A SIX-WINGED GOSPEL

There is an interesting passage in the Book of Revelation that I have never heard preached. It has to do with four "beasts" who praise the Lord day and night. The text reads:

"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 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. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And...those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever" (Rev. 4:6-9).

One commentary suggests that these four "beasts" are the same creatures as those found in Isaiah 6:1-4 and Ezekiel 1:5-25; in other words, Seraphim. That makes sense, as there are no other created beings mentioned that have six wings. Whether or not they are Seraphim, I find their description very interesting.

To begin with, the four "beasts" are "like" something. That means their descriptions are similes, and therefore symbolic of something else. Just as in Daniel, the four "beasts" were symbolic; the Lion was a picture of Babylon, the Bear was symbolic of Medo-Persia, the Leopard represented Greece, and the "fourth beast" was identified as Rome. Each simile told us something about the character of the four empires. The Lion is the greatest or the king of the beasts. The Bear is weaker and slower. The Leopard is weaker still, but very fast. And the "fourth beast" was not only stronger than the others, but it could fly.

So what do these four six-winged "beasts" of Revelation symbolize? Our first clue is found in what most theologians have to say about the four Gospels. Matthew presents Jesus as the King of the Jews. Mark pictures Jesus as the Sacrificing Servant. Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of Man. And finally, John declares Jesus to be God. If you compare these four Gospels to the four beasts in Revelation 4:6-9, you will find that they match the emphasis of each of the Gospels. The Lion is Matthew's King; the Calf is Mark's Sacrifice; the Man is Luke's Incarnate Son; and the Eagle is John's Heavenly Lord.

Our second clue has to do with the eyes. Notice they can see everything, behind them, around them, and in front of them. That is a perfect picture of the four Gospels. Each speaks to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Christ; each presents Jesus during His earthly ministry; and each informs us of what lies ahead for man in his relationship to God. Who could doubt that these "beasts" would proclaim the holiness of the God "(Who) was (behind or past), and is (around or present), and is to come (in front or future)!