Heart of the Earth

Where do you believe the heart of the earth is? 

I was reading in Mathew this week where Jesus said, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” We know Christ was not in the tomb three nights. He died on Friday and rose on Sunday. That is only two nights in the grave. So, if we go back one more night where was Jesus? He was alive, with His disciples at the Last Supper Passover meal and then the Garden to await His arrest. 

So, what did Jesus mean when He said he’d be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth? I realize not many will agree with me but I believe He could have been saying that for three days and nights He would be under the authority of man. 

The reason I'm thinking this is because from the time Jesus told Judas at the Passover meal to go do what he had to do and Judas left to betray Christ, Christ gave himself over to the will of man until He arose on the third day. For three days and three nights Christ was under the power/authority of man's will – what may be considered the very heart of the earth. 


"…and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him, and the third day He shall rise again."

References: Matthew 12:40 / John 13:27 / Mark 10:34

The Message to the Church of Smyrna

To the Church of Smyrna:

 

Read - Revelation 2:8-11

Smyrna was located about 40 miles north of Ephesus, and today is the area of Turkey known as the Province of Izmir. With the hope and promise of eternal life, this poverty-stricken congregation had spiritual wealth beyond measure though they were financially broken. The believers of Smyrna were undergoing persecution at the time this letter was written. This church received no condemnation from Christ in this passage, but were told to endure their persecutions and sufferings faithfully. Their faithful endurance would be rewarded with the crown of life.

 

Even though these people had nothing of this world, they possessed everything. They were rich spiritually; the blessings they enjoyed were beyond the comprehension of the unbelievers. It reminds me of the parable of the rich fool of Luke12:13-21 and makes me think of the prosperity preachers of today. Jesus said He knew “…the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan.” Jesus calls for believers to serve God and others not self. Jesus will not be a part of furthering people’s selfish interests. Prosperity preachers of today say they are of God, but are not. Their gospel is a blasphemy just as those spoken of in this scripture.

The rich fool of Luke 12 was not “rich” toward God, even though his worldly riches were great. If you are not familiar with this passage, I won’t spoil the passage for you by telling you what happened to the rich fool. Go to Luke and read it. 

Prosperity preachers further selfish interests and are false preachers. This false gospel (an oxymoron) teaches that you need prosperity in your material life vs prosperity in your spiritual life. This is an idolatrous teaching, elevating wealth and possessions above God. This places the created above the CREATOR. Paul tells us in Galatians 1:6-10 that there is no other Gospel and even if an angel from Heaven comes down to preach another gospel, the angel will be accursed and we are not to believe. Same he says goes for a man, if a man preaches any other gospel then that man will be accursed. When in the last part of John 10:10 Christ says that He came that we could have life more abundantly, he in no way is talking financially or materially.

As did the Church of Smyrna, Christians today will go through persecution and tribulation (references-John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Thess. 3-4, 1 Peter 4:12). And we as Christians are to use what we have to help the poor. Christ is talking about in John 10:10 the abundance of His Spirit in our lives now and the abundance we will receive in Heaven.

Simple warning: If a preacher says something like this, “If you struggle financially, then you have not got the victory.” Or something like, “God didn’t create you to be common or poor.” Then flee from that man and his church. Satan can clothe his wolves as an angel of light, a wolf is not always ugly and mean but sometimes presents himself as humble, caring and gentle. But he is still a wolf. And his teaching a lie.

If you read God’s Word, you know that we do not need money to have victory, and money actually can make obtaining the victory in Jesus harder. Jesus let the Church of Smyrna know that He knew they were going through tough times and He cared. Jesus encouraged them, and promises for their endurance He would award them the crown of life. God knows my tribulations and yours, and He cares. And we can be comforted through this passage in Revelation that we too will receive the crown of life for our faithful endurance.

