⁴ Around the throne there were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them [^Cprobably angelic leaders]. They were dressed in white and had golden crowns [^Cwreaths symbolizing honor or victory; see 2:10] on their heads. ⁵ Lightning flashes and ·noises and thunder [or the rumbling of thunder; ^Cphenomena associated with God’s appearance at Mount Sinai; Ex. 19:16–18] came from the throne. Before the throne seven lamps were burning, which are the seven spirits [^Ceither angels or the “sevenfold Spirit”—the Holy Spirit portrayed in his perfection; 3:1] of God. ⁶ Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, clear like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living creatures ·with eyes all over them [full of eyes], in front and in back.