERB,pres,act,part,f,sg,nom+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ωδε: ADV
- και: CONJ
- δειξω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γενεσθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- μετα: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Rev.1:10 (verbal): John earlier: 'I was in the Spirit... and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet' — same trumpet-like voice language and direct reference in 4:1 to 'the first voice... like a trumpet.'
- Acts 7:56 (thematic): Stephen's vision: 'I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God' — the motif of heaven opened and visionary access to the divine presence.
- Isaiah 6:1-4 (thematic): Isaiah's throne-vision ('I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up') parallels Revelation's movement into a heavenly throne-room vision following the opened door.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (thematic): Paul's account of being 'caught up into the third heaven' and receiving revelations parallels John's summons 'Come up here' and the visionary ascent to heaven to be shown future things.
- John 14:2-3 (thematic): Jesus' promise 'I will come again and receive you... that where I am you may be also' echoes the invitational language of 'Come up here' — an invitation into the Lord's presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- After this I looked, and behold — a door standing open in heaven; and the first voice that I had heard speaking with me, like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."
- After this I looked, and behold—a door standing open in heaven. The first voice I had heard, like a trumpet speaking to me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
Rev.4.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευθεως: ADV
- εγενομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι·και: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ιδου: PART
- θρονος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκειτο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ουρανω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- καθημενος: PART,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.1.10 (verbal): Same first-person formula 'I was in the Spirit' (ἐγενόμην ἐν πνεύματι), linking John’s visionary state here with his earlier trance on the Lord’s day.
- Isaiah 6:1 (thematic): A heavenly throne-vision where the LORD is 'seated on a high and lofty throne' with attendant heavenly beings—parallels the setting and theophanic throne imagery.
- Ezekiel 1:26-28 (verbal): Ezekiel’s description of a figure on a lofty throne and the radiance/appearance of glory closely parallels Revelation’s throne-theophany language and imagery.
- Daniel 7:9 (allusion): The 'throne' scene and the enthroned divine figure ('Ancient of Days' taking his seat) provide an interpretive background for Revelation’s depiction of the heavenly throne and sovereign judge.
- Psalm 11:4 (thematic): Affirms that God's throne is in heaven—Psalmic background for the concept of a divine heavenly throne that Revelation depicts in vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- At once I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, and One was seated upon the throne.
- At once I was in the Spirit, and behold—a throne stood in heaven, and one was seated on the throne.
Rev.4.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καθημενος: PART,nom,sg,m
- ομοιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ορασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- λιθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ιασπιδι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σαρδιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ιρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κυκλοθεν: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ομοιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ορασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- σμαραγδινω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Ezek.1:26-28 (verbal): Throne-vision language: a throne with the appearance of a human and a radiant, rainbow-like splendour around it—closest Old Testament verbal and imagistic parallel to the rainbow and throne-appearance in Rev 4:3.
- Ezek.10:1 (verbal): Speaks of something like a sapphire stone and the likeness of a throne above the cherubim—parallels the gemstone-throne imagery (precious-stone appearance associated with the divine throne) in Rev 4:3.
- Rev.21:11,18-21 (thematic): Uses the same precious stones (jasper, sardius/sardonyx, emerald, etc.) to describe the glory of the New Jerusalem and the foundations/walls—repeats and develops the gem-symbolism found at the heavenly throne in Rev 4:3.
- Exod.24:10 (allusion): Describes a pavement under God's feet like a sapphire stone—an earlier instance of precious-stone imagery marking God's heavenly presence, echoed in Revelation’s throne description.
- Dan.7:9 (thematic): The ‘Ancient of Days’ vision depicts a majestic throne with vivid, fiery splendour and attendant awe—shares the broader throne-theophany motif and transcendent radiance reflected in Rev 4:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in its sheen.
- The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian; and round the throne there was a rainbow that looked like an emerald.
Rev.4.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- κυκλοθεν: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- θρονοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εικοσι: NUM,card
- τεσσαρες: NUM,card
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- θρονους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εικοσι: NUM,card
- τεσσαρας: NUM,card
- πρεσβυτερους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- καθημενους: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,acc,m,pl
- περιβεβλημενους: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ιματιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,neut
- λευκοις: ADJ,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- κεφαλας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- στεφανους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- χρυσους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 4:10 (verbal): Same group of twenty-four elders immediately shown falling before the throne and worshiping; continues the scene of elders seated on thrones and their relationship to the throne.
- Revelation 5:8–10 (structural): The twenty-four elders reappear with further descriptors (harps, golden bowls) and participate in worship and praise of the Lamb, linking their robes, crowns, and cultic role around the throne.
- Revelation 7:9–10 (thematic): A great multitude clothed in white stands before the throne and worships God, paralleling the motif of white garments and worshipful presence before God's throne.
- Revelation 11:16–17 (verbal): Explicit repetition of the formula about the twenty-four elders ‘which sat before God on their seats,’ who fall on their faces and give thanks—reiterating their stationary, throne‑bound role and liturgical function.
