(Ezekiel 1:4-25) As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. 6 Each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides were human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them, 9 their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward. 10 As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. 14 And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.
15 Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. 17 Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. 18 As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. 19 Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. 20 Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. 21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
22 Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads. 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward the other; each one also had two wings covering its body on the one side and on the other. 24 I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.
Now Ezekiel sees the Lord (Jesus pre-incarnate) above the angels and briefly describes Him. NOW Ezekiel quickly falls to his face!...
(Ezekiel 1:26-28) Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. 27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.
From this we see:
- Jesus is above the angels (Ez.1:26-28)
- Cherubim described in detail (Ez.1:4-25)
* gleam with a burnished-bronze hue
* the area over their head has an awesome gleam of crystal (like a halo?)
* human form
* four faces: of a man, lion on the right, bull on the left, eagle at the back
- always face forward, their faces do not turn when they move
* four wings (2 on either side):
- in the vision, 2 wings were spread out above (touching other angel wings)
- 2 were covering their bodies
- the wings made the sound of abundant waters,
like God's voice, a tumult sound like an army camp
* under their wings on their four sides are human hands
* legs remain straight
* feet are like a calf's hoof
* below (and beside) each angel, is one wheel:
- made of something like sparkling beryl (which has all colors except black)
- wheels of other angels seem to be able to connect or fit within each other
- the wheel can touch the earth, but when they move up or down or in a direction, the wheels go with them
* the rim of the wheel is lofty and awesome, full of eyes all around it
* in their midst was something like burning coals of bright fire, with lightning flashing from it (maybe this was the spirit?)
- the spirit of the living being is in the wheel (1:20)
- wherever the spirit goes, the angel goes, without turning, to and fro like bolts of lightning
- the spirit also remains still at times
* whenever they stay still, they drop their wings
* can move in any of the 4 directions, without turning, always moving straight forward
Personal experience: this last year, I've had a few interesting experiences, and it is always at night while I'm trying to fall asleep. A small light appears in the room and hovers in one spot, or sometimes it moves. I know angels and demons are huge, but I'm curious if they can shrink - or - if we sometimes just see a bit of them?
Anyway, as soon as I see the light - I start to think - am I somehow imagining this? No. I'm awake, and it feels more real than reality. But there is no dreadful-fear. Just a curious "wonder-like-fear" (if that makes any sense) - kind of like - I wonder what this is and why is it here?
From past experiences, whenever I've seen light from evil spirits, they are green. Friends I know who have had similar experiences have noticed the same thing. But recently, these lights are not so green.
A few times I've caught myself becoming mesmerized by the light and studying it to notice some form inside the light. It's almost like a kaleidoscope of moving colors, with some of it spinning around on another axis.
Then I think - is this a demon or an angel? I cannot discern which; but either way, I don't want to engage with it. SO - I look away and close my eyes, and ask God to take care of it! If it's a demon - He'll remove it. If it's an angel - then I'm happy that it's there and I say, "Thank You, Lord!"
Today's takeaway: Ezekiel's description of the angels is certainly curious, but he's only describing it the best he can in human terms. I'm sure it far surpasses anything that words can explain.
Then just think how wonderful it will be to see God!!! This will certainly go beyond!!! And the experience will be indescribable. Until then, in God's words, we can see Jesus' character as our example to follow, and we can see how God works in our own lives, as we allow Him to lead, shape and mold us...
(1 Peter 2:21-25) For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
(Isaiah 63:1-8) Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence—
2 As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!
3 When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence.
4 For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
5 You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned, we continued in them a long time; and shall we be saved?
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.
2 As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!
3 When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence.
4 For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
5 You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned, we continued in them a long time; and shall we be saved?
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.
8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.
(Romans 12:1-2) Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Proverbs 3:1-26) My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
No comments:
Post a Comment