Vision May 2, 2012
I was given a vision this morning of a desert scene in the Middle East. There was an Egyptian man in common attire facing east on a chariot, and the chariot had no horse driving it. He was in front of a very large, stone-walled city that had a giant gate or solid double-doors in the middle of the wall. I got the impression the city was Jerusalem. All activity was occurring inside the gate and the man was just outside the city, waiting. Above and to the left or north, I saw two black ravens hovering in the air near the man. A giant phoenix with wings outstretched then descended over the whole scene casting a shadow over everything.
I researched the meanings of several of the key elements in the vision- gate, chariot, ravens, phoenix, the direction east, and the wheels of the chariot. I used the Expository Bible Dictionary, the Strong's Concordance, Peloubet's Bible Dictionary, and some internet wikipedia meanings. This is what I learned:
(*) scriptures quoted from KJV
Gate: The gates and gateways of ancient eastern cities had important role to play, not only in the defense of the city but also in the public economy of the place. They represent the city itself. They were used as a place of public gathering, the deliberation and administration of justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors. They were carefully guarded and usually closed at nightfall. Larger gates mentioned in scripture were two-leaved, plated with metal, closed with locks and fastened with metal bars. Legal sentences were inscribed on and above the gates. Metaphorically speaking, gates can be an access to situations either of hope or despair, life or death in the NT, and are often spoken of as a way to gain access to the presence of Yahweh.
Chariot: in Hebrew (rekeb). This is a covering, or saddle. In the story of Enoch and Elisha, God shows that His army will come on chariots of fire; a means in which God travels. The prophets allude frequently to chariots as an example of power. Ps.20:7; 104:3; Jer. 51:21; Zech. 6:1.
Raven: in Hebrew (oreb). 1King 17:4,6; Ps. 147:9; Prov:17; Luke 12:24. In Luke's reference, "consider the raven, they neither sow nor reap, they neither have a storehouse or a barn, and God feedeth them, how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
Greek meaning of raven:(korax) voracity, cram, eat enough, be full, glut.
Elisha was cared for by the ravens. 1Kings 17: 4,6. They are expressly mentioned as instances of God's protecting love and goodness. Job 38:41; Luke 12:24. The raven was a common bird in Palestine and flew restlessly about in the constant search for food to satisfy its voracious appetite. This may be the reason for it being selected by our Lord as a special object of God's provision and care.
Phoenix: in Hebrew (chol) or, a firebird. Death has no power over it because it didn't taste of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. At the end of its life, it burns up in fire and renews itself through a rebirth, as it returns to its youth. Job 29:18-"Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply [my] days as the sand (chol).
Commentator Rabbi Rashi states "they are a symbol of a future resurrection to new life and God's prophetic symbol".
East: in Hebrew (mizrah)- eastward orientation of the temple, or east gate of the temple- the direction in which God will bring judgment on His people and nations surrounding Israel, also the direction from which God releases His people from captivity. Metaphorically, it is the direction in which absolute sin shall be removed. The direction from which God brings judgment and deliverance. Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Eze 45:7: a reference to the point of departure for the glory cloud of Yahweh.
Wheel: in Hebrew (galgal) rendered "wheel" in Psalm 83:13 and "a rolling thing" in Isaiah 17:13. "whirling dust"
I then went to the Lord in prayer and meditation, asking for an interpretation for this vision and this is what I was given.
I was given a vision this morning of a desert scene in the Middle East. There was an Egyptian man in common attire facing east on a chariot, and the chariot had no horse driving it. He was in front of a very large, stone-walled city that had a giant gate or solid double-doors in the middle of the wall. I got the impression the city was Jerusalem. All activity was occurring inside the gate and the man was just outside the city, waiting. Above and to the left or north, I saw two black ravens hovering in the air near the man. A giant phoenix with wings outstretched then descended over the whole scene casting a shadow over everything.
