CHERUBIM

[TrevorL]

Greetings Dennis1209,

15 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

Most symbolism can be interpreted in the Bible by comparing scripture to scripture, or somewhere else in the Bible. This seems to be especially true, the New Testament explains the Old Testament. 

The symbolism in Revelation can be interpreted elsewhere in Revelation, or other places in the Bible such as Daniel, and vice versa. But I can find no place in the Bible that explains if the four heads of the Cherubim are representations, symbolic or figurative? The rule of thumb is, the Bible is not taken literally enough.

 

From my perspective some of the symbols in Revelation are more obscure than the Cherubim and Seraphim, and even these carry over into Revelation 4:6-9. Perhaps you have not considered the furniture of the Moses’ Tabernacle. Each of these items, the altar, the laver, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altar of incense are symbolic of greater things. The Ark of the Covenant is likewise symbolic and the component parts and contents, the mercy seat, the cherubim, Aaron’s rod that budded and other aspects each contribute to depict the fullness in Christ.

 

My personal studies have given me an insight to the Seraphim, but I will not elaborate except to suggest that John 12 helps to unlock the meaning of these, both in the symbol itself and the wings as depicted in Isaiah 6.

 

As far as the Cherubim are concerned, if each Scripture where they occur is considered then a better picture will result. Perhaps it could be claimed that it is a quantum leap to believe that the fourfold figures of man, lion, eagle and ox are depicting a Divine representation of these characteristics, firstly angelic (so that we may learn), but principally in Christ and his disciples.

 

Kind regards

Trevor

 

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again Dennis1209,

 

On ‎11‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 11:58 PM, Dennis1209 said:

But I can find no place in the Bible that explains if the four heads of the Cherubim are representations, symbolic or figurative? The rule of thumb is, the Bible is not taken literally enough.

 

Another factor in deciding whether the four heads are literal or not is to compare Ezekiel 1:10 where each of the four Cherubim had four faces, while in Revelation 4:7 the living creatures had only one head each, and individually these were a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle.

 

Perhaps a reasonably simple theme to explain is the symbol of the calf’s foot. This is given in the following:  

Ezekiel 1:7 (KJV):  And their feet were straight^d feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.  

 

But when we come to the Book of Revelation this figure is incorporated in the symbolic Son of Man:

Revelation 1:13-15 (KJV):  ¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. ¹⁴ His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; ¹⁵ And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  

 

Both of these are allusions to the concept of threshing and the altar of burnt offering. Both figures are combined in the following:

Malachi 4:1-3 (KJV):  ¹ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. ² But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. ³ And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.  

 

Kind regards

Trevor

[Leonardo Von]

On 10/7/2016 at 0:13 PM, Dennis1209 said:

Has anyone seen a picture / representation by a Christian interpreting Ezekiel's vision that 'might' accurately represent what a Cherubim looks like? Or are any of you capable of picturing Ezekiel's description in your mind? 

    

•      "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” (Rev 4.7).

 

The first thing to notice is the appearance of the four living creatures. Let’s compare with what Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10; 10.14):

 

In Revelation 4:7	In Ezekiel 1.10	In Ezekiel 10:14
Similar to the lion.	It has a lion's face, which is on the right.	This is the face of the third living being.
Similar to calf.	It had an ox face, which is on the left.	The face of the first being was cherub. In fact, here beings are called cherubim (Ezek. 10:20).
He has a man-like face.	All faces were like that of a man.	This is the face of the second living creature.
Similar to flying eagle.	They had an eagle's face.	This is the face of the fourth living being.

 

In Ezek. 1.5, all four cherubim were man-like (including the face). That is, although three of the faces were of a lion, an ox, and an eagle, they were able to express emotions (for example, laugh) as well as a human being.

On the other hand, Eze 10.14 lead us to deduce that every living being had four equal faces.

As for the four beasts, here is their meaning:

 

Animal	Meaning	Gospel depicting this
Lion.	It indicates Jesus as King of kings.	Matthew.
Ox.	It indicates Jesus as the faithful Servant in the whole house of the Father.	Mark.
Man.	It indicates Jesus as the perfect Man.	Luke.
Flying Eagle.	It indicates Jesus as the Eternal God who came from heaven and returns to heaven.	John.

Edited January 1, 2017 by Leonardo Von

[Leonardo Von]

On 10/9/2016 at 3:31 AM, TrevorL said:

I suggest that the first step in understanding the Cherubim is to recognise that they are symbolic creatures representing Divine qualities revealed fully in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that each believer needs to incorporate these by following his example.

