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.
A stormy wind came out of the north and a great cloud with brightness around it with fire flashing. In the midst of the fire was something like gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came four living creatures in the appearance of human likeness, with four faces and four wings.
Beginning in the year 593 B.C., five years after the first deportation of exiles to Babylon, Ezekiel is given visions of God. It begins with the heavens opening and is followed by the appearing of angels and wheels that are totally in tune with the Spirit. Where the Spirit goes, they follow. As he is shown the glory of the Lord, he sees Jesus sitting on a throne in heaven and falls to his face. The Spirit enters him, brings him to His feet, and speaks to him. Ezekiel is told that he will be sent to the people of Israel, a nation of rebels who have transgressed God and He will prophesy to the word of the Lord to them. Whether or not they will hear, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
The sound of their wings was like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, the sound of a marching army. Above the expanse was the likeness of a throne like sapphire, and seated on the throne was a figure with the appearance of a man with fire and brightness all around; like a bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
The heaven drawn picture that Ezekiel sees can only be described in the likeness of. In other words, it is a sight so great that can only be explained in the likeness things seen on earth. But here we see one of the greatest pictures in all of scripture. Jesus sitting on a throne in heaven nearly 600 years before He came to earth in human flesh. What a majestic and glorious thought!
And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. And He said to me, “Son of man, stand to your feet and I will speak with you.” And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet and I heard him speaking to me.
The purposes of God always begin with a kingdom vision. Without a vision, the people perish. How many go out aimlessly without a vision from heaven? Notice as Jesus speaks, the Spirit enters. A filling of the Holy Spirit that brings forth visions and utterances. As the days grow darker and the harvest draws near, God’s people need a continual filling to be transformed daily for purposes of God in the latter days. Where they Spirit goes, they follow.