“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
And in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal — the sea of glass (thalassa) may evoke the Red Sea crossed in salvation, the laver of the tabernacle, or the cosmic sea subdued; its crystal clarity suggests transparency and purity. This sea separates heaven (realm of God) from earth (realm of chaos), though Revelation 4:6 places it within the throne room itself.
Church Fathers on Revelation 4:6
“And before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like to crystal.” That is the gift of baptism which He sheds forth through His Son in time of repentance, before He executes judgment. It is therefore before the throne, that is, the judgment. And when he says a sea of glass like to crystal, he shows that it is pure water, smooth, not agitated by the wind, not flowing down as on a slope, but given to be immoveable as the house of God. “And round about the throne…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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