Revelation 4:7 Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. "first living creature was like a lion" ONE, that is, the first living creature was like a lion the lion is a kingly beast for courage and boldness, \ and turneth not away for any. \ When he roareth the beasts of the forest do tremble. \ So the elders that rule well in the churches of saints have boldness for Christ, (as Peter and John had,)\ and the church prayed God to give his ministers boldness \ which holy boldness the ministers of Christ are to exercise, both in preaching the word, and in ruling and governing the church and flock of Christ, \ according to Christ’ s institutions. "And the second living creature like a calf or ox" The ox is a strong beast, \ and laborious under the yoke. \ By the ox, here is signified the pastors that labour in the word and doctrine, \ etc. The apostle exhorted the saints in the church of the Thessalonians to own them and esteem them highly for their work’ s sake, who did labour among them, and were over them in the Lord. \ “ And the third living creature had a face as a man” Whereby the deacons of the churches of saints are fitly resembled, whose office, ministry, and work, is to attend the outward affairs of the church of God, and to serve tables in the daily ministration: They are to make provision for the Lords table, the ministers table, the poors table, and the strangers table; and to this end the apostle appointed that there should be collections for the saints in the churches every first day, \ and they counselled the church at Jerusalem to choose seven men fitly, qualified for this work, and they ordained them unto this office. \ They that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. \ “ And the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle” The eagle flieth aloft towards heaven, \ She mounteth up on high, \ whereunto the teachers in churches of saints are fitly resembled, who give attendance to reading, expounding, interpreting and teaching, \ studying to show themselves workmen approved of God, who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; especially the prophecies and mysteries of the gospel, and of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ; as. \