Verily I say unto you that a rich man will hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven. And again, I say unto you, It is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23, 24

The Message to the Church at Ephesus

To the Church of Ephesus…

 

In each of the letters to the seven churches, we find a five-fold pattern where Christ first gives an assertion of what each is doing right, He then secondly lets them know where they have gone astray, and thirdly directs them how to rectify the problem. Fourth, He gives a challenge to hold fast and then finally, warning is given based on the characteristics and symptoms presented at each church. The letters to the seven churches are prophetically significant and strategically placed at the beginning of the book of Revelation with purpose. Christ projected Revelations writing when in John 16:13 he declared that the Holy Spirit would show the apostles “things to come.” The book is written to encourage Christians to endure persecutions and remain faithful because Christ’s victory over the world and Satan is certain. The book of Revelation also unites all prophecies in the Old and New Testament as well as addresses moral and doctrinal problems that existed then and still do today.

At the opening of the letter to Ephesus, Christ portrays himself as walking among the seven golden candlesticks. These candlesticks represent the seven churches and give a picture of how Christ desires personal fellowship with believers as He interacts within the church. It’s also remindful of - the book of Leviticus, under the listed blessings of obedience, in chapter 26 verse 12 God says, “And I will walk among you and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.”

Our focus, for this study, is a simple comparison of the churches waywardness and our own.  By doing so, we might recognize our shortcomings. And understand what Christ expects us to do to correct our failures so that we can please Him better with our lives and walk closer to Him than before.  Before we continue this exploration, take a couple minutes and read in your Bible Revelation 2:1-7.

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From the history I’ve read, Ephesus, at this time, was breathtaking. It simply overflowed and flourished and because of its locality, it became the export center for Asia. It provided an artificial harbor accessible to the large ships and it stood at the entrance of a valley that stretched far into the province. Its connection to important cities in the region via highways, made it accessible by both land as well as sea. Seems, Ephesus was the most easily accessible city in Asia.  Travelers from Rome proceeded up an avenue of magnificence that was thirty-five feet wide and lined with columns all the way from the harbor into the center of the city. The city, branded for its huge theater, large buildings, enormous stadium, and marketplace, was for many years the largest city in the Roman Empire next to Rome and boasted a population of more than a quarter million. It was rich, and famous for its diverse religions – its temple to the goddess Artemis (Diana of Ephesus), a huge structure made of marble, 220 by 425 feet at its base, supported by beautiful pillars and rising to a height of 60 feet, considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Christ commends The Church of Ephesus for their soundness of faith and perseverance through persecution. In verse two, He says He knows their works, their labor and patience. He knows they hated evil and had tested those who claimed to be apostles but lied. This church had not fallen away from laboring for Christ. But Christ had something against them. They had left their first love.

This is the point where my study seemed to linger. Seems to me, there is more here than I’d read from Bible Commentaries or had heard taught. Most give the impression this “first love” that the Church of Ephesus had left was their love for Christ. Assuming, a Christian’s “first Love” would naturally be love for Christ. Then conclusion would be that this is the case - They left their love for Christ. And yes, that would be a bad thing indeed. As many commentators have stated. But then I ask myself, how could that be? Can a true born again believer leave their love for Christ?

So I read again, what the church had done right in verses two and three. The things they continued to do that pleased Christ aren’t things I’d think people who have left their love for Christ behind somewhere would do. How could I hate evil if I didn’t have love for Christ? Why would I continue to labor in the church and remain steadfast if I’d left my love for Christ. My love for Him is the reason I’d be doing those things.

Okay, so I find myself reexamining the text. And in doing so, I’m not going to assume anything.  I determine I need to look at the Church of Ephesus to see what their first recorded love was.  And in going back to Acts chapters 18-19 and the book of Ephesians, I see this theme going on: This church was praised not for its “love for God” but for its “love of God.”  Their love was for all saints - as stated in Ephesians 1:15.

Their love of God flourished through their love for one another, Jews and Gentiles alike, as they kept the new commandment given directly by Christ in John 13:34-35.  At least, this is where my mind is going as I explore God’s word.

The Church of Ephesus was diligent at purging themselves of false teachings, which were widespread in their world just as it is in ours. They labored in the church and were patient and they hated evil with its destruction and devastation that escalates from sin. These good attributes pleased Christ, and we can look at these to evaluate our own lives to see if evidence of these Christ-like behaviors are in us. If not we need to fix that first, and then look at what the Ephesians were neglecting to do – Love.  Are we guilty of not loving one another? Christ said, “…love one another, as I have loved you. … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Is the commandment to love one another a broken commandment of The Church of the Ephesians? The punishment Christ laid down for their failure to repent is grim.  He warned that he’d remove their candlestick. --Today, the entire city of Ephesus is in ruins, and the church is gone.

