And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 1:4

The Spectacle

The spectacle of the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights as they are commonly called in the northern hemisphere is one of the most majestic phenomena of nature. People take trips to locations in the far north such as Norway or Iceland in the hope of a glimpse of nature’s amazing light show, as the ribbons of blue, green and violet cascade across the sky. In the United Kingdom there are occasional sightings of the Aurora, especially in the north of Scotland. Few people in Northern Ireland have had the privilege of witnessing the spectacle on home soil, although there have been sightings off the Antrim coast. This past week has been unusual, however, in that there were repeated reported sightings of the Aurora in various locations in Northern Ireland.

Many who see these lights claim it is something they will never forget. In some cases the Aurora is so clear that people on the ground feel as if they could reach up and touch them even though they are many miles above us in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Science

The light particles, which create the Aurora begin on the surface of the sun with something called a solar storm. These particles are brought towards Earth, and the other planets in our solar system, as a solar wind. Scientists have recently conjectured that electrons from the Sun hurtle towards our planet at 45 million miles per hour. Most get burned up by the Earth’s atmosphere. The particles which aren’t destroyed are drawn to the Earth’s two magnetic poles, north and south. It is these particles which create the display we call either the Northern or the Southern Lights.

The Superstition

People have been observing the Aurora for thousands of years. Understandably, not being able to comprehend the origin of the spectacle, many superstitions have arisen as to the reason for the phenomena.

The most common superstition tied the Aurora with the the souls of the departed and even with heaven. Some saw the lights as the entry point into an eternal abode. The Vikings believed they were the maidens who welcomed the dead warriors. The Inuits of East Greenland saw the lights as children who had died at birth. The Sami people of Northern Scandinavia saw the souls of those who died violent deaths in the lights. For other tribes such as the Wisconsin Indians they were the souls of their enemies trying to rise again. Therefore they saw them as omens of war and pestilence.

Spiritual and Scriptural Significance

While we readily discount the heathen superstitions there remains a spiritual significance in this spectacular heavenly display.

God created the Aurora.

He set the sun in space and controls all of the activity that brings light, heat and colour to our existence. God not only made the sun to rule by day but he also made light and has given us the receptive intelligence to appreciate colour. Therefore as the heavens declare the glory of God, we observe something of the creator’s majesty in these awesome ribbons of light which flannel the night sky.

BUT – what we observe in nature is simply a shadow of the fullness of God. One day we shall dwell in the glorious city bathed in eternal light. The most majestic sights on earth will be so little compared to the eternal weight of glory of which we shall be a part.

Did Ezekiel see the Aurora?

Some have conjectured that the colour which Ezekiel saw coming out of the north in his opening vision, where God revealed Himself was in fact the Aurora. This is impossible to verify for certain, even though one can see the reasoning. Nevertheless, what appeared to begin as a natural phenomena became one of the most amazing demonstrations of God’s glory that any mortal ever witnessed. The “Aurora” that Ezekiel witnessed was infinitely greater than the northern lights.

Ezekiel’s first vision, while bearing certain hallmarks that we night associate with the Aurora, was more awe-inspiring, even in the natural sense, with the fire filling the northern sky before his eyes. Yet there is the sense that God used something natural, that He had created as the backdrop for this incredible vision, the moment of Ezekiel’s entrance into the work of ministry.

What Ezekiel saw in the skies above Babylon, continue to be relevant, as we are taught and retaught, that God is great. The Aurora, too teaches us this impressive truth.

What did Ezekiel see?

Few people have ever beheld the mysteries witnessed by the prophet of the captivity. In the lights he saw four living creatures who moved like lightening always directed by the one spirit. They had four faces; of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. They had wings which joined together, enabling them to move in accord. Their purity was symbolised by the cloven hoof, like that of a calf, while their glory was manifested through their shimmering brass-like appearance. In addition to the creatures he saw wheels of colour which moved wherever the creatures moved; terrible wheels like rings of fire always moving, never standing still. It was only when he looked up, though, to the one who directed these strange creatures and their wheels that it all made sense. There was a throne encircled by a rainbow with a man bathed in glory who reigned. Then Ezekiel fell to the ground and worshipped.

