The similarities in the writings of Ezekiel, a prophet and priest of the Old Testament, and the message of the apostle John in the New Testament book of Revelation are astounding and inspiring. The implications for worship and obedience are compelling. The mystery and the majesty of it all is overwhelming.
- Both Ezekiel and John are in exile when the heavens open to them. Difficult circumstances are not a hindrance, but a catalyst for spiritual growth and understanding.
- Both men experience the glory of God in a vision of the throne of God; sovereignty and beauty and holiness and perpetual motion from and toward the person and purposes of God. (Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4-5)
- Each of them is confronted with a scroll with writings on both sides, which speaks to the complete and comprehensive nature of God’s truth and revelation. (Ezekiel 2:9-10; Revelation 5:1) They are both told to eat the scroll before them. God wanted more than an intellectual understanding of the message; He wanted it to be totally assimilated into their entire being. (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3; Revelation 10)
- Both Ezekiel and Revelation are permeated with visions and signs, requiring intelligent interpretation as well as a sanctified imagination.
- In Ezekiel, Jerusalem is a city on a hill under siege by the Babylonian empire with resulting exile. In Revelation, Babylon represents an evil system which is diminished, denigrated, and destroyed. The New Jerusalem rises as the mountain of God and the center of all earth and kingdom activity.
- Israel is chastened, scattered, and promised future restoration in Ezekiel. In Revelation, Israel and the Church, though persecuted, are gathered and victorious. In Ezekiel, God deals with the nations surrounding Israel; in Revelation He deals appropriately with all nations.
- A river flows from the Temple as the depth increases in Ezekiel. Revelation climaxes at the threshold of eternity with an organic wildness in the River of Life in the midst of God’s kingdom.
- The crowning focus of both messages is their visions of Jesus Christ and the insurrection of the incarnation. (Ezekiel 1:25-28; Revelation 1:13-16)
Ezekiel and John were completely overwhelmed by what they had seen and in humility fell face-down as dead men. They were then lifted by the Spirit of the Lord and were commissioned to make the proclamation of this joyous message their continual occupation.