Who are the 4 living creatures before the throne of God?
Samuel Smith
23 Jan'19
5
LESSON 8
WHO ARE THE 4 LIVING CREATURES BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD?
You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.In this edition, we continue with our series on Heaven. The topic for this study is: Who are the 4 living creatures before the throne of God? When we read about the throne of God in Scripture, we come across several order of beings. Among the beings that minister before the throne of God are the four living creatures. In this study, I want us to find out from the pages of Scripture, the identity of the four living creatures. In as much as this topic is not a salvific issue, I believe it will serve to place our feet on a higher ground.
Beloved, the book of Revelation abound with several passages where the throne of God is set up in heaven. In many of these passages, we read about the four living creatures who minister before the throne (
THE APOSTLE JOHN'S VISION OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES
Even though the beloved apostle had several visions about the four living creatures before God's throne, the vision that he describes these creatures in depth is the one found in the passage of4:7 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.
4:8 The FOUR LIVING CREATURES, each having SIX WINGS, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
(
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES FROM REVELATION 4
1. They are referred to as the four living creatures (2. They are before the throne of God (
3. They are full of eyes around and within (
4. Each of the living creatures has got a single face. They are described as having the appearances of a lion, calf, man, and eagle (
5. They have six wings (
6. They worship God by saying the words: "Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty" (
After going through the characteristics of these four living creatures, the million dollar question that naturally arises is this: Who are the four living creatures found before the throne of God in
Beloved, the Bible has always been its own interpreter. To understand biblical doctrine, the rule is: precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little (
ISAIAH'S VISION OF THE THRONE OF GOD
From the prophet Isaiah, we come across a particular order of beings who are found before the throne of God. From6:2 Above it stood SERAPHIM; each one had SIX WINGS: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
6:3 And one cried to another, and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"
(
1. They are before the throne of God (
2. They have six wings (
3. They worship God by saying the words: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts" (
Now friends, when we compare the characteristics of the seraphim as outlined in
1. They are all found before the throne of God.
2. They all have six wings.
3. They all worship God by attributing to God His perfect holiness as they proclaim: "Holy, holy, holy".
Beloved, from the characteristics above, it is clear that the seraphim share three of the vital characteristics of the four living creatures we read about from the book of Revelation. The other two characteristics which describe the four living creatures as:
1) being full of eyes around and within and
2) having the likeness of a lion, calf, man, and eagle
are likely to be symbolic characteristics that might also apply to the seraphim.
Thus friends, when we compare the characteristics of the four living creatures we read about in
Beloved, in as much as it is clear from our study so far that the four living creatures described in
EZEKIEL'S FIRST VISION OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES: (EZEKIEL I: 3-14 )
1:4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
1:5 Also from within it came the likeness of FOUR LIVING CREATURES. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a MAN.
1:6 Each one had FOUR FACES, and each one had FOUR WINGS.
1:7 Their legs were straight, and the sole of their feet were like the soles of calves' feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze.
1:8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings.
1:9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward.
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.
1:11 Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies.
1:12 And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.
1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning.
1:14 And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning."
(
EZEKIEL'S SECOND VISION OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES: (EZEKIEL I0:1-22 )
10:2 Then He spake to the man clothed with linen, and said, "Go in among the wheels, under the CHERUB, fill your hands with coals of fire from among the CHERUBIM, and scatter them over the city." And he went in as I watched.
10:3 Now the CHERUBIM were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court.
10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the CHERUB, and paused over the threshold of the temple; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD's glory.
10:5 And the sound of the wings of the CHERUBIM was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of Almighty God when he speaks.
10:6 Then it happened, when He commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, "Take fire from among the wheels, from among the CHERUBIM," that he went in and stood beside the wheels.
10:7 And the CHERUB stretched out his hand from among the CHERUBIM to the fire that was among the CHERUBIM, and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed with linen, who took it and went out.
10:8 The CHERUBIM appeared to have the form of a man's hand under their wings.
10:9 And when I looked, there were four wheels by the CHERUBIM, one wheel by one CHERUB and another wheel by another CHERUB; the wheels appeared to have the color of a beryl stone.
10:10 As for their appearance, all four looked alike-as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
10:11 When they went, they went toward any of their four directions; they did not turn aside when they went, but followed in the direction the head was facing. They did not turn aside when they went.
10:12 And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, WERE FULL OF EYES ALL AROUND.
10:13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, "Wheel."
10:14 Each one had FOUR FACES: the first face was the face of a CHERUB, the second face the face of a MAN, the third the face of a LION, and the fourth the face of an EAGLE.
10:15 And the CHERUBIM were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the RIVER CHEBAR.
10:16 When the CHERUBIM went, the wheels went beside them; and when the CHERUBIM lifted their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also did not turn from beside them.
10:17 When the CHERUBIM stood still, the wheels stood still, and when one was lifted up, the other lifted itself up, for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple, and stood over the CHERUBIM.
10:19 And the CHERUBIM lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out; the wheels were beside them; and they stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.
