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(Prov 30:4 KJV "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" After reading this study, you perhaps will understand the LORD, the resurrection and catching up (rapture) to be with the Lord much better than before. There are some questions in Proverbs 30:4 that could be in reference to the LORD God (Gen 1:1-2), who created and made (Isa 45:5-12, 18) the heavens and the earth (Gen 2:3-4), who descended on Mount Sinai (Exo 19:16-25). (Isa 48:12-13 KJV) "Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. {13} Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together." To the Word of God, who is God, who is the image of the invisible God, for Him and by (through) Him (Col 1:12-17) all things (John 1:1-5) were made (John 1:10) and created (Eph 3:9). Who is the brightness of his glory (Isa 40:3-5) and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of his power... (Heb 1:1-14). Who became flesh (1 Tim 3:16), who is the Only Begotten Son (John 1:14), who is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). Who descended from heaven (John 3:13) and ascended to heaven (John 6:62-63). And to Jesus' Father as well, because Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him (John 14:8-11), and that God is in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Cor 5:18-19). Consider that the Father, the Word (John 17:11, 19-23) and the Holy Ghost (Spirit of God, Gen 1:2) are One (1 John 5:7-8). (1 John 5:7 KJV) "For there are three that bear record [witness] in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Ones of faith do not need to struggle (Rom 10:6-11) with, "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?" Jesus said, no man has ascended up (bodily) to heaven but He who came down (descended) from heaven, the Son of Man -- who is Jesus, Joshua (Yehowshuwa': H3091), Messiah, Christ (John 1:40-41; 4:25-26), Anointed (Mashiyach: H4899, Dan 9:24-26), Son of God -- who is in heaven (John 3:13). Came Down (Descended) and Ascended (John 3:11-13 KJV) "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. {12} If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? {13} And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 6:62-63 KJV) "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? {63} It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." In John 3:13, Jesus could have answered one of the questions in Proverbs 30:4 that was perhaps in the mind and heart of Nicodemus (John 3:1-13). He, the true and living bread of God and of life from heaven, who is from above (John 3:31; 8:23), came down from heaven (John 6:31-58) and (bodily) ascended (anabaino: G305) up (to heaven) where He was before (John 6:62-63), which occurred after His resurrection, as stated in John 20:17 and in Acts 1:9. (John 20:17 KJV) "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (Acts 1:9 KJV) "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." When He passed into the heavens as our High Priest (Heb 4:14-16), by His own blood He entered in once into heaven's holy (of all, Heb 9:3) place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb 9:8-12, 24-26), to make reconciliation (atonement, propitiation) for the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), and is now at the right hand of God (Heb 8:1-2; 12:2) making intercession (Heb 7:22-25) for us (Rom 8:34). (Heb 4:14 KJV) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Knew, Seen and Heard When Jesus spoke the words in John 3:1-13, He was speaking to Nicodemus about heavenly things that He knew (John 3:11), and had (discerned clearly) seen (John 8:38) and heard (John 3:31-33). Messages of His Descent and Ascent Immediately following John 3:13, Jesus compared His crucifixion with the lifting up (John 8:28; 12:32) of the serpent in the wilderness (Num 21:8-9). (John 3:14-15 KJV) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." The message in John 3:14-21 helps us understand some of His objective of "came down from heaven." I have found that many of the times when Jesus spoke, His messages were tied in with O.T. scriptures in some way or another, and it is the same with John 3:13. Note: "Came" and "down" in John 3:13 were translated from the same Greek word katabaino (G2597) in which "descending" was translated from in John 1:51. Those points will lead us deeper (1 Cor 2:9-16) into a prophetic study understanding better God's determined purpose and foreknowledge, and clarifying more our Savior's objective of His descent and ascent. (Psa 16:8-11 KJV) "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. {9} Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. {10} For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {11} Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Peter quoted most of Psalms 16:8-11 to get across God's message about Christ's death, burial, resurrection, etc. (Acts 2:14-41). (Acts 2:22-28 KJV) "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: {23} Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: {24} Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. {25} For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: {26} Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: {27} Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {28} Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Peter, who perhaps heard the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 22:41-46, explains fulfillment of various prophetic scriptures in his sermon (Acts 2:14-41) on the day of Pentecost to answer the doubters and mockers (Acts 2:12-13). (Mat 22:44 KJV) "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Psa 110:1 KJV) "A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Acts 2:29-36 KJV) "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. {30} Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; {31} He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. {32} This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. {33} Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. {34} For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, {35} Until I make thy foes thy footstool. {36} Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Peter knew David was "...dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day," that is to say, saw corruption, but Jesus did not see corruption, and that God raised Him (Acts 2:22-32) from the dead (Acts 3:13-15). Peter knew David did not ascend, but Jesus did (Acts 1:9-11) and is now at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33-36). And Paul knew David saw corruption, but Jesus did not, and that God raised Him from the dead (Acts 13:27-37) and is now at the right hand of God (Rom 8:34). Both (Acts 2:27; 13:35) used Psalms 16:10 in their sermons to show fulfillment. (Acts 13:35-37 KJV) "Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {36} For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: {37} But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption."
