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Revelation 4:7
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5 And from the throne proceeded alightnings, thunderings, and voices. bSeven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are cthe seven Spirits of God.  
6 Before the throne there1 was aa sea of glass, like crystal. bAnd in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.  
7 aThe first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.  
8 The four living creatures, each having asix wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
b“Holy,1 holy, holy,
cLord God Almighty,
dWho was and is and is to come!”  
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, awho lives forever and ever,  
10 athe twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 
11 “Youa are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
bFor You created all things,
And by cYour will they exist and were created.” 
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
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What Does Revelation 4:7 Mean?



Revelation 4:7

The fourth seal is introduced by the fourth living creature, identified in Revelation 4:7 as "like a flying eagle." In the United States, we think of eagles as noble and majestic creatures, sharp-eyed and sharp-taloned, fierce and swift in striking their prey, mating for life, and caring tenderly for their young. The Bible's view includes these characteristics but adds one more: They are carrion eaters.

Leviticus 11:13 refers to eagles as being forbidden to the Israelites as food: "These you shall regard as an abomination among the birds" (see also Deuteronomy 14:12). Eagles are listed first and in the company of vultures and buzzards. Proverbs 30:17 speaks of "the young eagles" eating the eye of one who mocks and scorns his parents. Perhaps the best-known biblical reference to this aspect of eagles appears in Matthew 24:28 (also Luke 17:37), in which Jesus says, "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

The flying eagle, then, needs to be seen in both lights: as a swift and deadly hunter, spying out its prey from afar, as well as a detestable eater of putrefying flesh. The first reflects God's position as the divine and sovereign Judge on high, and the second, the grisly and dreadful effects of His judgments for sin. It is a picture of a noble and righteous God obliged by His own holiness to execute the proscribed penalty for human transgression.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Four Horsemen (Part Five): The Pale Horse




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Revelation 4:7:

Matthew 6:9
Revelation 4:7
Revelation 6:3-4
Revelation 6:7


 
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