Scripture Reading: Ezek. 1:4; John 3:8; Acts 2:2, 4; Exo. 40:34-38; Num. 10:34; Heb. 12:29
Ⅰ
In Ezekiel 1:4 the storm wind from the north is a figure, a picture, of the powerful Spirit of God—Acts 2:2, 4:
A
A strong wind coming from the north indicates that the mighty Spirit comes from God—Psa. 75:6-7a; 48:2; cf. Isa. 14:13-14:
１
God, who is at the north, is always up; spiritually speaking, when we are going north, we are going up to God.
２
The fact that the storm wind came from the north means that it came from God; this reveals that the dwelling place of God is the source of all spiritual things.
B
In Ezekiel 1:4 the wind is a sign of the blowing of the Holy Spirit upon us to take care of us, causing us to have God's life:
１
The breathing of the Spirit in John 20 is for life, and the blowing of the Spirit in Acts 2 is for God's move.
２
The essential aspect of the Spirit for living is symbolized by the breath; the economical aspect of the Spirit for ministry is symbolized by the rushing violent wind—John 20:22; Acts 2:2.
C
Our spiritual experiences always begin with a spiritual storm:
１
God's visitation begins with the blowing of the wind of God upon our being—John 3:8; Acts 2:2.
２
The Spirit as the blowing wind brought God to us for our regeneration—John 3:8, 6.
３
A storm wind from the north blows upon us at every turn in our spiritual life:
ａ
This storm wind is God Himself blowing upon us to bring a storm into our life, into our church, and into our work.
ｂ
Whenever God visits us and revives us, His Spirit blows upon us like a mighty wind.
ｃ
When the wind blows upon us, we cannot be satisfied with our spiritual condition; instead, we feel restless and concerned about our situation.
Ⅱ
The cloud in Ezekiel 1:4 is a figure of God covering His people:
A
When the Holy Spirit comes to us and touches us, He is like the wind; when the Holy Spirit stays with us and overshadows us, He is like the cloud.
B
The blowing of the wind brings the presence of God to us in the form of a heavenly, brooding, overshadowing cloud—Exo. 14:20, 24; 19:9a; 24:15-18; 40:34-38; Num. 10:34; 1 Cor. 10:2.
C
By staying with us as the cloud, God covers us, overshadows us, and broods over us to give us the enjoyment of His presence; in this way He produces something of Himself in our daily life.
D
The cloud also signifies God's care for His people and His favor toward them—Prov. 16:15:
１
In His gracious visitation, God comes to us like a cloud to care for us and to show favor to us.
２
After God blows upon us, we sense that He is overshadowing us and exercising His care for us; we can sense both His presence and His care.
E
Together, the wind and the cloud indicate that important spiritual transactions are about to take place between God and His people.
Ⅲ
According to Ezekiel 1:4 the wind brings in the cloud, and within the cloud is the fire:
A
The fact that there is fire in the cloud means that when we are overshadowed by the Spirit, we are enlightened by Him—Exo. 40:38.
B
In Ezekiel 1:4 fire symbolizes burning power for purging, purifying, sanctifying, and motivating in God's move.
C
Only what matches the holiness of God can pass through His holy fire; everything that does not match God's holiness must be burned away—Heb. 12:29:
１
This fire will burn away everything other than God, for only God can pass through the burning.
２
We all need to be transformed by being burned—cf. Rev. 21:18-20:
ａ
The fire consumes not only our pride, wickedness, and hatred but also our humility, kindness, and love.
ｂ
The holy fire burns not only our weak points but also our strong points, including everything in us that we and others admire and appreciate.
ｃ
Under the burning of the holy fire, our "I" will fall apart and be dissolved—Isa. 6:5; Dan. 10:4-8; Rev. 1:17a.
３
After the burning, the only thing that remains is the glowing electrum, the redeeming God—Ezek. 1:4.
４
As we experience the burning of the consuming fire, God Himself is manifested in us—1 Tim. 3:15-16; Rev. 4:3; 21:10-11.