The angels: God's highlighters of Grace

1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

Introduction:
The first chapter of the book of 1 Peter is a wondrous chapter that speaks about the nature and strength of God's grace in our salvation. The whole theme of 1 Peter has to do with standing firm in the grace of God, with such grace being viewed as the starting point in 1 Peter 1.1  As we consider some of these opening thoughts, our interest in today's post has to do with that curious little phrase tucked in at the end of 1 Peter 1:12 - "....things into which angels long to look."  Have you ever thought about the angels marveling and wondering about your salvation? Why does Peter tie together angels, God's Word and our salvation? Scripture reveals the relationship angels have to God's revelation of Himself in His words both spoken and written.  Additionally, angels aid us in appreciating God's might, majesty and marvelous grace. (Hebrews 1:14) The angelic realm in scripture functions like a set of highlighter markers to bring into sharp relief features pertaining to God's might, majesty and marvelous grace.  

1. The Angels communicated God's might at creation.
Like rays are to the sun or like torches are in lighting the path to a king's throne room, angels are created lights that point and communicate the glory of God. (Psalm 104:3,4) As you begin to explore the scriptures, you discover in general that angels are integrally connected to Word of God.  Billy Graham comments about angels in the episode of God appearing to Moses in the burning bush: "This again shows that God used angels (or appeared as an angel) to make His will known and communicate His decisions to men."2 As you consider both the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the word translated angel, at the heart lies the meaning of "messenger". 

So when the angels were created along with the visible creation, what was their first recorded message? God created the angels to be a sort of "welcoming committee" for his bringing about of the main features of planet earth.  Job 38:6-7 comments - “On what were its bases sunk?Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  The angel's first recorded message issued forth in music over the Might of God.  Why were the angels shouting for joy? They were thrilled over the Might and power of God in bringing to bear His desire for an inhabited earth that would be populated by people - beginning with his original king and queen: Adam and Eve. (Isaiah 45:18)  

God's Word brought worlds into being and through His decree, both visible and invisible realms came about. (John 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17) The angel's message then was a joyful one about God's revelation of His might.  This is why theologian Michael Horton notes: "It is interesting how frequently their (angels) work is defined in relation to the Word of God." 3 So the angels communicate God's might by virtue of their own creation, and it is His might and power that was featured in their first thoughts and communication.  However there is a second thing angels aid us in appreciating and understanding....

2. The Angels communicated God's majestic holiness by way of His law
God created the angels at the near beginning of creation, and they beheld and celebrated His might.  We know that angels were present in the revelation of God's law at Sinai to communicate a second emphasis - God's majestic holiness. Deuteronomy 33:2 states - He said, “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them." The Divine court of heaven came down on top of that mountain.  

So why did God include the angels in the revelation of Himself and His law? one word: highlighters.  In my Bible I frequently highlight words or phrases to help me fix my attention on key features of God's words. The highlighting does not add to the content nor to the value of the words - for they are God's Word.  Rather the highlighter serves to point out to me a key word or phrase.  Angels are God's highlighters.  His Majesty cannot be added to or improved, since He is perfect in majestic Holiness.  However in our frailty and flesh, we need the aid of His grace to explain and to appreciate His majestic holiness.  

Other passages shed light upon how the holy angels were in attendance in highlighting God's holiness during His revelation of His law.  Psalm 68:17 reveals the angels communicating by their presence the key attribute of God and the main purpose of the law: God's holiness and man's sinfulness in light of such holiness. Galatians 3:19 explains: "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made."

As theologian Charles Hodge notes: "Under the Old Testament they repeatedly appeared as servants of God to reveal His will. They smote the Egyptians; were employed in the giving of the law at Sinai; attended the Israelites during their journey; destroyed their enemies; and encamped around the people of God as their defense in hours of danger."4 So angels throughout scripture are linked to God's Word at creation to communicate His might and to God's word in the Law to highlight the majesty of His holiness.  

Peter's remarks in 1 Peter 1:12 undoubtedly would include these connections between God's Word-->Angels-->People. However there is one more truth to note about the relationship between the angels and God's revelation of Himself in His Word, namely....

