From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the centre 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.
Revelation 4:5-8
Some of you have asked if the quotes I gave you in the last Gem were hints or supposed to help rather than just interesting quotes.
- “All attempts to draw meaning from these four images literally come crashing down since they are thoroughly – and intentionally – an odd mixture.” Gordon Fee
- “These four images appear to confound all attempts to link them together on the basis of common properties.” David Pawson
- “This image may well have to be solved by meditation and asking help from the One who sits on the throne.” David Pawson
- “The imagery has to be explained but too often we get bogged down on the detail. Sometimes we just have to confess we don’t know for certain the meaning of a particular image.” Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg
- “Allow the images to spark your imagination rather than approaching them analytically.” Gordon Fee
One reader asked for the source of the first Gordon Fee quote. It comes from Revelation, Gordon D. Fee’s commentary in the New Century Commentary Series on the book we are investigating. You will find the quote on page 72, Cascade Books 2011. I have spent time researching what others think of the significance or depth behind these four word pictures, combined in this one image. In answer to your queries if you did ask, yes I gave these to you as hints to aid your investigation, as well as the quotes in this Gem.
Here is more fuel to prompt your thinking. I have surveyed the resources I have on my bookshelves, now 49 volumes on Revelation, in addition to numerous online digital resources. In this particular case I want to see what others feel the solution to be regarding the interpretation of the four faces of the Living Beings. I have already come to a conclusion having asked the LORD, the One who sits on the throne. However, I am keeping my conclusions to myself at this point in time. Firstly to test my own thinking against the best of scholarship. But also to give you the list of options recorded in the literature from the first century AD to the present day to prompt your thinking as well. Hang on to your hat; here we go.
There is a common thread which runs through many people’s mind which stems from the work of Henry Barclay Swete, an exegete who published his thoughts on The Apocalypse of St. John in three editions between 1906 and 1908. His take on the meaning or interpretation of the faces was:
Face of the Living Being | Significance or Meaning |
---|---|
Lion | Noblest |
Ox | Strongest |
Man | Wisest |
Eagle | Swiftest |
Many others have repeated Swete’s approach since then: Don A. Carson, Bruce M. Metzger, Leon Morris, Archibald Thomas (A.T.) Robertson and Ronald L. Trail to name a few.
Then there are the set of Commentators who have expanded or modified Swete’s ideas:
G.R Beasley-Murray | John Gill | John Heading | H.A. Ironside | William Kelly | David Pawson |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
mightiest of animals | strength of ministers of Word | wrath | divine majesty | majesty strength | strength |
mightiest of domestic animals | labours, meekness | long suffering | strength in serving | endurance | service |
mightiest of all animals | tender hearted wisdom, prudence knowledge | goodness righteousness | intelligence purpose | intelligence | intelligence |
mightiest of birds | readiness to share Gospel | truth | swift detecting evil + judgement | rapidity swiftness | swiftness |
Then there are the others who have a different interpretation:
Brian J. Bailey | Joseph Benson | Adam Clarke | David Guzik |
---|---|---|---|
Jesus as King | undaunted courage | East: Judah Issachar Zebulun | Patriarchs |
Jesus as High Priest | unwearied patience through suffering | West: Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin | Angels |
Jesus as Son of Man | prudence | South: Reuben Simeon Gad | Cardinals |
Jesus as Son of God | compassion | North: Dan Asher Naphtali | Pastors |
Then there are those who see the Gospels reflective in the faces of the Four Living Beings:
Augustine | Iraneus | Adam Clarke | Chuck Smith | Marvin R Vincent |
---|---|---|---|---|
Matthew | John | Mark | Matthew | Mark |
Luke | Matthew | Luke | Mark | Luke |
Mark | Luke | Matthew | Luke | Matthew |
John | Mark | John | John | John |
Jerome, Athanasius, Gregory, Ambrose, Andreas, Bede and Wordsworth have also given their input as to which of the Gospels reflect which of the Living Beings. Don’t ask me to explain the basis of the choice of each of these seven listed. I don’t understand how nor why these people would see a connection with the Gospel. It makes no sense to me.
Four Apostles seen in terms of the Four Living Beings:
Lion | Peter |
Ox | James |
Man | Matthew |
Eagle | Paul |
The Four Prime New Testament Churches seen in terms of the Four Living Beings:
Lion | Jerusalem |
Ox | Antioch |
Man | Alexandria |
Eagle | Constantinople |
There is another degree of separation which comes from those who see three of the images, namely the Lion, the Ox and the Eagle as being connected with various pagan gods of the conquering nations. Heindrich Zimmern, an Assyriologist, first put forth the idea that the four faces of the living beings (creatures) resembled the principal constellations in the four quarters of the zodiac. Thus corresponding to the four seasons or the four principle gods of the ancient world in animal form: the lion, bull, man and eagle. Others have picked up on that such as David Aune, R. H. Charles and G.R. Beasley-Murray. However, I don’t see the likelihood of the message of Revelation returning to pagan idols and images when the churches of Revelation have already been warned against returning to paganism.
I do find it interesting that Gordon Fee has made no attempt to equate the Four Living Beings with any form of animal nor any natural characteristic of an animal in the light of his first quote (1) listed above. Probably wise in the light of the suggestions seen here. None of the above satisfy me at all. I find myself thinking, “So what, how does that give any in-depth significance to the message of Revelation for either the seven churches or for the Christ followers down through the ages? Give me something of significance that I can sink my teeth into.”
I intended to wait a week as I promised I would before I shared what I have concluded. I will also share the essence of what my readers have come up with too in the following Gem (2228). After the inspiration of this summary Gem. There are times when someone else’s idea sparks something in us. With inspiration from David Pawson I asked for help from the One who sits on the throne and I believe He gave me the link to look in the right direction. I am not saying this is a Word from the LORD; a ‘thus sayeth the LORD’, but I think it’s a nudge in the right direction.
I will leave it with you to percolate until the next Gem. I have not shared everything I have found in this quest. Some of which is just too way out while other ideas are too vague and indistinct to bother explaining to someone else. Suffice to say, the creativity of humankind knows no bounds when it comes to sparking new ideas or theories.
Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.
Albert Einstein
Tap into the creativity latent within you by asking God, the creator of the universe, for a new way of seeing that which you are pondering about from His Word.
Ian
Creativity is daring to think outside box and then being bold enough to tell others who will doubtless try to shoot you down because you have seen something they haven’t.
Ian
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
Vincent Van Gogh
All this analysis has made it more difficult. I was thinking also that the images might be of former empires.