by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2016
Posted 4/10/16

"The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within." (Revelation 4:8a)

Bible commentaries are filled with different interpretations of the meaning of this passage and others like it. My goal with this title is not to give interpretation, but to make one interpretive application. The creatures may speak of Christ as well as ministers of the gospel.... I am not too interested in that now; that is a mystery whose complete interpretation is reserved for a future unfolding in eternity.

These four heavenly creatures are said to be "full of eyes;" that is to say they are richly filled with perception, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding concerning the things of God, and of the truth. This is the first and greatest endowment for the sons of God to possess. These creatures are in the presence of God continually and are perpetually supplied by the influence of his person. Their fullness of vision (a gift of grace) is due in part to their nearness to God. They know God, they see his works, and they clearly understand his ways. They are seers filled with the understanding of truth, through the person of truth, Jesus Christ. They are full of eyes around and within. (see Matthew 13:16, 3 John 4) Oh, that all of God's people might be, in like fashion, full of eyes. These creatures of vision stand in stark contrast to the multitudes on earth who have no eyes and are void of spiritual discernment. The ones who are filled with eyes bear witness of the truth and shall rise up in judgement against those dull and distant souls who refuse to see even what God has made plain. It is this spiritual vision that defines a man or a woman, through which we touch God and fellowship with his life. To see clearly and correctly is to see with the eyes of Biblical worldview. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and it is where we receive our sight. Receive your eyes from above by beholding him who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

The prophets of old were seers. They were sanctified and consecrated to God; and by reason of their nearness to God they were given vision and sent to speak forth what they saw. In the New Testament, we see that spiritual gifts are given to the Church. The spiritual gifts are unique and diverse abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the body of Christ. Every believer has one or more of these gifts that come from God according to sovereign grace. By grace they have been brought near and by grace they have been gifted. As the prophets of old, it is given to some to see into the mysteries of God and to discern the dark sayings of the Bible. Another of these gifts is, "discerning of spirits". All believers have been given discernment to one degree or another, and are encouraged to use discernment and to grow in discernment. There are some however, who have been given a particular gift of discernment - the unusual ability to see things not commonly or naturally perceived, but spiritually discerned. They can discern the spirits and serve as bird dogs to benefit others in the body of Christ who are gifted to supply the body of Christ in other capacities. Like point men with night vision goggles they see the "unseeable" dangers and spirits that threaten to infiltrate and undo the faithful by stealth. They do their part with God-given ability in bringing definition to what is to many not discernible. This is one of the many gifts of God to the church for it's edification. Discern the spirits and also pay heed to the proven seers as though God himself were sending the vision; for this, in fact, is the case. May God continue to give his people fullness of vision to see what earthly eyes cannot see.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:17)

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