Last week we left John observing his first glimpses of Heaven. The first thing he noticed was the throne and that Someone was sitting on the throne. The throne was described “looking like” jasper and ruby. There was an emerald rainbow going vertically around the throne. The rainbow was full circle and complete.
Around the main throne were 24 other thrones with 24 elders dressed in white with gold crowns. Who are the elders? We don’t know but we do know that they are considered righteous and have been exalted in some way because of their crowns. In front of the throne stood 7 lamps of fire representing the 7 Spirits of God. And from the throne came thunder, lightning, and voices. We spoke last week about how thunder and lightning usually indicate a storm is approaching. This is certainly the case here as well as God’s wrath is about to be released.
We pick up today with more of what is before the throne.
“6 Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal.” (Revelation 4:6a ERV)
When we think of a sea, we often think of moving waters. Was there movement? But the description is like a sea of glass. When we think of glass, we think of a solid. So was it solid? At this point, we don’t know if it was moving or if it was solid. Or is it some kind of matter that we wouldn’t understand? We have 3 basic types of matter – gas, liquid, and solid. Who’s to say there aren’t different types of matter in heaven that we don’t know about? What we do know is that this is clear, it’s see-through indicating purity and holiness; a perfect foundation for God’s throne.
The best imagery I found is in this definition.
“The sea of glass (4:6) is the transparent pavement surrounding God’s throne. Separating heaven above from the earth below, its transparent tranquility shows heaven’s peace in contrast to earthly turmoil.”[i]
Revelation 4:6b NIV “In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.”
Where does Scripture tell us the four living creatures are positioned? They are in the center, around the throne. This suggests that they are most closest to God’s throne; closer than the elders are to God. They are covered with eyes in front and back that means they are “able to see all things with accuracy.”[ii] Nothing is hidden from them.
Revelation 4:7 NIV “7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
Interesting image, isn’t it?
Part of this may sound familiar to you. You may recall from our first discussion about Revelation, I shared that 89% of Revelation mirrors the Old Testament. This is one of those occurrences.
Ezekiel, a priest from the Old Testament, had a similar experience as John. While being held captive in Babylon, Ezekiel was given a vision while he was sitting beside the Kebar River. He sees 4 living creatures as well. But these 4 creatures each have 4 different faces. The face in the front is the face of a man. The right-sided face is the face of a lion. The left-sided face is that of an ox. And the face on the backside is the face of an eagle. These living creatures each have four wings. As Ezekiel continues to take in all of the aspects of what he’s seeing, there is a throne that is suspended above the four living creatures. The throne is glowing with a brilliant light that Ezekiel describes as “like a rainbow”. Very similar to what John is seeing, isn’t it?
Ezekiel will see these living creatures again (Ezekiel 10) and he’ll mention that they have eyes all over them.
What John sees is very similar but slightly different. The similarities are that there are 4 living creatures and they surround the throne. The living creatures have multiple wings. There are 4 different faces – a lion, an ox (or calf), a man, and an eagle. Around the throne, there is a brilliant glow. John also sees a rainbow around the throne. Both Ezekiel and John describe the creatures being covered in eyes.
The differences are that Ezekiel’s creatures have four wings each; John’s have six. Ezekiel’s living creatures each have four faces (a total of 16 faces) whereas John’s living creatures have one face each. But each of those faces are the same faces seen by Ezekiel.
So what are these living creatures and what do they represent?
Ezekiel will tell us in chapter 10, verse 20 Ezekiel 10:20 ICB “20 These are the living creatures I had seen under the God of Israel. This was by the Kebar River. I knew they were called cherubim.”
To add another twist to the mystery of the living creatures, Isaiah was privileged to see a glimpse of heavenly beings. This is Isaiah 6:2 NIV “2 Above him (the Lord) were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Some similarities exist between Isaiah’s vision and John’s vision. Six wings and the calling out of “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” are identical. And Isaiah calls them seraphim.
Cherubim and seraphim are terms we hear. In fact, the very hymn that is inspired by Revelation 4, (Holy, Holy, Holy) refers to both cherubim and seraphim.
