Four Living Creatures
In Ezekiel 1:1, Ezekiel said that he saw visions of God. Now, we know that no man can see God and live; but we can see visions of God. (Verse 3) Ezekiel also heard the voice of God. The word of the Lord came expressly to him, and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.
God can open up our eyes to see visions today. He can open our ears to hear his voice, and he can open our hearts and minds to receive.
Ezekiel saw four living creatures (verse 5). Their appearance was the likeness of a man. (Verse 6) And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. (Verse 7) And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. (Verse 
And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. (Verse 10) They four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. (Verse 11) There wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined one to another; and two covered their bodies.
(Verse 13) As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning
The Appearance of the Wheels
Ezekiel saw one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces (verse 15). The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel (verse 16). As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four (verse 18). According to verse 20, the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
To my understanding, at first, Ezekiel saw the wheel as one wheel according to verse 15. After that, he saw it was four, but they four had one likeness according to verse 16. According to verse 5, Ezekiel saw four living creatures. Verse 20 tells us about the living creature with no s on the end of the word. As you read on from the Bible yourself, you will learn more about Ezekiel’s vision. I am still studying the first chapter.
The Illustration
Here is how I see Ezekiel’s vision. I made the illustration in the form of a collage showing the wheel and one creature. Ezekiel’s vision is bigger than I can imagine it. The illustration is just an idea of how one of the four living creatures and the wheel might have looked.
I have been through your excellent content for the second time and I intend to keep reading it and my Bible to get the understanding God has for me. Again, your contribution inspires my reading to understand the Word. God bless you as you continue! I thank God for your ministry and for directing me to it.
And thank you. Your comments mean a lot to me. I always pray to God that he will lead me and guide me as I study and write. He will do the same for you. God is going to bless you because you love him and his word.
Thank you Gail, this illustration of a portion of Ezekiel’s vision as you described is just marvelous and so is your interpretation of the Word! God bless you continually for His purpose. Thank you!
I just thank God that he has given me the mind to be able to sit down and paint an idea how it might have looked. I’m not sure if Ezekiel or any of the men of God drew any pictures along with God’s word. But God blesses people to do different things. I’m glad that God give us gifts.
The creature Ezekiel saw had four faces one of left, right, back and front. Not all four in the front.
Deborah, I drew the picture according to what verse 10 said in chapter one (King James Version). Now, it’s possible that God has more creatures like them that are different. But I drew what I read according to verse 10.
dont get it
I would be interested to know what you interpret Ezekiel’s vision to mean… I am aware that depending on your opinion, this may require a somewhat lengthy explanation, so just a brief indication will be fine! Thanks!
Hi Harriet and anonymous. It is said that the four living creatures symbolizes the might and power of God.
I think they were aliens from another planet, the wheel was their ship. And yes, I am a Christian.
The 4 living creatures had 1 head with 4 different faces. 1 of an ox; 1 of an eagle; 1 of a lion; and 1 of a man.
They also had each 1 of them 6 wings. With 2 they covered their face; with 2 they covered their bodies; and with two they flew (ie: it seems in one place), and this particular pair seemed to touch; one with the other. *They also had the feet of an ox. (ie: each one had a pair of hooves!) They each hovered above an arrangement of a vertical wheel within an horizontal wheel which possessed what appeared to Ezekiel to be eyes all around it. The wheeels moved to and fro and back and forth as if they were alive!
Angels are angels according to the Bible. I’m not saying that God didn’t create other creatures. Don’t forget that there are evil falling angels that were casted out of heaven. Aliens could be of Satan. I have heard talk of people seeing aliens and have experienced some pain. God doesn’t send creatures to hurt people. Good is good and evil is evil.
When you read this and take intoaccount John3″ 1-2 when he shall apear we shal see him as he is. and this book of Ezikiel to me it is so obvious that what we call god is a race of people from another world, nothing to be feared or to worry about.
these are not the only passages within the Bible that can be explained this way. and the one thing we must try to realise, is that God the one all the people of Earth call god is the one and the same for all.
to the Jews it is Elohim to the Muslims he is Alah no matter what religion you belong to we all call god a diferent name but he is the same and his intention is we must all get along and live in Harmony
But everybody is not living in harmony and (Matt. 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus says in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” So everybody that is calling on God may not be worshiping him from the heart no matter what they call him and no matter what they do in his name.
