Eyes like a flame of fire
by Dr Kirsten Due
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And to the angel at the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze’ (Revelation 2:18).
Read Revelation 2:18–29
Fire is an important symbol in the Bible. The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire. In the Old Testament, fire was a constant reminder of God’s power and purifying presence (see Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2,3). Fire reminded the Israelites that salvation was only from him, atonement could only be made through him, and his judgements led to a beautiful place of restoration.
2 Samuel 22:7–10 makes God’s presence sound terrifying:
Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations of the heavens trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth from him.
He bowed the heavens and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.
But his presence in devouring fire is on behalf of David, who was in distress. His fire came to consume David’s enemies. God’s fire is for his people, to save them from death and destruction.
The prophet Daniel had an almost identical vision of God to that described in Revelation. ‘His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude’ (Daniel 10:6).
Daniel’s response was the same as John’s in the first chapter of Revelation: He fell on his face in fright, almost unconscious. The word that came to him was one of reassurance and love. ‘O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright … Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel …”’
For the believer, the fire of God ultimately brings blessing. So, amid difficulties, hold fast to the one who has conquered on your behalf and holds fast to you (Revelation 2:25).
Lord, you are the one who searches the mind and the heart. Because of Christ, your searchlight finds nothing hidden within by which we can be accused. You have penetrated our deepest darkness with your eyes of flaming fire. You burnt up our sins for all time, and now, in Christ, we are raised to newness of life. With your flaming eyes and feet of burnished bronze, you are our comfort and great defender. Amen.
Kirsten enjoys working as a Medical Rural Generalist in the remotest part of Australia – from Warruwi to Ramingining and Ltyentye Apurte to Lajamanu, to name a few. Her favourite thing is showing her husband, Noel, around the communities and coming home to him and their two ragdoll cats (Courage and Perseverance). Kirsten says she does not like flying sideways in a tiny Cessna in bad weather or having to run away from grumpy buffalo, red-belly black snakes or crocodiles.
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