Revelation 4:2

In the spirit. Gr. en pneumati (see on ch. 1:10). John goes into vision a second time. How long a period of time elapsed between the first vision and this cannot be known.

Was set. Rather, “was sitting.” The throne is already in position.

One sat. John’s reverent reticence about the Ruler of the universe, in avoiding terms that might seem anthropomorphic, is apparent from the fact that he describes Him simply by the participle kathēmenos, “sitting,” without stating what or who was sitting. He implies only that a presence was upon the throne. Such a reference to the Father stands in striking contrast with the detailed description of the Son (ch. 1:13–16); but the Son is human as well as divine, and can therefore be described appropriately in human terms. See v. 3; cf. chs. 6:16; 7:10.