When Christ comes back, we will have harmony for sure.
Hello all! First of all, in response to #13 Paul. God is not a race of people, but God Almighty! Creator of all things and above all things. Also, there is only one way to get into heaven and that is through the Son of God, Jesus. The reason is because this is a matter of blood that was shed, which was required as it is written “Unless there is a shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sins”. Otherwise, what would have been the purpose of Jesus’sacrifice if you could get there many ways? The Jewish people missed their Messiah (Jesus) when he visited because of a prophecy against them, but they will come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Messiah during the Great tribulation period and God will care for them for the last 3 1/2 years before Jesus returns to set up His Millenial kingdom. In regards to Ezekiel, Isaiah and John’s vision of these ‘Living creatures’ or ‘Living ones’, they are some other, individual class of angelic beings called ‘Cheribim’. Isaiah called them ‘Seraphs’, which means burning, on fire, or fiery serpent. The wings of each creature touches the wing of the one next to it, they each have 4 faces of a lion, ox, eagle and man. They also have a wheel within a wheel next to each creature where their spirits reside. They also move to and fro at the speed of lightning.
The four faces represent the four evangelists or writers of the four gospels. John is represented by an eagle, Luke by an ox, Mark by a lion and Mathew by an angel. That is my understanding of the vision…it is a prophecy of the four men who would write the four gospels and thus present Christ’s life to us in the Bible. Each representation or gospel has a different emphasis or meaning which contributes to our understanding of Christ.
the number ‘four’ is also a sacred number representing the four corners of the earth which will be touched by the gospels. The number four represents the human realm while 3 represnts the heavely (trinity). The number 12 represents the union of heaven with earth which is why there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles. That is my understanding from what i have read on the subject.
Hi Mary. That makes sense too. Yes, I have read about John, Luke, Mark, and Matthew and what they represent.
What picture do you get of God from Ezekiel 1-24? What is His character like? How does he relate to His people? Give some specific examples?
I can only give you what I read. That doesn’t mean that the picture I drew is exactly the way Ezekiel saw it. He is the one that actually saw the vision. Those questions that you have has to be found in the Bible. If the Bible does not go into a specific detail about what you are looking for, don’t bother with it. It’s a blessing to be able to understand as much as I do. I was given just enough understanding to create a picture of how all of the creatures might have looked. I did not give myself the understanding. The glory goes to God. He will give you understanding too. Keep seeking him.
hello, does anyone knows what was Ezekiel’s visions? I am told he had 3. Please answer asap and thanks
God is so big an awesome- our minds can NEVER get it all!! but he does give us the imagination to think on Him. Only when we are totally in His presence will we see his Glorious Majesty. I love the fact of thinking on God and knowing that He admires us for wanting to know him- as long as we follow what Jesus was teaching- God will bless us in abundance. Holy, Holy, Holy is the lamb.
Hi Shareen! Thank you for your wonderful comment. He does give us the imagination to think on him. Without God’s help, I would have never been able to.
testing first submission
Your posts are rather old. Does anyone still want to hear the TRUTH about what Ezekiel REALLY SAW?
I will check this site daily for one week. If a response is here, I will comment. Otherwise, I shall be submitting on other sites and forums,
SPEC
Buddy, when you submit, someone will be thinking the same about what you write, unless you create some information that nobody else in the world has ever created under heaven. There is nothing new under the sun. When your articles are old, at Triond, they will still make money as long as you keep them hear.
http://mytheological.blogspot.com/
The Vision
The prophet Ezekiel was a priest who received prophetic messages from God. He lived among other citizens of the nation of Judah during the years of Babylonian captivity, in the year 597 B.C.
In the very first chapter of his book, he describes an amazing vision of God, which came to him at the beginning of his ministry.
Ezekiel 1:1-21 “Now it was, in the thirtieth year, in the fourth (month), in the fifth (day) of the month, as I (Ezekiel) (was) among the captives by the river Chebar (which was the main canal of the Euphrates, south of Babylon, (there, by the river) were opened (to view) the heavens (the higher expanse of the abode of God, as seen from the eyes of a mortal man who dwells upon the earth) and I saw visions (revelations) of God.”
