The Mysterious “Wheels” Of Ezekiel

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Tuesday May 19 2026

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Hebrews 1:14-Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

One of the more fascinating descriptions of angels is found in the Book of Ezekiel. Here, utilizing very intriguing language, the Prophet describes several celestial beings.

Ezekiel 1:4-21-Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5  Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6  Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7  Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8  The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9  Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. 10  As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. 11  Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. 12  And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. 13  As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. 14  And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning. 15  Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. 16  The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17  When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. 18  As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. 19  When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20  Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21  When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

Here, the Prophet describes four “living creatures” who are surrounded and accompanied by “wheels.” These “wheels” are themselves also alive, as the text shows us that they were filled with “eyes” (Ezekiel 1:18), and the passage specifies that “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels” (Ezekiel 1:20).

The fact that the Scriptures say that these “wheels” were alive is an important consideration.

As you are likely aware, some contend that Ezekiel is describing a UFO or alien spaceship with the imagery of the “wheels.” However, the text does not support that idea: it shows us instead that these “wheels” are somehow themselves alive and not a mechanical device! Indeed, when we dig deeper into the original language of the passage and explore its historical context, we discover much more evidence and detail regarding the nature of these “wheels” that the Prophet envisions. Peck brings us some interesting comments regarding the text.

Living Extradimensional Vehicles An Unpopular Theory There is a very interesting, albeit unpopular, theory within the study of UFOs and extradimensional craft. The theory states that UFOs are not mechanical at all, but are actually biological. This theory sees UFOs as actual living, biological entities. What we see as a metallic craft is nothing more than a body for the consciousness or spirit inside.…The Ophanim Continuing from where we left off in the previous chapter, Ezekiel reports…The word “wheels” used here was translated from the Hebrew word “owphan”, which is where we get the plural “ophanim”.[ 73] By itself, the Hebrew word “ophanim” simply means wheels and doesn’t denote anything necessarily extraordinary. Many times this word is used for regular, earthly wheels, such as those found on normal, human-made chariots.[ 74] This word was also used to describe the wheels of the ten bases beneath the lavers in Solomon’s temple.[ 75] However, taken in the context of this passage, Ezekiel is describing something quite different than earthly, man-made wheels; he is describing an actual extradimensional being. Upon first read of the passage, it would seem these wheels were a part of the living construct that makes up God’s chariot. In some ways, this is true. However, they are not connected physically. Verse 15 tells us the wheels were by the living creatures; not connected to them. While not connected physically, however, we will see later the wheels were connected in another way. Giving further description of these wheels, or ophanim, Ezekiel continues: “As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.” Ezekiel 1: 18 The word “rings” comes from the Hebrew word “gab” and means “rim (of a wheel)”.[ 76] Ezekiel was describing the rims of these wheels, even saying they were full of eyes. There is an interpretation of this that states the eyes were most likely windows of a craft. At first, this may seem plausible. After all, Ezekiel was trying to describe something he had never seen before and would use the best terms he could to describe it. The problem with this, however, is if Ezekiel was trying to describe windows, he could have just as easily used the Hebrew word “challown”, which literally means “window”.[ 77] Ezekiel had access to far simpler and more descriptive Hebrew words he could have used if he was trying to describe something other than what is presented in the text.[ 78] This is what leads me to believe when Ezekiel writes “eyes”, he literally means “eyes”…This passage is what tells us the true nature of the ophanim. These were not merely inanimate wheels; they were actually alive. We know this because Ezekiel tells us the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. The wheels themselves acted as a type of body for the spirits. The wheels were not just an extradimensional mechanical construct. The wheels had life in them. There are ancient texts that actually refer to the ophanim as a specific class of angel. In the book of Enoch can be found one of these references: “And He will summon all the host of the heavens, and all the holy ones above, and the host of God, the Cherubic, Seraphin and Ophannin, and all the angels of power, and all the angels of principalities, and the Elect One, and the other powers on the earth (and) over the water On that day shall raise one voice, and bless and glorify and exalt in the spirit of faith, and in the spirit of wisdom, and in the spirit of patience, and in the spirit of mercy, and in the spirit of judgement and of peace, and in the spirit of goodness, and shall all say with one voice: ” Blessed is He, and may the name of the Lord of Spirits be blessed for ever and ever.””[ 80] The idea of the ophanim being an actual class of angel is not a new or altogether uncommon idea. The Sephardic Jewish philosopher and astronomer Maimonides wrote that the ophanim are the second class in the hierarchy of angels.[ 81] Pseudo-Dionysius, in the 4th or 5th century, wrote that the ophanim were among the first sphere of angelic hierarchy.[ 82] We can see these wheels in other books of the Bible as well: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” Daniel 7: 9 One thing is for sure: if the ophanim are indeed a class of angel all their own, then Heaven and its inhabitants are far stranger than we are traditionally led to believe. This is just one of many ways that shows how fascinating the study of extradimensional beings and vehicles can be. This also brings up some interesting questions concerning the fallen angels mentioned in the Bible. Is it possible different angels from different classes fell? Could there have been a rebellious group of ophanim that fell? Could this explain at least some of the modern UFO sightings we see today? Is it possible that certain UFOs might actually be alive? The Spirits of UFOs There is one last point we can look at in this chapter. It has been reported that Ben Rich, the director of Lockheed’s Skunk Works from 1975 to 1991, admitted that, not only are UFOs real, but that they are powered by a type of ESP.[ 83] If this is true, perhaps this is an example of man’s crude attempt of understanding something spiritual through a scientific lens. Imagine if we saw today what Ezekiel saw in the ancient past. Imagine if we saw the cherubim move wheels without touching them. Would we not assume it was by some form of ESP? Instead of thinking of it as a power from the mind, perhaps we should be thinking of it as a power from the spirit. After all, Ezekiel stated that the spirits of the cherubim were in the wheels. Wherever the spirit went, the wheels went. Perhaps we are seeing the same sort of thing in some of the modern sightings of UFOs. Perhaps the extradimensional pilot is actually controlling the vehicle by its spirit. Perhaps the spirit itself is the pilot and the vehicle is the body. Perhaps, like a fallen version of what Ezekiel saw, the things we typically recognize as extraterrestrial craft are actually living extradimensional beings. (Josh Peck, Cherubim Chariots: Exploring the Extradimensional Hypothesis: Extradimensional Vehicles, Ancient Nephilim Technology, and Interstellar Prophecies Revealed! 1669-1763 (Kindle Edition): CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform).

This would have been an amazing experience for the Prophet to behold, no doubt as terrifying as wonderful. It stands as a testament to us of the wonder of God’s creation.

What’s more, we also see here a glimmer of hope from the passage: for Ezekiel was beholding all of this while he was a captive (Ezekiel 1:1-3)! No matter the unjust treatment you may receive in life, and no matter the challenges you face, the Lord will be with you.

Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified)-Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Hold to Him.

Thanks Lord, for always being there. Amen.

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