A Visit to Heaven (Part III)

Every purpose of heaven is to declare the holiness of God.

What Do The Four Living Creatures Say About God’s Holiness?

The four creatures mentioned are seen in the Talmud as representing the four primary forms of life in God’s creation and also the 12 tribes of Israel camped under the banner of these creatures

Keep in mind these creatures resemble these things, but are not these things

The creatures:

The lion represents wild creatures

The ox/calf represents the domesticated

The face of a man is representing the pinnacle of God’s creation

The eagle is symbolic of all flying creatures

All this reminds us of the fact God is ruler of all the created.

Their is nothing too wild or too tame outside of his dominion

Making the lion submit to his will is just as easy as making the cow submit

Man, the top of creation submits to Christ

We have the ability to judge, create, etc. but none of that outshines God’s capability

Thinking of the eagle I am reminded of how nothing is out of God’s reach

Why is there 6 wings?

Isaiah 6 lets us know what the angels use their six wings for:

two cover their feet and two cover there face

They cover because of God’s holiness.

Exodus 3:5 ESV

Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 33:21–23 ESV

And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

two they fly with

As we look at Scripture we see the angels flying about carrying out God’s will

Eyes all over

Some say this is to represent their vigilance in watching over God’s throne

No matter how much we look, no matter how many eyes we have its not possible to fully take in God’s holiness completely

Show the students the praise in verse 8 and let them tell what it is

What Do the Twenty Four Elders Say About God’s Holiness?

Who are they?

They are believed to be representatives of the church, they are people

Scripture mentions in several spots how we rule with Christ

Some say 12 are the tribes of Israel and 12 are the disciples.

Does this work? No

What is John? a disciple.

Why 24?

Fall down

a humble position towards God

Cast their crowns

realize where their power comes from

Show the students verse 11 and let them tell what it is