Encouragement

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VISIONS BY THE RIVER (EZEKIEL 1:4-9)

"I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north - an immense cloud with flashing lighting and surounded by brilliant light. The centre of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, and their wings touched one another".

As Ezekiel watched, the heavens opened and he saw a windstorm coming towards him. It must have been like a cyclone, whipping up the dry desert sand, and increasing in momentum as it came along. It was a violent wind in a huge cloud of flashing lightning, surrounded by glorious and blinding light. It was a visitation of God!
Within the flashing, fiery ball of light Ezekiel could see the glory of God. It looked to him like glowing metal, and he saw four angels within the glowing presence of God.

The descriptions here of the different animal attributes were all symbolic; angels are spirit beings who cannot normally be seen, but this was how God wanted Ezekiel to perceive them. Each aspect of their appearance was a depiction of the unity, omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of God (Hands, faces, wings). The calf feet signify the heavenly speed with which they could move to fulfill the commands of God. The number four stands for completeness - God always completes what He begins!

The prophet’s detailed narration of his vision continues until the end of Chapter 1. There are many things we can take from this vision God gave Ezekiel, but I want to draw your attention to the following:

1) God has great visions and divine revelations for His children. He wants to take us higher in the spiritual realm.

2) We sometimes feel distanced from God and overtaken by the busy schedules of work and responsibility but God is able to reach us wherever we are. Ezekiel was in exile, far from his home and far from the temple of God, but the God of the temple came to him. God can meet you wherever you are! He recognises hungry hearts. He knows those who are desperate for more of Him!

3) The revelation of God is often behind a storm! Ezekiel saw the windstorm approaching and if he had run away from it, or hidden his face, he would have never seen the higher things he was meant to witness. Let us not run away from the unexpected storms in our lives. Let us not hide in fear. As we face them squarely, standing where God placed us and not retreating from the troubles that seem to arise from different directions, God has higher ground for us, and greater spiritual revelation and authority. There can be power behind the problem!

4) Keep your eyes on Jesus! When God's hand came upon Ezekiel (1:3), he responded by fixing his eyes on the Glory of God (1:4 - He looked). He surrendered to the hand of the Lord upon him. We cannot see heavenly visions if our eyes are focused on ourselves and our earthly existence. Ezekiel was in exile, surrounded by others in captivity. If he looked at his physical circumstances, there was not much to hope for; but when he looked up at what God was doing, he began to see another dimension - fire, lightning, clouds and the brilliant glory of Heaven! He saw the might and omnipotent presence of God.

5) Seek the River. It is the Blessed Holy Spirit who opens us to the possibility of heavenly visions and the divine revelations we can receive. As Ezekiel sat beside the Kebar River, he sat at the feet of God. The Spirit began to stir his heart and prepare him for a sight his physical senses could have never experienced. The eyes of his spirit were opened to see and know the supernatural sights of heaven!

6) God wants intercessors everywhere to be able to see the supernatural storms coming from the north, ie in the heavens. There is spiritual turbulence rising up over cities and nations, as a shifting takes place and the end time conflict begins to stir. God wants His warriors to see the warning signs - the storm clouds, the cyclonic winds, and enter into serious prayer - prayer without ceasing for the will of God to be fulfilled in the nations of the earth! He is opening up a vision before us! As we stand in the gap, He is commissioning angels to move swiftly into position and bring our prayers to fruition.

7) Although the storm rises against the church at large and believers everywhere, it has the potential to bring the Body to its knees in humility before God, to repent and seek Him in earnestness once more. Our response can lift us up to higher ground, to experience the end time prophetic anointing God is already pouring out on those who are surrendered to Him. The Bride has to make herself ready!

Friend, you are a prime candidate for a divine visitation! God wants to lift you up into heavenly realms and show you mighty things you never knew. He has a message for you. He has a revelation specific to your circumstances. Come closer to the River of the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to open your spiritual eyes that you may see. Ask Him to open your heart to the visions God has for you. Look beyond the storm - there is Goodness and Mercy following! There is higher ground and divine revelation. You are truly more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus who loves you and called you.

May the power of the blessed Holy Spirit be your ever present portion and may you experienced visions and heavenly revelations like never before!

Minoli Haththotuwa
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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