Tag: man
The likeness of the Glory!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Ezekiel 1-6
Ezekiel had just turned 30 years of age and he was a priest. He was taken into captivity in Babylon with a group of exiles which included Daniel and his friends. As they met by the Kebar River to have their Sabbath observances, God opened the heavens and gave Ezekiel a vision that changed his life! He was called by God to go to his people and give them God’s word. He was warned by the Lord that God’s people would be rebellious, obstinate and stubborn. (Ezekiel 2:1-4)
The vision that Ezekiel saw of the throne of God was spectacular. It began with a windstorm coming from the north with a towering thundercloud and flashing lightning and fire in the center. Ezekiel could see four living creatures. (Ezekiel 1:4-9) These creatures had the form of a man but they had four faces and feet like a calf and four wings with hands underneath. They glowed like bronze and the faces were that of an eagle, ox, lion and man. Below on the ground, there was a wheel that sparkled and another intersecting wheel.
As Ezekiel looked he noticed a glowing throne of sapphire above the creatures and on the throne was a figure like that of a man. He was glowing with fire and brilliant light surrounded Him. This light looked like a rainbow and glowed with radiance! (Ezekiel 1:26-28) This figure had the “likeness of the Glory of God”! When Ezekiel saw it he fell to the ground in awe!
God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show mankind the Glory of God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to have the Glory of God revealed in us by the Spirit. (2nd Corinthians 3:18) When the last trumpet blows and Jesus Christ appears we will be instantly transformed into a glorious body, like His glorious body! (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18) We now carry the “likeness of the Glory of God” because the Spirit of the Son of God lives in us!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:The Outer Fringe of God
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Glorious Name of Jesus Christ! The first day of the week was set aside by the early church to worship, because on that day Jesus Christ rose from the dead! The most significant truth and proof that Jesus is the Son of God was his powerful resurrection. That truth was verified by all the apostles and by over 500 who saw Him alive on one occasion. The apostles were so impressed and sure of the resurrection that they preached it and most of them gave their lives rather than deny it! Please gather with God’s people today and celebrate Jesus Christ as the resurrected Son of God!
As I reflect back on the reading for this past week, I am taken to Job’s reply to Bildad in Job 26. Bildad had told Job that man was no more than a maggot or worm and God was so great and powerful that man meant nothing to Him. Job responded with a description of God as the glorious creator of the universe and the one who hung the earth on nothing. God is the creator and creation reveals a God of power and thoughtful care for that creation. Reflecting on creation helps us know about God, but Job felt that what he learned from creation was “but the outer fringe of His works.” (Job 26:14) Creation was a “faint whisper” of God compared to all there was to know and understand. Job longed for a deeper understanding.
Job likened the search for God as men searching the depths of the earth for gold or silver or other precious metals. But God’s wisdom cannot be found by man in all his puny efforts. It can’t be bought with anything on earth. Job came to the conclusion that the fear of the Lord was wisdom and to shun evil was understanding! (Job 28:28) Faith has its foundation in the fear of the Lord. A humble respect for the God of creation brings true wisdom. From exploring the outer fringes of God through creation, God comes to Job (and us) with revelation and faith opens our inner eyes to see Him! Our redeemer lives! Resurrection life will be glorious! Though He slay me yet will I trust Him! He has become my salvation!
In His Love, Pastor John