Thus Jesus reveals kingly qualities as he is the lion of the tribe of Judah. He is a servant revealing the qualities depicted in the ox. He has spiritual sight and wisdom as per the eagle and he was manifested as a man, and this could also indicate his priestly function.

 

•     “And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” (Rev 4.7).

 

The reason of using these four animals is due to the fact that they are the most prominent in their sphere of action:

LION

The lion is the animal that best expresses the characteristics that a king must have:

 

1. He cannot fear to do justice before the ungodly (Proverbs 24: 23-25, 25: 26,28,21). He must always be careful to keep the whole word of the Lord (Js 1:6-9).

 

o   "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."(Proverbs 28:1).

o   "A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;" (Proverbs 30:30).

 

2. He should serve as an example and respect for all (see 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2.15). After all, the lion has the best access among wild animals. His roar is respected by all, just like the roaring of the Eternal:

 

o   "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3.8).

o   "The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel." (Joel 3.16).

 

3. As a good soldier of Jesus, he cannot ensnare himself for anything:

 

o   "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."(Gen. 49:9-10).

o   "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."(2 Tim. 2:3-5).

 

The lion expresses the strength and courage that the minister of Christ must have, to the point of carrying out all the will of the Eternal for himself and for those whom the Eternal has entrusted to him. He must be daring to suffer all the afflictions of the brethren as a good soldier of Jesus, without ever abandoning Jesus and the principles of Holy Scripture.

OX

The ox is the animal that best expresses the qualities a servant must have. He must be firm, patient, strong:

 

o   "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox." (Proverbs 14: 4).

 

As the ox treads the wheat, the servants of Christ must tread the seed of the word of the Eternal, so that it is always pleasant and seasoned with the salt of the covenant of the Eternal (see Lev. 2.3):

 

o   "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn." (Deuteronomy 25: 4).

o   "For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. "(1Cor 9: 9-10).

o   "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."(1Tim 5:17,18).

 

The purpose of the study of the Holy Scripture is to encourage each other to seek to see the covenant that the Eternal made with him (Psalms 25:14) and to conquer what is really necessary to his spirit.

Hence it is necessary for the minister of the Eternal to know how to handle the Sacred Scripture correctly:

 

o   "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15).

 

Above all, he must bear the weaknesses of the weak (Rom 14:1; 15:1) with meekness and fear (in unwearied patience and submission):

 

o   "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (II Timothy 2:25).

o   "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

o   "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (I Peter 3:15).

MAN

The human being is the one who best expresses wisdom and intelligence, as well as the image and likeness of the Eternal:

 

o   "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Gen 1: 26-28).

 

Their role is to bring forth children filled with the fruit of the Spirit of the Eternal, so that together they may subdue (with compassion and prudence) every earth to the dominion of the Eternal and fill it all with His glory (Isa 11:9; Habakkuk 2.14).

EAGLE

The eagle, as the queen of the birds, is the one that flies highest (Job 39.27; Jer 49.16) and fast (2Sam 1.23; Jer 4.13; Lam 4.19).

It is the best animal to remind us of activity and vigor, as well as the maternal care that the minister of the Eternal should have toward those whom Jesus entrusted to him.

 

o   "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." (Exo 19.4).

o   "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:" (Deut. 32:11,12).

o   "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings," (Psalms 17:8).

o   "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." (Psalms 63.7).

 

The true minister of the Eternal, rather than being a burden in the life of the brethren, relieves them:

 

o   "Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." (1Thessalonians 2:6-8).

o   "Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." (2Cor. 12:14,15).

 

He should lead the brethren to what they really need, just as Deborah welcomed Israel as her children and won her victory and theirs:

 

o   "The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel." (Judges 5.7).

o   "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalms 23:2).

[Leonardo Von]

These four living beings portray what the Eternal's government is like: energetic and daring, but meek and full of compassion and humble service; Spiritual and fast in execution (such as the clear flight of the eagle), manifesting the zealous care of the Eternal for His children (Luke 18.8), but also physical, without disrespecting the limits He established for man or even for all nature. But above all, the government of the Eternal manifests the perfect image and likeness of Him.