In Ephesians 4:7-16, Paul brings out some prophetic particulars about His descent and ascent (Psa 68:18), and the gifts that were given. He said Christ descend first into the lower parts of the earth.... (Eph 4:7-11 KJV) "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. {8} Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {11} And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Psa 68:18 KJV) "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them." Have Immortality At the present time, Jesus Christ is the only one who has ascended up (taken up, carried up, went up) to heaven in a resurrected body (1 Cor 15:35-49). Paul said to Timothy that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen..." (1 Tim 6:16 KJV). That does not mean Saints will never have immortality, because in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Paul said to the church of God at Corinth (1 Cor 1:1-2) that they will. And Jesus is the One who will clothe (2 Cor 5:1-8) them with immortality when the time comes. (1 Cor 15:51-54 KJV) "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, 1 in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." Through faith (Col 2:12 2) we have been raised (Eph 2:4-9) with Him (Rom 6:3-6 3) and now wait for the redemption (deliverance) of our body (Rom 8:21-23) when Jesus comes (Luke 21:25-28) and He gives the command (1 Th 4:16-17). Believers, being many members, are one bread and one (Gal 3:16, 28-29) body (1 Cor 10:16-17 4) in Christ (Rom 12:5), not two (1 Cor 12:12-13). And sons and daughters of the Lord (Psa 103:13-14) God (Psa 68:4-5) Almighty (2 Cor 6:17-18) their Father (Mat 6:9-15 5), children of God (Luke 20:34-36; Gal 3:14, 26), and heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17). (1 Th 4:15-17 KJV) "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." We will be resurrected, put on incorruption and put on immortality (1 Cor 15:51-54), and be caught (harpazo: G726) up and ascend (anabaino: G305) up to heaven in a cloud (1 Th 4:13-18), like the two witnesses in Revelation 11:11-12, when the time comes. The Greek word anabaino (G305), which was translated "ascend" and "ascended" in previous passages John 3:13, John 6:62, John 20:17, Acts 2:34 and Ephesians 4:8, was translated "come up" and "ascended up" in Revelation 11:12. Saints Transported In showing some unique ways Saints were transported (transferred), Hebrew and Greek words were placed in parenthesis along side some of the English words in the following Bible instances. In brief, after the people, kindreds (tribes), tongues and nations, their enemies saw the two witnesses' dead bodies three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet (dead will rise first).... And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, "Come" (anabaino: G305) up hither. And they "ascended" (anabaino: G305) up to heaven in a cloud... (Rev 11:3-13). (Rev 11:12 KJV) "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them." Note: When Saints resurrect, I believe the world will see them (Rev 11:11-12). By the way, before the Lord raptures (catches up) His Church, he alerts the world in His coming. He is not going to take His Saints out in a haphazardly way, leaving cars and planes crashing without drivers and pilots. In the O.T. Enoch was "translated" (metatithemi: G3346) so that he did not see death... for before his "translation" (metathesis: G3331) he had this testimony, that he pleased God (Heb 11:5). He walked with God... for God "took" (laqach: H3947) him (Gen 5:24). Elijah "went" ('alah: H5927) up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). At one time, the form (similitude) of a hand "took" (laqach: H3947) Ezekiel by a lock of his head; and the Spirit "lifted" (nasa': H5375) him up between the earth and the heaven, and "brought" (bow': H935) him in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate (Ezek 8:3). He was "brought" (bow': H935) to the door of the court (Ezek 8:7), to the door of the gate of the LORD's house (Ezek 8:14), into the inner court of the LORD's house (Ezek 8:16). Moreover, the Spirit "lifted" (nasa': H5375) him up and "brought" (bow': H935) him to the east gate (Ezek 11:1). Afterwards, the Spirit "took" (nasa': H5375) Ezekiel up and "brought" (bow': H935) him in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea (Ezek 11:24). At another time, the hand of the LORD was upon him, and "carried" (yatsa': H3318) him out in the Spirit of the LORD, and "set" (nuwach: H5117) him down in the midst of a valley which was full of (dry) bones... (Ezek 37:1-4). At another time, the hand of the LORD was upon Ezekiel and "brought" (bow': H935) him there; in the visions of God "brought" (bow': H935) him into the land of Israel, and "set" (nuwach: H5117) him upon a very high mountain, by which on the South was as the frame of a city (Ezek 40:1-2). He was "brought" (bow': H935) to the outer court, "brought" (yalak: H3212) toward the South, behold a gate, "brought" (bow': H935) into the inner court by the south gate, into the inner court toward the east, to the north gate, to the porch of the house, by the steps which went up to the porch (Ezek 40:3-49). Afterwards, Ezekiel was "brought" (bow': H935) to the temple (Ezek 41:1). Then he was "brought" (yatsa': H3318) to the utter court, "brought" (bow': H935) into the chamber (Ezek 42:1), and "brought" (yatsa': H3318) towards the east gate (Ezek 42:15). Afterwards, he was "brought" (yalak: H3212) to the east gate. The Spirit "took" (nasa': H5375) him up and "brought" (bow': H935) him into the inner court (Ezek 43:1-5), etc. In the N.T. when Philip and the eunuch were "come" (anabaino: G305) up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord "caught" (harpazo: G726) "away" (harpazo: G726) Philip, so that the eunuch saw him no more. But he was found at Azotus (Acts 8:39-40). Note: Philip was one of the chosen seven men, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:3-6). Paul