A Throne Above the Firmament: Ezekiel 1:15-28 Explained

Scriptures for Today: Ezekiel 1:15-28

Ezekiel 1:15-28
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.  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.  21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.  23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.  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.  25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.  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.  27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.  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.

Introduction — God Appears in Exile

Before we get into this vision, let’s understand the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a priest. He was taken captive to Babylon before Jerusalem was destroyed. That’s very important to know, and you should note that. “Ezekiel was taken captive before Jerusalem was destroyed.”

He’s not preaching in the Temple. He’s not standing in Jerusalem. He’s in exile. He’s been captured.

The book of Ezekiel has three main parts. First, chapters 1–24 are warnings. Ezekiel tells the people that Jerusalem is going to fall. He acts out messages. He gives visions. He warns them over and over, and over and over, AGAIN! But they don’t believe it.

Then in chapters 25–32, God speaks judgment against other nations. Not just Judah. But surrounding nations. God is not just Judge over Israel. He is Judge over everyone.

Then in chapters 33–48, something changes. Jerusalem has fallen. The Temple has been destroyed. And now the message shifts from warning to hope. God promises restoration. He promises a future regathering. He promises life where there was death. He even gives a vision of a Temple. And this book is very controversial at times.

So the book moves like this: 1) Warning. 2) Judgment. 3) Restoration.

But it starts here in chapter 1. And what does it start with? Not destruction. Not politics. Not Babylon.

It simply starts with visions of God. Ezekiel is standing by the river Chebar in Babylon. He is among captives. His nation is collapsing.

And the first thing God shows him is this: A throne. Above everything. That’s where this book begins.

Now let’s briefly look at what happens in verses 1–14 before our passage. In verses 1–3, the heavens open and Ezekiel sees visions of God. In verses 4–5, he sees a great cloud, fire, and brightness. Then he sees four living creatures.

Verses 5 through 14 describe the living creatures or the angels. Specifically, these are cherubim. Each one has four faces. Each one has four wings. They move straight forward. They don’t turn when they move. They look powerful. They look ordered. They look directed.

There is fire among them. There is lightning. Everything is alive with movement and energy. And all of it is controlled. Nothing is chaotic.

Ad now we get to verse 15. Ezekiel’s attention shifts. He has seen the living creatures. Now he sees something beside them. And this is where our passage begins. The book of Ezekiel is awesome and difficult. Let’s learn the Scriptures together with the Holy Spirit teaching us.

The Wheels

Ezekiel 1:15–17
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.

Ezekiel now focuses on something beside the creatures. He says, “Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures.” This suggests each creature had a wheel beside it.

Since there are four living creatures, there appear to be four wheels. One wheel connected with each creature.

Verse 16 tells us the appearance of these wheels. They looked like beryl. Beryl is a bright gemstone. It can appear green or blue like emerald or aquamarine. The point is that these wheels were not dull or ordinary. They were shining like precious stone. These wheels were beautiful and radiant.

But then Ezekiel describes something even more unusual. “A wheel in the middle of a wheel.” This suggests a wheel structure that could move in multiple directions without turning. And verse 17 confirms this.

“When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.”

Think about that. Normal wheels must turn when they change direction. These did not. They could move forward, backward, left, or right without turning.

Why? Because each creature had four faces facing four directions. Forward — the face of a man. Right — the face of a lion. Left — the face of an ox. Backward — the face of an eagle. Whichever direction they moved, there was already a face facing that direction. No turning required. Everything moves with perfect order.

And here is the lesson. God is never stuck. God never has to turn around. God never has to rethink His direction. He moves exactly where He intends to move. Nothing restricts Him.

In this world we face limitations every day. We are limited by strength. Limited by time. Limited by knowledge. But God has no limitations at all.

Full of Eyes

Ezekiel 1:18–21
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. 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. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Verse 18 says something remarkable. The rims of the wheels were full of eyes. Eyes all around them. Not just a few. Full of eyes.

What does that represent? Awareness. Perception. Perfect sight. Nothing escapes the vision of God.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

God sees everything. He sees every injustice. He sees every sin. He sees every act of faithfulness. Nothing escapes His attention.

