Inside the bigger semi-circle of twenty-four thrones before God’s throne, John sees a smaller semi-circle of four living creatures, with two somewhat to the right of God’s throne and two somewhat to the left. These living creatures are each “full of eyes in front and behind,” indicating that nothing escapes their attention, especially not the beauty and majesty of God himself. With their abundance of eyes they miss nothing that happens in heaven, whether it be before them or behind. Note that the reference to eyes is repeated in Revelation 4:8.
6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: