What's with angels having multiple eyes?

[tonychanyt]

Ez 1:

17 As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19 So as the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.

This described the "living creatures" (cherubim) in Ezekiel's vision. These beings were associated with God's throne and were covered in eyes. They could see in all directions, not just what was ahead of them.

Ez 10:

12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels.

They were watchful. More broadly, in Rv 4:

6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

What was this imagery of many eyes?

Eyes are associated with sight, perception, and knowledge. Multiple eyes symbolize all-seeing and omniscient. Pr 15:

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

The depiction of angels with multiple eyes symbolizes their watchfulness, diligence, and oversight. They are on the alert and ready to respond. We are under their angelic system of constant observation and care. For believers, the idea that angels possess some divine knowledge can be comforting. They know about our struggles, prayers, and needs. They can assist humans according to their intelligence information.

More broadly, these eyes reflect the divine attribute of omniscience. Angels themselves are not omniscient; only God is. Their knowledge is limited to their observations and divine revelations. The angelic system, as a whole, implements an aspect of God's omniscience, but God does not need them to be omniscient.

 

[johansen]

A certain nasa engineer has some ideas. Invented the omni wheel after reading ezekiel..

 

[St_Worm2]

Ez 1:
This described the "living creatures" (cherubim) in Ezekiel's vision. These beings were associated with God's throne and were covered in eyes. They could see in all directions, not just what was ahead of them.

Ez 10:
They were watchful. More broadly, in Rv 4:
What was this imagery of many eyes?
Eyes are associated with sight, perception, and knowledge. Multiple eyes symbolize all-seeing and omniscient. Pr 15:
The depiction of angels with multiple eyes symbolizes their watchfulness, diligence, and oversight. They are on the alert and ready to respond. We are under their constant observation and care. More broadly, they reflect the divine attribute of omniscience.

Hi Tony, the angels, their eyes and their wings (either 4, Cherubim, or 6 Seraphim) and MANY other things about them are VERY interesting to ponder Eyes all around/in front/behind I get, but I wonder what eyes "within" means (Revelation 4:8)?

Have you also considered the "six-winged" Seraphim from Isaiah 6 (like Revelation 4)? There they use two of their wings to cover their eyes and two to cover their feet while in the presence of God, but they no longer do so (use their wings to cover their eyes and feet, that is) in Revelation 4 (though they continue to sing the same hymn in Revelation 4).

I wonder why (why they no longer cover their eyes and feet in Revelation)?

God bless you!!

--David

 

[St_Worm2]

Eyes are associated with sight, perception, and knowledge. Multiple eyes symbolize all-seeing and omniscient. Pr 15:

The depiction of angels with multiple eyes symbolizes their watchfulness, diligence, and oversight. They are on the alert and ready to respond. We are under their constant observation and care. More broadly, they reflect the divine attribute of omniscience.

Hello again Tony, while I agree with much of this, I would like to ask you a couple of questions.

You mention that the angels' eyes symbolize omniscience, that they, in fact, reflect the divine attribute of omniscience. If you wouldn't mind, please elaborate a bit on that (on why that is important for instance). Thanks. I suppose that I should also ask, do you believe that angels are, in any way/to some degree, all-seeing (like God is)?

You also mentioned that we are under their constant observation and care (which is something that certainly echoes the idea of omniscience). I suppose that if this is true (that we are under their constant observation and care, that is), that they must be in some way/to some degree, omniscient, since both the OT and the NT (e.g. Revelation 4:5-8) speak of them being constantly in the presence of the Lord in Heaven instead.

Lastly, where do we find this in the Bible, the idea that they are ceaselessly watching over us, rather than ceaselessly in His presence worshipping Him, except for the times that He sends one or more of them to us?

Thanks

God bless you!!

--David

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

Ez 1:


This described the "living creatures" (cherubim) in Ezekiel's vision. These beings were associated with God's throne and were covered in eyes. They could see in all directions, not just what was ahead of them.

Ez 10:

They were watchful. More broadly, in Rv 4:

What was this imagery of many eyes?

Eyes are associated with sight, perception, and knowledge. Multiple eyes symbolize all-seeing and omniscient. Pr 15:

The depiction of angels with multiple eyes symbolizes their watchfulness, diligence, and oversight. They are on the alert and ready to respond. We are under their constant observation and care. More broadly, they reflect the divine attribute of omniscience.

1 John 1:5 ...eyes bring light into the body. Here we have beings living bathed in un-created light around the Throne.

 

[tonychanyt]

I would like to ask you a couple of questions.

Great questions. I elaborated in the OP. Take another look. Feel free to follow up.

 

[RamiC]

Lastly, where do we find this in the Bible, the idea that they are ceaselessly watching over us, rather than ceaselessly in His presence worshipping Him, except for the times that He sends one or more of them to us?

Sorry to cut in, but do these explain it?

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10 NKJV​

​

So it seems they can see heaven and earth at the same time.​

"3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. " Revelation 8:3-5 NKJV -​

and from this is maybe our prayers are travelling via angels?


For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 NKJV

 

[St_Worm2]

Sorry to cut in, but do these explain it?

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10 NKJV​

So it seems they can see heaven and earth at the same time.

Hello RamiC, no worries, in fact, I like others joining in (most of the time anyway ) so that I can hear their thoughts too, so thank you for doing so here

As for this wonderful verse in Matthew, unfortunately, I don't believe that it's saying what you (and I) would like it to say. As I understand it, what the Lord Jesus meant when He said that our "guardian" angels always see the face of my Father in Heaven was that they are always ~in~ His presence in Heaven, not down here with us looking up at Him in Heaven.

