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Ellen White advocates that we study the tenth,
eleventh and twelfth chapter of Ezekiel with critical, thoughtful
attention. It is the purpose of this document to do exactly that. I will
include all the verses of those important chapters and comment on them.
“The Lord reads
the heart as an open book. The men who are not connected with God have
done many things after the imagination of their own evil hearts. The Lord
declares concerning them, "They have turned unto Me their back, and
not the face, though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them;
yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. We are amid the
perils of the last days, the
time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be
fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be
fulfilled to the very letter. Study also
the tenth
chapter which represents
the hand of God as at work to bring perfect method and harmonious working
into all the operations of his prepared instrumentalities. The eleventh and twelfth
chapters also should receive critical, thoughtful attention. Let these prophecies be
studied on your knees before God; unless you take up the stumbling-blocks
which by your own perverse spirit you have laid in the way of many who
have been connected with you, God will turn His face utterly from you and
your associates.”{ 1888 1303.1}
Ezekiel
10
1 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above
the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire
stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
In verse 1, the vision described in
chapter 1:15-28 reappears to Ezekiel. He sees what appears as a sapphire
throne.
2 And he
spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the
wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire
from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went
in in my sight.
3 Now the
cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and
the cloud filled the inner court. 4 Then the glory of the LORD
went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and
the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the
brightness of the LORD's glory.
5 And the
sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the
voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
6 And it
came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen,
saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims;
then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
7 And one
cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire
that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the
hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.
8 And
there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their
wings.
9 And when
I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one
cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the
wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
10 And as
for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been
in the midst of a wheel.
11 When
they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went,
but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned
not as they went.
12 And
their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and
the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four
had.
13 As for
the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
14 And
every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and
the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion,
and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15 And the
cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the
river of Chebar.
16 And when
the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims
lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also
turned not from beside them.
17 When
they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up
themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
18 Then the
glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood
over the cherubims.
19 And the
cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my
sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every
one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory
of the God of Israel was over them above.
20 This is
the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of
Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
21 Every
one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of
the hands of a man was under their wings.
22 And the
likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of
Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight
forward.
Overview
Ezekiel chapter
1 is definitive of some of the symbolism of chapters 10, 11, 12. Ezekiel
is in vision beholding the throne of God. He sees cheribims. The
cheribims are angelic beings flanking God’s throne. They are celestial
nature and of human form, though with wings. Ezekiel implies that a being
was upon the throne in verse 2 wherein the words “he spake” appear. And
of course the being on the throne is Christ. In verse 2 Christ speaks to
the man in linen. That man is the captain of the six ministers of judgment.
These are heavenly messengers.
“Those whom God
employs as his messengers are not to feel that his work is dependent upon
them. Finite men are not left to carry this burden of responsibility. In
Ezekiel's vision, God had his hand
beneath the wings of the cherubim. This is to teach his servants that
it is divine power that gives them success. He will work with them if
they will put away iniquity, and become pure in heart and life. The heavenly messengers seen
by Ezekiel, like a bright light going among the living creatures with
the swiftness of lightning, represent the speed with which this work
will finally go forward to completion. He who slumbers not, who is
continually at work for the accomplishment of His designs, can carry
forward His great work harmoniously. That which appears to finite minds
entangled and complicated, the Lord's hand can keep in perfect order. He
can devise ways and means to thwart the purposes of wicked counselors,
and those who plot out mischief.” {RH, January 11, 1887 par. 18}
“The class who do not feel grieved
over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others,
will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions his
messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands:
"Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye
spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the
mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which
were before the house." {RH, January 11, 1887
par. 11}
Remember, “his messengers,” are the heavenly messengers (angels) as
per the first E.G. White statement above. This has been erroneously
interpreted by some offshoots to mean that the 144,000 are these
messengers and that they do the slaughtering. That is not true.
The man in linen (captain of the
ministers of judgment) is told to fill his hands with coals of fire and
scatter them over the city (Jerusalem). The Temple and then the city were
burned. The slaughter weapons of Ezekiel 9 included these coals of fire
as well as the swords of the Babylonians who slew men, maidens and little
children.
In verse 3, the glory of the Lord
departs from the House of Jacob to the threshold. In verse 5 the sound of
the cheribims wings are heard so they were in motion preparing to depart
from the Temple. The cheribims are directed by the voice of the Almighty
God, verse 5.