Where do we stand as individuals and as churches today with this commandment to have love for one another?

Sadly, I’m finding in the world around me a very self-centered selfish people. I’m not talking unbelievers, but in the professing believers. A popular mind frame has become that it is all about “ME.” If giving and doing isn’t self-profitable, interferes with our plans, or is burdensome then why bother.  I personally, can perceive a congregation or individual having love for God, and yet be caught up in selfishness and leave their love of God behind not showing forth the love of God because they are too busy taking care of and watching out for “self.”  I’m afraid it happens a lot.

The act of being selfish or self-sacrificing, whichever direction we seem to be leaning, comes through us with many levels of intensity. I believe, the more selfless we turn out to be the more pleasing to God we become - because we can show forth His love to others with more passion and power.  And from this, glory is given to God through our lives because the world will know that we are the Disciples of Christ.

If I am serious about pleasing God more and walking closer to Christ than before, then I need to get serious in showing forth the love of God to all my spiritual brothers and sisters. This means, I need to know how to love other Christians, no matter what. For I am as guilty as the next, and let me tell you there are some hard to love Christians among us! And I have no doubt that you know exactly what I'm talking about. We all experience those who annoy us and rub us the wrong way. If we are put in a room with them for very long and let ourselves express freely what's on our mind then things could get ugly fast.  You know, this self evaluating is truly hard to swallow when we are honest with ourselves. I see that I need to love others as Christ loves me, and yes He loved me when I was unlovable. Seems, I have work to do.
 
Just a little side note: I found a good article on Crosswalk that I enjoyed reading and believe I will grow from following its suggestions on how to love one another. With prayer and God's grace I am confident I will show forth the love of God like I've never done before. 

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12



The link to the article is below, I pray you too will have an increased desire to please God more and walk closer to Him than ever before in this New Year.

Click here to learn to love other Christians – no matter what.

 

2014 New Year Challenge and The Seven Churches

I’ve challenged myself for the New Year - to judge myself and to see where I stand spiritually and what it is I need to do to live my life more pleasing and walk closer to God than ever before. So I’m studying the seven churches found in Revelation. Good place to start I thought. I invite you to explore God’s word with me and challenge yourself to see where you stand with God as well. I personally, can think of nothing I’d rather do in 2014 than walk closer to my Lord and please him better than I did in 2013.

While studying, I came across a simple map that put the location of these churches in perspective visually. As the seven churches, being literal first century Christian churches in the Roman province of Asia, existed along what appears could have been a Roman mail route. Jesus Christ instructs His servant, John, to write what he sees and send the letters to the seven churches. What we are about to study are words directly from Jesus Christ to the churches. We will see each city where a specific church congregation dwelt had its own unique features, some of which offered tests and temptations to those who were believers.  Jesus speaks to each congregation in terms that they can understand.

 

I believe, as many other do as well, that these literal seven churches characterizes the temptations, trials and challenges in each church congregation and Christian individuals from the first century all the way to today. The term “churches” refer to the actual congregation of people or community of believers not the literal building or buildings where the people met. As mentioned, the characteristics of each of these seven churches are found today in Christ believing New Testament congregations and Christian individuals in one way or another. For this reason, it is where I’ve chosen to study to judge where I presently stand and where I need to improve or grow as we enter a New Year.

It will be interesting to see which of these seven church/churches we have patterned our behavior after. We will study two short chapters in Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) and judge for ourselves to determine what Christ would say to each of us. This will help us to know what action Christ expects us to take as our New Year begins so that we can please God with our lives and walk closer with Him.  I have to admit I am a bit excited about these studies and yet fearful at the same time.  Honest self-evaluations can be a hard thing.

