Revelation 4:2

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 4:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;
Revelation 4:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately I was in the Spirit, etc.] As he had been before, (<660110>Revelation 1:10); it seems he had been some little time out of his ecstasy, how long cannot be said, and now, upon this new scene of things, returned to it; upon the opening of the door in heaven, and hearing the former voice, and the things it said, the Spirit of God at once possessed and filled him, in an extraordinary manner; and his soul or spirit was immediately taken from the consideration of all sensible objects, and was fixed and intent upon the things presented to it in the vision, so that it was as if it was out of the body. The Arabic version reads, “then therefore I went in the Spirit”; in obedience to the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And--omitted in the two oldest manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac. I was, &c.--Greek, "I became in the Spirit" (see on Rev 1:10): I was completely rapt in vision into the heavenly world. was set--not was placed, but was situated, literally, "lay." one sat on the throne--the Eternal Father: the Creator (Rev 4:11): also compare Rev 4:8 with Rev 1:4, where also the Father is designated, "which is, and was, and is to come." When the Son, "the Lamb," is introduced, Rev 5:5-9, a new song is sung which distinguishes the Sitter on the throne from the Lamb, "Thou hast redeemed us to God," and Rev 5:13, "Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." So also in Rev 5:7, as in Dan 7:13, the Son…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And immediately I was in the Spirit - See the notes on Revelation 1:10. He does not affirm that he was caught up into heaven, nor does he say what impression was on his own mind, if any, as to the place where he was; but he was at once absorbed in the contemplation of the visions before him. He was doubtless still in Patmos, and these things were made to pass before his mind as a reality; that is, they appeared as real to him as if he saw them, and they were in fact a real symbolical representation of things occurring in heaven. And, behold, a throne was set in heaven - That is, a throne was placed there. The first thing that arrested his attention was a throne. Tiffs was “in heaven” - an…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately I was in the spirit - Even in an higher degree than before, Rev 1:10. And, behold, a throne was set in heaven - St. John is to write "things which shall be;" and, in order thereto, he is here shown, after an heavenly manner, how whatever "shall be," whether good or bad, flows out of invisible fountains; and how, after it is done on the visible theatre of the world and the church, it flows back again into the invisible world, as its proper and final scope. Here commentators divide: some proceed theologically; others, historically; whereas the right way is, to join both together. The court of heaven is here laid open; and the throne of God is, as it were, the centre from which…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:2 By being in the Spirit, John could experience spiritual realities (see 1:10; 17:3; 21:10; Ezek 11:1) and grasp insights about God’s presence, the heavenly realm, and God’s intentions in history.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I was: Rev 1:10, Rev 17:3, Rev 21:10; Eze 3:12-14 a throne: Rev 4:5, Rev 20:11; Isa 6:1; Jer 17:12; Eze 1:26, Eze 1:28, Eze 10:1 and one: Rev 4:9, Rev 3:21, Rev 5:1, Rev 5:6, Rev 5:7, Rev 5:13, Rev 6:16, Rev 7:9-17, Rev 12:5, Rev 19:4, Rev 21:5, Rev 22:1-3; Isa 6:1; Dan 7:9; Heb 8:1 Revelation 4:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification