John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings , and voices , etc.] Which may be understood either of the doctrines of the Gospel which come out of Zion, and out of Jerusalem, the church of God, where he has his throne; and which are comparable to lightning, both for the light and knowledge they give, and for the swiftness with which they were spread over the world, by the apostles of Christ; and to thunderings, for the awfulness, authority, and majesty of them, especially as they were delivered out by the Boanergeses, or sons of thunder; and as the prophesies of the prophets are called the voices of the prophets, ( Acts 13:27); so may the doctrines of the Gospel be called voices, as they are the voice of God, and of Christ, and of his ministers; and are voices of love, grace, mercy, peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life.
The allusion is to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, when such things were seen and heard, ( Exodus 19:16) or else the judgments of God, and the punishments inflicted upon his enemies, and the enemies of his church and people, and his awful threatenings of them, may be designed; (see Psalm 18:13,14 Joel 3:16); with which compare ( Revelation 8:5). And [there were] seven lamps of burning fire before the throne , which are the seven spirits of God ; in allusion to the seven lamps in the tabernacle and temple, which were trimmed by the priests, and always kept burning, and are expressive of the Spirit, and his gifts; and these being signified by the number seven, denote the fulness and perfection of them; and being said to be before the throne, show that there is always a sufficiency of them for the supply of the churches in all ages, to fit and qualify proper persons to minister the word, and administer ordinances; and these being called lamps of burning fire, point at the light the Spirit of God in his gifts communicates to the churches; and that warmth and heat, comfort and refreshment; conveyed to them, through the preaching of the Gospel, and the dispensation of the ordinances of it, under his illuminating and quickening influences.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches "the things that are," there was another vision. The apostl saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by huma features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God's awful justice. The rainbow is a fit emble of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Hea of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing colou was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honour, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies nearness to God, the sight an enjoyment they have of him. They were clothed in white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness: they had of their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with him Lightnings and voices came from the throne; the awful declarations God makes to his church, of his sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne; the gifts, graces, and operation of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits upon the throne. In the gospe church, the laver for purification is the blood of the Lord Jesu Christ, which cleanses from all sin. In this all must be washed, to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth, and his glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures, between the throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, becaus of their place between God and the people. This also is shown by the description given, denoting wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion and the affections by which they mount up toward heaven.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εκ 1537 PREP του 3588 T-GSM θρονου 2362 N-GSM εκπορευονται 1607 5736 V-PNI-3P αστραπαι 796 N-NPF και 2532 CONJ βρονται 1027 N-NPF και 2532 CONJ φωναι 5456 N-NPF και 2532 CONJ επτα 2033 A-NUI λαμπαδες 2985 N-NPF πυρος 4442 N-GSN καιομεναι 2545 5746 V-PPP-NPF ενωπιον 1799 ADV του 3588 T-GSM θρονου 2362 N-GSM αι 3739 R-NPF εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P τα 3588 T-NPN επτα 2033 A-NUI πνευματα 4151 N-NPN του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Proceeded (ekporeuontai). Rev., proceed. The tense is graphically changed to the present.Lightnings and thunderings and voices. Compare Exod. xix. 16. Variously interpreted of God's might, His judgment, His power over nature, and His indignation against the wicked.
Lamps (lampadev). The origin of our lamp, but, properly, a torch; the word for lamp being lucnov, a hand-lamp filled with oil (Matt. v. 15; Luke viii. 16; John v. 35). See on Matt. xxv. 1. Trench says: "The true Hindoo way of lighting up, is by torches, held by men who feed the flame with oil from a sort of bottle constructed for the purpose." Seven Spirits of God. See on chapter i. 4.
