Pondering God’s Throne ( introduction)
Welcome ,
Imagine someone being born blind, never having seen the multitude of people, forms, and colors we look upon in everyday life. How could we describe to them this visual world we experience? In a similar way, none of us have ever seen God and none of us have seen or ascended into heaven (Jn.2.) Yet, there are descriptions of visions written down by the prophets; these are rare glimpses into heaven itself. Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, and others were given these special views into heaven. It often came in the form of prophetic visions, dreams, and spiritual revelations. These occasions give us a lens to look into the celestial unknown to what is normally unseen and it is made visible to us. This realm is vastly different from what we are familiar with. It is a place of radiant glory and splendor.
Consider these questions concerning the visions we will be looking at: Why were there cherubim and wheels under the throne in Ezekiel’s vision or on the throne that Daniel saw? What is the meaning of the cherubim surrounding the throne that the apostle John beheld ? There is something about this that perplexes the imagination. For one, it may be that it is unusual for a wheel to be associated with our modern view of a throne .
These wheels were first revealed to Ezekiel. At the beginning of the book, Ezekiel the prophet states he had visions of God . He wrote as he looked ” a whirlwind came out of the north” (v-4.) In the distance he saw an immense storm cloud flashing like fire. In the center of this he saw what looked like four living creatures. Their appearance was the form of men , but each had four faces and wings . Each had the face of a man ,an eagle, a lion ,and an ox. These creatures moved about and had wheels beside each of them . These glowed of burning fire and were full of eyes and awesome in appearance. ” (Ez. chp.1)
He described over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament or dome shining like crystal. The thunderous sound he heard was like the voice of the Almighty. He wrote, ” Then I looked ,and behold ,on the firmament that was covering the heads of the cherubim there appeared above them something like a sapphire, in form resembling a throne; and seated above this was a likeness as it were of a human form . And upward from what had the appearance of his loins I saw as it were gleaming bronze, like the appearance of fire enclosed round about ……Like the appearance of a bow that is in a cloud … such 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 the voice of one speaking .” (v-26-28)
And he said to me ” Son of man , Stand upon your feet and I will speak to you ….I send you to the people of Israel, to a rebellious house… And you shall speak my words to them whether they hear or refuse to hear .” ( ch.2) In this is a message from the throne.
Ezekiel starts relating what he saw with the phrase ” the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God ” ( v-2. ) It is the Lord who opened a window in order for the prophet to see. Obviously, this imagery of the heavenly realities describes something very different from what is normally seen in the natural world. Ezekiel used the closest words he knew of to describe these things. God himself is allowing the prophet to peer into the very deepest chamber of his dwelling . We have doors and partitions to separate what is public from private. The heavenly realm is normally invisible, but visible to those whom God allowed this spiritual insight.
To get to the answers mentioned above involves a step on the part of the reader to think beyond the natural world. It also requires us leaving stereotyped popular views of the heavenly realm and looking at it afresh , objectively from a prophetic Biblical view; from the descriptions inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The prophet related what he was given to see in the form of similes. His words can only go so far, and beyond that it is truly indescribable. His vision takes us to the edge of the circle . Although all these things were literally seen and these were real living creatures , could it be that much of this passage was meant to be understood in a figurative sense? This fuller meaning can only be brought to light by carefully applying other relevant scriptures.
” Likeness ” of a throne
It should be said as this point that all the descriptions of the throne and cherubim wheels etc , are only representations. Describing the indescribable. Sometimes they are 3 steps removed from the true heavenly realities. Such was the “appearance” of the ” likeness”of the ” glory “of the Lord. Thus how awesome the real manifestation must be. The Apostle Paul said he was caught up in the third heaven and saw things that ought not to be described. God doesn’t inhabit a physical location or seat in some earthly way, but these are simply distant approximations of heavenly realities. He doesn’t materially ride a throne with wheels, however the cherubim are real and he is enthroned upon them. God’s glory is so incredible that even a distant approximation of Him is awesome.
It is helpful to try to get a mental picture of what is occurring in these passages. Images convey meanings . When the words of Scripture where penned, it had a purpose for all time (both for then and now.) The Lord could have had Ezekiel simply see some ornate chair throne and went on with the narrative, but there is much detail. Perhaps we have an advantage due to our modern technology with its movies and special effects and science fiction. Yet other things are lost; the cultural significance and the language issues and meanings of words .
God is a God of self- revelation and He reveals himself to his servants . The Lord manifested himself to Ezekial in an awesome way and gave him a message. It is also interesting to note that Ezekiel had this vision just prior to a very significant event, the destruction of the first temple and the total exile of God’s people to Babylon. Another question to add is why were the cheribum and the wheels shown at all? What’s the point ?
What is happening ? Let us proceed with some primary observations. Imagine assembling many pieces of a puzzle. Like a detective searching out the truth of a mystery, often it is helpful to first look at passages inductively, gathering the known facts, before trying to interpret its meaning or application .
Blessing,
Tom@upwardcall.net