Revelation 4:6-8 “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. (7) The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. (8) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
The third category of individuals that will reside in the New Jerusalem, are the four living creatures. These individuals are described to us in the above passage of scripture, as being in the midst of the throne and around the throne. In other words, they never leave the presence of God. The prophet Ezekiel also saw these four individuals in a vision, and he also initially described them as four living creatures (Ezekiel 1:5), but in subsequent visions of the same creatures, he referred to them as cherubim, for God revealed to Ezekiel that they were in fact cherubim (Ezekiel 10:20). And so we know that these four are in fact angelic beings, for that is what cherubs are. One of the reasons that we know that these four angels never leave the presence of God, is because very often in scripture, God is described as the One Who dwells between the Cherubim (Psalm 99:1). The four cherubim will not be the only angels in the city however, for scripture does speak of the twelve angels that will be at each of the city gates (Revelation 21:12). And if you read the book of Revelation, there are numerous other angels that are mentioned as standing in the presence of God (Revelation 8:2). And so, scripture does indicate to us that there will be many other angels in the city, which will be responsible for various other functions. Added to that number, there will also be the angels that are assigned to every saint, as their ministering spirits. And so, in short, there will be many angels dwelling among the saints in the New Jerusalem.
Michael E.B. Maher
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