HAGGAI-ZECHARIAH - EZEKIEL - OBADIAH - MICAH-NAHUM - HOSEA-JOEL - MALACHI - ELIJAH |
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Ezekiel was both prophet and priest who offered his message of consolation to the Jewish people living in Babylonian exile. More than any other prophet, he fully described and predicted the reestablishment of the Temple ritual in the rebuilt land of Israel. In the upper section of the window, you see depicted the chariot of the Lord. The window shows four erect creatures with faces of: a man, lion, bull and vulture, each with two pairs of wings, one pair outstretched to touch the outstretched wing of the adjoining beast and each with feet of bronze. The creatures support a sapphire "firmament" upon which stands a throne like form. The four sides of the chariot are of fire and they stand on four wheels within wheels, each wheel being full of eyes. This vision was symbolic of Ezekiel's call to prophecy. His byword was "kavod" or "honor." The second theme depicted in this window is the apocalyptic vision of Gog and Magog. In the end of days, King Gog will attack Israel. Symbols of the devastation, which he will bring, are the falling walls, the tumbling mountains, a caged lion, an uprooted vine, and a map of Jerusalem incised on brick. However, in the future, Gog would be destroyed and the nations represented by a vulture (Babylonia) and the crocodile (Egypt) "will see My judgment that I have executed and My hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God." The final theme is the restoration of the Jewish people. Two sticks, one symbolizing Judah and the other, Israel, would be joined together. Ezekiel also predicted the resurrection of the Jewish people in his famous vision of the dry bones. "Say not," said Ezekiel, "that our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost." "Rather," said the prophet in the name of God: "I will put My spirit in you, and you shall live." (Lower section). |
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In Honor
of the Peck, Miller, Meyer and Ruben Children of Richmond and
Portsmouth, Virginia |
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