Why are the escaping Jews described as having wings like an eagle?
The description is symbolic, not literal flight. It pictures God's swift, sovereign deliverance of escaping Jews, just as He brought Israel out of Egypt. Although Scripture says they came as if on eagle's wings, they actually walked out; God intervened, preventing the Antichrist's armed force from destroying them.
Les explains that Revelation speaks in symbolic language, so the eagle wings are not a literal physical change. The dragon's flood is an armed force the Antichrist sends to destroy the escaping Jews, much as Pharaoh pursued Israel. God intervenes by opening the earth to swallow that force, just as He drowned the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Les notes that God had said Israel came to Him as if with the wings of a great eagle, yet they actually walked out of Egypt—no helicopters or planes. The image therefore shows divine protection and deliverance, not actual flight.
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
More Questions
Why is the woman given wings of a great eagle in Revelation 12?
The two wings of the great eagle given to the woman in Revelation 12 correspond to God's words in Exodus 19:4 about carrying Israel on eagles' wings, showing that the end-times flight repeats the Exodus deliverance.
What do the two eagle wings in Revelation 12:14 signify?
The two wings of the great eagle in Revelation are meant to recall God's words in Exodus 19:4 about bearing Israel on eagles' wings.