"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
Our verse for today is found in the end-times-writings of the Apostle John as he wrote in the book of Revelation. As we look at this verse, let’s be cautious lest we sensationalize the creatures mentioned and not see the object and reason for their worship. You have probably connected the dots and understand that these six-winged creatures in Revelation four, look and sound very much like the six-winged creatures in Isaiah 6:2. Indeed both passages describe the seraphim, the angels who continuously surround the throne of God with their never-ending worship of God, and their continuous service to Him. We take a moment to observe these seraphs so that we can better appreciate the character of our God.
Both passages are clear that these angels have six wings apiece. Isaiah tells us that two of the wings covered the face, two covered the feet, and with two the angel flies. Barnes suggests that the two wings covering the face indicate their “reverence” for God, the two covering the feet (the lower parts) note their modesty in God’s presence, and the two wings for flying show their quickness to obey God’s every command.1 These are reasonable possibilities. John adds that these angels are full of eyes.
What we are most interested in as we read this text is the recurring message of these seraph’s worship.
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty”
Isaiah said it this way, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory,” (Isaiah 6:3).
The attribute of God that the seraphim emphasize is God’s holiness. Which as we study the Scriptures seems to be the chief attribute of God. His other characteristics stand out and are very important, but His holiness tops the list. God’s holiness points to His sinlessness. God cannot sin, and the sins of others cannot taint him.
We see God’s holiness in close relation to His glory. In fact, this is how Isaiah described Him. “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory,” (Isaiah 6:3c). Can we say that God’s holiness brings out or accentuates His glory? John Wesley said this, “For holiness is covered glory, and glory is uncovered holiness.”2 Note how the psalmist connects God’s holiness with His glory.
“Let them PRAISE thy great and terrible name; for IT IS HOLY,” (Psalm 99:3).
“EXALT ye the LORD our God, and WORSHIP at his footstool; for HE IS HOLY,” (Psalm 99:5).
“EXALT the LORD our God, and WORSHIP at his holy hill; for THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY,” (Psalm 99:9).
“Which was, and is, and is to come.”
Give some thought today to these words describing the Lord God Almighty, “which was, and is, and is to come.” Can you see Almighty God as the Word speaks of Him in the past, and how it mentions Him today, and as He will be tomorrow? Ever holy, ever deserving of our glory and praise!
Our God is the One to whom we ascribe glory as we sing of His holiness! As we meditate on Him today, we need to consider this: all that we are, and all that we do, should point to our God. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen,” (Romans 11:36).
This devotion is but a feeble attempt to point out the glorious topic of God’s holiness. Let me encourage you to make this a subject of your study over the next month or so. What will the Bible teach you about our Holy God?
This verse today teaches me that My God is Holy!
1. Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. John Wesley, John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.