The four living beasts (beings)--4:6-11. 1. The sea of glass--4:6. This denotes the great broad space. A throne chamber with crystal pavement as a figure of magnitude and grandeur was added to the scene. 2. The beings full of eyes--4:6. The eyes were before, behind, and all around, symbolizing superhuman intelligence. It was imagery of the divine providential rule and protection of an all-seeing God. 3. The four beasts--4:6-7. “ In the midst of the throne and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” The meaning of the word beasts here is beings, or creatures resembling the animals. It is necessary to distinguish these “ beasts” or beings from the beasts that symbolized the persecutors. These beings were “ in the midst . . . round about the throne” ; hence, not beasts as in the persecutor symbol. The first beast was like a lion, symbolizing strength; the second beast was like a calf (ox), meaning endurance under yoke; the third beast was the face of a man, signifying intelligence, reason, and wisdom; the fourth beast was like an eagle, representing penetrating vision and swiftness in the execution of judgment. The four beasts (beings) had six wings each (Verse 8), and the wings were full of eyes, indicating the universal survey of an all-seeing Omniscience. And they rest not day and night--praising the One on the throne without surcease. There was no suspension of God’ s providence; no cessation in the honor ascribed; no interruption of the praise; no intermission in the various dispensations and acts of his providence and in the praise, glory, homage derived and received, and in the worship rendered to him who was declared to be eternal.