245. Verse 8. And the four animals each by himself had six wings about him, signifies the Word as to its powers and as to its guards. That by "the four animals" the Word is signified, was shown above; that by wings are signified powers, and also guards, will be seen below. By "six" is signified all as to truth and good, for six is composed of "three" and "two" multiplied together, and by "three" is signified all as to truth (n. 505), and by "two" all as to good (n. 762). By "wings" are signified powers, because by them birds lift themselves up, and wings with birds are in the place of arms with men, and by "arms" are signified powers. Since by "wings" are signified powers, and each animal had six wings, it is evident, from what has been said above, what kind of power is signified by the wings of each, namely, that by "the wings of the lion" is signified the power of fighting against evils and falsities from hell; which power is of the Divine truth of the Word from the Lord. That by "the wings of the calf" is signified the power of affecting minds, for the Divine truth of the Word affects those who read it as holy. That by "the six wings of the man" is signified the power of being wise as to what God is, and what is of God, for this is properly man's in reading the Word: and that by "the wings of the eagle" is signified the power of knowing truth and good, and thereby acquiring intelligence for oneself. [2] Concerning the wings of the cherubim we read in Ezekiel that:
The wings kissed each other, and that they also covered their bodies, and that under them there was the likeness of hands (Ezek. 1:23-24; 3:13; 10:5, 21). By "kissing each other," is signified to act in conjunction and unanimously; by "covering their bodies," is signified to guard lest the interior truths which belong to the spiritual sense of the Word be violated; and by "the hands under the wings" are signified powers. Concerning "the seraphim," it is also said, that:
They had six wings; with two of which they covered the face, and with two the feet, and with two they flew (Isa. 6:2). By "seraphim" in like manner is signified the Word, properly doctrine from the Word, and by "the wings with which they covered the faces and feet," in like manner are signified guards, and by "the wings with which they flew," powers, as above. That by "flying" is signified to perceive and instruct, and in the highest sense to look out for and provide, is also evident from these passages:
God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was carried upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:10; 2 Sam. 22:11). I saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6). [3] That by wings are signified guards, is plain from the following passages:
Jehovah shall cover thee under His wings (Ps. 91:4). To be hid under the shadow of God's wings (Ps. 17:8). To confide in the shadow of His wings (Ps. 36:7; 57:1; 63:7). I stretched out a wing over thee, and covered thy nakedness (Ezek. 16:8). Unto you shall be healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2). As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, beareth them on her wings, so Jehovah leadeth him (Deut. 32:11-12). Jesus said, O Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34).
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