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Introduction/Premise
In Scriptures, when God appears to man, his arrival is spectacular. His glory shines bright and his movement is so fast that it creates a whirlwind and fireball with lightning and thunder. His presence is like a consuming fire. The wind and sea rages when suddenly God appears in the clouds and says - "peace be still."
No man can look on God and live lest he be covered with his grace and transformed anew.
Stand still and listen to the voice of almighty God as he speaks to the heart of mankind. All nature pauses in a celestial salute to welcome their creator. The wind and the sea obey his voice and there is peace and stillness on earth.At this point, it would be easy to discuss the spoken Word of God, but today we are examining vehicles God uses to move throughout the universe. To develop this list, many of the vehicles in the Bible are physical objects to help us understand God's nature. God is a spirit and need no such vehicle to get around. The vehicles God uses for travel feel real to our senses, but they are only objects of our imagination. These vehicles help us grasp the spiritual nature of Almighty God.
Let's begin!
The Bible identifies three (3) heavenly places where God and man communes...
The First Heaven - called the atmospheric heaven where the birds fly and the rain falls. It extends from the earth to the sky. Genesis 1:20, KJV: "And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
The Second Heaven - refers to the celestial heaven or space where the sun, moon, stars, and planets appear. Genesis 1:16-17, KJV: "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth."
The Third Heaven is the Throne of God. According to Deuteronomy, it is referred to as the "heaven of heavens." Deuteronomy 10:14, KJ V: "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is."
Source:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_151.cfmThe Glory of God in Ezekiel Vision" | Israel MyChannel
Chariot with Flaming Wheels of Fire
In this story, Ezekiel 1:1-28: God gives the prophet a vision that the Children of Israel will be delivered from their wicked captures in Egypt, and that the city of Jerusalem would be cleansed of sin and evil will be destroyed. While in vision, Ezekiel sees a chariot streaking across the sky with flaming wheels and inside was the God of Heaven seated upon the throne. As the chariot approaches, a mighty whirlwind appears; lightning streaks across the sky; the earth began to quake; and fire and flames lights up the sky.Then a voice from heaven speaks to the prophet saying: "Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded." Ezekiel 36:33
When the message came to Ezekiel, he arose and delivered the Word to the people of Israel and when they heard it, their heart were pricked and the captives were freed and the people of God returned to Jerusalem as a fulfillment of prophecy.
Ezekiel describes the chariot as a "wheel in the middle of a wheel" with a vessel turned upside down, and on it sat the Son of Man. In his vision, God is revealing to his chosen people they will return to the land promised them by their Father - Abraham. The "wheels" represent "cyclical" or "return to the beginning." Whereas, "a wheel in the middle of a wheel" points to the connected relationship that exists with all descendants of Father Abraham through His "seed" across the ages of time. See the YouTube video - Ezekiel's Wheels by Alan Horvath...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdWBApimiRASome modern Bible historians believes that Ezekiel saw a UFO or flying saucer or even a rocket ship propelling the chariot, but Ezekiel 10:8-22 makes it crystal clear that he saw cherubim at each wheel... "when the cherubim went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them."
When the great God of Heaven travels the universe, He is carried on the wings of angels who responds in hast to the will and thoughts of Almighty God.
Source:
http://www.pcmomaha.org/2020/07/21/sermon-from-july-19-what-did-ezekiel-see/Pillar of Clouds and Fire
The Book of Exodus describes three main occurrences where God uses pillar of clouds and fire to reveal His power, protection, and presence to the Children of Israel during their escape from Egypt.
- In the first episode in Exodus 3:21-22, the pillar of clouds provided direction during their travel through the wilderness by rising high into the sky during the day to mark their path. At night, the pillar of fire lowered in the sky during their encampment near the Red Sea to provide light and comfort to the people. Pharaoh and His approaching army is perplexed by the pillar of clouds because it slowed their advancement by providing sheer darkness that crippled their sights.
- In the second episode, after three month in the wilderness - the pillar of cloud leads the Children of Israel to Mount Sinai where they encamp around the mountain. In Exodus 24:15-18, the pillar of clouds covered the mountain for six days and on the seventh day, God called unto Moses out of the cloud and the people witnessed Moses walking into a "devouring fire" to receive the commandments from God. In Exodus 19:16, the pillar of cloud is described as descending on the mountain with "thunder and lightning flashes... and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled."