10:20 This is the LIVING CREATURE I saw under the God of Israel by the river CHEBAR; and I knew they were CHERUBIM.
10:21 Each one had FOUR FACES and each one FOUR WINGS, and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
10:22 And the likeness of their faces was the same as the faces which I had seen by the river Chebar, their appearance and their persons. They each went straight forward."
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES FROM EZEKIEL 1 AND 10
1. They are referred to as four living creatures (2. They are found before the throne of God (
3. They have four faces. Their four faces have the likeness of a man, lion, ox or cherub and eagle (
4. They have four wings (
5. They are full of eyes all around (
6. They are referred to as cherubim (
From the outline above, we obtain a clearer picture in relation to the prophet Ezekiel's description of the four living creatures. The prophet actually used the phrase living creatures in reference to the cherubim (
OTHER SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES THAT DESCRIBE THE CHERUBIM AS MINISTERING SPIRITS BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD
Besides the two passages we have reviewed in the book of Ezekiel, there are also other Scriptural passages that describe how the cherubim are found ministering right before the throne of God in heaven. Let us consider some of these passages:1. THE MINISTRY OF LUCIFER AS A COVERING CHERUB
Friends, from the book of Ezekiel, we learn about the key work of Lucifer, (now Satan) in heaven before his fall. From28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
28:14 You were the ANOINTED CHERUB WHO COVERS; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
28:15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you."
(
Friends, the answers to these profound questions are found within the mystery of the sanctuary service. From the book of Exodus, we read about how God commanded Moses to build Him a sanctuary so He may dwell among the people of Israel (
Beloved, it is interesting to learn that the specific instructions that the Lord gave Moses in relation to the building of the sanctuary capture how some of the articles of the sanctuary were to be artistically designed with the images of cherubim; clearly signifying the presence of the Lord in the tabernacle. Such specific instructions that the Lord gave Moses are as follows:
A) "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of CHERUBIM you shall weave them" (
B) "You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of CHERUBIM" (
25:18 "And you shall make two CHERUBIM of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
25:19 "Make one CHERUB at one end, and the other CHERUB at the other end; you shall make the CHERUBIM at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.
25:20 "And the CHERUBIM shall stretch out their wings above, COVERING the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the CHERUBIM shall be toward the mercy seat.
25:21 "You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.
25:22 "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two CHERUBIM which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel."
(
i) The curtains of the sanctuary were woven together with artistic designs of cherubim.
ii) The veil that divided the holy place from the most holy place was woven with an artistic design of cherubim.
iii) Two cherubs were made of gold and placed on the mercy seat. These two cherubs were made to face each other from opposite ends, looking down on the mercy seat with their wings stretched upward, overshadowing or covering the ark of the Testimony (
Now friends, let's go back to the book of Ezekiel and revisit the key duty that Lucifer (now Satan) performed before the throne of God. We read earlier from
My dear friends, anytime you hear the words; "God's law is no more binding on his children", please remember this was the original sin of Lucifer that made him to lose his esteemed place in the heavenly courts as a covering cherub. It was the lie that angelic beings were perfect, and needed no law that generated discontent in the perfect harmony of heaven and led to the expelling of Satan, and one - third of the angelic hosts in heaven (
Beloved, God's end time saints are consistently described in Scripture as a people who keep all of God's Ten Commandments (including the Seventh - day Sabbath) and have a saving faith in Jesus (
2. THE LORD DESCRIBED AS THE ONE WHO IS ENTHRONED BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM
Based on their understanding of the earthy sanctuary service, some of God's prophets actually described the Lord as the One who DWELLS or is ENTHRONED between the CHERUBIM. This phrase goes the extra mile to give a clear picture of the presence of the cherubim before the throne of God. Examples of such texts are as follows:A) "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, WHO DWELLS BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God" (
B) "...Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock! THOU WHO ART ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM, shine forth" (
C) "The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM; let the earth be quake!" (
3. THE CHERUBIM AS GUARDIANS OF THE TREE OF LIFE
From the book of Revelation, we learn that the tree of life is found on either side of the river of life which proceeds right from the throne of God (Thus beloved, from the evidence of all these Scriptural passages, we can confidently conclude that the cherubim are also found before the throne of God. And thus, the four living creatures before God's throne represent not just the seraphim but also the cherubim.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES
1. Both the cherubim and the seraphim are referred to as "four living creatures" (2. Both classes of angels are found before the throne of God (
3. Both the cherubim and seraphim are described by the two prophets as possessing faces that have the likeness of a MAN, LION, OX or CALF (a calf is the young of an ox) and an EAGLE (
4. Both cherubim and seraphim are full of eyes around and within (
5. Even though it is not said concerning the cherubim in Ezekiel that they magnify God using the words holy, holy, holy; this might just be an omission of a role that the cherubim also partake of before the throne of God. It is important to note that even though the two prophets (Ezekiel and John) had a vision about God's throne, the activities that were taking place with each of the visions were markedly different.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES
