The Four Forms of Salvation

One of the hardest verses for me to understand in the book of Revelation was in chapter 4.
Revelation 4:6-7;"and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle".

I read this verse many times and prayed for understanding and final several months later I received what I believe is the correct interpretation. Are these creatures literal or symbolical?
You should know the answer by now, they are symbolical, why? Chapter 4 is describing a vision that takes place in heaven. What is the sea of glass? If you have read my past blogs, you will know that the sea is symbolic of ___________. "The gentiles", yeah, you got it. Why a sea of glass? I think we have already discussed this also. When you take sand and heat it up, it is purified, cleansed, and becomes clear as glass. This is symbolic of the fact that the gentiles have been cleansed by "fire", their sins have been burned away and only the purified body is left.

Look at 1 Corinthians 3:13-14, "each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; by he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire."

Wow, by a fire judgement. That makes my last blog seem a little more realistic. Notice that we are not judged by guilt, we are not setting in front of the throne of God watching our life go by and accounting for every deed. What a great plan, burn off all the bad stuff, all the deeds done for selfish reasons, and only look at what makes it through the fire. What will be left after the fire. Your obedience. Christ gave us two main commandments, Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and serve the needs of others. That is what is left, our service to others that refects our obedience to Christ. This service was done because the Holy Spirit had put it on your heart to do so.

Who are these creatures? This was the hard one. I have never read of anyone's interpretation of this verse. I believe it is the four creatures "phases" of salvation.

First was the lion. Symbolic of the "lion of the tribe of Judah". Symbolic of the bloodline of Christ. Those who were in the bloodline had a connection to God. This bloodline led straight through Abraham where God made a covenant to him and his people. That was an eternal covenant.

Second was the calf. The calf represents the sacrificial blood of the old testiment. The law was created by God to show people that the sheding of blood was essential for purification of sin. This was done once a year by the Jews on the day of Atonement. The blood was sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant to cleanse the sin of the people for one year. The time frame was during Moses' reign. It is easy to see that this salvation technique also pointed to the coming Messiah.

Third was the one that had a face like a man. This is salvation by Jesus, the true sacrificial lamb. The Son of God who gave His life for you and me that we may live eternally. So, one day we can be with Him.

Wait a minute, if the first three are symbolic of types of salvation then what is the fourth creature. It would have to be a salvation technique also. Is there a different salvation after Christ? I believe the answer is yes.

The fourth creature was represented by a flying eagle. We have already seen "the wings of an eagle" discussed in Revelation 12:13-14. "and when the dragon(satan) saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman(Israel), who gave birth to the male child(the church). And the two wing of the great eagle were given to the woman in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place where she was nourished for a time, times, and half of time(3 and 1/2 years) from the presence of the serpent." You can see that the woman(Israel) is saved from the persecution of Satan by the wings of the eagle for 3 and 1/2 years of the tribulation.

I believe that the "wings of eagles" is a salvation technique that will save Israel during the tribulation. This is the last salvation technique. At the end of this time period, Jesus will return in the clouds and rapture up all those who have been protected by the wings of the eagle. So, the fourth technique of salvation is for the ones going through the tribulation. The ultimate reason is to point to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. At that time Romans 11:26, "and thus all Israel will be saved;" will be fulfilled.

Here is the thing, God created this place for a reason. The reason is to give us the chance to have "free will to choose". God also placed several forms of salvation on this earth from the beginning of time for us, all pointing to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the answer to salvation. Time is running out, we are closer to the end than ever. It most likely will be in my lifetime. My wife and I went to an Aggie Muster last week in honor of her father who passed away this year. When they called the names of all of the fallen aggies, they started with the class of 2012. There were at least 15-20 young aggies who had not even graduated from college who had their name called. Death is final, no second chances, make a decision to follow Christ today.

God bless, Dean