Who Are the Four Living Creatures?
Who Are the Four Living Creatures?
By: Fr Matthew Attia
On Saturday, 17th November 2018 the Church celebrates the Commemoration of the 4 Living Creatures who carry the Throne of God as seen by St. John the Evangelist,“The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do no rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’”(Revelation 4:8-9).
“The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” (Revelation 4:7).
The Prophet Ezekiel, whilst in exile in Babylon, saw a heavenly vision depicting the 4 living creatures (Ezekiel 1:4-28). St. John Chrysostom says, “There is nothing like the four Living Creatures in their honour, neither in heaven nor on earth because they are carrying God’s throne. They are created of light and fire. They are very strong and powerful. They appeal to God for the forgiveness of sins of mankind.”
The Fathers of the Church, contemplating on the nature and role of the 4 living creatures emerged with the following interpretations:
1. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Attributes of God
2. The Four Living Creatures= refer to the Four Gospels
3. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Redeeming Work of Christ
St. Irenaeus says:
4. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Sanctification of Human Nature
5. The Four Living Creatures=refer to Stages of Christ’s Salvation
St. Jerome says:
6. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Different Earthly Creatures
St. John Chrysostom says:
7. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Living Church of Christ
8. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Various Forces of the Soul
St. Gregory of Nazianzus says:
The Holiness of the Sanctuary
Our Orthodox Church, desiring always that her children taste heaven on earth, place the Pantocrator (niche) in the inner sanctuary (before the altar) depicting Christ on the Throne carried by the four living creatures with the 24 priests before Him. The priest offers incense to the two side sanctuaries of the Church saying, “Hail to the sanctuary of our Lord Jesus Christ carried by the Cherubim and the Seraphim.
In the conclusion of the Doxologies of the four Living Creatures we say, “Intercede of our behalf O four Living Creatures, the ministers fervent as fire, that Christ may forgive us our sins.
By: Fr Matthew Attia
“The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” (Revelation 4:7).
The Prophet Ezekiel, whilst in exile in Babylon, saw a heavenly vision depicting the 4 living creatures (Ezekiel 1:4-28). St. John Chrysostom says, “There is nothing like the four Living Creatures in their honour, neither in heaven nor on earth because they are carrying God’s throne. They are created of light and fire. They are very strong and powerful. They appeal to God for the forgiveness of sins of mankind.”
The Fathers of the Church, contemplating on the nature and role of the 4 living creatures emerged with the following interpretations:
1. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Attributes of God
- The Man refers to God’s wisdom and knowledge
- The Lion refers to God’s power and majest
- The Calf refers to God’s patience and justice
- The Eagle refers to God’s glory, height and sight
2. The Four Living Creatures= refer to the Four Gospels
- The Man refers to the Gospel of St. Matthew who commenced his Gospel with the genealogy of Christ as the Son of man
- The Lion refers to the Gospel of St. Mark who commenced his Gospel with the voice crying in the wilderness
- The Calf refers to the Gospel of St. Luke who commenced his Gospel with the sacrifices which Zacharias was offering in the temple
- The Eagle refers to the Gospel of St. John who commenced his Gospel with the divinity of Christ
3. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Redeeming Work of Christ
St. Irenaeus says:
- The Man refers to Christ’s incarnation and humanity
- The Lion refers to Christ’s power, courage and victory
- The Calf refers to Christ’s sacrifice
- The Eagle refers to Christ’s divinity and ascension to heaven
4. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Sanctification of Human Nature
- The Man refers to mental sanctification
- The Lion refers to sanctification of human authority
- The Calf refers to physical sanctification
- The Eagle refers to spiritual sanctification
5. The Four Living Creatures=refer to Stages of Christ’s Salvation
St. Jerome says:
- The Man refers to the incarnation
- The Calf refers to the crucifixion and redemption
- The Lion refers to the resurrection
- The Eagle refers to the Ascension
6. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Different Earthly Creatures
St. John Chrysostom says:
- The Man refers to the human race
- The Lion refers to the wild beasts
- The Calf refers to the tamed animals
- The Eagles refers to the birds
7. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Living Church of Christ
- The Man refers to the Bishops
- The Lion refers to the Priests
- The Calf refers to the Deacons
- The Eagle refers to the Laity
8. The Four Living Creatures=refer to the Various Forces of the Soul
St. Gregory of Nazianzus says:
- The Man refers to the gift of logic
- The Lion refers to the forces of rage
- The Calf refers to the carnal desires
- The Eagle refers to the spiritual desires
The Holiness of the Sanctuary
Our Orthodox Church, desiring always that her children taste heaven on earth, place the Pantocrator (niche) in the inner sanctuary (before the altar) depicting Christ on the Throne carried by the four living creatures with the 24 priests before Him. The priest offers incense to the two side sanctuaries of the Church saying, “Hail to the sanctuary of our Lord Jesus Christ carried by the Cherubim and the Seraphim.