In verse 8, the appearance of a man’s
hand is symbolic of the hand of the Omnipotent One who sustains and
guides the heavenly beings. These, in turn, impelled the wheels, symbolic
of the hand of God in the affairs of this earth:
“While nations have rejected God's
principles, and in this rejection have wrought their own ruin, yet a
divine, overruling purpose has manifestly been at work throughout the
ages. It was this that the prophet Ezekiel saw in the wonderful
representation given him during his exile in the land of the Chaldeans,
when before his astonished gaze were portrayed the symbols that revealed
an overruling Power that has to do with the affairs of earthly rulers.
{PK 535.2}
Upon the banks of the river Chebar, Ezekiel beheld a whirlwind
seeming to come from the north, "a great cloud, and a fire infolding
itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as
the color of amber." A number of wheels intersecting one another
were moved by four living beings. High above all these "was the
likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the
likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above
upon it." "And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a
man's hand under their wings." Ezekiel 1:4, 26; 10:8. The wheels
were so complicated in arrangement that at first sight they appeared to
be in confusion; yet they moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained
and guided by the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, were impelling
those wheels; above them, upon the sapphire throne, was the Eternal One;
and round about the throne was a rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy. {PK
535.3}
As the wheellike complications were under the guidance of the hand
beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated play of human
events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of nations
He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs of this
earth. {PK 536.1}
The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and to
every individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men
and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes
no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God
is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes.” {PK 536.2}
From the book Education:
“This lesson is taught in a wonderful
symbolic representation given to the prophet Ezekiel during his exile in
the land of the Chaldeans. The vision was given at a time when Ezekiel
was weighed down with sorrowful memories and troubled forebodings. The
land of his fathers was desolate. Jerusalem was depopulated. The prophet
himself was a stranger in a land where ambition and cruelty reigned
supreme. As on every hand he beheld tyranny and wrong, his soul was
distressed, and he mourned day and night. But the symbols presented to
him revealed a power above that of earthly rulers. {Ed 177.2}
Upon the banks of the river Chebar,
Ezekiel beheld a whirlwind seeming to come from the north, "a great
cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and
out of the midst thereof as the color of amber." A number of wheels,
intersecting one another, were moved by four living beings. High above
all these "was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a
sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the
appearance of a man above upon it." "And there appeared in the
cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings." Ezekiel 1:4,
26, 10:8. The wheels were so complicated in arrangement that at first
sight they appeared to be in confusion; but they moved in perfect
harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by the hand beneath the
wings of the cherubim, were impelling these wheels; above them, upon the
sapphire throne, was the Eternal One; and round about the throne a
rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy. {Ed 177.3}
As the wheellike complications were
under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the
complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the
strife and tumult of nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still
guides the affairs of the earth.” {Ed 178.1}
From Gospel
Workers:
To the prophet, the wheel within a
wheel, the appearance of living creatures connected with them, all seemed
intricate and unexplainable. But the hand of Infinite Wisdom is seen
among the wheels, and perfect order is the result of its work. Every
wheel, directed by the hand of God, works in perfect harmony with every
other wheel. I have been shown that human instrumentalities are liable to
seek after too much power, and try to control the work themselves. They leave
the Lord God, the mighty Worker, too much out of their methods and plans,
and do not trust to Him everything in regard to the advancement of the
work. No one should for a moment fancy that he is able to manage those
things that belong to the great I AM. God in His providence is preparing
a way so that the work may be done by human agents. Then let every man
stand at his post of duty, to act his part for this time, and know that
God is his instructor. {GW 489.1}
From Testimonies,
Vol. 5 751:
“This vision was
given to Ezekiel at a time when his mind was filled with gloomy
forebodings. He saw the land of his fathers lying desolate. The city that
was once full of people was no longer inhabited. The voice of mirth and
the song of praise were no more heard within her walls. The prophet himself
was a stranger in a strange land, where boundless ambition and savage
cruelty reigned supreme. That which he saw and heard of human tyranny and
wrong distressed his soul, and he mourned bitterly day and night. But the
wonderful symbols presented before him beside the river Chebar revealed
an overruling power mightier than that of earthly rulers. Above the proud
and cruel monarchs of Assyria and Babylon the God of mercy and truth was
enthroned. {5T 752.1}
The wheellike complications that
appeared to the prophet to be involved in such confusion were under the
guidance of an infinite hand. The Spirit of God, revealed to him as
moving and directing these wheels, brought harmony out of confusion; so
the whole world was under His control. Myriads of glorified beings were
ready at His word to overrule the power and policy of evil men, and bring
good to His faithful ones. {5T 752.2}
In like manner, when God was about
to open to the beloved John the history of the church for future ages, He
gave him an assurance of the Saviour's interest and care for His people
by revealing to him "One like unto the Son of man," walking
among the candlesticks, which symbolized the seven churches. While John
was shown the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, he
was also permitted to behold the final victory and deliverance of the
faithful. He saw the church brought into deadly conflict with the beast
and his image, and the worship of that beast enforced on pain of death.
