Archive for the Angels Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Gabriel’s Resume

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , on January 19, 2020 by paulthepoke

The angel Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Bible. Gabriel means “man of God” or “strong man of God” per Strong’s Concordance. Twice Gabriel is noted by the Old Testament prophet Daniel. His announcements focus on the end times in Daniel.

And two times Gabriel is observed in the New Testament by the physician Luke. Gabriel brings an announcement to humanity regarding the pending births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Gabriel speaks to 3 people in the Bible: Daniel, Zechariah the priest, and the virgin Mary. In every case, Gabriel’s message from the throne of God tells of the promise of the Messiah.

Most of what is attributed to Gabriel is mentioned in the book of Enoch. If one includes the time from Enoch to the birth of Jesus, his career spans at least 3,500 years???

Yes, the book of Enoch is an extra biblical source. Take it for what it is worth to the individual reader. Gabriel is a messenger from God. He is not to be worshiped.

Enoch 10:9 And to Gabriel said the Lord: ‘Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication: and destroy (the children of fornication and) the children of the Watchers from amongst men (and cause them to go forth): send them one against the other that they may destroy each other in battle: for length of days shall they not have.

For those who are not familiar, the “Watchers” would be the fallen angels who mingled with human women. The result was a hybrid race of giants. This concept of giants is documented in Genesis in the pre flood world. Gabriel does not appear to be a promoter of sexual promiscuity.

~

The responsibilities of Gabriel are noted in the verse below. This would mean Gabriel is over the anointed cherub Satan and his minions.

Enoch 20:7 Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim.

Enoch was having a conversation with an angel. He inquired as to the names of four specific angels. The angel of peace revealed the following information.

Enoch 40:9  And he said to me: ‘This first is Michael, the merciful and long-suffering: and the second, who is set over all the diseases and all the wounds of the children of men, is Raphael: and the third, who is set over all the powers, is Gabriel: and the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life, is named Phanuel.’ And these are the four angels of the Lord of Spirits and the four voices I heard in those days.

The commentaries of Gabriel being over all Cherubim, serpents and powers, brings the verse below to mind.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

It seems plausible that God (Father, Son, and Spirit) dispatches Gabriel on our behalf against the dark forces of this world.

In the final analysis…

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Leave a comment »

Gabriel Visits a Virgin

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on January 5, 2020 by paulthepoke

Luke 1:27 …to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke says Mary is a “virgin”. This is the Greek word παρθένος/parthenos. Let’s focus on a couple of definitions from Strong’s and Helps Word Studies.

Strong’s defines the term as a maiden, virgin; extended to men who have not known women.

Helps states properly, a virgin; a woman who has never had sexual relations; a female (virgin), beyond puberty but not yet married.

παρθένος/parthenos is noted 15 times in the New Testament. Three (3) times the term is used in reference to Mary. The virgin is going to give birth to a child. For Jews of the day, the idea of a virgin giving birth would bring Isaiah 7:14 to mind. Prophecy is going to be fulfilled.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Hebrew term for virgin is “almah“. Strong’s defines the word as a young woman, a virgin, a maiden. Almah is noted seven (7) times in the Old Testament. It is translated as maid, maiden, or virgin.

Historically, there has been much debate over the meaning of the term almah in Isaiah 7:14. Many Old Testament commentators take the term to mean “the concealed one”.

When the Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to Greek in the Septuagint, almah was translated to αρθένος/parthenos. In both cases (Hebrew and Greek), there is a definite article before both terms. In English, we know this as “the” virgin.

I take it Greek Orthodox scholars understand. See the link below for great detail of linguistic study.

https://www.goarch.org/-/the-word-almah-in-isaiah-7-14

Mary herself makes the claim she is a virgin. Many translators use the term “virgin” in Luke 1:34. The text is literally translated below as…

Luke 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I do not know a man?”

~

…of the house of David.

The genealogies of Luke 3 and Matthew 1 are clear. Jesus is of the line of David. It does not matter which parent, Mary or Joseph. Both have direct links to David. Luke is making the case. The Child to be born of the virgin Mary is of the line of David. The Messiah is promised from 2 Samuel 7, roughly 1,000 years and 14 generations before the conception of the Child.

2 Samuel 7:8-17 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

Leave a comment »

Angels: Gabriel to Nazareth

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , , on December 22, 2019 by paulthepoke

Luke 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…

In the Hebrew, Gabriel means “man of El” or “man of God”. Some also interpret the name to mean “God is my strength”.

