Ezekiel 1:26, “Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man.” NLT
Ezekiel 10:1, “In my vision I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue lapis lazuli above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim.” NLT
Exodus 24:10, “There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.” NLT
Ezekiel is rich in prophecy and revelations about present-day Israel and the end times. The book of Ezekiel gives a vivid picture of God’s unchangeable holiness and reminds the people of Israel who they were – God’s chosen people. “Jerusalem and their country were about to be leveled and their sin was the reason . . . He [God] needed a nation that would allow Him to show the world who He was through the display of His merciful attributes of grace, long-suffering, and forgiveness.” Exploring Ezekiel. The Next Big War, Earth’s Final Days, And Your Eternal Destination, Amir Tsarfati with Dr. Rick Yohn, p. 8 & 10. The books of Ezekiel and Revelation are parallel. The end-time application is judgment before Christ’s return, so that no one will escape.
We see the theme in Ezekiel of:
- God’s holiness and sovereignty, as it says, “the hand of the Lord was upon him.” Ez. 1:3b, to deliver God’s message – that of the prophet Ezekiel.
- Ezekiel’s vision continually influenced his thoughts, and that was understanding the knowledge of God, who is holy and sovereign over all creation, no matter how great Babylon and her gods seemed.
- Ezekiel did not live by his environment’s predicaments. He lived by how great God is, despite overwhelming surroundings and circumstances.
What is the gemstone lapis lazuli? It is an azure-blue semiprecious stone. It is mentioned in Ex. 24:10 where Moses and the elders met God for a meal after the people reconfirmed the covenant, and the lapis lazuli gemstone reflected the glory of God and His superiority over all other beings. It was one of several gemstones that God created and chose for the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20). “God made a prophecy about Lucifer, the “anointed guardian cherub,” before Lucifer was filled with pride that led to his downfall, all prior to his temptation of Eve, “Thus says the LORD God; . . . “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx and jasper, sapphire [Hebrew – lapis lazuli], emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. (Ez. 28:12-13).” Quote from: Answers in Genesis, Dr. Andrew A. Snelling on September 6, 20-25. This gem is also seen in the description of the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:19-20. So, this gemstone, lapis lazuli, amongst others, was present in the heavenly garden where Lucifer dwelled before he pridefully rebelled and was cast out of heaven. These gemstones were on the high priest’s breastplate as a reminder of these heavenly realities. To think that God, who already had this and other gemstones beautifying His heavenly home (Ex. 24:10), replicated them in His creation on earth in our earthly home.
Most Bible commentators today believe that Bible translators mistranslated both the Hebrew and Greek words as “sapphire” rather than as lapis lazuli. It has a crystalline structure and is deep blue to greenish blue. Today, it is mined in Afghanistan. In recent years, the Taliban used lapis lazuli mined there to fund its military campaign. Substantial amounts are also produced from mines west of Lake Baikal in Russia and in the Andes Mountains in Chile. Smaller quantities are mined in Pakistan, Italy, Mongolia, the United States, and Canada.” Answers in Genesis. Dr. Andrew A. Snelling, Lapis Lazuli – The Forgotten Heavenly Gemstone. September 6, 2025.
The figure in Ezekiel 1:26, “whose appearance resembled a man,” revealed God’s presence, who sat on the throne in all His holiness, and prepared Ezekiel for what God was about to tell Him. Ezekiel’s prophetic message was to condemn the sinful actions of seven nations. Ezekiel saw a vision that revealed God’s absolute moral perfection in judgment, and God had him be the prophet and the watchman who saw the glory of God on the mighty throne of God in his visions of sin and impending judgment. The people, unfortunately, doubted God’s ability to defend His people and the city of Jerusalem. However, God was and is superior to corruption and will judge with righteousness.
Think of the magnificent beauty of blue lapis lazuli that we will see in the new Heaven and new earth, where the sun is not needed, Satan is defeated, sin is banished, God’s city is glorified, paradise is regained, death is defeated, and believers live forever with God. The foundations of the city will be adorned with every kind of jewel, such as lapis lazuli, amongst many others, as it is declared and promised in Revelation 21:10-20.
So, will we keep our eyes fixed on God rather than on our trials and struggles in life, as Ezekiel did? Stay faithful and reflect on God’s holiness and who works all things in accordance with the counsel of his will (Eph. 1:11) – omnipotence. Eventually, all will kneel and be accountable before God out of reverence or fear of His judgment, and it is one day sooner than it was yesterday.