What Old Testament passages connect with the worship described in Revelation 4:8? Revelation 4:8—A Quick Refresher “ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” What Old Testament threads weave into this worship scene? Let’s trace them one by one. Isaiah 6:1–3 – Seraphim and the Triple “Holy” • Isaiah sees the Lord “high and exalted,” seated on a throne. • Six-winged seraphim cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” • Parallels: same thrice-repeated holiness, winged heavenly beings, throne setting, and unending proclamation of God’s glory. Ezekiel 1:4–14 – Living Creatures, Eyes, and Fire • Ezekiel’s “living creatures” each have four faces and four wings; their appearance is “like burning coals of fire.” • Full of eyes: Ezekiel later notes the wheels are “full of eyes all around” (1:18). • Parallels: multi-winged, eye-covered beings attending God’s glory, radiant fire symbolizing divine holiness. Daniel 7:9–10 – The Ancient of Days Enthroned • “Thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat… Thousands upon thousands served Him.” • Parallels: heavenly throne room, blazing fire, continuous worship, and the emphasis on God’s eternal reign. Psalm 99:1–3 – Holy Is He • “The LORD reigns… Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy.” • Parallels: declaration of the Lord’s unquestioned holiness and universal call to worship the enthroned King. Psalm 92:1–2 – Day and Night Praise • “It is good to praise the LORD… to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.” • Parallels: ceaseless rhythm of praise, morning and evening echoing Revelation’s “day and night they never stop.” Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 44:6 – The Eternal Name • Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.” • Isaiah 44:6: “I am the first and I am the last; there is no God but Me.” • Both foreshadow Revelation’s title “who was, and is, and is to come,” underscoring God’s timeless, self-existent nature. Psalm 24:7–10 – The King of Glory Enters • “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty.” • Parallels: Revelation’s worship centers on God’s might and glory, welcomed by all creation. Harmony of Themes • Throne imagery (Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1; Daniel 7) affirms God’s sovereign rule. • Triple affirmation of holiness sets God apart as utterly pure and transcendent. • Winged, eye-covered creatures highlight His all-seeing wisdom and majestic mystery. • Day-and-night worship (Psalm 92) shows that adoration is unending. • The eternal Name (Exodus 3; Isaiah 44) ties directly to Revelation’s “was, is, is to come,” celebrating His immutable nature. Old Testament prophets, psalmists, and lawgivers all glimpse facets of the same reality John witnesses: the one true, eternally holy God, enthroned in glory, receiving ceaseless praise from the heavenly host. |
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