is worth noting on our list of things we are grateful for.
We are beginning two new books in our daily Bible reading today--Ezekiel and Hebrews. Ezekiel, a priest and prophet of God was in captivity when "the heavens were opened and (he) saw visions of God" (Ezekiel 1:1). Ezekiel writes a detailed description under the inspiration of God about what he saw. God does not leave the reader in suspense about the throne and the appearance of a man, but clearly states, "This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord" (v. 28). (Compare this passage with Revelation 4.)
The Spirit of God spoke to Ezekiel and told him he was being sent to "the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. . .they are impudent and stubborn", regardless of their response--"yet they will know that a prophet has been among them" (v. 5). Whether we listen or not, we will never be able to say, "God didn't tell us"!
The writer of Hebrews begins the book by saying that, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1, 2). We are given tremendous insight about Jesus in the next verses. God has appointed Jesus "heir of all things"; through Jesus, God made "the worlds"; Jesus is "the brightness of His glory"; Jesus is "the express image of His person"; Jesus "(upholds) all things by the word of His power"; Jesus, "by Himself purged our sins"; Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high"; Jesus, "having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they" (verses 2-4).
We are not left out of "the loop" as believers. Jesus told the disciples in John 15, that He no longer would call them servants, but friends, "for the servant doesn't know what his lord does; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you". Through God's word, we are given insight into the heavenly realm as we have read in Ezekiel chapter one, and again in Hebrews concerning Jesus' identity and position of power. It did not matter that Ezekiel was in captivity--"and the hand of the Lord was upon him there" (Ezekiel 1:3). Paul also wrote many of his letters to the churches while in prison. Our circumstances are beside the point--when we respond to God, we can experience heavenly places and be part of the work of God, regardless!
Referring to the heavens and earth--"they will perish, but You (Jesus) remain; and they will grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail" (Hebrews 1:11-12). Again, we are not left in the dark. In this passage God shares with us His plans for the physical creation. It is stated clearly. The "change" will be for the better as we will later read in Revelation 21. God also gives us spiritual insight about angels in the last verses of today's scriptures. "But to which of the angels has He ever said: 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your (Jesus) enemies Your footstool'? Are they (angels) not ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (v. 13-14). Dr. Stanley writes, "We may not see most of their activity, but God has given His angels the job of "ministering" to us. We may never know how often an angel spared us from injury, guided us to safety, or engineered some success."
Thank you, our Father, that You consider us "friends" when we "do whatsoever You command us" (John 15:14). Thank you for preserving Your Word for us that we can know Your comprehensive plan for the heavens and the earth, and for this world. And, that we can know Your will for our personal lives as we read and consider page after page of Your Holy Bible. Give us willing hearts and minds to search out these truths through the help of Your Holy Spirit who teaches and enlightens our understanding. Thank you for keeping us "in the loop" with what You are doing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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