“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.”
Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind — one looks like a lion, the next one like an ox, the third has a face like a human face, and the fourth looks like a flying eagle — the four living creatures derive from Ezekiel 1:10 and Isaiah 6:2-3; they represent all creation (wild animal, domesticated animal, human, celestial) worshiping the Creator. The eyes (ommata) signify omniscience; they look forward and backward in time, seeing God's purposes.
Church Fathers on Revelation 4:7
“The first living creature was like to a lion, and the second was like to a calf, and the third had a face like to a man, and the fourth was like to a flying eagle; and they had six wings, and round about and within they were full of eyes; and they had no rest, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord Omnipotent. And the four and twenty elders, falling down before the throne, adored God.” The four and twenty elders are the twenty-four books of the prophets and of the law, which give…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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