In the first book of Ezekiel, the prophet had a vision about four creatures that are underneath the throne of God. I have always wondered about these four mysterious beings of burnished bronze. I was reminded about them again when studying Revelation 4. Most people do not take time to analyze such complex topics because it’s either too weird or too complicated. So I’d like to say in advance that this article is merely my thoughts from research in the Bible and various trusted sources. I am not an expert, just a regular person that absolutely loves the Word of God.
The Prophet
Many prophets of the Old Testament were called into ministry in a life changing way. Ezekiel, whose name means ‘strengthened by God’, was taken captive to Babylon around 597 B.C. When God called Ezekiel into ministry, the prophet had a dramatic encounter with the throne of God. He described seeing flashings of fire and four fascinating creatures underneath God’s throne.
As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 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. 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. And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. Ezekiel 1:4-12
Later in Ezekiel 10, these creatures are referred to as Cherubim.
These were the living creatures that I saw underneath the God of Israel by the Chebar canal; and I knew that they were cherubim. Ezekiel 10:20
The Creatures
The people of Ezekiel’s day would have been familiar with the creatures he was describing. Much of pagan god imagery and idols had hybrid type bodies. These images were more familiar in ancient times than they are to us today. Often a hybrid type creature would have the body of an animal, such as a lion or an ox, and have the face of a man. These beings were depicted as either guarding something or, sometimes, holding up one of the idols that the people worshiped.
In the ancient east, an ox or a bull (as we would call it), was a symbol of strength, abundance or power.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4
A lion is a symbol of a mighty beast, a king, a guard or triumph. As we can see in King Solomon’s temple, lions were used for the throne and the steps as a symbol of power and protection.
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom. 1 Kings 10:18-20
An eagle represents having an advantage, freedom and favor. And, of course, man represents knowledge, wisdom, ruling power, reason and self-awareness.
Differences
Is it any wonder that these are the symbols of the cherubim? As we can see, these creatures are not chubby babies as they are often depicted. There are also notable differences between the seraphim, as discussed in the previous video, and the cherubim. The seraphim, as described in Isaiah 6, had six wings, two of which were covering their faces. The seraphim are also said to be serpent-like and above the Lord’s throne where the cherubim are beneath the throne.
The REAL Ruler
Aside from that, here is where I think the Lord gives us a little gem. I love learning about the Bible because when we dig in to it, we see things no one really talks about. For example, as stated earlier, cherubim figures are often depicted as holding up a pagan god’s throne or shown as guarding a superficial diety. We know that satan always tries to mimic God, so he brings in all these twisted images that are similar to what Ezekiel sees in the spiritual realm.
However, the pagan images are made of stone, metal or wood. When Ezekiel witnesses the throne of the ONE TRUE GOD, it is supported by not one hybrid creature, but four living creatures and they are basically on fire. This, to me, seems like the ultimate – in your face – satan. I can’t help but think the Lord is making a point here. I have real, living, flaming cherubim, because I Am God.
The Temple & Tabernacle
If we look at 1 Kings 7, it says that in Solomon’s temple, there were 10 bronze stands, each containing 4 bronze wheels, and on the panels of these stands were lion, oxen and cherubim. The cherubim were also on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant and their wings were also touching each other, like those described in Ezekiel 1. These beings were in the most holy place.
In the temple, king Solomon also had two massive cherubim that stood in the holy place as a symbol of protecting the ark of the covenant. Not only that, but the cherubim are woven into the protective veil that hangs in the temple dividing the holy place from the most holy.
In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of wood and overlaid them with gold. The wings of the cherubim together extended twenty cubits… The cherubim stood on their feet, facing the nave. And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it. 2 Chronicles 3:10-11, 13-14
This same mercy seat was in the tabernacle as well.
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. Exodus 25:20
The ark, along with these hand-crafted gold beings, is the only piece of furniture in the most holy place.
In Revelation 4, when Saint John had a glimpse of heaven, he also saw the four creatures at the throne being depicted as each one having the faces that are described in Ezekiel 1.
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!” Revelation 4:6-8
In the Beginning
And the last main scripture that I think is important to note about the cherubim is in Genesis 3:24, where God placed these beings at the east of the garden of Eden.
He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24
The Expanse
Clearly, these beings are the Lord’s servants who worship Him and guard what is necessary. If we go back to our original text in Ezekiel 1, it continues:
Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. 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. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Ezekiel 1:15-19
If you read further, it says that the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels (Ezekiel 1:20). Interestingly, further on, describes an expanse or firmament:
Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. Ezekiel 1:22
In several places, this expanse was described as having an appearance of blue sapphire (Ezekiel 1:26 and 10:1, Exodus 24:10). The word expanse is raqia (Strongs 7549), that same word is described in Genesis 1.
And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. Genesis 1:7-8
I believe God’s throne is an image of creation itself. Could it be that the expanse of this throne is also a depiction of God being in heaven and His Holy Spirit and heavenly creatures being among us on earth? And how amazing is it that everything is described as a treasure chest of jewels?
Eyes All Around
Last, I want to discuss the wheels full of eyes. The eyes all around show God’s divinity. God is all-knowing and even His spiritual servants have eyes ‘all around’ to see. A wheel within a wheel is an interesting description. Could these wheels possibly be a rotating atom? Scientifically, we know that we are surrounded by those.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
The Lord is always watching us. To witness His great throne in person would be amazing but to read about it should remind us that we are subject to Him.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3
The throne is surrounded by eyes ‘all around’ and by creatures that adore the one true God. Not only that, but the image of the throne is full of rainbows and stunningly beautiful elements, that we can only slightly imagine.
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And He who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Revelation 4:2-3
The descriptions we read in our Bibles about God and heaven are breathtaking. When Jesus returns He is said to have eyes like a flame of fire (Revelation 19:12). These images represent the holiness and omniscience of the Lord.
The prophet Ezekiel, was deeply concerned with the holiness of God and the sins of the people offending Him. We are also living in such a time. When I researched this topic, I felt it necessary to ask myself – Do I forget the strength of the ox or the power of the lion just because they are not in front of me? Let us remember the magnificence of the Lord this day and be obedient to Him in everything we do. He is the REAL God, the true creator of beauty and holiness. Let us praise the Lord and worship His holy name!
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above (expanse) proclaims His handiwork. Psalm 19:1
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