Holy! Holy! Holy!

As we’ve learned, one of the characteristics of Revelation is its further unfolding of the various prophecies, symbols, and details found in the Old Testament to detail last-day events. This isn’t plagiarism—rather, it is confirmation that what was declared by ancient Hebrew prophets would find fulfillment at the conclusion of all things.

This is particularly true in Revelation 4:8. Ezekiel, Isaiah, and now John have all seen similar “living creatures.” When Isaiah “saw the Lord sitting on a throne” (Isaiah 6:1), he also saw these beings: “Above it [the throne] stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew” (6:2).

In the first chapter of Ezekiel, the prophet describes his vision of God’s throne and the beings around it. Note what he records about these living creatures: “As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle” (v. 10).

As Revelation is filled with symbols, we can know that God in heaven is not surrounded by a menagerie of strange animals. These “creatures” are telling us something about God’s nature. Covered with eyes reminds us that God is all-knowing. Not resting reminds us that He is all-powerful and never feels fatigue. In addition, the triple declaration of “holy” points to the Godhead—holy for the Father, holy for the Son, and holy for the Spirit.

Jesus, thank You for this unfolding of what God’s throne room is like and for this chain of prophetic witness to what the redeemed will one day see. Keep us close to you and bring us to that great day!

For Further Study: Genesis 3:24; Exodus 26:31; Numbers 7:89

Key Bible Texts

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. (Revelation 4:8 KJV)