Angelic Conflict part 88: Angelology 102; Basic facts – Isa 6:1-8; Rev 4:1-11; 5:8-10; 6:1-8.

Title: Angelic Conflict part 88: Angelology 102; Basic facts – Isa 6:1-8; Rev 4:1-11; 5:8-10; 6:1-8.

 

The living creatures: The living creatures is a title which represents these angels as manifesting the fullness of divine life, unceasing activity, and abiding participation in the worship of God.

 

Some think they are cherubim and others think they are seraphim and the scripture doesn’t tell us they are either one, therefore it is not significant.

 

A little background (vs. 1-4) would clarify this picture for you, for just as we have seen with the cherubim and seraphim, the limited knowledge about these angels serve us a wealth of understanding of our humility, obedience, and praise of God’s glory as beholding Him in utmost awe, who alone is worthy, who alone is worshipped and who name alone is exalted. When John first glimpses the throne of God that is what is impressed upon him.

 

Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven [third heaven; beyond all telescopes], and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

 

John is still in his body on the island of Patmos while experiencing, in the Spirit, being in the presence of God and seeing these glorious visions.

 

Rev 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.

 

John becomes one of the few to see this before exiting the earth and so is in the company of Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Moses and the 70 elders.

 

Rev 4:3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

 

The precious stones mentioned also seem to have meaning. The jasper stone is described in chapter 21 as a precious stone which is clear like crystal, which would seem to indicate that it may be what we would call a diamond. The sardine stone, or the sardius, is a familiar stone in color like a ruby, a beautiful red.

We have seen 9 precious stones in Eze 28 covering the unfallen Lucifer, at the foot of the throne on Mt. Sinai and in Ezekiel’s vision in Eze 10 we see that it was made of sapphire.

There are twelve precious stones on the breastplate of the high priest, one for each tribe of Israel, and we find 12 stones around the foundation of the NJ.

 

Significantly, the jasper and the sardine are the first and last of the 12 stones on the breastplate of the priest representing Reuben and Benjamin.

Reuben – “behold a son”

Benjamin – “son of my right hand”

 

The first and the last stone would seem to include all the stones as well as the twelve tribes have a very real future in the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham, David, and the people of Israel. But also the translation of the names is significant. Like Reuben, Christ is the first begotten son and like Benjamin, Christ is also the son at the right hand of God.

 

In the nine precious stones that covered Lucifer the sardine is mentioned first and the jasper is sixth on the list. In the description of the NJ the order is reversed and the jasper is first and the sardine is sixth. This possibly means the reversal of glory from angel to man when the angelic conflict began through the man Jesus Christ.

 

The emerald, which is green, which is the appearance of the rainbow, it is eighth in the list of Lucifer’s covering and fourth in the foundation of the NJ, which again seems to indicate a reversal.

 

Rev 4:4 And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

 

Interestingly, if we compare this with Daniel’s vision, who it seems sees them set up and empty and now [completion of CA] they are full.

 

Dan 7:9

"I kept looking Until thrones were set up,

And the Ancient of Days took His seat;

His vesture was like white snow,

And the hair of His head like pure wool.

His throne was ablaze with flames,

Its wheels were a burning fire.

 

Are they angels or are they men? If they are men are they representatives of Israel of the Church? Israel has not been judged by this point, which happens after the Tribulation. Only the Church has been evaluated at the Rapture and at this point in the book of Revelation that event has already occurred and since they have gold stephanos crowns, which are crowns of victory, it would make sense that they are of the redeemed Church, the victors or nikao’s of Rev 2-3. However, there is much theological work done to show that they are angels. We’re not told, so …

 

I quote John F. Walvoord from his comprehensive commentary on the book of Revelation, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

 “While ________ does as well as anyone could to support the identification of the elders as angels, it is evident that he does not have any final or conclusive proof, and the controversy cannot be resolved.” [John Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ]

 

He leans towards resurrected and rewarded winner believers from the Church.

 

As for the number 24 it would not seem that there are only 24 coveted spots. 24 is the number of priests that represented all the priests of Israel and so 24 may speak of a body who represents a larger body without being specific to the number of representatives. Also, since 12 often represents Israel, and Christ is the first born Son seated at the right hand, He is worthy of double blessing as the first born heir, and since we are in union with Him so are we and thus 24 represents that fact. Yet, like Mr. Walvoord stated concerning their identity we can also state concerning their number.

 

Rev 4:5 And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;

 

They have eyes in front and behind like the wheels that accompany the cherubim in Eze 1, Rev 4:6.

 

Rev 4:6 and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

 

However, the four living creatures are not  in the same location that we saw for the cherubim and seraphim.

 

Cherubim – below the throne. Seraphim – above the throne. Living creatures – in the center and around the throne.

