W I N G S

Jack Davis

Part 3

“And the four beasts (living creatures) 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. And when those beasts (living creatures) give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…” Rev. 4:8-10.

Consider some thoughts on the spelling of W-I-N-G-S. They certainly teach us of the abundant, abounding, and ascending life.

‘W’ – Worship comes to mind as we view the living creatures ascending the heights, mounting the throne in holy heavenly praise and adoration. They sing praises for ever of Him that raised them from the depths, to reign with Him over the earth - Rev. 5:10.

‘I’ – As we consider the living creatures’ wings, we sense their Interest, and Involvement in every notion, and motion of the throne. They act in perfect harmony as does the Son, pleasing the Father in all things. They are seen in this book of Revelation carrying out the will of the throne. Willingness for God’s will is indeed an outstanding trait in His people that fully overcome.

Song of Solomon 6:9-12 – “My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded. Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib” {or, set me on the chariots of my willing people}.

The Hebrew meaning of Amminadib: ‘My willing, noble, princely people.’ It seems that when he comes down, and gets too close to His willing people, He takes off with them. Next we read, “Return, return O Shulamite.” Their attitude has long been as that of the Son, “Oh, Father, not my will but thine be done.” “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

‘N’ – Newness – Never growing old as a new creature in Christ is far better than trying to find that fountain of youth, or claiming so-called divine health. We have the privilege of being continually renewed in the power to walk in “newness of life” – Rom. 6:4. We are made to know from Romans 12:1-2, the way of victory over conforming to this world, is being transformed by the renewing of our minds. While feeding on God’s Word, meditating therein, the Holy Spirit makes it a part of us transforming us from within. As we are renewed in knowledge after Christ’s image, we take on His holy, heavenly traits, From within we are being changed in preparation for that final outward change - Col. 3:10.

In Hebrews 10:19-22, we are urged to enjoy the presence of God by the new and living way. The believers access unto God is based upon that which is ever new. From the original Greek, we get the thought of that which is newly made, freshly slain, and yet ever living. In Revelation 21:1-5, we read of that eternal state where all things are made new, (new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem). We will ever enjoy new surroundings of glory in that eternal abode of God among His people.

‘G’ – Glory – Wings point to the glory that excels all, and that is eternal. Yet, even now while we await that eternal state, using our wings we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Our glad expectation of a glorious future lifts our spirits to raise and reign. We have many scriptural examples, and living testimonies, of those who like Paul and Silas are in some type of prison, experiencing different limitations or hindrances. Yet their spirits soar to the throne of God. Oh, Halleluiah, with many stripes upon them, their feet fast in stocks, at midnight the prisoners heard them praying and singing the high praises of our God. For it is Christ in us the hope of glory, and we expect to appear with Him in glory. We know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. We know that our afflictions of the present are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I John 3:1-3 – “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Philippians 3:20-21 – “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

Such truths as these lift our spirits, and encourage us on.

‘S’ – The Spirit realm, with its spacious freedom, and swiftness of motion come to mind as we consider our God given wings. Our hearts long for the time when we will be changed in the twinkle of an eye. All creation awaits the glorious liberty of the children of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, that which is born of Spirit is spirit. We have lived here in a fleshly, physical body that is subject to decay, and the pull of gravity. In earthen vessels, we have borne the image of the earthy, there is none here glorified yet. But praise God we are soon to be caught up, and changed, to live with our Lord forever in our spiritual bodies, bearing the image of the heavenly. These bodies will be without limitation, which will far exceed levitation, soaring above the power of gravitation.