 

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Judgment Declared

Day 6

                Ezekiel:  Chapter 6 & 7

Judgment Declared

Ezekiel is told by God to look toward the mountains of Israel and to prophesy against it. As we read chapter six and seven we realize this prophesy is a warning declared to the people of Israel because of their rebellion against God. It is not the mountains that Ezekiel looks at that is the object of God’s anger, but the people. The people of Israel built their idol worship centers on these mountains. They were guilty of not only defiling the sanctuary in Jerusalem, but also filling the land with their abominations against God.

God declares His judgment through Ezekiel — He will destroy the high places of idol worship in the land.  Their altars will be desolate and their idol images will be broken and men will be slain before their worshipped idols with their broken bones scattered about the altars.

The chosen people –Israel - were no different than the people of today. I think about the numerous times God warned Israel not to fall prey to worshipping idols — such as during the wilderness wanderings when they were attracted to Baal worship. Moses warned them that worshipping idol gods would bring about their ruin. Ezekiel reiterates the warning and history confirms God kept His promise of wrath on a un-repentive people. Yet, even with this historical record, America has fallen victim to worshipping idols. Repetitive of Israel’s abominations, we have built high places of idol worship across the land. Hearts are filled with wickedness, our streets are filled with bloody crimes, and sin is not only tolerated by the church, but embraced. Do we not mirror Israel with abominations of rebellion against the Creator? This should frighten us.

Yes, Israel was given to us as an example. But, not an example in which we were to follow in their every footstep, because they did not walk uprightly continuously.  But rather, an example to learn from —not only from their righteous doings along the way, but also, their shortcomings of erring into sin and the price of that error. I lament for our land when I see the indifference of the church towards billboards declaring there is no God, indifference towards lawsuits designed to bring down crosses and Ten Commandment monuments, as well as, indifference toward on-going campaigns to do away with other Christian relics and rights.

 Indifference to God appears to be the root of Israel’s abominations and their worship of idols. One cost that has remained the same with the coming and goings of recessions, depressions, inflations, financial booms, and the rising and falling of the stock markets is the price of sin. It remains the same as in the day of creation. Through all generations and all peoples the penalty of sin has not changed.

In Ezekiel, God promised a remnant would escape the judgment. There would be survivors that would be scattered throughout the countries.  These would be the ones God would use to achieve His ultimate purpose of the chosen people — and they would know that He is the Lord and does not speak in vain. God was broken hearted over Israel who chose to turn away from Him.

Ezekiel declares that God has called an end to their abominations and would judge Israel according to her ways. Ezekiel is lifted up between the earth and the heavens by the hand of God to see the great abominations of Israel both in Jerusalem and in the land. They people were filled with violence and wickedness and with a love for their silver and gold.  God detested their worship of idols and wicked hearts. The streets were filled with crime and blood.  Because of their rebellious ways God would destroy them. God declares that He will use the worst of the heathen nations to destroy Israel.

“Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there will be none.”

The Symbols and the Sign

Day Five

          Ezekiel: Chapters 4 & 5

The Tile
The Iron
The Sharp Knife
The Razor and
The Balances

Ezekiel prophesies the doom of Israel with a symbolic drawing—an outline of the city of Jerusalem under siege drawn on a clay tile.  Setting an iron pan between him and the tile, Ezekiel signifies to the rebellious house of Israel that their cries for deliverance would not change the oncoming judgment of God. Jerusalem would be destroyed.

A second symbolic sign was given to Israel when Ezekiel followed the instructions of God to lie on his left side for 390 days and then on his right side for 40 days. A third sign followed, which was the defiled bread. This sign symbolized that the people of Israel would be defiled and their food source scarce during the siege of Jerusalem. The bread was made of wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and fitches. Ezekiel was originally to bake it by the heat of human dung, but his plea to God prompted God to allow him to fuel the heat by animal dung. Still, this bread represented defilement and was meant to be disgusting to the house of Israel.  This bread was a sign that they would eat defiled bread among the Gentiles. The idea of the bread repulsed Ezekiel who called out to God pleading, “Ah Lord God! …my soul hath not been polluted; from my youth up even until now…”

It totally boggles my mind how modern “Ezekiel Bread” has become popular and sold as a good-for-you complete-nutritious recipe supposedly given for beneficial diet directly by God in Ezekiel 4:9. If you type Ezekiel Bread into your search engine (Google it) you will find many varieties, recipes, and testimonies to the nutritious qualities attempting to tie them to Ezekiel and God’s provisions for his people. What I encourage is for you to read Ezekiel chapter 4, this is a recipe for a defiled bread it is not something you want to bake or buy for your family. Ezekiel did not want to eat it. Israel did not like what it symbolized.

