Sermon #1156
Title: Ezekiel’s Vision Of Wheels
Text: Ezekiel 1:15-19
Subject: God’s
Date:
Tape
# Q-38[1]
Introduction:
Just
before God sent his prophet Ezekiel to reprove the rebellious children of
(Ezekiel 1:15-19)
"Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the
earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. [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. [17] When they went, they
went upon their four sides: and they
turned not when they went. [18] As
for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. [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."
Proposition: This vision of wheels showed Ezekiel the
wonder of God’s providence and assured him of the certain accomplishment of
God’s eternal, immutable, sovereign purpose.
There are certain terms that God’s servants constantly use
when I am preaching the gospel to you. I presume that you are all familiar with
them. If you are not you should be.
Election
is God’s sovereign, eternal choice and determination to save some, a great
multitude of Adam’s fallen race.
·
Ephesians 1:4
·
2 Thessalonians 2:13
(Ephesians 1:3-4)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
(2 Thessalonians 2:13) "But we are bound to give thanks alway
to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the
beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth:"
Predestination is the sovereign,
eternal arrangement of all the affairs of the universe to secure the object of
his electing love, to secure the everlasting salvation
of his adopted sons and daughters - God’s Plan!
·
Ephesians 1:4, 5, 11
·
Romans 8:29
(Ephesians 1:4-6)
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, [6] To the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
(Ephesians 1:11)
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will:"
(Romans 8:28-30)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover
whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Redemption is the ransom of chosen
sinners out from under the curse of God’s broken law and offended justice by
the sacrificial, substitutionary, sin-atoning death of our Lord Jesus.
Redemption is the satisfaction of justice by the blood of Christ and the
deliverance of God’s elect from all possibility of condemnation.
·
Ephesians 1:7
·
Galatians 3:13
·
1 Peter 1:18-20
(Ephesians 1:7)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
(Galatians 3:13)
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree:"
(1 Peter 1:18-20)
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your
vain conversation received by
tradition from your fathers; [19] But
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot: [20] Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you,"
Regeneration is the new birth, the actual
deliverance of chosen, redeemed sinners from spiritual death into spiritual
life by the effectual power and irresistible grace of God the Holy Spirit.
·
Ephesians 2:1-4
·
Colossians 2:10-13
(Ephesians 2:1-5)
"And you hath he quickened, who
were dead in trespasses and sins: [2] Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: [3] Among whom also we
all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others. [4] But God,
who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
(Colossians 2:10-13)
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality
and power: [11] In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation
of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
·
Romans
·
Ephesians 1:11
(Romans 8:28)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
(Romans 11:36)
"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.
Amen."
(Ephesians 1:11)
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will:"
I.
The first point is the most obvious - GOD’S
Both the Romans and the Greeks, in their
ancient writings compared Divine providence to a wheel. But Ezekiel got his
doctrine by the direct revelation of God himself. That makes his doctrine
authoritative. Divine providence is like a wheel in at least three ways.
A. That part of the wheel that is now on top will soon
be on the bottom and the bottom will soon be on the top.
In other words, God brings about drastic,
unexpected changes in the lives of men, in the affairs of nations, and in the
affairs of this world as it pleases him.
·
Poverty And Riches
·
Sickness And Health
·
Fame And Ill-Repute
·
Peace And War
B. There is one part of the wheel that is always the
same and never turns -- The Axle!
We undergo many changes. All our lives are
checkered with change. But the axle upon which the whole machinery of
providence turns is always the same. That axle is God’s everlasting, covenant
love and grace.
1.
God never changes (Mat. 3:6).
2.
God’s purpose never changes (Job
3.
God’s love never changes (John 13:1).
4.
God’s grace never changes (Rom.
5.
God’s faithfulness never changes (2 Tim.
C. When a
wheel moves real fast, the only thing you can see is the exterior circle.