3. Angels communicated, then marvel at God's marvelous grace as centered on Jesus Christ, our salvation
Those angelic hosts beheld God's might in finishing our planet and celebrated.  Likewise when God was revealing His Law on Sinai and speaking His word of Covenant over the people, the angels communicated God's majestic holiness by their presence.  However as the marvelous grace of salvation was being revealed, the angels more and more realized that this was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.  When Peter writes what he does in 1 Peter 1:12, he is no doubt thinking in his mind about truths such as the ones we have discovered.  However his main point is to show how these angels' curiosity about our salvation points to God's marvelous grace.  Exodus 25:20 gives us this insight: "The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat."  

If Peter was indeed thinking of the cherubim, the figures of God's heavenly angels who are the guardians of his throne, then what we have then is reference to the angels beholding God's law in the ark of the covenant.  Yet atop that ark these golden representations of angels are mute witnesses to the sprinkling of blood that Israel's High Priest would had sprinkled once a year.  The name of the lid of the ark of which they were a part is called by the scriptures: "The Mercy Seat" or "the ark of testimony". (Numbers 7:89) 

Angels are are knowledgeable beings.  As Baptist theologian Augustus Strong notes: "They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power, yet an intelligence and power that has fixed limits."5  They in many ways exceed our own.  However when it comes to God's grace in salvation, the angelic response is one of awe and wonder. They sing and exhibit joy at the announcement of the virgin birth of Christ.  Luke 2:10-14 states -
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Such reaction by the angels prompts the shepherds to broadcast aloud: "Christ the Savior is born." Their curiosity and wonder is explained further in 1 Timothy 3:16, which in describing Christ's incarnation states simply that He was "seen by angels". 

Conclusion The more God unfolds the wonder of His salvation, especially in the New Testament, the more awe and curiosity the angels exhibit. Ephesians 3:10 states concerning their response to Christians in the church:  "so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places." Christians are God's trophies of grace, put on display. God was so pleased to exhibit the might of His power and majesty of holiness through the angelic hosts, however it is through redeemed, believing humanity, in connection with Jesus Christ's work and Person that God puts on display His marvelous grace. Thus when we come to Peter's text, we see those beings who were created to communicate God's excellencies of might and majesty being in a position of awe over all He has done in Jesus Christ.  



End notes:
1. If we were to outline 1 Peter 1:1-12 for example, here is what we would find:

I. Four Great Truths of Salvation.  1 Peter 1:1-9
a. Basis of salvation is election.  1:1-2
b. Beginning of salvation is the New Birth. 1:3
c. Building of salvation is sanctification. 1:4
d. Blessing of salvation is security. 1:4-9

II. The Gospel revealed in Scripture. 1 Peter 1:10-12
a. Revealed in Progression. 1:10-11a
b. Revolves around the Son. 1:11b
c. Remains to be preached.  1:12

2. Billy Graham. Angels - God's Secret Agents. Bethany House. 1995. Page 78  

3. Michael Horton. The Christian Faith - A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Zondervan. 2011. Page 406

4. Charles Hodge. Systematic Theology - Volume 1. W.M B. Eerdmans. 1965 lithograph copy. Page 638

5. Augustus Hopkins Strong. Systematic Theology. The Judson Press. 19th priniting. 1956. Page 445.

The Gospel Revealed in Scripture - 1 Peter 1:10-12

1 Peter 1:10-12 "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look."

Introduction

Yesterday we looked at the major elements of the Gospel that we find in 1 Peter 1:1-9.  In today's post we want to consider further Peter's thoughts as he by Divine inspiration unfolds the Gospel revealed in scripture. What can be said about the manner in which God unfolded the Gospel of salvation in His word?

