The eye is a most amazing organ—far more efficient than any camera. The lens of the eye, surrounded by fluids, automatically keeps the eye in focus. It allows us to immediately see a distant object clearly when turning our glance from a book we are reading. It is the cornea, a clear, oval window in front of the eye, that bends light rays and sends them on to the lens.
The pupil is the channel through which these light rays travel. In bright light it appears small because it contracts, but it opens wider as the light dims. It is wide open in the dark and can increase its sensitivity to light some 10,000 times. In fact, human eyes exposed to darkness for a while can see almost as well as an owl.
When the lens has focused the image, it is then passed on to the retina—the inside coating of the eyeball. The remarkable retina is only as thick as a piece of paper, but has ten layers (like an onion). It contains about 150 million rod and cone cells. Most of these are rod cells, which help us see in dim light and separate shades of black and white. The cone cells help us see color and bright light. The retina has many blood vessels, but the cornea and lens have none because they must be crystal clear at all times.
The white of the eye nourishes the cornea and so has many blood vessels. It produces tears and another fluid which helps keep the eyes moist by flushing salt water over them. This is done when we blink, which we do about 30,000 times a day. Besides keeping the eyes moist, blinking helps remove foreign particles that might damage this sensitive organ.
Everything about the eye is automatic. Did you ever stop to think how wonderful it is that we can see stars trillions of miles away, and yet with no thought we can focus on a tiny object just a few inches away? When watching an exciting activity, the eye will send millions of electrical impulses instantly to the brain, which immediately takes over to put the information to use. The picture received by the eye is always upside down, but the brain turns it right side up.
It is difficult to understand how some can say that the eye developed by itself. The eye is actually one of the great masterpieces of the Lord God, the divine Creator. It is important to remember that our eyes are not just for this life, but we will see in eternity as well. Job declares, "I know that my Redeemer liveth...Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold" (Job 19:25-2725For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25‑27)). The Lord said, "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me...may [see] My glory" (John 17:2424Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)).
These delightful promises will be enjoyed by those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. But the eyes of those who reject Him will only see Him as their Judge, rather than as their Redeemer, and they will face eternal punishment. Which group are you in?