Note, too, that the wheels and even the cherubs themselves are full of eyes, suggesting the watchful alertness of many more than just the four spirit creatures shown.

“Wheelwork!”

13, 14. (a) How did Ezekiel describe the wheels that he saw? (b) Why is it fitting that Jehovah’s chariot has wheels?

¹³ At first, Ezekiel focused his attention on the four cherubs, and in Chapter 4 of this publication, we will see what those creatures and their remarkable form teach us about Jehovah. However, Ezekiel saw the four wheels right alongside those cherubs, evidently at four points, forming a huge square. (Read Ezekiel 1:16-18.) They seemed to be composed of chrysolite, a precious stone that may be transparent or translucent and yellow or yellowish-green in color. This beautiful material glowed.

¹⁴ Ezekiel’s vision placed great emphasis on the chariot’s wheels. It is an unusual combination, is it not? A throne with wheels! We might tend to think of a throne as being fixed to one spot and naturally so, for earthly monarchs can extend their influence only so far. But Jehovah’s sovereignty is quite unlike any human rulership. As Ezekiel was about to learn, there are no limits to Jehovah’s sovereign power. (Neh. 9:6) In a very real sense, this Sovereign can exert his authority anywhere!

15. What did Ezekiel notice regarding the composition and size of the wheels?

¹⁵ Ezekiel was awestruck by the size of the wheels. He wrote: “Their rims were so high that they inspired awe.” We may imagine Ezekiel tilting his head back to gaze at the colossal, glowing rims stretching up toward the sky. And he added this intriguing detail: “The rims of all four [wheels] were full of eyes all around.” Perhaps most fascinating of all, though, was the unusual structure of the wheels. He explained: “Their appearance and structure looked as though a wheel were within a wheel.” What did that mean?

16, 17. (a) In what sense did the chariot have wheels within wheels? (b) What do the wheels reveal about the maneuverability of Jehovah’s vehicle?

¹⁶ Evidently, each wheel that Ezekiel saw was, in effect, two wheels combined, with one wheel set at right angles to the other and sharing the same vertical axis. That would explain why these wheels performed as Ezekiel described: “When they moved, they could go in any of the four directions without turning as they went.” What do these wheels suggest about the heavenly vehicle Ezekiel saw?

¹⁷ Wheels of such tremendous height would cover a lot of ground with even a single revolution. In fact, the vision suggests that the vehicle moved with the speed of lightning! (Ezek. 1:14) Furthermore, the unusual four-way wheels suggest a kind of maneuverability that human engineers can only dream of. This vehicle can shift directions without slowing down or even turning! But it does not make such moves blindly. The eyes covering the rims vividly convey the idea that this vehicle is completely aware of everything around it, in every direction.

18. What do we learn from the awesome size of the wheels and the abundance of eyes?

¹⁸ What, then, was Jehovah teaching Ezekiel​—and all faithful people—​about the heavenly part of His organization? Consider what we have seen so far. It is glorious and awe-inspiring, as suggested by the glowing material of the wheels and their size. It is aware of everything, as suggested by the abundance of eyes on the wheels. Jehovah’s own eyes see all things. (Prov. 15:3; Jer. 23:24) Furthermore, he has many millions of angelic servants whom he may send to any part of the universe, and these can observe matters keenly and report back to their Sovereign.​—Read Hebrews 1:13, 14.

19. What does the speed and maneuverability of Jehovah’s chariot teach us about Jehovah and the heavenly part of his organization?

¹⁹ Further, we see that the chariot is supremely fast and maneuverable. Just think of the contrast between the heavenly part of Jehovah’s organization and human governments, institutions, and organizations! Those tend to blunder along blindly, failing to adapt to changing circumstances until they plunge into catastrophe or become outdated. But Jehovah’s chariot perfectly reflects the reasonable, adaptable God who is in control of it. As his very name suggests, he can become anything that is needed in order to accomplish his purpose. (Ex. 3:13, 14) For example, he can swiftly become a mighty Warrior who fights for his people, but he can instantly shift to being the merciful Forgiver of sins who nurtures and restores even the most brokenhearted of repentant sinners.​—Ps. 30:5; Isa. 66:13.

20. Why should we be in awe of Jehovah’s chariot?

²⁰ Ezekiel’s vision, at this point, may move us to ask ourselves, ‘Am I really in awe of Jehovah’s chariot?’ We need to remember that the chariot represents a reality that exists right now. Never should we imagine that Jehovah, his Son, and all the angels might be blind to some problem that discourages us. Nor should we worry that our God will be late in responding to our needs or that his organization will fail to adapt to some new challenge arising in the volatile world around us. We do well to remember that Jehovah’s organization is active, ever on the move. In fact, Ezekiel heard a heavenly voice crying out: “Wheelwork!”​—evidently a command for the wheels to set themselves in motion. (Ezek. 10:13) Is it not awesome to contemplate the way Jehovah moves his organization? Our greatest awe, though, we reserve for Jehovah himself.

The eyes covering the rims vividly convey the idea that this vehicle is completely aware of everything around it, in every direction.

And how can the wheels function without axles to join them together?’ Keep in mind that this vehicle is not bound by physical laws, for it is symbolic, a depiction of a reality in the spirit realm. Note, too, these key words: “The spirit operating on the living creatures was also in the wheels.” (Ezek. 1:20, 21) What spirit was operative on those cherubs and on the wheels?

²² Without question, it was Jehovah’s holy spirit, the most powerful force in the universe. That active force holds this vehicle together, empowers it, and governs its perfectly synchronized movements.