Ezekiel witnessed the awesome approach of the glory of God in a vision, as recorded in Ezekiel 1, where the scene is the most elaborate and complex among the stories of a prophet's call. He saw the likeness of a firmament, shining like crystal, and above it, the likeness of a throne, appearing like sapphire. In this vision, spiritual creatures, likely cherubim, form what seems to be God's chariot, accompanied by a rainbow over the crystal, composed of spirit rather than physical matter. Ezekiel received his prophetic commission by swallowing a scroll offered by God, strengthening him and training him in obedience. His role was further defined as a watchman, tasked to warn the rebellious house of Israel to turn back to God, though they would not listen. The departure of God's glory mirrored its approach, and Ezekiel was taken away by the Spirit, possibly riding on a cherubim, as the throne of the Lord also departed. These spiritual manifestations, invisible to human eyes unless revealed by God, are used according to His will and pleasure.

Ezekiel witnessed the awesome approach of the glory of God in a vision, as recorded in Ezekiel 1, where the scene is the most elaborate and complex among the stories of a prophet's call in the Old Testament. He saw the likeness of a firmament, shining like crystal, and above it, the likeness of a throne, appearing like sapphire. In this vision, spiritual creatures, likely cherubim, form what seems to be God's chariot, surrounded by something like a rainbow over the crystal. These elements are composed of spirit, not physical matter, revealing the spiritual nature of heavenly things. Ezekiel received his prophetic commission by swallowing a scroll offered by God, strengthening him and training him in obedience. He was appointed as a watchman to warn the rebellious house of Israel to turn back to God, though they would not listen. The departure of the glory of God mirrored its approach, and Ezekiel was taken away by the Spirit while the throne of the Lord also departed, suggesting he may have ridden on a cherubim, similar to experiences of Enoch and Elisha. These spiritual manifestations are revealed according to God's will and pleasure, visible to human eyes only as He allows.