THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE CHERUBIMS

INTRODUCTION

The Lord has been so gracious as to bountifully enlighten us of late about the nature and roles of the Cherubims as they are mentioned in the Bible. He progressively reveals more understanding concerning topics in the Holy Word. An additional thought has come forth regarding the Flaming Sword in the Garden entrance, alongside the Cherubims. This study incorporates that aspect also. We are all still learning step by step of the vastness of God's Kingdom and its inherent truths. I humbly seek to more fully grasp what He is trying to tell us at this time. My prayer is that you are able to follow our thoughts as we have experienced problems in clearly relating our thoughts in words. Let us believe God for clearer revelation and perhaps any needful corrections in our thinking that we may presently hold. I trust that this study will help all of us appreciate His Mercy and Grace in a greater measure in this mighty plan of salvation we so enjoy today!

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Gen 3:22-24

Immediately after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden we see a picture of certain beings being placed at the Garden entrance to protect the Garden from Adam's presence, lest Adam enter to eat of the Tree of Life. Adam's sin is clearly seen as holding a very detrimental part in his life, especially endangering him for eternity, seeing that God did not want Adam to eat of the tree of Life and live forever. The only conclusion we can draw from this is that the sin in Adam's flesh would be most irreparable should he eat of the Tree of Life while in the state of sinfulness.

We can learn about the presence of cherubims and their purpose by viewing other passages in Scripture where they are mentioned.

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
Ezekiel 10:1

Ezekiel called these creatures Cherubims. Notice their appearance.

And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 10:14

This same picture is seen as follows, earlier on in the book of Ezekiel.

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 every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight 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. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 1:5-10

(Notice that the face of the ox is said to be that of a cherub in chapter 10. Perhaps we can look at this thought in another study).

The faces of these creatures were that of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. This picture is seen in Rev.:

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 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. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:6-8

In Revelation these creatures are called "beasts". They speak. They are seen crying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." And we find a similar statement made by creatures in the Book of Isaiah.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:2-3

In Isaiah the creatures are called seraphims, and they are by the throne of God, as the "beasts" are by the throne of God in Revelation 4.

These type of creatures were placed at the Garden entrance, and this is where they are first mentioned in the Bible. Why do they hold the resemblance of a lion, ox, eagle and man? In Ezekiel they each had four faces. In Revelation they each had one face, but in both accounts, whether they be four-faced or single-faced, the same four faces are mentioned nonetheless. And they are positioned in a stationary manner around the throne of God and in a stationary manner at the Garden entrance also. Why? Position has noteworthy prominence with the thought of these beings.

We can glimpse somewhat of a clue as to their roles as we read the following:

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;
Revelation 5:8-9

The four beasts sing along with the 24 elders! We can clearly see they hold a special place of association with the 24 elders. And they both sing a song of Redemption! Both parties represent those who are redeemed! We also see this association with 24 elders below:

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:9-11

Before we go further we must understand who the 24 elders are. We do know they have seats around the throne of God.

And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Revelation 4:4

They are not described as strangely as the Cherubims are, with many eyes and different faces, but are simply called "elders". They were obviously merely human. But why were there 24 of them, and why were they seated around the throne?

We see them with white raiment and crowns on their heads. These indications tell us that they were priests, for priests in the Old Testament wore white linen. And the priestly aspect of carrying incense is also noted in Rev. 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.
Revelation 5:8

They have harps, just as the priests under David's reign played harps and sang. Compare these thoughts with the following:

Also the Levites [which were] the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, [being] arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
2 Chronicles 5:12

Speaking of the priests:

And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring [it] within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony, that he die not:
Leviticus 16:12-13

The crowns on the heads of the elders surely speak of kingship. And we can clearly see that these elders are BOTH kings and priests.

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6

Since Revelation tells us that ALL believers are kings and priests, and not merely 24 of us, we know that 24 MUST be a symbolic number. A note of Scripture in the OT also gives us a clue as to the reason of the number 24.

Now [these are] the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1

The chapter then lists the divisions. And then we read at the end of the list:

he three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. These [were] the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
1 Chronicles 24:18-19

24 divisions of priests. Exactly the number of the elders! So the number is symbolic and represents all believers. The following verses also enlightens it even more clearly.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:5-6

So these 24 elders represent the CHURCH. In fact, they clearly admit that they were redeemed.

