Are the four living creatures in Revelation 4 angels?
Yes. The four living creatures round about the throne in Revelation 4 are angelic beings of a sort, not horrible wild animals. A better translation than "beasts" is "living creatures." They are full of eyes before and behind and are depicted with likenesses of a lion, calf or ox, man, and flying eagle.
Les explains that in Revelation chapter 4, the word "beasts" should be better translated "living creatures." He cautions against envisioning some horrible wild animal. These are angelic beings of a sort, positioned round about the throne, full of eyes before and behind. He connects them to Ezekiel's description in the Old Testament and to the pictures of Christ in the four Gospels, noting the first was like a lion, the second like a calf or ox, the third had a face as a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
More Questions
What are the four beasts in Revelation 4:6?
The four beings John saw in Revelation 4:6 should not be envisioned as wild animals; a better translation than 'beasts' is 'living creatures.'
What does the Greek word behind 'four beasts' in Revelation 4:6 mean?
In Revelation 4:6, the word translated 'beasts' is better rendered 'living creatures' rather than wild animals.