The fourth sign, Ezekiel was commanded to shave his hair. With a sharp knife and a razor the hair from his head and beard was shaved and then weighed on balances. Divided into four parts, three equal piles to be burned, chopped with a sword and scattered in the wind. These actions represented the house of Israel being killed by plague and/or famine and taken into exile.  The fourth smaller part of hair were only a few in number and they were held back to symbolize the few believing remnant, but even some of them where then taken and thrown into the fire because some of the believers would also suffer oppression.

Ezekiel declares the word of God and pronounces His divine judgments on an unrepentant people. God has not changed; He is the same today as he was in the day of Ezekiel.  Even though, people of today would like to fashion God into a God who is not capable or willing to punish sin and they shield themselves behind a false notion that God understands them and tolerates disobedience against Him, the hard fact remains that God has not changed. He is the creator not the created. God’s power is sovereign and He is a jealous God. Ezekiel 5:11 discloses Israel’s sin. Israel was guilty of defiling the sanctuary in Jerusalem with detestable things and with abominations making God furious. Un-repented sins of today’s societies will not go unpunished. What sins does our nation continue to revel in against God’s Holy commandments? Why would God be anything other than furious with us as a nation?

God is not mocked, and His judgments are nothing to be taken lightly. Repent.   

Task & Responsibility

Day Four

          Ezekiel: Chapter 3

The prophet, Ezekiel, was commanded to “eat” the roll (or scroll) depicting that he was to first receive the Word of God. The first task of those that are called by God remains the same today, we are to first study God’s Word and then we can communicate it to others. Ezekiel was told upfront that his task would not be easy. In fact, he was informed that even though he would be speaking to people of his own language that could understand his speech; they would not pay any attention to what he had to say. Those to whom he would address was the house of Israel, God’s chosen people. They had become impudent and hardhearted against God.

In our world today we witness to people who can understand our words but refuse to hearken to the words of God. They, too, have become impudent and hardhearted against God. Yet, God cares about them and His desire is to redeem them back to Himself. God wants no man to perish but for all to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason He has called us, as He called Ezekiel, to proclaim the truth of God and to warn of the impending danger.

It would be a fearsome task for Ezekiel to stand before a rebellious people and boldly proclaim the words of an angry God to them. But this was the task he was called to do—to receive God’s Word and to deliver it faithfully. God knew what Ezekiel would need to be able to fulfill his calling and He gave it to him-- He equipped Ezekiel.  In verse eight of chapter three we read about the mental and spiritual strength and endurance God gave to Ezekiel to sustain him through the difficult task ahead.

Today, it is a fearsome thing to stand before people that do not trust in God and for us to deliver His truths. There are people who do not want to hear, they are bold in their rejection of God’s ways and their desire to serve themselves and the world is strong. Repentance is not on their list of things to do for the day. Besides, they might ridicule us and call us intolerant if we share God’s Word. They won’t want to socialize with us and could even make our life difficult if we stand firm and make our beliefs known. Nevertheless, our call is to deliver the truth. No matter what field your call has taken you into, ultimately your task remains the same as Ezekiel’s. You must first receive God’s Word and then faithfully deliver it. No fears, God will equip you—He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. He will prepare you just as He prepared Ezekiel.

Ezekiel was overwhelmed, to be called in such a dramatic way and be asked to preach to a world without any prospect of being heard. Our calls can be overwhelming as well. So much like Ezekiel, after we are called to do something for the Lord we are reluctant and need further instructions and motivation. God had to impress upon Ezekiel how crucial it was for Israel to hear what God had to say to them through Ezekiel. The responsibility God placed on Ezekiel was extremely heavy.

Ezekiel was called to be God’s watchman to warn both the wicked and the righteous. His message was to be clear and precise just as the call of the ancient watchmen who warned the city of approaching enemies who could destroy the city. If Ezekiel put forth the warnings and the people refused to heed then Ezekiel was blameless. However, if Ezekiel did not warn then he would be charged with the sinner’s death.

