Truth revealed

 

                        The Cherub, Cherubim

 

Cherub: One who covers, or covering one.

Cherubim: plural form of Cherub.

 

This symbolical creature so called was a composite creature form which finds a parallel in the religious insignia of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia. E.g the sphinx, the winged bulls and lions of Nineveh,etc. A Cherub guarded paradise. Gen. 3:24. Figures of cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark. Ex. 25:18. A pair of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon's temple with the canopy of their contiguously extended wings. 1Kings 6:27.Those on the ark were to be placed with wings stretched forth, one at each end of the mercy seat, and to be made "of the mercy-seat." Their wings (indicating rapidity and protection) were to be stretched upwards and their faces "towards each other and towards the mercy-seat." It is remarkable that with such precise directions as to their position, attitude and material, nothing save that they were winged, is said concerning their shape. On the whole it seems likely that the word "cherub" meant not only the composite creature-form, of which the man, lion, ox and eagle were the elements, but further, some peculiar and mystical form. Ezek. 1:6. Some suppose that they represented God's providence among men, the four faces expressing the character of that providence: its wisdom and intelligence (man), its strength (ox), its kingly authority (lion), its swiftness, farsightedness (eagle). Others, combining all the other references with the description of the living creatures in Revelation, making the cherubim to represent Gods' redeemed people. The quality of the four faces are those which belongs to God's people. Their facing four ways, towards all quarters of the globe, represents their duty of extending the truth. The wings show swiftness of obedience; and only the redeemed can sing the song put in their mouths in Rev. 5:8-14.

 

In Ezekiel 1:5, 8 "also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings." I believe the anointed Cherub in Ezekiel 28:14 was referring to a man, perfect in his creation before the fall. The passage in Ezekiel 28:19 says, " All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more." When you consider scripture, and compare scripture with scripture, and spiritual with spiritual; you can see that this potentially imaginary creature, is known by people (man). Who knows the heart of a man, except man and God. God knows us better than we know ourselves. And here, God is describing the heart of man. He then prophesies the complete demise of this fallen creature. 2Cor. 5:17.

 

Consider the positioning of the Children of Israel's encampment. " Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard(flag, banner), with the ensign(sign, signal) of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch"

 

There were three tribes on the East side under the standard of the Lion, Num.2:3-9. Judah (praise) Ps. 22:3; 34:1. Zebulon (dwelling, habitation) Eph. 2:19-22. Issachar (reward) Matt. 6:4; Heb. 11:6.

 

There were three tribes on the west side under the standard of the Ox, Num. 2:18-24. Ephraim (doubly fruitful, double portion) 2Kg. 2:9. Manasseh (causing forgetfulness) Jn. 16:21. Benjamin (son of the right hand) Isa. 59:16.

 

There were three tribes on the North side under the standard of the Eagle Num. 2:25-31. Dan (he that judges) 1Cor. 2:15. Asher (happy) Neh. 8:10; Rom. 14:17, Naphtali (obtained by wrestling) Gen. 32:24-32.  

 

There were three tribes on the South side, Num. 2:10-16. Reuben (vision of behold the son" (gal. 4:1-7). Simeon (he who hears with acceptance) Isa. 50:4-6. Gad (a troop) Jer. 12:5; Joel 2:1-11.

 

The Cherubim then, is not a literal creature, but a representation of the redeemed.

Rev. 5:8-14. When read with understanding, we come to understand, that the scriptures are not speaking of a great and terrible beast; but "the four beasts" mentioned: is a representation of mankind. Before, delving into these verses, it is worth noting that Vine's complete expository dictionary exclaims "the cherubim are regarded as the ideal representatives of redeemed animate creation. In the tabernacle and Temple they were represented by the two golden figures of two-winged living creatures. They were all of one piece with the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, signifying the prospect of redeemed and glorified creatures was bound up with the sacrifice of Christ." Examine the prayer in Jn. 17:21, " That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Couple this with the verses in Rev. Chapter 5. " And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to god by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever."

 

These verses in themselves would indicate that that Cherubims represent redeemed human beings in union with Christ. A union seen figuratively proceeding out of the mercy seat. Their faces were towards the mercy seat, suggesting a consciousness of the means whereby union with Christ has been made possible. Only men who have experienced redemption can sing a song of redemption. Angels do not experience the redemptive work of Christ; for they desire to look into the matter. 1Pet.1:12.

 

Note: The first reference to the "cherubim" is in Gen.3:24, which should read "…at the East of the Garden of Eden He caused to dwell in a tabernacle the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned itself to keep the way of the Tree of life." The Cherubim was not simply placed to keep fallen humanity out; the presence of the cherubim suggests that redeemed men, restored to God on God's conditions, would have access to the Tree of Life. Rev. 22:14 " Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." There are gates to the city. These are spiritual gates. For Revelation speaks of the unveiling of the Christ. We must come to the honor of kings and search out God's glory. Proverbs 25:2, " It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings to search out a matter." Rev. 1:6. " And hath made us Kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

 

 

If one were to do a thorough examination of the "cherubim" I believe they would find that The "sword" with which the being is armed is the word of God. Which is able to cleanse the imagination and sanctify it; "with the washing of water by the word," Eph.5:26. Tit.3:5 "…by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" This is not about being put out of the literal "garden of Eden"; which is representative of paradise. This is about Being redeemed by the blood of Christ(the lamb), thereby sanctifying the imagination and restoring all of creation back to where we were before the "fall". Without a sanctified imagination, it is impossible to walk in sinless perfection which is quite possible in this world! " "…because as he is, so are we in this world." My big brother (Jesus) did it, so can I!  