“On the fifth of the month, it (was) the fifth of the month, it (was) the year the fifth of the captivity of the King Jehotachin, the word of Jehovah came to Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, the priest in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar. And was upon him there the hand of Jehovah (overpowering his limited human perception, enabling him, thusly to see the vision of God).”
Matthew Henry.- That he might see the visions of God the heavens were opened; the darkness and distance which hindered his visions were conquered. He felt the power of God opening his eyes to see the visions, opening his ear to hear the voice, and opening his heart to receive both.
(Continuing Ezekiel 1:1-21) “And I (Ezekiel) looked, and behold a wind of storm came out of the north, a great could (a visible, buoyant, moving body mass, consider – an airship suspended in the sky), and a fire flashing itself (resulting from the explosive effects of weapon’s fired at high velocity), and a brightness to it (from the explosive outburst) all around, and out of its midst (i.e. from the metal tubes of the weapons it was) like the color of polished bronze out of the middle of the fire (from the explosion).”
“Also (in addition to all this) from its midst (the center of all this action) (came) the likeness of four living creatures (living beings).”
High up, in the heavens, God “mounted the cherubim and flew”; He soared on the “wings of the wind” through His providence unrestrained by time or matter to reveal this vision to the prophet Ezekiel.
(Continuing Ezekiel 1:1-21) “And this (description I Ezekiel give to you) (was) how they (the living creatures the men) looked (to me back in the year 597 B.C.); the likeness of a man (was) to them; and to each four faces (as there were four distinctly different men that I saw- but to me, never having seen such marvelous creations, the living creatures seemed to be part man) and (part mechanical bird with) four wings to each of them (not comprehending at the time that they were men in airplanes- consequently, the following narrative); and their feet (i.e., the main landing gear of the planes) (were) feet of straightness (they were extended rigidly and did not bend); and the sole of their feet (upon which the main landing gear seemed to rest- the mudguards actually) (was) (to my recollection) like the sole of the foot of a calf; and they sparkled like the color of burnished copper.”
“And from under their wings on (all) four of their sides (i.e., on each side of the two biplanes were seen) the hands of a man (they were the hands of those seated in the open fuselage); and there (were) (four) (on the biplanes), joining each on (that is on the left and right) (of) their wings to the other. (The aircraft moved, this way and that but) they (the men) did not turn in their going; each one (of the men) toward the front (the direction) of their (pilots) face they went.”
“And the likeness of their faces (looked like) the face of a man, and (in addition, the man) on the right (side) (fig., the man on the right is in a position of strength and power) to the four of them (on basis – they being the only passenger with sole use of a weapon; this one man), had the face of a lion (accounting to the thick growth of his beard); and (in addition to these two men in the biplane) on the left (the weaker) (side) to the four of them (defensively speaking the two pilots in the fighter planes, without weapons were in a position of what would seemingly be an disadvantage; one of the two, the first one I saw had) the face of an ox (in comparative likeness to that sort of an animal); and (lastly) to the four of them (the remaining one had) the face of an eagle (owing to the goggles he wore) , so their faces (were).”
“And their (that is, the) wings (of the biplane) were spread (the lower wings were separated longitudinally) upward (from the lower by the use of wing struts); to each (the left and right sides of) the two (wings) were joined (of) each one (that is, though the wings of the biplane had a right and left side- the construction was of one piece), and (the) two (wings) (that is, the left and right side of the top wings) covered their bodies (from above-were, also constructed of one piece). And each toward the front (in the direction) of their (pilots) faces (they) went (they did not fly backwards but in a forward direction). To where there was the (willful desire of the) spirit to go: they went; they did not turn (as one would bend a horse’s neck to change direction) in their going.”
“And the likeness of the living creatures (firing the weapons), like coals of burning fire (were the projectiles expelled from the firearms), (and) the appearance of torches (were the weapons using an explosive as a propellant). It (the volley of the simultaneous discharge) (was) continually circling among the living creatures. And bright (was the fire of the volley) and out of the fire (the explosive discharge) went forth (a flash, like) lightening (when the weapons were discharged). And the living creatures kept running (rapidly) and (swiftly in the sky) returning (in their continuing attacks), like the appearance of (the great speed of) a flash of lightening.”
