The first place where we find the word cherubim used in the Scriptures is in Genesis 3:24. There it reads, “So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life.” The Cherubim here would be those of verse 22, “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 forever.” The Cherubim would be the vehicles or chariots of God. He would dwell in them through His Spirit and they would be a manifestation of Him. The Cherubim in this instance were the angels, or agents of His creation.
The Cherubim of Glory
The word “cherubim” would be well known to the prophets and others who lived under the dispensation of the Mosaic law. All would be aware of the “Cherubim of Glory shadowing the mercy seat.” Heb. 9:5. These were two winged golden figures in human form that stood on each end of the lid, or mercy seat that covered the Ark of the Covenant in the most holy place of the Mosaic tabernacle. They were a part of the lid, or mercy seat. The two cherubim faced each other and looked toward the mercy seat. Their wings were stretched forth, covering the mercy seat. They, and the mercy seat, were all one piece. Exodus 37:6-9.
The cherubim symbolized the redeemed of creation consisting of two classes, namely Jews and gentiles. The redeemed become one with Christ in the moral or spiritual sense now and also in their physical nature at the return of Christ. Gal. 3:27-29, Phil. 3:21, John 17:21-24. The overshadowing wings would represent the divine glory and dominion associated with Christ and the glorified saints. Dan. 7:18, 22, 27.
The Shekinah Glory
There was a bright cloud over, or above the mercy seat which illuminated the most holy place and was known by the Jews as the Shekinah glory of God. Lev. 16:2, Psalm 80:1. This was considered as the Presence of God because it was a visible manifestation of His presence. The word Shekinah is said to mean residence. This explains the reason why several Scriptural speakers and writers refer to God dwelling between or inhabiting the cherubim. Exod. 25:22, Num. 7:89, I Sam. 4:4, II Sam. 6:2, II Kings 19:15, Isa. 37:16, Psalm 99:1.
The cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat where the cloud of glory rested, was looked upon by the writer of the Chronicles as “the Chariot of the cherubim that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” I Chron. 28:18. This would seem to mean that the cherubim was the chariot upon which God rides or is enthroned.
The Throne of God
In Daniel 7:9-10 we read of the thrones being placed and the Ancient of days sitting in judgment. He is here pictured on a portable throne. Oriental thrones moved on wheels so we read here of the wheels of God’s throne. “His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.” So we can see how the cherubim would represent the chariot of God. When we understand the meaning of the cherubim, and the mercy seat and the Shekinah glory in the most holy place, it will tremendously aid in our understanding of Ezekiel’s vision of the cherubim.
The cherubim in the Mosaic tabernacle symbolized the redeemed or glorified saints of creation in their future immortalized or most holy state. They will have become one with Christ the anti-typical blood-sprinkled mercy seat, or throne of mercy. Blood sprinkled before, or in front of the mercy seat, and upon the mercy seat, tells us that the approach to God’s throne of mercy is through the sacrificial shedding of Christ’s blood. The cloud of glory, or Shekinah on the mercy seat, or throne of mercy, speaks of God enthroned and fully manifested through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Four Living Creatures
Now, let us consider the meaning of the symbols used in the first chapter of Ezekiel. Ezekiel saw a stormy wind blow from the north. Four living creatures emerged from the midst of it. These are identical with those in Revelation, chapters four and five, though the physical description may differ slightly. The four living creatures (called beasts) of Revelation identify themselves as the redeemed; so there can be no question as to whom they represent.
But why four? Because there are four directions: north, south, east and west. And the four living creatures cover all directions in their missions. Universality is emphasized. Also, it will be remembered that when the children of Israel encamped in the wilderness, they were divided into four military camps. There were three tribes in each camp. There was a camp on the east side, a camp on the south side, a camp on the west side and a camp on the north side. Numbers 2. The four living creatures represent the redeemed of Israel after the Spirit. They have come from the north, which may mean that they have carried out and completed a mission there. See Zech. 6:6, 8. God’s Spirit will be agitated at the conduct of those in the north quarters. Ezek. 38:18, 19.
Fire
The fire would represent here, what the seven lambs of fire burning before the throne represent in Rev. 4:5, namely the Spirit of God in manifestation. It is written, “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isa. 26:9. It will be the mission of the saints to execute the judgments written. Psa. 149:5-9. These judgments will be fiery, consuming, destroying ones. Dan. 7:9-11. “For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” Isa. 66:15, 16.
Four Faces
The four living creatures had the physical features of certain animals. These features are used to signify moral and ethical characteristics of the saints. They will possess the humanity and intelligence of a man; they will have the prowess of a lion; they will do the work and service of an ox for mankind; and they will have the swiftness of an eagle in speeding the cause of righteousness and justice. It is well stated in Isa. 16:5, “In mercy shall the throne be established: and He shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment and hasting righteousness.” Also see Psalm 72 for the showers of benefits upon the mortal inhabitants of the millennial ages. Four faces indicate universal knowledge and sight. Isa. 11:5.
Wings
The two wings used by each creature for flight signifies divine power and glory and dominion. Dan. 7:18,22,27. The noise, or sound of their wings was like the sound of many waters which signify peoples, and nations, and tongues. Rev. 17:15. There will also be the mortal nations under the shadow of their wings. Psa. 36:7. Rev. 19:6. The two wings which covered each side of their bodies, indicate the covering that God has provided for His people. “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Rom. 4:7. Nakedness symbolizes uncovered sins. God provided coasts of skins for the covering of the nakedness of Adam and Eve which were a typical covering of their sin.
Feet
Their feet were like those of a calf’s foot. The significance of this may be found in the words, “Arise and thresh, 0 daughter of Zeion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoof brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people.” Micah 4:13. Also, “Ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.” Mal. 4:1-3. “I will tread down the people in mine anger.” Isa. 63:3.
Lightning
“Out of the fire went forth lightning.” Verse 13. Lightning represents the Spirit directed judgments of God. We read in Psalms 144:6, “Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.” The living creatures ran and returned as a flash of lightning. They did not turn when they went. Nothing could deter them from a speedy accomplishment of their mission and purpose.
Wheels
The value and worth of a chariot lies in its wheels. Without its wheels a chariot is worthless. The people who lived during Bible times were well aware of the implication of the rumble of chariot wheels. Ezek. 26:14, Joel 2:5, Jer. 47:3. It is declared in Isa 66:15, 16, “Behold the Lord will come with fire, and with His Chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with (execute judgments upon) all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” As a chariot must have wheels; so the saints as God’s chariot, have wheels. The Spirit of God will be the wheels of the saints. The enormous size of the wheels signify the greatness of the power of them. The eyes of the creatures and their wheels indicate universal and complete knowledge and insight into all the affairs of the nations under the rule.
The Firmament
The firmament, expanse, or sky stretched over their heads, represents the new heavens of the millennial age. Isa. 65 :17- 25. A new society of both rulers and ruled is indicated. In the new heaven it is written, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.” Dan. 12:4, Matt. 13:43. The appearance of this expanse was crystal clear and dazzling in its brightness. This is a symbol of the righteousness that will be a conspicuous feature of the new, or millennial heavens. II Pet. 3:13.
The present gentile heavens, or expanse of society in its moral and political makeup is full of pollutants, intoxicants, opiates, and corruption of every description. As a result of God’s judgments the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. At present the world lieth in wickedness. I John 5:19. The wicked are compared in their present state to a “troubled sea, when this sea of nations is mingled with fire (the Spirit-directed judgments of God) it will become a sea of glass (Rev. 15:2) and be likened to crystal. Rev. 4:6. With a different firmament there will be a different people in the moral and spiritual sense of their makeup.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One