knew a man who was "caught" (harpazo: G726) up (into paradise) to the third heaven, whether in or out of the body he (did not know) could not tell, God knows (2 Cor 12:1-4). (2 Cor 12:1-4 KJV) "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {2} I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. {3} And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." When a voice from heaven told John the Beloved (John 13:21-26; 20:2; 21:7, 20-24) to "come" (anabaino: G305) up hither...immediately he was in the Spirit (Rev 1:10) and all of a sudden in heaven (Rev 4:1-2). At other times, John was "carried" (appohero: G667) "away" (appohero: G667) in the Spirit of the Lord (Rev 17:3; 21:10). (Rev 4:1-2 KJV) "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. {2} And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." They were all transported (transferred) somewhere else in some way or another, but none of them actually ascended up (bodily) to heaven to...see the heavenly (John 3:11-13; Heb 8:5) or spiritual things (some saw similitudes) which God has prepared (John 14:1-3; Heb 11:16) for them who love (1 Cor 2:9-16) and wait (Isa 64:4) for Him. Note: But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit… (1 Cor 2:10). Only Christ has, who came down from heaven (John 3:13), who was "caught" (harpazo: G726) up (bodily) to God and to His throne (Rev 12:5), and who is now at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19 6) and dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:14-16). One day Saints will be resurrected and by the Spirit (Rev 11:11-12) of the Lord (Acts 8:39) God (Ezek 11:24) "caught" (harpazo: G726) up (bodily) to be with the Lord (1 Th 4:16-17). All Died in Faith I believe Enoch, who was taken (Gen 5:24), translated so that he did not see death (Heb 11:5), Moses, who was buried (Deu 34:5-6; Jude 1:9), and Elijah, who went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Ki 2:11), all died (Heb 11:13) and shed their earthly (2 Cor 5:18) and natural (1 Cor 15:35-49) bodies. Paul said, "...that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor 15:50 KJV). Note: Into what tier of heaven was Elijah after he went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Ki 2:11-18)? Then also, from where did Elijah's writing (2 Chr 21:11-15) to Jehoram king of Judah (2 Chr 21:1) come from? Two of those prophets appeared again in other forms. There were John the Baptist, 7 who was Elias (Mat 11:7-15) who came to restore all things (Mat 17:10-13), and Moses and Elias (Elijah), who appeared in a vision (Mat 17:9) on the mount of transfiguration talking with Jesus (Mat 17:1-6, 9 8). Note: The LORD said He was going to send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful (terrible) Day of the LORD (Mal 4:5-6). It might not seem to some, but they all (who were before the birth of Jesus Christ, Mat 1:18-25), which includes the elders (Heb 11:1-3), patriarchs, prophets (Heb 11:32) and women (Heb 11:1-40), died in faith, not having received the promises (Heb 11:13) or the promise (Heb 11:39). All, Except One All, except One (1 Pet 2:21-22), have sinned (Rom 5:12), and "...the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek 18:4 KJV). Our High Priest "...was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15 KJV). The Son of God "...was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5 KJV). God "...hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin..." (2 Cor 5:21 KJV). Christ bore "...our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Pet 2:24 KJV). (Isa 53:5 KJV) "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." And all, except One as shown earlier (Acts 2:31; Psa 16:10), will see corruption. Jesus gave up the ghost and died on the cross (John 19:30-33), He was laid in a new tomb (Mat 27:57-61) and He rose again the third day (1 Cor 15:3-8; Hosea 6:2), on the first day of the week (Mat 28:1-7). Note: When the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 1:7) comes, we will have an (incorruptible and) immortal body (1 Cor 15:51-54) like His (1 Tim 6:14-16). He will "...change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body..." (Phil 3:20-21 KJV). (Rom 8:21-23 KJV "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. {22} For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. {23} And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption [ransom in full] of our body." After His Resurrection (Acts 13:30-31 KJV) "But God raised him from the dead: {31} And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people." Before Jesus would let anyone touch Him after His resurrection, He first had to ascended to His Father (John 20:17). Note: When He passed into the heavens as our High Priest (Heb 4:14-16), by His own blood He entered in once into heaven's holy (of all, Heb 9:3) place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb 9:8-12, 24-26), to make reconciliation (atonement, propitiation) for the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), and is now at the right hand of God (Heb 8:1-2; 12:2) making intercession (Heb 7:22-25) for us (Rom 8:34). He was received (taken) up (Mark 16:19) and carried up (Luke 24:51) to heaven. He was taken up and went up (Acts 1:9-11) to heaven after forty days. He could have traveled to heaven two (John 20:17) or more times during the forty days (Acts 1:3) after His resurrection. Defying the natural laws was not a problem for the Lord. In His resurrected body (1 Cor 15:35-49), He could have easily appeared and vanished, and traveled to heaven. Note: During Jesus' ministry, He could rebuke the winds (Mat 8:23-27), walk on the sea (Mat 14:23-33), calm (Mark 6:47-51) the storms (Mark 4:36-41), raise the dead (John 11:1-6, 11-44), heal people (Mat 8:5-15), cast out devils (Mat 8:16-17).... During the forty days after His resurrection (Acts 13:30-31), He was seen by many. He first appeared (John 20:11-18) to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11). He told her, "...Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father" (John 20:17 KJV). Jesus appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34). He appeared in another form to two, Cleopas and another (Mark 16:12-13), and communed and sat at meat with them (Luke 24:13-32). "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight" (Luke 24:31 KJV). When the doors were shut, Jesus unexpectedly came and stood in the midst of the eleven and those who were with them (Luke 24:33-53), and said, "Peace be unto you." They were terrified and frightened and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "...Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:36-39 KJV). Note: Our risen Savior was seen by Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18) and the other Mary (Mat 28:1-11), by (Cephas) Simon (Luke 24:34), by Cleopas (Luke 24:13-32) and another (Mark 16:12-13), by eleven of His disciples (Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:33-53), by His disciples (John 20:19-25) including Thomas (John 20:26-31), by five hundred brethren (1 Cor 15:6), by James, by His disciples (John 21:1-25) the third time (John 21:14), by His disciples in Galilee (Mat 28:16-20), by the apostles forty days (Acts 1:1-11), by Stephen (Acts 7:55-56), by Paul (Acts 9:3-8; 1 Cor 15:3-8) and by John through the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1-3, 10-20). Souls in Heaven At the present time, Jesus is the only one who has a (spiritual) body (1 Cor 15:35-49) with flesh and bones (Luke 24:38-39) in heaven. The appearance of Moses and Elias in a vision on the mount of transfiguration (Mat 17:1-6, 9 8) and the following could help us understand man's form in heaven. When a Saint physically dies, his (body) flesh (2 Cor 5:1-8) turns again to dust (Job 34:14-15), his spirit returns to God (Eccl 12:7), and his soul goes to heaven (Rev 6:9). When Jesus was on the cross, He told one of the two (thieves, Mat 27:38) malefactors (Luke 23:33) crucified with Him that today he would be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:39-43). To some extent we can understand some of our basic parts. Jesus said we were to fear only Him who is able to kill both soul (psuche: G5590) and body (soma: G4983) in hell (Mat 10:28). There is a distinction between the soul and body; and as you observe in Revelation 6:9, the souls of them (Saints) under the altar have no natural bodies (1 Cor 15:44). (Mat 10:28 KJV) "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Rev 6:9 KJV) "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony (Rev 14:6) which they held:" Kingdom of God, Heaven To better understand what tier of heaven (2 Cor 12:1-4) Moses and Elijah could have been, when they appeared in a vision on the mount of transfiguration talking with Jesus, 8 and spoke of His (departure) decease... (Luke 9:28-32), we can search the Word and try understanding some aspects of the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28-29), which is synonymous with the kingdom of heaven (Mat 8:11-12). When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, He said, "...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21 KJV). Some thought it would immediately appear (Luke 19:11), and others had waited for it (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50-51). For many (Mat 7:13-14) it was (near) nigh (Luke 10:9-11), and (near) at hand (Mat 4:17 9). For certain ones it was not far (Mark 12:34), it had (arrived) come unto (Mat 12:28), upon (Luke 11:20) some, and others were already in the kingdom (Mat 8:11-12 10). Some (tis: G5100) would not taste death until they see the kingdom of God (Luke 9:26-32); see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Mat 16:27-17:9), which possibly occurred when Jesus was transfigured on the mount, where Moses and Elias also appeared in a vision; 8 and then see the kingdom of God come with power (Mark 8:38-9:7), which may have occurred at Pentecost when Jesus' disciples received power after the Holy (Spirit) Ghost came (Acts 1:7-8), and they were filled (Acts 2:1-4). In the previous paragraph, Jesus could have indicated John. Jesus said about John to Peter, "...If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee..." (John 21:20-24 KJV)? He put forth a statement perceived by some that John would not die. In Revelation 1:10-20, John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day when he saw the Lord. He was told to come up to see the hereafter; immediately he was in the spirit and all of a sudden in heaven (Rev 4:1-2) receiving (more of) the revelation (Rev 1:1-3). In essence he saw the Lord that Day in His various roles, as shown in some passages in Revelation. 11 I believe the message in the various passages, about some would not taste death until they see the kingdom, was perceived accordingly to whomever was to receive it, which is a characteristic of some of Jesus' messages (Mat 11:7-15 12). Receive, See, Enter Jesus said to his disciples that their righteousness would have to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mat 5:20), they would have to be converted and become as little children (Mat 18:3), and receive the kingdom of God as a little child to enter into it (Mark 10:14-15). He told Nicodemus that he had to be born again to see the kingdom (John 3:3), and be born of water and of the Spirit to be able to enter into it (John 3:5). It was the Father's good pleasure to give his little flock the kingdom (Luke 12:32). It is not of this world (John 18:36). (Luke 16:16 KJV) "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Paul said that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom (1 Cor 15:50), which he said just before he talked about our change (1 Cor 15:51-54); an understanding that could help us to better understand (John 3:9-13) being born again of the Spirit, and not of the flesh (John 3:3-8), before we can enter into the kingdom. We have been translated into His kingdom (Col 1:12-13). John of Revelation was a companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom (Rev 1:9). Come, Appear, Delivered Up, Restored Jesus said that He will not (no more) drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God (appears) comes (Luke 22:17-18), until that day when He drinks it new in it (Mark 14:23-25). He had already said that the kingdom of God was near (Luke 10:9-11) and within us (Luke 17:20-21); so then, He was referring to another time (Rev 19:5-9) and place (John 14:1-3) when He will partake of the fruit of the vine. One day His Father's kingdom (Mat 26:27-29) will come (appear) at His (presence) appearing (2 Tim 4:1), and the kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-21) in (on) the earth (Mat 6:9-15) will be delivered up to God the Father (1 Cor 15:23-28), perhaps the time when the kingdom is restored to Israel (Acts 1:6-7). Therefore, what I draw from the previous searches is that the kingdom of God (heaven) is