Four Beasts Before God's Throne Revelation 4:7

John the apostle “was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” and after seeing this, he saw one “to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone, a rainbow about the throne...like an emerald, twenty four seats with twenty four elders with white raiment and crowns of gold” he saw “lightnings, thunderings, voices and seven lamps of fire burning before the throne”. He also saw, “before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind”, and in chapter four and verse seven of Revelation John gave a description of each of these “four beasts” where we read:

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

The verse reads, “And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, ...” John began with the words, “and the first beast” which means “the first living being John saw” “was like a lion” or “was similar to and resembled a mighty lion”, “and the second beast ” which means “the second living being John saw” “was like a calf” or “was similar to and resembled a young bullock or heifer”. John attempted to describe two of these living beings as similar to a “lion” and a “calf” around God's “throne”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” John added the words, ““and the third beast” which means “and the third living being John saw” “had a face” which means “the front of the face or countenance” “as a man” or “similar to and resembling a human being”, “and the fourth beast” or “and the fourth living being John saw” “was like a flying eagle” which refers to “was similar to and resembled an eagle or vulture that is taking flight”. John attempted to describe these two living beings as like “a man” and an “eagle” that is taking flight.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we notice his description of these beings before the “throne of God”. These are the “cherubim” or “high ranking angels of God that surround His throne. Their attributes are much like that of Jesus who was and is as a “lion, calf, man and eagle”. “The lion of the tribe of Judah”; “the suffering servant as a calf”; the God man where He came to earth as a human being to identify with people; and the “soaring eagle” that demonstrates His power and majesty. God surrounds Himself with these four beings which John saw, and as we consider their magnificence, may we keep in mind that God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus that they may see these wonderful beings someday. May all who read these words humble themselves before the mighty “God” who sits upon His “throne” surrounded by these “four” magnificent “beasts”.

Next time we see more of John's description of four beasts and their worship to God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.