"The church... for too long has followed Casper, the friendly ghost instead of seeking the fire of the Holy Spirit.
We have turned limp at the thought of our own cross;
we faint when we think of suffering or sacrifice.
Beloved, it is time to embrace the fire of God's Presence.
It is the fire that purifies our sacrifice."
Francis Frangipane
Part 4 God's Throne and the Four Living Creatures:
6 Each one had four faces,
and each one had four wings.
and each one had four wings.
Wings — With two they flew,
denoting the speed of their obedience;
and with two they covered their body,
denoting their reverence.
Their wings were parted from above
Compare to Isaiah 6:2
The joining together of their wings
represents the fact that although the affairs of men on earth
may seem random, confused and conflicting,
if one will but lift their eyes to heaven
they will behold the divine order and unity of God’s ways.
This same idea is repeated in Ezekiel 1:9
because we men are so difficult to bring to the knowledge
of the singleness of purpose and wisdom of God’s ways.
7 Their legs were straight,
straight = strength, not bowed in weakness
and the soles of their feet were
like the soles of calves’ feet.
They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze.
the sparkling appearance, indicating God's purity.
8 The hands of a man
were under their wings on their four sides;
and each of the four had faces and wings.
. . . four types of beings were created in the world:
the highest of all, in God’s image—man;
of birds—the eagle;
of domestic animals—the ox;
of wild animals—the lion;
denoting the speed of their obedience;
and with two they covered their body,
denoting their reverence.
Their wings were parted from above
Compare to Isaiah 6:2
The joining together of their wings
represents the fact that although the affairs of men on earth
may seem random, confused and conflicting,
if one will but lift their eyes to heaven
they will behold the divine order and unity of God’s ways.
This same idea is repeated in Ezekiel 1:9
because we men are so difficult to bring to the knowledge
of the singleness of purpose and wisdom of God’s ways.
7 Their legs were straight,
straight = strength, not bowed in weakness
and the soles of their feet were
like the soles of calves’ feet.
They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze.
the sparkling appearance, indicating God's purity.
8 The hands of a man
were under their wings on their four sides;
and each of the four had faces and wings.
. . . four types of beings were created in the world:
the highest of all, in God’s image—man;
of birds—the eagle;
of domestic animals—the ox;
of wild animals—the lion;
and all of them are stationed
beneath the presence of the Holy One. . . .”
9 Their wings touched one another.
The creatures did not turn when they went,
but each one went straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces,
each had the face of a man;
each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side,
each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side,
and each of the four had the face of an eagle.
beneath the presence of the Holy One. . . .”
9 Their wings touched one another.
The creatures did not turn when they went,
but each one went straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces,
each had the face of a man;
each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side,
each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side,
and each of the four had the face of an eagle.
The significance of the four faces
of these cherubim
has been much discussed.
Why the four heads on each of the four cherubim?
I would contend that it is because
all of creation reflects the image of God.
In like manner these angelic beings
are meant to demonstrate to a hard hearted people
that God has dominion over all living things.
This is of particular note to a people
prone to carving idolatrous images (often of animals)
and using them of objects of worship
in direct disobedience to God’s specific command
to have no other gods before Him.
We note that they are first described
as being in the likeness of man,
(in verse 5)
because man holds the first place in God’s creation,
being made in the likeness of God.
The Lion is supreme over the wild beasts of the earth.
The ox is represented as the most useful of the domestic animals, possessing great strength.
The eagle is symbolic of God’s dominion
over all of creation that fills the skies.
As angels are messengers and administrators of God’s will this demonstrates His dominion over the whole earth.
of these cherubim
has been much discussed.
Why the four heads on each of the four cherubim?
I would contend that it is because
all of creation reflects the image of God.
In like manner these angelic beings
are meant to demonstrate to a hard hearted people
that God has dominion over all living things.
This is of particular note to a people
prone to carving idolatrous images (often of animals)
and using them of objects of worship
in direct disobedience to God’s specific command
to have no other gods before Him.
We note that they are first described
as being in the likeness of man,
(in verse 5)
because man holds the first place in God’s creation,
being made in the likeness of God.
The Lion is supreme over the wild beasts of the earth.
The ox is represented as the most useful of the domestic animals, possessing great strength.
The eagle is symbolic of God’s dominion
over all of creation that fills the skies.
As angels are messengers and administrators of God’s will this demonstrates His dominion over the whole earth.
The faces are also often offered as
symbolic of the four Gospels
and of ages depicted in the Scripture.
The Face Gospel /Characteristics /Age
The Man /Gospel of Matthew /rationality, morality, wisdom /Mosaic Period
symbolic of the four Gospels
and of ages depicted in the Scripture.
The Face Gospel /Characteristics /Age
The Man /Gospel of Matthew /rationality, morality, wisdom /Mosaic Period
Matthew, a publican whose surname was Levi
published his Gospel in Hebrew
as it was written primarily for a Jewish audience
who vainly adhered to the teachings of the Law
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus
as the Jewish Messiah or King
and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
It was written with the purpose of evangelizing Jews
and confining them in their faith alter their conversion.
