The Four Beasts: “They Rest Not Day and Night, Saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which Was, And Is, And Is to Come” Revelation 4:8 (KJV).[1]
“In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night, they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever),” Revelation 4:6–9 (NLT).[2]
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5. The Four
Living Creatures Surrounding the Throne (Rev. 4:6–9).[3] |
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VISION TWO, Revelation 4:1–16:21
Revelation Chapter 4 III. The Picture of Things Hereafter, Revelation 4:1–5:14 A. The
Throne of God: The Focal Point of History, Revelation 4:1–11 |
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1. John
Was Given the Vision a. He
saw an open door in heaven b. He
heard a commanding voice c. He
was called to “Come up here”: To see things that must take place |
After this I
looked, and behold, a door was
opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up
hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. |
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d. He
was in the Spirit e. He
saw the astounding sight of God sitting upon His throne |
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold,
a throne was set in heaven, and one
sat on the throne. |
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2. The
One on The Throne a. His
position: Was sitting as the sovereign Majesty of the universe b. His
description: Indescribable |
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper
and a sardine stone: and there was
a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. |
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3. The
24 Elders a. Were
seated upon thrones that surround God’s throne b. Were
clothed in white c. Wore
crowns of gold |
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and
twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their head’s
crowns of gold. |
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4. The Majesty
of God a. There
was lightning & rumblings of thunder b. There
were seven blazing lamps: The seven spirits of God |
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and
thunderings and voices: and there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God. |
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c. There was a sea of glass, like crystal 5. The Four
Living Creatures Surrounding the Throne a. Their position: They are the beings closest
to God, guardians of His throne & holy presence b. Their description |
6 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. 7 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. 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. |
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c. Their function: To glorify &
honor God |
9 And when
those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne,
who liveth for ever and ever, |
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6. The Function
of The Elders Who Surround the Throne a. To
show total submission & subordination b. To
worship the Lord c. To
show the supreme worthiness of the Lord |
10 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, |
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d. To
praise the Lord |
11 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.[4] |
C.
THOSE WHO PRAISE
• The count. “Twenty-four.”
Why twenty-four? In answer, Strauss quoting Ironside said, “There are twelve
patriarchs in Israel, and twelve apostles introducing the new dispensation. The
two together would give us the complete four and twenty.” The twenty-four
represent all the redeemed— “every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation
5:9).
• The clothing. “Clothed in white
raiment.” Revelation 19:8 speaks of this
group as “arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.”
• The crowns. “They had on their
heads crowns of gold.” In the epistles we learned of various crowns given
to the believers for their faithfulness and service. These crowns represent
rewards and honor for the redeemed.
3. The Creatures in the Place will Praise (Revelation 4:6–8)
“In the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
were four beasts” (Revelation
4:6). The word “beasts” is an
unfortunate translation. The word simply means “living creatures.” It is true
that three of them are depicted as beasts, but they are not to be considered
beasts but living creatures of all entities.
• Their number. There were “four”
living creatures around the throne. The number “four” suggests universality (north, east, west, and south)—all
creatures of the earth. Everything will praise the Lord. The ACLU will not be
able to stop this universal homage of God.
• Their nature. The nature of the four creatures is instructive. First, their depicting. “Lion … calf … man … eagle” (Revelation 4:7). The depicting of the four
creatures in different ways gives praise to God’s greatness. These speak of His
strength (“lion”), His steadfastness
(“calf”/ox), His sagacity (“man”), and His swiftness (“eagle”). Second, their design. “Each
of them [had] six wings, and they
were full of eyes” (Revelation 4:8). The
strange design of these creatures emphasizes the care/protection (“wings”) and cognizance/omniscience/perception
by God (“eyes”).
C… THE PRAISE
Revelation
4:8–11
The chapter ends with everything around
the throne giving praise to the One on the throne. This is heaven! God is
praised. Only on earth is God dishonored.
1. The Praise by the Creatures (Revelation 4:8–10)
The four living creatures spoke much
praise to God. They gave “glory … honour
… thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 4:9).
• The purity in
the praise. “Holy,
holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8). The
holiness of God is emphasized in the praise given Him by the four living
creatures. Holiness is God’s fundamental attribute.
