Ezekiel 1:4 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.   ->   Ezekiel saw a "whirlwind," in the Hebrew, in the Strong's Concordance this is Hebrew word number H7307 - rûach, pronounced - roo'-akh and means: From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): - air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y). It is also connected with Hebrew word number H5591 - sa‛ar, or  se‛ârâh, - pronounced - sah'-ar, or seh-aw-raw' and means: From H5590; a hurricane: - storm (-y), tempest, whirlwind.

So Ezekiel is trying to record for us, is that he was seeing a strong gust of wind approaching him. What was in this strong gust of wind? Inside this strong gust of wind was a "fire infolding itself in the "midst" of itself and it had the color of "amber." Ezekiel is telling us that something was on fire inside this wind storm, but yet it wasn't burning itself up. So lets again go to the Strong's Concordance to find out what this means. The word "amber" in the Hebrew is Strong's word number H2830 – chashmal, pronounced - khash-mal' and means: Of uncertain derivation; probably bronze or polished spectrum metal: - amber.

What is this "polished metal"  or "bronze," that has a fire in the midst of itself, that Ezekiel is seeing? Remember, it's in the wind storm, meaning it isn't on the ground, - that means, - it's flying, and Ezekiel can see the fiery exhaust. Ever see a jet fly? Man made jets have the exhaust coming out the back of them or in the case of a Harrier Jet when it is lifting off, the exhaust points toward the ground to get the lift it needs to get airborne.

Ezekiel is describing a flying vehicle and we will find as we continue to read this Chapter that Ezekiel is describing a round circular vehicle. I say this because, within the next few verses, we'll read him say that wherever the vehicle turned, it didn't need to turn as lets say, "your car turns" or in Ezekiel's case, as the horse and cart would have turned. Lets continue reading.

Ezekiel 1:5 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.  ->   Ezekiel can see into the window of this flying circular vehicle, and what does he see? These "living creatures or beings with the body shape of a man. These "living creatures" are the "Cherubim," or the "Zoa," which is written of in Revelation 4 and 5. They are the four "living ones," the four that protect the throne of the Living God, and stand on duty for that purpose continually and do not require rest.

Lets listen in while he describes them for us:

Ezekiel 1:6  And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.  ->   Ezekiel is still discussing the vehicles, not the occupants that are inside, so don't let the faces and wings confuse you.

Ezekiel 1:7 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.   ->   He is now describing the landing gear: - the legs were straight and the feet (pads) were flat on the ground but they shined like "burnished brass" or coppery metal. They shined as such because they were such.

Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. [1:9] Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.   ->   Ezekiel is now describing that there was more than one vehicle that he is looking at and they were flying very close together – pilots call it their "wingman." Only these vehicles are circular, not like our rectangular flying vehicles, so that when they turn, they need not point their noses to the way they want to go, likewise when "in formation" our military aircraft all turn together like these that Ezekiel is describing.

Ezekiel 1:10 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.   ->   Best I can describe what Ezekiel is looking at, is by describing the horizontal and\or vertical stabilizers that we have on our aircraft, and the markings on these aircraft have Standards or banners on them. Where else do we learn about these Standards? This is going back to Verse 1:5 and these creatures we read about there, we also can read of them in: Revelation 4:7 And the first beast [creature] was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.   ->   "Beasts" as used in this verse, in the Greek, in the Strong's Concordance, is Greek word number G2226 - zōon, pronounced dzo'-on and means: Neuter of a derivative of G2198; a live thing, that is, an animal: - beast. Now lets look at  G2198 - zaō, pronounced - dzah'-o and means: A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively): - life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.

So as you think of these four beasts that Ezekiel, in the Book of Ezekiel, and John, in the Book if Revelation saw in their visions, think also of these zoa, or cherubims right here in this Verse Ezekiel 1:10. This also goes back to Numbers 2:2 we read that each night when the different tribes camped, they set their standards, or banners before themselves. That standard meant something, and represented that tribe and people.

The standard of the United States is the "Stars and Stripes." These beast-like figures we are reading of here in Ezekiel are standards and the pictures on them are the four beasts. Think of the Vertical Tail Fin of the Military Aircraft, at least the Navy Aircraft, they too have the Squadron's Mascot logo on them representing the Squadron and it's people.

When the Israelites camped, the flag with the Lion was always before Judah to the east. On the south was the tribe with the "man's face" on the flag, Reuben; for he was the firstborn. To the west was the "ox", representing Ephraim, and Dan's banner was on the north side with "the eagle," there is a good representation of this in a diagram on Page 181: Numbers 2:32 in the Companion Bible and you can find it here:

http://www.companionbiblecondensed.com/OT/
Numbers.pdf

God's order to Moses was for the tribes to put the banners in their place of encampment, and this is what the book of Numbers is all about. These four tribes were the protectors of the whole camp of Israel, all the tribes. They were the protectors of the nation and the throne, and God was their only King. In fact in eternity, the "zoa" are never mentioned. They are mentioned only to John here, and this is the last time we will read of them. Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him: and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.   ->   With these eyes they could understand clearly. It wasn't necessary for them to rest, because these "zoa" were created such as they were by God. This is their duty; they have a continual, never ending watch: and as they keep their watch, they continually give praise to our Heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. They, unlike us, were created to only love Father, they don't have "Free Will" to love Him or not.

