Help... the four creatures in front of the throne in Revelation

[CTK]

I am in the process of comopleting a commentary on Revelation. Does anyone have any thoughts on who these 4 are?
,


I have read they are 4 angels,
They represent the 4 gospels,
They also might represent the 4 section that surround the Tabernacle in the wilderness,

Doesn't the earthly sanctuary represnt the heavenly throne room? If so, do we find them in the earthly Temple?

Put on your thinking caps... this just might be a tough one. Thanks.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I am in the process of comopleting a commentary on Revelation. Does anyone have any thoughts on who these 4 are?
,


I have read they are 4 angels,
They represent the 4 gospels,
They also might represent the 4 section that surround the Tabernacle in the wilderness,

Doesn't the earthly sanctuary represnt the heavenly throne room? If so, do we find them in the earthly Temple?

Put on your thinking caps... this just might be a tough one. Thanks.

I'm not sure and am not going to speculate on who the four living creatures in front of the throne are, but I'm just wondering what you meant when you said "they represent the 4 gospels"? There is only one gospel.

 

[CTK]

I'm not sure and am not going to speculate on who the four living creatures in front of the throne are, but I'm just wondering what you meant when you said "they represent the 4 gospels"? There is only one gospel.

Thanks for your reply... I was simply mentioning that was one of the comments I read / heard from others on who the 4 creatures represented. I am personally unable to determine their identity, thanks, Charlie

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Thanks for your reply... I was simply mentioning that was one of the comments I read / heard from others on who the 4 creatures represented. I am personally unable to determine their identity, thanks, Charlie

Okay, so that was someone else who said that. Got it. I just realized that maybe they were just referring to the 4 gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) rather than claiming there are 4 gospels. Does that seem right? Was just curious what was meant by that.

 

[quietthinker]

I am in the process of comopleting a commentary on Revelation. Does anyone have any thoughts on who these 4 are?
,


I have read they are 4 angels,
They represent the 4 gospels,
They also might represent the 4 section that surround the Tabernacle in the wilderness,

Doesn't the earthly sanctuary represnt the heavenly throne room? If so, do we find them in the earthly Temple?

Put on your thinking caps... this just might be a tough one. Thanks.

Representatives from the 'corners' of the Multiverse?
Could it be possible they are the 'reporters' of the Cosmic battle from the whole and varied created order?

That which is going on on Earth is a Multiversal spectacle. The fight between good and evil....its principles of operation, the results, the effect on Earth's inhabitants and their final destiny ....and the overwhelming victory and vindication of God and the Lamb which this protracted exercise has taken.....where suffering, oppression and death will be wiped from existence anywhere.

 

[marks]

I am in the process of comopleting a commentary on Revelation. Does anyone have any thoughts on who these 4 are?
,


I have read they are 4 angels,
They represent the 4 gospels,
They also might represent the 4 section that surround the Tabernacle in the wilderness,

Doesn't the earthly sanctuary represnt the heavenly throne room? If so, do we find them in the earthly Temple?

Put on your thinking caps... this just might be a tough one. Thanks.

I've considered whether they be representatives of God's creation. The Lion is the pinnacle of the wild animals. The Ox is the pinnacle of the domestic animals. The eagle is the pinnacle of the Avians. Man is the pinnacle of all.

Perhaps the dragon was the pinnacle of the reptiles before Satan fell.

Ezekiel 28:13-16 KJV
13) Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16) By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Much love!

 

[Rockerduck]

Thanks for your reply... I was simply mentioning that was one of the comments I read / heard from others on who the 4 creatures represented. I am personally unable to determine their identity, thanks, Charlie

I posted this sometime past.
Ezekiel 1:10-As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle.
The Lion is Matthew, Lion of Judah. Mark depicts Jesus as a servant, servant animal is the ox, Luke depicts Jesus as a man, Son of man. John depicts Jesus as deity, the Majesty of an eagle.

This is repeated in the book of Revelation

Revelation 4:7 - The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

The servant animal in Revelation is a calf, otherwise means the same thing. Notice in the book of Revelation that the 4 gospels are in order of the bible.

 

[CTK]

I've considered whether they be representatives of God's creation. The Lion is the pinnacle of the wild animals. The Ox is the pinnacle of the domestic animals. The eagle is the pinnacle of the Avians. Man is the pinnacle of all.

Perhaps the dragon was the pinnacle of the reptiles before Satan fell.

