Tag: Visions

What Did Amos See?

There are multiple synonyms for the Word of God including:

the Bible, Cannon, Scripture, Manuscripts, Sword of the Spirit, Fire, Hammer, Manna, Truth, Bread of life, Love Letter, Two Edged Sword, Book of Life, Torah, Pentateuch, Tanakh, etc.

One synonym not in the above list is a

Plumb line!

594 strongs#

אֲנָ֑ךְ   a plumb line

anak: to plummet

Original Word: אֲנָךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: anak
Phonetic Spelling: an-awk’

This was given in a vision to Amos.

amos  עָמ֔וֹס  amows

Strongs#5986

In the 7th chapter of Amos, He sees 5 things in visions:

1st. Locusts or grasshoppers destroying the crops and land. 7:2 When the locusts finished eating the vegetation of the land, I said, “Lord God, please forgive! … So the Lord relented…

When Amos prayed the Lord relented.

2nd Fire destroying the land. 4 The Lord God showed me this: The Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. 5 Then I said, “Lord God, please stop! …“This too shall not be,” said the Lord God.

When Amos prayed the Lord relented again.

3rd. Amos saw a plumb line in Gods’ hands… 

7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said to me,

“Amos, what do you see?”

And I said, “A plumb line.”

and this time Amos did not pray.

4th A Basket of Summer Fruit

This is what my Lord Adonai has shown me: See, there was a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said: “Amos, what do you see?” “A basket of summer fruit,”

 In the fourth vision, the Lord is showing that His people Israel, are ripe for judgment. Amos denounces the oppression and greed of the chieftains in vers. 4-10, and warns them that those who despise the Word of God shall some day suffer from a famine of that Word.

The word for 

summer fruit 

is

קַיִץ  qayits.

This word is used to describe the harvest.

There is an interesting play on the words,

qaits is the Hebrew for summer fruit,

and qêts is Hebrew for end.

It is harvest time, the end of the agricultural year.

This fruit was the last harvest in Israel. When it was gathered, the farming cycle came to an end and as it was observed it gave the picture/idea of completeness. The picture, and the word expressing it, come together; the fruit-gathering, קיץ/qayits, like harvesting  crops, was called from cutting, so also the word, end, cutting off, in קץ qêts.

At harvest-time there is no more to be done for that crop; whether it is good or bad, it has reached its end, and is cut down. 

Summer fruit – kayitz

Prophetically, this basket depicts

the imminent time of judgment

because

the fruit is ready now for picking.

The whole cycle of our Fathers’ dealings with His children is completed. His mercies, instructions, chastizings, corrections, visitations, warnings and revelations, were completed and Israel is ripe like the harvest for the final judgment, one that will sweep down like a scythe.

5th Amos saw the Lord standing beside the altar.

The Lord stands beside the Holy altar of worship and Amos speaks the terrible judgment of the Lord upon His covenant people.

I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said,

“Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake,

And break them on the heads of them all.

I will slay the last of them with the sword.

He who flees from them shall not get away,

And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered.

“Though they dig into hell,

From there My hand shall take them;

Though they climb up to heaven,

From there I will bring them down;

The word of the LORD – Amos 9:2 NKJV

Israel had broken covenant and the words of the Lord that followed, reveal a terrible judgment and the death of His people of promise.

In Amos 7:7-9 we are given a picture of Israels spiritual state at that time. Amos was a seer or some say prophet. He saw things by way of God’s Spirit, he literally saw into the spiritual realm, in visions. Many of the prophets were simply given words to speak as we often read “the word of the lord came unto”… But others like Ezekiel and Elisha saw into the hidden realms of what was either actually happening, or what was about to take place.

In this instance with Amos in 1:1 it was given to him 2 years before the earthquake for a warning to the people to repent and change their ways! In verses 10-17 Amatzyah, the priest at Bethel, was a priest serving at the false altar built there at Beit El; who thought that the Northern Kingdom was in the right. The visions continued almost as though the priest Amatzyah at Bethel had had a change of heart following Amos’ appearance, and had stopped persecuting him.

Turn back a few pages to Amos 3:7..

