Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
Everything before this vision points to Christ alone. Angels serve Him; men are His instruments. He appears here as the Son of Man seated above the very firmament that crowns the living creatures, showing that all principalities and powers bow beneath His feet. That He would later lower Himself to be made less than the angels for our sake magnifies beyond measure the grace of His incarnation.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 1:26-28
This throne symbolizes Christ's kingly power and authority. Though He took on flesh only in time, He exercised His mediatorial office from eternity and shall appear on a throne at the judgment. The sapphire denotes the clarity of His righteous judgments, the durability of His government, and its heavenly and excellent nature.
AI summary
Here the Godhead appears enthroned in human form, a prelude to the incarnation of the Messiah as Saviour and Judge. The sapphire throne represents the heavens themselves. He alone is truly the Son of Man, the embodied representative of all humanity and the fulness of the Godhead; while the cherubim move, this throne above stands firmly fixed.
AI summary