But looking beyond the smoke and din of the battle, he beheld a company
upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having, instead of the mark of the beast,
the "Father's name written in their foreheads." And again he
saw "them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the
sea of glass, having the harps of God" and singing the song of Moses
and the Lamb. {5T 752.3}
These lessons are for our benefit.
We need to stay our faith upon God, for there is just before us a time
that will try men's souls. Christ, upon the Mount of Olives, rehearsed
the fearful judgments that were to precede His second coming: "Ye
shall hear of wars and rumors of wars." "Nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines,
and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the
beginning of sorrows." While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment
at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application to
the last days. {5T 753.1}
We are standing on the threshold of
great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the
door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest
to all living. The controversies of the past are to be revived; new controversies
will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not yet even
dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. Those who are making
an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday
observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon
us. {5T 753.2}
But God's servants are not to trust
to themselves in this great emergency. In the visions given to Isaiah, to
Ezekiel, and to John we see how closely heaven is connected with the
events taking place upon the earth and how great is the care of God for
those who are loyal to Him. The world is not without a ruler. The program
of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has
the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own
charge.” {5T 753.3}
From Testimonies,
Vol. 5, 754:
“In Ezekiel's vision God had His hand
beneath the wings of the cherubim. This is to teach His servants that it
is divine power that gives them success. He will work with them if they
will put away iniquity and become pure in heart and life. {5T 754.1}
The bright light going among the
living creatures with the swiftness of lightning represents the speed
with which this work will finally go forward to completion. He who
slumbers not, who is continually at work for the accomplishment of His
designs, can carry forward His great work harmoniously. That which
appears to finite minds entangled and complicated, the Lord's hand can
keep in perfect order. He can devise ways and means to thwart the
purposes of wicked men, and He will bring to confusion the counsels of
them that plot mischief against His people. {5T 754.2}
Brethren, it is no time now for
mourning and despair, no time to yield to doubt and unbelief. Christ is
not now a Saviour in Joseph's new tomb, closed with a great stone and
sealed with the Roman seal; we have a risen Saviour. He is the King, the
Lord of hosts; He sitteth between the cherubim; and amid the strife and
tumult of nations He guards His people still. He who ruleth in the
heavens is our Saviour. He measures every trial. He watches the furnace
fire that must test every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall be
overthrown, when the arrows of God's wrath shall strike through the
hearts of His enemies, His people will be safe in His hands. {5T 754.3}
From the book Education:
“Upon the banks
of the river Chebar, Ezekiel beheld a whirlwind seeming to come from the
north, "a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness
was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber." A
number of wheels, intersecting one another, were moved by four living
beings. High above all these "was the likeness of a throne, as the
appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was
the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it." "And
there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their
wings." Ezekiel 1:4, 26, 10:8. The wheels were so complicated in
arrangement that at first sight they appeared to be in confusion; but
they moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by
the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, were impelling these wheels;
above them, upon the sapphire throne, was the Eternal One; and round
about the throne a rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy. {Ed 177.3}
As the wheellike complications were
under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the
complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the
strife and tumult of nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still
guides the affairs of the earth.” {Ed 178.1}
From Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing:
“In the vision
of the prophet Ezekiel there was the appearance of a hand beneath the
wings of the cherubim. This is to teach His servants that it is divine
power which gives them success. Those whom God employs as His messengers
are not to feel that His work is dependent upon them. Finite beings are
not left to carry this burden of responsibility. He who slumbers not, who
is continually at work for the accomplishment of His designs, will carry
forward His own work. He will thwart the purposes of wicked men, and will
bring to confusion the counsels of those who plot mischief against His
people. He who is the King, the
Lord of hosts, sitteth between the cherubim, and amid the strife and
tumult of nations He guards His children still. He who ruleth in the
heavens is our Saviour. He measures every trial, He watches the furnace fire that must test every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall
be overthrown, when the arrows of wrath shall strike through the hearts
of His enemies, His people will be safe in His hands.
"Thine, O Lord, is the
greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the
majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine. . . .
In Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great,
and to give strength unto all." 1 Chronicles 29:11, 12. {MB 122.1}
The end of Part
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