Continue with Behold-"Four Living Creatures"

John continues: "And the first living creature is like a lion, and the second living creature is like a young bull, and the third living creature has face like a man's, and the fourth living creature is like a flying eagle." (Revelation 4:7) Why do these four living creatures look so different, one from another? These distinctive living creatures evidently highlight specific godly qualities. Firs, there is the lion. A lion is used in the Bible as a symbol of courage, especially in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. (2 Samuel 17:10; Proverbs 28:1) Thus, the lion represents the godly quality of courageous justice. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14) The second living creature resembles a young bull. What quality does bull bring to your mind? To the Israelites the bull was a valuable possession because of its power. (Proverbs 14:4; See also Job 39:9-11). The young bull, then, represents power, dynamic energy as supplied by Jehovah.-Psalm 62:11; Isaiah 40:26.

The third living creature has a face like a man's. This must represent godlike love, since on earth man alone was created in God's image, with the superlative quality of love. (Genesis 1:26-28; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 4:8, 16) Undoubtedly, the cherubs display this quality as they serve around Jehovah's throne. What now of the fourth living creature? This one is like a flying eagle in appearance. Jehovah himself calls attention to the eagle's great vision: "Far into the distance its eyes keep looking." (Job 39:29) Hence, the eagle well symbolizes farsighted wisdom. Jehovah is the Source of wisdom. His cherubs exercise divine wisdom as they obey his commands.-Proverbs 2:6; James 3:17.

Next time: Jehovah's Praises Ring Out.