The Vision of Ezekiel of the Coals of Fire is a significant prophetic revelation found in the Book of Ezekiel, specifically in Ezekiel 10. This vision is part of a series of divine encounters experienced by the prophet Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon. The vision serves as a profound illustration of God's holiness, judgment, and the impending destruction of Jerusalem due to the people's persistent idolatry and rebellion.

Context and Background

Ezekiel, a priest and prophet, was among the first group of Israelites taken into Babylonian captivity around 597 BC. His prophetic ministry began in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile (Ezekiel 1:2). The vision of the coals of fire occurs within a broader narrative where Ezekiel is shown the abominations committed in Jerusalem and the subsequent departure of the glory of the LORD from the temple.

Description of the Vision

In Ezekiel 10, the prophet describes a vision of the cherubim and the glory of the LORD departing from the temple. The vision is a continuation of the events described in Ezekiel 8 and 9, where Ezekiel is transported in spirit to Jerusalem to witness the idolatrous practices of the people.

Ezekiel 10:2 states, "And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, 'Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with coals of fire from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.' And he went in as I watched."

The man clothed in linen, often interpreted as an angelic figure, is commanded to take coals of fire from between the cherubim and scatter them over Jerusalem. This act symbolizes the impending judgment and destruction that will befall the city due to its sins.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The coals of fire represent divine judgment and purification. Fire is a recurring biblical symbol of God's holiness and judgment, as seen in other scriptural passages such as Isaiah 6:6-7, where a seraphim touches Isaiah's lips with a burning coal to purify him.

The presence of the cherubim, angelic beings associated with the throne of God, underscores the divine authority and majesty involved in the execution of judgment. The vision highlights the seriousness of sin and the inevitable consequences of turning away from God.

Departure of the Glory of the LORD

A critical aspect of this vision is the departure of the glory of the LORD from the temple, signifying the withdrawal of God's presence due to the people's unfaithfulness. Ezekiel 10:18-19 describes this departure: "Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim. And as I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the earth, with the wheels beside them; and they stood at the entrance to the east gate of the house of the LORD, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them."

This departure serves as a solemn warning of the consequences of persistent disobedience and idolatry. It also foreshadows the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Implications for the Exiles and Future Hope

For the exiles in Babylon, Ezekiel's vision was a stark reminder of the reasons for their captivity and the need for repentance. However, it also carried a message of hope, as the departure of the glory was not permanent. Later in the book, Ezekiel prophesies the return of God's glory and the restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 43:1-5), pointing to a future time of renewal and divine presence among His people.

The Vision of Ezekiel of the Coals of Fire remains a powerful testament to God's holiness, justice, and the hope of redemption for those who turn back to Him.Ezekiel 10:1-7
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel
... Ezekiel's imaginative power perhaps reaches its climax in his vision of the ... prostrate
and sorrowful, and the angel departing with glowing coals to set ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

The Second vision "In Heaven"
... out of the hand of the angel.] We have here a Vision of events ... (see Ezekiel 39:6 ... marg.,
by) his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision in heaven.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... the strife ceaseth" (Prov.26:20); "Charcoal to live coals, and wood to fire; and
a ... pot with the face towards the north (Jer.1:13); Ezekiel's vision of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Caput xv.
... and placing around the Heavenly Beings themselves heaps of coals of fire ... the Heavenly
Powers, by affirming that the powers of vision denote the ... 220] Ezekiel 1:10 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

Jesus is God Wooing Man.
... He who rode upon the storm before Ezekiel's wondering eyes ... ones on the seven times
heated coals, and reveals to Daniel's opened ears the vision of his ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/jesus is god wooing man.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Ezekiel also speaks of him to the same effect, thus: "Thus saith ... I saw in the night
vision, and, behold ... Because thou hast coals of fire, sit upon them; so shall ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

The Controversy Ended
... and never shalt thou be any more." Ezekiel 28:6-8 ... wicked He shall rain quick burning
coals, fire and brimstone ... With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... The chapter opens with a vision. ... This is afforded to us by the ninth chapter of Ezekiel,
which must ... under the cherubim, and fill Thine hand with coals of fire ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'"Ezekiel 43:10 ... It was
plundered, and then set on fire; the truth of the declaration made by Job ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Book I.
... in herself, that it is said by Ezekiel, [5197] "Sodom ... an abundance of feet that the
keenest vision cannot follow ... For by so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

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