In the conclusion of the Doxologies of the four Living Creatures we say, “Intercede of our behalf O four Living Creatures, the ministers fervent as fire, that Christ may forgive us our sins.
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21 Comments
I love this! Goosebumps!
Inspirational and educating
This is very interesting. I would of never seen it this way
This is amazing
The four living creatures are Mary, Joseph, and the two angels of Zechariah 5. The two angels of Zechariah 5 are the same two cherubim of Genesis 3. They do not intercede, but the Holy Spirit intercedes, Jesus is Lord meaning Jesus is God
Isaiah 9
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
If you actually read the bible you would know that the triantity said father is not son son is not father and God is not Jesus so your a little wrong not just that the triantity also said father on the top son on the bottom and the holy spirit on the right bottom the holy spirit is gods power
In a very troubled time I actually had a vision of the three Beasts that had bodies of men and heads of a eagle, a lion and I thought it was a bear but now I can see it was a cow calf.
Before that when I was having the crisis Jesus appeared on the water of the lake: I believe the Sea of Galilee and had a hand up to an envisioned entity! The moon was in the background lighting the sea behind Jesus in a way that lite up like a pathway directly to Jesus!
It was not a cow calf it was an Ox
If you ended up here randomly, you are blessed.
If you were looking for answers related to this content, I hope you feel enlightened the same way I feel after reading this.
I disagree with all those views. Clearly from Rev 5:5-10, the beasts are part of those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, not an abstract idea like various forces of the soul" or any such thing. I have a problem relating the symbol to what they are supposed to represent in the other views expressed. I believe they are the four-fold gifts God gave to the church since they lead the elders in worship, and are full of eyes (knowledge, wisdom and understanding). Apostle (Lion), Prophet (Man), Evangelist (Eagle), Pastor-Teacher (Calf)
Actually there are 7 churches so there would have to be 7 animals and the pastor teacher was an ox not a calf and the prophet had a face like a man he wasn't a man and I know this because I do Bible study every night and the 4creatures is my homework and they where related to lamb even if the lamb had 7 eyes and 7 horns and a man is the one to find this out it's in the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Bible
Very educative and inspiring write ups
This description of the four living creatures has upset me, there is too much presumption and unnecessary exaggeration. Some of St. John's visions are clear and are easily understood, but others are beyond comprehension. It is better to avoid guessing things. I have studied Biblical theology and I continue to do so. Have a great and wonderful Sunday of Easter time.
Words are powerful & this words are really inspiring .. God blessed you .
Creatures refer to gospel symbols of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Matthew 24:14
Wow...Goosebumps indeed...This is the mystery connecting Ezekiel and Revelations. It's now becoming clearer
This is marvelous and beautiful!
And now we see through a glass darkly.... but then...
Great Article but there are few corrections.
Firstly, at the end of the article, the four living creatures don't pray on our behalf. They are just like other heavenly being created to worship. Asking them to pray for you is an aberration. Only Jesus can intercede the Father on our behalf and His Blood is powerful enough to cleanse every sins.
Secondly, some comments here, shows men are really lacking in pure teaching of God's Word.
Jesus is God because He's the Second in the Trinity. He became man for the purpose of redemption.
Thirdly, the four living creatures are not Joseph or Mary like someone wrote down there, that's an error. They are creatures just like Archangels.
Please read Bible mostly and open your heart for the Holy Spirit to really teach you His word.
HE'S THE AUTHOR.
I just love the explanation soo lovely
May God bless u with more wisdom and the grace
Thou art worthy o Lord, to receive glory honour and power. For thou hast created all things and "for thy pleasure they are and were created"