And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
The vision of Ezekiel 1-2 is to be studied with humility and earnest prayer, for it holds a deep and important lesson for every one of God's workmen. The running and returning belongs to the symbol of wheels within wheels, which is confusion to the finite eye yet reveals a hand of infinite wisdom amid the wheels. Perfect order is brought out of the confusion, with every wheel working in its right place in perfect harmony with every other part of the machinery.
The running and returning describes movement with sudden, dazzling brightness and great speed, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. The living creatures are angels, God's heavenly messengers, and the image illustrates the swiftness of their flight, the glory of their appearance, and the speed of their activity in carrying out their missions. So dazzling is their glory and so swift their flight as they go forth, like bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning. Their tireless vigilance and unceasing ministry in connection with beings on earth shows how God's hand guides the wheel within a wheel.
Though the living creatures and wheels are intricate, confusing and seemingly unexplainable to the finite eye, they are governed by God's infinite wisdom, which brings perfect order and harmony out of the confusion. Heavenly beings direct the wheels, and every wheel works in its right place in perfect harmony with every other part. The vision thus reveals God's mighty rule and care for those loyal to him, showing heaven closely connected with events on earth. The Lord rules over coming events and holds the destiny of nations and the concerns of His church in His charge, overruling earthly powers to bring good to His faithful people.
God, who is continually at work, can carry His work forward in harmony and keep in perfect order what appears complicated to human minds. He can frustrate the plans of wicked people and bring to confusion the counsels of those plotting mischief against His people. The lightning-swift movement represents the speed with which God's final work will go forward to completion. It will be carried forward harmoniously by divine power that gives success to His servants when they put away iniquity and become pure in heart and life.
The vision of Ezekiel 1-2 is to be studied with humility and earnest prayer, for it holds a deep and important lesson for every one of God's workmen. The running and returning belongs to the symbol of wheels within wheels, which is confusion to the finite eye yet reveals a hand of infinite wisdom amid the wheels. Perfect order is brought out of the confusion, with every wheel working in its right place in perfect harmony with every other part of the machinery.
The running and returning describes movement with sudden, dazzling brightness and great speed, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. The living creatures are angels, God's heavenly messengers, and the image illustrates the swiftness of their flight, the glory of their appearance, and the speed of their activity in carrying out their missions. So dazzling is their glory and so swift their flight as they go forth, like bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning. Their tireless vigilance and unceasing ministry in connection with beings on earth shows how God's hand guides the wheel within a wheel.
Though the living creatures and wheels are intricate, confusing and seemingly unexplainable to the finite eye, they are governed by God's infinite wisdom, which brings perfect order and harmony out of the confusion. Heavenly beings direct the wheels, and every wheel works in its right place in perfect harmony with every other part. The vision thus reveals God's mighty rule and care for those loyal to him, showing heaven closely connected with events on earth. The Lord rules over coming events and holds the destiny of nations and the concerns of His church in His charge, overruling earthly powers to bring good to His faithful people.
God, who is continually at work, can carry His work forward in harmony and keep in perfect order what appears complicated to human minds. He can frustrate the plans of wicked people and bring to confusion the counsels of those plotting mischief against His people. The lightning-swift movement represents the speed with which God's final work will go forward to completion. It will be carried forward harmoniously by divine power that gives success to His servants when they put away iniquity and become pure in heart and life.