Updated: Oct. 20, 2005
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CHARIOTS OF THE BIBLE
Chariots or vehicles of the Bible are talked about and mentioned a great deal throughout the Old and New Testaments. What are these vehicles? Are they real? Or just a vision or delusion that plagues the mind? Are they really advanced aliens at the helms of these craft? Let’s take a look at a news article placed by the BBC on July 1st 1998.
UFOs mystify scientists
The first independent scientific study of UFO sightings in almost 30 years has concluded that some cases merit further investigation. But the scientists did not go as far as saying there was proof that aliens exist. Instead the international panel stressed it had found no evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
Despite their reservations, the scientists concluded some sightings are accompanied by compelling physical evidence that warrants further study. "If there is an interest in trying to get serious answers to the UFO problem, it would be sensible for scientists to focus on the physical evidence as opposed to witness testimony," said the panel's director, Peter Sturrock of Stanford University.
The report says the scientific community might learn something worthwhile if it overcame a fear of ridicule associated with the topic and got some funding for targeted research. "It may be valuable to carefully evaluate UFO reports to extract information about unusual phenomena currently unknown to science," said the report. The report was put together by a group of astronomers, physicists and experts in other scientific disciplines.
Sightings 'not easily explained'
It is the first independent review of UFO phenomena since 1968, when the US Air Force commissioned the University of Colorado to conduct a scientific study of UFOs. The panel examined evidence including photographs of purported UFOs, radar data and reports of soil damage near supposed UFO landing sites. Some of the reports could have been explained by rare natural phenomena such as electrical activity above thunderstorms.
Others were due to secret military activities. But it concluded that some of the phenomena related to UFOs could not be easily explained. Most current UFO investigations lack the level of rigor required by the scientific community, despite the initiative and dedication of the investigators involved. But the panel said that new data, scientifically acquired and analyzed, could yield useful information and advance our understanding of UFO sightings. The full report is published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration.
Chariots of the Bible
The Bible speaks in many places making reference to these whirlwinds that come from the sky. The word "whirlwind" is mentioned around 27 times throughout the bible. Not always suggesting a spinning vehicle, but a spinning object or a strong spinning wind. Let's take a look at this word in the Hebrew. It is "Sah-ar" or "seh-aw-raw" which means: A Hurricane - Storm; A tempest whirlwind".
This word as it is used in II Kings 2:1; 2:11, suggests this is a hurricane, or a storm. We also know that a spinning storm or spinning wind is what took Elijah into heaven. But we will soon find that this wind has substances to it. In other words, there is something in the midst of this wind.
II Kings 2: 1-12
1: And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up E-li'jah into heaven by a whirlwind, that E-li'jah went with E-li'sha from Gilgal.
How was God going to take Elijah into heaven with a spinning wind or storm? Wouldn't he have died? Is that what God intended? Well, the scripture doesn't indicate Elijah died. In fact, scripture indicates he did not see death and will be coming back. Not my words, God's Word.
Malachi 4: 5-6
4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
What great and dreadful day? This is speaking of the Lord's Day. We see in the Book of Revelation 11:3-9 that there will be two witnesses that will speak great things against the beast and false messiah and turn many hearts back to the Father.
There was also another strange phenomena that took place in Genesis 5:21-24.
Genesis 5: 21-24
5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Where did he go? Did God kill him? No, we see in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch would also not see death.
Hebrews 11: 5
11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
What is this translated business? The word as it is used in the Greek is: "Metatithemi" ( met-at-ith'-ay-mee ) and it means: To transfer, i.e. 'transport' exchange, change sides, carry over, change, remove.
This is referring to transportation, by means of a vehicle. In order for Enoch and Elijah to 'not see death' as the scripture states, this 'vehicle' would have had to be equipped / modified to preserve the flesh body, from seeing death.