Moses finds grace in the sight of God and God promises to dwell with the Children of Israel when they enter the Promise Land. Moses becomes overjoyed and asks God to "show me thy glory." The Lord responds that no man can look on God and live.
- In the third episode in Exodus 33:9-11, Moses build a Tabernacle (or "tent of meeting") in the wilderness away from where the people were encamped and called it the Tabernacle of the Congregation. When the congregation arrives, the pillar of cloud descends at the door of the tent and "the glory of the Lord appeared" and God spoke "face to face" with Moses.
Yet, because of God's favor with Moses, He takes him to a cliff and when God approaches He covers Moses eyes with his hand. When God passes, His hand is removed from Moses eyes and Moses sees the back of God. What a joyous opportunity to walk with God and stand in his presence with favor and peace.
Sources:
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Pillar-Of-CloudWhirlwinds: The Power and Fury of God
What is the whirlwind in the Bible?
In Nahum 1:3, the whirlwind indicates the power and might of God. Nahum says the Lord hath his way in the power of the whirlwinds and the storms, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Those who violates God's law run in fear, whereas those who live by the scriptures have nothing to fear.
https://inspiration.org/daily-devotional/god-and-the-whirlwind/The whirlwind is symbolic of God's fury and anger...
In Jeremiah 23:17-19, he declares that violent storms, tornadoes and hurricanes are symbols of God anger with sin and wickedness in the world. Jeremiah warns that violent storms are symbolic of God's punishment to the wicked until "He has performed the intents of His heart."How long will man have to endure violent wind and storms? Jeremiah clarifies this saying in vs. 26-27, until deceit is removed from the heart of men; lies from the lips of false prophets; and a turning away from the false worship of Baal to worship the Father in heaven.
God speaks out of the whirlwind to Job. Job 37:1-24
Out of the whirlwind, God asks Job eight (8) questions. Job dare not answer in the presence of Almighty God. When God speaks in v.13 He says, "Listen to this Job; stop and consider God's wonders." In this chapter, God is doing all the questioning. What is particularly confusing and exciting to Job is that God begins with all the answers and ends with all the questions.God begins with answers and ends with questions.
According to Pastor Mark Berrier, it is God who set the limits in creation and controls of the clouds, wind, rain, lightning and elements of earth and even the heavens. "He control the earth's temperatures... day and night, springtime and harvest, summer and winter, cold and heat..."
All that Job can do is remain quiet and let God have his way. Job dare not speak or answer in the presence of the Lord. Here are the questions in PDF - God_Speaks_Whirlwind.pdf...
Let God help you put the answers in the right order.Listen as God speaks out of the whirlwind - Job 37:1-24...
Question #1 "Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?" v.15 NIV Question #2 "Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?" v.16 NIV
Question #3 Do you know... "who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind?" v.17 NIV
Question #4 "Can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?" v.18 NIV
Question #5 Tell us what we should say to him...
v.19 NIVQuestion #6 Should he be told that I want to speak? v.20 NIV
Question #7 Would anyone ask to be swallowed up? v.20 NIV
Question #8 ...For does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? v. 24 NIV
Answer: vs. 2 "Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth."
Answer: vs. 6 He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth, and to the rain shower, "Be a mighty downpour."
Answer: vs. 9 "The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds."
Answer: vs. 10 "The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen."
Answer: vs. 11 "He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them."
Answer: vs. 12 "At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them."
Answer: vs. 13 "He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love."
Answer: vs. 1 "At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place."
Alden Thompson, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Walla Walla University https://wwugoodword.com/2016/12/out-of-the-whirlwind/
Lightning and Light: The Power and Energy of God Lightning in the Bible symbolizes God's mighty presence.
In Exodus 19:16-19, it causes all people to tremble in reverence to God. The sudden appearance of lightning is a sign of Jesus second coming as found in Matthew 24:27. The psalmist David describes lightning as "God's wrathful judgment against His enemies" (Psalm 144:6; Psalm 18:14). In a natural sense, lightning creates fear, awe, and reverence to God.In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus. The story goes that on his journey to Damascus a flash of light from heaven blinded Saul. Saul then heard the voice from heaven say "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me. "After three days, the disciple Ananias was instructed to visit Saul and lay hands on him and the Bible record in Acts 9:18 that "scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again." According to Clarke's commentary, "the brightness of the light that we may suppose the globe of the eye... suffered considerable injury. In the miraculous cure the membrane was restored to its primitive state." It is believed that the light was a flash of lightning that led Saul to become a Christian. Later, his name was changed to Paul - an apostle of Jesus Christ.
https://www.studylight.org/commentary/acts/9-18.htmlGod is the source of light for the entire universe.