7 “For the Lord God does nothing. without revealing his secret to His servants the prophets.

Our Heavenly Father will always give warnings of what He is about to do; and tells us by way of prophecy before He does anything. 

10 Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying,

“Amos has conspired against you right here in the house of Israel. The land cannot endure all his words…

12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer!

Amos responds to the priest with the anointing of the Lord in his calling.

“I was no prophet…, But I was a sheep-breeder.

The five signs build in intensity and importance…

for this post we will focus on the 3rd vision Amos had.

“The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I am setting a plumb line as a standard in the midst of My people Israel. I will not pass by and spare them any more [the door of mercy is shut]. 9 And the [idolatrous] high places of Isaac (Israel) shall be desolate and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise with the sword against the house of King Jeroboam [who set up the golden calf shrines].[AMP]

What is a plumb line?

The plumb line

is used symbolically outside of Scripture for:

a divine, objective, and reliable standard of moral uprightness, justice, and truth.

The plumb line metaphors used in these contexts for a divine, objective, and reliable standard for truth, justice, and morality are compatible with the symbolic use of the plumb line in Scripture.

The idiom

plumb the depths

is derived from nautical usage; note the significance as we dig deeper into the Word: 

Used to prevent a ship from running aground or to determine depth for dropping an anchor, seamen would sometimes lower a lead weight attached to a rope until it hit sea bottom. The rope was then retracted, and the wet portion measured to determine the depth of the water.

From this practice came the idiom, plumbing the depths, which means: to explore or examine something intensely to find the answer.

No matter whether the tool is a plumb line or a bubble level, the conceptual imagery of level and plumb is still the same – specifically, aligning ourselves to the divine, unseen laws of the universe.

Water follows the same gravitational laws that align the plumb line. For example, the liquid in a cup of or bowl will remain level even when placed on an un-level surface, leaving and oval shape of liquid below the rim of the container.  The early Egyptians used hollowed out boards filled with water to check if something was level. It was only a matter of time, before a more useful instrument utilizing the leveling abilities of water was invented. That instrument is the bubble level, also called spirit level. (An interesting name as we are speaking of spiritual things!) Since the invention of the bubble level in the 17th Century, it has more or less replaced the plumb line for most plumbing and leveling needs. With further technological advancements, the bubble level is beginning to be replaced by the digital and laser levels, however even these levels are still dependent on the leveling properties of water/liquid to calculate their readings.

Plumb lines work because of the law of gravity. In every location in the world, gravity pulls objects toward the center of the earth. This law ensures that the plumb line will hang perfectly vertical anywhere on earth, allowing it to be a dependable standard for construction. Because the plumb line responds consistently to gravity, it serves as an objective, universal, and reliable absolute to which builders and carpenters can align their structures. Further, because gravity is an unseen force and the plumb line is always true, it’s very obvious why the plumb line became a symbol for a divine standard of morality, justice, and truth.

What is it used for?

A plumb line is a metal weight on the end of a string which is used to determine if a wall being constructed is vertical, straight, or not! Our Heavenly Father holds this measure against Israel, to see if they are straight against His standards.

Isn’t it true that we sometimes have the audacity to put a plumb line up to our Father telling Him that He doesn’t measure up to our expectations? That’s bad enough, but it is even worse when He puts a plumb line to us. Why? Because we all fall short of His glory.

If someone were to try to build a wall without a plumb line, the wall would probably move off the vertical to some degree and then it would not have sufficient structural integrity!

In this text, God is speaking through the prophet Amos about the condition of the corporate heart of His people Israel. The word wall in the Old Testament is often described as the human heart. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall/Heart and He measures it; it appears to be a bulging wall that is bowing out. The structure and the house of Israel will fall!

Firstly, the plumb line is used in construction.

Secondly, the plumb line is used for testing what is built.

And, thirdly, it appears from the text that the plumb line is used in the work of destruction, for the casting down of that which is found not to be straight.

Israel was put to the test of God’s plumb line, and failed. 

They failed to build correctly and what they built failed the test. What they had built, now had to be removed, so that a better one could be constructed. In the context of that failure, the rumbles of the approaching Assyrian horses hoofs could be heard!