• The power in the
praise. “Lord
God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). God is
supreme and Sovereign. He is omnipotent.
• The perpetuity
in the praise. “Which
was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8).
The eternality of God is recognized here. He is the great “I am” of Exodus 3.
• The permanence
of the praise. “They
rest not day and night, saying” (Revelation 4:8).
These four living creatures do not act like most church members who often quit
before the job is done. These living creatures simply “rest not day and night” but continue on permanently praising God.
• The prompting of
the praise. “And
when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the
throne, who liveth forever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down
before him that sat on the throne” (Revelation
4:9, 10). The praise given by the four living creatures prompted the
twenty-four elders to also give praise to God. Do our lives prompt others
to honor God or dishonor Him?[5]
5 (Revelation 4:6–9) Creature of Revelation, The Four: there are the four living
creatures who surround the throne of God. Note three things about them.
1. First is their
position. They are the closest beings to God. They are the angelic beings
who are posted in the middle of each side of the throne. They are the guardians
of God’s throne and of His holy presence (see Re.
4:6; 5:6; 14:3).
2. Note their
description.
⇒ They are always
found near the throne of God (Re. 4:6; 5:6; 14:3).
⇒ They have six
wings and are full of eyes (Re. 4:6, 8).
⇒ Their function
has to do with the holiness and wrath of God (Re.
6:1, 7; 15:7).
⇒ They declare the
holiness of God, day and night and never cease to declare His holiness (Re. 4:8).
Who are these living beings who are privileged to be in
God’s presence day and night, and to declare His majestic holiness? These
beings who never have to leave God’s presence, not even for a moment. Who would
be so honored as to have this glorious privilege?
Undoubtedly,
they are beings who were created for this very purpose. They seem to be the
same beings as the cherubim seen in Ezekiel’s vision (Eze.
10:4) and the seraphim seen in Isaiah’s vision (Is.
6:1–3). Note that John chooses certain animals on earth to
describe certain characteristics that he notices.
⇒ One being was
like a lion: this symbolizes supremacy
⇒ One being was
like an ox (calf): this symbolizes strength.
⇒ One being was
like a man: this symbolizes intelligence.
⇒ One being was
like an eagle: this symbolizes swiftness.
3. Note their
function: to glorify and honor God, day, and night. The living creatures
show us two things about God.
First, they show us the
supremacy, strength, intelligence, and swiftness of God. They stand for all
that God is.
Second, they show us
that all of nature owes its worship to God, both animals and man. They picture
all the beings of nature standing before God and praising Him. All the world,
both animal and man, are represented in the four living beings as they worship
God, day, and night, crying out to Him, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
which was, and is, and is to come” (Re. 4:8).
⇒ All The World Is
to Praise God For His Holiness.
“Because it is
written, be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pe. 1:16).
“Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy
hill; for the Lord our God is
holy” (Ps. 99:9).
“And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).
“Who shall not
fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all
nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made
manifest” (Re. 15:4).
“For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the
land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Le. 11:45).
⇒ All The World Is
to Praise God For His Sovereignty And Omnipotence.
“I know that thou
canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Jb. 42:2).
“But our God is in
the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Ps.
115:3).
“Yea, before the
day was, I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will
work, and who shall let [hinder] it?” (Is. 43:13).
“But Jesus beheld
them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things
are possible” (Mt. 19:26).
“Now to him that
is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus
Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since
the world began” (Ro. 16:25).
⇒ All The World Is
to Praise God For His Eternal Existence.
“For I lift up my
hand to heaven, and say, I live forever” (De. 32:40).
“The eternal God
is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (De. 33:27).
“Thy name, O Lord,
endureth forever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations” (Ps. 135:13).
“But, beloved, be
not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pe. 3:8).
“I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was,
and which is to come, the Almighty” (Re. 1:8).
Thought 1. What an indictment against man! How little we praise and worship God—truly praise and worship Him. Imagine! There are four beings who have been created to worship God day and night, never to cease from worshipping Him. Four beings who cry out day and night the glorious praise: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Re.4:8).[6]
Also, before the
throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. 4:6 NIV
Glass was very rare in New Testament times, and
crystal-clear glass was virtually impossible to find. The sea of glass serves as the magnificent floor of God’s throne room
and highlights both the magnificence and holiness of God. It is probably not a
literal “sea;” rather, it is a metaphor for the scene. No earthly ruler can
compare with the awesomeness of God. See also Job
37:18 and Ezekiel 1:22.