With Ezekiel’s responsibility came restrictions. His fellowship with society was limited. His voice was taken from him so that he could not speak except by divine permission. This was a sign to Israel that when Ezekiel did speak it was from God and not of himself. Also, it caused Ezekiel to surrender to God and not be able to give his own opinions.

Too many times, we fall victim to giving our opinions and not sticking to delivering the message of God and allowing the Spirit to do the work. How many times have we come across those who have left the church due to hurt feelings or the malicious tongue of a Christian? What if we had the same restrictions as Ezekiel and carried the same burden of responsibility? Would we give our personal opinions less and do more to fulfill our call to God? What if our neglect to warn our neighbor resulted in being charged for his sin? Would we make it a priority to warn?

The Call

Day Three

The Call: Ezekiel Chapter 2

We hear people talk about “the call” they received from God recruiting them into a divine ministry or service. Some answer “the call” with a yes.  Others run from “the call” or  they let the phone continue ringing day in and day out. Some flatly answer no.

Okay, so the phone doesn’t actually ring and God’s thunderous voice doesn’t really come booming through the speaker when it’s answered. {Although, I did hear a man once say God literally called him on the phone—not that I doubt God’s ability to do so. He is God; he can do anything he wants. But I must confess I was skeptical about this man’s testimony as well as his ministry. He seemed to be more concerned about money than souls. Just because a man says he is called of God doesn’t make it so.}

So what is the call?

The call is God’s personal invitation to an individual to perform a specific duty or fulfill a particular ministry.

Sounds Simple. Right?  But, how does one know it is God calling? In Ezekiel’s case it was evident. God came to him in person and He truly did speak to him with thunderings. Ezekiel wasn’t the only man who God literally spoke with in the Bible. He spoke with both Moses and Isaiah after they were permitted to see glimpses of God’s glory. (Ex 3:10 & Is 6:8) However, these instances were rare not at all one of the more common ways God uses to make the call.

So how do we get the call?

Before we can discover God’s specific call for our life we must first have a personal relationship with Christ. We must be born again. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

The call will come through the workings of the Holy Spirit. For some it may come in a flash and they can be confident in knowing what it is God is calling them to do. For others it may be more gradual. Years could go by before they recognize the call. Always, the way to hear the call is through communication with God—prayer, study God’s word, fellowship with other believers and taking time to listen.

Ezekiel was called and equipped by God to be the spokesperson (prophet) to the rebellious chosen people, Israel. {When God does put forth the call he also prepares that person for the job. My Dad always said, “Don’t worry, if He calls you, He will qualify you.”}

The call is not always a pleasant task to fulfill. Ezekiel’s certainly wasn’t. God entrusted His Word to Ezekiel but gave him a tremendous amount of responsibility. He was called to deliver a message that would bring lamentations, mourning and woe to Israel. (Ez 2:10) Israel had sinned against God and God was angry. Even 5 years of exile had not brought Israel out of being impudent and stiff-hearted toward God. (Ez2:4)

The call comes with warnings and encouragement.

God warns Ezekiel not to rebel as Israel had. He has placed the call and expects Ezekiel to answer with a yes. {The same goes for us, when God calls he expects us to be obedient to the call.} If Ezekiel would have rejected his call he would have been no better than the rebellious House of Israel.

God encourages Ezekiel. The spirit enters him and lifts him to his feet. God places His hand upon him-- giving him divine strength to sustain him during the demanding ministry. God gives him visions and encourages him not to be afraid. {God will likewise lift us to our feet when we are down, place His hand upon us, and encourage us throughout our ministries.}

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Ezekiel’s vision was certainly a dramatic way to call Ezekiel.  I know from my own experiences God sometimes gives us an out of the ordinary experience or vivid dream to get our attention or to “call” us to do something. God hasn’t changed. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Ezekiel saw four living creatures in his vision which we learn are the cherubim (angelic order); he saw the appearance of wheels; the firmament; and God’s occupied throne.

When I read about his vision I see:  The holiness of God, His majesty, His creation, reverence for God, how the Spirit works, the affirmation that God is on His throne (in control) and that judgment proceeds from His throne.

