<P> The living creatures, living beings, or hayyoth (Hebrew חַיּוֹת chayot, from חַיּ chai, "live") are a class of heavenly beings described in the prophet Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot in the first and tenth chapters of the Book of Ezekiel . References to the creatures recur in texts of Second Temple Judaism, in rabbinical merkabah ("chariot") literature, and in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament . </P> <P> Ezekiel's vision of the four living creatures in Ezekiel chapter 1 are identified as cherubim in chapter 10 who are God's throne bearers . Cherubim as minor guardian deities of temple or palace thresholds are known all over the Ancient East . Each of Ezekiel's cherubim have four faces, that of a man, a lion, a cherub, and an eagle . However, their human shape appearances set them apart from the griffin - like cherubs and lamassu of Babylonia and Assyria . In their ability to move, Ezekiel's cherubim do not need to turn, as they front all directional points of the compass . This description of movement differs from the seraphim in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6: 2) who have an extra set of wings for their ability to fly . </P> <P> In Revelation 4: 6--8, four living beings (Greek: τέσσαρα ζῷα, tessera zō (i) a) are seen in John's vision . These appear as a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, much as in Ezekiel but in a different order . They have six wings, whereas Ezekiel's four living creatures are described as only having four . In verse 6, they are said to have "eyes all over, front and back", suggesting that they are alert and knowledgeable, that nothing escapes their notice . The description parallels the wheels that are beside the living creatures in Ezekiel 1.18; 10.12, which are said to be "full of eyes all around". The Hebrew word for "wheel" (ôpannîm) was also used in later Jewish literature to indicate a member of the angelic orders (1 Enoch 71.7; 3 Enoch 1.8; 7.1; 25.5 - 6, etc .). The term "eyes" can also be used as a metaphor for "stars". In this passage in Revelation, the four beasts surround "the one" on the red throne (which is of ruby and sardius), which is contrasted with the white throne in Daniel 7: 9 and Revelation 20: 11 - 15 . </P> <P> Comparing the living creatures in Ezekiel with Revelation's is a prominent apocalyptic study in Western Christianity . An example is the 18th Century works of Jonathan Edwards' recorded interpretation of 1722 / 23 . The four living creatures that John of Patmos sees in the Book of Revelation, is the author's reworking of the living creatures in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1: 5 - 28) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6: 2). William D. Mounce noted a belief that the living creatures may have been associated with the four principal signs of the zodiac . </P>

Who are the four living creatures in revelation 7