Revelation 4:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The glassy sea signifies, as I think, the multitude of heavenly hosts, their holiness, purity, and brightness.

It also signifies the repose of the undisturbed life to come.

Perhaps the sea also signifies the heavens of heavens, which, according to the Psalmist's word, are covered by waters inexplicable to our mind (Ps 148:4; Dan 3:60).

If someone thinks that the substance of the heavens is here called crystalline, then one must consider whether this word designates the very essence of the space moved by God, endowed with brightness and radiance.

But precise investigation of things incomprehensible to us is blameworthy and deserves ridicule.

He points to the throne, which signifies God's royal authority and repose, for in it and around it he saw the seraphim.

The multitude of eyes indicates their ability to contemplate the divine radiance.

"In front and behind" means that they are illumined by knowledge of the past and the future.

"The soul that has been deemed worthy of participation in the Spirit in light, and has been illumined by the radiance of His ineffable glory, becomes wholly light, wholly face, and wholly eye when He has made it His dwelling. Not a single part remains in it that is not full of light-bearing spiritual eyes. It no longer has a back side, but from every side reveals its face. The indescribable beauty of the glory and light of Christ comes into it and abides in it," says Saint Macarius of Egypt.

"A glassy sea, like crystal." This means the transparent vault of heaven, a symbol of God's omniscience, because the whole earth can be seen through it.

"And around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind."

These are Ezekiel's living creatures, which supported the heavenly chariot on which God sat as King and moved from place to place.

The living creatures that drew the chariot had to see the way in every direction. Therefore they had eyes everywhere.

They had to move swiftly and without hindrance wherever the One sitting wished. Therefore they had wings for movement forward, backward, and downward.

The living creatures had no need either to turn around or to return backward. Therefore they had faces on every side.