Here again, the plumb line symbolizes God’s word!

God’s word is always straight, perfect and pure!

God’s word represents total soundness and integrity!

V 7-9 by a wall made with a plumb line.

If a building is not built true to a plumb or a spirit level that is absolutely straight up and down it will not stand for long.

If a Spirit level was placed against our life today, how upright and in line with the building blocks of chaim/life are we? The plumb line is a metaphor to show how off kilter the building was, in this case Israel.

Eph. 2:21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 

Fitly framed together – The word used here means:

to joint together,

 as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building.

The materials are accurately and carefully united by mortises and tenons joints, so that the building will be firm and stable.

We are to understand that this building is inclusive of all the saints, and people of God; of the whole ecclesia/church, which is God’s building; and is a building of a spiritual nature, and will abide for ever.

The translators actually use three words in the English

to parallel the three words in the Greek. 

Fitly framed together.

The first one is sun, which means together with.

The second one is harmos which means joint.

Joined together with.

And the third logeo, which is the verb of logos, which has the idea to arrange in order.

This could be like an arrangement of music or an arrangement of a sentence. However it’s to put something in order, and it’s a picture of what our Heavenly Father is doing to us, not something that we’re doing to ourselves. He is placing in the church and joining together with and fitly framing. It’s the idea of harmoniously fitting together, in a tight cohesiveness.

7:8 I am going to put out a plumb line among my people ..I will never again overlook their offenses.

He saw it as the standard of truth that it is, as the standard for vertical against which all structures would be judged as true. Just as the gravity, (electro-magnetivity), causes a plumb-line to hang perfectly and only vertical, is one of the most indisputable, consistent, physical forces known to mankind.This same powerful force holds the planets of our solar system in their orbits, just as the eternal character of our Heavenly Father is the force behind the standard of His word. His word is the standard against which, all spiritual buildings are compared, and it is the very means by which He builds a spiritual building.

His Word is the plumb-line He uses, to build a plumb spiritual wall. However, it is only seen as a plumb-line in relation to the wall, so in order for Amos to see the plumb-line, the Lord held it up next to the wall.

Amos sees the Lord standing by a wall built true to plumb (vertical), and the wall is built true to plumb because the Lord built the wall using the plumb-line that He held in His hand. The wall symbolizes God’s remnant people, that wall of living stones that He is building up into a holy habitation for Himself. It also speaks of the walls that surround Jerusalem that have been broken down, and that He is restoring.

Just as Amos looked at God’s Word and saw a plumb-line next to a wall, so the standard of God’s Word will only be revealed as the only standard of plumb; as it is seen in relation to His people, the Holy remnant. God is going to hold His Word up to His people and say look, the wall (heart) matches the plumb-line –

My people match My Word!

Only in relation to His people can anyone truly see the standard of His Word, for when the church at large views the Word of God, they don’t see it as a plumb-line, but as a list of concepts tied to the weight of Biblical authority. They can overlook or twist much in order to fit their concepts of God and spiritual things, pulling it down to the level of their own personal experience. However, when the Word of God is held up next to those who have been built according to its’ standard, suddenly, all else is shown to be crooked. In relation to God’s people who are becoming the Word of God, both the true standard contained in His word is revealed, and so is the spiritual poverty of the church’s religion and traditions.

This was revealed in many of the children of Israel not having, ‘eyes to see and ears to hear’, when Messiah came. However, one day soon they will have the blinders removed from off their eyes and see Him who they pierced, when the times of the gentiles are fulfilled.

In Romans 11 Paul makes a compelling statement which he refers to as a mystery; that a partial hardening has happened until “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25, ESV). The context helps us understand the meaning of the partial hardening and what the fullness of the Gentiles is.

While there are believing Jews and Gentiles, Paul explains that the nation of Israel as a whole has not yet received her Messiah; (Romans 10:18—11:10), but one day they will be saved through believing in their Messiah. The fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25 reminds us of God’s worldwide focus; with the proclamation of the gospel of salvation. Also the chronology with the times of the Gentiles not yet complete. One day, the fullness of the Gentiles will be complete, and God will deliver the nation of Israel. Anyone who might have doubts about God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, can consider these passages as important reminders that God has a detailed plan that He is fulfilling patiently and carefully.

