Ezekiel 1:5
Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
The vision containing the four living creatures was given to the prophet while in exile beside the river Chebar. Four living creatures with the likeness of a man appeared within a fiery storm, connected with and moving wheels described as wheels within wheels. The living creatures and wheels look intricate and hard to explain, appearing as confusion to the finite eye, but infinite wisdom governs them and brings every part into perfect order and harmony, with every wheel working in its right place in agreement with every other part. The vision shows heavenly beings serving God enthroned above them, whose power rules over earthly rulers.
The vision shows heaven closely connected with events on earth and reveals divine care for those loyal to God, teaching that the world has a ruler who holds coming events, the destiny of nations, and the concerns of the church in his charge. The four living creatures are winged beings standing on each side of the cloudy chariot of God that carries the redeemed upward toward the New Jerusalem, with living wheels beneath the chariot. As the chariot ascends the wheels, the moving wings, the surrounding angels, and the redeemed join in exclamations of holiness and praise to the Lord God Almighty.
The vision in Ezekiel 1-2 holds a deep and important lesson for every worker for God and should be studied with humility and earnest prayer. The vision teaches workers for God to depend on divine direction rather than attempt to control the work themselves or take credit for it.