Fire or Tears

There are ten uses of “eye” in Revelation, nine of them in the plural (the exception is 1:7). The uses of the plural fall into several categories:

1) The eyes of Jesus are flames of fire (1:14; 2:18; 19:12) or the seven Spirits (5:6), which are flames (4:5).

2) The angel of the church in Laodicea is charged to buy ointment to anoint his blind eyes (3:18). Anointed eyes brighten, become fiery.

3) Two verses speak of the cherubim guardians who are full of eyes (4:6, 8).

3) Finally, two passages promise tat the Lord will wipe tears from the eyes of the saints (7:17; 21:4).

On earth, eyes are tear-filled; it is a “vale of tears.” Sunt lacrimae rerum. But the eyes of the saints will be dried, and, with the anointing of the Spirit, turn to flame. Jesus is the destiny; believers and the church will be filled with the seven Spirits so their eyes burn rather than water.