 

They each have one face and of the same type as the cherubim in Eze 1 who have four faces, Rev 4:7.

 

Rev 4:7 And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.

 

They have six wings and say praise in the same way as the seraphim, Rev 4:8.

 

Rev 4:8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within [either representing the OS of God or the wisdom of God that these creatures possess]; and day and night they do not cease to say,

 

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty [recognition of God’s power], who was and who is and who is to come."

 

There is no rest in their praise of God’s holiness, power, and eternity.

 

This is slightly different from the praise of the seraphim:

Isa 6:3

"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts [angels],

The whole earth is full of His glory."

 

They may have broadened their praise to include all of God’s works and not just His work with and for angels.

 

Rev 4:9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,

 

So it is clear that they have similarities to cherubim and seraphim, however, the scripture gives them the title “living creatures” only. Their bodies are not described.

 

However, the principle is clear:

Wise is the soul who finds in the Scriptures the revelation of such a God and who bows now in this day of grace in faith and worship before the God who he will serve in eternity. [John Walvoord]

 

Phi 2:9-11

Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Therefore, I will state again that uncertainty, at best, must characterize human understanding regarding the angels.

 

Bishop George Bull (1634-1710), an English theologian, wrote of the angelic majesty and worship of God and the surpassing glory of the object of their adoration in the following: [quoted from Chafer’s Systematic Theology, vol. 2, p. 19]

 

When we consider what glorious beings the angels are, and yet that they are but creatures of, and servants to, the God whom we serve, waiting before His Throne, and humbly attending His commands; this consideration, if we let it sink deeply into our hearts, must needs possess us with most awful apprehensions of the glorious majesty of our God at all times, but especially in our approaches to Him in His worship, and fill us with the greatest reverence and humility. We should do well often to call to mind Daniel’s vision, to whom was represented the “Ancient of Days sitting upon His throne, a thousand thousand ministering unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before Him.”

With what reverence should we behave ourselves in our addresses to the Divine Majesty, before whom the Seraphim themselves hide their faces! And if they cover their feet, are conscious to themselves of their natural imperfection, compared to the infinitely glorious God; bow should we clods of earth, we vile sinners, blush and be ashamed in His presence, assuming no confidence to ourselves, but what is founded on the mercies of God and the merits of our blessed Redeemer and Advocate, Jesus Christ!

And when we find ourselves inclined to pride and vanity, to think highly of ourselves and of our services to God, let us reflect at what a vast distance we come behind the holy angels; how far short our poor, lame, imperfect services are of their holy and excellent ministry. Yet, when we think of the ministry which the holy angels perform towards God, and for us; let us at the same time propound them to ourselves, as patterns and examples for our imitation. [end quote]

 

Their faces being of the same type suggest that they continually represent the earthly ministry of Christ as revealed in the four Gospels.

Matthew – King = Lion of Judah

Mark – Servant = Ox or beast of burden

Luke – Man = True humanity

John – God = Eagle; highest flying bird

 

Activities of the living creatures.

They worship and glorify God, Rev 4:8.

 

Rev 4:8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."

 

They thank and praise God for His creative work and for His redemptive work, Rev 4:9; 5:8-10.

 

Rev 4:9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,

 

Rev 4:10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

 

Rev 4:11 "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."

 

Concerning His redemptive work:

Rev 5:8 And when He had taken the book [scroll sealed with 7 seals], the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 

The golden bowls filled with sacred incense represent the prayers of the saints according to the text.

 

Here in heaven the importance of prayer from the earth is shown to be extremely important. The role of the elders, here during the Tribulation, is one of sympathetic presentation and not that of mediation.

 

Christ is the only Mediator. The resurrected winner believers and the living creatures are involved in a sympathetic offering of the prayers of the Tribulational saints who are extremely persecuted on earth. Again, this is privilege and not necessity.

 

This symbolism is also stated by David in:

 

Psa 141:2

May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee;

The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

 

Properly motivated prayer is sweet incense to God. This is why the believer will pray more often and more effectively as his love for God increases.

 

Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

 

Rev 5:10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

 

Along with their worship and the use of the harps and the incense, they sing a new song in which Christ is declared to be worthy because of His work of redemption [purchase] and His transformation of men into kings and priests.

 

The new song is of Christ’s redemptive work and the transformation of born again believers.

 

This is just what they were looking into during the CA. I would seem that they found or saw what they were looking for as they would not be parroting a song that they did not understand.

 

If we match this with:

 

1Pet 1:12

in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven —  things into which angels long to look.

 

Eph 3:10-12

in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

 

It would appear that these angels, now after the CA is completed have a much greater insight into the gospel since they worship God along with the winner believers of the Church for His redemption and transformation of fallen men to kings and priests.