The Vision of Ezekiel of the Man of Fire is a profound and symbolic revelation found in the Book of Ezekiel, specifically in Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Ezekiel 8:1-4. This vision is part of a series of divine encounters experienced by the prophet Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon. The vision is characterized by its vivid imagery and deep theological significance, revealing aspects of God's glory, holiness, and judgment.

Context and Setting

Ezekiel, a priest and prophet, was among the Jewish exiles taken to Babylon during the early 6th century BC. His prophetic ministry began around 593 BC, during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile. The vision of the Man of Fire occurs within the broader context of Ezekiel's call to prophesy to the rebellious house of Israel, warning them of impending judgment and calling them to repentance.

Description of the Vision

In Ezekiel 1:26-28, the prophet describes a vision of a throne above the expanse over the heads of the living creatures. On this throne, there appears "a figure like that of a man." Ezekiel writes:

"And above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire. And on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire, and brilliant light surrounded Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking." (Ezekiel 1:26-28)

The vision is marked by the appearance of a radiant figure, often interpreted as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God. The imagery of fire and brilliant light signifies God's holiness, purity, and consuming presence. The rainbow, reminiscent of the covenant with Noah, symbolizes God's mercy and faithfulness even amidst judgment.

In Ezekiel 8:1-4, the prophet experiences another vision where he is transported to Jerusalem and sees the glory of the God of Israel. Here, the Man of Fire is again central to the vision:

"In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there. I looked and saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be His waist down, He was like fire, and from His waist up, His appearance was as bright as the gleam of amber. He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain." (Ezekiel 8:1-4)

Theological Significance

The Vision of the Man of Fire underscores the transcendence and immanence of God. The fiery appearance conveys God's unapproachable holiness and the purifying nature of His presence. The vision serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation and His righteous judgment against sin. It also emphasizes the hope of restoration and the promise of God's enduring covenant with His people.

Ezekiel's response to the vision—falling facedown—reflects the appropriate human reaction to divine revelation: awe, reverence, and submission. The vision calls the people of Israel, and by extension all believers, to recognize the seriousness of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the assurance of God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.Ezekiel 8:1
And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there on me.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 9:1
He cried also in my ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ...
... This, this is Ezekiel's vision: not the fiery globe merely ... principalities, and
powers"but The Man enthroned above ... angels, and the flames of fire His ministers ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ix ezekiels vision preached.htm

Vision of the Deity.
... and the second living being like a calf, and the third living being had a face like
a man, and the ... It is the same Being, seen in vision by Ezekiel (1:28 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/vision of the deity.htm

Ezekiel
... After five years of residence in the land of exile, Ezekiel, through an ecstatic
vision in which ... is not atoning for the sins of the past; every man is free ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... and Temple with the glory-presence, Carmel's fire descending, Elijah's "still small
voice," Isaiah's vision of glory and the voice, Ezekiel's man of flame ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/iii a sight of the crowned.htm

Jesus is God Wooing Man.
... long after, that other rugged, footsore man, standing with ... He who rode upon the storm
before Ezekiel's wondering eyes ... to Daniel's opened ears the vision of his ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/jesus is god wooing man.htm

Vision of Christ.
... and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands one like a Son of man, clothed with a ... It
is the same appearance that Ezekiel saw, when he had a vision "of the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/vision of christ.htm

A Message from the Crowned Christ
... as the time of judgment comes in the vision these are ... Such is the tremendous scene
depicted by Ezekiel. ... The fire reveals every man's faith if there be any there ...
/.../iv a message from the crowned.htm

The Preacher as a Man of God.
... The prophecies of Ezekiel, for example, are arranged on the ... which was surely more
than a vision, was the Vision of Grace ... He had said, "I am a man of unclean lips ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture ii the preacher as.htm

God's Spokesman.
... for more, He is told that no man could endure ... Isaiah's most definite impression,
when the great vision came to him ... Ezekiel has rare power in detailed description ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods spokesman.htm

Acts ii. 1, 2
... It put them in mind also of another vision: for as ... 3:3); Elisha leaving all (1 Kings
19:21); Ezekiel again, made ... For as a man of fire falling into the midst of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iv acts ii 1.htm

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