“And I looked at the living creatures (in the vision), and behold one wheel (of a motor vehicle) (was) on the earth (this man in the vision was) beside (in addition to the vision of) the living creatures, with the four of its faces (I previously described).”
“The appearance of the wheels (of the motor vehicle) and their workmanship (the rim and hubcap were) like the color of beryl (which is a silver white metal- similar to aluminum) and the likeness one (was) to the four of them (the wheels were all alike). And their (the vehicles hubcaps, were round in) appearance and their workmanship was like the wheel in the middle (in the center) of the (rims of the) wheel.”
“On the four (corners) of their sides (housed within the wheel well were situated) in their going (forth) they (all the wheels) went; they (the fender areas of the vehicle itself) did not turn (in different directions, but remained stationary) in their going. And their rim, even high (in magnificence and splendor) to them (in my eyes) even awesome (in my sight were the tires) to them (extraordinary and exceptionally outstanding); and their (the tires) rims (with their highly polished chrome hubcaps) (were) full of eyes (like a mirror reflection) all around the four of them.”
First I must share with you my back ground and I can assure that it is unimpressive. After my wife divorced me of 12 years, I was devasated and all I knew to do was to read my bible. However, not only did I read the Old English translation but all the holy books there of. And as I began my journey I became aware of my ability to see the engery on all things and on No-thing itself. For the past 3 years I began to study this no-thing “Atom” and the two great arch-angles of darkness and light.
First, from my study of invisble things I learned that lies tell the truth in riddles and are used as signs to point holy ones in the right direction. With this wonderful gift I realized that I can understand the language of any light. The twinkle of the stars, sun ,and moon make shapes in the form of letters and numbers. I have been overwhelmed with light information; so much in fact that I began encodeing all holy text. I had to get the information out of my head and start writing orginal manuscripts that explain the balance of yin and yang, the time continum,and Solomon, and Moses being titles of authority, etc.,etc., etc.
The visions that Ezekiel is speaking of is that of end times. You must first understand that we are the past of the future. This implies that we are past/present and present/present usually comes with death or mastership of the wholeness of the “Word” thy God. The manlike features explain the “Word” being made flesh. By the way these are the four gosples of “Christ”.( The eagle,ox,lion, and A man or angel) These are also known as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The eagle symbolizes a bird of “pray” and rebirth as a phonenix. The ox is the top of the Chineese Zodiac and is the lord of Amen or the Universe. And last but certainly not least we have lion. The “Lion” is the light of Zion or God’s end kingdom. I hope that I’ve been able to stimulate further interest in all the word of god because even in our ignorance we can not worship anything but “God”.
Literally, I understand what I read in the Bible. However, it takes God to teach us more. Thank you, Robert, for your comments. That is great news that you read your Bible. Don’t ever stop, and God will teach you and guide you. He will show you the right way.
Sorry for the wait all. I simply got busy (I am publishing my first book) and just forgot to check this post…my bad!
And I see some very interesting remarks have already been posted. Again…I’m sorry…please forgive me.
I should inform you all up front that I have not properly researched this at all – no “word studies” or working of related material in Revelation (where I believe Ezekiel is referring to, etc), or anywhere else. This is just something which occurred to me not too long after I had first joined TWI, and had taken their foundational class a few times, many years ago now.
Around 1976 or so I was in the USAF and worked in a Control Tower. (That’s where I “lost my mind” – Ha! Ha!) As I read this 1st chapter of Ezekiel, I could not help relating many things with it from my experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
This all might sound ridiculous – and for the life of me I can see absolutely no immediate profit in this, except to possibly satisfy some curiosity out there. But for what it is worth (And DO FEEL FREE to “take pot shots at it” if you like!), I give you all my take on it.
Please consider this as just something for pure amusement and fun. At the least (though there is no way to prove any of it) much of it seems a “plausible and logical” explanation to me. Perhaps there are those who could agree. Thank you all for listening – here goes “nothing”!
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
At this point, we must realize that whatever Ezekiel actually saw, he had to explain it all somehow in present terms and his understanding of the times.
