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The Ensign in the Heavens, Pt. 3
Ezekiel 1:10 says, “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.”
Back to the camp of Israel. The four main encampments were the tribes of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim and Dan. The banner of Judah contained the ensign of a lion, representing the constellation of what we know as Leo, which it should be known as Judah. The lion is known as being the “king of the jungle,” with a bold roar and a huge bite! The banner of Reuben contained the ensign of a man, representing the constellation of Aquarius. Man has been created in the image of God, to walk in dominion over all of creation. Jesus Christ also fashioned Himself as a man, to make Himself low as a servant and die for all humankind so we can find salvation in Him! The banner of Ephraim contained the ensign of an ox, representing the constellation of Taurus. An ox is the king of the field, known for its work and labor in the harvest. Finally, the banner of Dan contained the ensign of an eagle, representing the constellation of Scorpio. An eagle is the king of the air, with leadership and vision like no other, flying alone! The images are an ox, eagle, lion and a man. Does that sound familiar? In Ezekiel 1:5-28 and 10:1-22, the prophet Ezekiel had a vision of four living creatures, each having the likeness of a man, meaning that they had two legs, two arms and that type of thing. But each one had four faces, and every one had four wings. The four faces were the face of a man, lion, ox and an eagle! Their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps because when you are in the presence of God, who is a Consuming Fire, it will spread upon you like wild fire! It could also explain why Isaiah in Isaiah 6 that when he saw the angels praising and worshiping God around the throne and felt so unworthy that an angel took a live coal and put it upon hDis tongue! They went forth like lightning, which could be why Jesus beheld beheld Satan as lightning that fell from heaven (Luke 10:18). They four living creatures could have been the official escort from the throne of God! So, the praises of the tribes of Israel are reflected before God’s throne, and their praises can be seen as even throwing down their adversary!
Revelation 4:5-11 describe their worship, which says, “5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” These four beasts never rest, but every day and night they cry, “Holy to the LORD.” They give thanks to God, who is on His throne forevermore. The 24 elders represent two covenants, the old and the new, with the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ! They had to fall down before Him and cast their crowns before His throne and cry, “Worthy is the LORD!” We were created to worship Him, and it is to harmonize with the angels of heaven. It is a natural desire for people to seek for the truth and find a God to fill them spiritually. Do not go to drugs, pornography, perversion or alcohol for a god. Do not try Wicca, Buddah, Allah, Krishna, or any other false god, prophet or religion. There is no other name whereby men must be saved than that name which is Jesus Christ! Fill up that void through a relationship with God!
From this scripture, we also that they beasts were full of eyes within. In Ezekiel 1:15-21, and 10:12, we read of how Ezekiel saw a wheel upon the earth. The wheel was like the color of a beryl, and it appeared as a wheel in the middle of a wheel. The rings of the wheel were full of eyes round about, just as the four living creatures were full of eyes, and wherever the living creatures went, so wen the wheels. The spirit of the living creatures were in the wheels! This reminds me of 2 Chronicles 16:9a, which says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” As the devil is searching for those who live for God, whose heart is perfect toward God, to attack and destroy them just in the case of Job. He did not say for those who were perfect and never made a mistake, but those whose hearts are perfect! There is a difference. On the other hand, the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the earth seeking for those very same people to show Himself strong, defending them in the faith!
Now, as for the wheel, the Hebrew word for it here is “ophan”, which literally means “to revolve.” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary) The reason is because everything revolves around the sun! In Joseph’s dream, the sun represented Jacob and the constellations the 12 tribes of Israel.The wheel in the midst of the wheel could possibly be the pathway of the planets or comets orbiting or revolving around the sun. The sun for us would of course be Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Malachi 4:2 says, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Jesus Christ is that Sun of Righteousness, and everything surrounds Him! It shows that Jesus Christ is the centerpiece, not only of civilization, but of the universe! It “could” be that the rings were the patterns of the orbits of certain planets whose wheels appeared as “beryl”, which is bluish green. Four planets are of this color, which includes Earth, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. The path of their orbit, which appears as rings, could be full of eyes, which symbolizes the stars that shine so brightly! It demonstrates the Spirit of God in control of nature and creation, and that even the heavens declare His praises and that the devil is defeated! If you let the devil take away your praise, you have let him rob you of your victory! Keep your praise. Let nothing stop you!