Salvation Revealed in the Four Creatures
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. Revelation 4:7 (KJV)
The Apostle John was taken to heaven in the spirit and saw the throne room of God. In that throne room were four beasts. These creatures were all different from one another, but each one was a picture of Jesus Christ.
Lion
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Revelation 5:5 (KJV)
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, and He’s called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. A lion conquers all his foes. Jesus lived a sinless life and conquered everything He faced, including the devil, religious hypocrites, sin, and the flesh. Because He overcame, we can now overcome.
Calf (Ox)
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12 (KJV)
The word calf can also be translated as ox. The ox is an animal of work and labor. Christ fulfilled the work of God and even finished the work of redemption at the cross. Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” Salvation is a finished work that Jesus fulfilled. Christ was the supreme sacrifice for all mankind. They sacrificed calves, among other animals, in the Old Testament. Jesus offered His life to purchase our redemption once and for all.
Man
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: I John 2:1 (KJV)
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
God came as a man to live and die in the earth. Jesus Christ lived as a man, experiencing all that we experience, but without sin. Now, He is the God-man. He is present with Godas our Mediator, High Priest, and Advocate. Jesus knows how to help us and He understands who were are and what we go through daily. As a man, Jesus died for all mankind and now represents us before the Father.
Eagle
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23 (KJV)
Jesus died but rose again and ascended up to heaven, where He is seated with God. The eagle shows Jesus’s triumph over all. He rose above it all and was victorious. The eagle pictures Jesus’ resurrection and ascension as He rose from the dead and ascended to the highest place of honor.
In the four beasts around the throne of God, we see symbolic pictures of Jesus Christ on display. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the sacrifce that accomplished the work of salvation, the God-man who took our punishment, and the One who arose victorious and soared like an eagle to heaven. Hallelujah for Jesus!
