The Bible, the Yardstick for Truth.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 1

 

Ezekiel 1:1

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

(ESV)

 

With this posting, we are beginning a verse-by-verse study of the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 sets the historical context of the prophecy as occurring during the exile in Babylon. Like most prophecies found in the Bible, it has specific application which in this instance are the people in exile but also has application in the lives of Christians today. Of most interest to Christians living today are the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39:24 which foretell an attack by a coalition formed by Gog of the land of Magog against Israel. My prayer is that this study will challenge readers and give them hope in the chaotic times in which we live.

 

While with the exiles in the Chebar Canal, Ezekiel receives a vision from the Lord. The vision begins with him seeing a stormy wind coming out of the north accompanied by a great cloud surrounded by brightness and fire with gleaming metal in the fire (Ezekiel 1:4). In the fire Ezekiel sees four living creatures with human likenesses but based upon Ezekiel’s description of the creatures, these are not like any creature seen on earth (Ezekiel 1:5-14).

 

Each living creature had a wheel on the earth beside them with the appearance of the wheels like the gleaming of beryl (Ezekiel 1:15-16). The four creatures had the same appearance of gleaming beryl, appearing like a wheel within a wheel (Ezekiel 1:16). The creatures could go in any of their four directions without turning with the wheels going wherever the creatures went and rising as the creatures rose (Ezekiel 1:17-19). The creatures went wherever the spirit wanted to go for the spirit of the creatures was in the wheels (Ezekiel 1:20-21).

 

The next part of Ezekiel’s vision lets us know that the vision is heavenly for he sees an expanse above the creatures with the creatures standing still and letting down their wings when a voice comes out of the expanse (Ezekiel 1:22-25). Above the expanse, Ezekiel sees the likeness of a throne with one of human appearance seated on the throne (Ezekiel 1:26). However, the human likeness on the throne was gleaming and bright with the appearance of a rainbow (Ezekiel 1:27-28). Ezekiel realizes he is having a vision of the glory of the Lord and falls on his face and hears a voice speaking to him (Ezekiel 1:28).

 

Ezekiel was a priest living among the exiles in Babylon by the Chebar Canal. Since the hand of the Lord was upon him, he was not among the priests who had sinned by serving other gods but had remained true to the one true God. However, while living in exile, he might have had feelings of uselessness with no temple in which to serve God or offer sacrifices. God gives Ezekiel a vision of God’s glory as confirmation that even when in exile, God is still with him. However, one receiving a vision from God must question if the vision is from God or just one’s imagination. One could also argue that Ezekiel was copying what Isaiah had previously written (Isaiah 6). However, there are differences between the two visions.

 

Isaiah saw Seraphim but did not tell us how many, only that they had six wings covering their feet with two, their face with two, and flying with the other two (Isaiah 6:2). Isaiah also saw the creatures offering praise to God (Isaiah 6:3). Isaiah also saw the Lord with the seraphim above him (Isaiah 6:1). The creatures seen by Ezekiel are below the glory of God (Ezekiel 1:26-28) and cherubim something confirmed by Isaiah in Isaiah 37:16. Therefore, we conclude that both Isaiah and Ezekiel saw a vision from God since both saw different creatures, seraphim for Isaiah and cherubim for Ezekiel. In both cases, God is preparing the prophets for their ministry as a prophet of God, a high calling since it requires one hundred percent accuracy under the penalty of death (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). With this requirement for a prophet in mind, Ezekiel and Isaiah needed assurance that their vision was from God, before putting it in writing knowing discovery of any falsehood would result in their death.

 

Believers can still have visions for the prophet Joel told us that visions would occur in the last days (Joel 2:28), something fulfilled when the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 in the upper room (Acts 2:1-4,14-21). However, when we hear someone in ministry claiming to have a word or vision from God, we must test the word or vision against the Word of God. While we do not physically put false teachers to death in the New Covenant, God does warn believers not to fall for their deceptive visions or words from the Lord (2 Peter 2:1-3). This may seem simple but these deceptive teachers are often experts in stirring up emotions so we must be like the Bereans, detaching ourselves from emotional sensationalism, and remaining true to the Word of God (Acts 17:10-11).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

The word of God is the yardstick believers must use to test the validity of teaching from one declaring the Word of God. I encourage everyone reading this to remain diligent in their study of God’s Word so they can test teaching from the Bible and not become caught up in emotional sensationalism without testing teaching against God’s Word. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.