Revelation 4:6-8

John next sees four beasts full of eyes before and behind, bearing a general resemblance to a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle. Each has wings and eyes, and they rest not day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, etc." Our first impression is that here is all animate creation worshipping God. We like to think of all nature animate and inanimate praising God in every sound and motion. What a chorus of praise! Brook, and bird, and bee, and flower; thunder, and wind, and ocean, and mountain, all in gladsome harmony hymning God's praise. But beautiful and appropriate as that suggestion is, it can hardly sum up this symbol.

The word translated 'beasts' should be rendered "living ones;" not as though they were wild beasts though they are living, but higher beings by far. In eleven, or more, other places in Revelation they are mentioned and their employments shown.

They worship; they do service; they say at various times to John, 'Come and see'. Therefore we look upon them as personal beings, angels, or archangels around the throne.