Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 4:8

"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, [is] the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." — Revelation 4:8 (ASV)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him. This is an emblem common to them all, denoting that, concerning each and all the things symbolized here, there was one common characteristic—that in heaven there is the utmost promptness in executing the Divine commands. (Psalms 18:10; Psalms 104:3; Jeremiah 48:40).

No mention is made of the manner in which these wings were arranged, and conjecture regarding that is vain.

The Seraphim, as seen by Isaiah, each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, to denote profound reverence; with two they covered their feet, or lower parts—emblematic of modesty; and with two they flew—emblematic of their speed in executing the commands of God (Isaiah 6:2). Perhaps we may rightly suppose that, concerning these living beings seen by John, two of the wings of each were used, as in Isaiah, to cover the face—a token of profound reverence; and that the remainder were used in flight—denoting the rapidity with which the Divine commands are executed.

Mercury, the messenger of Jupiter among the ancient pagans, was represented with wings, and nothing is more common in the paintings and bas-reliefs of antiquity than such representations.

And they were full of eyes within. Professor Stuart more correctly renders this, "around and within are full of eyes," connecting the word "around" (or "about"), not with the wings, as in our version, but with the eyes. The meaning is that the portions of the beasts visible from the outside of the throne, and the portions under or within the throne, were covered with eyes. The obvious design of this is to indicate the universal vigilance of Divine Providence.

And they rest not. The marginal reading is, have no rest. That is, they are constantly employed; there is no intermission. The meaning, as explained above, is that the works and ways of God are constantly bringing praise to Him.

Day and night. Continually. Those who are employed day and night fill up the whole time—for this is all.

Saying, Holy, holy, holy. For the meaning of this, see the notes on Isaiah 6:3.

Lord God Almighty. Isaiah (Isaiah 6:3) expresses it, "Jehovah of hosts." The reference is to the true God, and the epithet Almighty is one that is often given to Him. It is peculiarly appropriate here, as there were to be, as the rest of the book shows, remarkable exhibitions of power in executing the purposes described in this book.

Which was, and is, and is to come. This describes One who is eternal—existing in all past time, existing now, and to continue to exist forever. See the notes on Revelation 1:4.