S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Ezekiel's vision of the four wheels dramatically illustrates the omnipresence and omniscience of God. These wheels were associated with the "four living creatures" (Ezekiel 1:4), who were later des...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck Supporter

These "wheels" were actually living beings, a type of angel or archangel associated with the Throne of God seldom seen by human beings since they apparently don't interact with us directly. Their shape may have been only symbolic so some idea of their nature would be possible. The many eyes suggest that the wheel was a conglomerate being composed of a number of angelic minds all working together in unity. However, we know we are intended to focus on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in our spirituality, not on any of the many kinds of angels. It is interesting that Ezekiel was perhaps the only one in the Old Testament addressed by the Lord as "Son of Man," suggesting he may have had a special status that allowed for visions of the "wheels."

However, these wheels are also mentioned in Dan 7:9 in his vision of the throne.

April 13 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What were the wheels in Ezekiel 1?

This book always fascinated me, with these wheels within wheels and the eyes and the cherubs at each wheel represented, and it is only when you read and meditate about them that you start to realise what Ezekiel was seeing.

The wheels in Ezekiel 1, known as the Ophanim, were four-wheeled, eye-covered structures that moved alongside the four living creatures (cherubim) beneath God's throne. Their appearance was like a wheel within a wheel, sparkling like topaz or beryl, with rims that were high and "full of eyes". They symbolised the omnipresence, omniscience, and sovereign mobility of God, as the spirit of the living creatures dwelt in them, allowing them to move in any direction. 

When we read the account in chapter 1, Ezekiel's vision placed great emphasis on the chariot's wheels. 

I think we agree that this is an unusual combination.

A throne with wheels! We might tend to think of a throne as being fixed to one spot and naturally so, for earthly monarchs can extend their influence only so far. 

But God's sovereignty is quite unlike any human rulership, as Ezekiel was about to learn, as you read the account. There are no limits to God's sovereign power. (Read Neh. 9:6) 

In a very real sense, this God can exert his authority anywhere because he can move in any direction.

In Ezekiel's vision 1, four wheels formed a divine, mobile throne-chariot for God. These wheels were not ordinary and possessed several distinct and symbolic features: 

These wheels are a profound symbol of God's omnipresence, omniscience, and sovereign providence, moving with purpose and control over all creation and human affairs, even in the midst of the prophet's exile in Babylon. 

The wheels that Ezekiel saw were so tall that they would cover a lot of ground with a single revolution. In fact, the vision suggests that the vehicle moved at the speed of lightning! (Ezek. 1:14) 

Furthermore, the unusual four-way wheels suggest a kind of manoeuvrability that human engineers can only dream of. This vehicle can shift directions without slowing down or even turning! 

But it does not make such moves blindly. The eyes covering the rims vividly convey the idea that this vehicle is completely aware of everything around it, in every direction.

Ezekiel mentions another unusual thing. Each wheel had a wheel inside it—of the same diameter, fitting crosswise into the base wheel. Only in this way could the wheels be said to "go on their four respective sides." (Eze 1 Verse 17) 

Instantly, the wheels could change direction because each wheel faced in both directions. The wheels conformed their direction of movement to that of the four cherubs. 

The wheels moved because the "spirit of the living creatures was in them". This linkage symbolised that God's power, will, and presence are mobile and directed by divine power,

Conclusion:

1: Eyes: The rims of the wheels were "high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around," representing God's omniscience or all-knowing awareness.

2: Direction: They could move in any of the four directions the living creatures faced without turning, symbolising God's unrestricted and sovereign movement.

3: Spirit in the wheels: The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels, causing them to move with the creatures and stand still when they did. 

4: God's throne: The entire vision, including the living creatures and wheels, is often seen as a representation of God's throne, which moves with divine power and authority.

5: Hope for the exiles: For the exiled people of Israel, the vision served as a reminder that God was not limited to the temple in Jerusalem but was with them wherever they were, and His plan would continue to advance. 

6: Angelic Ministry: The wheels are often associated with the Ophanim, a class of angelic beings (along with the Cherubim and Seraphim) who guard God's throne and act as ministers of His providence.

17 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report