I submit that what he saw were jet aircraft of the future. (and probably OUR FUTURE as well). The amber color is basically emanating from the cockpit, and the fire he talked about was electric lighting. (There was just no other way to explain it in his terms.)
The fire enfolding itself and the great cloud could be explained by an afterburner and contrails. If you have seen this for yourself, you could relate just as I did. The likeness of a man sounds like the pilots to me (out of the midst of the fire which lit up the cockpits).
An interesting thing to note from here on is the fact that he called these “living creatures”. However, these were SEPARATE from that which he could recognize , which were obviously WHEELS to him. Please bear that in mind as I continue “my ranting”. Ha! Ha!
6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
The faces may be decals, The wings were just that – wings! Two in front, and two behind, at the tail section).
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
The feet were the struts, which were part of the landing gear. The sole of their feet were the TANDEM WHEELS – split, like a calf’s hoof. And they were shiny and polished just like brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Hands of a man could again be decals, just as the faces. And the wings he could recognize as such.
9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
Now this is interesting. For a bird to change direction, it twists or turns its wings. But Ezekiel made the puzzling observation that these wings stayed straight all the time, even when these living creatures turned. And the wings were joined together – they were rigid, unlike birds’ wings which operate independently.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Again…perhaps decals. Have you ever seen “eagles” painted on aircraft? Hmmm!
11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
Now, their wings were stretched UPWARD. How interesting! I have personally seen naval aircraft whose wings were in a vertical position for easier storage below-deck..
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
As for this “spirit”, this is what, to Ezekiel, “gives life” to these creatures. We will see later on that he considered this spirit to be “in the wheels”.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
All you have to consider is that these to be jet aircraft, and you can immediately see what Ezekiel is trying his best to explain in his own terms. (Afterburners, electric lighting, etc.)
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And they were FAST too – they went like a flash of lightning, compared to all the birds he had ever seen!
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
A beryl is a silvery color, like aluminum. A wheel in the middle of a wheel is a great way to describe what we can see from the side of an aircraft’s landing gear. You have the tire, then the hub, with lug nuts all around it, and it all looks just like a wheel within a wheel – much more complex than a chariot wheel for sure!
17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
He really cannot grasp the idea as to why these wings remained straight all the time, could he? It just was not logical. Perhaps he didn’t notice the flaps and ailerons.
18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
The word rings is actually RIMS. And they were much higher than any wheels he had ever seen! The eyes could be explained as lug nuts, or perhaps where the spokes were fastened.
19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
As I said before, Ezekiel treated these planes as a combination of living creatures (the body, wings, and cockpit) and the wheels, which were constructed. And after the planes had taken off, the WHEELS went with them!
20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
He observed that these wheels and the living creatures “somehow” all went together. And he saw the landing gear go right up inside the living creatures after take-off! He supposed that was to “give life” to the creatures, so they could fly.
22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
Cockpits.
23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
Two wings on each side. There are many of these types to be seen even today if one were to visit a naval aircraft site on the web.
24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
And here they are on the flight deck with their wings in the upward position. And they were turning on their engines, making a lot of noise, just like great waters. And now you hear the voice of speech, just like God. (sort of reminds me of the movie The Ten Commandments, when God said, “Moses!”. Ha! Ha!)
And as they are preparing for departure, they LET DOWN THEIR WINGS. (Duh!)
25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
And now, they hear a voice from the sky (firmament) above.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
This voice came from what looked like a “throne” (the tower itself) with a man on it (who has a microphone in his hand). Have you ever seen the top of a control tower – how the windows angle upward and outward? This is to reduce glare, so the controllers can see better. And the tower is flat on top. This configuration is well-described by Ezekiel as “a sapphire”!
Was this voice saying something like, “Agar 21 – wind 210 at 5 knots – altimeter 29 point 3 – cleared for take-off.” ?? Who the heck knows, anyway?
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
And the amber color all around the man is proper also. I used to work in a tower!
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.
And there are other colors also. (Blue, green, red, yellow, etc, all having their different significances, but we won’t go into all that detail, except to say it all might remind somebody of a rainbow of sorts.)