(Romans 11:26).

In the meantime, Paul explains that there is a partial hardening of the nation and that many will refuse the Messiah, until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. Israel’s hardening will continue until the divinely set number of Gentiles He has planned are saved: “Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ” (Romans 11:25, NLT).

God is building a spiritual building. He is rebuilding the walls that have been broken down since the standard set through the Apostles and Prophets of old. When that wall is completed, He is going to hold His holy and unchangeable Word up to His glorious remnant church, and His people will meet the standard of His word. He is then going to set the plumb-line in the midst of His people Israel and He is going to show for all of heaven, hell, and earth to see that she does not match up to the standard of His Word. This also applies to all believers in that He will show the poverty and the error of a people who believed a lie about themselves, seeing themselves as rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, when in fact the plumb line standard will show them to be wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17.

God said, “Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more…”God is going to build His remnant people up until they match the standard of His Word, and He is then going to hold His Word up next to them to show that they match up. His people will then show His Word to be the standard by which God will measure His people, and He will then set the standard up against Israel and no longer spare them. 

What a terrible revelation when the religious church sees her true condition for the first time, that which God has tried so many times to show her and see for the first time see what His remnant church has had to face so many times. Because His remnant church admitted her true condition that she wasn’t built plumb, the line could be used to build her and the Word of God was free to do its’ intended work. Not so with Israel as Amos saw, because she refused to admit her true condition, and now comes the horrific revelation that she’s not a part of that spiritual building at all and only after it’s too late. For her, the plumb line will no longer be used to build her but to show the shame of her condition. He will spare her no longer but will set His word in her midst for judgment as the Lord comes to her with the plumb-line in his hand.

iIs there a plumb line of the universe?…

and if so what would it be?

Is the plumb line of the universe the sound,

the frequency of Holiness?

Holy Holy Holy!

In Revelation 4:8 we read,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”

The one with all power, all authority, and all might is holy.

In Isaiah 6 notice the same refrain,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” or “Lord of armies.”

Psalm 99 and Romans 8:19 also tie together these two concepts of holiness and power.

The Lord is coming to His people – all of His people. He will draw near to His people, but as He says in Mal. 3:5 speaking of those for whom it is too late, “Then I will draw near to you for judgment…” The Lord told us years ago that He is coming to every church, that He knows which ones will open the door to Him when He knocks. For some He will come for blessing, and for some He will come for Judgment – the people will decide which it will be.

He is coming with His plumb-line in His hand.

This is exactly what a plumb-line is for, to make the work straight, or to test existing work and to see if it is standing true. It’s mostly used by builders, bricklayers, who want a finished wall to be properly constructed, to be standing totally straight.

Despite the simplicity of its’ appearance, it’s just a piece of string with a weight on the end, the plumb-line is an important safety device.

A wall that is off the true vertical plane, will be a danger to those who use the building, for it would be seriously weaken the structure and it would be in danger of collapse.

In the book of Amos, God shows the prophet that He is setting a plumb-line to:

test the faithfulness of his people.

He speaks to the prophet and asks him what he sees, and what he sees is a familiar sight.

A wall, with the Lord standing beside the wall, holding a plumb-line against that wall, and declaring that the wall is ‘off-plumb.’

God declares that the wall is His people, and that because the wall has failed the test, falling well short of what it should be, it must be removed, and a new wall built. 

Our situation is far worse, we have what happened to Israel, as an example for us, so we could avoid their mistakes and yet, incredibly, we are indulging in that same rebellious immorality that Isaiah warned against:

“What could have been done more to My vineyard,

God asks Isaiah 5:4, that I have not done in it?”

To the works of sin, as of holiness, there is a beginning, then a progress, and a completion; a sowing of wild oats, as commonly said, and a fullness of wickedness; a maturity of people’s own plans and a maturity for destruction, in the sight of God. There was no more to be done, heavenly influences can only injure the ripened sinner, as dew, rain, sun, but the ripened fruit was Israel and she was ripe for destruction.