1. Revealed in Progression.  1 Peter 1:10-11a

It has been noted by many great Bible teachers that the nature in which God reveals Himself and His purposes is by what is termed "progressive revelation". Just as a flower opens slowly and progressively overtime to yield forth its fragrance and beauty, so it is with the revelation of God's work of salvation and wonder of glory. Peter's comments in 1 Peter 1:10-11a can be broken down into three distinct parts that explain this progress of God's revelation of the Gospel:

a. The Gospel is the same throughout scripture

Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:10 "As to this salvation". What salvation? The grammar of the text in the original leads us back through the salvation which Peter unfolded back in 1 Peter 1:1-8 and the personal salvation of each Christian that is spoken of in 1:9.  Interestingly enough, the Gospel of salvation to which Peter speaks also has to do with what the Prophets wrote and had revealed to them in the Old Testament. The truth that Abraham in the Old Testament "believed God, and that it was credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6), is repeated as the same pattern for people in this current age of grace. (Romans 4:3). The writer of Hebrews points out that the same Gospel that Moses preached to the Israelites is the same Gospel we hear today. (Hebrews 4:1-7)

b. The Gospel was step by step revealed. 

By being the same Gospel in both the Old and New Testament, this Gospel nonetheless was revealed in stages, step by step. Peter writes on in 1 Peter 1:10 "the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries." The prophets were captivated by what God was showing them through the various pictures, personages, symbols and institutions. Along the way you see the Prophets and Patriarchs asking questions and searching out the gradual light of truth being revealed. 

- Abram asks God in Genesis 15:2 "Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

- Isaac, God's answer to Abram's question asks his father Abram (now Abraham) this question some 20 years later in Genesis 22:7-8b "And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together." Such a touching scene captures how the Patriarchs searched and explored what God was revealing and doing in their days.  Furthermore, the same spot Abraham had nearly sacrificed his son would be the spot where God would willing give His Son for sinners.

- Job 9:32-33 “For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him,That we may go to court together. 33 “There is no umpire between us, Who may lay his hand upon us both.".  When Job uttered those words, he was in anguish and grief.  He ached for the day when there would be a permanent mediator between He and the God he was desiring to hear speak to him once again.  

The Old Testament saints were pining away and desiring to see more clarity. They anticipated the coming fullness of God's salvation.  Step by step it was revealed. To Adam and Eve salvation was a plan, and to Abraham and his descendants, a promise.  By David's day the promise was further specified to be about a Person who would come from his bloodline, with other prophets like Micah revealing the Messiah's birth place. Isaiah the prophet would write about how this Person of the Messiah would suffer, die and rise from the dead in Isaiah 53. Indeed this progressive revelation of the Gospel was step by step revealed. 

c. The Gospel's revealer is The Holy Spirit.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:11a "seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating." This Gospel, which is the same throughout the Bible in regards to its contents, and step by step revealed in varying forms and ways, has as its Revealer the Holy Spirit.  The title "Spirit of Christ" is used here to designate one of two things: either the Spirit is in close association with Christ and His work or He is the Spirit who is sent by Christ to reveal to the Prophets His coming person and mission. Either way, the Holy Spirit is never dis-associated from the Son, since His main task is to point the way to the Son. (Isaiah 11:2; John 16:8-15) This leads us then to the second major consideration of the Gospel revealed in scripture, namely that...

2. Revolves around the Son. 1 Peter 1:11

Undoubtedly the Spirit of Christ inspired the scriptures and gave them to us so that we could know the glorious Christ. Peter writes on in 1 Peter 1:11 "seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow." How much did the prophets know about the Son? As I heard one Bible teacher say recently: the Old Testament saints saw Jesus in black and white, whereas we New Testament believers see Him in full, vibrant color. According to Hebrews 11:26, Moses, living nearly 1500 years before Christ's incarnation: "considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." Isaiah predicted the sufferings of Christ in Isaiah 53 and David saw Jesus Christ's resurrection in Psalm 16. Just as the planets of our solar system revolve around our natural star, the sun, reflecting its light and being held in orbit by its gravity, so too do the verses of scripture of God's revelation revolve in orbit around the Divine Son - Jesus Christ. So the Gospel revealed in scripture was revealed in progression and revolves around the Son but notice thirdly, it....

