The Glory of the Lord

The Purpose of the Vision: The general sense of the symbolism is to convey the all-encompassing majesty of God. The details of the vision only serve to heighten the overall picture, and the student of Ezekiel cannot permit their imaginations to run wild, Ezekiel 1:29. The student must let the vision do exactly what it is aimed at which is the Lord’s glory.

Ezekiel 1:4 “4 As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.”

“Whirlwind” symbolic of God’s judgment on the Southern Kingdom of Judah. A storm is brewing of immense proportions.

“Out of the North” Chaldean invasion which would come from a northernly direction. This is the direction from which Judah’s enemies always come.

“Fire infolding itself” consuming everything in its path. Laying hold on whatever surrounds it, drawing it to itself, and devouring it. Literally, “catching itself,” that is, kindling itself.

“Brightness around it” the Lord’s glory! The color of amber or polished brass, (brass is always symbolic of judgment; going through fire.)

This symbolized God’s judgment on Jerusalem, Babylon coming out of the north. The storm cloud with its fiery lightning meant destruction for Jerusalem.

The living creatures, Ezekiel 1:5-14, The Cherubim.

Out of the midst of what Ezekiel saw in Ezekiel 1:4 came the likeness of four living creatures, Ezekiel 1:5, who had a human likeness.

These creatures symbolize the glory and power of God.

The see in all directions, Ezekiel 1:18, and they can move in all directions, Ezekiel 1:9,12, 17,19-21.

Each of their faces speak of their characteristics. the faces as representing the highest forms of life in God’s created realm.

Intelligence of a man. The acme of God’s creation.

Strength and boldness of a lion. The king of the beasts.

Faithfulness and service of an ox. The strongest of domestic animals.

Heavenliness of an eagle. The lord of the birds.

These creatures could move swiftly to fulfill the will of God, Ezekiel 1:14.

The living creatures had wings, Ezekiel 1:11.

With their wings they form a box.

With their wings they also cover themselves since they are ministering before the throne of the Lord, Isaiah 6:1-3.

The wheel, Ezekiel 1:15-21.a.

Each creature was associated with a set of wheels. There were two sets of wheels in each set.

The wheels were not parallel, but rather is the shape of a gyroscope; a device consisting of a wheel or disk mounted so that it can spin rapidly about an axis which is itself free to alter in direction.

The wheels were constantly turning and, since they faced in all four directions, they could move in any way without changing motion, just like the cherubim.

These wheels were full of eyes, which speaks of God’s omniscience, Ezekiel 1:18.

And as the living creatures moved the wheels coincided with them, Ezekiel 1:19.

All of this speaks of God’s constant working in the world, His power and glory, His presence in all places, His purpose for man, His providence.

God was at work in the world in spite of all the bad stuff happening in the world.

The expanse/throne, Ezekiel 1:22-27.

The throne of God is platformed on the four living creatures, John 17:1-5.

As Ezekiel’s name indicates, “God Strengthens” nothing more encourages and give the strength needed to persevere in challenging times that to know and be reassured that God is on the throne.

His will is being accomplished in this world even if we do not always see it.

The complex movements of the cherubim and the wheels reveal how intricate is God’s providence in the universe; only He can understand it, only He can control it.

Everything in God’s plan is working together, Romans 8:28.

The rainbow, Ezekiel 1:28.

Ezekiel sees a rainbow in the storm.

God’s mercy and God’s covenant would not fail in spite of judgment being issued on the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Genesis 9:11-17.

Noah saw the rainbow after the storm, Genesis 9:11-17.

John saw the rainbow before the storm, Revelation 4:3.

Ezekiel saw the rainbow in the storm, Ezekiel 1:28.

The entire vision of God’s glory shows God at work in the world, judging the sins of His people, but still keeping His covenant of mercy.

The result of the vision was a total collapse, Ezekiel 1:29.

Ezekiel is overwhelmed with the Lord’s glory.

“Glory” mentioned 16 times in Ezekiel, Ezekiel 1:28; 3:12,23; 8:4; 9:3; 10:4,18-19; 11:22-23; 39:21; 43:2.

Ezekiel has seen God in a visionary form. He has not seen God physically because this would ensure death immediately, Exodus 33:19-20.

Ezekiel has seen a theophany. A theophany is any direct revelation of God.

It is visual.

God makes Himself known throughout the Bible in a variety of ways.

In a theophany, a person does not actually see God himself.

What a person actually sees are the effects of God’s unmediated presence, 1 Timothy 6:16: 1 John 4:12.

Theophanies proper belong to the Old Testament, common to the books of Genesis and Exodus. They do appear in the writings of the prophets.]

“The Angel of the Lord.”

Burning bush, Exodus 3:1-6.

Pilar of cloud and pillar of fire, Exodus 13:21-22.

Cloud and fire, Exodus 24:16-18.

Cloud of the Lord’s glory, Exodus 40:34-38.

Question to be answered…Who is this man Ezekiel sees sitting on the throne?

John Calvin states, “this is the prelude to that mystery, which was afterwards displayed to the world, 1 Timothy 3:16.

The God of the Old Testament is none other than Jesus Christ.

It is worth noting that the four living creatures carry the appearance of each of the gospels angle they present of the ministry and person of Jesus.

Face of a man – Gospel of Luke.

Face of a lion – Gospel of Matthew.

Face of an ox – Gospel of Mark.

Face of an eagle – Gospel of John.

The vision of Ezekiel has a New Testament counterpart, 2 Thessalonians 1:7,8.

Ezekiel’s prophecy is all about the coming of Jesus.

Here is what we learn about Jesus from Ezekiel’s vision.

Jesus is Judge – John 5:22-24.

Jesus is holy.

Jesus is all knowing and all powerful.

Jesus reigns and rules.

Ezekiel 8-11 the glory that Ezekiel sees in Ezekiel 1:4-29, departs, Ezekiel 10:18.

Question…Where is the glory now?

Ezekiel 43:1-2 the glory returns upon the mount of the east of the city – the mount of Olives, Ezekiel 11:23.

“The House” it is not Solomon’s temple, it is not Zerubbabel’s, neither is it Herod’s.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17, the glory returns to Jesus’ temple, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 4:14.

Take Away thoughts:

1. Before Ezekiel can even think of beginning and fulfilling his calling, he must catch a clear vision of the Lord’s sovereignty, unfailing in covenant, the Lord as a consuming fire against disobedience and sin. The Lord is in control, the Lord is calling the shots, the Lord knows and understands everything, the Lord moving in his own initiative.

2. Preparation is everything when it comes to doing the will of God.

3. The only place to begin is in on our face, staying there until God tells us to get up. Any minister must be first on his face before he is ever on his feet.

4. We learn from this vision is that ministry is about Jesus!