Good Morning Friends,
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if, for just a moment, God pulled back the curtain separating heaven and earth and allowed us to see what is really there? Ezekiel and John were given such moments. Both were living in difficult circumstances. Both saw overwhelming visions of divine glory. Both encountered a mysterious figure with the appearance of a man. And both fell before him. But there is an important difference. Ezekiel sees a likeness. John sees Jesus. So, Who Is The Man On The Throne?
Scripture Summaries:
Ezekiel 1:26–28 Ezekiel looks above the extraordinary living creatures, wheels, and heavenly expanse and sees a throne. Upon it is “a likeness with a human appearance.” The figure radiates fire and brilliant light, surrounded by splendor like a rainbow after a storm. Ezekiel carefully avoids claiming that he has completely seen or comprehended God. He calls it “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” And when Ezekiel sees it, he falls facedown.
Revelation 1:12–18 Centuries later, John sees seven golden lampstands and among them “one like a son of man.” His appearance is radiant, his eyes are like fire, his voice is powerful, and his face shines with overwhelming brilliance. John responds exactly as Ezekiel did: He falls at his feet. But then something happens that takes us deeper into the mystery. The glorious figure reaches down, places his hand upon John, and says:
“Do not be afraid.” He identifies himself as the First and the Last, the Living One, the One who died and is alive forevermore.The Man in glory is Jesus Christ.
Message; Ezekiel was living among God’s people in exile when heaven opened. Jerusalem was far away. The Temple was far away. Much of what Israel associated with the presence and promises of God appeared to have been lost. Then Ezekiel sees the throne. That is the first great message of his vision: God is still reigning. Israel may be in exile, but God is not. Babylon may appear powerful, but Babylon does not occupy heaven’s throne. And then comes the mystery. Upon that throne Ezekiel sees something resembling a human being. Centuries pass.The Word becomes flesh. Jesus lives among us, dies upon the cross, rises from the grave, and ascends to the Father. Then John is given his vision. Suddenly Ezekiel’s mysterious image seems wonderfully familiar. There is still a Man in the glory. The carpenter of Nazareth is the risen Lord. The hands that touched lepers are the hands of the King. The feet that walked the roads of Galilee belong to the One who reigns. The One who hung upon the cross is the One John encounters in overwhelming divine majesty. Theophany has become something even greater. God has made himself known in Christ. Yet perhaps the most beautiful part comes next. John falls down as though dead. And what does Jesus do? He touches him. The hand of Almighty glory reaches down to a frightened disciple. “Do not be afraid.” Here is the heart of the Gospel.The God whose holiness brings us to our knees is also the God who comes near enough to touch us.
And So, both Ezekiel and John were living through unsettling times. Yet neither vision begins by explaining why everything is happening. Instead, God shows them who is on the throne. That distinction matters. We often want God to explain his plan. God often gives us something better: himself. When our health changes, when someone we love dies, when our family struggles, when our church faces uncertainty, or when the world appears to be spinning out of control, we naturally ask:God, what are you doing? Ezekiel and Revelation invite us to ask another question: Who is on the throne? The answer is not an idea. It is a Person. The One who reigns is the same One who loved us enough to enter our world and die for us. And the crucified One is now the risen One. So Christian hope is not ultimately confidence that everything will happen according to our plans. Christian hope is confidence that Jesus Christ is still on the throne.
Ezekiel saw: the likeness of a Man upon the throne. John saw: the risen Son of Man in glory. And through Jesus we discover the astonishing Christian answer to our opening question: Who is the Man on the throne?He is the One who came among us. The One who died for us. The One who conquered death. The One who reigns forever. And remarkably, when his glory overwhelms us and fear drives us to our knees, the Man on the throne does not remain distant. He reaches down and touches us. “Do not be afraid.” Perhaps that is the great comfort of this Theophany: The throne is occupied. The grave is defeated. The future belongs to Christ. And the Man on the throne knows our name.
Pray Lord Jesus, that You open our eyes to see your glory. Pray when our world seems uncertain, that You remind us that your throne is not. Pray You give us the reverence of Ezekiel, the wonder of John, and the confidence to trust the hand that reaches down and touches us. Pray that when fear overwhelms us,You speak again those words: “Do not be afraid.” Pray You help us remember that You are the First and the Last, the Living One who died and lives forevermore. Pray that until the day when faith becomes sight, You teach us to live with our eyes fixed upon you,the Man on the throne.
Amen.
Blessings,
John Lawson
