A Reflection of God

by Jeff Randolph
February 15, 2009
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One of the strangest symbols in the book of Revelation is that of the four living creatures (Rev. 4:6-11). When I first read the fourth chapter of the book, I didn't know what to think. What are these creatures? Why in the world are they in the midst of God's throne? And, more significantly, why did God see fit to tell John (and us) about them? I don't think all of these questions can be answered sufficiently to satisfy everyone's curiosity, but I believe the vision of these beings is meant to tell us some things about God.

These creatures described by John are very similar, nearly identical in fact, to those described many years earlier by Ezekiel (Ezek. 1:4-28). Of the vision as a whole, Ezekiel says that it was "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord" (Ezek. 1:28). Later in the book, Ezekiel sees another similar vision, and then understands that the creatures he saw were cherubim (Ezek. 10:15, 20).

In the Bible, cherubim are always closely connected with the presence of God. In the book of Genesis, God set cherubim to guard the tree of life (Gen. 3:21). In the book of Exodus, golden cherubim were part of the ark of the covenant (Ex. 25:18-22; Num. 7:89), which gave rise to call upon God as "He who dwells between the cherubim" ( 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chr. 13:6; Ps. 80:1; 99:1; Isa. 37:16). For the temple, Solomon made wooden cherubim covered in gold for the most holy place, as well as carved images of them all over the inner and outer sanctuaries (1 Kings 6:27-29; 8:6-7; 2 Chr. 3:7-14). There were also cherubim involved in Ezekiel's vision of a temple (Ezek. 41:18-25).

It is also noteworthy that these creatures depicted in Revelation have similar features and say the same words, "Holy, holy ,holy is the Lord" as the seraphim described by Isaiah (Is. 6:1-7). Like cherubim, these creatures are also closely identified with the throne of God.

While Ezekiel sees each of the four creatures as having four faces, that of a man, lion, ox, and eagle (Ezek. 1:10), John sees each individually as having one of these four likenesses (though substitutes calf for ox). Whether or not these creatures in reality look this way is not the point (and impossible to tell), however I believe we can understand why they are depicted in this manner.

Given their close connection with the throne of God, and the fact that there are four of them (symbolic for earth, creation), they likely represent the glory of God (Ezek. 1:28), whose attributes are reflected in the creation itself (Rom. 1:20).

Lion - The lion represents royalty, power, dominion and authority. He is the king of beasts, with no natural predators, high above all in that realm. Even so is our God, the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5), King of Kings, and Lord or Lords (1 Tim. 6:15; Jude 25; Rev. 19:16).
Calf/Ox - The ox represents strength (Pr. 14:4), stability, reliability, and gentleness. Our God is all of these things and more (Ps. 18:35; Ps. 89:8; Deut. 7:9; Isa. 40:11; 2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Pet. 4:19; Rev. 3:14).
Man - Man represents intelligence, reason, knowledge, wisdom, creativity, and love. He is the crown of creation (Ps. 8), made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Certainly the one who gave us knowledge is wisest of all (Isa. 55:9; Rom. 11:33; 16:27; 1 Jn. 3:20), and He who gave us the capacity to love, the most loving of all (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:1; 4:8).
Eagle - The eagle represents swiftness and vision, soaring higher than any other creature. She also symbolizes protection, wrapping her wings around her young. Like the flying eagle, God sees everything (Heb. 4:13). He understands the big picture. He is swift to act when action is needed (Deut. 28:49), and protects those who are His (Deut. 32:11; Ps. 63:7; Rev. 12:14).

These are just some of the things we can understand about God by their very existence in nature. As we look around and see the trees, mountains, oceans, stars, and planets, we can know that their wonderful attributes are no cosmic accident, but a reflection of our awesome God (Ps. 47:2; Ps. Ps. 19:1-2; 148:3; 150:6). Let us not worship the creature (Rom. 1:25, as some do animals, the environment, and even their own selves), but the Creator whom they reflect (Rev. 4:9-11).

What are the four living creatures (cherubim and seraphim) exactly? I cannot say, but based on their connection with the throne of God, and descriptions of their appearance, it is safe to say that these extraordinary beings were so close to God that they reflected His glory as does the creation. As Christians, we should be striving to do the same (Matt. 5:16; 2 Pet. 1:3-4).