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.
Revelation 5:9-10

Back to our thought.

When these 24 elders see the cherubims worship God, they immediately fall down and thank God for CREATION. And the faces on the cherubims clearly show various creatures of this world. The lion, ox, eagle and then man. The link is definite. In order for the 24 elders to praise God for creating all things for His pleasure, while watching the four-animal-faced cherubims praise God, we must deduce that the cherubims are also symbolic, though most likely actual creatures that exist in the spiritual realm since they were positioned at the Garden entrance. And they are symbolic of CREATION. They stand positioned around the throne of God. They stand positioned around the chariot of Ezekiel, upon which stood God's throne, also (Ezek. 1:26). They stand positioned at the Garden entrance. They stand positioned on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

And thou shalt make two cherubims [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exodus 25:18

And they incite the symbolic church to praise God for creation.

Since they were first mentioned after the fall of man in the Garden, and since they represent creation, we see a very interesting scenario. These creatures represent not only creation but the RESTORATION of creation. Why? We must understand that Adam not only flung all unborn humanity into a world of sin, but he also threw all CREATION down with him! He was king over all the earth - over all CREATION. He named creation. And being King over the world, when he obeyed the devil and sinned, he handed the devil the realm of the world in surrender, and all that was in the world became subject to sin's bondage.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,
Romans 8:20

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:22

Being positioned, then, at the Garden entrance, where man first fell, we see that they were an ever constant reminder to Adam of the fact that CREATION fell under the bondage of his error. He would see them and remember the animals and mankind, itself, which HE FLUNG INTO SIN everytime he walked past the entrance to the Garden. The flaming sword, spinning in heated, judgmental warning of sure death, should he dare attempt to enter the Garden again, reminded Him of the distance he placed between himself and his God. Yet we read that the 24 elders praise God for creation when they see these same cherubims praise God.

We can thank the Lord that their presence seems to remind man that, though there be a sword of flaming judgment blocking entrance to eternal life's domain, a day will come when somehow, sometime man will enter again and all creation will be restored.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:19-21

And within the oracle he made *two cherubims [of] olive tree*, [each] ten cubits high. And five cubits [was] the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other [were] ten cubits. And the other cherub [was] ten cubits: both the cherubims [were] of one measure and one size. The height of the one cherub [was] ten cubits, and so [was it] of the other cherub. And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the [one] wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house. And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
1 Kings 6:23-29

In the "oracle," or Holiest of Holies, Solomon erected two giant cherubims made of solid olive wood and covered with gold. Between these huge cherubims would he position the Ark of the Covenant.

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims. For the cherubims spread forth [their] two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
1 Kings 8:6-7

In Revelation 5:6 notice the many EYES that the Lamb, Jesus Christ has.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and *seven eyes*, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation 5:6

There is a tie in this picture to the vision of Zechariah.

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his *seven lamps* thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [are] upon the top thereof: And *two olive trees* by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof.
Zechariah 4:2-3

In Revelation we see the 24 elders around the LAMB WITH SEVEN EYES. Solomon's temple showed the two huge cherubims made of "OLIVE TREE." And In Zechariah we see TWO OLIVE TREES by a candlestick with SEVEN LAMPS. These elements all tie in together and unite their pictures in one, single thought..

Notice these other verses in Zechariah, as we continue our quest for understanding the mystery of the flaming sword and the Cherubims.

And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] *two olive branches* which through the two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These [are] *the two anointed ones*, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Zechariah 4:12-14

They are the two anointed ones.

Notice that they STAND as though in a stationary position, representative of something. the Cherubims STOOD at the Entrance of the Garden. They STOOD around the throne and they STOOD on the chariot of Ezekiel.

It is noteworthy to see how Satan was referred to in the following manner before he fell:

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou [art] the *anointed cherub* that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28:13-14

The term "anointed" is linked with CHERUBIMS. The two olive trees are called TWO ANOINTED ONES in Zechariah. And this all ties in with the picture in Rev. 11 of the two witnesses. And these TWO ANOINTED ONES are called the two OLIVE TREES that STAND by the Lord.