I researched the meanings of several of the key elements in the vision- gate, chariot, ravens, phoenix, the direction east, and the wheels of the chariot. I used the Expository Bible Dictionary, the Strong's Concordance, Peloubet's Bible Dictionary, and some internet wikipedia meanings. This is what I learned:
(*) scriptures quoted from KJV
Gate: The gates and gateways of ancient eastern cities had important role to play, not only in the defense of the city but also in the public economy of the place. They represent the city itself. They were used as a place of public gathering, the deliberation and administration of justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors. They were carefully guarded and usually closed at nightfall. Larger gates mentioned in scripture were two-leaved, plated with metal, closed with locks and fastened with metal bars. Legal sentences were inscribed on and above the gates. Metaphorically speaking, gates can be an access to situations either of hope or despair, life or death in the NT, and are often spoken of as a way to gain access to the presence of Yahweh.
Chariot: in Hebrew (rekeb). This is a covering, or saddle. In the story of Enoch and Elisha, God shows that His army will come on chariots of fire; a means in which God travels. The prophets allude frequently to chariots as an example of power. Ps.20:7; 104:3; Jer. 51:21; Zech. 6:1.
Raven: in Hebrew (oreb). 1King 17:4,6; Ps. 147:9; Prov:17; Luke 12:24. In Luke's reference, "consider the raven, they neither sow nor reap, they neither have a storehouse or a barn, and God feedeth them, how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
Greek meaning of raven:(korax) voracity, cram, eat enough, be full, glut.
Elisha was cared for by the ravens. 1Kings 17: 4,6. They are expressly mentioned as instances of God's protecting love and goodness. Job 38:41; Luke 12:24. The raven was a common bird in Palestine and flew restlessly about in the constant search for food to satisfy its voracious appetite. This may be the reason for it being selected by our Lord as a special object of God's provision and care.
Phoenix: in Hebrew (chol) or, a firebird. Death has no power over it because it didn't taste of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. At the end of its life, it burns up in fire and renews itself through a rebirth, as it returns to its youth. Job 29:18-"Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply [my] days as the sand (chol).
Commentator Rabbi Rashi states "they are a symbol of a future resurrection to new life and God's prophetic symbol".
East: in Hebrew (mizrah)- eastward orientation of the temple, or east gate of the temple- the direction in which God will bring judgment on His people and nations surrounding Israel, also the direction from which God releases His people from captivity. Metaphorically, it is the direction in which absolute sin shall be removed. The direction from which God brings judgment and deliverance. Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Eze 45:7: a reference to the point of departure for the glory cloud of Yahweh.
Wheel: in Hebrew (galgal) rendered "wheel" in Psalm 83:13 and "a rolling thing" in Isaiah 17:13. "whirling dust"
I then went to the Lord in prayer and meditation, asking for an interpretation for this vision and this is what I was given.
God our Father has brought us out of Egypt, out of idolatry, fornication, and all types of sin by sending His precious Son, Yahushua to shed His blood for our redemption. He travels by wind and fire, hence the chariot, as He did for Elisha and Enoch. The man in the scene had no horse pulling him across the desert, away from 'Egypt', and was actually traveling in the air, not touching the ground.
God is showing us that He is the one carrying, guiding and directing us away from sin towards a relationship with Him. The man did not need anything to pull him! He is traveling east, as even though God's judgments are said to come from the east. His mercy and deliverance also come from that direction.
The ravens are to show us that our needs will ALWAYS be provided for, no matter what comes or how bleak it looks. The walled city on the right is Jerusalem, and we access God through the gate, His presence, but the choice is always ours. Remember, the gate represents the entrance unto His tabernacle.
The phoenix represents our future resurrection. The bird, metaphorically, does not die, but goes through a rebirth after 'dying' by fire, only to rise from the ashes to youth again. So, we have the blessed assurance of the love the Father and Son have for us, and we are guaranteed all of our needs will be provided. It is our choice to enter into His presence and allow Him to be our guide through the upcoming tribulations we will go through. If we choose Him, we choose eternal life, and a future resurrected body.
Hallelujah and praise God for a very clear picture of His eternal plan for us all! Amen
Hallelujah and praise God for a very clear picture of His eternal plan for us all! Amen