Isa 5:18 Woe to those who draw [calamity] with cords of iniquity and falsehood, who bring punishment to themselves with a cart rope of wickedness, 19 Who say, Let [the Holy One] make haste and speed His [prophesied] vengeance, that we may see it; and let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it! 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight! . . . . 

24 Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be like rottenness and their blossom shall go up like fine dust—because they have rejected and cast away the law and the teaching of the Lord of hosts and have not believed but have treated scornfully and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against His people, and He has stretched forth His hand against them and has smitten them. And the mountains trembled, and their dead bodies were like dung and sweepings in the midst of the streets. For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].26 And He will lift up a signal to call together a hostile people from afar [to execute His judgment on Judea], and will hiss for them from the end of the earth [as bees are hissed from their hives], and behold, they shall come with speed, swiftly! [AMP]

We have but one hope:
So, now, let us think, and let it be us that trembles before the only begotten Son of the Father, who bears the humble but so very revealing plumb-line in His resurrected, nail-pierced hand. 

GOD Bears long, but HE Will Not Bear always with a provoking people. 

God measures-up modern people too and we too fall far short. Measured against the law, we are very far away from the perfect, upright, righteous, moral beings we need to be in order to be admitted to fellowship with a God who is Holy and completely perfect in every respect. 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. That’s because we are sinners and every bit as rebellious as the Israelites of Amos’s day. Like them, there is nothing for us but judgment and  justice, receiving what we deserve from God, judgement and eternal punishment. However there is HOPE…….

God took His plumb line and measured-up His own Son Jesus.

There was only one man who ever completely kept the law and God’s standards to the full; only one who when the plumb-line test was applied, was perfectly accurate in righteousness, and that One was Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. In fact, God said to him, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17. And having declared the perfection of His own Son, God delivered Him up for us, at the cross, to take our sin and our punishment upon Himself, so that God’s perfect justice would be fulfilled in Him.

The plumb line is defined as justice and righteousness.

Isaiah 28:16-17

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

What should be our response to the plumb-line?

Realizing our own sinfulness, knowing that when our Heavenly Father measures us against His perfect standards, that we would fall short, and be under the curse of the law; being condemned by our own sins to be cast away from His presence for ever. And seeing clearly, through Holy Spirit’s work that Messiah/Christ has died for sinners, to take the punishment that they deserve, we respond, by repenting of our sins, and putting our trust in Him as our saviour.

To summarize: The plumb line symbolizes God’s Word!

God’s Word is always straight, perfect and pure!

God’s Word represents total soundness and integrity!

The wall in Greek means ’heart.’

Could God be watching men’s hearts? Of course He is!

Remember, every person will give an account to the plumb line! 

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

King Asa decided to trust in a perverted ‘Plumb Line!’

Hebrews 4: 12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

A plumb line is ALWAYS perfect, it doesn’t matter how you hold it.

Only Adonai the Lord, our Heavenly Father and Messiah Jesus/Yeshua are perfect.

And Holiness is the key.

The people that Amos was told to send a message to, had turned away from God, their hearts had become crooked. We can use God’s Word, the Bible, as our plumb line, however Messiah is also like our plumb line showing us what is good and right?

Say this out loud so you can hear it...

I don’t want to miss my season

and the time of my visitation.

There are: 

signs in the heavens and famine of the word

8:9-11

and all who say disaster will not overtake us will die

9:10

prepare to meet thy god if you have not repented

4:12

 if you seek Me you will survive twice!

5:4&6

v 14 seek good

He asks us today

Did you repent when you heard the Word of the Lord?

And did you bow down when the Lord showed you mercy?

This simple tool can help us understand whether what we have built is true, accurately straight and plumb, accurately vertical.

Matthew 24: Is a plumb line of judgment being held to us, to our civilization even as we read?

Because the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. However the Lord still calls Israel His people, which they are; and we are the grafted in gentile believers, furthermore …He is still calling today…

We need to show Repentance and Humility – to turn away form ALL that is not of His Kingdom – then when the judgment of the Lord comes, and when we cry out for mercy, forgiveness and the cleansing of His precious Blood….He hears and applies that Blood to our lives.