And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Revelation 11:3-4

They WITNESS of something. They speak a message. And they are always around God's throne. Since they seem to represent FALLEN CREATION that is AGAIN to be RESTORED, we see that they witness of GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE for, not only bringing man back to Himself, but also, bringing creation back from the devastation of the Fall of Adam.

Before we read mention of the two anointed ones in Rev. 11, we read mention of the TEMPLE in rev. 11:1-2, just as the TWO CHERUBIMS stood in the temple of SOLOMON.

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
Revelation 11:1-2

The picture seen by John the Revelator immediately before this vision of Chapter eleven, shows Jesus Christ standing on sea and land with a particular appearance.

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth, A RAINBOW was about His head.
Revelation 10:1-2

Now, we know this is Jesus, since the face on the MIGHTY ANGEL shone as the sun just as Christ's face shone in the transfiguration of Matthew 17.

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Matthew 17:2-3

And the likeness of his feet as brass is seen Rev. 1:

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. His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Revelation 1:13-15

Did you happen to notice that TWO MEN stood by Jesus at the Transfiguration when Jesus looked like the picture we see immediately before we read of the TWO WITNESSES, or the Two Olive Trees? There stood Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. Now, many people have felt that Moses and Elijah were the two who would be the witnesses of Rev. 11, as though they would be resurrected in the end times. Yet there is more reason to believe that the two witnesses have something to do with the CHERUBIMS rather than with Moses and Elijah. Yet these two men DO seem to play a representative role as did the Cherubims. Moses speaks of the LAW. Elijah speaks of the PROPHETS. And Jesus referred to the LAW AND THE PROPHETS.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12

The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Luke 16:16

The Law and the Prophets definitely did witness of Jesus! But there has got to be more of a meaning behind the TWO WITNESSES of Rev. 11 than to say they are simply Moses and Elijah. Granted, the two witnesses of Rev. 11 manifest similar miracles and judgments as did Moses and Elijah. Yet that does not limit us to actually deduce that they will particularly be Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah, it can be said, were used by God in two distinct *manners* which were always in accord with the representation of every instance of TWO WITNESSES, or TWO ANOINTED ONES. They were used in the work of RESTORATION.

In Zechariah 4, the reference to the two witnesses being the two sons of oil, or two anointed ones, was directed towards Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest. Note the Amplified Versions wording of the following:

Then said he, These are the two sons of oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah] -the two anointed ones -- who stand before the *Lord of the whole earth* [as His anointed instruments]. [Rev. 11:4]
Zechariah 4:14

Compare with:

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: *the whole earth* [is] full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:2-3

Note the reference to the "whole earth" in both instances.

You can see the connection between the cherubims/seraphims and the two anointed ones when you read reference made to the WHOLE EARTH in both cases. And in Zechariah, the two anointed ones refer to Joshua and Zerubbabel. These two men must actually be foreshadowing elements of the actual representation of the two cherubims. The particular reason these two men were in the picture of standing as CREATION'S RESTORATIVE symbols was due to their efforts in RESTORING the Temple of Jerusalem! "Restoration" was the key note!! And the *temple* is again seen in Isaiah's vision of God where the Seraphims praised Him! His train filled the *temple* (Isa. 6:1)! In Isaiah 6, God was fixing to restore truth by way of a prophet whom He commanded to come forth and receive a coal of anointing fire from the altar (Isa. 6:7).

Did not Elijah RESTORE worship of the true God to Israel in the showdown at mount Carmel?

Did not Moses RESTORE Israel to their Promised land after Israel took his family from their land into Egypt where they became bound in slavery?

So it is not so much the two men named Moses and Elijah that we must concentrate upon as we read Rev. 11, as much as it is the element of RESTORATION. For, immediately after their "testimony" in Rev. 11, we read of the following:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Revelation 11:15-17

After the two witnesses are taken away upon the completion of their testimony, we read that the Kingdom of God, as it was under Adam, is RESTORED. And this incites the 24 ELDERS to fall down and worship God just as they did when they saw the CHERUBIMS praise God!