Ezekiel 1:11 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. [1:12] And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.   ->   Wherever the people in the circular vehicles went, so also went the cherubim's.

These four likenesses that went before them: are the banners or standards that they carried. This is similar to the banners or standards that the children of Israel carried when they were in the wilderness, and placed before their tribes when they camped at night. Each of these, the man, the lion, the ox and the Eagle are the standards of specific tribes of Israel. Each of these four living creatures also wore the very signs and standards of the tribes of Israel.

The "Zoa," are not as the angels, because they do not have the privilege of self determination or - "Free Will." The reason for this is because: Father created them with no emotions, but were instead, created by God - to obey Him to the letter. They do not have free will, but only the will of God. It is their position and duty before the throne of God: to not only obey at God's command, but to watch over the specific tribes that they are designated to watch over.

The documentation is shown in the sequence that they were named, they are simply the standards of the tribes of Israel, and this identifies each of them by the standards they carry. The standard for man is given in Numbers 2:10, the second standard of the lion is given in Numbers 2:3. The third creature, the ox is found in Numbers 2:18, and the fourth creature, eagle's standard is given in Numbers 2:25. This chapter of Numbers 2, also explains those creatures that are at God's command, that will over-see the protection of the tribes assigned to them.

These creatures then, with their standards or banners on their circular vehicles: are the ones at the throne of God to protect, and do the will of God. This also then is another form of transportation that God is using here by the river Chebar, and only Ezekiel saw them.

Ezekiel 1:13 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.   ->   "Their appearance was like burning coals of fire and the appearance of lamps" – have you ever seen a picture from Middle Ages of Jesus of Mary or the angels and they have that "glow" or "halo" about their heads? Ezekiel is describing the same things here – that "glow." The appearance of these creatures, their vehicles, and the people inside them; all shown the glory of the Living God around them. What this is telling us; is that also on board this\these vehicles, is the Living God. God is present there.

Ezekiel 1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. [1:15] Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.  ->   These vehicles flew out of sight and returned very quickly and then they set down, or landed, upon the Earth.

"Wheel" of course shows that they were circular in shape.

Ezekiel 1:16 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.   ->   The color of beryl is the color of Topaz - yellow sapphire. So we see that all four of the creatures looked alike, yet they carried different banners. Just like we have a Carrier Battle Group in the Navy, these were similar in nature to that. You had the mother ship – Carrier, and then the protecting force of ships – the escorts. These escorts protect the mother ship, for that is where Father is, along with His Throne. However, it is strange that every time that there is sightings today of Unidentified Flying Vehicles, there are a number of vehicles that are also sighted. Over the past forty years these sighting have become common.

As we see in other parts of the Bible, such as Genesis 6, and Jude v.6, the fallen angels – the nephilim, came to earth and not only appeared to man and women, but they even married their daughters, and had hybrid children – the giants, by them. They had to arrive in some form of vehicle, for they were in their spirit form, a body that has mass and can and did mate with woman and also partake of food.

So what we have seen here so far: is an assortment of various vehicles. We will also see that God's throne will even be on the main vehicle – the mother ship, which the others come from.

Ezekiel 1:17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.   ->   Remember, the only thing Ezekiel was used to seeing to this point in his life was a donkey cart of chariot. Now he is looking at something similar to the wheel of a cart and it is capable of flight like a bird, these wheels moved and turned in any direction. This description given "they went on their four sides," means that they had the appearance of floating and when it moved or changed directions, it simply did it, without having a hard turning motion  to the left or right like we see our cars or jets do today.

Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.   ->   To Ezekiel, these vehicles looked like a tire and rim and on the outer tire were portholes and Ezekiel could see people looking at him through these portholes and it was unnerving to him, and I can understand why.

Ezekiel 1:19 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.   ->   Each time the vehicles moved or lifted off the ground, the people inside went with the vehicles, that shouldn't surprise anybody. Again, I think Ezekiel is doing a pretty good job of describing them for us.

Ezekiel 1:20 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.   ->   Wherever these vehicles, or actually, - the people inside them, had the unction to go, they went. If they wanted to fly up, the vehicle went up, fly around, then fly around it did.

Ezekiel is identifying the people inside as "spirit," and the Spirit is the intellect of the soul. Again, even to this day, to my knowledge at least, if a Military jet crashes and there aren't any survivors of that crash, the Message comes out and says, hypothetically "one soul on board," it doesn't say one person, or male or female, is says, - "soul(s)."

Likewise also, when a plane has three hundred people (souls) on board and the plane banks to the right, all the souls that are on board also turn to the right, this is what Ezekiel is describing here.

Ezekiel 1:21 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.   ->   Simple to understand.