A time point is given in the verse above, the sixth month. So what is the sixth month on a Hebrew calendar? After all, the Jewish people keep two calendars, a civil and spiritual calendar. In today’s 21st century world, Israel follows a civil calendar and the Jewish New Year takes place in the fall on Rosh Hashanah in the month of Tishri.

God has other instructions. He made the directions very clear to Moses. God states the first month of the year is Nisan in the spring. Moses was to proclaim this calendar to the people of Israel. God’s New Year begins in and around spring.

Exodus 12:2 This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.

The Lord makes further notations regarding time when it comes to the Fall Feasts. His Fall Appointments begin in the seventh month, Tishri.

Numbers 29:1a ‘Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation… .

See also Leviticus 23:23-25.

As God defines and keeps time, the month before the seventh month of Tishri is the sixth month of Elul. The Hebrew month of Elul typically lines up with the Gregorian month of August on a western calendar.

Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

The focus in the prophetic verse above is on the word “branch”. The Hebrew word is netzer. It is the netzer or branch or offspring who will bear fruit.

The Hebrew term netzer is transliterated to the Greek term Nazara, Nazaret, or Nazareth.

The town of Nazareth is specifically mentioned only in the New Testament and this occurs 6 times.

John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Back in the day, Nazareth was not exactly held in high esteem by the people of Israel. Morality was not a strength of the locals. God the Father had His chosen Son come from the worthless, country, hick town of Nazareth.

Let there be no doubt. The people identified Nazareth with Jesus. Nazareth was Jesus’ home town.

Matthew 21:11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Even the spirits and demons knew Jesus came from Nazareth.

Mark 1:24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

Luke 4:34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

~

Gabriel is an angel, a messenger of God. He is going to the countryside town of Nazareth, which means “branch”. He was sent late in the summer when the region is hot and dry and plants struggle to survive. The Hebrew month of Elul is a call to attention. Repent and return to God. Seek His Word. Gabriel is delivering a message of hope to Israel and this little town…

The Branch is coming.

Leave a comment »

Cherubim & Wheels Working Together

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , , on December 5, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 1:15a Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures…

Ezekiel 10:9 And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub…

Each wheel has a corresponding cherub. The cherub and the wheel belong to each other. In each of the three cases above, the word is translated as “beside”. This is the Hebrew preposition etsel. Per Strong’s Concordance, the word can be defined as a joining together, proximity. The idea is the wheel and the cherub are joined together.

Ezekiel 10:17b for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

Ezekiel 1:20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

Ezekiel 1:21b … for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

The spirit of the individual cherub is housed in the wheel. The spirit of the cherub is outside of its body. The cherub needs its wheel. The cherub and spirit are in sync, body and spirit.

Photo: youtube

Ezekiel 10:16, 17, 19a When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and even when they spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not veer away from their side. When the cherubim stood still, the wheels also stood still, and when they ascended, the wheels ascended with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in them. As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went.

Ezekiel 1:17, 19-21 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

The individual cherub and its wheel move together where ever they go. The direction does not matter, up, down, or sideways. The wheel sticks to the cherub like glue regardless of the speed or direction. The two work together as a concurrent, coexisting team.

Roughly 2,600 years ago, Ezekiel saw these things on Earth in what is modern day eastern Syria…

Leave a comment »

Ezekiel’s Whirling Wheels

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on November 25, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 1:15 When I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.

Ezekiel 10:2 And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim.

These are Ezekiel’s whirling wheels. These creatures come from visions on the Kebar River which is in modern day eastern Syria. The Kebar eventually dumps into the Euphrates River.

Ezekiel 10:13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing “the whirling wheels.”

Ezekiel has a name for these creatures and they are called “the whirling wheels”.

The Hebrew vocabulary of the term “wheels” is distinct and in some cases different.

As for the wheels… This is the Hebrew word “ophan” and it is translated as wheel. Ophan is the primary term used in Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10.

“…the whirling wheels..” This is the Hebrew word “galgal” and it can be translated as a wheel, whirl, or whirlwind per Strong’s Concordance. This term is used 11 times in the Old Testament. Within the context of Ezekiel 10, galgal is used 3 times (Ezekiel 10:2, 10:6, and 10:13). The term is translated as wheelwork or whirling wheels in these instances. It would appear these wheels are spinning and in motion, perhaps like a whirlwind or tornado.

~

The construction of the wheel is described consistently in both Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10.

Ezekiel 10:10 And as for their appearance, the four had the same likeness, as if a wheel were within a wheel.

See also Ezekiel 1:16.

