Epilogue
“The entire question of the revolving wheel with its dual action and its dual effect upon consciousness … must remain a difficult and abstruse problem until [Page 370] such time as [researchers] have developed a four-dimensional consciousness and know the true meaning of the Biblical phrase: the”wheel turning upon itself.” In reality, the wheel does not turn like a wheel in a car either forward or the reverse. It turns every way and both ways simultaneously. This fact is, as yet, an impossible one for the human consciousness to grasp.”
Source: A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Vol. III. Lucis Trust, 1951.
Ezequiel’s Wheel
The Bible story of Ezekiel’s wheel indeed encapsulates profound spiritual symbolism, emphasizing the omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence of God. This narrative, found in the first chapter of Ezekiel, serves as a powerful representation of God’s divine essence and His continuous presence in our reality.
In this vision, Ezekiel witnesses a celestial chariot, symbolizing God’s divine vehicle, which is drawn by four living creatures. Each creature has four faces—a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle—representing various aspects of creation and divine qualities. The creatures’ multiple faces could symbolize intelligence, strength, servitude, and sovereignty, respectively, showcasing the multifaceted nature of God’s creation and dominion.
Adjacent to each living creature is a “wheel within a wheel,” described as being tall and awe-inspiring, with rims full of eyes all around. These wheels signify God’s ability to observe all things, highlighting His omniscience. The presence of eyes on the wheels symbolizes God’s comprehensive awareness and vigilance over creation.
The living creatures and the wheels move together, illustrating that the Spirit of God directs all movement and action. This unity between the creatures and the wheels illustrates the idea that God’s Spirit pervades all aspects of the universe, guiding and empowering His creation according to His will. The mobility of the wheels, capable of moving in any direction without turning, signifies God’s omnipresence, indicating that He is present everywhere and can manifest His power across all of creation.
Ezekiel’s appointment as a prophet and a “watchman” for Israel emphasizes the role of prophets as intermediaries between God and His people, tasked with conveying divine messages and warnings. Through Ezekiel’s vision, God communicates His sovereign control over all things and His active engagement in the world, assuring His people of His constant presence and protection.
This story serves as a vivid reminder of the depth of God’s engagement with the world, portraying Him as an omnipotent warrior, a vigilant guardian, and a guiding Spirit. The description of the wheels and the living creatures underscores the complex and majestic nature of God’s involvement with His creation, offering believers a glimpse into the divine realm and assuring them of God’s eternal presence and oversight.
Four Symbols
The references to the four beings or creatures in the visions of both Ezekiel and John in the Book of Revelation carry deep symbolic meanings that have been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian theology and esoteric traditions. These creatures are often seen as symbols of the four fixed signs of the zodiac—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio (traditionally represented by an eagle in astrology), and Aquarius—each of which holds significant spiritual and cosmic importance. This astrological symbolism intertwines with Christian iconography, representing the multi-faceted nature of Christ, the cosmos, and the human soul’s journey.
Taurus, the Bull (Ox) - Represents strength, stability, and determination. - In Christian symbolism, it could be associated with Christ as a servant, bearing the burden of the cross, embodying humility and sacrifice.
Leo, the Lion - Symbolizes sovereignty, courage, and kingship. - Reflects Christ’s kingly authority and His role as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” highlighting leadership and governance over creation.
Scorpio, the Eagle - Scorpio is traditionally associated with transformation, mystery, and profound change. The eagle, an alternative symbol for Scorpio, represents Scorpio’s higher manifestation, embodying the transcendence over earthly matters. - Relates to Christ’s resurrection and ascension, demonstrating victory over death and the promise of eternal life.
Aquarius, the Water-bearer - Signifies innovation, humanity, and the pouring out of knowledge and wisdom. - Connects to Christ’s role as the bringer of living water, offering spiritual nourishment and salvation to humanity.
The crucifixion of the “second Person of the divine Trinity” upon the cross of the soul, symbolized by these four signs, speaks to the universal aspects of Christ’s mission. It represents the embodiment and integration of these qualities—service, leadership, transformation, and wisdom—as essential elements of spiritual evolution and enlightenment.
The awareness even among primitive, unevolved humans of the cosmic spirit’s sacrifice, immolated in matter and crucified upon the four-armed cross, underscores the deep-seated recognition of the spiritual path’s trials and the ultimate liberation through self-sacrifice and renewal.
These biblical and astrological symbols, deeply ingrained in Christian belief as the four sacred animals, offer a rich tapestry of meanings. They provide insights into the nature of divinity, the cosmos, and the spiritual journey, bridging ancient wisdom with the foundational principles of Christian faith. Through these symbols, the cosmic Christ exemplifies the unity and diversity of the divine qualities necessary for the soul’s progress towards spiritual fulfillment.
The Wheel and the Tesseract
The imagery of a “wheel turning on itself” as described in Ezekiel’s vision certainly invites intriguing comparisons to complex geometric and multidimensional constructs like the tesseract or hypercube. The tesseract, a concept from higher-dimensional geometry, represents a four-dimensional shape projected into three-dimensional space. It’s often visualized as a cube within a cube, connected at corresponding corners, seemingly turning inside out as it rotates—a visualization that does invite comparison to the biblical “wheel within a wheel.”
Both Ezekiel’s wheels and the tesseract can be seen as metaphors for transcending ordinary perception and understanding. The vision of the wheels, with their movement and the spirit of the living creatures within them, suggests a complex interplay of divine presence and activity beyond human comprehension. Similarly, a tesseract represents a spatial dimension beyond our three-dimensional experience, challenging our perceptions and understanding of space itself.
In the context of Ezekiel’s vision, the “wheel turning on itself” could symbolically allude to the omnipresence and omniscience of God—attributes that are indeed akin to perceiving from a higher-dimensional, or “4-D,” perspective. This higher-dimensional view would naturally encompass all possible viewpoints simultaneously, a fitting metaphor for divine omniscience.
The Third Eye and Taurus are often associated with insight, intuition, and higher wisdom in esoteric lore. Taurus, one of the signs present in the vision through the face of the ox, can be interpreted in this esoteric context as representing material strength, stability, and grounding. When linked to the Third Eye, this could suggest a foundation for spiritual insight—the grounding of spiritual vision in the tangible world, or perhaps the manifestation of divine wisdom (the Third Eye’s insight) through the steadfast nature of Taurus.
These connections between biblical imagery, esoteric lore, and higher-dimensional concepts present a fascinating blend of spiritual, philosophical, and mathematical ideas. They offer rich material for reflection on the nature of the divine, the structure of reality, and the ways in which humans attempt to conceptualize and connect with complexities beyond the limits of ordinary perception.
