Revelation 4:5-6

4:5 From ¹  the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring ²  and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, ³  were burning in front of the throne 4:6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. ⁴ 

In ⁵  the middle of the throne ⁶  and around the throne were four living creatures ⁷  full of eyes in front and in back.

[4:5]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[4:5]  ² tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”

[4:5]  ³ sn Some interpret the seven spirits of God as angelic beings, while others see them as a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.

[4:6]  ⁴ tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.

[4:6]  ⁵ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[4:6]  ⁶ tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).

[4:6]  ⁷ tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zwon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”