Revelation 4:7

“And the first beast [was] like a lion, etc.] And this figure expresses the strength of the ministers of the word, the lion being the strongest among beasts, (<203030>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 (<260110>Ezekiel 1:10), and designs the laboriousness of Christ's faithful…”

“calf--"a steer" [ALFORD]. The Septuagint often uses the Greek term here for an ox (Exo 22:1; Exo 29:10, &c.). as a man--The oldest manuscripts have "as of a man."”

“And the first beast was like a lion - A general description has been given, applicable to all, denoting that in whatever form the divine government is administered, these things will be found; a particular description now follows, contemplating that government under particular aspects, as symbolized by the living beings on which the throne rests. The first is that of a lion. The lion is the monarch of the woods, the king of beasts, and he becomes thus the emblem of dominion, of authority, of government in general. Compare Genesis 49:9; Amos 3:8; Joel 3:16; Daniel 7:4. As emblematic of the divine administration, this would signify that He who sits on the throne is the ruler over all, and that…”

“And the first - Just such were the four cherubim in Ezekiel, who supported the moving throne of God; whereas each of those that overshadowed the mercy - seat in the holy of holies had all these four faces: whence a late great man supposes them to have been emblematic of the Trinity, and the incarnation of the second Person. A flying eagle - That is, with wings expanded. Revelation 4:8”

“4:7 These four creatures symbolize four types of beings: a lion represents wild animals, an ox represents domesticated animals, a human represents humanity, and an eagle represents the birds (cp. Ezek 1:10). These four figures are drawn from Ezek 1 (cherubim) and Isa 6 (seraphim). They probably represent the best of creation as worshiping God. Missing from this worldwide orchestra are fish, which ancient people associated with the evil sea (see Rev 21:1), and insects, represented by locusts in the evil kingdom (see 9:1-11).”

“the first beast: Rev 4:6; Gen 49:9; Num. 2:2-34, Num 23:24, Num 24:9; Pro 28:2; Eze 1:10, Eze 10:14, Eze 10:21 like a calf: Eze 1:10; Co1 9:9, Co1 9:10 as: Co1 14:20 a flying: Deu 28:49; Sa2 1:23; Isa 40:31; Eze 1:8, Eze 1:10, Eze 10:14; Dan 7:4; Oba 1:4 Revelation 4:8”