In truth, it would seem that holiness

is the plumb line of our Heavenly Fathers universe?

Now we know what Amos saw….

Shalom shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

You are loved, appreciated and prayed for..

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen

Keruvim? Not Quite Like We Imagined?

What has a flaming sword at a garden gate, a golden box, keruvim, a lion, an ox, and an eagle to do with mazzaroth, the Tribes, two visions, the mishkan and Yeshua/Jesus?

Investigating more mysteries that connect from Genesis to Revelation.

 Keruvim כְּרוּבִים

CHERUBIM

Angels but not what we thought!

Hebrew: keruvim   כְּרוּב‎ kərūv, pl. כְּרוּבִים, kərūvîm;

Latin cherub, pl. cherubin, cherubim;

Depiction of the cherubim of glory shadowing the Mercy-seat (χερουβιμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον) of Hebrews 9:5 (Julius Bate 1773).

In Hebraic angelic hierarchy, cherubim have the second-lowest rank according to Maimonides Mishneh Torah (12th century).

Cherubim are discussed within the Midrash literature. The two cherubim placed by the Father at the entrance of Eden (Gen. 3:24) Angels were created on the third day, and therefore they had no definite shape; appearing either as men or women, or as spirits or angelic beings (Genesis Rabbah xxi., end). The cherubim were the first objects created in the universe. (Tanna debe Eliyahu R., i. beginning).

The Cherubim angels are occasionally confused with the Seraphim rank of angels, as there are many kinds of angels; the highest being the Seraph, next the Cherub.

They are actually different categories of beings. Cherubim have four wings and do not look human, (seraphim, have six wings and also do not look human). The Bible also refers to Angels as men, since that is exactly what they look like and they do not have wings or halos, (nothing in the Bible has a halo). Angels, as their name denotes, are messengers. If a being is not delivering a message, does not look like a human male and has wings then it is not an Angel.

For one example, see Genesis 18:2 three men and 19:1 which identifies two of them as Angels. (Many scholars say that the other was pre-incarnate Yeshua/Jesus).

The Cherubim, similar to the word Seraphim, is plural. The word Cherubim refers to more than one Cherub angel.

Cherubim are said to be about 18ft (5.4864 Meters) tall have four faces:

one of a lion (representative of all wild animals , one an ox (domestic animals), one a human (humanity), and one an eagle (birds).

They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, a lion’s body figure, and they have ox’s feet.

Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).

and also to the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14-16).

Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end: you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. Ex. 25:19

“And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of the Almighty God when He speaks.” Ezekiel 10:5

A Cherub is a supernatural being referenced throughout both the Old and New Testament of the Bible. Like the Seraphim, the Cherubim were originally a Judaic rank of angels, and they eventually were incorporated into Christian scripture, appearing in numerous books including the Book of Revelation. Other notable examples of them in literature are in John Milton’s 17th century epic poem, Paradise Lost.

Cherubim are first mentioned in connection with the expulsion from Eden in Genesis 3:24 here there is no information given of their shape or form.

The Cherubim and flaming sword were to keep Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life while in an unregenerate state; or mankind would have been forever separated from the love and blessings of the Father.

They are next mentioned when Moses was commanded to provide furniture for the tabernacle Ex. 25:17-20; 26:1,31.

God promised to commune with Moses from between the cherubim. 25:22

They represent the mercy of God, which is always above the testimony.

Exodus 25:22, “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”

2 Samuel 6:2, “And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.”

Numbers 7:89, “And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims; and he spake unto him.”

The Cherubim are not just allegories.  They are actual beings in heaven guarding the way to the Mercy Seat.

This expression was afterwards used to denote the Divine abode and presence. Num. 7:89; 1Sam. 4:4;  Is 37:16; Ps. 80:1; 99:1.

In Ezekiel’s vision they appear as living creatures supporting the throne of God. From Ezekiel’s description of them 1:5-10;41:18-19 they appear to have been compound figures each one having 4 different faces, the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

Unlike any real object in nature, possessing the features and properties of several animals.

