Revelation 4:1-11.
Revelation 4:1-11.
American Journal of Biblical Theology
July 23, 2006
and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
The four living creatures that surround the throne are also referred to by Isaiah as seraphim (Is. 6:3) and by Ezekiel as cherubim (Ezek. 1:5ff, 10:1ff). Like the 24 elders, they serve to lead in the worship of the LORD. The elders and the living creatures are often referred together. Eyes are commonly used as a metaphor for knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 17:24, Is. 11:3, Jer. 5:21, Dan. 4:34, Eph. 1:18). When one has many eyes, one sees many things. The living creatures around the throne have a full appreciation, understanding, and knowledge of all things.
The cherubim may be a proclamation of the nature of God, as each demonstrates one of God’s qualities, for example the omniscience implied by the fullness of eyes, both in front and behind, seeing and knowing in all directions, whether they be directions of the compass or directions of created time.