What Are the Four Living Creatures Around the Throne?
Bible Study Guide
(Verses 6-8) As we explore this last passage of chapter 4 we want to take notice of this scene. We are slowly working our way to the introduction of the guest of honor. This will come in the next chapter. But first, let’s examine what’s happening here.
As we prepare for the big introduction, John is presented with this stunning heavenly picture of worship that’s focused on the One who sits on the throne, God.
When Jesus begins to show John all the events that are going to take place on earth as judgment upon all people, we’re going to see interludes (breaks in the action) similar to this worship scene that’ll take us back to the throne room in heaven.
It’ll remind us of the continuous worship that’s happening in heaven and it’ll provide a much needed break for the intense scenes of destruction that John is seeing up close coming upon the world.
Who Are These Four Living Creatures?
Somewhere between God’s throne and the twenty-four elders are these four living creatures. The position they take within the throne room and among God’s throne helps us understand who they are.
This is one of those revelations where there is no proof text that explains to us who these creatures are. Between this scene and Ezekiel’s vision along with our understanding of angels, we can offer an interpretation that might make the most sense. The four living creatures are angels.
The Four Living Creatures of Ezekiel’s Vision
These four living creatures are first seen by the prophet Ezekiel of the Old Testament.
“I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.” (Ezekiel 1:4-12)
Based on their position between the elders, we see these possible angels high in the hierarchy of angels. Similarly to how we saw the angel Gabriel delivering messages directly from God to people like the prophet Daniel and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Song of Praise and Worship
More important than where these four living creatures are located in the throne room is what they’re saying.
“Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was, and is, and is to come.”
(Revelation 4:8)
The angels make it very clear who God is in this scene. He is not holy once, not holy twice but rather they praise Him with three holies before His name.
One of God’s greatest attributes is His supreme holiness. He is completely and wholly set apart from sin. There is no sin in Him and He cannot abide in sin. This is the reason why the only way back to Him is through His Son who sacrificed Himself to pay the debt of our sin.
(Verses 9-11) Here we are, getting close to the big scene in the next chapter. The worship of the Father by the four living creatures will activate the twenty-four elders.
They will take their position of worship in front of the throne. As the intensity of the praise increases, the crescendo will build with the addition of the elders.
In perfect unity with the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders will add to to the worship and sing…
“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.”
(Revelation 4:11)
This is not the last we’ve seen of the four living creatures. They will come back on the scene again in Revelation 4:6–9; 5:6–14; 6:1–8; 14:3; 15:7; and 19:4.
The main character is about to make His entrance. But not without a bit of drama.
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