Now I've heard many Christians state;
"Ahh-Haa"! Here is clear-clean cut proof of a 'rapture'! This is "The blessed hope" they say.
Is it? Well now let's use our heads for a moment. Aren't we told that a 'rapture' or a 'catching up' happens in a twinkling of an eye? I Corinthians 15:52
But Elijah knew he was going on a trip. So there was no big surprise about him being taken, unlike a 'rapture' where it happens suddenly and unknown to the subject. Also, aren't we told that no flesh can enter the kingdom of heaven?
I Corinthians 15:50
For if these men "Enoch and Elijah" were raptured, it would have meant they would have to put off the flesh. Especially if they are in heaven. But when we use the word 'translated' we see some sort of transportation or transporter / vehicle being used to carry them.
God has a special purpose for them. No doubt saving them until the very end. But their flesh was taken on board. Therefore, they have not seen death. Unlike a 'rapture' where the flesh must be put off. This did not happen in there case.
Now the scripture doesn't necessarily state, that the two witnesses spoken of in Revelation 11, will be Elijah and Enoch. But logically speaking, these are the only two known men in the Bible ( aside from Christ ) that have both met a unique departure from earth. They both have not seen death. Not to mention, God makes it very clear that Elijah would be coming back before the Day of the Lord. The evidence is staggering here.
Let's briefly summarize this Book of II Kings 2 and get to why we came here. Let's continue -
II Kings 2:2-12
2:2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2:6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on
2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
Throughout Elisha's ministry, we see Elijah telling Elisha to "Go Back" I Kings 19:19-20. Now we see something quite different. He's now saying; " Stay here with me." And that's what Elisha does. He stayed with Elijah till the very last.
There were also some witnesses or "prophets" who would now stand a far distance, in hope of seeing what was about to transpire. Unlike a 'rapture' everyone knew what was about to transpire. These no doubt were students of this ministry.
2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
It looks as though there was some sort of parting of a river, similar to how Moses parted the Red Sea. My guess is that this is probably the Jordan River or other body of water. Also note, both Elisha and Elijah were fully aware of what was about to take place.
2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
After reading this, you can see that there is something in the midst of this whirlwind. The whirlwind seems to be more of an 'action' or 'condition' that is caused by these horses of fire. This is not a rapture! A rapture is a rapid event that happens in a 'twinkling of an eye'. This however, "appeared"! It materialized. It had substance to it. There is no mention of a 'blink of an eye' vanishing act here.
Now let's take a look in the book of Ezekiel. Probably one of the best descriptions of these spinning chariots or vehicles.
You must understand that in Ezekiel’s time, Israel had not seen the likes of the horse. They have seen the Burrow or the ass, but the horse was a much larger and stronger more powerful means of transportation.
When in most parts of the bible where you hear of whirlwinds, chariots or horses of fire being described. The writer's had to use the only thing that was available to him at the time, and that was the horse pulling the chariot or cart. The horse being the engine or muscle, and the chariot or cart being the actual vehicle, seat or 'transporter'.
EZEKIEL 1:1-28
1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
Ezekiel was called to minister and prophecy while being a captive in Babylon. Part of his job was to teach among his fellow captives. ( Most likely to spread hope among themselves ).
Many Christians will say that Ezekiel was dreaming and asleep. But a vision is something that happens when an individual is awake or conscious. Notice the word 'expressly'. It came to him speedily and directed to him. Ezekiel was not sleeping nor was he dreaming. The heavens opened up and he saw visions. The word visions, as it is used in the manuscripts is mar'ah (mar-aw), bringing it back to the root word mar'eh (mar'eh): It has many applications;
A view (the act of seeing) also an appearance. (The thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome. comeliness; the looks), or (mental) a vision: - apparently, appearance -reth, look (up), on to. To see, seem, sight, visage, vision. A mirror: - Looking glass, Vision.
