2007-04-03 12:32:28 · 7 answers · asked by House Speaker 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
From the mention of 6 wings and the responsive "Holy, Holy , Holy is the LORD of Hosts..." they appear to be the Seraphim, (the Fiery Ones) described in Isaiah Chapter 6. They also appear to share characteristics of the Cherubim described in Ezekiel Chapters One and Three.
2007-04-03 13:01:32 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What do these four living creatures picture? A vision reported by another prophet, Ezekiel, helps us to find the answer. Ezekiel saw God enthroned on a celestial chariot, which was accompanied by living creatures embodying characteristics similar to those described by John. (Ezekiel 1:5-11, 22-28) Later, Ezekiel again saw that chariot throne accompanied by the living creatures. This time, however, he referred to the living creatures as cherubs. (Ezekiel 10:9-15) The four living creatures that John sees must represent the many cherubs of God—creatures of high rank in His spirit organization. John would not think it unusual to see cherubs positioned so close to Jehovah’s person, since in the ancient tabernacle arrangement, two cherubs of gold were displayed upon the lid of the ark of the covenant, which represented Jehovah’s throne. From between these cherubs, Gods voice issued commandments to the nation.—Exodus 25:22; Psalm 80:1.
These four living creatures are “in the midst of the throne and around the throne.” Exactly what does this mean? It could signify that they are positioned around the throne in such a way that one is standing in the middle of each side. Thus, the translators of Today’s English Version paraphrased the original Greek expression in this way: “surrounding the throne on each of its sides.” Alternatively, the expression could mean that the four living creatures are in the central position in heaven where the throne is. Likely, that is why The Jerusalem Bible renders the phrase: “in the centre, grouped round the throne itself.” The important thing is the closeness of the cherubs to the throne, comparable to that of the cherubs that Ezekiel saw at each corner of Gods organizational chariot. (Ezekiel 1:15-22) All of this harmonizes with the words of Psalm 99:1: “Jehovah himself has become king. . . . He is sitting upon the cherubs.”
2007-04-03 19:30:29 · answer #2 · answered by Kilroy J 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is one with the head of an eagle which represents God's far-sighted wisdom, one with the head of a bull which represents His power, one with the head of a lion to represent His justice, and one with the head of a man to represent His love.
Revelation 4:6,7 : "And in the midst of the throne and around the throne there are four living creatures that are full of eyes in front and behind. And the first living creature is like a lion, and the second living creature is like a young bull, and the third living creature has a face like a man’s, and the fourth living creature is like a flying eagle."
2007-04-03 12:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In Christian iconography, the eagle is often seen to represent the Gospel of John, the man Mark, the lion Matthew, and the bull Luke.
2007-04-03 12:45:15 · answer #4 · answered by completelysurroundedbyimbeciles 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Aliens.
2007-04-03 12:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/nl292.htm
this will awanser your question perfictly
2007-04-03 12:38:03 · answer #6 · answered by Snipe-O-Matic 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
goat, lion, eagle and... man, I think.
2007-04-03 12:37:03 · answer #7 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