I have been a Christian for over 50 years but don’t recall spending much time at all studying the book of Ezekiel. Like Revelation, it was one of those books in the Bible full of strange visions and difficult prophesies that had little impact on my life. While studying the book of Revelation, some of us at the Blanco Hills Church of Christ recognized that John referenced many of Ezekiel’s prophecies. So, we decided to take a deep dive into the book of Ezekiel. In this and the next two articles I’ll discuss some of the circumstances and events documented by Ezekiel that appear to have an impact on a Christian’s journey.
In the opening chapter we learn that the young priest Ezekiel has been chosen by Jehovah to prophesy to the Jewish exiles living in Babylon. Based on Biblical and other historical records this is probably around 593 BC. Ezekiel is one of tens of thousands of Jews that have been taken captive over the prior 15 years or so by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar and brought to what is known today as Iraq. As we read the book we discover that Jehovah is very displeased with both the Jews left in Judah as well as those in exile. In fact, much of the book of Ezekiel is prophecies about Judah’s pending doom. During this same time, Jeremiah is in Jerusalem and Daniel in Babylon, both receiving revelation from Jehovah. But the book of Ezekiel is not simply a book of prophecies or judgments. Jehovah will make it clear to Ezekiel (and you and me) why His people strayed and what they can do to turn back from their evil ways and get back into a right relationship with Him.
Beginning in Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel describes what amounts to a “vehicle” carrying a beautiful “expanse” (or platform) surrounded by a rainbow. Supporting each corner of the expanse is a 4-headed winged and multi-eyed wheeled creature. Later identified in Chapter 10 as a cherub, each creature has the head (or face) of a man, bull, lion, and eagle. Atop the expanse is a throne, and on it is one “like a man,” aglow with fire and hot metal. In verse 28 we learn that the throne is the “glory of Jehovah.” When Ezekiel sees this “vehicle,” he is so terrified that he falls to the ground.
In the first chapter of Revelation, a vivid, glowing “man” with a sword protruding from his mouth appears to John. Terrified, John falls to the ground. The “man” then identifies Himself to be the resurrected Christ, and commands John to document everything he is about to hear and see and carry it to the seven churches of Asia. After Christ dictates to John individual letters to each of the seven churches (Chapters 2 and 3), John is shown the first of many visions that begin in Chapter 4 and comprise the rest of the book. For the sake of time, I won’t include everything John describes, but I find it quite interesting that in Chapter 4 John sees a “man” on a throne resting on a beautiful expanse encircled by a rainbow and surrounded by four winged creatures overlain with eyes with the appearance of a man, bull, lion and – you guessed it – an eagle. In subsequent chapters, as the creatures and other heavenly beings worship the “one” on the throne day and night, it is clear that Jehovah is the “man” on the throne.
In the book of Ezekiel, Jehovah never addresses Ezekiel by name, but rather uses the phrase “son of man.” I am convinced that Jehovah uses this name and terrifies Ezekiel with the “glory of Jehovah” to deeply instill in Ezekiel the awesomeness of God and where Ezekiel’s place is in relation to Him. Though Jehovah may have the appearance of man – whatever that means - Jehovah is truly superior in every way to Ezekiel. As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous ties between the books of Ezekiel and Revelation. It is no coincidence that the Apostle John reacts in the same way as Ezekiel does when he initially finds himself in the presence of deity (Revelation 1:17). He too, has been shown this scene in Heaven, I believe, to make him grasp not only the grandeur but also the majesty of whom he sees.
As an item of interest, you may remember the sensational runaway best-selling book of the late 1960’s, Chariots of the Gods?, in which the author hypothesized many archaeological finds as well as some items in the Bible actually came from, were caused by or were inspired by astronauts visiting from outside our planetary system. The “vehicle” Ezekiel describes in Chapter 1 is purported by the author to be one of these spaceships. I invite you to investigate for yourself the reception Chariots of the Gods? received by the scientific community.
I believe every Biblical study should not end without making an application to Christians today. I often call these “so whats?” The “so whats?” from these texts in Ezekiel and Revelation are that:
1) God is holy and worthy of worship. Those surrounding the throne in Revelation 4 say “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev 4:11).
2) God is to be feared; revered. In Proverbs 1:7, Solomon wrote “the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge.” Multiple times in the Old Testament we read, like in Psalms 111:10 that “the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.” The divine instruction to both Ezekiel and John began with visions that caused them to fear God.
As we strive to enrich our lives, may we realize it only comes through reverential worship of Jehovah.