 

This is just meant to wet the appetite to want to explore and know the "Word" and the "Spirit".

 

With love to all the Brethren;

 

Dr. John Overton, Dbs

 

                         The Cherubim

                          (part II)

 

It is interesting to note that the Cherubim was to be made of the one piece of gold connected to the mercy seat. The Cherubim which represents the redeemed of mankind had to be made of the same material that covered the ark of the covenant. God would give His servant Moses the testimony which was to be placed into the ark. Gold in scripture symbolizes kingship, kingdom glory, God or gods. Examine, Rev. 14:14; SS 5:11; Dan.3:1; Mt. 2:11; Ac 17:29; ICor.3:12; Rev.4:4;9:7;18:9-12; Mal.3:3 and Hag.2:8.The redeemed of the Lord are as holy as He is. They are gods, according to John 10:34-35. The Cherubims (redeemed of the Lord)are one with the Lord. We have been made kings and priests according to Rev. 1:6. The Overcomers, redeemed from among mankind, the Cherubims will be granted the opportunity to sit with the Son of God in his throne, even as He overcame and is set down with His Father in the Father's throne,(Rev. 3:21).

 

The Cherubim is set in the top or head of the mercy seat on top of the ark of the covenant; representing the fact that grace and mercy are greater than the Law. The headship being represented are the sons of God being made to be conformed to the image of his dear son, Rom. 8:29. We the Redeemed of the Lord are made in the image and likeness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We look just like God. We become the place where God dwells. The dwelling place of God. In other words, we are the many mansions being spoken of in John 14:2. It is noteworthy as well to mention that Philippians 2:5-8 tells us to  "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:" The same glory that Christ Jesus possessed, we are instructed to have. Symbolically, we are to be made of the same material (gold) that He is made of. Verse 6 of this passage goes on to say " Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." This means that as Christ was equal with God and did not think it robbery (something to be stolen away from) God. We must begin to see ourselves as "friends" of God. Friendship brings you into an intimacy of equality. Verse 7 says " But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Understanding that the word god means judge. We are judges in the earth. Infact, the word declares that we will judge the world and judge angels. ICor.6:2,3. How much more proof than this do we need, in order to believe that God is going to share His glory with us. As soon as some of you read the last sentence, you said ah, ha. God said "…and I will not give my glory unto another." The only problem is that you do not recognize that you are not another, but you are His own special people (peculiar). WE are sons of God, and He was mindful of us to crown us with His glory.

 

We shall and are made to be the City of God, The New Jerusalem.

Revelation 3:12 states " Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." This scripture taken in conjunction with ICor.3:16 Illuminates that we are the temple of God. Warning, quit looking for a temple in the Jerusalem of the middle east. Not only are we the temple, but we are the city. A city has to have many dwelling places (mansions).  We are not only the city, the temple and the redeemed; but we are also the clouds spoken of in Mt. 24:30; 26:64; Mk 14:62, ITh. 4:17; Rev.1:7. also examine

2Pet.2:17 and Jude 12.

 

As Born Again believers, we must grow past our childish understanding of scripture, we must also grow past our adolescence. We must grow into perfection (maturity) in the word of God: ref. IJn.2:12-14.

 

I do not want to disillusion any of the Beloved; but dear-hearts quit looking to be raptured out of this world so that your so called troubles will be over. The Bible does not teach the going of the Church. However the scripture does teach the coming of the Lord. News flash; The book of Revelation does not teach the revealing of the antichrist. Antichrist is already in the world, IJn.2:18;2:22;2:7;and 4:3. Read it for yourself!

 

The book of Revelation is " The Revelation of Jesus Christ,…" Rev.1:1.

 

The creation is groaning waiting for the manifestation (out showing) of the Sons God, Rom.8:18-19. Gods glory must be revealed in us (Cherubims) before itr can be displayed out of us.

 

The meek shall inherit the earth according to Mt.5:5; Ps.37:11.

God's will, will be done in earth, it is already being done in heaven. Mt.6:10.

The heathen shall be given us for an inheritance Ps.2:8.

" Behold I come quickly…" Rev. 22:7

"…Surely I come quickly…." Rev. 22:20.

 

The scripture culminates with the coming of the Lord and nowhere does it teach the going of the Saints. The rapture is all conjecture, suppositions and Traditions.

 

Traditions being the most dangerous of all, for it is the only one spoken of in scripture that can make the Word of God of no effect. Mt.15:6; Mk. 7:13.

 

God bless; more to come…

 

Dr. John M. Overton Dbs