Crystallization-Study of Ezekiel (1)
Message Seven
The Highest Point in Our Spiritual Experience—
Having a Clear Sky with a Throne above It
Opening Word of the Prophesying Meeting
Reading the verses in each day.
Reading the main points in the outlines.
Pray-reading the verses:
And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the sight of awesome crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. And under the expanse one pair of their wings went straight out, one toward the other; each had another pair covering their bodies on this side and on that side—Ezek. 1:22-23.
And above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, like the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was One in appearance like a man, above it—v. 1:26.
Word of Appetizer
What is the highest point in Christians’ spiritual experience? What is its significance?
The highest step in the spiritual experience of a Christian is to have the throne in our firmament, in our clear sky .
To have the throne above a clear sky is to allow God to have the highest and most prominent position in our Christian life. In everything we are completely submissive to God’s authority and administration.
Spiritual Burden
We need to see a vision of the throne of God for the divine administration throughout the universe. We need to maintain a clear sky with the Lord, that is, have a clear fellowship with Him; in our spiritual experience to have the throne above a clear sky is to allow God to have the highest and most prominent position in our Christian life..
Concluding Word of the Prophesying Meeting
The Revelation of the Truth
Over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the sight of awesome crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
We need to see a vision of the throne of God for the divine administration throughout the universe. The highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with the throne above it. The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for Him to accomplish His eternal purpose.
The only authority in the church is the throne above the clear sky.
“The likeness of a throne” is “like the appearance of a sapphire stone”. The throne in the heavens is transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures.
The Experience of Life
When there is nothing between us and the Lord, our sky will be crystal clear, and we will have not only a good conscience but also a pure conscience.
The more we have clear fellowship with the Lord, the more we will be under His authority .
When we have fellowship with God and with one another, there will be genuine coordination among us; then we can speak for God and also listen quietly to His speaking.
Practice and Application
If we would have a clear sky, we need to deal with any offense or condemnation in our conscience.
We should care only for the presence of the Lord, not for anything else; in other words, we care only for the clear sky with the throne above it. In everything we are completely submissive to God’s authority and administration
Using Key Verses to Have a Bird’s-Eye View over the Whole Outline
Key Verses (1)
And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the sight of awesome crystal, stretched forth over their heads above—Ezek. 1:22.
That which we have seen and heard we report also to you that you also may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ—1 John 1:3.
Because of this I also exercise myself to always have a conscience without offense toward God and men—Acts 24:16.
I. Over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the sight of awesome crystal, stretched forth over their heads above
A. Over the heads of the four living creatures, there is the firmament, the expanse, which we call the sky.
B. The sky above the living creatures is like a great expanse of awesome crystal, indicating that above them is a clear, open, and expanding heaven:
.They have a thorough fellowship with the Lord vertically and also a clear fellowship among themselves horizontally; they have a wide and stable span of fellowship.
.We need to maintain a clear sky with the Lord, that is, have a clear fellowship with Him.
C. Our conscience is connected to our sky:
. If we would have a clear sky, we need to deal with any offense or condemnation in our conscience. We will have not only a good conscience but also a pure conscience.
Key Verses (2)
And under the expanse one pair of their wings went straight out, one toward the other; each had another pair covering their bodies on this side and on that side. And I heard the sound of their wings, like the sound of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, as they went; it was the sound of a tumult, like the sound of an army. Whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. And there was a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood still, they dropped their wings—Ezek. 1:23-25.
One pair of their wings went straight out, another pair covering their bodies on this side and on that side;
They went—the sound of their wings, like the sound of great waters, the Almighty, an army; They stood still—dropped their wings, there was a voice from above the expanse
II. One pair of their wings went straight out, one toward the other; each had another pair covering their bodies on this side and on that side:
.The four living creatures stretch out two of their wings for coordination; under a clear, open, stable, and expanding sky, we can have a coordination that is altogether straight, with nothing crooked.
.The four living creatures use the other two wings to cover themselves; this indicates that in the coordination we should not display ourselves but should hide ourselves under the Lord’s grace.
III. And I heard the sound of their wings, like the sound of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, as they went; it was the sound of a tumult, like the sound of an army, the voice of a corporate, coordinated body.
IV. Whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. And there was a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads. They know how to listen to God’s voice.
Key Verses (3)
Immediately I was in spirit; and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne there was One sitting—Rev. 4:2.
And above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, likethe appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was One in appearance like a man, above it—Ezek. 1:26.
And they saw the God of Israel, and under His feet there was something like a paved work of sapphire, even like heaven itself for clearness—Exo. 24:10.
The throne of God—the divine administration throughout the universe, accomplish His eternal purpose,
The highest point in our spiritual experience, the only authority in the church
The likeness of a throne—sapphire stone; transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures
V. We need to see a vision of the throne of God for the divine administration throughout the universe; the universe operates according to God’s administration.
VI. The highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with the throne above it; in everything we are completely submissive to God’s authority and administration.
VII. The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for Him to accomplish His eternal purpose.
We need to learn to exercise the key of losing the soul-life:
VIII. The only authority in the church is the throne above the clear sky; the more we submit to the throne, the weightier we will be.
IX. In Ezekiel 1:26 “the likeness of a throne” is “like the appearance of a sapphire stone” ; blue is a heavenly color indicating the situation and condition of God’s presence.
X. The throne in the heavens is transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures.
Prophesying Topics—Twelve Topics per Week
D1
T1 And over the heads of the four living creatures, there is the firmament, the expanse (Ezek. 1:22)
(Please explain that the sky is not only clear and expanding but also stable.)
T2 The kind of sky a Christian has depends upon his conscience (1 Tim. 1:5)
(Please use experience to explain that in order to have a clear sky, we need to deal with any offense and condemnation in our conscience.)
D2
T1 One pair of their wings went straight out (Ezek. 1:23)
(Please explain that the fact that their wings went straight out means that our coordination must be frank, sincere, earnest, and straight.)
T2 As they moved in a straight coordination, a voice came out (Ezek. 1:24)
(Please explain that the voice which came out from Peter on the day of Pentecost was not the voice of an individual Peter but the voice of a corporate body; eventually this voice becomes the voice of God.)
D3
T1 When the living creatures hear God’s voice, they stand still, and lower their wings (Ezek. 1:24-25)
(Please use experience to explain that we Christians should speak for God and also listen to His speaking.)
T2 The coordination of the four living creatures is not a one-man show (1John 1:7)
(Please explain that when we have fellowship with God and with one another, there will be genuine coordination among us.)
D4
T1 The Lord’s throne is both in the third heaven and in our spirit (Rev. 4:2; Heb. 4:16)
(Please explain what the difference between the throne in Revelation and the throne in epistles is.)
T2 under the ruling and reigning of the throne (Rev. 4:2)
(How can we know whether one is under the ruling and reigning of the throne or not?)
D5
T1 The highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with a throne above it (Ezek. 1:26)
(Please explain that to have the throne is to allow God to have the highest and most prominent position in our Christian life.)
T2 The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for Him to accomplish His eternal purpose (Rev. 22:1)
(Please explain that if we want God’s purpose to be carried out with us, we must be a person who submits to the throne.)
D6
T1 The only authority in the church is the throne above the clear sky (Matt. 28:18-19)
(Please explain that if we are under a clear sky with the throne above it, genuine authority will be with us.)
T2 The throne in the heavens is transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures (Ezek. 1:5, 26)
(Please explain that this needs to be the situation among the local churches today, the situation among the overcomers, and the situation and condition of our daily Christian life.)