The closest word we have to describe them is chimera; an animal whose body contains different cell populations derived from different zygotes of the same or different species, occurring spontaneously or produced artificially; i.e. an individual composed of a mixture of genetically different cells.

Man- This face spoke of mind, reason, affections, and all the things that encompass a human being.

Lion- The lion was always recognized as strong, fierce, and majestic. It was the most royal of all animals.

Pro 30:30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any;

Pro 20:2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

Ox- The Ox was recognized as the animal who patiently labored for his owner. He was strong, able to bear a burden, and knew its owner.

Pro 14:4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Ps 144:14 That our oxen may be well-laden; that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets.

Is 1:3 The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not consider.”

Eagle- The divine bird that flew above the storms, while below there was only sorrows, dangers, and distress. A swift bird strong and powerful, never becoming weary.

Pro 30:18-19 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.

Is 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Ps. 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Ex. 19:4 `You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Ezek. 17:3 “and say, `Thus says the Lord GOD: “A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, full of feathers of various colors, came to Lebanon and took from the cedar the highest branch.

Hos. 8:1 “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

King David probably knew about God’s chariots/cherubim, as apparently he a rode in one of them.  This is recorded in two accounts in scripture, 2 Samuel 22: 7-22 and Psalms 18:6-17. 

A record of a divine deliverance, when he was trapped between Mount Carmel jutting out into sea and the Mediterranean ocean as he was cornered by the army of Saul. 

Two cherubim were placed on the mercy seat of the ark and two of COLOSSAL size overshadowed it in Solomons Temple.

“In the inner shrine he [Solomon] carved two cherubim of wild olive wood, each ten cubits high . . . and he overlaid the cherubim with gold.” (1 Kings 6:23-28) “The cherubim, whose wings were spread over the place of the Ark , formed a canopy above the Ark and its poles.” (1 Kings 8:7)

The illustration below depicts Solomons Temple and the Kohen Gadol (High Priest.) On the day of Yom Kippur ( Day of Atonement); he was presenting incense before God, a few steps away from the Ark of the Covenant which was resting between the outstretched wings of the towering figures of the two Cherubim. This was the only day of the year the Kohen Gadol ever entered the Kodesh haKodashim (Holy of Holies). He is shown wearing a simple linen garment specially made for the day. 

The main hall of the Temple which is reported to be 20 cubits wide (9 meters or 27 feet) and 30 cubits high (13.5 meters or 40 feet).  The Holy of Holies, with the Ark of the Covenant and the two giant Cherubs in it, is described as a cube 20 x 20 x 20 cubits. 2 Chron 3:13; they stood on their feet and faced inwards their wings spanned 20 cubits overall.

Converting the measurement of the biblical cubit as approximately 18 inches, the cherubim were 15 feet tall and the wing measurement from the tip of one wing to the other was also 15 feet. 

Together, the two cherubim covered a span of 30 feet in the Holy of Holiest in the Temple of Solomon.  

Ezekiel 1:4-14 speaks of 4 and also this number, 4, of living creatures is mentioned in Rev. 4:6.

Those on the ark are called the cherubim of glory. Hebrews 9:5;

Hebrews 9:1-5  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. (KJV)

These cherubim of Glory were the appearance of the Glory of the Lord.

That is the Shechinah, or cloud of glory, for on them the visible glory of God rested. They were placed one at each end of the mercy seat, with wings stretched upward, and their faces toward each other and toward the mercy-seat. They were anointed with holy oil, like the ark itself and the other sacred furniture.

The cherubim were symbolical.

They were intended to represent spiritual existences in immediate contact with The Father. Some have regarded them as symbolical of the chief ruling power by which God carries on His operations in providence. (Ps.18:10). Others interpret them as having reference to the redemption of men, and as symbolizing the great rulers or ministers of the church.

Their office was: first, on the expulsion from Eden, to prevent all access to the tree of life;

and second to form the throne

and the chariot of God in His manifestation of Himself on Earth.

He dwelleth between and sitteth on the cherubim (1 Sam 4:4; Ps. 80:1; Ezek.1:26,28).

