“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:6-8.
This image symbolizes God’s beautiful throne scene in heaven. The four living creatures are also mentioned in Ezek. 1:10 and 10:14. There is a parallel scene in Isaiah 6:1. Here the wings have the specific functions of concealing God's person, His operations among men, and going forth with His plan. Since there are so many details here, we will address the basic symbolism.
The four “Living creatures,” reflecting the four attributes of God, are on each side of the throne. They are “full of eyes” which look forward and backward. The eternity of the future and of the past is clearly seen. He who “inhabits eternity” also sees into eternity. (Isaiah 57:15) There have not been and will not be any conditions which our God could not or cannot harness to redound to His glory. The far-seeing wisdom of God guarantees his sovereignty. There never have been any emergencies with God, nor will there ever be.
Simply, the lion represents God's justice; the ox, His power; the man, His love; and the eagle with is far-sightedness, His wisdom. They declare His holiness and give glory to the Father by His exercise of them.
Realizing there is much more to say on this because it involves depthful study to verify, scripturally, all these symbols, we offer this basic answer in the hope it will stimulate your understanding and studies.
