Revelation 4:1–11 had informed us that around the throne were a series of semi‑circles containing the four living creatures and the elders. We now learn that beyond these two circles was a multitude of angels. In response to the words of the great multitude before the throne, these angels fall on their faces before the throne upon which God was seated and they “worshiped God.” In doing so they acknowledge what is at the heart of who God is, and they adore him because of it. It is not the judgments of God that knock them off their feet (Revelation 6:12–17), but the display of the infinite mercy of God to those who deserve his righteous judgment. Clearly, if that is how the angels of heaven respond to this acclamation of God’s identity (and Christ’s), John’s readers on earth need to do the same.
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,