The 2 cherubim were on the mercy-seat with wings outstretched.

Ex 25:18-20 “And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. “Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. “And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.”

They represent the judgment of God.

Their position indicates that God’s judgment upon Israel was averted because of the blood-sprinkled mercy seat.

John also in Revelation sees a vision of the cherubim:

Rev. 4:6-8 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Though artistic interpretation can be fairly relaxed when it comes to the Seraphim, it is also extremely varied in regard to the Cherubim.

The original Jewish depictions of them are thought to resemble an angelic or mythical being similar to that of a griffin, possessing a lion’s body, and an eagle’s wings and head.

In Christianity however, the Cherubim are often portrayed in artistic iconography as a four winged creature with more than one head, usually that of man, lion, eagle, and ox. Some of the gothic interpretations can be quite fearful in appearance.

During the Renaissance a tremendous amount of confusion arose over the attributes and characteristics of the Cherubim, when on numerous occasions they were confused with putti angels, winged children who are generally depicted holding small golden trumpets.

In Western Christian tradition, cherubim have become associated with the putto (derived from classical Cupid/Eros), resulting in depictions of cherubim as small, plump, winged boys.

So the scripture shows that a Cherub is a mighty and fearsome winged beast and guardian of Eden, not the image of an innocent childlike being. The confusion is still widespread even in this day and age, and we can blame the Renaissance artists for it. So now when we call a small child a little cherub we may want to change the adjective for something else!

In chapter 1 Ezekiel the prophet designates them as living creatures (chayyoth); the chart above shows the difference between the cherubim described in Ezekiel, with the one that John gives in the book of Revelation.

Do they appear the same on earth as in Heaven??

This is a possible explanation for the differences.

The wings being raised would cover the view of the other faces. Due to Heaven existing in another dimension parallel to ours, it makes sense that they would probably appear differently there.

Time is cyclical. Time as we know it exists only in this earthly dimension.

When we recognize the fact that God has more dimensions of space and time than just the 4 dimensions we tend to think in, it makes it easier to understand how God is able to be omnipresent and that this plural God is singular.

We tend to look at life in 3 dimensions of space and one dimension of time because of the way we have been educated.

Time, that for us, seems to travel forward and is linear.

God however, is not limited to 1 dimension of time or He would not be 1 God who is omnipresent. The chart below on the left depicts 2 dimensions of time; one of length and one of height. If time has just 2 dimensions, then within every moment of time there is an infinite amount of time. Paper, for example, is only 2 dimensional, and so we can only show 2 dimensions at once.

In the diagram above pictured on the right, simulated are 3 dimensions of time in which it implies that time has depth as well. If God is above time, at this point He can not only see the past, the present, and the future consecutively but He can also influence and interact with them all simultaneously. This is why He can say His Name is I AM (not I WAS or I WILL BE); and why He is the same yesterday today and forever. Heb.13:8

When John saw Messiah in Heaven for example, He appeared as a lamb that was slain, with 7 eyes and 7 horns.

Seven is the number of perfection and horns represent power. In the same way eyes are how we perceive things, so they represent wisdom. This is picturing Messiah with perfect power and perfect wisdom. In Ezekiel, the cherubim are depicted with 4 wings and 4 faces.

The number four is the signature of the Earth, depicting our four seasons and 4 corners giving us 4 directions; East, West, North, and South.

Ezekiel 41:18 And it (the paneling of the holy place of the temple) was made with cherubs …and two faces were to a cherub, the face of a man, toward the palm tree from here, and a young lion’s face toward the palm tree from there. It was made to continue all around on the wall of the temple.

The Keruvim/Cherubim are the connection to the flaming sword at a garden gate, a golden box (ark of the covenant/mercy seat), a lion, an ox, an eagle and the two visions of Ezekiel and John. However the conclusion to the mystery with mazzaroth, the Tribes, and Yeshua/Jesus is coming in part 2.

The Scriptures tell us that angels watch over us make sure that you are saved and that they can be of optimum assistance in your life

For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven Matt. 18:10 

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Ex. 23:20

Shalom Mishpachah/Family!

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