Ezekiel

Ezekiel Chapter 10

• Ezekiel 10:1 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. 

This was a vision of the throne of God similar to what he saw in previous chapters and what John saw as recorded in the book of Revelation. 

• Ezekiel 10:2 And he spoke unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. 

Coals of fire representing judgment. 

• Ezekiel 10:3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. 
• 4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD's glory. 
• 5 And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh. 
• 6 And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. 
• 7 And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out. 
• 8 And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings. 
• 9 And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the color of a beryl stone. 
• 10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel. 
• 11 When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went. 
• 12 And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. 
• 13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. 
• 14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. 
• 15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. 
• 16 And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. 
• 17 When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. 
• 18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 
• 19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 
• 20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. 
• 21 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 
• 22 And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward. 

I wondered why Ezekiel was given this heavenly vision more than once and it could be that the horror and judgment that was dealt to Ezekiel's own people was so overwhelming that Ezekiel needed to be reminded of the glory and power of God and what the final goal of all things will be.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to those who have confessed their sins and believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is given to those set apart and made holy by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. It is given primarily for service in preaching the gospel, teaching, and other gifts of the spirit that operate within the body of Christ or the church, the called out ones who receive Christ. 

There are times, however, that the Holy Spirit comes as a comforter. He sends refreshing, comfort, strength and peace to the weary worn soul that is laboring for the gospel. 

Even though these visions also were powerful and probably overwhelming in themselves it surely served Ezekiel with a reminder that these things done were of God and the judgment came as a result of the serious sin of idolatry which the children of Israel were committing having known the real God and knew the law of God. 

When God sends visions and messages to certain individuals it is for a purpose or a special calling. Never is it meant to make the person exalted or set high above anyone else. In fact very often the opposite happens and the person is rejected of his people and persecuted. Sometimes they are sent to prison, beaten and even killed for their testimony. 

When one receives a heavy judgmental message from God, it is very heavy upon the messenger until the message is given. They do not rest very well until they accomplish what the Lord calls them to do. 

A real prophet is very seldom puffed up and exalted to where everyone bows the knee and practically worships the prophet. A real prophet carries a heavy burden and is often scorned. The presence of God is humbling. It makes one feel that they are unworthy of His visitation. Sometimes His presence brings needed joy to the soul, peace to the troubled, comfort to those that mourn over sin or other things that may befall them and sometimes He comes and speaks to our spirit with a still small voice. 

After the coming of Jesus Christ, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to all who will believe in the name of Jesus and forsake their sins giving their life over to Him. God sends them mercy and grace given to all those who sincerely believe without them ever doing any deeds, rituals, or giving money to earn His salvation. It is a free gift. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a free gift that one receives after they have believed in Jesus, is cleansed from sin and sanctified by the spirit. 

One has the witness of the spirit in some form when he or she is baptized with the Holy Spirit. They may speak in an unknown tongues or prophesy; that acts as a witness that they have received the Holy Spirit. The person receiving the spirit of God will have some kind of witness that the Holy Spirit has come to make His abode within them. Tongues is the most visible and frequent sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. 

Some say that there are other signs and that not all speak with tongues. I will not agree with that for sure and I will not disagree with that for sure because I only have my own experience to go by and the occasions in the book of Acts where the Holy Spirit was poured out. I spoke with tongues when I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

The main point I make here is that Ezekiel may have needed to see these heavenly visions to witness to him that all the things done and the judgments given out were justified and that God had everything under control. A messenger of God will need to have some kind of witness to keep going on and not giving up when things get rough. 

Ezekiel Chapter 11

Ezekiel Index