Prophecy has been opened to us, for the time is at hand (Revelation 1:3).

Not long will it be until we shall see our Savior in glory. Visions of Glory provides young people (and the young at heart) a practical view of God and of our personal responsibility to Him. God does not show off He reveals His glory in response to a heartfelt plea. Am I petitioning God to show me His glory (Exodus 33:18)? Do I truly desire to see Gods true character? This book is not so much a verse-by-verse study as a compilation of what God has already revealed. Each chapter closes with a Scriptural and practical application of the chapter. To benefit from this book, read the Bible chapter one time; then read it a second time with the margin Scriptures; then read a third time, closing with the Ezekiel and I segment. With this course of study, the book of Ezekiel would be completed in twenty-four weeks (two chapters per week, three days in each chapter).

VISIONS OF GLORY: EZEKIEL

EZEKIEL 2:1 AND HE SAID UNTO ME, SON OF MAN, STAND UPON THY FEET, AND I WILL SPEAK WITH THEE.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ezekiel Chapter One.......................................................................................... 2 Ezekiel Chapter Two ......................................................................................... 4 Ezekiel Chapter Three ....................................................................................... 5 Ezekiel Chapter Four ......................................................................................... 7 The other chapters are coming soon. Keep checking back, as the document will be updated constantly.

Scripture Keys
Pictures of God And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness (Exodus 24:10). Practical Religion And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God (Zechariah 13:9). Prophetic Keys I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old (Psalms 78:2). For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

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EZEKIEL CHAPTER ONE

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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 Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. (2) In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, (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. (4) And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. (5) And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. (6) And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings. (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. (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 thus; (9) their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. (10) As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle. (11) And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. (12) And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went. (13) As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches; it went up and down among the living creatures: and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. (14) And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. (15) Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof. (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 within a wheel. (17) When they went, they went upon their four sides: they turned not when they went. (18) As for their rings, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rings full of eyes round about. (19) And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. (20) Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. (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 beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

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EZEKIEL CHAPTER ONE, CONT.

(22) And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. (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. (24) And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. (25) And there was a voice above the firmament that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. (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 a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above. (27) And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. (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.

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EZEKIEL & I CHAPTER ONE

How beautiful is the image of the glory of God! It was indeed a privilege for the prophets to see the Lord in power and majesty. In the beauty of holiness, He sits on His throne. He has no form or comeliness that we should desire Him (see Isaiah 53). It is Gods character which makes Him so lovely. The fire of cleansing and discernment; the blue of obedience; the rainbow of promise remind us of the nature of our Savior He is just and pure, yet merciful to even the chief of sinners like myself. When I look to this imagery, I will be transformed. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). By keeping my eye single on this portrait of Christ, I will realize my sinfulness and will want to be changed to be like Him; I will ask Him for a new heart, and I will then delight to do His will. As I view His majesty, I will fall to my knees in worship, recognizing how big my Lord really is. The King of the Universe! And He wants to be friends with me! Dont we serve a wonderful God?

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EZEKIEL CHAPTER TWO

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And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. (2) And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. (3) And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. (4) For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. (5) And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. (6) And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. (7) And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. (8) But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. (9) And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; (10) And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

EZEKIEL & I CHAPTER TWO

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). So God has put His law in my heart: now what does He want me to do? God desires that we will study His gospel, the everlasting gospel, and that we will then teach it to others. He reveals His plans, paths, and truths to us His people and desires that we will accept it wholeheartedly. What He tells His prophets is no exception. Gods Word can be understood, if we accept the Holy Spirits guidance (John 16:13-14). God says that the books of prophecy have been opened to us (see Revelation 1:3 and Daniel 12:9). He wants us to seek Christ in every prophetic book. But when I reject His counsel, I am hurting God. Stubbornness is just as painful to Him as selling my soul to the devil. King Sauls continual rejection of Gods precepts and commands led him to seek a witch and try to communicate with the dead! I, like him, will grieve the Holy Spirit if I continually ignore Him. And what wonderful truths He has to tell me! How much He longs to make me like the Savior!

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EZEKIEL CHAPTER THREE

Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. (2) So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. (3) And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. (4) And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. (5) For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; (6) Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. (7) But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. (8) Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. (9) As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. (10) Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. (11) And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. (12) Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. (13) I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. (14) So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. (15) Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. (16) And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (17) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. (18) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (19) Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (20) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

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(21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. (22) And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee. (23) Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. (24) Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house. (25) But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them: (26) And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. (27) But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

EZEKIEL & I CHAPTER THREE

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20). As a disciple of Christ, I am commissioned to go into the entire world preaching the gospel and teaching doctrine. I am one of those angels of Revelation 14 a messenger of Christs good news. I am to proclaim that in spite of the allurements of sin, victory is possible through Christ for everyone! But I need to start with those closest to me. When God says thy people, He means my family, my neighbors, my friends, my co-workers and classmates. He does not intend that I leap out into foreign missions without first address my home mission field. However, the thy people field is not an easy one. It is actually the hardest: peer pressure becomes a factor and established relationships are easily broken (see Matthew 10:34-37). Even Jesus was rejected by His own family the ones who should have known His mission best! But Christ gives us hope and encouragement in Matthew 10, as well as other Scriptures. Regardless of the bitter disappointments that come as a result of preaching Christ, I should resolve to love Him so much that even those pains are covered by lovesickness (Song of Solomon 5:8). I should love Him so much that I want to see Him in glory, now and I need to go and preach His gospel (v. 9-16) so that everyone can know and want experience this love (ibid, 6:1). What a marvelous hope and mission for us His children!

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EZEKIEL CHAPTER FOUR

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Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: (2) And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. (3) Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel. (4) Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. (5) For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. (6) And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. (7) Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it. (8) And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege. (9) Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. (10) And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it. (11) Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink. (12) And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight. (13) And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. (14) Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. (15) Then He said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith. (16) Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: (17) That they may want bread and water, and be astonied [or, astonished] one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

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EZEKIEL & I CHAPTER FOUR

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me (John 5:39).

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Galatians 5:14)

Gods law is a reflection of His character. As I look in the Scriptures at the laws that He has laid out for me, I see a picture of Him. Especially do I see His love. God is love ; and because God is love, His law is love. Deuteronomy tells me that a fiery law 2 3 4 5 6 came from His finger . His seat , His eyes , His glory - even He Himself is a consuming fire . 7 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God . God is jealous for me? I can read in Song of Solomon just how strong that jealousy is: Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame And because God is everlasting, His love is everlasting Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give 8 all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned . God puts me through the fire of His love that I can become refined and pure. God wants me to be like Him, to exemplify this love to the world. Often times, it means doing hard things, trying things but if by all means I can save some, it is worth it. This is what Ezekiel went through. It was a hard thing to deny self to debase self in order to prophesy to and possibly save the children of Israel. Though the cup was hard to bear, 10 Gods merciful love shone through. His very seat is a seat of love and mercy . His eyes say I love you. His glorious is too beautiful to behold or understand. He is altogether lovely and He shows me through His law! The law of my God is not grievous, but wonderful! It teaches me about Him Who I serve, about my deceitful and wicked heart (who can know it?), and about the holy life that I can live in Christ. O that I will not squander the opportunity and blessing to be perfect through grace!
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1 John 4:8 Deuteronomy 33:2-3 3 Daniel 7:9 4 Revelation 1:14 5 Exodus 24:17 6 Hebrews 12:29 7 Deuteronomy 4:12 8 Song of Solomon 8:6-7 9 1 Peter 1:7-9 10 Exodus 25:22 Page 8 of 8