Alternative generated candidates
- Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders clothed in white garments, and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
- Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, dressed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
Rev.4.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκπορευονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- αστραπαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- φωναι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- βρονται·και: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- λαμπαδες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- καιομεναι: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,pl,f
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- πνευματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 1:4 (verbal): Direct reuse of the formula 'the seven Spirits who are before his throne'—same phrase and identification of seven-fold Spirit with the heavenly presence.
- Revelation 11:19 (verbal): Similar heavenly-throne spectacle: 'flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder' accompany the opening of God's temple—same throne-associated thunder/lightning motif.
- Zechariah 4:2 (structural): Vision of a lampstand with seven lamps (seven golden lampstands/lamps); provides Old Testament background for seven-lamp imagery later identified with divine agency.
- Ezekiel 1:13-14 (thematic): Throne-vision language of flashing lightning, fire, and brightness around the living creatures—parallels the thunder/lightning/fire imagery that accompanies God's throne-appearance.
- Exodus 19:16-19 (thematic): At Sinai there are thunder, lightning, and a loud trumpet when God descends on the mountain—an earlier biblical pattern of thunder/lightning signaling divine presence that Revelation evokes.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the throne came flashes of lightning and voices and peals of thunder; and before the throne were seven lamps of fire burning — these are the seven Spirits of God.
- From the throne came flashes of lightning and peals of thunder; and before the throne burned seven torches of fire, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev.4.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- θαλασσα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υαλινη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ομοια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- κρυσταλλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κυκλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τεσσαρα: NUM,card,pl
- ζωα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- γεμοντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οφθαλμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- και: CONJ
- οπισθεν·: ADV
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:22-28 (verbal): Ezekiel's throne-vision describes a firmament/expanse 'like the color of awesome crystal' and four living creatures full of eyes—close verbal and pictorial parallels to Revelation's 'sea of glass like crystal' and the many‑eyed living creatures.
- Exodus 24:10 (verbal): Moses and the elders see 'under his feet something like a pavement of sapphire, clear as the sky'—an earlier Old Testament image of a crystalline, throne‑area surface that resonates with Revelation's 'sea of glass like crystal' before the throne.
- Isaiah 6:1-3 (thematic): Isaiah's heavenly throne scene features seraphim surrounding the Lord and proclaiming his holiness—thematically parallel to Revelation's throne surrounded by heavenly beings engaged in worship.
- Revelation 15:2 (verbal): Later in Revelation the 'sea of glass, mingled with fire' reappears, explicitly echoing and developing the 'sea of glass like crystal' motif from Rev 4:6 within the same book's throne‑worship imagery.
- Daniel 7:9-10 (structural): Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days on a throne with attendant multitudes and courtroom/judgment imagery provides a structural parallel—another apocalyptic throne‑vision that shapes Revelation's depiction of the heavenly court.
Alternative generated candidates
- And before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
- Before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Around the throne, on each side of the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
Rev.4.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ζωον: NOUN,nom,sg,ne
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πρωτον: ADV
- ομοιον: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- λεοντι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δευτερον: ADJ,nom,sg,ne
- ζωον: NOUN,nom,sg,ne
- ομοιον: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μοσχω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τριτον: NUM,acc,sg,n
- ζωον: NOUN,nom,sg,ne
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ως: ADV
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τεταρτον: ADJ,nom,sg,ne
- ζωον: NOUN,nom,sg,ne
- ομοιον: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αετω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πετομενω·: VERB,pres,mid,part,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Ezek.1:10 (verbal): Ezekiel's vision lists the same four faces—lion, ox (calf), man, and eagle—serving as a primary verbal source for Revelation's creature imagery.
- Ezek.10:14 (verbal): A later Ezekiel passage repeats the identical four-faced description of the cherubim, reinforcing the direct echo in Revelation.
- Rev.5:6-8 (structural): The same four living creatures reappear in Revelation 5 with corresponding actions (worship, holding bowls/harps), an internal structural parallel that builds on 4:7's imagery.
- Dan.7:3 (thematic): Daniel's vision of four great beasts (lion, bear, leopard, etc.) offers a related motif of four symbolic creatures representing powers—a thematic background for Revelation's use of four-animal symbolism.
Alternative generated candidates
- The first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
- The first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had the face of a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
Rev.4.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τεσσαρα: NUM,nom,pl,n
- ζωα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- καθ᾽εν: ADV
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ανα: PREP
- πτερυγας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εξ: PREP
- κυκλοθεν: ADV
- και: CONJ
- εσωθεν: ADV
- γεμουσιν: VERB,prs,act,ind,3,pl
- οφθαλμων·και: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αναπαυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λεγοντες·Αγιος: PART,prs,act,nom,pl,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παντοκρατωρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ερχομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:3 (quotation): The triple acclamation 'Holy, holy, holy' is directly echoed from Isaiah 6:3 (LXX/Ionic tradition), linking the heavenly worship in Revelation to Isaiah's seraphim proclamation of God's holiness.
- Ezekiel 1:5-11; 10:12 (allusion): The description of the four living creatures with multiple wings and eyes 'around and within' parallels Ezekiel's cherubim (and the wheels) which are likewise 'full of eyes,' providing a close visual and symbolic source for Revelation's creature-imagery.