A rainbow stood around Jesus' head on Rev. 10. After this John sees TWO WITNESSES. Now, we must look back the first time a rainbow is mentioned in the holy writ. And we can see, not only a connection between the thought of the rainbow's purpose with Rev. 10, but a connection with the CHERUBIMS, also.

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:8-13

You see the RAINBOW AND you see the mention of the FOWL, CATTLE, BEASTS AND NOAH, HIMSELF - MAN. These are the four depictions on the cherubims' faces. Eagle (fowl), Ox (cattle), Lion (beasts) and Man.

God's covenant with Noah ALSO INCLUDED CREATION. God preserved animals from the flood waters with Noah's ark. He wanted these animals around for a future time when He would REDEEM, not only man, but ALL CREATION! And when this comes to pass in completion, in the book of Revelation, we see the tell-tale CLOUDS God mentioned to Noah, as Jesus is clothed with the cloud in Rev. 101; and the RAINBOW about Jesus' head; and the TWO WITNESSES of God's promise to RESTORE CREATION. What could the testimony of the two witnesses be? Why, the testimony that God's promise will come to pass, of course, despite man's rise to self-worshipping dominion on the earth under the Beast spirit of antichrist.

What better time to return the world to God's hand due to man's fall from Adam's position of holding dominion of the earth than at the time man assumes dominion of the earth, but assumes it under counterfeit falsity of Satan's upper hand as opposed to God's direction?

The lion and the ox are portrayed side by side on the Cherubims. We see the ox and the predator of the oxen united in fellowship.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6

Truly creation will be redeemed in joyful unity as opposed to bitter opposition and cruelty of the present condition of all.

And when you read of the creation that is to be united in harmony, please look back a few verse and see Jesus, the One who had SEVEN EYES around which the 24 elders and the 4 beasts stood:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isaiah 11:1-2

You read of SEVEN SPIRITS upon Christ before you read of the union of the calf/ox and the lion as effected by the Lamb who has risen and REDEEMS all -- both man and creation - in Revelation 10!!! Praise God!!

Speaking of eyes, notice the many eyes that the cherubims possess:

And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Revelation 4:6

Full of eyes.

Picture such creatures standing by the flaming sword at the garden's entrance. Awesome creatures, each with dozens of eyes all turned upon the flaming sword. And the turned to Adam as he approaches in his times of remembering the devastation he caused the whole WORLD!

The eyes look back to the sword. The cherubims know that creation will be RESTORED. Will this man be the Restorer?

They look again at the Man Adam. No. He was the reason creation must be restored. He cannot be the Redeemer. So, they turn all those eyes back tot he sword again.

You see, they ANTICIPATED SOMETHING. They LOOKED for something to occur -- Someone to come. They possessed intense watchfulness and the utmost vigilance. They see fallen creation and they stand awaiting to SEE the redemption of all things.

When the cherubims praise God, they incite the 24 elders to magnify God for creation. The elders cry how that all things were CREATED by God and for God. In other words, "You created it all, and you won't leave it in ruin! Creation was for your pleasure and it will be restored because of that!! Praise You, God!"

Though Adam was barred by a fiery sword at the Garden entrance, two witnesses stood by, giving a hint of the hope of restoration!

But how can they witness so with such a sword in the way? The only way into that place of restored fellowship with God was past the sword. Should Adam have chosen to have ventured in, the sword of death would triumph over him as it would cut him down in his tracks. What an impossible situation!

And not only was Adam in a predicament, but God was lonely without Adam's fellowship. Man, after all, was made in God's image!

While the emblems watched with their intensity of eyes all over their beings, they waited. Something was to come and restoration would occur! So they kept on looking at the sword, waiting. And watching.

Soon Moses built a tabernacle with the likeness of CHERUBIMS on the inner veil. This veil, too, blocked a very holy place. The Holiest of Holies.

And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exodus 26:31

For the first time sacrifice was taught to the people in a manner under legislative Law.

And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which [was] for himself. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
Leviticus 9:7-9

And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
Leviticus 9:23-24

Finally a way into the Holiest?! A way into the Garden again?!

