Revelation 4:7

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. CALF - `a steer' (Alford). [The Septuagint often use moschos for an ox, (; , etc.)] AS A MAN. A, Vulgate, Coptic, have: 'as of a man;' 'Aleph (') manuscript has: 'as like a man.'...

1-8 After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches "the things that are," there was another vision. The apostle saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God's awful justice. The rainbow is a fit emblem of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing colour was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honour, rest, and satisfaction;...

Verse Revelation 4:7. _THE FIRST BEAST_ WAS _LIKE A LION_] It is supposed that there is a reference here to the _four standards_ or _ensigns_ of the _four divisions_ of the tribes in the Israelitish camp, as they are described by Jewish writers. The first living creature was like a _lion_; this was, say the rabbins, the standard of JUDAH on the _east_, with the two tribes of _Issachar_ and _Zabulon_. The second, like a _calf_ or _ox_, which was the emblem of EPHRAIM who pitched on the _west_, with the two tribes of _Manasseh_ and _Benjamin_. The third, with the _face_ of a _man_, which, according to the rabbins, was the standard of REUBEN who pitched on the _south_, with the two tribes of _Simeon_ and _Gad_. The fourth which was like a _flying_ (spread) eag

AND THE FIRST BEAST WAS LIKE A LION - A general description has been given, applicable to all, denoting that in whatever form the divine government is administered, these things will be found; a particular description now follows, contemplating that government under particular aspects, as symbolized by the living beings on which the throne rests. The first is that of a lion. The lion is the monarch of the woods, the king of beasts, and he becomes thus the emblem of dominion, of authority, of government in general. Compare Genesis 49:9; Amos 3:8; Joel 3:16; Daniel 7:4. As emblematic of the divine administration, this would signify tha

EXPOSITION This is the commencement of the second great division, which embraces Revelation 4-22:5, that in which the revelation, properly so called, takes place. Revelation 4:1. and 5. contain the first of the seven visions, which is itself a prelude to the rest. REVELATION 4:1 AFTER THIS; or, _after these things _(μετὰ ταῦτα). There is no good ground for supposing, as some do, that, after the events narrated in Revelation 3:1., an interval occurred in the visions, during which St. John possibly wrote down the matter contained in the first three chapters. Nor is there any justification for assigning what follows to a time after this world.

AND THE FIRST BEAST [WAS] LIKE A LION,.... And this figure expresses the strength of the ministers of the word, the lion being the strongest among beasts, Proverbs 30:30, to do the work they are called to, to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Christ, and to bear the infirmities of the weak; and also it denotes their courage and boldness in preaching the Gospel of Christ, without fearing the faces of men, or of being afraid of their revilings: AND THE SECOND BEAST LIKE A CALF; or "ox", for so the word here used signifies in the Hellenistic language, and with the Septuagint interpreters, and agrees with Ezekiel 1:10, and designs the laboriousness of Christ's faithful ministers in treading out the corn of Gospel truth, who labour in the word and doctrine, and are labourers with God; a

BEASTS Living creatures. (_ See Scofield) - (Ezekiel 1:5). _...

III. THE THINGS WHICH ARE AFTER THESE, THE END OF THE AGE, THE CONSUMMATION, AND FINAL MESSAGES (4-22) Chapter S 4-5 _ 1. The open door and the vision of the throne (Revelation 4:1)_ 2. The twenty-four elders and the throne (Revelation 4:4). 3. The four living creatures and the worship (Revelation 4:6) 4. Who is worthy to open the book? (Revelation 5:1) 5. The answer (Revelation 5:4) 6. The vision of the Lamb ...

REVELATION 4. THE VISION OF HEAVEN. In this chapter the real Apocalypse commences. A door is opened in heaven and the seer sees the throne of God, flashing like jewels, and surrounded by a rainbow. Twenty-four elders sit on thrones, and with four living beasts offer continual praise and worship to God. Much of the imagery is traditional, and derived from similar descriptions of heaven and the Divine majesty in OT; _cf._ Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 12:4; Daniel 7:9 f. REVELATION 4:1. THE FIRST VOICE: that mentioned in Revelation 1:10....

With the fourth chapter there is. remarkable change in the nature of Revelation. Two parts, the record of the things John _saw_ and the things that _were_ (are) have ended; the third part, the declaration of the things that _shall be hereafter,_ begins with these words: “After this. looked, and behold,. door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which. heard was, as it were, of. trumpet talking to me; which said, come up hither, and. will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” See also chap. 1:19. The prophetic portion, which embraces seventeen Chapter s, is now introduced by imagery of the most striking character. The scene has entirely changed. No longer does John behold Patmos and the sea, or the vision of the Son of Man moving among the golden candlesticks, with the seven stars in his hands, but in the spirit he is permitted to look through the open door of heaven and to beh...