near, within us and we can be in it. We are not able to see certain aspects of it with our physical eyes. But what can be seen is what the Lord is doing through those who, with an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15), have heard the Word and understood it (Mat 13:23), and have done the will of the Father in heaven and entered into the kingdom of Heaven (Mat 7:15-27). The tier of heaven (2 Cor 12:1-4) Moses and Elijah could have been, when they appeared in a vision on the mount of transfiguration talking with Jesus 8, might not be very far off (Acts 17:27-28). When Jesus Christ ascended up, it could have been to the same heaven from where the angels ascended and descended upon the Son of Man, that which Nathanael saw (John 1:49-51), and from where the great (glorious) light shined round about Paul on his journey to Damascus (Acts 9:3-8; 22:6-11). There are at least three heavens (2 Cor 12:1-4) and perhaps more according to the book of Enoch. Yet to Be Seen Yet to be seen by many (Mat 7:13-14) is how near the kingdom of heaven really is. Consider, heaven is God's throne and the earth is His footstool (Isa 66:1 13). Our King is now at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33 6), with His Father in (on) His throne (Rev 3:21). We have access to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) and all that He has to offer. Some divine things are at our reach and not that far from us, with Christ (Heb 7:22-25) and the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26-27) making intercession for us (Rom 8:34). And Paul said that the Lord was not far from every (each) one of us (Acts 17:27-28). (Acts 17:27-28 KJV) "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: {28} For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Only One Come Down... There has been only One who has ever come down from heaven (John 6:38), sent by the Heavenly Father (John 5:30-39), tell us of heavenly things (John 3:11-13), die, resurrect, and then (bodily) ascend (John 20:17) up (to heaven) where He was before (John 6:62-63). If no man has ascended up (bodily) to heaven and seen the Lord who dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:14-16), then no one has really seen Him. When He appeared, some said they had, but did they really see the Omnipotent (Rev 19:6), Omnipresent (Psa 139:7-8), Omniscient (1 John 3:20) LORD God Almighty (Exo 6:3; 2 Cor 6:18; Rev 4:6-8)? (2 Cor 6:18 KJV) "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord [God] Almighty." LORD Appeared, Made Known, Revealed (Exo 6:3 KJV) "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God ['el: H410] Almighty [Shad-day: H7706], but by my name JEHOVAH [Yehovah: H3068] was I not known to them." "...The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran [Haran], And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee" (Acts 7:2-3 KJV). When the (Yehovah: H3068) LORD ('elohiym: H430) God (Gen 28:13) spoke to Abram in Haran, he was seventy-five years old. He appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Abram in (Shechem) Sichem (Gen 12:1-9). The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision (Gen 15:1-11). Abram addressed Him as Lord ('Adonay: H136) GOD (Yehovih: H3069). The LORD spoke to him again while in a deep sleep (Gen 15:12-21). The angel (mal'ak: H4397) of the LORD found Hagar in the wilderness and talked with her (Gen 16:7-16). The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Abram when he was ninty-nine years old, and when He finished talking with Abraham, God ('elohiym: H430) went up from him (Gen 17:1-2, 22).The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Abraham in the plains of Mamre. As he sat in the tent door...three men stood by him. When Abraham saw (ra'ah: H7200) them, he ran to meet them and bowed toward the ground and said, ('Adonay: H136) "My Lord" (Gen 18:1-3). Some believe one of the men was the second Person of the Trinity. After feeding and speaking with the men, they turned and went toward Sodom while Abraham stood yet before the LORD (Gen 18:22) and spoke to the Lord ('Adonay: H136) about the righteous found at Sodom... (Gen 18:23-32). And as soon as the LORD had left communing with Abraham, He went His way (Gen 18:33). Two angels, possibly of the three men Abraham fed (Gen 18:4-22), came to Sodom and met with Lot (Gen 19:1). The angel (mal'ak: H4397) of the LORD called out to Abraham out of heaven when he was about to slay his son Isaac and told him not to. And called to him the second time, and the LORD blessed him because of what he had done (Gen 22:10-18). (Gen 22:15-16 KJV) "And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, {16} And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son." God came to Abimelech in a dream by night (Gen 20:3-7), and also to Laban the same way (Gen 31:24). The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Isaac while he dwelt in Gerar (Gen 26:1-6), and then in the night in Beersheba (Gen 26:23-24). The LORD God, Holy One of Israel (Isa 41:14, 20-21 14), stood above a ladder that reached to heaven in Jacob's dream in a place he called Bethel (Gen 28:10-22). The angel of God spoke to Jacob in a dream (Gen 31:10-13) while in Haran (Gen 27:43), Padanaram (Gen 28:5). God appeared (ra'ah: H7200; revealed, galah: H1540) to Jacob at (Luz) El-Bethel when he fled from his brother Esau (Gen 35:1, 6-7). God ('elohiym: H430; 'el: H410) Almighty (Shadday: H7706) appeared (ra'ah: H7200) again when he came out of Padanaram and spoke to him (Gen 35:9-15). God ('elohiym: H430) spoke to (Israel) Jacob in a vision of the night and told him to go down into Egypt (Gen 46:1-4 15). The angel of the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Moses (Exo 3:16), and the LORD God called and spoke to him from the midst of the burning bush (Exo 3:1-6; Acts 7:30-33) in the desert at Mount Horeb (Sinai). The LORD (ra'ah: H7200) appeared (Exo 4:1-5) and spoke to him at other times; before confronting Pharaoh and during and after the Exodus (Exo 4:21-23 16), and to Aaron (Exo 4:27-28), and to them both (Exo 6:13; 7:8-10). The LORD went before the children of Israel by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire (Exo 13:21-22; Num 14:14). The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) in a pillar of cloud over the door of the tabernacle (Deu 31:15). The glory of the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) in a cloud and the children of Israel saw it (Exo 