Thursday, February 9, 2017

Reflection - Ezekiel's Four Living Creatures

Source Website: http://hannahscupboard.com/ST-4-living-creatures.html
By Hannah's Cupboard, A ministry of Barbara Ladinais
 

The four living creatures are beings created by God who reside around his throne.
PHOTO: The four living creatures are beings created by God who reside around his throne. When Ezekiel saw them he was glimpsing into the third heaven and seeing what takes place in heavenly eternal places (Ezekiel 1).
Those four mysterious Creatures in Ezekiel signify the four greater divisions of animate creation. All of creation is represented giving God the adoration he deserves.
The fact that the creatures are full of eyes symbolizes God's all-seeing nature and the omnipresence of God. The numerous eyes may be a sense of constant watchfulness.
The wheels touched the earth and could move in any direction probably indicates God's rule and control over the affairs of the earth.
We can join all of heaven in proclaiming His greatness, who was and who is and who is to come.
Picture posted by James Donovan - prophetic art
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fTkYwOUS-b2wyrg9vCMJXkETkpqT4alTRZTpp2h_t_oRwM55q6nLJKdVPyCtYi97pznhAjkd8ZfAZJF6RwXYnaev-J1TXv_XmvXUkpm4ei3aJOt5FeVQ1sr9g4wFfNNqekCcM0A8XmCS/s1600/Throne%252BRoom.jpg
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/530293a4e4b0a91b0703114e/t/5303b92ae4b07059d214be7a/1392752942585/Throne+Room.jpg
http://www.forthebrokenhearted.net/170254395/2706635/posting/


What did the four living creatures in Ezekiel signify? How come they each had a face representing the ox, eagle, lion and man? What's up with the wheel in the middle of a wheel?

Mysterious Creatures [1]
The four living creatures are beings created by God who reside around his throne. When Ezekiel saw them he was glimpsing into the third heaven and seeing what takes place in heavenly eternal places (Ezekiel 1). He is not the only one who saw them.

John the Apostle also saw "around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind." Here is what they continuously proclaim: "'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, The Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.'" (Revelation 4:8)


When the heavens open, Ezekiel sees visions of God.
PHOTO: When the heavens open, Ezekiel sees visions of God.  He describes a wind storm with lightning, a brilliant light and a fiery center - inside of which were four living creatures in human form. Both Ezekiel and John gave it their best shot but human language falls far short of describing "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man." (1 Corinthians 2:9). [2]
Picture taken from Explore Eagle Ezekiel, Ezekiel 10, and more! (Pinterest)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMKenWmy-IMivw9fO0qQlstVwNp-Zhhy7eqd24XkKmXNk5_-4yKPe-0Pu45LE_rMNz2BnHWTT0U_FgBeg2TtzPEJ6ju9osFtJV9xUVWjUeo3ue4fXCTHQRFGUva7FuZKIaMq85NFFG6h/s1600/0b7bb5117b294fdf2bd76e60cf4bc65d-1.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0b/7b/b5/0b7bb5117b294fdf2bd76e60cf4bc65d.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/353040058272612487/


Can you imagine trying to describe something that has no equal on earth and that you have never seen or suspected existed before? Both Ezekiel and John gave it their best shot but human language falls far short of describing "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Because these creatures reside in heaven, there is much mystery surrounding them and their meaning. We are not privy to understand their total significance so we also have to give it our best shot and know that we simply don't yet know all the answers.


What did the four living creatures in Ezekiel signify?
What do the living creatures signify? Generally it is believed they represent the four greater divisions of animate creation: wild beasts for the lion; domesticated beasts for the calf; humanity for the man and birds/flying creatures for the eagle. Because they proclaim praise, worship and thanksgiving; all of creation is represented giving God the adoration he deserves.


The living creatures represent the four greater divisions of animate creation: wild beasts for the lion; domesticated beasts for the calf; humanity for the man and birds/flying creatures for the eagle.
PHOTO: The living creatures represent the four greater divisions of animate creation: wild beasts for the lion; domesticated beasts for the calf; humanity for the man and birds/flying creatures for the eagle.
"Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze." (Ezekiel 1:7).
"Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle."  (Ezekiel 1:10). 
"They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body."  (Ezekiel 1:11).
Picture posted by syeda bukhari rohani ilaj on Tuesday, 21 July 2015 at 17:34
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVMjDSoZIR2mie1aAvpndHgFFgJMvoGErmIInmy_y5oSBaL1Km8dyGhgtzC06jRrRcJwlPV7CdQGTPafo7yPdnsZWxxjBqsrWI57MGj9l8htMGMyOzoeqVY2mdvDG310cQ-w_miTAglDR/s1600/1001517_1393034670913417_1801018054_n.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QzIZK-ttoSSL5d42w4kmPY52jloIu0YnDhMes_qX0RH3djvjv-6ZAKPVvSi7w8LeuB-gKF1EOrY7B4e0DKWK1hwH76eYoAGugH_bXea_vbvg6jMc3ddcxy6tWkUkDdBvuRkgOXZBXqg/s1600/1001517_1393034670913417_1801018054_n.jpg
http://magiccurehelpcenter.blogspot.sg/2015/07/sifli-amal-hamzaad-hazir-karne-ka.html
http://magiccurehelpcenter.blogspot.sg/2015_07_01_archive.html


How come they each had a face representing the ox, eagle, lion and man?
Some see the various faces symbolizing God's rule over all of creation. The fact that the creatures are full of eyes symbolizes God's all-seeing nature and the omnipresence of God. Another aspect of the numerous eyes may be a sense of constant watchfulness.


