This diagram and commentary are from MORE THAN CONQUERORS, by William Hendricksen, that I and many others consider a Classic treatment of the Book of Revelation.
He is always using the rest of the Bible and seeing how it all harmonizes together.
The Bible is the place to go to receive our information that truly unveils Revelation.
Maybe it'll help you get some things straight out of the Book of Revelation, if you get anything out of his comments.
"The vision consists of one single picture and teaches one main lesson.
"The square at the center represents the Throne with steps leading up to it.
"In the center of the Throne sits the Father (Rev. 4: 2).
"The innermost circle1 represents the sparkling white diamond (4: f);
"circle 2 the Sardis (4: 3);
"circle 3 the emerald rainbow (4: 3);
"circle 4 the four living ones or cherubim (4: 6);
"circle 5 the twenty four thrones with their elders (4: 4);
"circle 6 the many angels (5: 11);
"and circle 7 all other creatures in the entire universe (5; if).
"The seven lamps and the sea of glass are also before the Throne (4: 5, 6).
"The Lamb (L) stands between the Throne and the living ones on the one side, and the twenty-four elders on the other (5; 6).
"But the Lamb later advances to the Throne (5: 7),
and is now seated on it with the Father (22: 1).
"The Throne rules over all. Take this lesson to heart!
"These chapters, moreover, do not give us a picture of Heaven. They describe the entire Universe from the aspect of Heaven. The purpose of this vision is to show us, in beautiful symbolism, that all things are Governed by the Lord on the Throne.
"‘All things’ must include our trials and tribulations. That is the point. That is why the description of the Throne precedes the symbolic prediction of the trials and tribulations which the Church must experience here on earth. These are described in chapter 6.
"Study carefully the diagram of this vision in connection with Revelation 4, 5, and our explanation.
"Chapters 4 and 5 teach one main lesson. Unless we clearly grasp this point, we shall never see the glorious unity of the Apocalypse. We shall lose ourselves in allegorization.
"That one main lesson may be expressed in the words of the Psalmist:
‘Jehovah Reigns; let the peoples tremble! He Sits above the Cherubim; let the Earth be moved. ’ The assurance of this truth should impart comfort to believers in the midst of fiery trials. That is why this vision of the Universe governed by the Throne precedes the symbolic description of the trials through which the Church must pass, chapter 6.
"This is a very beautiful arrangement. With the aid of our diagram let us now study this vision."
Then, etc. etc., as he goes on through the various symbols;
Verse 4. It is hard to figure it out who are actually these 24 elders.
His take on "The elders and the living ones" (4: 7-11), per the Title and O.P. is on page 85 for the 24 Elders and here is what he said about "the creatures"/ "living ones".
Notice how he uses the Bible to give him his comments, such as using the Book of Ezekiel to explain the 4 living ones;
"‘And in the midst of the Throne and around the Throne four living ones studded with eyes before and behind’ (4: 6). Each of these ‘living ones’ stands on one side of the Throne in the middle of the steps leading up to it so that there is one ‘living one' for each side of the Throne, and the four encircle the Throne. (See the diagram. )
"These four ‘living ones’ standing ready to render service to God in any of the four directions, that is, in any part of the Universe,
represent all the ‘living ones’, just as
the twenty-four redeemed elders represent the entire army of the redeemed.
"But who are these ‘living ones’? In order to answer this question we should bear in mind that
there is a very close connection between this entire throne vision and the first and tenth chapters of Ezekiel.
"We urge the reader to study Ezekiel 1 and 10 very carefully. Notice the following striking resemblances.
"In both cases these beings are called ‘living ones’. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 5 with Rev. 4: 6. )
"In both cases the symbolic number is the same, namely, four. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 5 with Rev. 4: 6. )
"In both cases the appearance of their1 faces is compared to that of man, lion, ox, and eagle. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 10 with Rev. 4: 7. )
(See p. 85, note 1.
1 For the opposite view, see R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretation of St. John s Revelation, p. 171.
* Cf R. H. Charles (op. cit., I, pp. 118 ff. ) who enumerates various items of contrast. REVELATION 4-7)
"In both eases they are closely associated with the throne. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 26 with Rev. 4: 6. )
"In both cases fire moves to and fro among the ‘living ones’. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 13 with Rev. 4: 5: Out of the fire went lightning. ’)
"In both cases these ‘living ones’ are said to be studded all over with eyes. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 18; 10: 12 with Rev. 4: 8. )
"In both cases a rainbow encircles the throne with which the ‘living ones’ are associated. (Cf. Ezk. 1: 28 with Rev. 4: 3. )
"The few minor differences in the description of the ‘living ones’ need not surprise us. In fact, we should expect them. They are entirely in harmony with the distinct purpose which each author has in mind.1 But Ezekiel 10: 20 tells us in so many words that the ‘living ones’ are the cherubim.
"We, therefore, fully believe that here in Revelation also these ‘living ones’ are the cherubim. 2
They are a very high order of angels, one of the highest orders. This conclusion is altogether reasonable. The cherubim guard the Holy things of God (Gn. 3: 24; Ex. 25: 20), so it is altogether normal and natural that we find them here in this vision in close proximity to the throne. Besides, we find them here in the Heavenly Holy of Holies, exactly where one expects to find them (Ex. 25: 20).
"Observe also that the song of these ‘living ones’ is the song of Angels. In Isaiah the Seraphim sing it (Is. 6: 1-4). Then why should not the cherubim sing it?
"This conclusion receives added confirmation from the consideration that the ‘living ones’ are described as being in strength like the lion, in ability to render service like the ox, in intelligence like man—notice also their many eyes, indicating intellectual penetration—and in swiftness like the eagle, ever ready to obey God’s commandments and to render service. Surely it is worthy of attention that the characteristics of strength, service, intelligence, and swiftness are everywhere ascribed to Angels. (Cf. Ps. 103: 20, 21; Dn. 9: 21; Lk. 12: 8; 15: 10; Heb. 1: 14; etc. )
"When in 5: 11 we read that 'many' Angels surrounded the twenty-four elders, this does not in any way conflict with the conclusion which we have reached, namely, that the ‘living ones’ on the steps of the Throne are the Cherubim.1
"And when in 7: 11 we read that ‘all’ the angels were standing round about the twenty-four ciders, this ‘all’ refers, of course, to the ‘many’ of 5: 11: all the ‘many’ Angels were standing around the twenty-four elders. We do not believe that these Cherubim have any deeper significance..."
1 So, for example, the fact that each of the Cherubim in Ezekiel has four faces, so as to be facing in all four directions simultaneously, is thoroughly in harmony with their mission, namely to carry the Throne in whichever direction its Occupant Wills.
"In Revelation the Cherubim do not carry the Throne.3 A. Pieters, op. cit., p. 112.
