Living Spirits

Revelation 4:6-7

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Witness the four living creatures of Ezekiel appearing in Revelation also. The text states they attend God's presence. In Ezekiel 1:12, they also announce his arrival as they fly his chariot and attend him day and night. They are covered in eyes; God is their protection. Forwards and backwards the eyes of the saints, the angels, and God are upon them; they have no need of another protector. Their watcher is God. Their appointer and anointer is likewise God. Far from being a nuisance or even unsightly, no detail of these creatures are hidden from him. He sees even the secret places of their wings. Their cry to Him in verse eight reflects the past, present, and future: blessed is he "who was, and is, and is to come."

The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

The face of man reflects the face of God for we are made in his image and likeness according to Genesis 1:27. The ox represents the past. See Genesis 41:17-41 for greater detail. What was sown in the spring and summer had been eaten through the seasons and what was left gathered in the fall. These creatures never suffer want or hunger. They have the Lamb for sustenance. The lion represents the God who is ready for battle in the right now. Just as Satan roams the earth like a roaring lion in Romans 5:8 seeking whom he may devour, so the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the great I AM, is the ever-present defense of the saints right now as in Revelation 5:5. The eagle flys high and sees much, representing the eternal perspective of Heaven and the future. God's sovereignty is displayed throughout the Scripture. Why the difference between the number of faces? I think what was perfect is not yet come according to 1 Corinthians 13:10. Thus, God has not yet finished his work.