The Story-Line of Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect LESSON 5: GOD, GOD’S THRONE, CREATURES AND PEOPLE AROUND THE THRONE The image of God changes when Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect in the Revelation to John re-presents images from the Hebrew Bible. While God is human-like in Isaiah and the apocalyptic book of Daniel, God is like a blend of human, stone, and fire in Ezekiel, and God is like precious stone in the book of Revelation. The presentation of the creatures and humans around the throne of God also changes from the Hebrew Bible to Revelation. Out of four creatures around the throne in Ezekiel, Revelation presents four creatures like a lion, ox, human, and eagle.  Click for the next slide and an explanation of God and God’s throne in the Hebrew Bible.

The Likeness of God to Human Form in the Hebrew Bible The prophetic book of Isaiah and the apocalyptic book of Daniel describe God in relation to human form. In Ezekiel, God is like a blend of human form, stone, and fire. In Ezekiel and the apocalyptic book of Daniel, God’s throne is fiery flames. In both Ezekiel and Revelation, God’s splendor, or glory, is associated with an emanating rainbow.  Click to read the presentation of God in relation to human form in Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD’S LIKENESS TO HUMAN FORM HAS NO FEATURES in Isaiah 6 Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 6:8 I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (Read Isaiah 6) (Read Isaiah 6)Isaiah 6Isaiah 6  Click to read the presentation of God in relation to human, stone, and fire in Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD’S LIKENESS TO HUMAN FORM, PRECIOUS STONE, AND FIRE in Ezekiel 1 Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.  Click to read the continuation in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD’S LIKENESS TO HUMAN FORM, PRECIOUS STONE, AND FIRE in Ezekiel 1 Ezekiel 1:27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.  Click to read the continuation in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS THE FORM OF A RAINBOW in Ezekiel 1 Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Adonai. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. (Read Ezekiel 1) Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1  Click to read about God and God’s throne in the apocalyptic book of Daniel in the Hebrew Bible.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD IS LIKE A HUMAN, AND GOD’S THRONE IS FIRE in Daniel 7 Daniel 7:9 I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.  Click to read the continuation in Daniel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD IS LIKE A HUMAN, AND GOD’S THRONE IS FIRE in Daniel 7 cont. Daniel 7:10: 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Read Daniel 7) Daniel 7Daniel 7  Click to read about the image of God in Revelation to John in the New Testament.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in the Book of Revelation Reconfigures God as Like Precious Stone that Causes a Rainbow Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in the Book of Revelation Reconfigures God as Like Precious Stone that Causes a Rainbow  Click for next slide.

Apocalyptic Christian Rhetorolect: GOD IS LIKE PRECIOUS STONE THAT PRODUCES A RAINBOW in Revelation 4 Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. and one sitting on the throne 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at. (Read Revelation 4) Revelation 4Revelation 4  Click for explanation of the throne in Revelation.

The Book of Revelation has a Throne with no features, but with Lightning, Thunder, Flaming Torches, and a Sea of Glass  Click for next slide.

Apocalyptic Christian Rhetorolect: LIGHTNING AND THUNDER COME FROM GOD'S THRONE in Revelation 4 Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 4:6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. (Read Revelation 4) (Read Revelation 4)Revelation 4Revelation 4  Click to read about the creatures around God’s throne in the Hebrew Bible.

Creatures around God’s Throne in the Hebrew Bible The prophetic books of Isaiah and Ezekiel, and the apocalyptic book of Daniel, describe different kinds of creatures around God’s throne in the Hebrew Bible.  Click for seraphs around God’s throne in Isaiah 6.

Hebrew Bible Resource: SERAPHS WITH SIX WINGS in Isaiah 6 Isaiah 6:2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. 6:3 One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is Adonai of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”  Click for creatures around God’s throne in Ezekiel 1.

Hebrew Bible Resource: FOUR HUMAN-LIKE CREATURES, EACH WITH FOUR FACES: HUMAN, LION, OX, AND EAGLE in Ezekiel 1 Ezekiel 1:4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. 1:5 Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.  Click for continuation of creatures around God’s throne in Ezekiel 1.

Hebrew Bible Resource: FOUR HUMAN-LIKE CREATURES, EACH WITH FOUR FACES: HUMAN, LION, OX, AND EAGLE in Ezekiel 1 Ezekiel 1:6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. Ezekiel 1:6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. 1:7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.  Click for continuation of creatures around God’s throne in Ezekiel 1.

Hebrew Bible Resource: FOUR HUMAN-LIKE CREATURES, EACH WITH FOUR FACES: HUMAN, LION, OX, AND EAGLE in Ezekiel 1 cont. Ezekiel 1:8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus: 1:9 their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.  Click for continuation of creatures around God’s throne in Ezekiel 1.

Hebrew Bible Resource: FOUR HUMAN-LIKE CREATURES, EACH WITH FOUR FACES: HUMAN, LION, OX, AND EAGLE in Ezekiel 1 cont. Ezekiel 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle. (Read Ezekiel 1) Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1  Click for people around God’s throne in Daniel 7.

Hebrew Bible Resource: A THOUSAND THOUSANDS AROUND GOD’S THRONE in Daniel 7 Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.  Click for continuation of Daniel 7.

Hebrew Bible Resource: A THOUSAND THOUSANDS AROUND GOD’S THRONE in Daniel 7 Daniel 7:11 I saw at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 7:12 As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. (Read Daniel 7) Daniel 7Daniel 7  Click for Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect that uses these Hebrew Bible resources.

The New Testament book of Revelation Reconfigures the Seraphs, Creatures, and People in the Hebrew Bible books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.  Click for next slide.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect: FOUR LIVING CREATURES in Revelation 4 Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 4:6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. (cf. Ezekiel 1) Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1  Click to continue Revelation 4.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect: FOUR LIVING CREATURES in Revelation 4 cont. (1) Revelation 4:7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. (cf. Ezekiel 1) Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1  Click to continue Revelation 4.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect: FOUR LIVING CREATURES in Revelation 4 cont. (2) 4:8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come! (cf. Isaiah 6) Isaiah 6Isaiah 6 (read Revelation 4) Revelation 4Revelation 4  Click for a summary.

Good Work! In this lesson you have learned that: 1) God is like human form in Isaiah and Daniel. 2) God is like human, stone, and fire in Ezekiel. 3) God is like precious stone in Revelation.  Click for continuation of the summary.

Excellent! Out of four creatures around the throne in Ezekiel, Revelation presents four creatures like a lion, ox, human, and eagle. Like the book of Daniel, Revelation has thousands of people around God’s throne, worshipping God. Good luck with Lesson 6 on the Son of Man and Judgment on earth.