Instead
of looking at parts of things, we need to look at the whole course of events in
history, in our lives, in the affairs of God’s church, and so on. When we look
at things as a whole, we see one round circle of symmetry, teaching us that God
is wise, and just, and good.
Illustration: Kerri Coffey to Henry –
“I’ve had a rough day;
but
I’ve had a great life!”
II. IN SOME
MYSTERIOUS WAY GOD’S
The “living
creatures” are regarded by almost all the old writers as a reference to the
heavenly angels. Certainly, there is an intimate connection between the living
creatures and the wheels Ezekiel saw (vv. 15,19).
(Ezekiel 1:15)
"Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the
earth by the living creatures, with his four faces."
(Ezekiel 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."
I am
certain that the angels of God have much more to do with the affairs of our
lives than any of us realize.
A. It was an angel of the Lord that put Sennacherib to
flight and saved
(2 Kings 19:35-36)
"And it came to pass that night, that the
angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred
fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold,
they were all dead corpses. [36] So Sennacherib king of
B. The angels of God ministered to and strengthened the
Man Christ Jesus by whispering in his ear (Matt.
(Matthew 4:11)
"Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and
ministered unto him."
(Luke 22:43)
"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening
him."
They
could not strengthen him physically or spiritually. I cannot see how angels
could have strengthened the Savior except by whispering encouraging words to
him.
C. God’s
saints have their angels, who watch over them and keep them.
·
Matthew 18:10
·
Psalm 91:11
(Matthew 18:10)
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say
unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold
the face of my Father which is in heaven."
(Psalms 91:11)
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways."
D. The angels
of God are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be
the heirs of eternal salvation (Heb.
(Hebrews 1:14)
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
There
is an intimate connection between God’s angels and his providence. The two
always work together (John 5:4). “An
angel moved the water!”
III. GOD’S
Look at verse 15 again.
Illustration: Mr.
Skyler’s portrait of Philo - The Eyes
Can
you grasp this, my brother, my sister: God’s eye is fixed upon you. His hand is holding you. His presence is with you
completely, at all times, in all circumstances! God watches over us with all
the fulness of omnipotence and omniscient wisdom, as completely as if no one
else existed. His name is Jehovah-shammah -- The Lord is there!
·
In the labor room at birth!
·
At the marriage altar!
·
At the graveside!
·
Everywhere between!
IV. GOD’S
(Ezekiel 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."
·
“One likeness.”
·
“A wheel in the middle of a
wheel.”
And their work was all one work. There were
four wheels with four faces in one wheel, with one likeness. That simply means
that providence is one piece of machinery. Sometimes providential experiences
seem to contradict one another; but they never do.
Illustration: The case of Joseph
Paul and Publius (Acts 27:26; 28:1-7).
Illustration: “You’re looking at the wrong
side of the
carpet.”
You
and I see parts and pieces. Only God sees the whole thing now. It is ours
simply to trust him. Don’t ask why?
lustration: Ron’s sign - I saw a pile of bricks,
sand, and
bags of
concrete. He saw the sign.
V. DIVINE
“Their work was like unto the color beryl” (v. 16). Beryl is a gemstone that is
sea-green in its color. Dr. Gill tells us that this word “beryl” is sometimes used for the sea. Certainly providence may be
compared to the ocean…
A. For its vastness -- It floats
a fleet with as much ease as a feather!
B. For its motion -- The sea is never still.
C. For its
unmanageability!
No man can manage the ocean. Greedy man has
carved out the earth, fenced in a portion for himself,
and staked out landmarks upon it, saying, “This is mine!” There are no
landmarks in the sea, no fences, no chains. The sea is
impetuous. It follows the will of no man. So it is with God’s providence.
VI. THE
Ezekiel said it had the appearance of “a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” I
take that to mean it is detailed and so thoroughly meshed in all its details
that all the affairs of time in the universe are one great work of providence.
A. The work of providence is the salvation of God’s
elect for the glory of his great name. -- Our salvation and God’s
glory are the same thing!
