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There is no possibility of mistaking their identity. When these four living ones gave
glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat upon the throne, the four and twenty elders
says:--
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for Thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4: 11).
The words "all things" are a translation of ta panta. Our belief is that this expression
refers to some specific creation and purpose and is not universal. This however we do
not attempt to prove here, as we wish all to have the opportunity of testing the subject for
themselves. The first thing therefore with which the cherubim are associated in the
Apocalypse is adoration and praise for the accomplishment of the purpose of the creation
of the all things.
We next find them with harps and golden vases of incense leading the praises of
heaven in the new song, which celebrates the worthiness of the Redeemer, the
redemption of the kingdom of priests (see the original covenant made at Sinai, Exod. 19:
6). Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands take up the strain,
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" (Rev. 5: 12). This is echoed by "every creature" in
heaven, earth, under the earth and in the sea, and finally confirmed with the united
"Amen" of the four living creatures and the worship of the four and twenty elders. What
an absolute contrast this whole-hearted worship and praise is, to that profanity that
caused the downfall of the original covering cherub (Ezek. 28:)!
Without going into all the details, it will be perhaps more helpful if we see at a glance
the way in which the four living creatures are introduced into the book of the Revelation.
A | Rev. 4:
"Glory, honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne."
"Thou hast created the all things for Thy pleasure."
B | Rev. 5: Vials of incense. Thou art worthy.
Kingdom of priests. Every creature.
C | Rev. 6: The seals opened.
Rev. 7: The sealing of the 144,000.
Rev. 14: The new song of the 144,000.
B | Rev. 15: Vials of wrath. They are worthy.
The kingdom of the beasts.
A | Rev. 19: Alleluia. Worship Him that sat on the throne.
Babylon destroyed.
It will be perceived that the above has all the elements of correspondence, which we
so often find underlying the arrangement of any particular theme, with the exception of
one section. It opens and closes with the two great themes of the book. The triumph of
the mystery of godliness, the overthrow of the mystery of iniquity. The vials of incense,