Ezekiel 1:5

The likeness of four living creatures.

Angelic ministries

1. God employs not ignorant, silly ones in His service, but those that are intelligent, angels that are wise and very knowing.

2. The angels are in all quarters of the world, taking notice of men’s words, works, and ways.

3. Men should be ashamed to be ignorant, seeing angels are likened unto them for knowledge and understanding.

4. God doth interest angels and use their service in the government of the world.

(1) To inform us of God’s will, and God of our ways.

(2) In opposing the great enemies of Christ and His Church, whereupon they intermeddle with kings and kingdoms, and the great affairs thereof.

(3) To execute the judgments of God upon wicked men.

(4) To defend the godly, to save and deliver them from harms.

(5) To guide and lead the godly in good and safe ways.

(6) To comfort.

(7) To look unto the souls of men, that they fall not into the hands of devils at their death.

(8) They are God’s reapers at the end of the world.

(9) To declare kingdoms, cities, people cursed.

(10) The angels have work and power in the Church of God. (W. Greenhill, M. A.)

The likeness of a man.

The likeness of a man

I. There are human features in heaven.

1. There is a resemblance between spirits in heavenly regions and men.

2. There is a human likeness in God. Christ is its manifestation.

3. The human Christ is in heaven.

4. There are men in heaven.

II. There are human features in revelation.

1. Revelation comes to us through human channels. The thought of heaven is translated into the language of earth.

2. Revelation makes known to us the true glory of humanity.

3. In all religion it is important not to lose sight of human nature. We have to see--

(1) God’s sympathy with man.

(2) Man’s living, earthly experience of God.

(3) Man’s duty to his fellow men. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.)