Bible Gateway Ezekiel 1 :: NIV. In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
The various dates given in the book suggest that Ezekiel was 25 when he went into exile, 30 when he received his prophetic call, and 52 at the time of the last vision c. 571.
In Ezekiel chapter 2, we see the Spirit enter into Ezekiel and speak to him about his calling. He received important instruction concerning his work; which he could not do without the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon prophets, kings and priests as He willed.
Ezekiel prophesies of the Lord's judgments on Jerusalem and explains why famine, desolation, war, and pestilence will sweep the land of Israel. Ezekiel 25–32 The Lord commands Ezekiel to declare the wickedness of the nations surrounding Israel and prophesy of their destruction.
' Ezekiel hears the conversations God was having with others, 9:5'To others he said within my hearing “pass through the city and kill, your eyes shall not spare”. ' Sometimes this voice can be loud, 9:1 'Then he cried within my hearing with a loud voice saying “draw near your executioners of the city”.
God reveals himself to Ezekiel when he was exiled in Babylon. His presence with his people has nothing to do with geographic location. It's about the condition of their hearts. Ezekiel is faithful, and God recognizes that in him, trusting him to carry out his message to Israel.
Ezekiel speaks of the four faces of God and reveals this fascinating progression that Jesus brings to all of our lives. The face of the man speaks of pastors and teachers who meet us right where we are. The face of the lion speaks of the apostle who tells us what we need to hear.
Ezekiel had six visions, each containing mystical images. The visions featured celestial beings called cherubim, and their appearance is packed with meaning.
They stopped at the entrance to the east gate of the LORD's house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim.
The experiences of prophets who saw God face-to-face are recorded in Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:11; Ether 12:38–39; Moses 7:2–4; Abraham 3:11; and Joseph Smith—History 1:15–17.
In his final vision, Ezekiel writes of the future. Living in exile in Babylon, aware of the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, he nonetheless describes a new temple, a new river of healing, and a restored sea.
Ezekiel prophesied that the exiles from both Judah and Israel would return to Palestine, leaving none in the Diaspora. In the imminent new age a new covenant would be made with the restored house of Israel, to whom God would give a new spirit and a new heart.
God used visions with such people as Abraham (Genesis 15), Samuel (1 Samuel 3), Daniel (Daniel 7-12), Ananias (Acts 9), Cornelius (Acts 10), and Peter (Acts 10). The apostle Paul received several significant visions.
Recall that earlier in his ministry, Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord leave the temple, signifying the withdrawal of His protection from Jerusalem, His judgment on the people, and the coming fall of the city to Babylon (Ezek. 10ï¾–11).
Isaiah. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah sees the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train (robe) filled the temple. Above the throne stood the Seraphim (angelic beings), and each one had 6 wings.
Ezekiel now explains the “amber” shining he saw from a distance in 1:4—it is the glory of God. Clothed in fire and seated on his throne, God appeared to Ezekiel like a human. Colored light that looked like a rainbow surrounded him.
Ezekiel realizes what he's seeing and describes it as the “appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” riding on his royal throne chariot. . And that's actually the most shocking thing about Ezekiel's vision. God's glorious presence is supposed to be dwelling in the Jerusalem temple.
The book of Ezekiel reminds us to seek out the Lord in those dark times when we feel lost, to examine our own lives, and to align ourselves with the one true God.
In the book of Ezekiel, God is a clearly defined ``self.'' YHWH is a dynamic presence who interacts with humans, engages in direct speech, has unique motivations, and expresses feelings.
The story of Moses meeting God and coming with a shining face of God's glory is a remarkable event recorded in the Bible. This divine encounter not only highlights Moses' unique relationship with God but also holds a profound message for the New Testament Church.
They have also been correlated with four archangels: "Michael is the 'lion-headed', Raphael the "human-headed", Uriel the "bull-headed", and Gabriel the "eagle-headed". In Christianity, the four living creatures are Cherubim.