So, I believe that angels (even our "guardian" angels, as we refer to them) are sent to minister to us by God, to deliver messages to us from Him, to protect us, encourage us, guide us, provide for us, etc., whatever it is necessary for them to do so, and specifically, whenever God commands them to do.

Hebrews 1​

14 Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?​

Angels are creatures too, so (like us) they are neither omniscient, omnipresent nor omnipotent, and they certainly do not act on their own accord, apart from the express will of God (well, except for the demons and their leader, of course ).

Unfortunately, I think that over the years we may have mingled some of our romanticized ideas about the angels with what the Bible actually tells us about them and have (thereby) created our own man-made traditions concerning them (which may be true in part, of course). The fact that what is said about them in the Bible is always a bit shrouded in mystery doesn't make things any easier, either. In fact, if you consider some of what is typically believed about the angels and then compare that to various verses that we have about them in the Bible, you'll find that the verses, oft times, don't support our traditional beliefs (as they always seem to say too little or too much to do that)!

I'd like to say more but, unfortunately, I need to go. I hope to return later today however (Dv). Looking forward to hearing more of what you and others think too

God bless you!!

--David

 

[RamiC]

So, I believe that angels (even our "guardian" angels, as we refer to them) are sent to minister to us by God, to deliver messages to us from Him, to protect us, encourage us, guide us, provide for us, etc., whatever it is necessary for them to do so, and specifically, whenever God commands them to do.

I do not believe anything validates the idea of personal guardian angels, but that angels must know if we are "despising one of these little ones", at the same time as having the ability to see God in heaven, otherwise what is this warning about? Merely knowing what is in our minds if we do certain things (despise a little one) does not require omniscience, merely a function as messengers who can tell what we are thinking when commissioned by God to do so.

We know we are not to attempt to worship them because of "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19-10 NKJV

 

[St_Worm2]

I do not believe anything validates the idea of personal guardian angels.....

Hello again RamiC, agreed, and yet, somehow it (at least) seems like we have them, perhaps for three reasons, 1. it is certainly a comforting thought, 2. it's a (traditional) thought that we all grew up with, oddly, both within and outside of church, and, most importantly 3. the Bible (at least) seems to indicate that we do.

.......but angels must know if we are "despising one of these little ones", at the same time as having the ability to see God in heaven, otherwise what is this warning about? Merely knowing what is in our minds if we do certain things (despise a little one) does not require omniscience, merely a function as messengers who can tell what we are thinking when commissioned by God to do so.

Here's v10 again.

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10 NKJV​

​

As far as what you just said above, I think we may be seeing this from two different points of view, as I believe that it is our omniscient/omnipresent Father who always knows exactly what's going on with us, and it is He who provides this information to the angels and sends them to watch over us/care for us when He knows that we need Him to. Therefore, I don't believe that He sends His angels here to be His informants (why would He need to), rather, He informs them about us (our angels who are always right there before Him in Heaven, that is), and then He issues commands to them accordingly (which they are able to respond to immediately then, if necessary).

Lastly, while I agree that the angels can see what we do (if they are in our presence, that is), they cannot know the reason behind the choices that we make, nor can they know what our intentions are ~before~ we've acted (like God does .. e.g. Psalm 139:1-4), as they, unlike God, cannot see the hearts of men. So again, I believe that it is God who does the seeing, discerning, informing and commanding, and it is the angels, then, who act on our behalf in regard to the information that He gives them and, of course, in perfect obedience to His will.

I'll take a look at what some of my commentaries have to say about all of this and get back to you.

We know we are not to attempt to worship them because of "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19-10 NKJV

Agreed!! I'm not surprised by the Apostle's reaction at seeing such a magnificent creature, but also happy for the angel's clear & immediate response to Him about it (so that we too would know that we are to worship God alone, NEVER one of His creatures, no matter how incredible they may seem to us).

God bless you!!

--David

 

[RamiC]

2. it's a (traditional) thought that we all grew up with, oddly, both within and outside of church, and, most importantly 3. the Bible (at least) seems to indicate that we do.

I have met non-Christian Guardian Angel believers, and I don't think they had it right.

Here's v10 again.

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10 NKJV​

​

As far as what you just said above, I think we may be seeing this from two different points of view, as I believe that it is our omniscient/omnipresent Father who always knows exactly what's going on with us, and it is He who provides this information to the angels and sends them to watch over us/care for us when He knows that we need Him to. Therefore, I don't believe that He sends His angels here to be His informants (why would He need to), rather, He informs them about us (our angels who are always right there before Him in Heaven, that is), and then He issues commands to them accordingly (which they are able to respond to immediately then, if necessary).

Yes, I actually agree with you. What you are saying does match the verse perfectly well.

Lastly, while I agree that the angels can see what we do (if they are in our presence, that is), they cannot know the reason behind the choices that we make, nor can they know what our intentions are ~before~ we've acted (like God does .. e.g. Psalm 139:1-4), as they, unlike God, cannot see the hearts of men. So again, I believe that it is God who does the seeing, discerning, informing and commanding, and it is the angels, then, who act on our behalf in regard to the information that He gives them and, of course, in perfect obedience to His will.

I'll take a look at what some of my commentaries have to say about all of this and get back to you.

That will be interesting, thank you for taking the time.