The Meaning of Ezekiel’s Vision

Ezekiel saw the glory of God as He directed world affairs from the throne of majesty, holiness and justice. The creatures and their faces represented the various creatures that are regulated by God’s designs – humanity, domesticated creatures, the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air. The wheels symbolise the providences of God which are always at work obeying the decrees of the master.

Sometimes these decrees were awful and terrible. Ezekiel was among a group of slaves, defeated and held captive in Babylon, yet God had a purpose in this tragedy.

As the creatures and the wheels worked in perfect harmony , so God directs all events in the accomplishing of His plans. Not one note is out of harmony with His ultimate plan. All is leading up to the mighty finale.

In like manner He is orchestrating our personal, national as well as the international events that occur in this world. There is nothing at Westminster, Stormont, Washington, Paris or Moscow that God is not directing.

While He is a just God who punishes sin and brings His vengeance upon nations, grace always figures high in His reckoning. As the throne was encircled by the bow, the symbol of hope and promise, so God’s dealing are constantly coloured by His goodness, working all things out for the progress of His Church and the good of His people.

While there is much that may concern us in our world, yet let us hold this comfort to our hearts – God is building His Church and He will never forget mercy.

The Wheels of History

The circular motion of the wheels show us that God in history works to a pattern. As we learn of the patterns of the past we gain insights into the future. He is the God of justice who may allow the wicked to prosper but they will never succeed. The cause of truth will always be vindicated. The Church of Christ will march forward and the Gospel will be proclaimed in all the World. Revivals will be given in the future as they were in the past, These are the ribbons of light which continue to cast a glow across our dark world. They have been always there and always will because our God is kind and gracious.

In September 1620 little more than 100 people voyaged from Plymouth in Devon to establish Plymouth in New England. Among their number were the group known as the Pilgrim Fathers. They were Separatists who refused to worship within the Church of England and for that they were persecuted. They formed a congregation in Holland where they had freedom but when their children became deeply influenced by the ungodliness of Dutch society they decided to form a community built on godly principles. They wanted to be English, to serve their earthly as well as their heavenly King in so doing, so they called the place New England. They faced many dangers from disease and extreme weather. That first winter half of their number died. But God gave them a new little boy born while the Mayflower anchored off Cape Cod, they called him Peregrine, Latin for Pilgrim. They were on a journey in the mind and will of God, they had come to the promised land. So they never lost sight of Hope through all the difficulties. With such a little group of insignificant yet courageous people the United States of America was born. They were the first society of self governing people in the New World. New England would within a hundred years would be a place of great revivals, of Christian expansion and we can trace it back to that little band of pilgrims. With that seemingly insignificant and despised group of people who believed God the United States of America was born – How God honours those that honour Him!

Morning will Break

The word Aurora refers to the dawn. People witnessing the streaks of colour thought it was very like the dawn of the day, yet it was still night. For Ezekiel and his people – they were in a night of suffering yet God came with hope and grace, the lights in the sky represented the morning that would come again. Likewise – although we live in such a morally dark and godless age – dawn will come, days of heaven on earth will visit this land again.

The pattern of history is always the same; God will never forsake His people – He will be faithful to His covenant – these ribbons of light shine brightest in the darkest night as the Aurora is best seen in near total darkness.

The Man on the Throne

Ezekiel was directed upwards to throne and then he understood the meaning – God was in control. I don’t believe that scientists fully understand the factors which cause the Aurora. Yet we know that God upon the throne has created all of the processes and has designed this mysterious natural display which has created awe and wonder in the minds of many for generations.

There is much in life that we cannot begin to understand. Yet God is on His throne. God in this instance appears as a man. When God appears as man, it Christ whom we see; in His pre-incarnation days. We have a man in the glory. He is the light shining in the darkness of the blackest night. Our greatest friend, our Saviour. We rest on Him.

People pay large sums of money, will travel far to see the Aurora. May God give us the desire for a greater vision, one of God in His glory, of Christ on the throne, with the prayer that the knowledge of God and of the Gospel would cover the earth in a great tide of revival, conversions and hope.