God called Ezekiel to minister to the exiles of Jerusalem in an extraordinary way. His call is befitting to the intense ministry he was called to do. We don’t all get such a dramatic call to do something for God, but we are all called to do something for God!

In Awe

Day Two of  Ezekiel Experience

I am in awe. Ezekiel is so overwhelmed he fell upon his face. If you missed Day One of  Ezekiel Experience you might want to read it before you continue.

I’m sure you-- as I did, came near to the point of falling on your face from just reading about his vision of God’s glory. Ezekiel realizes no man has seen the face of God and lived. Moses prayed for God’s presence and God allowed him to see His glory, but covered Moses with His hand as he passed by. Moses was permitted to see God’s glory from the back only.

(Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.)

Ezekiel didn’t see God’s face but was permitted to see the “appearance of the likeness” of the glory of the Lord in an extreme dramatic way. God is not limited by domain. Ezekiel is in the land of Israel’s captor. The forces of nature are at God’s command. Creatures both celestial and earthly are at His beck and call. Chariots of fire stand ready to move in any direction on or off the earth at His directive. There should no longer be any hesitation in our hearts or minds to believe in the power of God to keep His promises or to execute His punishments.

God appears to and speaks with his people in various ways for numerous reasons. I traveled out of state with my mother several years ago. It was in the early morning hours before daybreak and we were attempting to reach family in need. Our hearts heavy with this particular burden, our bodies exhausted. Neither of us thought we would be able to keep going. We were emotionally and physically drained.  I drove into the parking area of a twenty-four hour diner and parked beside the one other vehicle in the lot.

We went into the restaurant for strong coffee and to have an opportunity to stretch our legs. When we came back out of the diner and walked toward our car we both looked up at the same time and saw the appearance of Christ’s face in a large single cloud looking down at us from a dark sky. A refreshing spirit washed over us and renewed our strength. We didn’t have to guess or speculate about what we saw. It was real. God touched us and gave us what we needed to continue our journey. We saw just a tiny glimpse of His glory and we knew without doubt we were not alone.

 In no way does this experience compare to Ezekiel’s vision but it supplied our need to renew our spirits and give us strength. My mother and I drew from the reviving sensation of seeing Christ’s image not only during that phase of our life but many times since. If you have experienced God in a special way or at a significant time in your life I would love to hear about it. Leave a comment or email me at starrbryant@ymail.com.

John 1:18 | No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

I John 4:12 | No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Ezekiel Experience

I've started out on a journey with a thirteen year old boy named Ezekiel.  We stand among captives by the Chebar River. Ezekiel helps me grasp the importance of the time and place of our travels.  This is a time when hopes of the remaining faithful from the chosen people had been dashed by the loss of their freedom. Israel was overall a rebellious people against God.

 Ezekiel was born into a priestly family and was taken captive among 10,000 others who were deported by Nebuchadnezzar during the second siege on Judah.

The captives include their new King (King Jehoiachin) who only ruled for three months before Babylon re-took Jerusalem.  King Jehoiachin’s father, King Jehoiakim, switched his support for King Nebuchadnezzar to make allegiance with Egypt in 601 B.C. and as a result Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem and captured it once again. King Jehoiakim had already died in disgrace and his son, Jehoiachin, succeeded as King.

 The days of captivity are now in the fifth year. The days are long and hearts yearn for freedom. Ezekiel’s life as a prisoner is dreary. If he were home he’d be privileged to assume his priest duties in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, we remain with Ezekiel imprisoned in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar River {a main tributary of the Euphrates River} looking out into a mundane setting.

And suddenly… God commands the portals of Heaven to open and His glory burst into Ezekiel’s monotonous day with brilliance and cosmic color. The word of the Lord came expressly to him and God’s hand enabled him to see spiritual things.  What Ezekiel saw by the Chebar River was a miracle so overwhelming and powerful that only Ezekiel can describe it:

 “And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.   And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.   And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.   And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.   Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.   As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.   Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.   And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.   As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.   And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.   Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.  The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.   When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.   As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.  And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.   Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.   When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.   And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.   And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.   And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.   And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.   And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.   And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.   As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”