Topical Bible: God: Appearances of To Ezekiel

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The prophet Ezekiel, a priest and a major prophet in the Old Testament, experienced several profound and vivid appearances of God. These theophanies are recorded in the Book of Ezekiel and are characterized by their symbolic imagery and powerful messages, which were intended to convey God's sovereignty, holiness, and the impending judgment and restoration of Israel.

The Vision of the Glory of the LORD (Ezekiel 1:1-28):
Ezekiel's first encounter with the divine occurs by the Kebar River among the exiles in Babylon. In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, the heavens were opened, and Ezekiel saw visions of God. The appearance is marked by a stormy wind, a great cloud with flashing fire, and brilliant light. Within this vision, Ezekiel sees four living creatures, each with four faces and four wings, symbolizing the cherubim. Above them is a firmament, and above the firmament is a throne of sapphire, upon which sits the likeness of a man. This vision is a manifestation of the glory of the LORD, and Ezekiel falls facedown upon witnessing it. The Berean Standard Bible describes this scene: "And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood still with their wings lowered" (Ezekiel 1:25).

The Call of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-3:15):
Following the initial vision, God speaks directly to Ezekiel, commissioning him as a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel. God instructs Ezekiel to stand on his feet, and the Spirit enters him, setting him on his feet. The LORD commands Ezekiel to speak His words to the people, regardless of their response, emphasizing the prophet's role as a watchman. This divine encounter underscores God's authority and the seriousness of Ezekiel's prophetic mission.

The Vision of the Scroll (Ezekiel 2:9-3:3):
In a continuation of the divine encounter, Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out to him, holding a scroll. The scroll is unrolled before him, covered with writing on both sides, containing lamentations, mourning, and woe. God instructs Ezekiel to eat the scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's message. As Ezekiel consumes it, he finds it as sweet as honey in his mouth, indicating the divine origin and truth of the message, despite its somber content.

The Vision of the Departure of the Glory of the LORD (Ezekiel 10:1-22):
In another significant vision, Ezekiel witnesses the departure of the glory of the LORD from the temple in Jerusalem. This vision is a continuation of the earlier vision of the cherubim and the divine chariot. The glory of the LORD moves from above the cherubim to the threshold of the temple, signifying God's judgment and the impending destruction of Jerusalem due to the people's idolatry and sin. The Berean Standard Bible captures this moment: "Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim" (Ezekiel 10:18).

The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14):
In a vision symbolizing the restoration of Israel, Ezekiel is brought by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with dry bones. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, and as he does, they come together, and breath enters them, bringing them to life. This vision represents the hope and future restoration of the nation of Israel, emphasizing God's power to bring life and renewal. The LORD declares, "I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land" (Ezekiel 37:14).

The Vision of the New Temple (Ezekiel 40-48):
In the final chapters of the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet is given a detailed vision of a new temple. This vision includes precise measurements and descriptions of the temple's structure, symbolizing God's future dwelling among His people. The vision concludes with the promise of God's everlasting presence, as the city is named "The LORD Is There" (Ezekiel 48:35).

Ezekiel's encounters with God are marked by awe-inspiring imagery and profound theological significance, revealing God's holiness, judgment, and promise of restoration. These visions serve as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His ultimate plan for His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 1:26-28
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and on the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above on it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... God's glory, and to give testimony to the appearances and out ... is that chief of the
works of God now ... any work?" Even so the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 15:2 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... a dreadful and a fearful thing; yea, his most gracious and merciful appearances;
how much ... thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God" (Ezekiel 16:63 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ...
... of God by the Spirit, whether by outward voices and appearances, dreams, or ... time,
and divert the mind from the witness of God in the ... [2215] Ezekiel 18:23; Isa. ...
/.../the confession of the society.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... it appear, that ye are the children of those who did not believe the divine appearances
in the ... As an adamant harder than flint, says God to Ezekiel, have I ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

The Resurrection.
... it hath wrought, and by which its excellent appearances have been ... That Spirit of
God also, that took its leave of the body ... It carried Ezekiel hither and thither ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxv the resurrection.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... all Elijah's movements, and about almost all Elijah's appearances. ... unto Ahab, As
the Lord God of Israel ... excellent evangelical extracts from Isaiah and Ezekiel. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Caput xv.
... We must consider that the many-coloured appearances of stones denote either as ... the
care and salvation of those who are turned to God; and that ... 220] Ezekiel 1:10 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

From the Fourteenth Chapter.
... says that it was cast into the wine-press of the wrath of God, and trodden ... a quadrate
put together by fours, as in four faces and four appearances, and wheels ...
/.../from the fourteenth chapter.htm

Let us Now Examine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be ...
... Should it speak according to appearances, or realities? ... The appearance vouchsafed
by God to Moses (Exodus 33:19-23), the vision of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:1-10 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 2 let us now.htm

Facing Life's Record
... that he hath done shall not be mentioned." Ezekiel 18:24. ... God has an exact record
of every unjust account and every ... He is not deceived by appearances of piety. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 28 facing lifes record.htm