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
And this electrical lighting was BRIGHT, just like the glory of the Lord. And then the voice…
Then begins Chapter 2. This voice was God speaking to Ezekiel to inform him of what to say to warn Israel.
Whatever this vision is definitely of some future time for Ezekiel and his contemporaries, and ours as well, as the vision seems to relate with things in the book of Revelation.
I would bet there are a “lot of holes” in my observation. As I said, FEEL FREE to comment, good or bad, it makes no difference to me….as the kids are saying these days – IT’S ALL GOOD!
SO, LET’S HAVE SOME REAL FUN WITH THIS THREAD!
SPEC
Sorry for the wait all. I simply got busy (I am publishing my first book) and just forgot to check this post…my bad!
And I see some very interesting remarks have already been posted. Again…I\’m sorry…please forgive me.
I should inform you all up front that I have not properly researched this at all – no “word studies” or working of related material in Revelation (where I believe Ezekiel is referring to, etc), or anywhere else. This is just something which occurred to me not too long after I had first joined TWI, and had taken their foundational class a few times, many years ago now.
Around 1976 or so I was in the USAF and worked in a Control Tower. (That’s where I “lost my mind” – Ha! Ha!) As I read this 1st chapter of Ezekiel, I could not help relating many things with it from my experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
This all might sound ridiculous – and for the life of me I can see absolutely no immediate profit in this, except to possibly satisfy some curiosity out there. But for what it is worth (And DO FEEL FREE to “take pot shots at it” if you like!), I give you all my take on it.
Please consider this as just something for pure amusement and fun. At the least (though there is no way to prove any of it) much of it seems a “plausible and logical” explanation to me. Perhaps there are those who could agree. Thank you all for listening – here goes “nothing”!
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
At this point, we must realize that whatever Ezekiel actually saw, he had to explain it all somehow in present terms and his understanding of the times.
I submit that what he saw were jet aircraft of the future. (and probably OUR FUTURE as well). The amber color is basically emanating from the cockpit, and the fire he talked about was electric lighting. (There was just no other way to explain it in his terms.)
The fire enfolding itself and the great cloud could be explained by an afterburner and contrails. If you have seen this for yourself, you could relate just as I did. The likeness of a man sounds like the pilots to me (out of the midst of the fire which lit up the cockpits).
An interesting thing to note from here on is the fact that he called these “living creatures”. However, these were SEPARATE from that which he could recognize , which were obviously WHEELS to him. Please bear that in mind as I continue “my ranting”. Ha! Ha!
6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
The faces may be decals, The wings were just that – wings! Two in front, and two behind, at the tail section).
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
The feet were the struts, which were part of the landing gear. The sole of their feet were the TANDEM WHEELS – split, like a calf’s hoof. And they were shiny and polished just like brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Hands of a man could again be decals, just as the faces. And the wings he could recognize as such.
9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
Now this is interesting. For a bird to change direction, it twists or turns its wings. But Ezekiel made the puzzling observation that these wings stayed straight all the time, even when these living creatures turned. And the wings were joined together – they were rigid, unlike birds’ wings which operate independently.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Again…perhaps decals. Have you ever seen “eagles” painted on aircraft? Hmmm!
11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
Now, their wings were stretched UPWARD. How interesting! I have personally seen naval aircraft whose wings were in a vertical position for easier storage below-deck..
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
As for this “spirit”, this is what, to Ezekiel, “gives life” to these creatures. We will see later on that he considered this spirit to be “in the wheels”.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
All you have to consider is that these to be jet aircraft, and you can immediately see what Ezekiel is trying his best to explain in his own terms. (Afterburners, electric lighting, etc.)
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And they were FAST too – they went like a flash of lightning, compared to all the birds he had ever seen!
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
A beryl is a silvery color, like aluminum. A wheel in the middle of a wheel is a great way to describe what we can see from the side of an aircraft’s landing gear. You have the tire, then the hub, with lug nuts all around it, and it all looks just like a wheel within a wheel – much more complex than a chariot wheel for sure!
17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
He really cannot grasp the idea as to why these wings remained straight all the time, could he? It just was not logical. Perhaps he didn’t notice the flaps and ailerons.
18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
The word rings is actually RIMS. And they were much higher than any wheels he had ever seen! The eyes could be explained as lug nuts, or perhaps where the spokes were fastened.
