Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction March 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
THE
FOUR-FACED
VISITORS
OF ... EZEKIEL
By ARTHUR W. ORTON
Ezekiel, they say, "saw de wheel"—but he saw somewhat morethan that. And Orton suggests that what he saw madeperfectly good sense ... to the understanding!
Illustrated by Orton
e are told from our Sunday School days that the Bible is a "livingbook," the oldest of man's written works that is read and used anew,from generation to generation. It remains "living" because we are ableto find new meaning to fit our daily lives. Although it is not theusual kind of new meaning, I believe that I have found something ofthe sort in the very old prophesies of Ezekiel.
Bible scholars have long recognized the first chapter of Ezekiel as astrange and nearly unfathomable account of a vision. I suggest that itis strange only because it is written by a man far removed from us intime and experience, about a subject totally unfamiliar to men of histime. I do not think that this was a vision in the usual sense, norwas it meant to be mystical. This particular chapter has been called"Science fiction in the Bible" and many attempts have been made tounravel the meaning of the original author, along both spiritual andmundane lines. I am convinced that this chapter is the account of anactual happening; the landing of extraterrestial beings, reported by acareful, truthful and self-possessed observer.
I am not a student of theology and therefore you may feel that I ambeing presumptive in attempting to throw light on a mystery as old andwell-studied as Ezekiel's first chapter. I feel that any success thatI may have in doing so will be due to the accident of my birth at thevery beginning of an era when the events I have to describe are fact,or are about to become fact.
If, as I believe, this is an account of an actual encounter with menfrom space, I may be better able to interpret the meaning than astudent of theology, who by training and interest, is looking for atheological meaning. I have worked with mechanical things, and as aninstructor of aircraft mechanics for most of my adult life. Duringthis time I have had to untangle a lot of mechanical misconceptionsand misunderstandings. I think that this gives me some insight intothis problem.
If you are not too familiar with the Old Testament, I suggest that youread through the first chapter of Ezekiel to get the feeling of theflow of words, and a general idea of what sort of material we will becovering. If you have done a considerable amount of reading in theBible, I am sure you will notice at once how different and"un-Bible-like" this chapter sounds. It isn't long. The first chaptercovers little more than one page. Don't expect to get a clear picturethe first time through. It seems to have an elusive quality. About thetime you feel that you have hold of a fact, it seems to becontradicted in a later verse. I am going to try to show you that thisis due to your own preconceived notions of what some of the words andphrases mean. You, not Ezekiel, are supplying the contradictions.
You will see that I am not