As an item of interest Ezekiel is addressed as the Son of man ninety-one times throughout the book of Ezekiel. The Lord Jesus who was also called the Son of man is mentioned only seventy-nine times. The title indicates that they were men born of the flesh. In the case of the Lord Jesus it emphasizes the fact of His manhood. He was God, manifest in human form. 1 Tim. 3:16 He humbled Himself and became a man that He might redeem us from our sin. Phil. 2:8
Some commentators suggest that the river in Babylon, Chebar was a canal dug between two of her rivers and there was a possibility that the captive Jews were digging it. Whatever the situation, the experience of Ezekiel must have been a great experience for him. The opening of the heavens was not a casual and very definitely not a common event. As a matter of comparison, when the Lord Jesus was baptized of John, the heavens were opened (split or sever, break, divide, rend or rent. Strong). Mark 1:10 It speaks to a strong action and display of power wrought by the Lord which is out of the ordinary, leaving no doubt but that it was a supernatural display. The opening of the heavens has a measure of forcefulness about it. It was a totally unexpected event which suddenly appeared before him. He had visions of God, how awesome. Not just a vision, but several visions were to be seen by him in this encounter with the Lord. The spectacular display of the glory and power of the Lord in the disclosure given to Ezekiel also foreshadows the tremendous display of the same at the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus. At the time of the rapture of the redeemed of all ages, He is seen coming as the lightning, shining from the east or sun rising unto the west, even so will His coming be seen. Mt. 24:27 When He comes in clouds, every eye which has ever been in existence will see Him, including those responsible for His crucifixion. Rev. 1:7.
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An open heavens, like any building, window or door which is opened, the ability to see or even to enter is made available. In this instance, the open heavens were given to Ezekiel that he might behold and know the Lord. Eze. 1:1 In the case of John on Patmos it was a time of great revelation. The door was open, we know from the statement of the Lord Jesus that He is the door. John 10:9 All true revelation originates with Him. John did not hear a trumpet sound made at this time. If you carefully read Rev. 4:1, you will realize that there is no trumpet sounded but a voice like a trumpet is heard. It is true that some musicians can almost make an instrument talk, but not in this case. This voice, invited John to come up into heaven, that he might be given the revelation of the future dealings of the Lord with the cosmos and the people of the world. Very definitely, this is not the moment of the rapture. It was more than a vision, John, by the Spirit, was shown the marvelous throne of the Lord and with the experience an outline of future events. John had previously made reference to the terrific volume of that trumpet like voice in Rev. 1:10.
The Word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel. What a tremendously privileged man he was to receive such a personal visitation from the Lord. Eze. 1:3 He saw the glory of the Lord and heard His voice. Furthermore the hand of the Lord was laid upon him. With certainty, Ezekiel must have had an exceedingly strong emotional and spiritual experience each time the hand of the Lord was laid upon him. He related that the hand of the Lord was strong (hard, bold, violent. Strong) upon him. Eze. 3:14 He had to have felt a mighty surge of the power and Spirit of the Lord. The flesh of man can react in a violent manner to the power and presence of the Lord. He was literally lifted up and transported, carried by the Spirit of the Lord. The feelings of the Lord are expressed in and through him. He went in the bitterness and heat of his spirit, thusly manifesting the emotions, the frustrations of the Lord toward Israel.
His experiences with the hand of the Lord upon him were certainly most unique. Imagine being picked up by a lock of your hair. Just the form of a hand appeared but it was His hand and Ezekiel was lifted by the Spirit between heaven and earth and that without any man made equipment. If man can do it, most definitely the Lord can. Eze. 8:3 The manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord in such powerful ways had to have thoroughly convinced Ezekiel as to the call of the Lord upon his life. He was to minister to a rebellious and stubborn people but the mighty anointing of the Lord was with him and would enable him to fulfill his calling.