The color of the wheel is described as like beryl. This a yellow colored stone. The beryl is one of the stones identified in the high priest’s breast plate (Exodus 28:20). This stone is also associated with Satan’s appearance and covering in (Ezekiel 28:13). A human like being presents himself in Daniel 10 and his body is described like beryl. Lastly, the walls of New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 has beryl as part of its construction.

Ezekiel 1:16a As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel.

See also Ezekiel 10:9.

~

Fire is located inside of the wheels.

Ezekiel 10:6a And when he commanded the man clothed in linen, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim…”

~

The wheels are noted with eyes throughout the structure.

Ezekiel 1:18b …and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.

Ezekiel 10:12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels.

~

Ezekiel 1:18a And their rims were tall and awesome…

The “rims” or the back of the wheels are described as grand in height and fearful to view. The Hebrew word “yirah” is used in this context. Yirah is also the same word used in the phrase “the fear of the Lord” or “the fear of God”.

These wheels would drop one to their knees in awe.

1 Comment »

Revelation’s Four Living Creatures

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on November 17, 2019 by paulthepoke

Revelation 4:6b-8 And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Welcome to the throne room of Heaven. These are Revelation’s four creatures. They have an up close and personal view of the throne itself. These are not the four creatures mentioned in Ezekiel 1. See the details of these four faced beings below.

https://paulthepoke.com/2019/11/10/four-living-creatures/

An individual being is located on each of the four side of the throne. John observes twice that each entity is loaded with eyes all of over their bodies.

Revelation 4:6b …full of eyes in front and behind…

Revelation 4:8a,c And the four living creatures… are full of eyes all around and within…

Each creature has six wings.

Revelation 4:8a,b And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings…

Each being is distinct in its appearance. They are described as being similar to or resembling a corresponding animal. The body of the third creature is not described but its face is.

Revelation 4:7 …the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.

Their message is consistent and non stop. God is holy.

Revelation 4:8b “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Some believe the three calls for “holy” is a reference to the Trinity and recognition that each member (Father, Son, and Spirit) is indeed God.

Holy or ἅγιος/hagios in the Greek is defined as sacred, set apart, or different, distinguished, distinct unlike anything else.

The Hebrew word for holy is qodesh.

God’s holiness is foundational. God’s holiness separates Him from sin. Holiness is the most mentioned attribute of God in Scripture.

Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Psalm 9:7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever; He has established his throne for justice…

Psalm 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

~

These four creatures will introduce the four horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation 6. The lion like creature will call for the first white horse and its rider. The ox like creature will call for the red horse and rider. The man faced being will call for the black horse and rider. The eagle like creature will call for the pale horse and rider. They all make the same proclamation, “Come!“

~

And these four creatures proclaim the eternal nature of God.

Revelation 4:8b …who was and is and is to come!

Revelation 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever…

Leave a comment »

Four Living Creatures

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , on November 10, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 1:5 …and within it was the form of four living creatures.

The living creatures have no name. There is nothing else like these four entities described in Scripture. They are not like the seraphim or the cherubim. Ezekiel goes into great detail to give a physical description of the beings.

I take it these beings have the body shape of a human with some additions.

Ezekiel 1:5b …And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness…

As humans, we only have one face. These creatures are different. They have four faces, a human, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.

Ezekiel 1:6a but each had four faces…

Ezekiel 1:10-11a As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces.

Each creature possessed four wings. Two wings functioned to cover the body of the being. The other two wings appear to assist with movement.

Ezekiel 1:6b …and each of them had four wings.

Ezekiel 1:11b And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:23b And each creature had two wings covering its body.

These creatures are loud and imposing when they are in motion. Imagine the sound of a white water river rushing through a steep, narrow canyon.

Ezekiel 1:24 And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

There is no need to turn when moving because these beings can see in all directions with their four faces.

Ezekiel 1:12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.

The creatures can move with exceptional speed, quickness, and agility.

Ezekiel 1:14 And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

These creatures may have legs like a human but they do not have toes on their feet. They appear to have a split hoof.

Ezekiel 1:7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot.

They also possess hands like a human.

Ezekiel 1:8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands.

Images of heat, fire, and lightning describe their appearance.

Ezekiel 1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

4 Comments »

Cherubim: Subject to the LORD

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on November 2, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

Positionally, God is above the cherubim. Well of course, the LORD is also over His creation, the nations and kingdoms, Israel, and humanity. This is not a one time observation. The concept is reinforced in Scripture. Cherubim, as well as the rest of creation, are subject to the authority of God. See some more examples below.

Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

So what is the big deal, cherubim are subjected to God their creator? In general this is not a problem, except for one…

This formerly anointed cherub is not interested in serving God. He does not want to be an equal to God. His heart is filled with self-regard and has an exaggerated sense of self-importance. He wants to place himself above the LORD of hosts (God’s title as a military commander). This cherub sees himself as a conquering leader and warrior. He wants to subdue and rule over humanity. He sees himself as moral authority. He can do it better than God.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

A lot of misery and suffering will continue to occur because of this attitude. But, its time will come to an end…

2 Comments »

Cherubim in the Temple

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on September 8, 2019 by paulthepoke

There are many who think the Temple is a model for the Throne Room in Heaven. In Solomon’s Temple, cherubim are a theme literally and figuratively woven and placed throughout the structure. Cherubim play a prominent part in the Temple.

The text is very careful to point out the specific details of the cherubim and where they belong. Are the sizes and dimensions the exact representation of physical beings? What about the size ratio of cherubim relative to other structures? We need to pay attention, God’s word provides specific details. I suspect this matters.

1 Kings 6:23-30 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits. The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape, and the height of each cherub was ten cubits. And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched. He also overlaid the cherubim with gold. Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. And he overlaid the temple floor with gold in both the inner and outer sanctuaries.

First there is the definition of a cubit. A cubit is considered to be roughly 18 inches or a foot and a half. 45 centimeters for those folks who are used to metric measurements. This was based on the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger and was considered the equivalent of 6 palms or 2 spans. Definition provided by Britannica.

The height of the cherubim is 10 cubits or 15 feet tall. The height of the inner chamber of the temple is 20 cubits or 30 feet tall. A cherub is half the height of the room.

Each wing of a cherub is 5 cubits or 7.5 feet. When the wings of the cherubim are side to side, they fill the room of 20 cubits or 30 feet in width. The wing span of a single cherub is equal to its height, 10 cubits or 15 feet.

The size of the inner chamber is a perfect cube, 20 cubits high, 20 cubits across, and 20 cubits deep.

1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high.

The Cherubim are located in the inner chamber and fill the room. Cherubim are covered with gold. Cherubim are engraved on the door. Cherubim are sewn on the curtains. Cherubim are on the Ark of the Covenant which is the center of the chamber.

2 Chronicles 5:8 The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles.

1 Comment »

Cherubim: The Ark of The Covenant and The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Gospel with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 25, 2019 by paulthepoke

Exodus 25:17-20 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.

The mercy seat is the cover or lid for the Ark of the Covenant.

The Hebrew word for “mercy seat” is kapporeth. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: mercy seat, place of atonement; the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people; on the lid were two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together.

The Hebrew word kapporeth comes from kopher (means propitiatory or substitution).

The mercy seat or the lid of the Ark is a substitution for the covering of sin. Remember, cherubim are physically present on, covering, protecting, and observing the mercy seat.

Leviticus 16:15b-16 and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.

For God, the shedding of innocent blood on the mercy seat is a satisfactory substitution for sin. Only the High Priest can make the sacrifice in the presence of God. Jesus Christ is our High Priest. 

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

What role do the cherubim play in all of this? Matthew gives a physical description of one of the angels at the tomb of Christ. The being is clearly an imposing looking figure. The guards were literally scared stiff and rocked at their core.

Matthew 28:3-4 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

Luke describes their appearance accordingly. The women who followed Jesus had a similar response as the guards. They were mortified.

Luke 24:4-5 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

~

At the core of the issue, the angels bear witness to humanity the gospel message. This is the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew confirms His death and burial and resurrection. John picks up from Matthew and informs of the burial and alludes to the resurrection. Luke closes with the confirmation of the resurrection. Angels present the evidence according to the gospel accounts.

Matthew 28:5-6 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

John 20:11-12 But Mary (Magdelene) was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.

Luke 24:6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee…

~

The angels were present with the resurrected Jesus Christ. See John 20:11-12 above for context.

John 20:14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

~

Deuteronomy 19:15 A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.

God the Father sent angels to earth for confirmation of Christ’s good news. For Heavenly legal purposes, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are established, observable facts. At least two if not three angels confirm the events. Matthew 28 accounts for one angel. John 20 observes two angels. Angels present and confirm the fact of the gospel. Multiple angels verified. God’s legal standard has been satisfied.

Jesus Christ is the mercy seat. This gift is received only by faith. Nothing you can do.

Romans 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Angels authenticate and substantiate our good news.

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »