The four living ones, each one having six wings, full of eyes around and within, and they did not cease day or night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, the One who was, and the One who is, and the One about to come.” (Revelation 4:8).
The four living creatures before the throne are Cherubim. These Cherubim differ from the ones seen in the earthly temple, which was a shadow of the heavenly temple (Hebrews 8:5). In the earthly temple, the Cherubim had two faces and two wings (Exodus 25:19–20). At the end of the propitiatory seat—often mistranslated as the Mercy Seat—the Cherubim anticipated when propitiation would be made (Exodus 25:18). Now that Christ has made propitiation, these four living creatures relate to the priestly service of the Church in heaven (1 John 2:2).
When the four living creatures proclaim the holiness of the three Persons of the Godhead, the twenty-four elders bow before Christ and cast their victor’s wreaths at His feet (Revelation 4:9–10). The Cherubim are not engaging in vain repetition by repeating the word “holy” three times. It is a direct statement concerning the Godhead. Although God is one Being, He possesses three distinct Persons. When Isaiah is separated to bring the words of judgment upon Israel, the Seraphim are seen speaking the same words (Isaiah 6:2–3). One of the Seraphim then took a coal from the altar and touched Isaiah’s mouth so that his iniquity was taken away and his sins purged (Isaiah 6:7). Now that Christ is the place of propitiation (Romans 3:25), it is the Cherubim who relate to the priestly service in heaven.
The twenty-four elders represent the division of service for the Church saints. They will also serve at their appointed time in groups of twenty-four. After the four living creatures declare God’s uniqueness in three Persons and His absolute power, the elders cast their victor’s wreaths at Christ’s feet, for their order is complete. This order is shadowed in the Levitical Priesthood, showing that not all of the priests serve at the same time (compare to Luke 1:8–9). As the elders complete their service, they worship Christ by giving Him credit for who He is in both words and actions as they recognize their rewards are a direct result of His work, not their own self-effort. Thus, they place them at His feet, giving Him the proper opinion (glory), honor, and inherent ability, for He is the One who created all things and by His desirous will they exist (Revelation 4:10–11).
