STRONGS NT 4072: πέτομαιπέτομαι; (from Homer down); the Sept. for עוּף; to fly: Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17; see πετάομαι.

Strong’s Greek 4072 (πέτομαι) conveys the simple idea of flying, whether attributed to living creatures or to the redeemed woman symbolically lifted from danger. In the Greek New Testament the verb appears only in the Book of Revelation, underscoring its eschatological atmosphere. Each occurrence is set in a visionary scene that contrasts the earthly realm with the exalted “mid-heaven,” the sphere of aerial proclamation, protection, and judgment.

Occurrences in Revelation

1. Revelation 4:7 – One of the four living creatures is “like an eagle flying”. The perpetual motion emphasizes untiring vigilance around the throne, complementing the lion’s might, the ox’s service, and the man’s intelligence. Flight here illustrates unbounded perspective and swift responsiveness to God’s will.

2. Revelation 8:13 – John sees “an eagle flying overhead, crying in a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth…’ ” The airborne herald pronounces the final trumpet judgments. Flight amplifies the urgency and unavoidable reach of the warning, echoing Jeremiah 48:40 and Hosea 8:1, where swift birds signify looming judgment.

3. Revelation 12:14 – The persecuted woman receives “the two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness.” The verb evokes Exodus 19:4, “I carried you on eagles’ wings,” portraying God’s covenant faithfulness to protect and nourish His people during tribulation.

4. Revelation 14:6 – “Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth.” Flight in mid-heaven stresses global visibility and unrestricted access; the message cannot be confined by earthly boundaries (compare Matthew 24:14).

5. Revelation 19:17 – An angel “standing in the sun… called out with a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God.’ ” The gathered carrion birds announce the completeness of divine victory and the irrevocable downfall of the wicked (cf. Ezekiel 39:17-20).

Theological themes

• Sovereign proclamation

From the throne room (Revelation 4) to the final battle (Revelation 19), every instance of πέτομαι highlights heaven’s initiative. Whether angels or symbolic eagles, the flying figures carry divine revelation, warning, or summons that originate above the turmoil of earth.

• Protection and deliverance

The woman’s flight (Revelation 12:14) ensures the preservation of the messianic community. As in Isaiah 40:31, flight becomes a metaphor for renewed strength granted by the Lord to those who wait on Him.

• Swiftness of judgment

The eagle of Revelation 8:13 and the birds of Revelation 19:17 personify the rapid and certain execution of God’s righteous sentences. No earthly power can outrun or outmaneuver the airborne agents of divine decree.

• Universal reach of the gospel

Revelation 14:6 links flight with the “eternal gospel,” implying unhindered dissemination. The mid-heaven location situates the messenger between God and humanity, audible to “every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”

Old Testament and Second Temple background

Jewish apocalyptic writings often place messengers in the sky to signify heavenly authority (e.g., 1 Enoch 99:3). Septuagint passages where birds or winged creatures announce judgment frame the Revelation scenes in familiar prophetic language. The mid-heaven motif echoes Daniel 4:12, where the height of the tree reaches “to heaven,” making it visible to all under the sky.

Christological significance

Though πέτομαι never directly describes Christ, each flight scene advances His redemptive plan: the sealed scroll is opened, trumpet warnings intensify, the woman bearing His lineage is preserved, the everlasting gospel centers on His atoning work, and the birds gather after His triumphant return. The verb thus contributes to a cumulative portrait of Jesus as reigning Lamb and returning King.

Eschatological perspective

Flight marks the transition from present woes to ultimate restoration. It spans the prophecy’s timeline: throne-room worship (chapter 4), escalating trumpets (chapter 8), mid-tribulation conflict (chapter 12), imminent harvest (chapter 14), and final victory (chapter 19). The imagery assures believers that heavenly oversight governs every stage of history.

Practical ministry application

1. Proclamation – Believers are called to emulate the mid-heaven angel by carrying the gospel unfettered by geographical, cultural, or political barriers.

2. Vigilance – The flying eagle before the throne models watchfulness; the church is to remain alert in worship and discernment.

3. Assurance – The woman’s flight encourages the persecuted: God provides supernatural escape, whether through deliverance, endurance, or ultimate resurrection.

4. Sobriety – The summons to carrion birds warns of irreversible judgment. Evangelism is urgent; rejection has dire consequences.

Conclusion

Strong’s 4072, though confined to five visionary moments, weaves a vital thread through Revelation: swift movement between heaven and earth that reveals, protects, warns, and consummates. The verb invites readers to look upward, trust the God who carries His people on wings, and join the airborne chorus that proclaims His eternal gospel until He returns.