This is a true story. Really. It all began in the spring I turned thirty.

My homeland was invaded; I was among the captives taken near the Chebar River in the Middle East. One day, as a group of us was being led along a roadway, the heavens seemed to open. A huge whirlwind came toward us out of the north, and as I watched, a fire appeared. It was very bright, the color of amber. It landed directly in front of us.

From the center of the fire stepped four living creatures. They looked like men, but they were wearing protective suites and helmets that gave the impression that they had two wings and four distinctive faces. Their feet were straight, but their shoes were slotted in the center, like a calf's hoof. Their suits were metallic and sparkled like burnished brass-the color of burning coals.

Their craft was like a wheel in the middle of a wheel; that is, a central hub surrounded by circular structure. With a deafening roar, these wheels ferried the visitors back and forth, up to huge rings that waited for them high in the heavens. They seemed to have eyes all around their outer rim, as though looking down upon us. They were dreadful!

I was terrified. I think I passed out. I fell face down in the dirt. That's when I heard the voice.

"Stand up on your feet and I will talk with you."

I felt an energy entering my body, as though some spirit had taken command. I got up as he said.

The one who was the leader spoke, "Son of man, I want you to travel to the children of Israel, a rebellious nation. They and their fathers have transgressed against me, even to this very day."

I was absolutely paralyzed with fear. "I want you to deliver a message to them," the leader continued. "I want you to say, 'you are impudent children and stiff hearted.'" There was a pause. "The explain, 'thus sayeth the Lord God,' and they will understand that there is a prophet among them."

That's when I realized I was conversing with God.

Though I had not spoken a word, he called me by name. "And you, Ezekiel, son of man, should not fear them. Even though you may swell among scorpions, do not be afraid of their words or be dismayed at their looks."

The visitor who was fire and thunder and a spirit from Heaven and the Lord Himself looked me directly in the eyes. "I want you to speak my words to them, whether they listen or not. And, as for you, I do not want you to be rebellious."

As I stood there in total shock, trying to absorb these events, he said, "Open your mouth-I have something for you to eat." He handed me what looked like a printed book, with writing on both sides, rolled up. A scroll. I was hungry, and I ate it. It tasted like honey.

Suddenly, the visitor who said he was the Lord brought me inside a circular craft. With a loud roar, we were lifted up, and transported inside one of the Great Rings. It whisked us away, and although I didn't want to go, the strong hand of the Lord was very persuasive, resting on my shoulder.

In an instant, I found myself landing near a group of captives in Tel-aviv. My arrival astonished them as much as it astonished me!

I remained there for seven days. At the end of that time, the voice of the Lord came to me once again, saying, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel: therefore, go and give them the warning from me."

And so I went.

In the month that followed, the Lord appeared to me many times, and commanded me to do his bidding. I delivered communications to the children of Israel and to many of the nations on the face of the earth.

I am writing this exactly as it happened. Those of you of strong conviction may choose either to scoff or to believe. I have nothing to gain, except to pass down to future generations the truth as I know it to be. I am a simple man.

Sworn and subscribed on this the 20th day of March, in the year 597BC. Ezekiel, son of Buzi. Preacher of the Lord's word.

©1999 New Frontier Magazine. All rights reserved. Bill Buchanan is a free lance writer and metaphysician. This is first contribution to New Frontier Magazine. This is a "translated" excerpt from Ezekiel in the King James version of the Bible.