Revelation 4:6b-11

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.  And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”  And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Today there is a pretty clear distinction between the physical world in which we live and the spiritual realm in the heavens.  Spiritual beings, like angels manifest themselves on occasion in our world but these instances are not common and certainly not constant.  They, likely, are far more active in our world than we are aware.  These “spirit beings” were created for God’s glory and they inhabit the heavens.  John sees around the throne representative from both the spiritual and physical realm worshiping the Lord together.  The way things are now will not always be so.  For eternity we will join our voices and bodies along with these spiritual beings in constant worship.

THE LIVING CREATURES’ DESCRIPTION: The scene around the throne of God is marvelous.  There are four living creatures, one on each side of the throne.  These are likely angels known as the cherubim that are also described by Ezekiel in the Old Testament in similar ways.  One of the main features about them is their eyes which are said to be all around them, in front, back, and even within.  The eyes speak to their knowledge and constant awareness of their surroundings.  Each of the four angels is described as appearing as different members of the created world.  One like a lion, another like an ox, another with the face of a man, and the last like an eagle.  These represent different aspects of creation: wild animals, domestic animals, humans, and birds.  They also represent different characteristics of creation: strength, service, reason, and speed.  They also have six wings.  They would certainly be very swift beings and in other passages their wings also serve as means of covering their feet and eyes because of the holiness of the God they worship.  

THE LIVING CREATURES’ DEVOTION: The primary function of these angels is simply worship.  They surround the throne of God both day and night.  They declare His holiness and His eternality.  They give Him glory, honor, and gratitude constantly and eternally.  There can be no question as to the awesome power and glory of our God.  There are spectacular and powerful beings who are in His presence declaring His worth.  We too have been created for the glory of God and every aspect of our lives is to be lived as an act of worship to our God.  Praising and worshiping God is the ultimate purpose of all creation.  All the angels and all the redeemed from all ages will worship God for eternity and never come to an end of declaring His glory. 

THE LIVING CREATURES’ DIRECTION: This endless worship on the part of the angels declaring the holiness of God is responded to by the twenty-four elders.  The angels seem to be leading the elders in worship.  The elders cast all their crowns at the foot of the throne and respond to the angel’s declaration of God’s holiness by declaring that He is worthy.  God is worthy of all worship.  His glory, honor, and power are specified here as just a few of His many attributes that declare His worthiness of worship.  He is the source of all creation and sustains the universe by the power of His will.  The living creatures lead the twenty-four elders in a constant ministry of worship surrounding the throne.  We are said to be rewarded with crowns for our faithful service to the Lord while on earth.  These crowns may signify many different things from authority while ruling and reigning with Christ, to abilities and opportunities to serve in our eternal state.  Whatever they may symbolize, we know one thing for sure is that they will be used as instruments of worship to the Lord.  Our crowns are not to feed our ego but to declare the worth of God.  

APPLICATION: Look forward to that glorious day when will be able to observe these majestic angels in person and join them in the worship of our Lord.  Faithfully proclaim the glory of the Lord today, praising Him for His holiness and worth.  Be faithful to make the most of our lives here on earth to earn eternal rewards in heaven that will enrich our worship.