The Four Living Creatures or Seraphim Cherubim

The Book of Hebrews tells us the Old Testament stories and laws are types and symbols of New Testament doctrines, God's Plan of Salvation. Jesus said all the prophets spoke of Him. But though every page of the Old Testament is filled with prophetic details of the Christ, when He finally came His own received Him not, neither did they recognize Him.

Here is a most interesting set of hidden types found especially in Ezekial, Isaiah, and Revelations. I wrote it out in more detail with Bible references for my study of Revelations, but that has been out of print for some time so this will be a mere taste to wet your appetite and you will have to dig out the Bible references and details.

Ezekial saw a strange but bright and dazzling creature, having four heads and other geometrical details which may be impossible to represent in three dimensions. Its purpose is not meant to be at all literal but to be a type of how the Holy Spirit works through people on earth. The four faces were, of man, calf, lion, and eagle. Not by chance are there four Gospels. Matthew was especially written for the Jews and represents Christ as King and LION of the tribe of Judah. Mark was written with special traits for the Romans of his day, and represents Christ as a humble servant of man, even as is the OX. Luke was a Greek and wrote his Gospel for the Greeks and represents Christ as the most intelligent and aesthetic man possible. John wrote his Gospel of spiritual matters even as the EAGLE soars high into the heavens, for the CHURCH.

The living creatures had both wings and wheels. The wings were to hide the hands and feet, while the main moving of the Spirit was in the wheels. People used of the Spirit may hide their own actions, their feet also have no self will but are hidden to be used only by the Spirit. The wheels are set within wheels diametrically opposed so that mechanically they could not even move, but the Spirit is pictured as a MOVING force. One characteristic of those led of the Spirit is they are always doing new things. The fundamental doctrines are unchanging, but the details of going, working, preaching and praising will always be both fresh and changing.

A man led of the Spirit will at times stand up before the so called powerful of the land and declare God's message as bold as a lion. The next day he may be out among the needy and humble, helpful as a servant. God's servants are humbly waiting on the Spirit for guidance and yet will study to develop their intelligence to its limit. John Wesley said he wanted his preachers to study mathematics as well as the Bible. God chose a genius like Paul to write parts of the New Testament. Peter, though unschooled, was both smart and original and progressive. After all, even a genius admits his limitations and goes to the desert to be alone with God. Only the Spirit can guide into ALL truth. The eagle does not fly in a flock, but soars alone into the heavens.

We see then that the number four is the Spirit in the Church, even as three is the Trinity of the Godhead, and seven is the perfect number representing Christ. There are many passages both Old Testament and New Testament using two. These illustrate the two works of grace, or the need for a deeper work beyond initial Justification. When Israel had their first Passover, they were in the slavery of Egypt. When they sprinkled the blood of a lamb on the doorposts in the form of a Cross, then they passed into life though the Egyptians died all about them. That same night the Israelites were to leave Egypt, but crossing the Red Sea they found themselves in a Wilderness. It took further journeying, lessons, failures and victories to come to and cross Jordan to enter the Promised Land. So, the new Christian must strive to enter, must purify his own garments at this stage, and must put to death the old man of carnal controls.

In Revelations, the four living creatures are called beasts in the King James Version, a mistranslation not to be confused with the evil beasts of worldly governments seen in other chapters. The Living Creatures are near the throne, and also there is a very special and chosen group. The Bride will be made up of those who are unsoiled and without spot or wrinkle, who do not love the world.

This is a far different picture from the great throngs without number of another chapter who also sing the Song of the Lamb as a Redeemer. This latter group is not of the Bride but of the Justified. They accepted the sacrifice of Christ for their sins, and that is wonderful beyond words, but the vast majority of such easy faith Christians do not leave all to follow Him whithersoever He goeth, even to be hated of all men for His Name sake, cast out of the company of one's own friends and family, poor according to this world, but not according to eternal riches.

That is truly being filled with the Spirit, led of the Spirit and having crucified the Old Man of carnal self. The depths and heights of the love of God and walking with Christ are infinite. There is a limit of what one can receive in a large multitude or congregation. Christ chose one-hundred and twenty disciples. He had many more believers besides this, then a smaller number, twelve, of Apostles. Even then we hear little of most of them. Peter, James and John are taken with Jesus into the Mount of Transfiguration.

These paragraphs are of necessity brief, sketchy and incomplete. They are but suggestions. God' types are hidden with a hunger and thirst for righteousness, will pass over it all. Those longing for a closer walk with their loving Lord will find His types unfolding in infinite riches and splendor of mystical communion in Him.

GOD BLESS YOU.