The Most Mysterious Angel In The Bible

The Mysterious Ophanim Angels in the Bible

This section introduces the topic of angels in the Bible and their significance. It also highlights that angels are real beings with a physical impact.

Who are the Ophanim?

• The Ophanim are considered to be the most mysterious angels in the Bible.

• The term "Ophanim" refers to wheels in ancient Hebrew.

• Ezekiel, a prophet who lived during one of Judah's most difficult times, saw these wheels on the throne of God mentioned in his vision.

Who was Ezekiel?

• Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during Judah's Babylonian exile.

• He prophesized to exiles in settlements of Tel Abib on the River Khabur.

• His ministry was necessary for those who believed and gave heed to his words.

Ezekiel's Vision

• God appeared to Ezekiel while he was in exile and showed him an astounding vision.

• The description of this vision is one of the most difficult passages to translate in the whole Old Testament.

• In this vision, Ezekiel saw something like gleaming metal in the midst of fire.

The Cherubim

• Before witnessing the Ophanim, Ezekiel saw creatures that were later identified as cherubim.

• Cherubim are celestial beings created by God and are part of the angelic hierarchy.

Angels in the Bible

This section provides an overview of how angels are referenced in the Bible and their significance.

Angels in the Old Testament

• Angels are referenced 108 times in the Old Testament.

• The word "angels" or "angel" appears 32 times in the Book of Law and Moses' writings.

• Angels are real beings with a physical impact.

Examples of Angelic Intervention

• Abraham and Jacob encountered angels in their lives, as recounted in the Book of Genesis.

• Moses also encountered angels during the wilderness wandering, as mentioned in the Book of Exodus.

Hosts of Heaven

• The angels of God are introduced to us in scriptures as the hosts of heaven.

Ezekiel's Vision

This section provides more details about Ezekiel's vision and how he described it.

Description of Ezekiel's Vision

• In his vision, Ezekiel saw four lighted beings that shine brightly within a foreboding dark cloud approaching from the north.

• Each being possessed four different faces - one human face, one lion face, one ox face, and one eagle face.

• These beings were identified as cherubim by chapter 10.

Difficulty Describing Vision

• It was hard for Ezekiel to describe what he saw clearly since it was something that couldn't be explained easily.

• Cherubim are part of celestial beings created by God and are part of angelic hierarchy.

The Cherubim and God's Presence

This section discusses the cherubim, their representation in the Bible, and how they are associated with the presence of God. It also talks about Ezekiel's vision of the cherubim and how it relates to God's omnipresence.

The Cherubim

• The cherubim are associated with the very presence of God.

• They attend the throne of God and execute his will.

• In Ezekiel 1:8-10, each living creature had four faces - one human, one lion, one ox, and one eagle - representing intelligence, strength, servitude, and loftiness respectively.

Ezekiel's Vision

• In Exodus 25, Moses was given specific instructions on how to make several articles of furniture that would be used in the tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat where God promised to meet and commune with Moses were detailed first.

• Ezekiel saw a vision of cherubim in the presence of God. They constantly glorify him.

• Ezekiel described something that could move in any direction without needing to turn - like a gyroscope.

• He reported that the spirit of God manifested in all this was happening. Multiple eyes he saw represented God's complete awareness.

Omnipresence

• As believers in God, we can find comfort in knowing that he is always with us no matter where we are or what challenges we are facing.

• God calls the prophet to be his spokesman and watchman to the Hebrew exiles. This vision is first of four in the book.

Divine Visions

This section discusses divine visions and their components, as well as how they can help leaders and people move in the right direction.

Components of a Divine Vision

• The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels so that the creatures moved in whatever direction the wheels moved.

• A divine vision always includes a clear picture and point.

• Ezekiel provided vision by way of analogies, then applied those visions.

Benefits of Divine Visions

• Divine visions always help a leader and people move in the right direction.

• They provide clarity and focus for individuals or groups.

The Ophanim and God's Glory

This section discusses the Ophanim, a type of angel recognized for their unique life likeness, supernatural power, and close proximity to God's throne. The Ophanim reveal God's absolute dominion over the entire cosmos.

The Ophanim as Angels

• Apocryphal Jewish writers branded the Ophanim as a class of angel because of their unique life likeness, supernatural power, and close proximity to God's throne.

• Whether or not the Ophanim are actually angelic beings or merely a divinely-powered mechanism of multidimensional transport doesn't matter.

What the Ophanim Reveal About God

• The appearance and operation of the Ophanim demonstrate God's absolute dominion over the entire cosmos.

• The wheels themselves serve as a constant reminder that the God we serve is omnipresent, meaning that he can be in all places at all times.

• The eyes that cover the wheels and cherubim are symbolic of God's omniscience. He is all seeing, all knowing.

Importance of Knowing About Supernatural Realm

This section explains why it is important for Christians to know about the supernatural realm.

Our Struggle Is Not Against Flesh

• Ephesians 6:12 states that our struggle is not against flesh but against rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

• Believers need to be aware of the world beyond what our temporal eyes can see so that we can be prepared to take on whatever scheme the enemy has in store.

Extremism and Importance of Open Eyes

• Believers who downplay the supernatural parts of their faith and insist on maintaining a naturalistic worldview are characterized by an exclusive reliance on doctrinal teachings for day-to-day living.

• On the opposite end, those preoccupied with the spiritual realm because of its allure are of little help on earth.

• We must first ensure that our eyes are open to the reality of the situation.

Ezekiel's Vision and Ministry

This section discusses Ezekiel's vision and ministry.

Ezekiel's Unusual Visions

• God consistently provided Ezekiel with unusual visions that drove him to speak in unusual ways.

• These pictures often arrived with a divine interpretation and instructions on how he was to communicate God's word to the people.

Leadership Axiom on Vision

• Ezekiel closely followed the leadership axiom on vision - see it clearly, show it creatively, and say it constantly.

Son of Man

• The phrase "Son of Man" is used for Ezekiel roughly 90 times and emphasizes that he is merely a messenger of the divine sovereign of the universe who has planned all events that were to take place, which could not be hindered from being accomplished.

Skilled Communicator

• Ezekiel was a skilled communicator who encouraged people to listen to him and engage with important topics.

• He was known for his creativity, often incorporating visual aids and dramatic performances to convey his message.

Disappointment

• Despite Ezekiel's efforts to cast a vision for his generation, they listened but refused to act on his words, which left him disappointed.

Watchman

• According to God, Ezekiel was a watchman who was summoned to alert the people of potential danger if they didn't repent.

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God Describes Himself to Ezekiel

In this section, God describes himself to Ezekiel in a vision.

God's Appearance

• God appears as a man with fire all around him.

• His body shines like burnished bronze.

• He has four faces: one of a man, one of an ox, one of a lion, and one of an eagle.

• Each face is looking in a different direction.

God's Voice

• God's voice sounds like rushing waters.

• It is powerful and majestic.

• When he speaks, everything shakes.

Conclusion

In this section, we see how God describes himself to Ezekiel in a vision. He appears as a man with fire all around him and has four faces: one of a man, one of an ox, one of a lion, and one of an eagle. His voice sounds like rushing waters and is powerful and majestic.