In Genesis 1:16 God created the greater light "Sun" to rule the day and a lesser light to rule the night. Matthew 5:14 says "You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Light is a love gift from God. In a learning seminar on "The Spiritual Lessons from the Properties of Light," a Christian physicist makes seven hypotheses about light as related to the Bible from Loma Linda University study...1. God is light. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4
2. The sun is the source of light on Earth. It emits electromagnetic radiation and enormous amount of energy.
Image from christintheclassroom.org3. God created both the visible and invisible electromagnetic spectrum of light for our use. These comprises of radio waves through gamma rays with increasing order of frequency. Light to our eyes is only visible to a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
4. Vision is reflected light rays bouncing off objects that enters the eye and are transformed into electrical signals. The signals "leave the eye via the optic nerve, travel to the visual area of the brain, brain cells then decode the signals into images, providing us with sight." God gave us eyesight with a purpose in our lives. He wants us to be able to discriminate good and evil, that we may enjoy life to the full. John 5.
5. Light has two sources. God is the primary source. When we accept Christ, we become the secondary source.
6. Spiritual lesson we can link to the properties of light include:
Reflection of light - Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Refraction (bending of light from one medium to another) - When we ask anything in His name, his word refracts through our heart, then his/her countenance is manifested and the changes take place within our bodies.
Diffraction (bending of light waves around obstacles) - A beautiful diffraction pattern is created when our will coincides with the will of God.
Interference of light - When two light waves of the same frequency travel simultaneously in the same direction, it superimposes into different sums of intensities from the two waves. For example, a husband and wife working together to raise their children in the love and respect of God, resulting in a peaceful and loving community with service to all mankind.
Photoelectric effect - In a photoelectric effect, electrons are liberated from the surface of a metallic conductor by absorbing energy from light on a metal surface. This is like the automatic lights of a car shinning when dark is detected, and the blinding light of God that converted Saul during his travel to Damascus. See how a God-centered life and the truth of His word completes the life of believers.
This scientific study should encourage believers to walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 say "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Read the entire study at The Institute for Christian Teaching at... https://christintheclassroom.org/search_volume.html
https://christintheclassroom.org/vol_38/38cc_277-292.pdf
Dreams and Visions from End Times to the Kingdom of God
Uncover 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament through dreams and visions (approx. years between 430 BC to 5 BC).Throughout the history of the Bible, God tells His people in Romans 11:25 that He would not have them ignorant concerning the things coming upon the Earth. The Book of Malachi was the last book written in the Old Testament. In the 400 years that followed "God is silent" up until the writings of the New Testament. There is absolutely no sacred scriptures or communication recorded between God and man.
Where is God and what is He doing? What is man doing during this time?
In a "Morning Call" sermon by Pastor Eric Yeakel, he suggests that God was silent but not absent. He adds, "God was rearranging the world stage for the birth of Jesus." He referenced the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4:4, "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law." God was busy working behind the scenes to usher-in the "Christmas Story" of Jesus coming as a baby to save mankind. https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-fea-faith-eric-yeakel-god-silent-20171214-story.html
In the Book of Daniel (Chapter 2, 7 and 8), God gives King Nebbuchadnezzer of Babylon a dream.
The Kings becomes troubled because He could not remember the dream. The King called magicians, astrologers, and the sorcerers to the palace, but they could not reveal the dream to the King. The king then summoned Daniel - a prophet from God to reveal the dream and give him the interpretation thereof. In Daniel 2, he interprets King Nebuchadnezzar dream and describes a statue made of four different materials.The metals represents the four kingdoms of the world:
1. In v.37-38, Daniel identifies King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire as the head of gold.
During Nebuchadnezzar reign, Judah, Syria, Phoenicia and Egypt were conquered, but the King failed to recognize God for his victories. In later years, the King went insane and believed he was a wild animal. But God healed him and King Nebuchadnezzar confessed that "Lord of the Hebrews was the only true and living God." https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/nebuchadnezzar-of-chaldea/
