- Dec 15, 2022
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In the description of the heavenly throne scene in Revelation ch4, the Authorised Version declares (v6) that the four living ceatures were "in the midst of the throne and round about the throne". This is an accurate translation.. The Greek says EN MESO TOU THRONOU, which means "in the middle of the throne". Yet modern translations tend to avoid this expression, presumably because they can't make any sense out of it. "Round the throne, on each side of the throne" (RSV). In the centre, around the throne" (NIV). The Jersualem Bible fearlessly sticks with the text, but admits in a footnote that the arrangement is "difficult to imagine".
I think the answer is to take a closer look at the parallel scene in Ezekiel ch1, when Ezekiel is allowed to see the throne on earth. The living creatures are first seen "in the midst of the fire" (v4). They are darting "to and fro" (v14). But the real key point is that there is the likeness of a firmament over their heads (v22), and the likeness of the throne itself is above the firmament (v26). In other words, the living creatures are spending their time moving about underneath the throne.
I suggest, then, that the vision seen by John resembles the vision seen by Ezekiel in a point which John himself does not mention; viz., that the four living creatures must be based underneath the raised-up throne. In which case, "in the middle of the throne" may mean "in the middle of the throne-space, in the middle of the space under the throne". So the problem of visualising the arrangement may have been solved.
I think the answer is to take a closer look at the parallel scene in Ezekiel ch1, when Ezekiel is allowed to see the throne on earth. The living creatures are first seen "in the midst of the fire" (v4). They are darting "to and fro" (v14). But the real key point is that there is the likeness of a firmament over their heads (v22), and the likeness of the throne itself is above the firmament (v26). In other words, the living creatures are spending their time moving about underneath the throne.
I suggest, then, that the vision seen by John resembles the vision seen by Ezekiel in a point which John himself does not mention; viz., that the four living creatures must be based underneath the raised-up throne. In which case, "in the middle of the throne" may mean "in the middle of the throne-space, in the middle of the space under the throne". So the problem of visualising the arrangement may have been solved.
