Falling Angels

The four living creatures are “in the midst” and “around” the throne of the Enthroned one (Revelation 4:6). They continuously sing the Sanctus, and when they do the 24 elders fall down to prostrate themselves to the Enthroned one (v. 10).

Given the arrangement, they cannot help but prostrate themselves to the living creatures, who constitute the throne.

Then the Lamb appears “in the midst of the throne” (5:6) and takes the book, and the four living creatures join the 24 elders in prostrating themselves before the Lamb (5:8). Still, there seems to be some distinction between them, as the creatures speak/sing and the elders fall (5:14).

The next time we see them, though, they are again both falling (7:11) and after that the living creatures are falling angels, prostrated before the throne (19:4).

Apparently, worship of the throne-angels was OK before the Lamb appeared. When the Lamb comes, though, the throne itself bows before the Lamb, the true Cherub, the glorious living Throne of His Father.