·
Romans
·
Isaiah 63:12, 14
(Romans 8:28)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
(Romans 11:33-36)
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
how unsearchable are
his judgments, and his ways past finding out! [34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or
who hath been his counsellor? [35] Or
who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [36] For of him, and through him, and
to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
(Isaiah 63:12-14)
"That led them by the
right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to
make himself an everlasting name? [13] That
led them through the deep, as an horse in the
wilderness, that they should not
stumble? [14] As
a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest:
so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name."
B. Like the blessing of Jacob upon Joseph’s sons, all
the blessings of God upon his children in this world are cross handed blessings. -- We
say “Bless this way.” God says, “I know how to bless.”
·
He abases to exalt.
·
He wounds to heal.
·
He kills to make alive.
·
He breaks hearts that he may bind up the broken hearted.
VII. THE
(Ezekiel 1:17)
"When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they
went."
It
turns not to the right hand nor to the left. That
simply means -- The purpose of God never changes. God is immutable! Some people
talk about God changing his mind, changing his purpose, or changing even in his
mercy, love, and grace. Think about that nonsense for a minute.
A. If he changed, he would have to change either for
better or for worse. -- Either way, he is not
God!
B. If he could change, nothing would be safe. --
If God can change or be changed, he cannot be trusted!
VIII. DIVINE
(Ezekiel 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."
Ezekiel
saw God’s providence as a thing “so high”
that it was “dreadful”, and “full of eyes.”
A. God sovereignly works his will in everything that happens.
B. Men and devils do, in a sense, do exactly what they want to do; yet
they do exactly what God has from eternity purposed shall be done.
Illustration: Scott Frushour
My meeting Shelby
Spurgeon’s Conversion
“I
believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an
atom more or less than God wishes, that every particle of spray that dashes
against the steamboat has its orbit as well as the sun in the heavens, that the
chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as surely as the stars in their
courses, - that the creeping of an aphid over a rosebud is as much fixed as the
march of the devastating pestilence, and the fall of the sore leaves from the
poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche. He who believes in
God must believe this truth. There is no standing point between this and
atheism. There is no half-way between an almighty God who worketh all things
according to the good pleasure of his own will and no God at all. A god who
cannot do as he pleases, a god whose will is frustrated, is not a God and
cannot be a God; I do not believe in such a god as that” -- C. H. Spurgeon.
IX. DIVINE
Here
is the difference between a stone faced stoic who believes in blind fate and a
living child of God who adores his Father’s good providence. The fatalist says,
“Whatever is must be.” The Christian says, “Whatever God has ordained, must
be.” There is as much difference between fate and providence as there is
between a blind man and one who has two good eyes. Fate is blind and without
purpose.
X. Once more ALL THE WORK OF PROVIDENCE IS GOD’S WORK.
Everything that comes to pass is God’s doing.
“All things are of God!” I cannot
expound verses 20-28; but this is what those last verses of this chapter teach
us -- Everything in the universe is directed and brought to pass…
A. By God’s Spirit (v. 20).
(Ezekiel 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."
B. By God’s Decree (v. 24).
(Ezekiel 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."
C. By God’s
Throne (v. 26).
(Ezekiel 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."
D. By God’s
Son (v. 26; John 17:2).
(Ezekiel 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."
(John 17:2)
"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."
E. According to God’s Covenant (V.
28 - “The Bow”).
(Ezekiel 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."
F. For God’s Glory (v. 28 - “The glory of the Lord”).
Application: Before such a great and
glorious Lord God, there is only one thing for us to do (v. 28) -- “When I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I
heard the voice of one that spake…Be not afraid!”
[1] Revelation Series #10
Danville, KY October 5, 1986 (PM) August 1, 1994 (AM) Todds RD Grace Church, Lexington, KY (Wednesday – August 22, 2001 – #1477 Grace Baptist Church, Taylor, AK (Friday – September 14, 2001)