1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
There we see that whirlwind again. But we now have a little more detail as to the appearance of this whirlwind. We see that it appeared to be on fire. It was very bright amber color and probably looked like smoke coming from this spinning, bright object forming in this cloud.
Let's break it down into the original language and find out what some of these keywords mean in the Hebrew. Let us take the word "colour", The word color as we know it, describes just that. Whether something is black, red, large or small. It tells us what it looks like as far as it appears to us.
In the Hebrew, the word Color is: `ayin (ah'-yin) And it simply means: an eye, appearance. In other words, "It appears to the eye". This verse is telling the reader that Ezekiel saw something appear, and it was amber.
Now let's take the word amber. To the English speaker, amber generally tells us that something is a golden color or a yellow type color. However, it has a different meaning or description in the Hebrew. This word amber in the Hebrew is "chashmal" (khash-mal) and it means Bronze, highly polished spectrum metal or metalic substance.
So what is Ezekiel saying?
Let's put some of this together. It appears to Ezekiel's eye as a highly polished bronze metallic substance. We have a spinning metallic bronze object that looks as though fire and smoke are being produced from it.
What ever Ezekiel is describing, we still have nothing known to mankind, that can move in a spinning trajectory that would seem to hover. And especially nothing like this in Ezekiel's time.
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.
1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
1:7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
What are these four living creatures? Are these little green men? Let's not get carried away here. These creatures are being described as having straight feet. Meaning, there is no joint or bend in the leg. Could Ezekiel be describing some sort of landing gear?
1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
1:9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
These are after all in the sky. And there wings were joined together and they turend not when they went. The best analogy to this is the modern helicopter of today. A helicopter can hover, go up, down, backwards and forward, without giving any inclination to the person who is observing it from the ground. It's hard to anticipate its movement. Unlike a horse, where it's head turns, the body is sure to go. These creatures on the other hand, did not have a designated head that gave any indication on when or where it would move next. These are the guardians of God's throne.
Why would God have guards around his throne?
God has always had protectors of his throne. These creatures were created with a specific purpose and that was to Guard or 'cover' His seat. As we see in Exodus, Satan was once a protecting cherub that covered the throne. And it was Satan's desire to sit on this throne. Let's document Satan's role as 'guardian' and his fall from grace.
EXODUS 25:17-22
25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
God instructed Moses to build the ark and to create this throne with two Cherubim’s that cover the seat with their wings. God would commune with Moses and to the children of Israel. This would be God's throne on earth. Satan as we will soon document, was one of those covering cherubs. Ezekiel 28:12-19
Also note, that not only was the ark a solid and physical object, but so were the items contained in side.
The Stone Tablets of the Law Exodus 31:18 Exodus 32:16,19 Exodus 34:1 Aaron's Rod that Budded Numbers 17:1 -13 The Golden Pot with Manna Exodus 16:1-36 All of these items were placed inside the Ark. Many have theories and have guessed to the where abouts of this Ark. I'll share my theories a little later on in this article.
Now let's document the role Satan once performed, before his rebellion.
EZEKIEL 28:12-19
28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
God is saying that I made you the perfect creation. Full of wisdom and beautiful in every way. God documenting the fact that he was present in Eden way back in Genesis. Describing precious stones and comparing them to Satan's perfection in beauty, just as we delight in gem stones such as diamonds, rubies, etc.
28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Satan was the anointed cherub that did protect God's throne. We see these stones of fire. We shall soon see them again described at the altar or throne of God.
28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Here we see a prophetic event that will soon come to pass. God casting Satan down to earth. And his appearance is bright, as a bright morning star falling to earth. Many who see him and his beauty will be fooled in thinking he's the Messiah. Only he's the fake. And he will be seen before kings.
