And the first beast [was] like a lion
And this figure expresses the strength of the ministers of the
word, the lion being the strongest among beasts, ( Proverbs
30:30 ) , to do the work they are called to, to endure
hardness, as good soldiers of Christ, and to bear the infirmities
of the weak; and also it denotes their courage and boldness in
preaching the Gospel of Christ, without fearing the faces of men,
or of being afraid of their revilings:
and the second beast like a calf;
or "ox", for so the word here used signifies in the Hellenistic
language, and with the Septuagint interpreters, and agrees with (
Ezekiel
1:10 ) , and designs the laboriousness of Christ's faithful
ministers in treading out the corn of Gospel truth, who labour in
the word and doctrine, and are labourers with God; as also their
humility, meekness, and patience in bearing insults, reproaches,
and sufferings for Christ, and instructing those that oppose
themselves:
and the third beast had a face as a man;
and points at the humanity and tender heartedness, the wisdom,
prudence, knowledge, and understanding, and the use of the
reasoning faculty, together with a manly spirit in abiding by the
Gospel at any rate; all which are so necessary in the ministers
of the word.
And the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle;
which sets forth the sagacity and penetration of Gospel ministers
into the deep things of God, and mysteries of grace, and their
readiness and swiftness to do the will of God, in publishing the
everlasting Gospel; see ( Revelation
14:6 ) .