Nadab and Abihu thought so. And in the very next chapter of Leviticus (ch. 10) we read of their attempt. For the first time a man had walked past cherubim! And the sword did not slay him! Though they could not be seen, the cherubims were represented as standing at the entrance of the holiest , for their likenesses were embroidered on the veil.

And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exodus 26:31

So Nadab and Abihu entered.

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
Leviticus 10:1-2

Fire smote them! The flaming sword was still there! It had allowed Aaron to enter past, but not Nadab and Abihu. And the truth of the matter was that such an entrance by the high priest could be accomplished by him, alone, and that only one day a year on the DAY of Atonement. Moses had not been told to command anybody at all to enter in at any time!

Years later, in David's time, the Ark of the Covenant, from within the Holiest, was being transported back to Zion, after Israel had lost it to the Philistines. Would their desire to bring it back to Israel - to bring back God's glory - be reason enough to restore man to God again?

As the Ark was carried, it slipped off from the cart it was being carried on, and Uzzah reached out to keep it steady.

And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook [it]. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
2 Samuel 6:6-8

The SWORD struck AGAIN!

Barrier after barrier stood in man's way. The name of the place where Uzzah died became known as Perezuzzah, which means, "The Breach of Uzzah." He had dared breach the barrier of the flaming sword.

The ark was intended to be carried on priests' shoulders while covered with the veil of the cherubims' images, so as to warn any that dare come nigh to it that the sword still remained and restoration had not yet occurred.

And when the camp *setteth forward*, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and *cover the ark* of testimony with it:
Numbers 4:5

There had never been a WAY past. But one day, the cherubims, which stood at the entrance beside the flaming sword, saw One coming who laid claim to a remarkable quality.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6

Could it be? Would this ONE restore creation?

All of the many, many eyes on the cherubim looked at the sword and then at that man, for that man was different. They knew who He was! It was the very Lord they praised, but come down as a man!! It was the Lord of the whole earth! The One whose train filled the temple! The very ONE they surrounded on Ezekiel's chariot! Of course! Who else could stand past the barrier of cherubims and *flaming fire*?

Notice all the elements of the covenant come together in this passage:

And above the firmament that [was] over their heads [was] the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne [was] the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the *appearance of fire* round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the *bow that is in the cloud* in the day of rain, so [was] the appearance of the brightness round about. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw [it], I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezekiel 1:26-28

Wonder of wonders! That very ONE was now a MAN, made like the man, Adam, who first cast all creation into bondage.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, *who is the figure of him that was to come.*
Romans 5:14

Adam was truthfully made in the FIGURE or IMAGE of the One to come! And we all know that Adam was made in GOD'S IMAGE!!

This man who said He was the WAY was the great God Almighty Whom the Cherubims always worshipped! He, Himself would breach the barrier!

Christ preached restoration. He preached restoration to the harlot who lost the innocence of her youth in vile sin. He enacted restoration to the blinded eyes of multitudes. Restoration was His theme as He preached the Kingdom of God.

But to the amazement of all angels and the cherubims, themselves, Christ allowed Himself to be taken and nailed to a cross! Would He die?!

Slowly the Son of God died on the cross. And the sword of death cut Him down due our sins that had been loaded upon Him. But at that last instant, something wondrous occurred. The cherubims saw it, but we must explain it since it was beyond human vision that it occurred.

Words came forth from Jesus' mouth uttering a wondrous thing!

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:30

"IT IS FINISHED."

And He died.

What the cherubims saw that moment was something wondrous. We only could have seen PART of it had we been there. Look at what we would have seen.

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Matthew 27:50

Jesus Christ, who had never commited sin was cut down by the sword of judgment. Now, we must remember that the sword was in place only because Adam sinned. Man's sin would keep him from the Tree of Life. It would cut down any with sin. So, after receiving all man's sins upon Himself He approached the entrance to paradise and was ut down.

But the Cherubims saw a wondrous thing yet! We know that the soul that sins is the only soul that must die (Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.) But Christ DID NOT SIN! And this was the reason something wondrous occurred. Three days after He was cut down, Jesus Christ arose from the dead, for He was not supposed to die! And since the Sword of death was thus ineffective against Christ, it was broken! And the Cherubims, with their six wings apiece, flew away to the heavens, leaving the way open for Christ to enter!! This was spiritually indicated by the following:

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Matthew 27:51

Christ turned around and told all that would ever believe in Him such beautiful words!:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6

We read that He SAITH. This means He *continues* to say. He still says it today!