Revelation 8:10 - Revelation 9:1
28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
28:19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Here we see this prophetic event that will soon come to pass, when Satan is kicked out of heaven and falls to earth. 'Play acting' as the Messiah for a short period of time. Sitting in the Temple, where 'he ought not'. Making craft prosper in his hand. Daniel 8:1-27
This is that Abomination of Desolation standing in the Holy place mentioned by Daniel the prophet. Matthew 24:14-16 Mark 13:13-14. "Whoso readeth, let him understand" that this is not a condition, but an entity, a being. It's Satan.
Then, upon the sound of the 7th trump, and no time before it! Satan is bound and thrown into the pit at the true coming of Messiah. He is then bound and held for 1000 years, ushering in what is known as 'the millennium'.
ISAIAH 14:12-16
14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
And there we have it. This is how Satan fell. And this is why God needed these four living creatures that we see in Ezekiel and in Revelation, to no doubt take the place of Satan. It was his pride that got the best of him. He wanted to be as God. He wanted to sit on the throne. His heart was exalted above all and beyond. He really thought he was something else.
Let's continue on with Ezekiel 1:10
EZEKIEL 1:10
1:10 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.
Now let's think for a moment, and look back to the book of Numbers. Just what are we seeing? These faces of the living creatures are the standards or the "flags" of the tribes of Israel. Especially when we see a specific direction given for the face of the lion. Let's take a look into the book of Numbers, to get a better understanding of what it is we are seeing.
NUMBERS 2:1-34
2:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2:2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
What we are about to witness is God giving Moses and Aaron some 'instruction' on how to set up the Jewish encampment. And to place up the standard or flags, using the ensign of their father's clan or tribe. In other words, we are about to see how these tribes are numbered according to their tribe, and in what geographical location they would each face.
The Tribe of Judah ( The Lion )
2:3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
2:4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
2:5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.
2:6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
2:7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
2:8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
What the heck are we seeing now? We are seeing the smaller tribes or clans, being numbered, and making up the much larger house or tribe of Judah.
2:9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
What is the standard or ensign for the house of Judah? It's the Lion. And they would face and protect East towards the rising sun. (Deut. 33:7; Judges 1:3; 2Sam. 2:10; 19:11; 1Kings 12:21; Hebrews 7:14; Rev. 5:5; 1Chr. 2:3). (Jacob's fourth son, of Leah)
The Tribe of Reuben ( The Man )
2:10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
2:11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
2:12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
2:13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
2:14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
2:15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
Again, we are numbering the much smaller clans that will ultimately make up the much larger house of Reuben.
2:16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
The Standard for the tribe of Reuben is the man. And this tribe would protect the southern part of this massive camp. (1Chr. 5:1) Reuben (Jacob's first born son, of Leah), firstborn of the Twelve.
The Tribe of Ephraim ( The Ox or Bull )
2:18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
2:19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
2:20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
2:21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
2:22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
2:23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
2:24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
Here we have Ephriam, and the flag they flew was that of the Ox. Ephriam would camp on the west. (Numbers 1:33; Deut. 33:17; Jos. 16:5; Judges 1:22; 8:1; 12:1; 2Sam. 2:9; 1Chr. 7:20-29; 2Chr. 15:9; 28:7; Isa. 11:13). (Actually from Joseph' second son, but later recognized as a separate tribe in Gen. 48:5. Manasseh and Ephraim counted instead of Joseph and Levi.).
The Tribe of Dan ( The Eagle )
2:25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
2:26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
2:27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
2:28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
2:29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
2:30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred
2:31 All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
The tribe of Dan's standard is the Eagle. And this tribe would protect the northern portion of the encampment. (Numbers 1:39; Jos 19:48; Judges 18:30; Gen. 46:23). (Jacob's ninth son, of Bilhah). Seldom mentioned in the Bible.
2:32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
2:34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
Let's get a visual picture here for a moment. Or better yet, an aerial picture.
If we assemble what we can infer from the Torah account, we can imagine what the camp of Israel looked like from above: the tabernacle and the Levites in the center, surrounded by the four faces of the tribal standards, and each of the four camps of Judah, Ephraim, Reuben, and Dan, stretching out in the four cardinal directions.