3. Remains to be preached.  1 Peter 1:12 

Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:12 "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look." The Gospel's progressive revelation, about the Person of Christ, was meant to be preached. Twice in the above passage Peter makes mention about the Gospel being "announced" and it being "preached". The priority of preaching cannot be overestimated in the scripture, even though it is often grossly underestimated in our time and churches today. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (20) "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (21) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." Quite literally, the Greek word translated "foolishness" in 1:21 is where we derive our word "moron".  In the eyes of men, preaching is a "moronic" method.  Often, without saying it, people express their preferences for other methods of "bringing in the people". 

Preaching is not man's method of delivering the Gospel, but God's. Consider Romans 10:14-15  "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Preaching is the means of delivering the Gospel, with the scripture being the ground of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit empowering the preaching is the Supreme Evangelist.  Unless the Spirit attends the preaching of the Word, the preacher is no more effective than a glove without a hand. The scripture's power to save is unquestioned. The preacher is ever in dependence upon the Spirit speaking through those words. 

Conclusion
So what can be said about the manner in which God unfolded the Gospel of salvation in His word? First, the Gospel is revealed in progression (1 Peter 1:10-11a). Second, the Gospel revolves around the Person of Christ (1 Peter 1:11). Then finally, the Gospel remains to be preached. (1 Peter 1:12)

Four Great Truths of Salvation - 1 Peter 1:1-9

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Introduction
The able commentator Robert Leighton writes these words in his commentary on 1 Peter about the verses we will be exploring today:
"It is a cold, lifeless thing to speak of spiritual things upon  mere report; but they that speak of them as their own, as having share and interest in them, and some experience of their sweetness, ....their hearts are straight taken with such gladness, as they are forced to vent praises. Thus our Apostle here, and St. Paul, and often elsewhere, when they considered these things wherewith they were about to comfort the godly to whom they wrote, they were suddenly elevated with the joy of them and broke forth into thanksgiving; so teaching us, by their example, what real joy there is in the consolations of the Gospel."1

As Peter aims to convince us to "stand firm" in the true grace of God (1 Peter 5:12), he begins with the foundational truths of salvation. In today's post I want us to note four such truths that are revealed in 1 Peter 1:1-8.  In other words, we can behold in these verses the following four great truths of salvation in these verses:

1. The Basis of Salvation - Chosen by God
1 Peter 1:1-2 lays out for us this eternal foundation of salvation. Peter describes the believers to whom He writes in verses 1 and 2 as those "who are chosen, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father". Such a choice by God was made in eternity. Ephesians 1:4 describes the timing of God's choosing as occurring "before the foundation of the world".  This Sovereign choice of God was determined by His choice to love those whom He saw in the beloved Son. (Ephesians 1:4-5) Why does Peter start with election? Because this basis of salvation says that God the Father had loved every child of God whom He purposed in His mind to love in Christ from all eternity.  This eternal basis of salvation tells us that salvation is not based on human performance, but God's accomplishment. Dr. Robert Jefress of the 1st Baptist Church of Dallas said this most recently: "Why did God save you? It was not based on your goodness, but His goodness."  That gets at the heart of the practical significance of God's elective purpose of grace. The purpose was for His glory and the targets of His choice are helpless people, lost and spiritually dead in Adam. (Ephesians 2:11-12) Grace said in eternity "yes", even though I was born into this world saying "no" to God. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 calls this "God's purpose of grace".  So God's Sovereign choice represents the basis of salvation, but there is a second great truth of salvation pointed out by Peter, namely...

2. The Beginning of Salvation - New Birth
1 Peter 1:3 states - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Here is a very important question: when does one's personal salvation begin? Answer: New Birth. Peter here is not taking away the need for men and women to be born again, believe and be saved. We must not confuse the basis of salvation - election, with the beginning of salvation -conversion. The New birth experience is from God, the birth from above. (John 3:3; James 1:17-18) Though God Sovereignly chose whom He will on the basis of His foreloving purposes, nevertheless until by the working of His grace a sinner receives Christ's saving work, salvation will have no beginning in that person's life. 

