Charles Ellicott 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 (or, living beings) had each of them (literally, one by one of them) six wings about him; and they were full of (or, teeming with) eyes. The last verse spoke of the living beings teeming with eyes; this tells us that neither the dropping nor the raising of their wings hindered their view.

And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. The resemblance to Isaiah’s vision (Revelation 6:1–4) may remind us that the voice of God’s creation has in every age proclaimed His eternal holiness.

The word “holy” is repeated eight times in the Sinaitic version. The “six wings” are taken to express reverence, for with two (Isaiah 6:2) he covered his face; humility, for with two he covered his feet; and obedience, for with two he flew. Some have understood these living beings to signify rather the creative power of God than the actual creation.

There is much to be said for this; but the analogy of the passage suits better the view here adopted. The twenty-four elders represent, not the regenerating power of God, but the regenerate Church. The new creation in Christ Jesus join in praise with all created things. The doxology in Revelation 4:11 favours the interpretation, Thou hast created all things.