19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
As I said before, Ezekiel treated these planes as a combination of living creatures (the body, wings, and cockpit) and the wheels, which were constructed. And after the planes had taken off, the WHEELS went with them!
20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
He observed that these wheels and the living creatures “somehow” all went together. And he saw the landing gear go right up inside the living creatures after take-off! He supposed that was to “give life” to the creatures, so they could fly.
22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
Cockpits.
23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
Two wings on each side. There are many of these types to be seen even today if one were to visit a naval aircraft site on the web.
24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
And here they are on the flight deck with their wings in the upward position. And they were turning on their engines, making a lot of noise, just like great waters. And now you hear the voice of speech, just like God. (sort of reminds me of the movie The Ten Commandments, when God said, “Moses!”. Ha! Ha!)
And as they are preparing for departure, they LET DOWN THEIR WINGS. (Duh!)
25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
And now, they hear a voice from the sky (firmament) above.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
This voice came from what looked like a “throne” (the tower itself) with a man on it (who has a microphone in his hand). Have you ever seen the top of a control tower – how the windows angle upward and outward? This is to reduce glare, so the controllers can see better. And the tower is flat on top. This configuration is well-described by Ezekiel as “a sapphire”!
Was this voice saying something like, “Agar 21 – wind 210 at 5 knots – altimeter 29 point 3 – cleared for take-off.” ?? Who the heck knows, anyway?
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
And the amber color all around the man is proper also. I used to work in a tower!
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.
And there are other colors also. (Blue, green, red, yellow, etc, all having their different significances, but we won’t go into all that detail, except to say it all might remind somebody of a rainbow of sorts.)
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
And this electrical lighting was BRIGHT, just like the glory of the Lord. And then the voice…
Then begins Chapter 2. This voice was God speaking to Ezekiel to inform him of what to say to warn Israel.
Whatever this vision is definitely of some future time for Ezekiel and his contemporaries, and ours as well, as the vision seems to relate with things in the book of Revelation.
I would bet there are a “lot of holes” in my observation. As I said, FEEL FREE to comment, good or bad, it makes no difference to me….as the kids are saying these days – IT’S ALL GOOD!
SO, LET’S HAVE SOME REAL FUN WITH THIS THREAD!
SPEC
Spec
I came upon this due to the picture I was curious as to others views on this very insightful chapter in the Bible. I can definately see how you came upon this insight I myself have wondered the same thing on other chapters in the Bible and on archiological finds of things people have drawn on caves in the past and the descriptions of what they saw certainly sound like someone in an aircraft of sorts and the pics look like a person in a uniform with a helmet like what they wear in jets and such but to those people it would look like an alien or some mystical creature of sorts. I believe the mysteries of the Bible go way deeper than we as humans can see that is why God said all our questions would be answered and we would all come to understand but for now we must have faith and to keep the faith and to behold his Greatness in our lives and to love one another That being the greatest of all the commandments.
Hello,
First off, let me say that I am a christian and totally believe in GOD. But, Ezekiel’s vision has always fasinated me. I’m afraid to say what I’m going to say, but it’s in my book titled ” I SCREAM SOUP” by LU NUNEZ anyhow, so here goes. When I was 10 years old my family and I had an encounter (UFO) if you want to call it that. I guess you can call it that because, it was an object that came from the late evening sky and hovered above my entire family of seven. It made no noise, was disk shaped, bright silver blue and lavendar colored. We clung to each other in fear, and within a couple of minutes disapeared into the sky. My dilema has always been this: I believe in God, but I know that there is something else besides us out there. My question (and I know i may never get an answer) is: are those sightings, my family’s and those of other individuals related to GOD , extraterestials, or are they all one in the same?
Hi Lupe, The Bible speaks of principalities and powers in the heavens. See Ephesians 6:12. There are good angels and there are bad angels. The Bible speaks of the terrestrial bodies and the celestial. Read 1 Corinthians 15:39-41. Yes, there is something out there besides us and it is the spiritual world. It all comes from God’s creation. Some things we just don’t know about right now. It’s not meant for us to know it all right now. But we are aware that something is out there, is real, and do exists.
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