"And the fourth beast was like a flying eagle" (Revelation 4:7).

Agur exclaimed that there were four things that were too wonderful for him which were hard to describe. The first was, "The way of an eagle in the air" (Proverbs 30:18-19).

Eagles are majestic in appearance as they soar and glide on their powerful wings. Their swiftness, strength, and keen eyesight are amazing.

Note the spiritual lessons used in Scripture regarding God's marvelous creation:

The lesson of stirring. "As an eagle stirreth up her nest" (Deuteronomy 32:11). "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (Amos 6:1) is a warning to God's people concerning complacency and lack of interest in the things of God. The eaglet was created to fly, not stay in the nest. Even so, the believer will be stirred up by God to soar with Christ.

The lesson of security. "As an eagle . . . fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings" (Deuteronomy 32:11). "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exodus 19:4). As the mother eagle gives constant protection and security to her young, even so, God promises the same to His own.

The lesson of renewed strength. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength |and| . . . mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31). "Wait" means to be bound together with the Lord. The believer understands that the Lord's strength becomes his as he waits on Him.

The lesson of sustenance. "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:5). The promise is that if we would open our mouth wide (like an eaglet) God would fill it (Psalm 81:10). PGH