What are the Four Living Creatures?

The “Four Living Creatures” are heavenly beings described in the books of Ezekiel and Revelation in the Bible. These creatures appear in prophetic visions given to Ezekiel and the Apostle John, and they play significant roles in the celestial hierarchy and the worship of God. This article explores the identity, description, and significance of the Four Living Creatures using references from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

The Vision of Ezekiel

Description of the Creatures

The first detailed account of the Four Living Creatures is found in the book of Ezekiel. The prophet Ezekiel, while in exile by the River Chebar, receives a vision of God’s glory, including the Four Living Creatures.

Ezekiel 1:4-14 (NKJV) describes:

“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. Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. 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. Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. 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. And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.”

Ezekiel’s vision portrays these creatures as majestic, with features that symbolize strength, intelligence, servitude, and swiftness. The faces of a man, lion, ox, and eagle represent different aspects of creation and divine attributes.

Their Role in Ezekiel’s Vision

The Four Living Creatures in Ezekiel’s vision are closely associated with the glory of God and His throne. They are described as moving in unison with the Spirit and are integral to the heavenly chariot that transports the divine presence.

Ezekiel 10:15-17 (NKJV) further explains:

“And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar. 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. 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.”

Ezekiel identifies these creatures as cherubim, a class of angelic beings associated with the presence and worship of God.

The Vision of Revelation

Description of the Creatures

The Four Living Creatures also appear in the book of Revelation, where the Apostle John records his apocalyptic vision of heaven.

Revelation 4:6-8 (NKJV) describes:

“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 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. 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!'”

John’s vision emphasizes the continuous worship of God by these creatures. They are covered with eyes, signifying their awareness and knowledge, and they possess six wings, indicating their swiftness and readiness to serve.

Their Role in Revelation

In Revelation, the Four Living Creatures are depicted as leading the worship of God and facilitating the execution of divine judgments. They are seen in direct proximity to God’s throne and play a crucial role in the unfolding of apocalyptic events.

Revelation 5:6-10 (NKJV) illustrates their involvement:

“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.'”

The Four Living Creatures acknowledge the worthiness of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) to open the scroll, which contains God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Their worship and proclamation underscore the centrality of Christ in the divine scheme.

Comparison Between Ezekiel and Revelation

The word “creature” in Revelation 5 does not indicate to what order of creatures these four beings belong. However, it is believed that they closely resemble those of Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:5–26), which Ezekiel calls cherubim – angels of the second highest order (ch. 10:20–22). Like Ezekiel’s cherubim (Ezekeil 1:22, 26), these four living creatures were seen under the throne as well as around it (Psalms 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16).

In Ezekiel 1, the four living creatures were identical in appearance. Each of them had four distinct faces, those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (verse 10). By contrast the four living creatures that John saw were not identical (Revelation 4:7). Each of the four beings appears with one of the four faces that were characteristic of each of the cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14). The forms, however, corresponded to the faces of the living creatures Ezekiel saw.

The cherubim of Ezekiel’s vision each had four wings (Ezekeil 1:6; 10:21), whereas the seraphim (highest order of angels) of Isaiah had six (Isaiah 6:2). Wings may be understood as indicating the speed with which God’s heavenly creatures execute their missions (Hebrews 1:14).

The eyes of these creatures may be understood as a symbol of the intelligence or “brilliance” (Proverbs 23:31; Ezekeil 1:4, 7, 16, 22, 27; 8:2; 10:9; Daniel 10:6). And also, may mean that their appearance was one of shining light.

Symbolism and Significance

Representations of Creation

The Four Living Creatures are often interpreted as representations of various aspects of God’s creation. The lion symbolizes strength and kingship, the calf (or ox) represents service and sacrifice, the man denotes intelligence and reason, and the eagle signifies swiftness and divine oversight. These symbols collectively reflect the fullness of creation and the comprehensive nature of God’s dominion.

Angelic Beings

Both Ezekiel and Revelation describe the Four Living Creatures as angelic beings, specifically cherubim in Ezekiel’s account. Cherubim are depicted in the Bible as guardians of the divine presence and agents of God’s will.

Genesis 3:24 (NKJV) mentions cherubim:

“So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

The cherubim’s role as guardians and their presence in both Ezekiel’s and John’s visions suggest their integral function in maintaining and manifesting God’s holiness.

When an attempt is made to interpret these four living creatures, it is well to keep in mind that in symbolic prophecy the prophet sees representations of the actual and not the actual itself. For example, Jesus is symbolically presented as a lamb with a bleeding knife wound, and with seven horns and seven eyes (Revelation 5:6). No one would conclude that this was an attempt to represent the appearance of Jesus. As in the case of parables, in interpreting symbolic prophecy, we must learn what is the overall lesson of the vision

Theological Implications

Worship and Adoration

The primary role of the Four Living Creatures in both Ezekiel and Revelation is to worship and adore God. Their ceaseless proclamation of God’s holiness serves as a model for human worship. These four living creatures cry Holy, holy, holy like the cry of the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:3). The creatures closest to God’s throne initiate the praise and thanksgiving to God for his mercies, care, and good will towards all His created beings.

Psalm 99:5 (NKJV) exhorts:

“Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool—He is holy.”

The example set by the Four Living Creatures inspires believers to recognize and respond to God’s holiness with reverence and awe.

God’s Sovereignty

The presence and actions of the Four Living Creatures affirm God’s sovereignty over all creation. Their movements are directed by the Spirit, and they execute divine commands, illustrating the seamless operation of God’s will in heaven and on earth.

Daniel 4:35 (NKJV) declares:

“All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?'”

This verse reinforces the theme of God’s uncontested authority, mirrored in the obedient and purposeful actions of the Four Living Creatures.

Conclusion

The Four Living Creatures, as described in the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, are heavenly beings that embody aspects of God’s creation. They serve as perpetual worshipers of God, guardians of His holiness, and participants in the execution of His will. Through their presence and actions, they underscore themes of God’s sovereignty and the model of worship that believers are called to emulate. The biblical accounts of these creatures provide a rich glimpse into the heavenly realm and the majesty of God.

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team