16:6-10). At other times the glory of the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to them (Lev 9:23-24 17). In the third month after the children of Israel left Egypt, the LORD descended on Mount Sinai (Exo 19:16-21) and talked Moses (Exo 19). The Children of Israel saw that the LORD talked with Moses from heaven (Exo 20:18-22). They heard a voice but saw no similitude (image, likeness). Therefore they were to take heed so that they would not corrupt themselves by making a graven image (Deu 4:10-19), or gods of silver or gold (Exo 20:23). In Exodus 24:9-11, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders went upon Mount Sinai and saw (ra'ah: H7200; chazah: H2372) the God ('elohiym: H430) of Israel. The sight (mar'eh: H4758) of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the Children of Israel (Exo 24:15-18). Note: The Hebrew word mar'eh (H4758), from ra'ah (H7200), was translated "sight" in Exodus 24:17, and "vision" in Numbers 12:6. At one time Moses saw the back parts of the LORD but not His face (Exo 33:18-23). For the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face (Deu 34:10), as a man speaks unto his friend (Exo 33:11), mouth to mouth, plainly, clearly and not in dark speeches (riddles). And he beheld (saw) the similitude (temuwnah: H8544; image, likeness) of the LORD. But to a prophet the LORD would make Himself known (yada': H4758) to him in a vision (mar'eh: H4758), and would speak to him in a (chalowm: H2472) dream (Num 12:6-8). (Num 12:6-8 KJV) "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. {7} My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. {8} With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" Balaam heard the words of God and saw (chazah: H2372) the vision (machazeh: H4236) of the Almighty (Num 24:2-4, 16). The LORD (God) spoke to Joshua (Josh 1:1-9). Captain of the LORD's host came to Joshua (Josh 5:13-15). Note: The Hebrew word machazeh (H4236) is from chazah (H2372). The Hebrew word chazah (H2372) was translated "saw" in Exodus 24:11, Numbers 24:4 and 16. The angel (mal'ak: H4397) of the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Gideon. He feared after he saw the angel of the LORD face to face. "And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die" (Judg 6:11-23). The angel (mal'ak: H4397) of the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Manoah and his wife (Judg 13:1-19), who were parents of Samson. The angel ascended in the flame of the altar and did not appear again. Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD (Judg 13:20-21); but "...Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God ['elohiym: H430]..." (Judg 13:22-24 KJV). Note: The Hebrew word 'elohiym (H430) was translated "God," and in some verses "angels, gods, judges," etc. When Samuel was a child (1 Sam 3:1-9), ...the LORD came and stood (yatsab: H3320), and called to him as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. He feared to show Eli the vision (1 Sam 3:10-15). Samuel grew (1 Sam 3:19). And the LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed (galah: H1540) Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD (1 Sam 3:21). The word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open (widespread) vision (1 Sam 3:1). The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Solomon in Gibeon in a dream by night, and God ('elohiym: H430) spoke to him (1 Ki 3:5-15). Mount Moriah was where Solomon built the house of the LORD; also where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:2); where David saw (ra'ah: H7200) the angel of the LORD having a drawn sword (1 Chr 21:15-16); and where the Lord appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Solomon's father, in the place where David had prepared in (on) the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (2 Chr 3:1). The LORD appeared (ra'ah: H7200) to Solomon the second time as He did at Gibeon, after finishing the house of the LORD (1 Ki 9:1-9 18). "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped..." (2 Chr 7:1-3 KJV). The word of the LORD came to Elijah, telling him to go show himself to Ahab (1 Ki 18:1). After he fled from Jezebel, an angel of the LORD told him twice to "Arise and eat" because of his journey. He did so, and went forty days and nights unto Horeb the mount of God. In a cave the word of the LORD came to Elijah and told him to stand on the Mount (paniym: H6440) before (in the presence of) the LORD; and when the LORD passed by, there was a great and strong wind, next an earthquake and then a fire. After all that a still small voice ((1 Ki 19:1-14). Note: Consider, in Joel 2:31, the Hebrew word for "before" is paniym (H6440), "the face," and in other verses was translated "countenance" (Num 6:26), "face" (Gen 4:14; Ezek 38:20), "presence" (Ezek 38:20), etc. To the king of Israel, Micaiah "...said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw [ra'ah: H7200] the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left" (1 Ki 22:19 KJV 19). It did not say he actually saw the LORD. Micaiah relayed His word. He spoke what the LORD had said to him (1 Ki 22:14; 2 Chr 18:13). (2 Chr 26:5 KJV) "And he [Uzziah] sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." In the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw (ra'ah: H7200) the Lord ('Adonay: H136) sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and his train (robe) filled the temple. His eyes had seen (ra'ah: H7200) the King, the LORD (Yehovah: H3068) of hosts (Isa 6:1-7). Note: The Hebrew word ra'ah (H7200) was translated "appeared" in Genesis 12:7, 17:1, 18:1, 26:2 and 24, 35:1 and 9, 48:3, Exodus 3:2 and 16, 4:1 and 5, 6:3, 16:10, Leviticus 9:23, Deuteronomy 31:15, Judges 6:12, 13:3, 1 Samuel 3:21, 1 Kings 3:5, 9:2, 2 Chronicles 3:1; "seen" in Numbers 14:14, Judges 13:22, Isaiah 6:5; "saw" in Genesis 18:2, Exodus 24:10, 1 Kings 22:19, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Isaiah 6:1; "Seer" in 1 Samuel 9:9, etc.; and "visions" in 2 Chronicles 26:5. Therefore, what the prophets saw were visions (Num 12:6-8; Hosea 12:10). Ezekiel saw (ra'ah: H7200) visions (mar'ah: H4759, feminine of mar'eh: H4758, Ezek 8:4) of God by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans (Ezek 1:1-3). He saw the likeness (similitude) of a throne, as the appearance (vision) of a sapphire stone (Ezek 10:1). And on the likeness of the throne was the likeness (similitude) as the appearance (vision) of a Man