The paradoxical but nonetheless dual truths of God's Sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation cannot be denied, conflicted nor contradicted.  The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines the New Birth in conversion: "Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace."  

To bring home what Peter is speaking of here in 1 Peter 1:1-3, think of the relationship between a foundation and a building. The foundation is necessary, since upon it will be built the building.  However when the foundation is poured, that does not mean the building is finished.  The same architect who designed that foundation also includes the necessary framing, walls, roof and interior.  I don't enter into a foundation, however I do enter into a building.  Conversely, unless there had been a foundation, there would not had been any building.  So it is with our salvation.  We have as its basis God's choice (and we could say the cross of Jesus Christ and the scriptures which function as two other Divinely ordained foundations) which leads to the beginning of salvation, conversion. But now lets consider a third great truth of salvation...

3. Building of growing salvation - Sanctification
1 Peter 1:4 notes - "to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you". You may notice that the word "obtain" is in italicized print.  Why is that? The translators of the NASB included that word to make it smoother for us English readers. However the original Greek begins the verse in this fashion: "to a non-decaying, pure and non-wilting inheritance that has been guarded in heaven for you." Sanctification is that process of salvation that follows from the beginning of our salvation we call justification. It is in sanctification that I am becoming in the experience of salvation what God declared me to be in justification or the beginning of my salvation. In justification I am clad in the robe of Christ's credited righteousness, which in turn provides the power and pattern for me to live more consistently in my daily practical righteousness. The goal of sanctification is obtaining (which the NASB is helping us to understand). Sanctification is God's building project whereby He has made me both the object of construction and participator in construction. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 says the following:  "Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life." So God's choice is the basis of salvation, conversion or New Birth is the beginning of salvation and sanctification is the building of a growing salvation.  Lets consider one more vital truth of salvation in 1 Peter 1:5-8

4. Blessed Assurance of salvation - Complete Security

This final truth is truly the shining star in today's post. This final point is based upon the first, guarantees the second point, is the goal of the third point and truly is the culminating point of Peter's opening here in 1 Peter.  As you read down through 1 Peter 1:4-8, you can note four thoughts underneath this point of blessed assurance being espoused here by the Holy Ghost through Peter.  Note how they build onto one another:

a. Secured. 1 Peter 1:4-5

1 Peter 1:4-5 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away,reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Five words underlined in the above text emphasize the security of the believer.  The old term that was used for years was the term "perseverance of the saints" or "preservation of the saints". The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 is worth quoting on this point: "All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

b. Secured through trials. 1 Peter 1:6-7

1 Peter 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ".

c. Secured through trials with joy.  1 Peter 1:8

1 Peter 1:8 "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

d. Secured through trials with joy to the end. 1 Peter 1:9
1 Peter 1:9 "obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

Conclusion

May you be blessed this day dear believers as you contemplate these four great truths of salvation spelled out by 1 Peter 1:1-8:

1. Chosen by God - salvation's basis

2. New Birth- salvation's beginning

3. Continual Sanctification-salvation's building project

4. Complete security-salvation's assurance

Endnotes

1. Robert Leighton. Commentary on First Peter. Kregel Publishers. Page 28

Oldest complete commentary on Revelation

Revelation 4:6-8 "and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”                                          

Introduction: 

Yesterday we considered the theme of Heavenly worship in Revelation 4:6-11.  We noted that heavenly worship consists of testimony, thanksgiving and total awe of God.  Undoubtedly this text is Revelation is breath-taking, and in today's post I wanted to look at it again through a different set of eyes.  The earliest complete commentary on the Book of Revelation was composed by an early Christian commentator by the name of Victorinus in the late 3rd century (nearly 1800 years ago). The full text of his insights on Revelation 4:6-8 below will serve to give the reader an example of some of the rich, unique and at times imaginative insights that can be gleaned from reading older Christian writers. I hope you find Victorinus' commentary both edifying and interesting.a  I now present to you his comments on Revelation 4:6-8 in their entirety:

Victorinus' Commentary on the Apocalypse of John.

