SEVEN SCENES IN HEAVEN (2): THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES (REVELATION 4:6-11)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Revelation  

a) John wrote Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately 85-95 A.D. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all Christians to continue watching for the return and triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also is to warn of the Final Judgment that nonbelievers will endure on that Last Day.

b) John wrote that Revelation is special because,“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

c) A brief view of the Book of Revelation. It gives you some basic understanding of the book of Revelation. 

2. The Throne And Worship Of The Creator

Revelation 4:6-11 
6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

3. The Four Creatures

a) A lion

i) One creature was like a lion, symbolizing the kingship of Christ. Christ is the conquering Ruler of all. He, as the promised son of David, received the authority to sit enthroned at God's right hand. Before him all crowns must be thrown down. He is the supreme King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15, Acts 2:30-36, Revelation 19:16).

b) A calf

i) The second creature was like a calf, symbolizing the priesthood of Christ. Christ is the sacrifice for our sins. He can wash away our sins in his blood. Christ is the almighty King-Priest, who has made us kings and priests (Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 9:24-28).

c) A man

i) The third creature was like a man, symbolizing the humanity of Christ. He is Son of Man, one of us, born of woman, God made flesh, and he precedes us as the firstborn from the dead, yet remains close to us, knocking at our door, seeking to sup and abide with us (Revelation 3:20, Galatians 4:4, John 1:1,14).

d) An eagle

i) The fourth creature was like an eagle, symbolizing the divinity of Christ. He was truly God from eternity, heavenly, and having risen from the dead and ascended on high, lives forever far above all things (John 1:1, 1 John 5:20, 1 Timothy 6:16, Revelation 19:11-16).

4. Symbols Of Christ

a) Living

i) It may seem odd to describe the creatures as "living creatures" (Revelation 4:6) since we would hardly expect them to be dead creatures. However this emphasizes that Jesus (whom each creature portrays) "was dead" but is now is "alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:18).

b) Six wings, full of eyes 

i) Each creature had six wings and many eyes. The six wings symbolize all the fullness of Christ and his universal authority. Before and behind, to this side or that, above and below, Jesus is all in all.

ii) The many eyes, symbolize the eternal wisdom and knowledge of Christ whose judgments are true and righteous.

c) Who was... is...is to come

i) The significance of a similar title of God was dealt with fully in the lesson on John's introduction to Revelation. In particular we noted the connection with the title "the Alpha and the Omega" and that such titles belong also to Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12-13,16).

5. Glory And Honor

a) Glory and honor

i) John is being given an understanding of what is going to take place in the second scene. God is going to be worshiped and given praise and glory and honor.

b) And thanks

i) Thanksgiving to God comes from a grateful heart, for his love such that he gave his only begotten Son to become the Lamb, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We also thank God for the shepherding we receive through life so that we may be brought safely into his eternal kingdom.

c) Cast their crowns

i) The crowns represent eternal life. By casting their crowns before the throne, the elders obviously do not relinquish eternal life. A crown, like a throne, is a symbol of authority. However these elders are going to give glory to God. Therefore they dismount their thrones and fall down before God. They cast their crowns, as it were casting their authority to God, in order that he might be recognized as all in all, and the Source of all authority and power and dominion.

d) Worthy art Thou

i) This song of praise addresses God. In the next scene, described in chapter five, the worthiness to receive the same glory and praise will also be ascribed Jesus Christ the Lamb.

The End ...