Ezekiel 28:13-16 KJV
13) Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16) By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Much love!

Thank you very much!

 

[CTK]

I posted this sometime past.
Ezekiel 1:10-As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle.
The Lion is Matthew, Lion of Judah. Mark depicts Jesus as a servant, servant animal is the ox, Luke depicts Jesus as a man, Son of man. John depicts Jesus as deity, the Majesty of an eagle.

This is repeated in the book of Revelation

Revelation 4:7 - The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

The servant animal in Revelation is a calf, otherwise means the same thing. Notice in the book of Revelation that the 4 gospels are in order of the bible.

Thank you very much. Yes, there is definitely a connection to Ezekiel, Revelation as well as the 4 sections / groups that surrounded the Tabernacle in the wilderness. But I am trying to make sense of what they mean in the heavenly realm. Do they mirror those groups surrounding the Tabernacle as the 4 creatures surround the Father? If so, then does the 24 elders not represent the 12 tribes and the 12 Apostles --- since the 12 tribes already surrounded the Tabernacle?

 

[Rockerduck]

Thank you very much. Yes, there is definitely a connection to Ezekiel, Revelation as well as the 4 sections / groups that surrounded the Tabernacle in the wilderness. But I am trying to make sense of what they mean in the heavenly realm. Do they mirror those groups surrounding the Tabernacle as the 4 creatures surround the Father? If so, then does the 24 elders not represent the 12 tribes and the 12 Apostles --- since the 12 tribes already surrounded the Tabernacle?

I have no explanation of the 24 elders except that they appear to be redeemed saints, with crowns. In the book of Revelation, numbers symbolize, but not the quantity. In other words, there is not 24, but there are a lot of redeemed saints and 24 is just a number and that King David had instituted worship, and had 12 priests per "shift", that equaled 24 and is maybe a coincidence. Scholars have wondered about this since Revelation was first written. By the way, did you know that the book of Revelation is the most changed book in the bible? Yes, the book that says do not change the words in it, has the most changed words. So, edits might have changed the meaning over the centuries.

 

[MonoBiblical]

Thanks for your reply... I was simply mentioning that was one of the comments I read / heard from others on who the 4 creatures represented. I am personally unable to determine their identity, thanks, Charlie

I thought it was a 4-fold creature as well. The message would a 4-fold gospel, but I may have confuse myself and thyself.

 

[Rockerduck]

I thought it was a 4-fold creature as well. The message would a 4-fold gospel, but I may have confuse myself and thyself.

Jesus told me read His words, and that was the most important. God promised to preserve His Word., Ezekiel and Revelation are both prophetic, so they tie into each other. The gospels are the most important in the NT.

 

[CTK]

I have no explanation of the 24 elders except that they appear to be redeemed saints, with crowns. In the book of Revelation, numbers symbolize, but not the quantity. In other words, there is not 24, but there are a lot of redeemed saints and 24 is just a number and that King David had instituted worship, and had 12 priests per "shift", that equaled 24 and is maybe a coincidence. Scholars have wondered about this since Revelation was first written. By the way, did you know that the book of Revelation is the most changed book in the bible? Yes, the book that says do not change the words in it, has the most changed words. So, edits might have changed the meaning over the centuries.

Thanks, no I did not hear or know that but I have to go with what I have got.... But there is one thing I do know - I have completed the study on Daniel and there is so much of Daniel in Revelation...

 

[jeffweeder]

Hi
In Ezekiel the living creatures are cherub.


Ezek 1
4 As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire. 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

Ezek10

15 Then the cherubim rose upward. They are the [same four] living beings [regarded as one] that I saw by the River Chebar [in Babylonia].

Read the whole chapters

You right this will take some time

 

[Randy Kluth]

I am in the process of comopleting a commentary on Revelation. Does anyone have any thoughts on who these 4 are?
,


I have read they are 4 angels,
They represent the 4 gospels,
They also might represent the 4 section that surround the Tabernacle in the wilderness,

Doesn't the earthly sanctuary represnt the heavenly throne room? If so, do we find them in the earthly Temple?

Put on your thinking caps... this just might be a tough one. Thanks.

I've recently been sharing on this. My thought is that these are 4 angels aka cherubim. In this heavenly vision before God's throne the angels portray facets of what men are to accomplish on earth, imposing God's rule over all the earth.