This is why, in the vision of Ezekiel (Ezek. 1:10), the faces appear distributed as follows:

 

o   The Lion on the right and ox on the left -> portrays Jesus as the humble and perfect servant who has been subjected to all the law that He has established as King of kings;

o   The Eagle and man -> portrays Jesus as the only true God who was tempted in all things as any human being, but without sin (Hebrews 4:15); on the contrary: He condemned the sin in His flesh (Rom. 8:3,4).

 

The Holy Scripture associates face with individuals (1Chr 12.8, 2Chr 29.6, Isa 3:15; 13.8). Considering that the cherubim in Ezekiel had four faces, then this means that, spiritually, a being is capable of having more than one identity.

In fact, each member of the Church must know how to balance the four virtues of Christ in oneself:

 

o   As kings (Gen 1:28; Rev 1:6; 5.10) we must judge righteously the facts and spirits (1John 4.1) and lead all on the right path to eternal justice. Above all, we must reign over sin (Rom. 5:17)

o   As servants of the Eternal, we must give ourselves to the work that He has entrusted to us with body, soul and spirit, with all our might, no more, no less (Ecl. 9:10, Philippians 2:14, 1 Pet. 4.10,11), serving with meekness and fear (1Pe 3:15);

o   As men we should identify with those whom the Eternal gives us (just as He became sinful flesh to save us - Rom. 8:3,4; 2Cor 5.21). We must be men of truth (Exo. 18.21; Mark 12:14);

o   As priests, children of the Eternal in Christ, we carry in us His image and likeness (Gen. 1:25,26), being up to us to serve so that those around us can see the heavenly regions. We should be spiritual individuals living the sacred truths in the flesh, always being the temple in which the Eternal can be seen (1Cor 3.16, 6.19; 2Cor 6.16).

 

The four living creatures also recall how the tribes of Israel organized around the tabernacle (remembering that four also resemble the four corners of the earth or any other object). As the sons of Levi were responsible for guarding the sanctuary, and for ministering in the tabernacle of the congregation, they stood around him (Num. 3: 8, 8), as follows:

 

o   The east (before the tabernacle) -> Moses, Aaron and his sons (Num.3.38).

o   And the south -> Kohathites (Num. 3:29);

o   To the west -> Gershonites (Num. 3:23);

o   Or to the north -> Merarites (Numbers 3:35).

 

Around them all the people of Israel stood as follows:

 

o   The eastward -> Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (Num. 2: 2-3);

o   The southward -> Reuben, Simon and Gad (Num. 2: 10-14);

o   And to the west -> Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin (Numbers 2: 18-22);

o   And to the north -> Dan, Asher, and Naphtali (Numbers 2: 25-29).

 

The detail is that:

 

o   To east (front), considering that it is there that man in the tabernacle, it is quite probable that the face of man is in this position;

o   To south (right), according to Ezekiel, was the lion-faced beast;

o   To west (backside), considering that it is in the innermost part of the tabernacle (in its background) that the Eternal minister, then it is very probable that the face of eagle is in this position.

o   To north (left), according to Ezekiel, was the ox-faced animal;

 

Schematizing, stay like this:

 

POSITION	FAMILY OF LEVY	TRIBES OF ISRAEL	FACE
East.	Moses, Aaron and his sons.	Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.	Man.
South.	Kohathites.	Reuben, Simon and Gad	Lion.
West.	Gershonites.	Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin.	Eagle.
North.	Merarites.	Dan, Asher, and Naphtali	Ox.

 

Just as Israel was around the tabernacle to protect it, the four living creatures here play the same role.

[Leonardo Von]

On 10/9/2016 at 3:48 AM, TrevorL said:

They are often revealed in the aspect of judgement, but I believe that Ezekiel 1 was a vision and not the real thing. Compare also Isaiah 6 and the vision of the King - Priest surrounded by Seraphim - again a vision and not the real thing, even though Isaiah interacts with the Seraphim. I believe that the Cherubim in Genesis 3 are angels enacting a particular role, but the ultimate teaching of all these Cherubic figures is fulfilled in Christ. The presence of these Cherubim in the Most Holy Place and inwrought on the Vail between the Holy and Most Holy point forward to their incorporation in our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of the Divine character was inwrought. 

 

Although these living beings are the same as Ezek 1, Ezek 10 and Isa 6, in each of these passages they perform different roles. Hence they take different forms (that is, they are metamorphic beings). And it is not surprising, since Ha-Satan himself, who was a cherub (Ezek 28:14), is capable of transforming himself into an angel of light (2Cor. 11:13-15). Furthermore, see the cherubim assuming some roles:

 

o   They are seen in the company of a flaming sword placed at the entrance to the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24);

o   The Eternal had fellowship with His people among the cherubim, who had two wings (Exodus 25:22);

o   The Eternal is the shepherd of Israel who dwells among the cherubim (Psalm 80:1).

