“…and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion,and the second beast like a calf (bullock),
and the third beast had a face as a man,
and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (pouncing on its prey as a vulture) Revelation 4
They had six wings, as did the Seraphim of Isaiah 6.
We find that Cherubim guarded the path to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24. ” And he drove out Man; and he set the Cherubim, and the flame of the flashing sword, toward the east of the garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life. “
In Ezekiel 1:13-14, “…their appearance was like burning coals of fire, as the appearance of torches: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright; and out of the fire went forth lightning.
In Revelation 6:1 one of these beasts speaks as a roar of thunder.
According to Expositors Commentary, these living creatures represent “power and rage’ “In reality they …represent qualities that strike terror into the hearts of men and suggest the idea of an irresistibly destructive force.”
They are here in this portion of Revelation because The wrath of God is about to begin it’s demonstration of terror in the Great Tribulation.
Revelation 3:10 is a comfort for the believing Saint, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee out of the hour of trial,
which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. “
Revelation 5:3-4 teaches “And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”
John weeps at the dilemma of this prophetic book in the hand of God of all future dealings with Men, finding no apparent worthy person to open it. But then, from an elder, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. “
Why the weeping? “…to lift the mysterious veil which shrouds what is to come; to find some way to pierce the dark wall which seems to stand up before us, and which shuts from our view what is to be hereafter.” Barnes
Indeed, the future, conjectured and prophesied by all manner of false prognosticators has enticed mankind, tempting human curiosity from the time of Adam and Eve’s sin. Nevertheless, hidden to us by faith’s necessity, future tense clarity would usher in a new dispensation, one of seeing what only God sees — the ultimate question in the heart of every man, what will become of us ?
A throne of lightnings and thunder, flames and torches, and austere beasts centers itself in the beauty of gems; the translucent, the red and emerald green, producing a complete bow surrounding the throne. All of the attributes of God are represented in the jasper — the red (sardius), relates to His justice, protecting His holiness. The surrounding bow of green emerald speaks of His mercy.
Isa 6:5 -7 reveals a throne scene as Isaiah saw it many years prior,
“Then said I, Woe is me! 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. “
“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,
Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. “Thank you O Lamb of God!
O for the first time we can bear to look future-ward. Bright and clear describes the future of the Saint who has found His mercy; terrible describes the coming events for unbelievers.
However, Lets say with Isaiah, “here am I Lord, send me.” Love ya
