Revelation 4:8

¶ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

And {G2532} the four {G5064} beasts {G2226} had {G2192} each {G303}{G1520} of them {G2596}{G1438} six {G1803} wings {G4420} about {G2943} him; and {G2532} they were full {G1073} of eyes {G3788} within {G2081}: and {G2532} they rest {G372} not {G3756}{G2192} day {G2250} and {G2532} night {G3571}, saying {G3004}, Holy {G40}, holy {G40}, holy {G40}, Lord {G2962} God {G2316} Almighty {G3841}, which {G3588} was {G2258}{G3801}, and {G2532} is {G5607}{G3801}, and {G2532} is to come {G2064}{G3801}.

Each of the four living beings had six wings and was covered with eyes inside and out; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is Adonai, God of heaven’s armies
the One who was, who is and who is coming!”

And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

Commentary on Revelation 4:8 (KJV)

Revelation 4:8 provides a vivid glimpse into the throne room of God, focusing on the appearance and ceaseless worship of four mysterious living creatures. This verse is a cornerstone in understanding the nature of heavenly worship and the character of God.

Context

Chapter 4 of Revelation marks a significant shift in John's vision. After delivering messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3), John is invited "up hither" (Revelation 4:1) to witness the heavenly scene. This chapter introduces the majesty of God's throne, surrounded by twenty-four elders and these four living creatures, setting the stage for the dramatic events that unfold in the rest of the book. The description of these creatures draws parallels to the cherubim and seraphim seen in the Old Testament prophetic visions of Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Absolute Holiness: The repeated cry, "Holy, holy, holy," known as the Trisagion, is the most profound declaration of God's purity, transcendence, and separation from all sin. This triple repetition in Hebrew idiom signifies the highest possible degree of holiness, emphasizing His absolute uniqueness and moral perfection.
  • Ceaseless Worship: The phrase "they rest not day and night" highlights the continuous and eternal nature of worship in heaven. It underscores God's unending worthiness of praise and adoration, demonstrating that His glory and majesty demand constant recognition.
  • God's Omnipotence and Eternity: The title "Lord God Almighty" (Greek: Pantokrator) proclaims God's supreme power and sovereignty over all creation. Coupled with "which was, and is, and is to come," it declares His eternal existence, His control over all time—past, present, and future—and His unchanging nature. This same declaration is found earlier in the book, emphasizing God's timeless sovereignty in Revelation 1:8.
  • Divine Wisdom and Perception: The creatures being "full of eyes within" suggests boundless knowledge, insight, and awareness of God's creation and purposes. This imagery also appears in Ezekiel 1:18, signifying their comprehensive understanding and vigilance.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Four beasts": The KJV translates the Greek word zōa as "beasts." However, zōa more accurately means "living creatures," distinguishing them from the "beast" (Greek: thērion) associated with evil in later chapters of Revelation. This distinction is crucial for proper interpretation.
  • "Holy, holy, holy": This is a direct echo of the seraphim's cry in Isaiah 6:3. The threefold repetition emphasizes the superlative nature of God's holiness, often interpreted as an implicit reference to the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • "Lord God Almighty": The Greek Kyrios Theos Pantokrator means "Lord God All-Sovereign" or "Lord God All-Powerful." It stresses God's absolute authority and power over everything.
  • "Which was, and is, and is to come": The Greek phrase ho ēn kai ho ōn kai ho erchomenos profoundly articulates God's eternal, self-existent nature. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, existing outside the constraints of time.

Practical Application

This verse calls believers to a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's character. Recognizing His absolute holiness should inspire profound reverence, awe, and humility in our worship. The ceaseless worship in heaven reminds us that God is always worthy of praise, and our earthly worship is a participation in this eternal chorus. Understanding God as the "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come," provides immense comfort and stability in a changing world, assuring us that His power, presence, and purposes are constant and sovereign.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 6:2

    Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

  • Isaiah 6:13

    But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so] the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.

  • Revelation 1:8

    I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

  • Hebrews 13:8

    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

  • Revelation 4:6

    And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

  • Exodus 15:11

    Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

  • Ezekiel 10:21

    Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man [was] under their wings.

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