He brings us back to the FATHER!

A sword come forth from Christ's mouth and a battle of battles ensued as the SWORD of the Spirit fought the FIERY SWORD of JUDGMENT.

Judgment fought mercy! Christ received resurrection LIFE. Jesus' words spoke LIFE and they fought the sword of DEATH.

Deep within that veil the answer to the opening of the barrier stood for thousands of years. For the cherubims embroidered in the veil were also the cherubims that made up the MERCY SEAT on the ark of the covenant. And under the cherubims and the mercy seat was placed the law of JUDGMENT. MERCY STOOD ABOVE JUDGMENT. The victory was always foreshadowed!

Hell's gates fought the TRUTH and the LIFE of Christ. And death's fiery sword could not prevail against the mighty sword of the Spirit.

When Christ yelled, "It is finished," He actually cried out the declaration of the finish of man's bondage as follows:

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Hosea 13:14

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off ALL the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].
Isaiah 25:8

Christ took hells' keys and obtained control of the gates and the barrier.

Christ then walked on into the Garden.

When you get baptised in Jesus' name, you were thrown back in time 2,000 years ago when Christ uttered those words, "It is finished!" and you are put within Him!

What did those words, "It is Finished" signify? They spoke aloud the fact that if you would enter His body as it died on the cross, then the work of the fiery sword of judgment is finished blocking your way. The veil is finished standing between you and eternity. Christ is going to tear it down! For you! And you can say:

O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
1 Corinthians 15:55

In Him we crossed the line! In Him we are called the CHURCH.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18

The Bible teaches us that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross redeemed mankind and also affected the creation. Notice Paul's words referring to Jesus Christ:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:16

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Colossians 1:20-22

The One who sat on the throne in Rev. 4:2 was the One whom the beasts worshipped in 4:8. This caused the 24 elders to cast their crowns before that very same throne, and to worship that One God sitting on it, who created all things and all things were thus created FOR HIM. John did not see the 24 elders calling anybody else the One who created all things for Himself.

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:10-11

Up until that point, John only saw ONE on the throne. And these very same words are spoken by Paul in Col. 1:16 concerning Jesus Christ! Therefore, in Rev. 4:11 John is referring to Jesus Christ as that One God on the throne! John sees the ONE on the throne again in Rev. 5:1 holding a closed scroll. And he hears an angel cry out for one worthy enough to come forth and open the sealed book in God's hand. None are worthy enough. John weeps, and then hears a blessed thing. The angel tells him not to weep, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah prevailed to open the book. Who could it be? Who is the Lion of Judah? He looked around and seen nobody new enter the scene. But suddenly, in the very throne where John formerly saw ONE sitting, at that moment, he also sees A LAMB. Where did this Lamb come from? He did not see it anywhere before. Why, of course! It could only be God, Himself, manifested as that Lamb. Where else did the Lamb come from? It certainly wasn't eternal, for John did not see Him earlier in the throne.

Can you see that? It wasn't until after John saw the 24 elders worshipping the One on the throne as creator that John seen the Lamb in 5:6 and He seen it in the midst of the same throne he formerly saw only One sitting upon in Rev. 4:2!

When we compare the words Paul spoke in Colossians about all things created by Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ with the words of John in Rev. 4, we clearly see that the One whom John referred to as having created all things was the One on the throne WHO, Himself, BECAME the Son of God. Jehovah Almighty is Jesus Christ! The ONE who created all things was eternal. And since He later, after a period of time, was manifest in flesh as the Lamb of God to take sins from the world, we see that God's _role_ of Sonship was not eternal.

In Col. 1, Paul stressed the truth that Jesus Christ also died to redeem creation. All things in heaven and in earth were to be reconciled through Calvary. We are _already_ reconciled, whereas creation awaits the final work with man when man shall be glorified.

So, today, we see the Cherubims step aside for all those who will come to Christ in faith and accept His salvation.

Let's go on in to the tree of Life!

Thank God forever more!