Angelic Conflict part 81: Angelology 102; Basic facts – Eze 1:4-24; 2Ti 2:1-26; Mat 10:32-33.

Title: Angelic Conflict part 81: Angelology 102; Basic facts – Eze 1:4-24; 2Ti 2:1-26; Mat 10:32-33.

 

Classification of the angels:

 

1.Government rulers. Five major representations of supremacy among angels is mentioned.

a)Thrones – seat of authority

b)Dominions – those who rule

c)Rulers – those who govern

d)Authorities – right to act, supremacy

e)Powers – might or power

 

2. Elect angels. The angels who remained obedient to God were elected or chosen. It is unknown how this election relates to the election of Christ, the nation Israel, or the CA believer.

 

3.There are three specific types of elect angels: Cherubim, Seraphim, and Living Creatures.

 

Cherubim(pl)cherub(s) are referred to 92 times in 13 books, all OT except for Hebrews(which is a reference to the cherubim above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. 

 

(Gen, Exo, Num, 1Sa, 2Sa, 1Ki, 2Ki, 1Ch, 2Ch, Psa Isa, Eze, and Heb).

 

Cherubim – name means “to hold fast.” They are closely related to the throne of God as defenders of His holy character.

 

The cherubim title speaks of their high and holy position and their responsibility as such is closely related to the throne of God as defenders of His holy character and presence.

 

Their name, meaning to hold fast, depicts their function as defenders. The only thing they would be asked to defend in opposition to God’s character which originated from satan and subsequently through the fallen angels who joined him in rebellion. Therefore, the cherubim become manifest to us as depicting a certain function of the invisible hero in the CA.

 

Eph 6:11

Put on [aorist middle imperative] the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm [hold your ground] against the schemes of the devil.

 

God doesn’t need them and He doesn’t need us, but He in grace has given them and us the privilege of sharing in His glory, which glory shines even brighter in the face of divine opposition.

 

For the CA believer this calling is by election, but it is not accomplished by appointment as it seems to be for the cherubim, but by positive volition to God’s word.

 

2Co 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 

Cherubim description: Four faces, four wings, four human hands, straight legs as a calf’s hoof.

A description of the cherubim is found in Eze 1:4-24 and 10:1-22.

 

Eze 1:4 And as I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.

 

Jesus Christ is hidden in this cloud which represents His glory.

 

Eze 1:5 And within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

 

Their immaterial bodies resemble that of a human.

 

Eze 1:6 Each of them had four faces and four wings.

 

Eze 1:7 And their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf's hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze.

 

Straight legs with a calf’s hoof mean a firm foundation, as like two pillars.

 

Eze 1:8 Under their wings on their four sides were human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them,

 

Hands give them the ability to do work.

 

Eze 1:9 their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward.

 

This shows that they have a singular purpose. When God tells them to go north, south, east, or west they do so, and they do not deviate, nor turn to another side.

 

They actually never go diagonally either, which shows that God doesn’t always take the shortest route, but the most glorious, righteous, just, and gracious route. Be patient believer, God is on His way, and whatever His delays are they are perfect.

 

To make the contrast with elect man in history, does he do everything or go everywhere that God tells him to? 

 

Eze 1:10 As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man, all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.

 

There are many interpretations to the meaning of these faces. My personal favorite is that they represent the four gospels.

 

Lion = Jesus Christ as King – Matthew.

Bull = Jesus Christ as servant – Mark

Man = Jesus Christ as humanity – Luke

Eagle = Jesus Christ as God – John.

 

This makes much sense since it was the humanity of Christ that was called to defeat all opposition to divine integrity and holiness.

 

Eze 1:11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.

 

Eze 1:12 And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

 

This is complete obedience to the directive will of God.

 

Eze 1:13 In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire.

 

The coals of fire represent the sacrifice of Christ for mankind as it did on the brazen altar in the first heaven.

 

Eze 1:14 And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.

 

There is no hesitation with God. When it’s time to move He moves. He is never doubting or questioning His own decree.

 

Eze 1:15 Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them.

 

The wheels represent God’s constant working in the world, His power and glory, His presence in all places, His purpose for man and His providence. The world was full of conflict yet God was working.

 

Eze 1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another.

 

Eze 1:17 Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions, without turning as they moved.

 

God doesn’t always take the shortest path, but He always takes the path of maximum glory, justice, righteousness, and love.

 

Eze 1:18 As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about.

 

The wheels are a continuous loop – eternity and immutability of God. Eyes – omniscience of God.

 

Eze 1:19 And whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also.

 

Eze 1:20 Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

 

Eze 1:21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

 

The omniscience, faithfulness, justice, righteousness, and love of God are in full harmony with the cherubim as they defend His holy character.

 

Eze 1:22 Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, extended over their heads.

 

Crystal expanse – the throne of Jesus Christ the Lord God.

 

Exo 24:9-10

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

 

The vision is further explained in chapter 10 which is why we know these creatures are cherubim.

 

Eze 10:1

Then I looked, and behold, in the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim something like a sapphire stone, in appearance resembling a throne, appeared above them.

 

pic: The cherubim are beneath the throne. Every CA believer sits on the throne with Christ, Eph 2:6.

 

Eze 1:23 And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward the other; each one also had two wings covering their bodies on the one side and on the other.

 

Wings covering their bodies represent humility and therefore obedience to the will of God.

 

Eze 1:24 I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.

 

The dropping of their wings reveals God’s times of rest and the rest that He has achieved for His people; Israel and the Church.

 

Of all the specific types of angels the cherubim are mentioned the most. They are a privileged group who guard the holiness of God, not that He needs them to, but as God shares His glory with His creatures, He allows them the privilege.

 

This brings to mind a verse, but I want to read this verse in the context of its chapter.