<\/p>\n
Spiritual Similes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nWhen we have experiences in the sacred supernatural it is sometimes difficult to describe exactly what we are seeing. Paul talked about combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (1 Cor. 2:12-13). There are spiritual truths revealed, but we may be limited by human vocabulary and images. Many of our prophets seemed to have this challenge. Daniel struggled to define what he saw in his visions and often ended up using similes, explaining that animals \u201clooked like\u201d ones he\u2019d seen in the physical realm. For example, one was \u201clike<\/em> a lion\u201d, except it had wings (Dan. 7:4). Another \u201cresembled<\/em> a bear\u201d (Dan. 7:5). Another appeared \u201clike<\/em> a leopard,\u201d except it had four heads (Dan. 7:6)!<\/p>\nEzekiel used similar words when the heavens were opened and he saw visions of God (Ezek. 1:1). Throughout chapter one he describes supernatural scenes in this way: There was \u201csomething like<\/em> glowing metal in the midst of fire\u201d (v. 4), \u201cthere was something that looked like<\/em> burning coals of fire, like the appearance<\/em> of torches\u201d (v. 13), \u201cthere was something like<\/em> an expanse\u201d (v. 22), and \u201csomething<\/em> resembling<\/em> a throne\u201d (v. 26).<\/p>\nIn the book of Revelation, John did the same thing when he attempted to communicate what he was seeing in the spiritual realm with natural words: \u201cThe first creature was<\/em> like<\/em> a lion, and the second creature like<\/em> a calf, and the third creature had a face like<\/em> that of a man, and the fourth creature was like<\/em> a flying eagle\u201d (Rev. 4:7). And while this sounds fairly down-to-earth and relatable, he then goes on to add that they all had six wings and were covered with eyes in front and behind (Rev. 4:8), so definitely something special and other-worldly there too!<\/p>\nDaniel was familiar with bears and leopards. Ezekiel was familiar with torches and thrones. John was familiar with lions and eagles. When we look in the spirit, then, we understand that the symbols we see are often familiar and natural to us so that we can easily identify with them, relate to them, and understand what we are seeing.<\/p>\n
Ezekiel used similar words when the heavens were opened and he saw visions of God (Ezek. 1:1). Throughout chapter one he describes supernatural scenes in this way: There was \u201csomething like<\/em> glowing metal in the midst of fire\u201d (v. 4), \u201cthere was something that looked like<\/em> burning coals of fire, like the appearance<\/em> of torches\u201d (v. 13), \u201cthere was something like<\/em> an expanse\u201d (v. 22), and \u201csomething<\/em> resembling<\/em> a throne\u201d (v. 26).<\/p>\n In the book of Revelation, John did the same thing when he attempted to communicate what he was seeing in the spiritual realm with natural words: \u201cThe first creature was<\/em> like<\/em> a lion, and the second creature like<\/em> a calf, and the third creature had a face like<\/em> that of a man, and the fourth creature was like<\/em> a flying eagle\u201d (Rev. 4:7). And while this sounds fairly down-to-earth and relatable, he then goes on to add that they all had six wings and were covered with eyes in front and behind (Rev. 4:8), so definitely something special and other-worldly there too!<\/p>\n Daniel was familiar with bears and leopards. Ezekiel was familiar with torches and thrones. John was familiar with lions and eagles. When we look in the spirit, then, we understand that the symbols we see are often familiar and natural to us so that we can easily identify with them, relate to them, and understand what we are seeing.<\/p>\n
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Malachi Talabi is one of our