Eureka
AN EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE
Volume 1 of 3, Sixth Edition, 1915
By Dr. John Thomas (written 1861)

PAGE 173

Chapter 1

SECTION V.

The eye is the symbol of intelligence, for "the light of the body is the eye." The nature of the intelligence in predominant activity is expressed by the character of the symbol; hence an eye as a flame of fire, indicates intelligence in wrathful activity. The word for "eye" in the Hebrew also signifies "fountain"; because tears are welled up from the eye as water from a fountain or spring. Hence the eyes of

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the Man of Multitude are fountains of flaming fire; they pour out flame as "a fiery stream," and he becomes "a consuming fire."

There is nothing beneficent in symbolic flame. This will appear from the use of the term in all parts of scripture. Speaking of Dathan and Abiram, as examples of divine indignation, David says, in Psal. 106:18, "a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked." Isaiah in treating of the overthrow of the kingdom of men under its last head in our near future, says, YAHWEH, Yahweh Tz'vahoth, shall send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. And the Light of Israel shall be for a fire, and His Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briars in one day. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon YAHWEH, the Holy one of Israel in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the Mighty Hero -- !hebrew! ail givbor (Isai. 10:16-21). In this testimony "the Light of Israel" is the Logos of John; He is the fire; and his flame is the Holy One symbolized by the Son of man with his eyes as a flame of fire. This is the Mighty Hero to whom Jacob shall return.

Again, in speaking of the coming of the NAME OF YAHWEH, the same prophet says, in 30:27. "Behold, THE NAME OF YAHWEH cometh from afar, His anger burning, and its vehemence a conflagration; His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: and his breath as an overflowing stream shall reach to the neck, to scatter the nations with the fan of destruction". This name of YAHWEH is apocalypsed in John's similitude, the flame of whose eyes is poured forth as a stream of fire to effect what is here testified by Isaiah.

Many other passages might be adduced illustrating the significance of symbolic flame whether it be streaming from the eyes, or glowing about the feet; but these are sufficient at present to show that the mission of the company symbolized by the Son of man is not of peace, but a mission of judgment and retribution upon the nations of the earth. Back

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