Revelation 4:6-11 is where we will begin this next series of studies, titled: “The Four Beasts.” These four beasts seem to be a mystery. What we know about them at a quick glance; 

  • They are before the throne of God.
  • They seem to create an atmosphere of worship
  • They worship God day and night without ceasing.

But what else can we know about these mysterious creations of God Most High? This short message will reveal the truth about them according to the Scriptures of the Holy Bible.

(Recapping our past studies) The Apostle John was called up to Heaven, when he was on the Isle of Patmos in 95 Ad (Revelation 4:1).  After hearing the voice of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9-11), and seeing Jesus Christ walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (Revelation 1-12-16); The second sight John saw was the throne of God and the One who sat on the throne shrouded in light, as the throne of God proceeded thundering’s; lightnings and voices (Revelation 4:2-5). 

He also saw the elders sitting round about the throne of God and the four beasts, worshiping God, day and night without ceasing. This is the scene John saw and was in awe of it all. (Our opening text for this study reads out of Revelation 4:6-11:

And 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 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.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Not To Be Confused With…

These beasts of the Book of Revelation are not to be confused with the four beasts in the visions of Daniel. Because they are clearly not the same. They are also not to be confused with the “Four Living Creatures” of Ezekiel chapters 1 & 10. Because again… they are not the same.

Even though according to the New King James Version and the NIV, they are mentioned as the “Four Living Creatures” both times in Ezekiel and in Revelation. But they are not the same creation of God

Here’s how we know the difference according to Scripture; The four living creatures are the Cherubim. The four beasts are the Seraphim and that’s what Isaiah and the Apostle John saw…the Seraphim. You may be asking yourself, “What’s the difference?” Let’s compare:

In Ezekiel 1:5-6 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces and every one had four wings

But in Revelation 4:6-8 four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 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. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him;

The big difference between these two passages of Scripture if you haven’t noticed already; what Ezekiel saw were four angels who had the likeness of a man. But John saw four angels not in the likeness of a man, but rather each appeared in the likeness of a Lion; a calf; the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth having the likeness of a flying eagle.

Another big difference between the two, Ezekiel saw four angels, each having four faces. John did not see those angels. He saw each angel having a specific appearance that we just mentioned a moment ago. And, Ezekiel describes the four living creatures having only 4 wings. John saw angels with six wings.

Furthermore, the Apostle John describes the angels he saw being full of eyes front and back. But what Ezekiel saw did not mention those angels being full of eyes at all. Instead, he mentions wheels that were about them having eyes (Ezekiel 1:18).

In another glimpse of comparison, Ezekiel describes, wherever the four living creatures went, the wheels go with them. Because the spirit of these four living creatures was in the rings (wheels).

Ezekiel 1:15-21 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Yet, the Apostle John never mentioned any wheels near these four beasts. All because what Ezekiel saw, and what the Apostle John saw are two different types of holy angels. Ezekiel saw Cherubim. John saw the Seraphim that Isaiah also saw.

The second thing to point out about these four beasts and why they are mentioned, they worship God who sits on His throne, day and night without ceasing. This is all they are created to do, to worship God forever.

This may sound a little immature, but I’ve always envisioned the reason why God created these worship angels, is to be His living surround sound stereo system. And what’s the meaning behind their appearance? They are a physical display of all the basic characteristics of God (and of Jesus Christ). So they are there to glorify and Honor God. This is why they are written about.

What Are These Four Beasts?

We know that these holy angels are the Seraphim. And how do we know this for sure? They’ve been mentioned before in the Old Testament as such in,

Isaiah 6:1-4 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

This is comparable to Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

So, in both Scriptures, they point out that these Seraphim are in the temple of God in Heaven, at the throne of God, having six wings, worshiping God who sits on the throne.

We have pointed out in a study a while back titled: Revelation 1:20 (Angels) that they’re many different types of angels created by God and Jesus Christ, for a specific function of operation according to God’s design, plan and purpose.

Take for example: All holy angels do worship God. And battle angels are created for a specific function to battle against the devil and his angels. But messenger angels are not created for war, but specifically designed to be a direct messenger from God to righteous men and women whom He sent with a specific message and for no other purpose.