Therefore, the 4 cherubim represent facets of this rule in the present fallen age--a lion, an ox, a human face, and a flying eagle.

The lion is a predator, signifying the need to judge wicked men on earth.
The ox is a powerful creature that causes the earth to be plowed, or dredged, up.
The human face indicates man is supposed to exercise God's rule on earth.
The flying eagle signifies the idea that God's judgments are already being imposed--the eagle, like the lion, is an active predator. But the eagle scans a much wider swath of territory than a lion, and misses nothing. It is currently "flying," indicating that even before final judgment God's judgment is presently reigning on the earth.

 

[quietthinker]

imposing God's rule over all the earth.

Imposing? God's rule is hoped for, invited, longed for and sang about.
The rule of imposition is that of oppressors. A rethink of ones paradigm is essential or we put Jesus into a sinful human straight jacket.

 

[CTK]

Hi
In Ezekiel the living creatures are cherub.


Ezek 1
4 As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire. 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

Ezek10

15 Then the cherubim rose upward. They are the [same four] living beings [regarded as one] that I saw by the River Chebar [in Babylonia].

Read the whole chapters
tll
You right this will take some time

I don't think this would surprise you but there is so, so much of Revelation found in the Tanakh... if we can learn about the actors or symbols in the Tanakh, I believe they will give us the true meaning in Revelation.... that is true for those found in Daniel, so Ezekiel should be able to give us a clue of these 4 in Revelation.

 

[ProverbsInPink]

I've considered whether they be representatives of God's creation. The Lion is the pinnacle of the wild animals. The Ox is the pinnacle of the domestic animals. The eagle is the pinnacle of the Avians. Man is the pinnacle of all.

Perhaps the dragon was the pinnacle of the reptiles before Satan fell.

Ezekiel 28:13-16 KJV
13) Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16) By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Much love!

Please consider this version of that chapter in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 28:25

Thus said the Sovereign GOD: When I have gathered the House of Israel from the peoples among which they have been dispersed, and have shown Myself holy through...

www.sefaria.org

 

[CTK]

Hi
In Ezekiel the living creatures are cherub.


Ezek 1
4 As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire. 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

Ezek10

15 Then the cherubim rose upward. They are the [same four] living beings [regarded as one] that I saw by the River Chebar [in Babylonia].

Read the whole chapters

You right this will take some time

So we find the same 4 creatures (I think) in Ezekiel, the same 4 symbols surrounding the Tabernacle where Israel surronds, now there are 4 creatures in Revelation constantly praising God.... So, are they all the same? Are they all doing the same thing? Is there a transition going on that takes place from Ezekiel to Revelation? In other words, does one mention 4 faces when the other does not? This is getting interesting...

Also, the 4 creatures in Revelation are surrounding the throne - and I believe they are found the throne before the 7 spirits are found around the thrown and they are found before the 24 elders... so we might need to find out where the 4 creatures in Ezekiel are placed and if there is a difference...

 

[jeffweeder]

So we find the same 4 creatures (I think) in Ezekiel, the same 4 symbols surrounding the Tabernacle where Israel surronds, now there are 4 creatures in Revelation constantly praising God.... So, are they all the same? Are they all doing the same thing? Is there a transition going on that takes place from Ezekiel to Revelation? In other words, does one mention 4 faces when the other does not? This is getting interesting...

Also, the 4 creatures in Revelation are surrounding the throne - and I believe they are found the throne before the 7 spirits are found around the thrown and they are found before the 24 elders... so we might need to find out where the 4 creatures in Ezekiel are placed and if there is a difference...

Just read this.


Revelation 4:6
and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them].

Ezek 1
22 Now stretched over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, looking like the terrible and awesome shimmer of icy crystal. 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. Every living being had two wings which covered its body on one side and on the other side. 24 As they moved, I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of great [rushing] waters, like the voice of [g]the Almighty, the sound of tumult like the noise of an army camp. Whenever they came to a stop, they lowered their wings. 25 And there was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stopped, they lowered their wings.


Ezek 1
26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, it appeared like [it was made of] sapphire or lapis lazuli; and [seated] on that which figure with the appearance of a man.


Rev 5
6 And there between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth.


Wings

Ezek 1
5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. 6 Each one had four faces and four wings.

Ezekiel 10:21
Each one had four faces and each one had four wings, and beneath their wings was the form of human hands.


Rev 4

And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”