Exekiel 1
One man taken from Jerusalem to the land of Chaldea, and kept a captive there, was named Ezekiel. One day he and other captives were out doors by a river, and God spoke to Ezekiel and opened the sky above and showed hill wonderful sights, called visions. Ezekiel was to tell of these to others, and hr wrote what he saw, which we have in our Bible.
Ezekiel saw as if a whirlwind came out of the north with a cloud and fire; and “four living creatures” came from theundst of the fire; these were not like any creatures we know; “they had the likeness of a man,” yet were like bright lamps or burning coals; they had “wheels within wheels”, each had two wings which partly hid them, and two wings which were joined to the others, so they flew altogether and very swiftly, with a noise “like the noise of many waters, as the noise of the Almighty, as the noise of an host (army)”. There was fire and lightning about them, and, most strange, these creatures seemed to have each four faces, like a man, like a lion, like an ox, and like an eagle.
Above these Ezekiel saw a throne, bright as precious stones, with fire and brightness around, and “the likeness of a man” on the throne.
When Ezekiel saw the strange and fearful vision, he fell on his face to the ground. We, too, bow our heads as we read this. We may understand but little of what the Lord wished to teach us, yet it is wonderful to think of His power and glory. The whirlwind, wheels and wings all show force and swift motion; fire and lightning quickly destroy, so these teach of power and swift judgment from the One who sent the “living creatures.” These seem to show God’s ways to rule over the earth, with intelligence of man, with: strength as a lion, with patient service as an ox, with alertness as an eagle.
Perhaps we can understand some of the teaching of the vision better than Ezekiel, because we know that the Son of God has been sent from above to teach God’s way; on earth; that He took the form of a man, but holy and different from all others. He did not then show His power to rule, but lived in patient service to God and to men, yet One from above as the eagle. Because He came so humble, we do not think about, His power and glory, but the scriptures tell that He will some day show His strength to rule over all the earth, as Ezekiel saw the appearance of a man on the bright throne. The colors of the rainbow were around that throne, which show God’s mercy. There is mercy for all who believe on His Son. Notice these scriptures:
“God, Who is rich in mercy ... .that ... . He might show the exceeding riches of His.... kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” Eph. 2:4,7.
“Christ Jesus, Who ... ..took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5,7.
“He (God) hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world... by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31.
“Then shall they see the Son of man coming ... .with great power and glory.” Mark 13:26.
ML 04/26/1942