Scripture

All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I felt face-down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

Observation

Ezekiel is with the exiles in Babylon when the heavens open and he sees visions of God.

Ezekiel first sees a great storm coming from the north, driving a cloud that flashes with lightning. In the centre of the cloud there are four living creatures. Ezekiel describes them in great detail; they are like nothing seen on earth.

There is a surface like the sky above the living creatures, glittering with crystals. Above this surface is a great throne on which a figure like a man is seated. From the waist up he looks like golden amber, and from the waist down he looks like a burning flame. All around him is a glowing halo. This is the glory of the Lord and Ezekiel falls to the ground.

Application

Ezekiel was one of the Jewish leaders who was taken to captivity in Babylon. He was a priest by birth and a prophet by the gifting and calling of the Holy Spirit,

The storm coming from the North represents enemies coming against Israel. The heavenly creatures that are embedded in the storm suggest that God is in the middle of the turmoil and destruction. The problems afflicting the nation of Judah are God’s judgment.

Ezekiel sees a representation of God who glows like gold. There is a throne from which God speaks.

Even when we are going through terrible situations, God can be found. In Isaiah 55, we are told, “Seek the Lord while he can be found; call on him while he is near.”

God is holy and glorious, but he is also accessible to anyone who sincerely seeks him.

Listen

Lord, I find Ezekiel’s vision strange in some ways. How much of what he sees is real?

Keith, because something is symbolic or representative does not mean that they are not real. There are many spiritual beings in heaven that seem strange to the human eye because they live in a different dimension to the three-dimensional space you are used to.

In time you will see many things that seem impossible or fantastic. In the heavenly realm things are different to what you are used to,

Remember that Paul talks about having a heavenly body. You will be equipped with a heavenly body with heavenly senses. In the meantime just focus on the life that I have called you to live now in this place at this time.