I just got to Chapter 4 in the Book of Revelation and I would like to hear your thoughts on who are these four living creatures. There does not seem to be a consensus on them, and unless I am mistaken, I do not see much conviction in what they put forth. What do these four do and what is their purpose or mission? Thanks.
Revelation 4:6-8 The four living creatures
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Galgal
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Leo is courage.
Calf is contentment with life.
Man is intelligence.
Eagle is majesty.
Apparently, this is a projection of the qualities of God.
Calf is contentment with life.
Man is intelligence.
Eagle is majesty.
Apparently, this is a projection of the qualities of God.
I saw this a few days ago but waited to post to see what others might say on this topic. The amount of information on the four beasts is pretty thin so I don’t think any particular interpretation is going to be easily proven.
Here is some of my thoughts on this …
The first four seals in Revelation 6 involve the four horsemen and are each introduced with the words “come and see” by one of the four beasts. It’s notable that the four beasts are labeled as second, third and fourth in Revelation 6, presumably it’s the first beast, lion, for the first seal, then it’s the calf for the second seal and so on.
In Revelation 4:6 the four beasts are full of eyes and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne. 2 Chronicles 16:9 states the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. In Zechariah 6:1-7 there are four chariots with different colored horses. The question is asked what are these. The answer in verse 5 is the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. In verse 7 they walk to and fro through the earth. In Zechariah 1:8-11 there is a man riding a red horse and behind him are red, speckled, and white horses. They are said to be those whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
Ok, putting all this together, the eyes on the beasts suggest action that takes place on earth. The horses in Zechariah are active on the earth. The first four seals in Revelation 6 all take place on earth and these verses mention both the beasts and horses. When the fifth seal is opened in Revelation 6:9 there are no horses or beasts involved and this appears to take place in heaven not the earth.
In my opinion an interpretation that associates the lion with the first seal, the calf with the second seal, and so on, will be a superior interpretation than one that ignores this relationship.
Thanks for your thoughts! These are not easily understood but, unless I am mistaken, there are 4 "living creatures" found in chapter 4 that are very different then the 4 horseman found in chapter 6. What I think I am seeig in this chapter is everything is taking place in heaven. God is allowing John to see things "as they will occur on earth" but He is sharing this information in a strong symbolic manner.
First, God reveals the 7 churches that are literally on the earth but He also portrays them as occurring over time. This is both literal ad symbolic. I believe this is what He is telling John that this is the things "that are" yet they are also some of the things that "will be." The characteristics of the 7 churches are indeed reflective of the literal church at the time of John and will represent the 7 different periods until His return. But after the 7 churches, John is brought up into heaven. Now, God will beginn to reveal those things that "will be," and they will start with the 4 living creatures, the 4 horsman, etc., These are all being presented symbolically to John. I certainly agree with you that the phrase "Come and see" found in each of the times in chapter 6 are very important. I believe they are being presented to draw attention - very strong attention to what the coming 4 horseman will do over the next 1500 years until the return of the Messiah. I believe they are shown symbolically to reveal just how far the 4 or the different colored horses have departed from the Word of God. Meaning, these 4 horseman are symbolically being shown, just ast with the 7 different churches over time, the characteristics and things he will do against the Word of God. These are simply 4 differrent ways the ONE horseman will do over the cominng 1500 years. And of course, this one is the little horn of Daniel 7 asnd 8.
It appears God is following a very similar approach or method He used in Daniel - He reveals the unity of something through diversity. In Daniel He revealed the 4 kingdoms in different ways - same kingdom but under very different symbols and characteristics. This is what I have so far...
First, God reveals the 7 churches that are literally on the earth but He also portrays them as occurring over time. This is both literal ad symbolic. I believe this is what He is telling John that this is the things "that are" yet they are also some of the things that "will be." The characteristics of the 7 churches are indeed reflective of the literal church at the time of John and will represent the 7 different periods until His return. But after the 7 churches, John is brought up into heaven. Now, God will beginn to reveal those things that "will be," and they will start with the 4 living creatures, the 4 horsman, etc., These are all being presented symbolically to John. I certainly agree with you that the phrase "Come and see" found in each of the times in chapter 6 are very important. I believe they are being presented to draw attention - very strong attention to what the coming 4 horseman will do over the next 1500 years until the return of the Messiah. I believe they are shown symbolically to reveal just how far the 4 or the different colored horses have departed from the Word of God. Meaning, these 4 horseman are symbolically being shown, just ast with the 7 different churches over time, the characteristics and things he will do against the Word of God. These are simply 4 differrent ways the ONE horseman will do over the cominng 1500 years. And of course, this one is the little horn of Daniel 7 asnd 8.
