Ezekiel 1 – Forms had faces of a Lion, a Bull, a Man, and an Eagle; what do each represent?

Ezek 1:10
As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man, all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.

These same creatures were envisioned by John in his Revelation.

Rev 4:5-8 And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”

The description of these creatures is interesting. We are likely with dealing symbolism in Ezekiel's vision. These creatures appear just before the judgments in Revelation just as they do before the judgment of Judah in this book of Ezekiel. They are apparently figurative of Elohim's judgment. The first one being like a lion represents the coming judgment of the kingdoms on the earth. The second one being like a calf or bull represents judgment on the earth or land itself. The third creature having a face like a man speaks of the judgment on mankind. While the eagle speaks of judgment on the heavens. Elohim's judgment is going to affect the kingdoms, mankind, the earth, and the heavens.
We are starting our study of the writings of the prophet Ezekiel. This is an amazing work that truly shows the hand of the Father in its beauty and content. In this chapter, Ezekiel has been taken captive by the Babylonians and is in exile by the Chebar River. While he is there, he has an almost indescribable vision of the throne of the Father. What do the the cherubim with four faces represent? What do the wheels within wheels represent? Join us as we begin to unravel and interpret this fascinating vision!

Ezekiel was a priest. But he apparently never obtained that office because he was taken captive during the reign of Jehoiachin.

2 Kings 24:10-16

The Israelites were taken captive in waves. In the first wave, Daniel was taken captive. In the second wave, Ezekiel was taken. The three prophets of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah were contemporaries, although Jeremiah was getting rather old by this time. Jeremiah stayed with the last remnant in Israel and was therefore taken to Egypt. While Jeremiah was testifying to the group in Egypt, Daniel was Elohim's witness in the court of the king. Ezekiel was taken down by the Euphrates River with the majority of the Israelites. His prophesying was focused on that area. The majority of the people of Israel were taken captive and placed by the river Chebar. The Israelites were extremely sad and had almost lost hope. Psalm 137 is the Psalm of the people in those days.

Psalm 137:1-2 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion. 2Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps.

During that same period Ezekiel was seeing a vision of heaven.

Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

This is quite a contrast. The people were weeping with their harps under willow trees and Ezekiel was seeing visions of Elohim. Although Daniel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were all prophets during the same era, we have no indication that they ever met. We are told that Daniel read the writings of Jeremiah and from them knew that Israel would be held captive for 70 years. We also know that Ezekiel knew of Daniel and mentions him several times in this book. The people didn't listen to the words of Jeremiah although he tried to warn them of Elohim's impending judgment on them. He was known as the weeping prophet for the way he cried out for Israel to repent. Elohim had Ezekiel do more than just talk. God had Ezekiel act out his parables instead of just saying them.

Ezek 24:24 ‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done you will do; when it comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”

There were only three prophets of Israel who spoke outside of the land: Ezekiel, Daniel, and John. (John wrote while he was exiled on the island of Patmos). All three of these men wrote an apocalypse, or prophetic revelation of the last days and the return of Messiah.

River Valley Torah Assembly
http://rvtorah.com/