Seraphim: are specifically created by God and Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3/Colossians 1:12-16) as worship angels who surround His throne. The word Seraphim in Hebrew means: ‘Fiery burning ones.” They are our example and reminder to be burning with passion and zeal when magnifying God in our praise and worship to Him with all our hearts. For this is how God desires us to praise and worship Him at home; in our prayer closet and publicly in church.

The Physical Appearance of The Four Beasts

These “Four Beasts” are a physical display of the basic characteristics of God and of Jesus Christ. Revelation 4:6-7 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, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

The reason why these four beasts are full of eyes front and back, this represents God as the, “all seeing, and ever watchful God” And since He sees everything, open and hidden, that means He is omniscient. As it is written about Him and of Jesus Christ in

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

And of Jesus Christ in, Revelation 2:2;9;13;19 & 3:1;8;15 (when He specifically says to each of His churches), “I know thy works:” meaning, He knows everything about every church and His people. He sees every little detail such as our works or the lack thereof. How hard we work for the Kingdom of God, whether full-heartedly or not.

He knows every word we say. He knows every thought we have, every intent of our hearts. He knows what we preach and teach, and what we refuse to minister in His word… He knows the depths of our obedience and the motives thereof. He has heard our complaints. He has seen the hidden sins. He also has seen our hidden tears.

He knows how much opposition we have endured and tolerated liars who call themselves something they are not. He has seen and knows our fruits and labourings. He also has seen and understands our frustrations. There is absolutely nothing hidden from Jesus Christ. And the four beasts full of eyes front and back represents this fact about God.

“the first beast was like a lion:” Obviously, when we see a spiritual symbol of a lion mentioned in Scripture, we instantly think of the Lion of Judah, whom the Lord Jesus Christ is described as in Revelation 5:5. But this revelation starts all the way back to a prophetic blessing from Jacob to his son Judah in Genesis 49:8-10. And ultimately, that blessing is prophetic to Jesus Christ directly.

The Lion also is a symbol of power and strength. Both God Most High and Jesus Christ are the Almighty (refer back to our past study of Revelation 1:8 (God Is Alpha And Omega, The Almighty). The definition of Almighty: ‘All powerful; unlimited in power, might and strength.’

And lastly the lion symbolizes the King of the jungle. The Jungle is a representation of the world. So this translates Jesus Christ as the true King of the world as described in Isaiah 9:6-8; Revelation 20:1-4. The lion also symbolizes authority; and God Most High has the final word above all. And all are subject to Him! God Most High (The Father of Jesus Christ) is The Supreme Ruler of all creation.

“the second beast like a calf” The word “calf” used here is defined as a bovine animal which are “bullock” (Heifer); “bull” and “Ox” in Scripture. Ox fits best here because Ox are intelligent, showing signs of remembering places and people. Bovines generally were used for sacrifices to God Most High for the atonement of sins, including Oxen.

They are also very strong in might. This again is representative to God and Jesus Christ. For they both are all knowing and all Almighty; never forgetting. And representative to Christ since, He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law in which God Most High required for the remission for sins.

“the third beast had a face as a man” This beast is glorifying and referencing Jesus Christ. For the Lord, being the eternal Son of God, came down to earth in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:5-11), denying His glory to become flesh (John 1:14), in order to be the sacrifice God requires for the remission for sins (Matthew 26:27-28) once and for all (Hebrews 10:1-10).

“and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” Eagles are symbolic of sovereignty; majesty and supremacy; in which God Most High is all of the above. There is much Scripture that ministers volumes of the majesty of God

1 Chronicles 29:11 Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

The four beasts are not to be glorified, for they are created to glorify the One true God; The God of Abraham; Isaac; and Jacob. They are not to be worshiped; they are to worship God. This is why there’s not much written about them in all the Holy Bible. They are mentioned however, worshiping God as if this is their sole purpose in all eternity.

Revelation 4:9-11 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

These angels worship God with all their heart, might and being. Magnifying His name; adoring and exalting Him as The Holy Almighty who lives for ever and ever. Creating the atmosphere of praise and worship, which causes the 24 elders to worship and magnify God Most High (El Elyon).