1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim, falling down before Thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.[iii]
Both cherubim and seraphim are mentioned indicating that they are two separate types of spiritual beings. The four living creatures share similarities with both cherubim and seraphim so they may be one or the other. Most Biblical experts and commentators believe that the 4 living creatures in Revelation 4 are, in fact, cherubim.
But why those four faces on the living creatures? There are many theories – some a little skewed, in my opinion, and some very plausible.
Lion, ox, man, and eagle.
One theory is that the four creatures symbolize their characteristics portrayed in the Bible.
Scriptures regarding lions refer to strength, courage, royalty, and authority. Other than the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den, the first verse that probably pops into your thought is 1 Peter 5:8 where Peter warns that our enemy prowls around like a lion seeking to devour. But remember, Satan desired to be like God; he wanted to be God. He does have strength, certainly, he has courage, and yes, to some degree, he has authority. But, it’s safe to say that this living creature is not representing any part of the enemy.
In the next chapter of Revelation, Jesus will be referred to as the Lion of Judah. We know that Jesus is a descendant of Judah. When Jacob was near death, he gathered his sons and blessed them. This is Jacob’s blessing on Judah.
Genesis 49:8 MSG “You, Judah, your brothers will praise you:
Your fingers on your enemies’ throat,
while your brothers honor you.
You’re a lion’s cub, Judah,
home fresh from the kill, my son.
Look at him, crouched like a lion, king of beasts;
who dares mess with him?
The scepter shall not leave Judah;
he’ll keep a firm grip on the command staff
Until the ultimate ruler comes
and the nations obey him.”
The blessing comparing Judah to a lion’s cub certainly entails strength, courage, royalty and authority.
The ox in Scripture generally symbolizes obedience, faithfulness and servanthood.
When we think of man in Scripture, we tend to think of the fallen man and sinfulness. But man was created in the image of God. He is the only thing created in the image of God and the characteristic attributed to man is wisdom and knowledge.
Lastly, the eagle is symbolic of sovereignty, swiftness, and protection.
That’s the characteristic theory of these 4 living creatures.
Another idea is that these beings represent God’s dominion and authority over all of creation. “The lion is the mightiest of wild animals, the ox strongest of domesticated animals, the eagle king of all birds, and man is highest of all creation.”[iv] But God is the Creator and authority of them all.
The final theory that we’ll discuss is that these living creatures represent Jesus in each of the four gospels. “Matthew as the “Lion” gospel, showing Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Mark is seen as the “Ox” gospel, showing Jesus as a humble servant, a worker. Luke is seen as the “Man” gospel, showing Jesus as the perfect man, the second Adam. John is seen as the “Eagle” gospel, showing Jesus as the man from heaven, the sky.”iv
What we don’t know at this point is the true meaning or symbolism of these 4 living creatures. We’ll know one day, but for now, all we can do is embrace the fact that their symbolism is perfect. What we do know at this point is their purpose; and that is to incite worship to God.
“These beings of great intelligence and understanding live their existence to worship God. All failure to truly worship is rooted in a lack of seeing and understanding.”[v]
Revelation 4:8b NIV “Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
This isn’t a scene in a movie. This isn’t a fairytale or a chapter in a science fiction novel. This is a prophecy from God which means there is a 1000% chance of it occurring. This will happen. If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you’ll be there to witness this. Because of today, Easter Sunday, your invitation has been sent and your admission covered by the sacrifice of Jesus and His conquer over death.
What we’ve read about in chapter 4 is pure worship. This is the how-to guide on worship. This is our future, constant, never-ending worship. Warren W. Wiersbe said, “The spiritual worship is perhaps one of the greatest needs in our individual lives and in our churches. There is a constant emphasis today on witnessing for Christ and working for Christ, but not enough is said about worshipping Him. To worship means “to ascribe worth” (see Rev. 4:11; 5:12). It means to use all that we are and have to praise God for all that He is and does.”
What better way to spend your time on Easter Sunday? Could we ever worship Him enough?
[i] Revelation Fact #4: The sea of glass | ESV.org
[ii] Revelation by Lehman Strauss
[iii] Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! | Hymnary.org
Beacons of Light 