Part 7 - God's Throne and the Four Living Creatures:

'In trouble we are prone to forget all that we have heard
and read that makes for our comfort.
Now what is the reason that a man comes to think
of that which otherwise he should never have called to mind? The Holy Spirit brings it to his remembrance;
He is a Comforter,
bringing to mind useful things
at such times when we have most need of them.
Richard Sibbes

Part 7 - God's Throne and the Four Living Creatures:

The same spirit that led the living beings
also dwelt within the wheels.
Such a characteristic is apparently not
something Ezekiel could witness,
but he knew this truth through revelation.

The spirit provided the leadership for the four living beings.
Wherever the spirit would go, these beings would follow
Since this is a section about God’s glory,
it is logical that this spirit would be the Holy Spirit.
While it is possible that “the spirit” within them
is a reference to their own spirit,
it seems that the creatures
were following the lead of the spirit
suggesting that they were following
something independent of themselves.
However “spirit” is understood,
it would be contrary to the vision
for these creatures to be operating
apart from the will of God.

the spirit = the impulse whereby God
moves His angels to the end designed.
They do not turn back or aside
till they have fulfilled the office assigned them.
the spirit wanted to go—
that is, their will was for going
wherever the Spirit was for going.
spirit of the living creatures—
put collectively for "the living creatures"; the cherubim.
Having first viewed them separately,
he next views them in the whole
as the composite living creature in which the Spirit resided.
The life intended is that connected with God,
holy, spiritual life, in the abundance of its power.

21 When those went, these went;
when those stood, these stood;
and when those were lifted up from the earth,
the wheels were lifted up together with them,
for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 The likeness of the firmament
above the heads of the living creatures
was like the color of an awesome crystal,
stretched out over their heads.

awesome crystal—dazzling the spectator in its brightness.

The expanse is the third part of the vision.

This word is the Hebrew word (rakia‘),
the same word used in Genesis 1:6–8
6Then God said, "Let there be an expanse
in the midst of the waters,
and let it separate the waters from the waters."
7God made the expanse,
and separated the waters which were below the expanse
from the waters which were above the expanse;
and it was so.
8God called the expanse heaven.
And there was evening
and there was morning, a second day.
Genesis 1:6–8 NASB

for the hard plane dividing the upper
from the lower waters.
The expanse seems to represent
the widespread influence of God.
Ezekiel did not dwell upon the expanse.
He merely described that which provided
the inspiring backdrop to the whole scene.
Nevertheless, it appears that
the expanse provided a firm, level surface
upon which the throne of God was resting
6and before the throne
there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal;
and in the center and around the throne,
four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind
Revelation. 4:6 NASB

It is obvious that the wings of the living beings
continued to impress Ezekiel (v. 23).
In this section he repeated their location,
but this time elaborated on the tremendous sound (v. 24)
being made by these wings.
He offered three analogies:
1. The noise was like the sound of abundant waters,
which provide a tremendous roar—
almost a deafening sound
to one standing near a waterfall.
2. It was like the voice of the Almighty—
a voice that completely terrified those gathered
around Mount Sinai in Exodus 20,
but sometimes a term referring to thunder.
3. The sound of tumult
[was] like the sound of an army camp—
which would involve a variety of sounds,
from the clanking of gear and weapons
to the grunts, groans, and cries of the soldiers.

Not only was Ezekiel impressed
with what he was seeing,
but he was also awestruck
with what he was hearing.
He was able to witness God’s glory in different ways.

In spite of all the noise generated
by the wings of the four living creatures,
Ezekiel was able to hear a voice from above the expanse—
from the location of the throne of God.
Ezekiel mentioned no words that were uttered,
at least not yet,
but the Lord spoke to him
(see ch. 2).

23 And under the firmament their wings
spread out straight, one toward another.
Each one had two which covered one side,
and each one had two
which covered the other side of the body.

two … two … covered … bodies—
not, as it might seem, contradicting Ezekiel 1:11.
The two wings expanded upwards,
though chiefly used for flying,
yet up to the top of the figure
where they were parted from each other,
covered the upper part of the body,
while the other two wings covered the lower parts.

24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings,
like the noise of many waters,
like the voice of the Almighty,
a tumult like the noise of an army;
and when they stood still, they let down their wings.

voice of … Almighty—the thunder (Psalm 29:3, 4).

3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
Psalm 29:3-4 NASB
voice of—rather, "the voice" or "sound of tumult,"
as in Jeremiah 11:16.
From an Arabic root, meaning the
"impetuous rush of heavy rain."

16The LORD called your name,
"A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form";
With the noise of a great tumult
He has kindled fire on it,
And its branches are worthless.
Jeremiah 11:16 NASB (my emphasis bold)

25 A voice came from above the firmament
that was over their heads;
whenever they stood, they let down their wings.

let down … wings—While the Almighty gave forth His voice,
they reverently let their wings fall,
to listen in humble silence to His communication.

26 And above the firmament over their heads
was the likeness of a throne,
in appearance like a sapphire stone;
on the likeness of the throne
was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

The Godhead appears in the likeness
of enthroned humanity,
as in Exodus 24:10.

10and they saw the God of Israel;
and under His feet
there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire,
as clear as the sky itself.
Exodus 24:10 NASB

Besides the "paved work of a sapphire stone,
as it were the body of heaven in clearness,"
there, we have here the "throne,"
and God "as a man," with the "appearance of fire round about."
This last was a picture of the incarnation of Messiah,
but in His character as Savior and as Judge (Revelation 19:11-16).

11And I saw heaven opened, and behold,
a white horse, and He who sat on it
is called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12His eyes are a flame of fire,
and on His head are many diadems;
and He has a name written on Him
which no one knows except Himself.
13He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood,
and His name is called The Word of God.
14And the armies which are in heaven,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean,
were following Him on white horses.
15From His mouth comes a sharp sword,
so that with it He may strike down the nations,
and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God,
the Almighty.
16And on His robe and on His thigh
He has a name written,
"KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
Revelation 19:11-16 NASB

End Part 7
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