Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne

Behold -"Four Living Creatures"!

John now observes another feature. He writes:  "And in the midst of the throne and around the throne there are four living creatures that are full of eyes in front and behind." -Revelation 4:6b.

What do these creatures picture?  At vision reported  by another prophet, Ezekiel, helps us to find the answer. Ezekiel saw Jehovah enthroned on a celestial chariot, which was accompanied by living creatures embodying characteristics  similar to those described by John.  (Ezekiel 1:5-11, 22-28)  Later, Ezekiel again saw that chariot throne accompanied  by the living creatures.  This time, however,  he referred to the living creatures as cherubs.  (Ezekiel 10:9-15)  The four living creatures that John sees must represent the cherubs of God-creatures of high rank in His spirit organization.  John would not think  it unusual to see cherubs positioned  so close to Jehovah's person, since in the ancient tabernacle arrangement, two cherubs of gold were displayed  upon the lid of the ark of the covenant, which represented Jehovah's throne.  From between these cherubs, Jehovah's voice issued commandments to the nation. -Exodus 25:22; Psalm 80:1. 

These four living creatures are "in the midst of the throne and around the throne."  Exactly what does this mean?  It could signify that they are positioned  around the throne in such a way that one is standing in the middle of each side.  Thus, the translators of Today's English Version paraphrased the original Greek expression in this way: "surrounding the throne on each of its sides." Alternatively, the expression could mean that the four living creatures are in the central position in heaven where the throne is. Likely, that is why The Jerusalem Bible renders the phrase: "in the centre, grouped round the throne itself."  The important thing is the closeness of the cherubs to Jehovah's throne, comparable to that  of the cherubs that Ezekiel saw at each corner of Jehovah's  organizational chariot.  (Ezekiel 1:15-22) All of this harmonizes with the  words of Psalm 99:1:  "Jehovah himself has become king. . . . He is sitting upon the cherubs."  

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 a 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. First 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 well represents the godly quality of courageous justice.   (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14) The second living creature resembles a young bull. What quality does a 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 the 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: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out

From the book of Revelation