Verse 19 then explains how the wheels move. Whenever the living creatures move, the wheels move. Whenever the creatures rise from the earth, the wheels rise. Everything moves together. Nothing is disconnected. Verse 20 tells us why.

“Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went.” The direction comes from the Spirit. The creatures do not wander. The wheels do not move randomly. Everything moves according to God’s direction. The Holy Spirit is God.

Where the Spirit directs, they go. Immediately. Perfect obedience. Perfect coordination.

Verse 21 repeats the same idea again. When the creatures move, the wheels move. When the creatures stop, the wheels stop. When the creatures rise, the wheels rise.

Why? Because the same spirit animates both. The spirit of the living creature is in the wheels. Everything is unified. Everything is coordinated. Nothing in heaven is chaotic. Everything obeys God instantly. And if not, it’s not staying in heaven.

The Firmament

Ezekiel 1:22–25
And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. 23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 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. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

Now Ezekiel looks upward in verse 22. Above the heads of the creatures is something stretched out. A firmament. Not the same firmament as seen in the Book of Genesis during creation. NOT THE SAME. Read the Bible in context.

It is described as the color of terrible crystal. Clear. Brilliant. Overwhelming. TERRIBLE. Strikes terror in you because it’s so great. This is like a crystal platform above the creatures.

In verse 23, The creatures stand beneath it with their wings extended. Two wings stretch toward each other. Two wings cover their bodies. Everything is structured. Everything is orderly.

In verse 24, then Ezekiel hears something. The sound of their wings. And it is not a quiet sound. It is like great waters. Like the roar of a massive waterfall. Like the voice of the Almighty. Like the noise of an army or a great host. That’s a great noise!

The movement of heaven is powerful. The sound is powerful. When they stood they let down their wings. They stopped and put down their wings. Silence.

And then in verse 25, what do you see? “And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads.” A voice speaks from above. When that voice from above the firmament speaks, everything stops.

When God speaks, everyone should stop and listen. Heaven stops. In this world, though, most people don’t want to hear any of this.

The Throne

Ezekiel 1:26–28
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. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 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.

Now Ezekiel looks even higher. Verse 26 says, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne.” Above everything else? There is a throne. A throne like sapphire stone. And sitting upon the throne is the likeness of a man. This is one of the clearest Old Testament visions of the glory of God.

And please pay close attention to this because no other book in existence has this information correct. The Bible tells you the truth.

Verse 27 says, “And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it.” Fire above. Fire below. Brightness everywhere. The presence of God is radiant and overwhelming.

Verse 28 says, “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” Ezekiel finally understands what he is seeing. The glory of the LORD. And watch what happens with Ezekiel as soon as he sees the glory of the Lord. And you will do exactly the same one day.

So what does he do? Look at the verse. At the end of verse 28 there. “And when I saw it, I fell upon my face.” He falls on his face. That’s what we’ll do. Because when you truly see the majesty of God, you do not stand proudly. That won’t happen.

You fall in humility. At the very end, Ezekiel hears the voice of ONE that spake. There is ONE GOD. And we’ll see what this voice says to Ezekiel when we come back to this book. That ends Ezekiel Chapter 1.

Practical Applications

1. God is ALWAYS on the throne. Even in exile. Even in collapse. Even when nations fall.
2. Nothing escapes His sight. The wheels were full of eyes. God sees everything.
3. God moves with purpose. There is no confusion in heaven. Everything moves as He directs.
4. The right response to God’s glory is humility. Ezekiel fell on his face.

Conclusion — The Throne Above Everything

When you step back and look at this entire vision, Ezekiel is showing us the structure of the throne of God. First, there are the wheels upon the earth.

These wheels move in every direction. God’s rule moves wherever He wills. Above the wheels are the living creatures, the cherubim. They move exactly where the Spirit directs. Above the creatures is the firmament like terrible crystal.

And above the firmament is the throne. And sitting on that throne is the glory of the LORD.

So the structure is clear: Wheels below. Creatures above them. Firmament above them. Throne above that.

Everything in the vision points to one truth: God is above it all. And when Ezekiel saw it, he fell on his face. Because when you truly see who sits on the throne, pride disappears. God is still ruling. God is still seated. And He is still above everything.

Let’s pray.