FOUR BEASTS

Rev.4:6-8 – And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and is and is to come!”

What a shock all of this must have been for John. One minute he is all alone, in prayer on the beach. The next minute he is caught up into heaven in the midst of a scene that is too big for words. There is a voice like a trumpet, One seated on the throne surrounded by an emerald rainbow, elders, angels, and unimaginable beasts. The sounds and images only manageable because John was “in the Spirit”. Heaven is a place too big and too wonderful for words, nothing in this realm can ever compare.

Today, I want to focus on these strange beasts that John saw. Isaiah had called them seraphim, the burning ones. You think?! These beasts had been in the fiery presence since the day of their creation. Their whole existence has been spent caught up in unimaginable glory. These beasts are seen by John with four faces. I think these faces have prophetic significance and have something to say to us today. Maybe these characteristics portrayed by these beasts say something about us as we spend time in His glory.

First, there is the lion. The lion speaks to us about royalty and boldness. You and I are royalty, reigning with Christ in this life. As we draw near to the Lord beginning 2019 we too are filled with boldness. Nothing the enemy throws at us can cause us to back down. The next creature is like an ox. This speaks to us about servanthood and sacrifice. Our lives are now consumed before the Lord as we draw close. What do you have for me Lord in 2019? I offer myself as a living sacrifice in view of all you have done for me. Now we come to the beast with the face of a man. Man alone is created in the image of God. We are now born again, adopted as His sons and daughters. Man alone holds this place as the crown of His creation, our redemption from our fallen state will bring glory to the Lord forever. The last beast has the face of an eagle. This beast speaks to us about prophetic vision and insight. As we press in to the Lord at the beginning of this new year we are being filled with understanding about the things to come. The Lord has promised to fill us with visions and dreams, 2019 is unfolding before us by the Spirit of the Lord.