Ezekiel 1:22 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.   ->   The "firmament" above these vehicles is a cloud, and this cloud is awesome to look upon, almost as awesome as the vehicles themselves.

It is only Ezekiel that is seeing them, so he can't even talk with the person next to hi about what he is seeing.

Ezekiel 1:23 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.   ->   Under the cloud, Ezekiel sees the vehicles and in the vehicles he sees the people – God's Watchmen of protectors- those Zoa or Zoon that Father created to protect Him.

Ezekiel 1:24 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.   ->   So we see that there is a mother ship with the other smaller ships, and when these vehicles moved they all moved at the same time. What ever they did, they did in uniformity - neat and with a purpose. When they moved, there was a great noise that could be heard – exhaust possibly or maybe a rushing of wind? Either way, Father was about to speak to Ezekiel, and the hosts of heaven came with Him to this Age. When these vehicles landed, they did so by first lowering their landing gear, and setting down on it.

Imagine how Ezekiel or you would have, if you were in his shoes, felt when this was taking place right before him, and Father was about to speak in person to him. There is nothing new under the sun, and though much of this is treated as a great mystery today, it only touches the surface of the vast knowledge that has always existed in God's cosmic universe.

Ezekiel 1:25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.   ->   After the vehicles set down on their landing gear, Father began speaking to Ezekiel, he could be heard above or - from within the cloud.

Ezekiel 1:26 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.   ->   With these vehicles now resting on the ground, Ezekiel hears Father speaking t him, and then he sees above the vehicle a throne – Father's Throne appear. This Throne is beautiful and has the appearance of a bright shining sapphire – then Ezekiel sees Father Himself and Ezekiel describes Him – He has the appearance of a man – Hebrew Word H120 – Aw-dawm – ruddy complected or, - to show blood in the face, but either way a man – like us.

If you've ever wondered what Father – God, looked like, just look at Genesis 1:27-31 and right here in Ezekiel 1. He looks just like we do, OR more correctly stated, we look like Him, in His appearance, in His image. The only difference is that surrounding Shekanya Glory H7935 - shekanyâh, or  shekanyâhû, pronounced - shek-an-yaw', shek-an-yaw'-hoo, and means: From H7931 and H3050; Jah has dwelt; Shekanjah, the name of nine Israelites: - Shecaniah, Shechaniah. That "glow" or "halo" that we see in the Middle Ages paintings of Jesus, Mary and the angels.

This man that Ezekiel was seeing on the throne over these circular vehicles looked like the adamic man, because God created us to look like Him. Ezekiel is having the same experience that Moses had, he is seeing God, and speaking directly with Him. God is not some force, or charge of electrical current in space, He is a person, with feelings of love, anger, joy, sadness, exhilaration, every emotion - just like we have. We are made in His image, a reflection of what He is.

Ezekiel 1:27 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. [1:28] 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. 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.     ->   Ezekiel is seeing Father in all His Shekanya Glory and with it the brightness also of these highly polished bronze vehicles – what an awesome sight to behold.

When we see Father, and are living with Him in the Eternal city, - after Christ's Millennium, we are told in Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.   ->   there will be no need of the sun, because His brightness, and beauty will be greater then the sun.

This bow that is in this brilliant cloud around Father, is a "rainbow." We first read of this "bow" in Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.   ->   "Bow" in the Hebrew, in the Strong's Concordance is Hebrew word number H7198 – qesheth, pronounced - keh'-sheth, and means: From H7185 in the original sense (of H6983) of bending; a bow, for shooting (hence figuratively strength) or the iris: -  X arch (-er), + arrow, bow ([-man, -shot]). – In other words, a rainbow from its shape and light.

We see this rainbow again as John was taken in the spirit to heaven, which we read of in Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.   ->   To behold the throne of God and the one that sat on the throne, John saw the exact same rainbow that Ezekiel is seeing here.

When Ezekiel saw the magnificence of Father appearing before him, he fell down face first to the ground in awe and reverence of Father. Then while Ezekiel was face down on the ground, God spoke to him.

Probably one of the first things that Father said to Ezekiel was what He also said to Job when He spoke with him: Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,    ->   Here is that same whirlwind that Ezekiel saw at the beginning of this Chapter, only this time He was speaking to Job. Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?   ->   Father is speaking to Job here not Ezekiel, as nobody was speaking to Ezekiel; - Ezekiel was standing in awe watching the vehicles approach him. But, listen to what Father says to Job, as the beginning of it will most likely be the same thing He tells Ezekiel. Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.   ->   Gird up thy loins like a man, that is how Father wants us to Approach Him – boldly – as we read of in Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.   ->   He wants us to stand up, be a man and approach Him, yes, humbly when needed, but like a man nonetheless.

But this Chapter gives us an excellent example of HOW satan and his fallen angels will arrive at the end of this Age of flesh man. Will we see them arrive – no, most likely not, because then they couldn't blend right in with mankind – we would know something was up and would be on guard.



Oct 2011