Introduction:

In the late 1950’s (1952–1960) the Kenya Land & Freedom Army was at war in the British Kenya Colony. This rebellion cost Britain 55 million dollars and caused at least 11,000 deaths among the KLFA forces. This included 1,100 executions by hanging. The rebellion was marked by war crimes and massacres committed by both sides. As the result of rebellion also known as the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, the missionaries and African Christians had to move to a central missionary compound. Sometime later they were forewarned that a large military force of the KLFA intended to attack the compound and massacre its occupants on a certain night.

The missionaries and African Christian men erected a barricade around the perimeter of the compound and positioned floodlights to illuminate the area outside the barricade. On the night of the anticipated attack, the men placed their wives and children in the most centralized building of the compound and began a prayer vigil. Then the men manned the barricade with whatever weapons they could find. They waited all night, but the attack never came.

Not long after this terrifying event a man told one of these missionary that he had been part of that large force that surrounded the missionary compound on the night of the anticipated attack. He stated that they intended to overrun the compound and kill all of its occupants.

The missionary asked this man (a new convert) why the attack was not launched that night. He replied that just before their leader gave the order to attack, large fiery creatures suddenly appeared around the compound between them and the barricade. He stated that all the soldiers saw them, and that none of them had seen anything like this before. They were so terrified by the sudden appearance of these creatures that they ran away from the compound and were afraid to return. The missionaries and African believers concluded that the fiery creatures were angels whom God had sent to protect His people. Thus, God gave a special vision of these “Living Creature” we call Cherubim in what appears to be their natural form as we read in II Kings.

I. The Living Creatures before the Throne.

1. In the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full “of eyes before and behind (4:6). The word translated beasts is the Greek word that simply means “living ones or living creatures.” Therefore, these are not vicious, wild beasts; they are simply living angelic beings. It is Ezekiel who first gives description of the cherubim. They constitute the highest rank of angels. Two things prompt this conclusion. First, of all the angels, they seem to have the closest relationship to God. Second, the Bible refers to them more any other rank of angels.

2. These four living creatures that John saw are described as four cherubim, each with a different face. These Cherubim are mentioned 65 times in the bible and have four faces and four or six wings whereas the Seraphim all have six wings and similar faces, main different being an ox and a cherub.

3. Compare with Ezekiel 1:4-10, we can see that each of the cherubim have four faces, and at the moment, John saw each one of the four different faces pointed in his direction. The location and activity of the cherubim are significant.

These angelic beings are unique. They are prominent. We know there are ranks of angels and these are the highest orders of angels. In the third chapter in the book of Genesis when the man and woman were cast out of the Garden of Eden, it was the cherub’s who were placed on the east side of the Garden to guard and keep the tree of life. (Gen. 3:24).

4. The New Testament tells us that angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation,” {Heb. 1:14}. They are at God’s beck and call, to run his errands, do his work and to carry out his will on earth. God sometimes removes the curtain that hides the spiritual world in the scriptures so we can observe spiritual warfare and activity.

Revelation 4:7 suggest all creation will be redeemed, not just the human race. All living things on earth are under the curse caused by sin, but in heaven all will be redeemed. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:22

II. The Praise Before the Throne (4:8-11)

1. The four living creatures were continually praising God, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come (4:8). These may be different angels then the ones he initially saw according to Isaiah 6:2-4 we learn it is the Seraphim that hover the throne and Praise God. Holy is used three times, perhaps one each for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. When the four living creatures sing their song of praise, the 24 elders … fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever … (4:10). These elders vacated their own thrones to cast their crowns before the Lord God Almighty, for He alone is … worthy… to receive glory and honour and power … It is He who … hast created all things … and it is for His … pleasure they are and were created (4:10-11).

3. Before God can be known as one’s Redeemer, He must first be acknowledged as Creator of all things. Moreover, God cannot be praised as He should be unless He is acknowledged as Creator and Sustainer of all creation. – Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

When we pause to meditate that God is our Creator, we can acknowledge that He is the giver of all life and the gift of life with humble and thankful hearts. Even before we were in the womb of our mothers we were known to our Heavenly Father. God speaking to Jerimiah said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

So God knew us before we were conceived (not born) and already knew all about our life. Solomon also wrote, “Remember your Creator now while you are young… For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Verse 11 makes clear the reason God created all things-for His pleasure. Thus, the doctrine of creation described in the first book of the Bible is reaffirmed in the last book of the Bible.

Conclusion:

God created all things for His pleasure, including YOU. The world is full of people who when confronted with the origin of things leave God out as creator. They rather worship the creation… Let sing a verse as a closing