 

In Ezekiel the cherubim are by the wheels of the throne (Ezek. 1:15; 10,9; Dan 7.9) moving them. As these wheels are on earth, hence the Eternal say that heaven is His throne and earth the footstool of His feet (Isa. 66:1).

Hence it is also said that the Eternal rides on cherubim (2 Samuel 22:11; Ps 18:10). In fact, the angels as a whole are the chariots of the Eternal (Psalms 68:17), the means of transportation used by Him, since the Eternal does of His angels winds (Heb. 1.7).

Already in Isaiah, the cherubim are called seraphim and their role is to crown the Eternal one of beauty and glory. Hence they are flying over the throne. However, here they are seen with their feet and faces covered, for the gospel will be covered for Israel until Christ returns to establish the millennium (Isa 6:9-12, Matt 13:13-15; Zec 12:10-14), so that the Truth will not be preached among them (Isa 52:7; 61:1), and even if it is, they will not see it.

 In other words, since Isaiah was to be used as a prophetic sign for Israel (Isa. 8.3; 20.2-5), he does not see the faces and feet of the "gospel" to prophesy Israel's rejection of the Messiah.

Already here in Revelation the living beings are in the middle of the throne and around the throne. That is, they were flying over the throne at the center of the throne (in relation to its height) and spinning around it.

Their function here is to manifest the truth of the Eternal and His glory, so that all may see, from every angle, the reason for which they are being judged.

To be more exact: since the four living creatures represent the four gospels:

 

o   In Ezekiel the gospels carry the majesty and sovereignty of the Eternal throughout the world. Here are four wings because they represent the glory of the Eternal coming out of the temple and Jerusalem and going through the whole world (Ezek 11.22,23);

o   In Isaiah the Gospels manifest who the Eternal is, namely, the One who, with live coals taken from the altar of prayer, purifies His own (Isa. 6:7). This is exactly what Jesus and His gospel do for us. Here the cherubim have six wings because the identity of whom the Eternal is, as well as the beautiful feet of those who proclaim peace are hidden (Isa 52:7; Romans 10.15);

This teaches us that although we are purified by the life of Christ in us (1 John 1:7), this cleansing only takes place when we intercede for the brethren (Ezek 22:30, Jer 5.1), that is, when we are disposed in the hands of the Eternal to communicate to others the gospel which we believe (Psalms 116:10; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Romans 10:6-10), so that his "feet" can be cleansed (John 13:14).

o   In Revelation the gospels protect the holiness and righteousness of the Eternal by showing everyone the meaning of everything that each one has spent here on earth, as well as showing the reason why many were saved or not. Here those who are being judged are seeing the character of the gospel (face) and how much it was preached throughout the world (Matt 24.13).

 

Note that although the angels are servants of the Church, the four living creatures are closer to the throne than the twenty-four elders. This is because, whoever the most serves the Eternal, the closest is His. This is understandable since Jesus, being king, is the one who serves the most. Just think that it is He who feeds the whole creation (see Job 38 and 39).

[Leonardo Von]

Moreover, we cannot forget what Jesus said:

 

o   " Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10).

 

In other words, these angels are the angels of the little ones, whom it pleased the Eternal to reveal His gospel:

 

o   " All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." (Matthew 11.27).

 

In short, these special angels portray what the Eternal came to manifest to the world in His flesh. In doing this, He became the head of all principalities and powers and gathered in Himself all things in heaven and on earth (Col. 1:15,16, 2:10, Eph. 1:10). After all, He came to redeem all creation (Rom. 8: 9-22). And this is what is to be seen in the millennium: the pleasure of every creature in serving the Messiah (see Isa 11:6-8; 65:25; Ezek 34:25; Hos 2:18).

Therefore, the four living beings recall the reconciliation of the Eternal with nature (described in Isa 11: 6-8, 65:25, Ezek 34:25, 2:18).

Moreover, the four living beings are representatives of every angelic class and, at the same time, of the redeemed creation. Each carries within itself something of the character of Christ and of His work here in the world. Together they represent Jesus, the living Word that has power to save us from sin and from ourselves (Rom. 1:17).