Four Beasts or Living Creatures. (12) Gods Physically Manifested, Divine ‘Honor Guard’ or ‘Entourage;’ Ezekiel’s Vision of God.

Ezekiel 4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward.

10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.

13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. 18 As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. 19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the ]living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings.

26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

Four (4) Heavenly Beasts:

… “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 of 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,” (Rev. 4:6-9). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The fact that these beings are described as beasts is interesting because of what they are not described as. They are not described as angels. The bible is very clear when a being referenced is of angelic nature. I won’t go into the various classes or groups of angels, suffice it to say that the Bible has ample verses relating to the existence and service of various types of angels. Beasts are not angels, nor are they human. God is not limited in his creation, on heaven or on earth, or of the types of beings he has (or perhaps will) create(d). Elsewhere in this book, I have identified numerous references to the four heavenly beasts and their roles. God created them to be very close to him and his throne. They serve a special worshipping role. They serve a role to administer God’s decrees. They serve a role to give glory to God. They are extremely unique beings, as there are only four (4) in existence in heaven. They apparently do not visit earth as do some angels, but are relegated to being near the throne. Why do these beasts have animal and human features? Frankly, I don’t know. It was God’s pleasure to create them in this fashion, for his special pleasure and purpose. Function follows form. It would be logical to deduce that the features of these beasts enable them to perform their service for God. Six wings and eyes all around. Wings suggest travel, in any direction. Eyes-all-around suggest vision to everywhere. Taking a supernatural view of their supernatural features, travel and vision everywhere is logical. Why would these beasts need the ability to travel anywhere or to have vision everywhere? We don’t know, the bible is silent on this. In any event, the four verses (Revelation 4:6-9) serve a very unique purpose in identifying that there are additional beings in heaven. Besides angels and redeemed men, the four beasts worship God and serve him in a very unique capacity.

Twelve-fold References to the Four Beasts who Worship God:

1. … “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 of 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,” (Rev. 4:6-9). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (Rev. 5:6). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” (Rev. 5:8). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worth is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5:11-12). (Emphasis added).
5. … “And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev. 5:14). (Emphasis added).
6. … “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the four seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.” (Rev. 6:1). (Emphasis added).
7. … “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Rev. 6:6). (Emphasis added).
8. … “And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.” (Rev. 6:7). (Emphasis added).
9. … “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 7:11-12). (Emphasis added).
10. … “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” (Rev. 14:3). (Emphasis added).
11. … “And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev. 15:7). (Emphasis added).
12. … “And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia.” (Rev. 19:4). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The fact that there are four (4) special beasts or creatures suggests God’s divine foursquareness of balance and symmetry, of equal weight and measure. No one beast/creature is more important than the other, they are created slightly differently, with different physical features or appearances, but collectively, they serve God in the same way. Their differences stay consistent with the fact that God creates all of his creatures to be uniquely different and special. Just as with angels and men, these creatures have identifying similarities within their own created order, however, within their created order, they are each unique. They all complement one another in divine balance of purpose. What is that purpose? They exist before God’s throne, they worship God day and night, they have access to God, and they are given and take God’s vials of wrath and thus authorize seven angels to pour the vials of wrath upon evil mankind. They give God, glory and honour and thanks. They publicly proclaim God as the one who sits on the throne. The four beasts instruct John, the Apostle, to “Come and see.” The four beasts also publicly announce and describe God and his attributes. They are a perpetual heavenly group of four (4) witnesses. Some Bible students believe these four beasts are angelic beings, of one sort or another. However, these four beasts or creatures are not described in a manner consistent with those of angels.

When verses describe the entire heavenly hosts worshipping God, there are specific separate mentions of angels and the four beasts. They are two separately designated groups of created beings or entities. Thus, we can conclude that the four beasts are not angels, but rather, an extremely unique, heavenly group of beings that are not angelic or human. They are extremely unique and so special, there are only four of them in the universe and heaven. They are one of the very few entities who are allowed in close proximity to God, his power and glory. The references to the beasts having many wings and eyes suggests that God has given them very special, unique abilities to see throughout his creation and to move or travel in some kind of divine manner. Inherently implied is that these four creatures are also eternal. The fact that they are described in physical ways suggests that are in fact, a very physical creature but having very divine abilities created within them.

I like to think of them as God’s special-operations team. They are assigned very divine jobs by God, in the orchestration of his creation. Most (all?) angels do not appear to have anywhere near the roles or responsibilities of these unique creatures, nor does any created man. Taken into context with the twenty-four (24) elders, these four beasts play a complementary role with the elders. Both these two special groups of designated entities continuously praise and worship God. They continuously acknowledge who he is to the heavenly hosts. They are constantly reminding the heavenly hosts, who sits on the throne and is worthy of worship, honour, glory, praise and power. Both, the four (4) beasts and twenty-four (24) elders have a divinely assigned mathematical number, by God, that references their roles in his divinely constituted order or things in heaven. They are part of his government, both statistically speaking and of course, through their actual roles and responsibilities. While the various classifications and groups of created angels have their own specially assigned roles and responsibilities throughout heaven and earth, the four (4) beasts and twenty-four (24) elders are uniquely situated to continually stay in front of God’s throne and to execute his direct commandments. We are given no indication, whatsoever, that the beasts or elders transcend heaven and travel to earth to do God’s will. Only angels appear to have the role of interacting directly with mankind as fellow-servants, on God’s behalf. Using God’s divine mathematics helps in understanding the important distinctions within God’s created order in heaven and on earth

But how can they call on him (Jesus Christ) to save them unless they believe in him (Jesus Christ)? And how can they believe in him (Jesus Christ) if they have never heard about him (Jesus Christ)? And how can they hear about him (Jesus Christ) unless someone tells them?” —Romans 10:14

In His Service,

Night Watchman

Paul Rolland

Night Watchman Ministries

Make Your Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

A. Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; that He was both fully God and fully man and that we are saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. Become a son or daughter of God by receiving Christ.

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess with your heart and with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).

. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).

. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).

. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).

. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).

. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).

True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:

 Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.