Despite its intrinsically Jewish flavor,
there are some elements in Matthew's Gospel
that show a broader understanding of Christ's mission.
Matthew is the only Gospel that includes
the story of the Gentile worshipers known as the Magi or Wise men.
The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20
constrains believers to disciple all nations,
another indication of the universality of Matthew.
Mark an assistant to the Apostle Peter
did not know Christ firsthand
but enumerated on the details of Peter’s message.
Mark’s Gospel presents a brief,
quickly-paced view of Christ,
the man of action.
This emphasis is intensified
by the use of the words immediately and straightway,
which occur more than forty times
in the King James Version.
This sense of action and movement
was probably intended to attract
a Roman audience.
Thus it is commonly maintained that Mark
was writing to Gentiles in Rome.
The general theme of Mark’s work
is Christ's humanity
which is emphasized by
the repeated use of the title Son of Man,
perhaps borrowed from Daniel 7.
The Ox /Gospel of Luke /servitude, patients, labor, energy /Exile&Restoration
did not know Christ firsthand
but enumerated on the details of Peter’s message.
Mark’s Gospel presents a brief,
quickly-paced view of Christ,
the man of action.
This emphasis is intensified
by the use of the words immediately and straightway,
which occur more than forty times
in the King James Version.
This sense of action and movement
was probably intended to attract
a Roman audience.
Thus it is commonly maintained that Mark
was writing to Gentiles in Rome.
The general theme of Mark’s work
is Christ's humanity
which is emphasized by
the repeated use of the title Son of Man,
perhaps borrowed from Daniel 7.
The Ox /Gospel of Luke /servitude, patients, labor, energy /Exile&Restoration
Luke a physician was born in Antioch Syria
Composed his Gospel in Achaia and Boeotia.
Luke presents Jesus as the universal Savior
who came to redeem both Jew and Gentile.
The universality of Luke is extended
to social outcasts such as Zacchaeus (Luke 19),
women (Luke 7:36-50; 21:14),
and people of other races (Luke 2:32).
Luke alone records the
"Parable of the Good Samaritan" (Luke 10).
"Luke thus portrays Jesus as a cosmopolitan Savior
with broad sympathies, one who mingles
with all sorts of people,
socializes with Pharisees and publicans,
and concerns himself with
victims of personal calamity" (Luke 7:11-17)
The Gospel of Luke is
the longest book in the New Testament
and contains a highly-refined
Greek style of writing.
This no doubt appealed to his non-Jewish audience.
The Eagle /Gospel of John /vision, flight, swiftness /New Covenant
John both Apostle and Evangelist was the closest to the Lord.
“Son behold your mother.” John 19:27 speaks volumes.
He emphasized the divinity of Christ in his Gospel
John's Gospel was probably written
for the general population of Asia Minor
which surrounded the city of Ephesus
where John ministered.
John presents Jesus as the divine Word of God.
Rather than dealing with the genealogy of Christ
such as Matthew and Luke,
John goes back to the very beginning
using words reminiscent of Genesis 1:1.
Here, the beloved disciple describes Christ
as the pre-incarnate divine instrument of God's creation.
Therefore, one cannot read the first chapter of John
and doubt that the New Testament claims Jesus to be divine.
In accentuating Christ's deity,
the author of John provides the "I am" statements
and the dramatic confession of Thomas in John 20:28
Composed his Gospel in Achaia and Boeotia.
Luke presents Jesus as the universal Savior
who came to redeem both Jew and Gentile.
The universality of Luke is extended
to social outcasts such as Zacchaeus (Luke 19),
women (Luke 7:36-50; 21:14),
and people of other races (Luke 2:32).
Luke alone records the
"Parable of the Good Samaritan" (Luke 10).
"Luke thus portrays Jesus as a cosmopolitan Savior
with broad sympathies, one who mingles
with all sorts of people,
socializes with Pharisees and publicans,
and concerns himself with
victims of personal calamity" (Luke 7:11-17)
The Gospel of Luke is
the longest book in the New Testament
and contains a highly-refined
Greek style of writing.
This no doubt appealed to his non-Jewish audience.
The Eagle /Gospel of John /vision, flight, swiftness /New Covenant
John both Apostle and Evangelist was the closest to the Lord.
“Son behold your mother.” John 19:27 speaks volumes.
He emphasized the divinity of Christ in his Gospel
John's Gospel was probably written
for the general population of Asia Minor
which surrounded the city of Ephesus
where John ministered.
John presents Jesus as the divine Word of God.
Rather than dealing with the genealogy of Christ
such as Matthew and Luke,
John goes back to the very beginning
using words reminiscent of Genesis 1:1.
Here, the beloved disciple describes Christ
as the pre-incarnate divine instrument of God's creation.
Therefore, one cannot read the first chapter of John
and doubt that the New Testament claims Jesus to be divine.
In accentuating Christ's deity,
the author of John provides the "I am" statements
and the dramatic confession of Thomas in John 20:28
End Part 4
30
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