11 Now it came about in the thirtieth year , on the fifth day of the fourth month , while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles , the heavens were opened and I saw [1] visions of God . 2 (On the fifth of the month [2]in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile , 3 the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest , son of Buzi , in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar ; and there the hand of the Lord came upon him.)
4 As I looked , behold , a storm wind was coming from the north , a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire . 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings . And this was their appearance : they had human form . 6 Each of them had four faces and four wings . 7 Their legs were straight and [3]their feet were like a calf's hoof e , and they gleamed like burnished bronze . 8 Under their wings on their four sides were human hands . As for the faces and wings of the four of them, 9 their wings touched one another ; their faces did not turn when they moved , each went straight e e forward . 10 As for the form of their faces , each had the face of a man ; [4]all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left , and [4]all four had the face of an eagle . 11 Such were their faces . Their wings were spread out above e ; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies . 12 And each went straight e e forward ; wherever e e the spirit was about to go , they would go , without turning as they went . 13 [6]In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire , [7]like torches darting back and forth among the living beings . The fire was bright , and lightning was [8]flashing from the fire . 14 And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning .
15 Now as I looked at the living beings , behold , there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings , [9]for each of the four of them. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like [10]sparkling beryl , and all four of them had the same form , their appearance and workmanship being as if [11]one wheel were within another . 17 Whenever they [12]moved , they [12]moved in any of their four [14]directions without turning as they [12]moved . 18 As for their rims they were lofty and awesome , and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about . 19 Whenever the living beings [16]moved , the wheels [16]moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth , the wheels rose also. 20 Wherever e e the spirit was about to go , they would go in that direction [18]. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living [19]beings was in the wheels . 21 Whenever those went , these went ; and whenever those stood still , these stood still . And whenever those rose from the earth , the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living [20]beings was in the wheels . 22 Now over the heads of the living [21]beings there was something like an expanse , like the awesome gleam of [22]crystal , spread out over e their heads . 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight , one toward the other ; each one also had two wings covering its body on the one side and on the other . 24 I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went , like the voice of [23]the Almighty , a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp ; whenever they stood still , they dropped their wings . 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads ; whenever they stood still , they dropped their wings .
26 Now above e the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne , like [24] lapis e lazuli e in appearance ; and on that which resembled a throne , high e up, was a figure with the appearance of a man . 27 Then I [25]noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like [26]glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire ; and there was a radiance around Him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow [27]in the clouds on a rainy day , so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance . Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord . And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking .
21 Then He said to me, "Son of man , stand on your feet that I may speak with you!" 2 As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet ; and I heard Him speaking to me. 3 Then He said to me, "Son of man , I am sending you to the sons of Israel , to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day . 4 "I am sending you to them who are stubborn e and obstinate e children , and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD .' 5 "As for them, whether they listen or not-for they are a rebellious house -they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 "And you, son of man , neither fear them nor fear their words , though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions ; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence , for they are a rebellious house . 7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious . 8 "Now you, son of man , listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house . Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you." 9 Then I looked , and behold , a hand was extended to me; and lo , a scroll e was in it. 10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back , and written on it were lamentations , mourning and woe .
111 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen . 2 For by it the men of old gained approval . 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God , so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible .
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain , through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous , God testifying about his gifts , and through faith, though he is dead , he still speaks . 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death ; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God . 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah , being warned by God about things not yet seen , in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household , by which he condemned the world , and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith . 8 By faith Abraham , when he was called , obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance ; and he went out, not knowing where he was going . 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise , as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob , fellow heirs of the same promise ; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations , whose architect and builder is God . 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive e , even beyond the proper time of life , since she considered Him faithful who had promised . 12 Therefore there was born even of one man , and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER , AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE . 13 All these died in faith , without receiving the promises , but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance , and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth . 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own . 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return . 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one . Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God ; for He has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham , when he was tested , offered up Isaac , and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said , " IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED ." 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead , from which he also received him back as a type .
(Read Hebrews 11:1-3)
Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.
(Read Hebrews 11:4-7)
Here follow some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great Sacrifice. Cain's proud rage and enmity against the accepted worshipper of God, led to the awful effects the same principles have produced in every age; the cruel persecution, and even murder of believers. By faith Abel, being dead, yet speaketh; he left an instructive and speaking example. Enoch was translated, or removed, that he should not see death; God took him into heaven, as Christ will do the saints who shall be alive at his second coming. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that he is what he has revealed himself to be in the Scripture. Those who would find God, must seek him with all their heart. Noah's faith influenced his practice; it moved him to prepare an ark. His faith condemned the unbelief of others; and his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This shows how believers, being warned of God to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in Christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith.
(Read Hebrews 11:8-19)
We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac, Genesis 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?