"The four animals are the four Gospels. He says The first is like a lion, the second is like a bull, the third is like a man, the fourth is like a flying eagle; having six wings around them, eyes both inside and outside, and, he says, never ceasing to say.....b Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

Twenty-four elders sitting, having twenty-four judgment-seats: are the books of the Prophets and the Law, relating the witness of the Judge. For the twenty-four fathers are the twelve Apostles and the twelve Patriarchs. Therefore, the animals which are different faces, have them for this reason.

The animal like a lion is the Gospel according to John, which, while all the other Evangelists announced that Christ was made man, it was for him to announce that He was God before He descended and took on flesh,The Word was God, and because he proclaims like a roaring lion, his preaching bears the face of a lion. Like a man. Matthew made an effort to announce to us the family of Mary, through which Christ received flesh. Therefore, when he recounts from Abraham up to David, and from David up to Joseph, as though spoken of a man, thus his preaching receives the image of a man. Luke also, when he recounts from the priest Zacharias offering a sacrifice for the people and the angel appears to him, because of the priesthood and the sacrifice, this writing bore the image of the bull. Mark, the interpreter of Peter, wrote a record of those things which he generally taught, but not in order, and begins with the word of prophecy announced by Isaiah.

Therefore, they begin thus, saying: John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;c this is the face of a lion. And Matthew: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, son of God, son of David, son of Abraham;d this is the face of a man. And Luke thus: There was a priest of the name Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron;e this is the image of a bull. Mark begins thus: The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is written in Isaiah;f it begins with the Spirit flying, therefore, it also has the image of a flying eagle.

And not only the prophetic Spirit, but also the Word of God the Father Almighty, Who is His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, bears the same images in the time of His appearance to us. For when, it was predicted like a lion, and like the cub of a liong because for the salvation of men, He was made man, conquering death and freeing all; because He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God the Father for us, He is called a bull; and because He conquered death, ascended to heaven, extending His wings and protecting His people, He is called a flying eagle. Therefore these announcements, which are four, are actually one announcement, which came out of one mouth, like the river in paradise, from one source dividing into four parts.

And these animals have eyes inside and outside, that is the preaching of the New Testament; it shows Spiritual providence, which both looks into the secrets of the heart, and also sees things yet to come, which areinside and outside. The wings are the witnesses of the books of the Old Testament, and therefore they are twenty-four, which is also the same number of elders on the judgment-seats.h As an animal is not able to fly without having wings, so neither does the preaching of the New Testament have faith without having the previously announced witnesses of the Old Testament, by which it takes off from earth and flies. For always, when what was said before is found to have happened later, this makes an undoubting faith. For again, if wings are not attached to animals, they have no way to prolong (?) life. For without those things previously announced by the prophets being accomplished in Christ, their preaching will have been made worthless."i

Endnotes:

a (the web link is:http://christianbookshelf.org/victorinus/commentary_on_the_apocolypse_of_the_blessed_john/from_the_fourth_chapter.htm) 

b The original had the Greek text translated "holy,holy,holy", namely "Αγιος, αγιος, αγιος" (hagios, hagios, hagios). 
c Jn 1.1 

d Mt 1.1 

e Lk 1.5 

f Mk 1.1-2 

g Gen 49.9 

h The curious reader may wonder why Victorinus would mention only 24 books in the Old Testament, when in our English Bibles there are 39 books.  The answer lies in the fact that in the translation of the original Hebrew manuscripts and copies of the Old Testament, some of the Bible books were originally written as one volume.  So for example, the books of 1 Samuel were originally one book of Samuel, the books of Kings were originally one book and then the books of Chronicles were also originally one book.  The twelve books at the end of our English Old Testament called the minor prophets were originally included on one scroll.  Whenever the Jews translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek (a translation call the Septuagint), the bigger books or bigger sections of the Old Testament were turned into two books or separate books without altering the words.  Hence we still have the words as originally inspired by God, even though the arrangement of the volumes may be different.  Much like older and newer editions of books that come out today, an editor at a later time may choose to take bigger books and divide them into two or three volumes for ease of use, while still retaining the identical wording and intent of the author. 
i 1Cor 15.14