The Four Beasts of Revelation

The four beast or creatures mentioned in Revelation 5:14 are types of angelic beings, possibly cherubim or seraphim. They are similar to those in Isaiah 6:2-3, Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10. Their eyes represent the omniscience and omnipresence of God. The four beasts are:

1. A lion – the king of all beasts, majesty and omnipotence. The gospel of Matthew was written concerning the king of the Jews, the lion of the tribe of Judah.

2. An ox – patience and continuous labor. The gospel of Mark was written concerning Jesus being the conquering servant and represents the tribe of Ephraim.

3. Man – intelligence and rational power. The gospel of Luke was written concerning the humanity of Jesus and represents the tribe of Reuben.

4. An eagle – sovereignty and supremacy, the greatest of all birds. The gospel of John was written concerning the divinity of Jesus and represents the tribe of Dan.

For Non-Christians

All of the creatures were worshiping Christ as the Lamb of God who died, rose from the dead, and is now the eternal one that lives forever and ever. One day everyone will worship the Lamb of God (Jesus) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

We will either worship Him now of free will or by force when “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He (Jesus) is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

All believers worship Jesus as Lord of their lives of their own volition. One day all unbelievers, demons, and the devil himself will bow their knees and confess Jesus as Lord before being cast into the lake of fire (Philippians 2:5-11, Revelation 20:10-15, Revelation 21:8).

All who reject Christ and His gospel of grace will be punished with everlasting destruction (fire) from the presence of Lord, and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Romans 1:18, Matthew 25:41). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

If you have not turned your life over to Jesus, I invite you to do so now. He will prepare a place for you in heaven (John 14:1-6) and your sins will be forgiven, cleansed, and washed away (Psalms 103:12, Romans 10:8-13, 1 John 1: 7 and 9).

Prayer: Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins. I choose to make you Lord of my life from now on and forever.

For Christians

The one thing God needs from us is worship. We were created to worship and to bring Him pleasure (Revelation 4:10-11). The Father seeks such to worship Him (John 4:23) and He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). Spend time worshiping Him daily. You will be blessed and so will He (Psalms 103:1-2).

Also, when we become a child of God we are called to be witnesses (Matthew 4:19). We must not only witness, but persuade people to make Jesus their Lord (Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9-10).

1 Peter 3:15 – “Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you the reason of the hope that is in you.”

The reality of the eternal destiny of those who reject Christ should motivate us to share Jesus with the lost and see them brought into a relationship with Jesus. Their destiny hangs in the balance.

You may be the deciding factor which way the scales are tipped. Paul said, “knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11).