We can also tally the size of each tribe to total the relative length of each camp as they stretched out in each of the four directions. The plan view, on a relative scale, is shown below.
It would appear to us that it is a cross! Some have even further commented, it would look to be in the shape of the Star of David. In either case, make no question, it was done for a purpose.
What we are seeing in Ezekiel 1:5, is that these creatures or 'vehicles' have Israel written all over them. Making known to the reader and to Ezekiel, that he's witnessing and about to receive a message from God. The God of Israel. So there's no big mystery or mistake on what we are seeing.
Also note the direction the Lion would face in Ezek 1:10. It would face to the right side, which is the east when using a compus. And to the left or west, would face the Ox. Ezekiel made it a point to mention this giving no doubt to the reader that this was The God of Israel.
One could imagine these four creatures as having literal heads of an Ox, Man, Eagle and Lion. Personally I see labels or insignia's on these guardians, rather than actual heads. But, who knows, I wasn't there.
Let's continue in Ezekiel 1:11
EZEKIEL 1:11
1:11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
1:12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
Here we see these 4 protecting creatures in formation. We know they are hovering. We also see that they give no warning or indication as to where they will move next. Remember the helicopter analogy?
1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
These living creatures or 'Khah'ee' as it's used in the manuscripts, has a very interesting meaning. The root word of 'Khahee' is 'Khaw-yaw' and it has some very interesting applications, which are:
To live, revive, keep, make alive, live, nourish, preserve, recover, repair, restore, revive, be whole.
If you were hired to protect someone or something, how many of the above applications do you think you might be required to do? Or better yet, what would an employer look for in filling such a role?
Where ever these living creatures went, there was brightness about them. And they were extremely fast. Like lightening across the sky.
1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
As Ezekiel was looking at these four little protectors, he beheld and there was one large wheel. One could even say a disk. And it was parallel to the earth or ground where Ezekiel was standing.
1:17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
1:18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
Using Ezekiels description of this wheel, it's getting ready to land or touch the ground. This wheel has now turned upon its side and become parallel, thus; landing on its side. As it's getting closer, we see the many eyes round about it. The only logical thing we can take from this is that these are windows or holes round about it.
1:19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
1:20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
1:21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Now it's as if you were to see a passenger inside a vehicle. Where ever the vehicle goes or moves so will the passenger. Basically, these things are in tight orderly formation.
1:22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
Remember that word colour? It appears to Ezekiel's eye, that the sky above and around the heads of these creatures looked bright. There was a shine, smooth as ice above and upon the heads. It was a fearful sight, where he gave reverence. The word 'terrible' as it's used in the hebrew is 'Yare' ( yaw-ray ) And it means: To fear; to revere; to frighten, to make afraid, dread or dreadful, put in fear, reverence.
This word 'crystal' is 'Qerach' ( keh'-rakh ) And it means: Ice, ( as if bald , ie smooth ) hence. hail, by resemblance, rock crystal, frost, ice.
This is the 'Glory of God' being described. As in Revelation 4 will soon document. We are getting closer to seeing who was on this craft.
Some may say: "Why would God need a craft or vehicle to move about?"
If it isn't yet obvious to you, go back to the beginning of this study and start at II Kings chapter 2. God took Elijah and Enoch for a reason. It was God's purpose that they would not see death. Something came for Elijah. Something that had substance in the midst of this tempest wind. If some hurricane or tornado came to take Elijah, he would have been killed.
1:23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
1:25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
When they landed on the earth, they rested. They were also very loud coming to a rest. Ezekiel was seeing and hearing some awesome things. Surely nothing he had ever seen or heard prior to this event. It must have been absolutely terrifying for him.
1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads 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.
This is God upon this throne. There is none other, as no one else will sit upon the throne. Make a note of Exodus 24:10 and take a look at what's under God's feet there.
