Are Those Your Eyes? Are They Mine?

 Hello Dear Friends and Readers!  

The book of Revelation keeps inspiring me, but I definitely want to note that it is the rest of the cannon of scripture that keeps leading me to make possible connections.  The Bible is one continuous woven story.  It takes the whole thing to be able to begin to see the tapestry.  For example, my most recent Revelation connection is dependent upon scriptures from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, AND required a bit of digging into ancient history.  It's not wrapped too tightly into a little bow, but I gotta theory...😉  Wanna know more?  Let's go!

Today I am thinking about all those eyes 👀 in Revelation chapter 4:6-11.  It's not the first time we've encountered them, as Ezekiel is eye-witness (get it? 🤣) to a strikingly similar scene in Ezekiel 1:4-18.

It is pretty clear that these passages are connected.  Are Ezekiel and John being shown the same vision?  Perhaps a topic for another day.

For today, however, I would like to propose that we have seen this scene even earlier in scripture.  Let us flip back to the book of Numbers...

"Adonai said to Moses and Aaron saying, Let each man encamp under his own standard among the banners of their ancestral house at an appropriate distance around the tent of meeting."

Numbers 2:1-2

Numbers chapter 2 goes on to list the 4 tribes, under whose "standard" the other tribes would be camping.  Here is the verbiage of the standard of Judah:

"Those camping on the east toward the sunrise -- will be of the standard of Judah, according to their divisions....Camping next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar....Next, the tribe of Zebulun....All those numbered to Judah's camp, by their divisions, are 186,400.  They are to advance first." 

Numbers 2:3-9 (portions)

This pattern repeats 3 more times with Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan being standard bearing tribes with other tribes under them.  Numbers 2:10-24

There are a few things I find intriguing about this passage.  These standards and tribes were camped around the Tabernacle...where the very presence of YHVH was in residence.  Also, the standards had emblems that may be able to be connected to the faces we read about in Ezekiel chapter 1 and Revelation chapter 4.  

Those eyes...

By the time we get to the end of Numbers chapter 2, we find that the most basic estimate of the number of Israel was 603,450.  I say most basic, because this number did not include Levi, women/children, or the aged. So...a conservative estimate may be closer to one million people...

Now multiply one million by 2 (humans have 2 eyes)...

Are you seeing the picture I am trying to paint?

What if the description of the creatures with all those eyes in Revelation chapter 4 is the symbol for YHVH's people...circling His throne...just like Israel circled His Tabernacle back in the wilderness?

Whoa, Debbie... That's a stretch!

Fair enough, but I like to stretch 😅.  

It's a theory that I'm not married to, but it makes more sense to me than actual eyeball covered creatures.  

But Debbie, you've got a problem...

I know, I know.  I agree that there is a problem.  Remember that I told you from the beginning that this is a theory that I cannot completely tie up in a little tight bow?  

It's Dan 

(It's always Dan, isn't it?!)

You see, there are specific places in scripture that can be used to support the "standards" and how they correspond to the 3 of the 4 tribes, but Dan...doesn't fit using only scripture.

I can definitively support that Judah's standard is a lion (Genesis 49:9); Reuben's standard is a man (Genesis 49:3); and Ephraim's standard is an ox (Deuteronomy 33:17).  

But Dan...his emblems in scripture are snakes, lions, and scales.  Oh my!

So back to the history books I go!

I am finding anecdotal evidence for Dan's association with the eagle, but nothing I am ready to pin this entire theory on.  So I keep seeking...

It may appear that I've gotten your hopes up for not much, but I am encouraged by just one more scripture that I believe supports this theory.  It's the best evidence I have, so I saved it for last.  Ready?

Turn with me to Psalm 22.  You will recognize the beginning of this Psalm immediately...

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" 

But keep going...

When we get to verse 4 we see that 'My God' is, "enthroned on the praises of Israel." 

Is that where we find ourselves in Revelation chapter 4...in the throne room of YHVH?

Perhaps surrounded by His people, Israel? 

Praising Him? 

Maybe like His people in the desert back in Numbers were supposed to be doing?

I am once again reminded that the physical (Israel in the wilderness) could be pointing to the spiritual (Israel in the throne room of YHVH).  It could all be a "type" that we are supposed to recognize...

I will rest my proposal here in YHVH's throne room...surrounded by living creatures that are praising The Creator.  Could those creatures be the standards of YHVH's people?  And what about those eyes?  

Are those YOUR eyes? Are they mine?

I believe they could be.  Is there still room for struggle?  You better believe it!

I hope you will join me in that struggle and continue to... 

Come Seek With Me!

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