- Revelation 1:8 (verbal): The formula 'who was and who is and who is to come' (ο ἦν καὶ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος) recurs verbatim in Rev 1:8, linking chapter 4's doxology to the book's larger christological/eschatological self‑designation of God.
- Revelation 5:8-14 (thematic): The four living creatures continue their role in chapter 5, offering ceaseless praise and participating in the liturgical scene that centers on God's worthiness and the Lamb, showing thematic continuity in heavenly worship.
- Isaiah 6:1-4 (structural): Beyond the threefold 'holy,' Isaiah's vision supplies the broader structural precedent for a throne‑scene with attendant winged heavenly beings calling to one another and shaking the temple thresholds—paralleling Revelation's throne‑room setting and liturgical exchange.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes all around and within; and day and night they do not cease, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."
- Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all around and within; and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."
Rev.4.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οταν: CONJ
- δωσουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ζωα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ευχαριστιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- καθημενω: PART,perf,pass,ptcp,dat,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θρονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ζωντι: PART,pres,act,ptcp,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 4:10-11 (structural): Immediate context: the twenty-four elders fall down and worship, casting crowns and declaring God's worthiness—direct continuation of the living creatures' giving glory, honour, and thanksgiving.
- Revelation 5:11-14 (structural): Heavenly worship scene where innumerable angels, the living creatures, and elders praise the Lamb and the One on the throne—echoes the same language and motif of glory, honour, and praise from the heavenly court.
- Isaiah 6:1-3 (allusion): Vision of heavenly beings (seraphim) crying 'Holy, holy, holy' before the divine throne; parallels the motif of celestial creatures praising the enthroned God.
- Psalm 148:1-5 (thematic): Call for all creation—heavenly hosts and elements of nature—to praise the LORD, resonating with the living creatures giving glory and thanks to the One on the throne.
- Philippians 2:10-11 (thematic): Universal confession and subjection—'every knee' shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord—parallels the New Testament theme of all creation giving honor and praise to the divine Lord enthroned.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,
- And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne—who lives for ever and ever—
Rev.4.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πεσουνται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εικοσι: NUM,card
- τεσσαρες: NUM,card,nom,pl,m
- πρεσβυτεροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καθημενου: PART,pres,mid,gen,m,sg
- επι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- προσκυνησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ζωντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- βαλουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- στεφανους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λεγοντες·: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 5:8-14 (verbal): The twenty‑four elders fall down and worship around the throne here as well; similar language of elders bowing before the throne and praising the Lamb (parallel scene immediately following Rev 4).
- Revelation 11:16-17 (structural): The twenty‑four elders are described sitting on their thrones before God and falling on their faces to worship and give thanks—same actors and liturgical action repeated in a different heavenly scene.
- Revelation 19:4 (verbal): The elders and the four living creatures fall down and worship him who sits on the throne—near‑verbatim echo of the worship motif and throne-centered praise.
- Daniel 7:9-10 (allusion): Vision of the Ancient of Days on a throne with multitudes/attendants and a heavenly courtroom—background throne imagery and cosmic worship that Revelation adapts.
- Isaiah 6:1-3 (thematic): Prophetic throne‑room vision where heavenly beings surround the divine throne and offer continuous worship ('Holy, holy, holy'), providing an Old Testament model for Revelation's worship scenes.
Alternative generated candidates
- the twenty-four elders fall down before the One who sits on the throne and worship the One who lives forever and ever; and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
- the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev.4.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αξιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- λαβειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δυναμιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- εκτισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εκτισθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Revelation 5:12 (verbal): Similar liturgical declaration of worthiness to receive glory, honor and power; echoes the same doxological vocabulary applied there to the Lamb (’worthy… to receive power and wealth… honor and glory’).
- Romans 11:36 (thematic): Doxological affirmation that all things are from, through, and to God — culminating in glory to him — echoing Rev 4:11’s link of God’s worthiness to his role as Creator.
- Colossians 1:16 (verbal): Affirms that ‘by him all things were created,’ paralleling Rev 4:11’s claim that God created all things and that they exist by his will (common language about divine causation of creation).
- Psalm 148:5 (verbal): ’For he commanded and they were created’ closely parallels Rev 4:11’s phrase about God’s will bringing creatures into existence; both tie creation to God’s sovereign word/will in a call to praise.
- Isaiah 45:12 (allusion): God’s self‑identification as creator who stretched out the heavens and formed the earth echoes Rev 4:11’s emphasis on God as the originator of all things, grounding the proclamation of his worthiness.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
- "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
After these things I looked, and behold—a door standing open in heaven. The first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.'
At once I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, and One sat upon the throne. And the One who sat had the appearance of jasper and carnelian; and round the throne was a rainbow, like an emerald in its radiance.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
From the throne came flashes of lightning and voices and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven lamps of fire, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Round about the throne, and on each side of the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
The first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all round and within. Day and night they cease not, saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.'
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One who sits on the throne—who lives forever and ever—
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever; and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'