1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This 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 a voice of one that spake.
Again, making no doubt to the reader or Ezekiel, that this was the God of Israel here. Seeing the shiny presence of God, or that 'Shakina Glory' emminating from the throne and the creatures around him.
Let's take a look at Revelation 4:1-11 at this time, and see if you can see any familiar aspects to what Ezekiel just finished describing in this chapter.
Now, remember that old 'ark' that Moses was instructed to build back in Exodus? Many have speculated it's buried here or there, or it's been destroyed and in pieces.
Let's take a look at what would be happening soon after the two witnesses are killed in the street or ‘arena’, as the Greek would translate. Let's look what trumpet was sounded, and what takes place and what is revealed in the very last day.
REVELATION 11:15-19
11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail
So, where's the ark? Well, It's with God. Man was too careless with it on earth, and God took it with him. Yes, a solid object with solid objects therein. Where does it say he took it? The scripture doesn't indicate when or whether He did or didn't. But it's evident that it will be seen again in the temple of God in heaven.
Just as God traveled in a vehicle, you better know and understand that the enemy does as well. I sincerely feel that in these end times, we will be seeing and hearing about strange objects and sightings in our skies. Don't mistake these objects as 'alien beings' or 'little green men' from another galaxy. We hear talk all the time in the news about 'water on Mars' or 'Oceans on Jupiters moon Europa'. And that's wonderful! It's a very interesting field of study. But I feel science is trying to use a dead-end 'evolution theory' to put the notion into people's minds, that we were created by chance, there is no God and our ancestors are monkeys! Well, I don't know about you, but my ancestor is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are made in his image. ( Genesis 1:26 )
Can you imagine the deception that Satan could use when he is booted out of heaven and falls to earth? Especially if he arrives in one of these chariots. The possible scenarios are endless.
Scripture states Just as it was back in Noah's time, so shall it be in the end. What was happening in Noah's time?
GENESIS 6:1-2
6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose
Who were the sons of God? These were the fallen angels. They saw the daughters of man on earth and wanted to be with them. In order to do that, they left their first estate and habitation to mingle and take wives.
JUDE 1:5-6
1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
How did they get to earth? One can only speculate it had to be in one of these 'vehicles'. Why? Because these 'Angelic beings' were able to impregnate and produce offspring. Meaning what? These beings were made in our image, or we in their image, no doubt having similar physical characteristics as man. Got to remember, what was it that fed Moses and the wandering tribes? " Manna." Angels food. It was food for the angels, but sustained the tribes for 40 years.
GENESIS 6:3-22
6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Here we see the offspring that was produced by the 'fallen angels'. And they were giants, mighty men. I'm sure the story of David and Goliath comes to mind. Goliath being one of these products. There was also another well-known giant, who went by the name of 'Og, King of Bashan'. Numbers 21:33-35 Deuteronomy 3:1-13
6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
The world in Noe's time was filled with filth, violence and evil. But because Noe walked with God. He no doubt kept his distance from the 'fallen ones', God would establish a covenant with him.
I didn't want to get too far off topic, but I needed to document what was happening back then, will happen again in the end times. Will you be mentally and spiritually prepared for it?
Matthew 24:34-39
24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Satan will be appearing to this earth peacefully claiming to be God while having supernatural powers to boot. Don't be deceived by him. Satan will be so convincing that even the Elect if possible would be fooled. That is why Christ has shortened the time of his rule, other wise no flesh would be saved.
I know for some this study may come as a shock. Especially if you have been taught we are to be raptured away before the day Satan arrives on the scene. But that's what the Bible say's when you rightfully divide and take the words back to there original texts.
Remember that if you are still in the flesh, and there is a powerful being making craft prosper from his hand, and claiming to be God, he is the fake. For when our true Messiah comes to this earth, we are all changed from the flesh and into the spiritual body in the twinkling of an eye.
God Bless
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