In the center,
around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes,
in front and in back. NIV
These four living creatures are angelic beings of high order, serving as part of the worship and government in heaven (see Isaiah 6:1–4; Ezekiel 1:5–25). Isaiah 6:2 refers to these creatures (or “beings”) as “seraphim.” The seraphim surround God’s throne, lead others in worship, and proclaim God’s holiness. The eyes picture knowledge and alertness. They see and scrutinize everything. These are powerful figures, as noted by the wings (Revelation 4:8). These four living creatures also appear throughout Revelation (see also Rev 5:6, 8, 14; 6:1; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4).[7]
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WORSHIP |
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John describes these scenes in such detail because
Christians in the first century came from many backgrounds. Not all of them
understood Jewish history or knew the glory of the Temple. Revelation instructs us in worship. It shows us
where, why, and how to praise God. What Does Worship Do? Worship takes our minds off our problems and focuses
them on God. Worship leads us from individual meditation to corporate
worship. Worship causes us to consider and appreciate God’s character.
Worship lifts our perspective from the earthly to the heavenly.[8] |
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel saw four similar
creatures in one of his visions (Ezekiel 1:5–10;
10:14). In his vision, however, each cherub had four faces. In John’s
vision, each creature has only one face. In Ezekiel’s vision, God called
Ezekiel to be a prophet. God showed Ezekiel that the coming destruction of
Jerusalem was punishment for Judah’s sins. Ezekiel prophesied during the time
when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem.
In John’s
vision, the living beings will show John the final destruction of the world as
punishment for sin. The appearance of these creatures symbolizes the highest
expression of God’s attributes. The animal-like appearances of these four
creatures include: majesty and power (the lion),
faithfulness (the ox), intelligence
(the man), and sovereignty (the eagle).
A further description of these four living creatures
indicates that each had six wings,
indicating power and swiftness (see Isaiah 6:2).
The eyes all around are mentioned
again (Rev.4:6) and indicate complete
knowledge—that is, they could perceive and understand everything that was
happening. Day and night they never stop
saying praises to God, meaning that these creatures continuously worship.
The four
living creatures sing about God’s holiness. The repetition three times of the
word “holy” means ultimate holiness (see also Isaiah
6:3). “Lord God Almighty” pictures the ultimate, divine Warrior (see
commentary on Rev.1:8). Churches of all ages
facing persecution gain great comfort knowing that no matter what happens on
earth, God is almighty. Those who are victorious will one day join in praise
with the angels. The phrase “who was, and is, and is to come” describes God’s
transcendence over time—he is eternal (see also commentary on Rev.1:4).
Jonathan Edwards
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KNOWING GOD |
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God cannot be known apart from his holiness. The key to
God’s eternal reign is his holiness. His glory is not only his strength but
also his perfect moral character. God will never do anything that is not
perfect. This reassures us that we can trust him, yet it places a demand on
us. Our desire to be holy (dedicated to God and morally clean) is the only
suitable response. To be prepared for Christ’s return, we must renounce sin
and desire God’s holiness. |
The actions of these living beings’ picture complete
worship and submission to God. The one
who lives forever and ever emphasizes God’s eternality (see Rev.5:14; 10:6;
15:7). God is far more worthy of worship
than any person because he lives forever (see Psalms
45:6; 102:27). His throne symbolizes his power and
authority (see also Rev.4:2–3). As the living beings (the four living
creatures) praise God, the twenty-four
elders fall down and worship. That they “fall down” refers to lying
prostrate in a position of submission and adoration. Their worship means giving
God all glory and honor and thanks.[9]
The Four Beasts: “They Rest Not Day and Night, Saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which Was, And Is, And Is to Come” Revelation 4:8 (KJV)
Coolest Heavenly Scenery 4K HD Pics Of All Time
[1] The
Holy Bible: King James Version.
1995. Electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.
Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy
Bible: New Living Translation.
Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible.
Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[4] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[5] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical
Bible Expositor: Revelation.
Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[6] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible.
Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
[7] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible
Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[8] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible
Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
NLT
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All
rights reserved.
[9] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible
Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