The various faces symbolizing God's rule over all of creation.
PHOTO: The various faces symbolizing God's rule over all of creation. The creatures are full of eyes symbolizes God's all-seeing nature, a sense of constant watchfulness, and the omnipresence of God.
Picture posted by Dolores Develde, FineArtAmerica.com on 30 May 2015 - The Throne Room Of God
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNnf2_6pu5-68kU3N45x5nXt36yvBefrAdyVrb-c38WHFre9a0Uys7WbpZsxEPZpsBsf1HCbQzWHW25zq3ctJPEZGWO9RVxMdKa14yIGcDlmd6Dpn6m34K2exgygFtWdKkw4WaDK77cH/s1600/the-throne-room-of-god-dolores-develde.jpg
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/the-throne-room-of-god-dolores-develde.jpg
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/dolores-develde.html?page=3


What's up with the wheel in the middle of a wheel?
The wheel inside the wheel? The fact that one of the wheels touched the earth and could move in any direction probably indicates God's rule and control over the affairs of the earth. He can go where he wants whenever he wants. The wheels followed the spirit which may represent the Holy Spirit.


Each of the four wheels had another wheel within itself, placed at a right angle.
PHOTO: Each of the four wheels had another wheel within itself, placed at a right angle. It had the appearance of a gyroscope. A gyroscope is a device with a spinning wheel, consisting of another wheel within it, that spins rapidly like a child’s top. The spinning motion keeps the stability evenly fixed regardless of the direction in which it moves. The gyroscope is an accurate navigational instrument and an effective stabilizing device in ships and airplanes. Having a wheel inside a wheel allows the chariot to immediately change direction. It is as if the wheel inside a wheel produces a freedom of movement unique to Heaven, apart from the constraints of the physics of time and space in the universe. They can be said to “hover” as opposed to simply move. This high level of mobility symbolizes the omnipresence of God. This is a crude comparison, but it is helpful to try and describe God’s great motion as the Cherubim in the chariot move Him as He commands. [3]
Artwork by Larsen - The Wheels
Picture posted by The Watchman's Post on 10 July 2016
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rXVU5sIe72A_vUmkS2bR63-w_eLCAMIPI0ZCBz7o3SuRjyn-MLPgWwlVTrij3F7v__KplPpNywXCODULVoOps-SZf18mBsfnxLDAYLXNjLv6AkRNlXxi3Ztzza6N2hZTJcLpRPytEJtQ/s1600/7-WHEELS-WITHIN-WHEELS-copy.jpg
https://e-watchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/7-WHEELS-WITHIN-WHEELS-copy.jpg
https://e-watchman.com/the-secretarys-inkhorn/


A gyroscope in operation.
PHOTO: A gyroscope in operation. Note the freedom of rotation in all three axes. The rotor will maintain its spin axis direction regardless of the orientation of the outer frame.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcQ5QUaHwP7YTYeXMeH513ek0w1RctwsoK5xK9SemOCrbvpEGhJjP_UpKp_Um6mzw99gWd9-5NhWBVbYWUqb4uNK9VMlAcnP3zjUYIZxrJPZhWObUkO9Du5knQOoa-E4X-gDTcgB5BJbd/s1600/Gyroscope_operation.gif
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Gyroscope_operation.gif/220px-Gyroscope_operation.gif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope


When we lift up praise to the King of Kings we can add our praise to theirs. We can say: "I join all of heaven in proclaiming your greatness O Mighty God." In that we are as close to the four living creatures as a prayer's breath away.


Dear Lord, We like to join all of heaven in proclaiming your greatness, who was and who is and who is to come. We pray that the Holy Spirit reveals the Truths contained in the Scripture; we ask for your help to take us to a deeper level than we could understand from merely
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, We like to join all of heaven in proclaiming your greatness, who was and who is and who is to come. We pray that the Holy Spirit reveals the Truths contained in the Scripture; we ask for your help to take us to a deeper level than we could understand from merely "reading". Especially the things God has prepared for those who love him. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!" [2]
Picture posted by Arte Digital
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoP3gSR5Y4XkM2BBSqme30eqbsyUxCpyo3Tr1mEsFP-3XEiiIS2nhDOd0QaS-C_Dq7wAPhLRNCCPeZmozqU9-g_C7Bi0otxqeaFvEyFoaLsh4aykozMmLkZP7oe_i87sBTK9PtAVm4BTY/s1600/obras+digitales-1+%25284%2529.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-7Ae7HY7PyWCkLzFeUduqpx1MyvnXeF64xHBjNy4vLpz38_BLtRrwtDnZ1OqXoYEqbhLU_eE_zldcvICILgmrLQp2BERxMArWRfzJaOWDnIv07SVU6zHfAIF13ut74ge38w0qftyJQ/s1600/obras+digitales-1+%284%29.jpg
http://www.taringa.net/post/imagenes/15709174/Arte-Digital.html

By Hannah's Cupboard, A ministry of Barbara Ladinais



Reference
[1] Hannah's Cupboard, A ministry of Barbara Ladinais, Ezekiel's Four Living Creatures, http://hannahscupboard.com/ST-4-living-creatures.html.

[2] Women Journeying Through The Bible . . ., Posted on 31 March 2015, Week 5 - Expecting . . . WAKE UP!, http://wjttb-womenofthebible.weebly.com/blog/week-5-expecting

[3] Daniel E. Woodhead, posted on 10 September 2015, The Heavens Opened to The Prophet Ezekiel, http://doctorwoodhead.com/the-heavens-opened-to-the-prophet-ezekiel/

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A9&version=NIV

Ezekiel 1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+1&version=NIV

Ezekiel 1:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+1%3A7&version=NIV

Ezekiel 1:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+1%3A10&version=NIV

Ezekiel 1:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+1%3A11&version=NIV

Revelation 4:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+4%3A8&version=NIV
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