1. Even though the seraphim and cherubim are described with similar facial expressions, the number of faces they possess are markedly different. While the seraphim are described by the prophet John as having a single face (2. While the cherubim are described as having four wings (
CONCLUSION OF STUDY
From the scriptural passages we have reviewed so far, it is clear that the four living creatures before the throne of God in heaven are actually cherubim and seraphim. These two classes of angels have several similarities with few differences.STATEMENTS REFLECTING BIBLICAL PASSAGES: ELLEN G. WHITE'S COMMENTS ON THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES
1. "Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he [Isaiah] was permitted to gaze within, upon the HOLY OF HOLIES, where even the prophet’s feet might not enter. There rose up before him a vision of Jehovah sitting upon a THRONE high and lifted up, while His train filled the temple. On each side of the THRONE hovered the SERAPHIM, two wings bearing them up, two veiling their faces in adoration, and two covering their feet. Never before had Isaiah realized so fully the greatness of Jehovah or His perfect holiness; and he felt that in his human frailty and unworthiness he must perish in that divine presence. "Woe is me!" he cried; "for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. "But a seraph came to him to fit him for his great mission. A living coal from the altar was laid upon his lips with the words: "Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." And when the voice of God was heard saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah with holy confidence responded, "Here am I; send me." . . . The prophet was nerved for the work before him." - CC 232.3-4 (Capital Emphasis Added)S.O.P. FACT: The prophet Isaiah saw the throne of God in the most holy place of heaven's sanctuary. There, in the holy of holies, on each side of the throne, were found the seraphim.
2. "Ezekiel, the mourning exile prophet, in the land of the Chaldeans, was given a vision teaching the same lesson of faith in the mighty God of Israel. As he was upon the banks of the river Chebar, a whirlwind seemed to come from the north, "a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber." A number of wheels of strange appearance, intersecting one another, were moved by FOUR LIVING CREATURES. High above all these was "the likeness of a THRONE, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the THRONE was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it." "As for the likeness of the LIVING CREATURES, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the LIVING CREATURES; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning." "And there appeared in the CHERUBIMS the form of a man’s hand under their wings." There were wheels within wheels in an arrangement so complicated that at first sight they appeared to Ezekiel to be all in confusion. But when they moved, it was with beautiful exactness and in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings were impelling these wheels, and, above all, upon the GLORIOUS SAPPHIRE THRONE, was the Eternal One; while round about the THRONE was the encircling rainbow, emblem of grace and love. Overpowered by the terrible glory of the scene, Ezekiel fell upon his face, when a voice bade him arise and hear the word of the Lord. Then there was given him a message of warning for Israel." - 5T 751.2-3 (Capital Emphasis Added)
S.O.P. FACT: The prophet Ezekiel saw in vision the cherubim; the living creatures, before the throne of God. Thus, just like the seraphim, the cherubim are also found before the throne of God in heaven.
3 a) "Lucifer was the COVERING CHERUB, the most exalted of the heavenly created beings; he stood nearest the THRONE OF GOD, and was most closely connected and identified with the administration of God’s government, most richly endowed with the glory of His majesty and power." - ST April 28, 1890 (Capital Emphasis Added)
3 b) "Lucifer, "son of the morning," was first of the COVERING CHERUBS, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him." - Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 35 (Capital Emphasis Added)
S.O.P FACT: When we connect statements 3 a) and 3 b) from Ellen White with our knowledge of the earthly sanctuary service, we come to understand clearly how Satan, then Lucifer; the first of the covering cherubs, was mandated to protect the Law of God.
4."CHERUBIMS and SERAPHIMS and angels that excel in strength-ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands-stand at His right hand, "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."
S.O.P. FACT: In this quote we learn that the cherubs and seraphs that stand in the presence of God are innumerable. Thus, it is clear that the number four as used in relation to the living creatures found in Revelation and Ezekiel is basically symbolic.
5. "There is the THRONE, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are CHERUBIM and SERAPHIM. The COMMANDERS of the angel hosts ..." - Desire of Ages, p. 834.1 (Capital Emphasis Added)
S.O.P. FACT: This quote is actually a part of Ellen White's commentary on Revelation 4 and 5. In Sister White's commentary of these scriptural passages, she clearly identifies both the cherubim and seraphim as found before the throne of God. Possibly, they are the ones she refers to as commanders of the angelic hosts.
Thus beloved, based on what we have studied so far from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, it is clear that the four living creatures who are found before the throne of God in heaven are actually cherubim and seraphim. Among the angelic hosts in heaven, these two classes of angels are found closest to the throne of God.
Exhortation: Friends, in as much as I'm convinced about the thoughts I have expressed in this study, I'm also actually aware that on this side of the universe of God, we may not fully perceive and understand all the issues in relation to these heavenly intelligences. And so I humbly agree with the apostle Paul when he says: "9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (
In our next study, we will consider the topic: Angels: who are these supernatural beings? The Bible study references for this study are
Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.
Maranatha!
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