It appears God is following a very similar approach or method He used in Daniel - He reveals the unity of something through diversity. In Daniel He revealed the 4 kingdoms in different ways - same kingdom but under very different symbols and characteristics. This is what I have so far...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I would agree with your point that the four beasts are not the four horsemen, although I do think there are some similarities. Perhaps they reflect the same events but from different perspectives.
I know you’re not currently looking at the seals but I do see them quite differently than you do. I see the first four seals as actions that take place on earth when Jesus was on earth. The fifth seal being those who were in Sheol asking their question when they go to heaven just after the cross. I suppose this interpretation does have an impact on how I see the four beasts.
Maybe when you get to chapter 6 we can compare notes and further discuss our differences on the seals.
Notice the parallels with Ezekiel 10:14-15:
Eze 10:14 Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Eze 10:15 And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar.
It's almost identical to Revelation 4:7. The only difference is Rev 4:7 mentions a calf. I believe they're cherubim, and the faces identify their roles. Cherubim were a class of angels whose role was as a guardian or protector. For example, they were charged to guard the tree of life after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden. So, we have the lion, the human, the eagle, and the calf. The calf represents domestic and prey animals. The man, of course, represents humanity. The lion represents predatory animals. The eagle repents the avian birds. It appears that each cherub was assigned to watch over these kingdoms in some capacity. If you really want to go down a rabbit trail, there is one kingdom that appears to be missing.
Eze 10:14 Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Eze 10:15 And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar.
It's almost identical to Revelation 4:7. The only difference is Rev 4:7 mentions a calf. I believe they're cherubim, and the faces identify their roles. Cherubim were a class of angels whose role was as a guardian or protector. For example, they were charged to guard the tree of life after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden. So, we have the lion, the human, the eagle, and the calf. The calf represents domestic and prey animals. The man, of course, represents humanity. The lion represents predatory animals. The eagle repents the avian birds. It appears that each cherub was assigned to watch over these kingdoms in some capacity. If you really want to go down a rabbit trail, there is one kingdom that appears to be missing.
Greetings…. The 4 living creatures, also known as zoon, guard and protect the Throne of God continuously. They never stop. You can read more about them in other books such as Genesis and Ezekiel.
Revelation 4:6-11 (KJV) 6 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. 7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Very nice thoughts coming my way on this... What is their purpose? I believe that, just like the Temple, the Sanctuary, etc., that was constructed on the earth, it resembles the one in heaven. So, I think I see here in Revelation that John is being allowed to see things that are / will be taking place in heaven and therefore, will be occurring at the end times on earth. He is giving us symbols of things that will take place on earth but we have to understand, like in Daniel, what those symbols mean. Revelation is quite interesting!
Thanks... I have to, as usual, go back and study these four. They certainly do mirror those found in Ezekiel... identical. And it appears that they go before or wherever God goes. Now, since the things in heaven are duplicated on earth - the Sanctuary, etc., if we go back to the time of the Tabernacle, we see the 12 tribes positioned around the Tabernacle in 4 distinct sections, each of which is identified with those same animals. When God commanded the Israelites to go, they went out in a certain order and wherever they went it was a clear picture that the One true God was present.
So, what do you folks think? Are they there to worship God day and night and surround Him wherever He goes and to ensure the God of all is present?
Timtofly
Well-Known Member
Revelation 11:4
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."
Seems the same four individuals, but from a different perspective.
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."
Seems the same four individuals, but from a different perspective.
TribulationSigns
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Tony wrote an excellent article on the four living creatures (beasts in KJV) which are also Cherubim.
Here is the link to the article for your study.
Here is the link to the article for your study.
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Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
I haven’t heard of Tony Warren or his site but it looks interesting. Thanks for the link!
Rockerduck
Well-Known Member
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