2. In v.39, Daniel identifies the Medo-Persian Empire as the chest and arms of silver that will secede Nebuchadnezzar.
During 550 BC - In southwestern Asia, Cyrus the Great finds the Persian Empire of ancient Iran in 550 BC. Cyrus rose and defeated the Medes, Lydia, and the Babylonian Empire making it the largest empire in history - the Achaemenian Empire. His dynasty built elaborate infrastructure systems, postal system, centralized governments, civil service system, official language, and a professional military.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_Empire3. In v. 40, Daniel identifies Greek Empire as the belly and thighs made of bronze that will rule over all the earth.
By 330 BC, Alexander the Great rises to power and conquer the Achaemenian Empire. This victory ushered in the Greek Empire of Macedonia dominated by great city-states of Athens, Sparta, and Thebes during the rule of the Argead dynasty under King Philip II (359 - 336 BC) during Hellenistic Greece. For a brief period, "Macedonian Empire was the most powerful in the world." Macedonia began to decline during the rise of the Roman Empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonia_(ancient_kingdom)
The Hellenistic period begins when Alexander the Great dies. The Ancient Greek civilization begins its decline and the ancient Romans start to gain power.
https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greek_timeline.php4. In v.41, Daniel identifies the Roman Empire as legs of iron with feet mingled with iron and clay. Daniel describes this kingdom as strong as iron, but the feet and toes partly of clay and iron shows it to be a divided kingdom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_kingdoms_of_Daniel
The Roman Empire includes territories around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and was ruled by emperors. Caesar Augustus was the first Roman emperor, and Rome was the capital. Multiple emperors shared control over Western and Eastern Roman Empire. By 476 AD, the Western capital fell to Germanic people. In 380 AD, the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as the state church. The fall of Western Roman Empire to Germanic kings marks the end of classical Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
Ancient Greece Timeline on Pinterest by Sunny @sunny6843
Pinterest PhotoIn a timeline of the Old Testament - the range includes: the Beginning of the Word (John 1) and the Creation (Genesis 1) before 4000 BC through the Word of the LORD by Malachi (Malachi 1-4) at 430 BC. See Bible timeline chart...
https://biblehub.com/timeline/In a timeline of the New Testament - this includes the Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1 and John 1:6) around 6 BC and Augustus Taxes the Roman Empire (Luke 2) around 6 BC ; and the Birth of Jesus (Matthew 1, Mark 1, Luke 2:6 and John 1:14) around 5 BC through John's Revelation on Patmos in Revelation 1 - 22 at 95 AD. See Bible timeline chart...
https://biblehub.com/timeline/Here's a simple timeline of Ancient Greece describing dates and events in the three (3) main periods of Greek history: Hellenistic Period (323 BC to 31 BC), Classical Period (480 BC to 323 BC), and Archaic Period (800 BC to 480 BC)...
"Ancient Greece Timeline" by Ducksters for Kids -
https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greek_timeline.php
Sounds of Heaven - Instruments of Praise and Worship
The worship and praises that flows to and from the Throne of God can be silent, teary, boisterous, noisy and sometime frightening to both believers and unbelievers.Listen to the voice of the Lord, recognize His movements throughout the universe and learn about his character and way as he communicates through sound with his creation. Hear yea him! Hear a shocking revelation about the Bible from the website titled Sounds of Heaven, "the Bible is a very noisy book."
Here's a synopysis of scriptures found in this article...
Wisdom cries out to God (Proverbs 8)
Cymbals clash in praise (Psalm 150)
God shouts aloud (Isaiah 42)
Jesus prays with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5)On the day of Pentecost they heard "a sound like the blowing of a violent wind." (Acts 2:2)
The psalm ends with the sound of worship: "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."
Psalms 69:30David praised God with song and dance for giving him instructions in battle and leading his army to victory over the Philistines. David and the whole house of Israel celebrated before the Lord 2 Samuel 6:5,14: with "all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals."
David celebrated with all of his might and "it was loud and uninhibited." The scriptures give warning about looking down on those who express their worship to God in this manner. Read what happened to Michal - the daughter of Saul in 2 Samuel 6:20-23.
"Sounds of Heaven" - https://bibleinoneyear.org/en/classic/155/
Conclusion
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 KJV
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