on it... He saw the appearance (vision) of the likeness (similitude) of the glory of the LORD (Ezek 1:22-28 20). While Ezekiel sat in his house, he was brought in visions of God to Jerusalem (Ezek 8:1-4). And in the twenty-fifth year of captivity, the hand of the LORD was upon him and brought him there; in the visions of God brought him into the land of Israel, and set him upon a very high mountain, by which on the South was as the frame of a city (Ezek 40:1-2). He was brought to the east gate where he beheld (saw) the glory of the LORD (Ezek 1:22-28) God of Israel. The visions (mar'ah: H4759) were like the vision (mar'eh: H4758) that he saw (ra'ah: H7200) by the river Chebar (Ezek 43:1-5). Note: The Hebrew word mar'ah (H4759), feminine of mar'eh (H4758), was translated "visions" in Ezekiel 1:1 and 43:3. Mar'eh (H4758), from ra'ah (H7200), was translated "vision" in Numbers 12:6, and "vision" three times and "appearance" one time in Ezekiel 43:3, and many other times in Ezekiel. Ra'ah (H7200) was translated "saw" in Ezekiel 1:1 and 28, 43:3, Amos 9:1; "Seer" in 1 Sam 9:9, etc. After studying this section, one should see the relationship between the three Hebrew words (mar'ah, mar'eh and ra'ah) and have a better understanding of Numbers 12:6-8 and Hosea 12:10. (Hosea 12:10 KJV) "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." Daniel had understanding in visions (chazown: H2377) and dreams (Dan 1:17), gave interpretations (Dan 2:22-49 21), and had a dream and (chezev: H2376) visions (Dan 7:1-8:27). In two visions (Dan 7:9-10; 10:5-7), he saw the One who is also identified and revealed in Revelation 1:13-16. 22 He saw (ra'ah: H7200) Gabriel who told him to understand (consider) the matter and consider (understand) the vision (Dan 9:20-27). Amos saw (ra'ah: H7200) the Lord ('Adonay: H136) standing upon (by) the altar (Amos 9:1). According to Zechariah 14:1-5, the LORD's (Yehovah: H3068) feet will stand (Job 19:25) in the Day of the LORD on the Mount of Olives. And according to Revelation 14:1, a Lamb stood on Mount Sion. From the two passages, it appears that the Lamb of God is the LORD. As You Studied, you discovered in the O.T. that when the LORD (Zec 14:3-5) God Almighty (Gen 35:9-15) appeared (Exo 6:3), made Himself known (1 Ki 18:36-39) and spoke, which could be in a vision (Num 12:6-8) and/or in a dream (Gen 28:10-13), it was a similitude (Hosea 12:10), the Glory of the LORD (Ezek 1:22-28), God of Israel (Ezek 43:1-5) -- which will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together (Isa 40:3-5) -- where Christ dwells (1 Tim 6:14-16), the Son of Man (Dan 7:9-10; 10:5-7) of the N.T. (Rev 1:13-16 22), the (Only Begotten) Son of God (Rev 2:18), who is in the bosom of the Father... (John 1:18), or an (Exo 23:20-21) angel (messenger, ambassador) of the LORD (Judg 6:11-13) that was seen (Judg 13:20-24). In various ways the LORD appeared and revealed Himself (1 Sam 3:21) to give His word. The "word of the LORD" (occurs 245 times in the O.T.) at times came (Gen 15:1) to the prophets (1 Ki 18:1) and was spoken (1 Ki 22:19) by them. I found that the Hebrew word 'Adonay (H136), which was translated many times "Lord," was used in the O.T. at various times when referring to the LORD, His sayings and doings, when addressing Him in a conversation, in praise.... And the Hebrew word 'elohiym (H430) was translated "God" many times and was translated "angels" in Psalms 8:5. (Psa 8:5 KJV) "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." In the N.T. angels appeared at various times (Mat 1:18-25 23). After Jesus rose from the grave, certain women saw a vision (optasia: G3701) of angels, who said that He was alive (Luke 24:22-24). To some degree Moses saw the LORD. In Exodus 33:17-23, while His Glory passed by... he saw the back parts of Him and not His face, which no man can see and live. The special occasion happened after the LORD descended (Exo 19:16-21) upon Mount Sinai. (Exo 33:20-23 KJV) "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. {21} And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: {22} And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: {23} And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen." John may have recalled Exodus 33:17-23 and also Numbers 12:6-8 when he said, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18 KJV) Dwelling in Unapproachable Light (1 Tim 6:14-16 KJV) "...until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: {15} Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; {16} Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." This discussion is going just a bit further, with the help of the Spirit revealing the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:9-16), to find more on who has ascended up into heaven, or descended, and who has seen God, who dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:14-16)? In Ezekiel 1:22-28, above the firmament there was the likeness (similitude) of a throne. And on the likeness of the throne was the likeness (similitude) as the appearance (vision) a man.... The living creatures, which appears to be sort of a vehicle (Psa 18:10) for our King and His throne, were below the firmament. When I see descriptions like in the following (Ezek 1:22-28), I recall the words in Hosea 12:10, "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets," and the passage in Numbers 12:6-8. (Ezek 1:22-28 KJV) "And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature[s] 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 [similitude] of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness [similitude] as the appearance [vision] 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." In the above picture (Ezek 1:22-28), there was only one above the firmament in the appearance (vision) of the likeness (similitude) of the Glory of the LORD, dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:14-16). Others were under the firmament (or above the throne like the seraphims in Isaiah 6:1-7). In 2 Kings 2:11-12, as Elijah and Elisha went on and talked, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and separated them both asunder. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, and Elisha saw.... (ra'ah: H7200) it. And in 2 Kings 6:15-18, when the servant of the man of God was risen early and gone out, behold, an host (of Syrians of the king of Syria) surrounded the city of Dothan with both horses and chariots... And Elisha prayed...and the LORD opened the young man's eyes so that he may see (ra'ah: H7200), and he (servant) saw (ra'ah: H7200). And behold, the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire around about Elisha (each incident perhaps a vision). Note: The Hebrew word ra'ah (H7200) was translated "saw" in 2 Kings 2:12, and "see" and "saw" in 6:17; "Seer" in 1 Samuel 9:9; and "visions" in 2 Chronicles 26:5. The heaven those horses and chariots were from is perhaps where the cherubim dwell. If you read all the details about the living creatures, which were cherubim (Ezek 10:14-15), and the Lord on His throne in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10, you will find it to be awesome. Ezekiel saw visions (a mirror) of God (Ezek 1:1). In the Ezekiel 1:22-28 picture, no man appears to be where our Lord, King and Savior dwells (1 Tim 6:14-16), who is on His glorious throne, until later, as shown in Revelation 4:1-11, 7:9-17 and other passages in Revelation. Some various similitudes (images, likenesses) are also seen throughout Revelation and in the Lord's various roles (Rev 1:11-20 11). Note: Above the likeness of the firmament that was on the heads of the living creatures (cherubims), as the color of awesome crystal stretched over their heads above (Ezek 1:22) -- that which was under the feet of the God of Israel "as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness" (Exo 24:10 KJV), which for today could represent the second foundation of sapphire stone in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:19), possibly the third heaven (2 Cor 12:1-4) -- was the likeness (similitude) of a throne, as the appearance (vision) of a sapphire stone (Ezek 10:1). And on the likeness of the throne was the likeness (similitude) as the appearance (vision) of a Man above it. "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. 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..." (Ezek 1:26-28 KJV). And above the Lord on His throne were (copper color, Rev 21:19, fiery) seraphims (Isa 6:1-7). And before His throne, the sons of God (1 Ki 22:19), who at times presented themselves before the LORD, and Satan, who came among them (Job 1:6; 2:1) before he (the accuser of the brethren) was cast (down) out (John 12:31) of heaven (Luke 10:18) to the earth (Rev 12:7-10). One Way to See Him To get an idea how glorious the Lord God is, I believe the sun's light is dim (Acts 26:13-18) compared to Him. We can use a dark lens to look at the sun, take a picture of it with the proper camera setting or whatever, but we cannot gaze directly into it. Just seeing His creation and creatures, and the love He has for them by the giving of His Only Begotten Son (John 3:16-21), we can get an idea how splendid and glorious God is. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Mat 1:20) and was born of a virgin (Mat 1:23). "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..." (John 1:1-5 KJV). The Word became flesh (1 Tim 3:16) and dwelt among us, and we beheld (seen) His glory (Isa 40:3-5), the glory of the Only Begotten (Heb 1:1-14) of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). (Heb 1:3 KJV) "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" No man has seen God at any time. The Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him (John 1:18). God (the Father) is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). No man has seen the Father, except He who is of God, He has seen the Father (John 6:46). One way to see God the Father is to see Jesus (John 14:8-11). (John 1:18 KJV) "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (John 6:46 KJV) "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father." (John 14:8-11 KJV) "Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. {9} Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? {10} Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. {11} Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." Ascend Up, See God When the time comes, before Saints will ascend up, by the Spirit (Rev 11:11-12) of the Lord (Acts 8:39) God (Ezek 11:24) caught (harpazo: G726) up (raptured) to be with the Lord Jesus (1 Th 4:13-18) and see the Lord God (Rev 22:1-6) Almighty (Rev 15:2-3 24) their Redeemer (Job 19:25-27), their bodies (Phil 3:20-21) will have to be changed (Job 14:12-15), this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal (Job 4:17) must put on immortality (1 Cor 15:51-54), have a Christ (1 Tim 6:14-16) like (1 John 3:2-3), spiritual body (1 Cor 15:35-54); then they will be gathered together unto Him (2 Th 2:1-4) by the Lord's holy (Mat 25:31) angels (Mat 24:31). This will not happen until the first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6) and the kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-21) in (on) the earth (Mat 6:9-15) is delivered up to God the Father (1 Cor 15:23-28). Note: Saints are washed in (Rev 1:5-6) and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 5:8-9), born again (John 3:3-8), and in Christ. Some physically die (Rev 8:3-4) and their souls (Mat 10:28) go to in heaven (Rev 6:9-11), that is, some are absent from their bodies and present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:1-8) in paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Some, figuratively (metaphorically) speaking, are in the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:19-31). After Thousand Year Reign All those who do not have part in the first resurrection (and catching up) will have part in the one that could be called the second (or last) resurrection, when the rest of the dead live again (after the thousand year reign of Christ), when the thousand years are finished (Rev 20:4-6). When the thousand years are expired, Satan will be loosed out of his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations... and the devil will be cast (thrown) into the lake of fire and brimstone... (Rev 20:7-10). The dead will stand before the Great White Throne to be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:22), and whosoever was not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). Not Fallen Angels We are not fallen angels who have descended or come down from heaven, as some religious sects might teach; but fallen souls who have descended into sin and the grave, who are now depending on the One and Only who has ever descended down and ascended up to heaven to deliver us from our fallen, doomed state. Glory be to God! References:
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