Ministry

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The Four Living Creatures

These Living creatures represent the righteous judgment of God, and are the executers of God's righteous judgment.

Gen 3:22-24 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

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.

- The Cherubim are revealed by Ezekiel in chapter 1:5-10 as 4 living creatures, each one having 4 different faces, the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

Cherubim (which are the plural of cherub) were celestial angelic beings in the spiritual realm.

They are always associated with the holiness of God. When Adam sinned cherubim were stationed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life. They represent the righteous government of God, and are the executers of God's righteous and holy judgment.

The Cherubim are revealed by Ezekiel in chapter 1:5-10 as four living creatures, each one having 4 different faces, the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

'The Cherubim'

The word Cherubim (which is the plural of cherub) were celestial angelic beings in the spiritual realm. They are always associated with the holiness of God. When Adam sinned cherubim were stationed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

They represent the righteous government of God, and are the executers of God's righteous judgement.

They are symbolic of God’s Ministry in the New Testament, who is styled as angels in the book of revelation.

Gen 3:22-24 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

God’s Ministry today holds the flaming sword of truth to guard the way to the tree of life which is Christ.

Their representation on the fabric around and above the Holy Place stresses the righteousness of God and those who serve him in his perfect holiness.

So with this in mind let read Ezekiel 4^th chapter.

Ezekiel gives a description of the cherubim in his vision:

Ezek 1:4-14 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves' feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. 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. Thus were their faces. Their wings were stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of torches. Fire was going back and forth among the living creatures; the fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.

(Lightning is the aftermath of thunder, when God thunders (speaks) people began to get enlighten

Ezek 10:1 And I looked, and there in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim, there appeared something like a sapphire stone, having the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

Bronze = God’s Judgment

Bronze (Judgment)

A total of 6,700 lbs. of bronze was given for use in those places where exceptional strength and heat resistance was important. Bronze has a melting point of 1,985 degrees. It was important in the altar where intense heat was present. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. It is not brass which is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Bronze represents judgement. It typifies the divine character of Christ who took upon Himself the fire of God's wrath, holiness and justice.

The Hands = God’s ministry as servants that does service for the church.

The hands speak of what they did, their service, their work, everything they put their hands to was important and so their hands needed to be cleansed always, and daily. The initial cleansing was done only once, the daily cleansing was done continuously.

Sapphire

This genuine stone with the Hebrew engraved name of the tribe of Israel may have been similar to the ancient stone on the breastplate of the high priest. A gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire:

John also in Revelation sees a vision of God’s Throne and the cherubim’s, and the Lamb and twenty four Elders:

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!"

Introduction

  ¹After this I looked, and behold, a door (Entrance to the vision) was opened in heaven; and the first voice (voice of Jesus) which I heard was, as it were, of a trumpet talking with me, which said, "Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter."

   
   ²And immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne (God’s people the church) was set in Heaven, and One sat on the throne.

Paul said we are made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

   
   ³And He that sat thereon was to look upon like a jasper and a sardius stone; and there was a rainbow (God’s Covenant) round about the throne, in appearance like unto an emerald.

   
   ⁴And 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.

The Elders represent the spiritual leadership of the New Covenant Church, those to mitigate judgment.

   
   ⁵And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. (God’s Praise) And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;

The Seven Lamps of fire represent God’s shinning light of His word in the seven ages of the gospel dispensation.

   
   ⁶and 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 living beings full of eyes in front and behind.

The Sea of Glass represent (The washing of regeneration – the laver of cleansing).

  
   ⁷And the first being was like a lion, and the second being like a calf, and the third being had the face of a man, and the fourth being was like a flying eagle.

A lion represent courage, and boldness

The calf represents strength

The Face of a man represents humanity

The eagle represents knowledge

   
   ⁸And each of the four living beings had six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they rested not day and night, saying,"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!"

   
   ⁹And when those living beings give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

   
   ¹⁰the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sits on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

The twenty four elders represent God’s spiritual leadership

   
   ¹¹"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created."

The Vision

 A Door was opened in Heaven; (The spiritual realm of the vision) this symbolizes the door of his heavenly vision.  This was not the Heaven where Jesus is.  John saw these things in a vision.  What He saw was in the vision was actually taking place on earth.  John was in the Spirit.  High and lofty things of God cannot be viewed in the flesh.  John said after this I looked up, and behold.  Your mind must be heavenward and not earthward.

John had heard Jesus voice before, for in the second verse of chapter 4, He said The voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;  Now he heard this voice when He receive the first series of this vision.  Now this same voice was telling him to come up hither,

You cannot get the high and heavenly vision of God being earthly minded you have got to come up hither; you must arise above the self, and the flesh.  You must be in the Spirit.

 Next the voice said I will show thee things which must be hereafter. He is talking future tense in this second series of this vision, The letter to the churches was in the present tense Verse 19 of the first chapter, says Write the things which thou has seen (The Opening vision of Jesus Christ), which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

When we arrive at the second series of his vision, Jesus said come up hither and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.  Here is your spiritual timeline.

The Seven Churches were the conditions that was existing in the morning time of the gospel dispensation. Now this second series is going to take us further into the future.

And immediately I was in the spirit, and, behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.  Daniel also saw a vision that was similar to this Dan. 7:9,10.

John saw these things in a vision, He saw these happenings on the earth.  He saw God’s Throne.

A spiritual throne, among men where he dwells, or sits in the heart of the saints.  God’s throne is the material of the church.  It is his sanctuary Jer. 17:12.

The fact that God sat on the throne shows that He was reigning in the hearts and lives of his people.

 “And He that sat was to look upon like a Jasper and Sardine stone.  This symbolizes His glory and the beauty of His holiness.

“And there was a rainbow round about the throne”, which symbolize His covenant with His people. Gen 9:8-16.

Symbols Explained:

• The Twenty Four Elders, the ministry of the Church

• White Raiment, the righteousness of the saints Crowns of Gold, reigning with victory

• Lightning, enlightenment, understanding

• Thundering, the understanding of God’s word

• Voices, Praise

• The Seven Lamps of Fire, the complete light and understanding revealed to us by the Holy Ghost.

• Sea of Glass, The word & blood, the washing of regeneration, and the laver and sea

• Four Beast, The living creatures, the redeemed

• Eyes, (knowledge)

• Wings, (Deliverance, Ex. 194; Isa. 40:28-31, strength, power, flight, swiftness)

• Lion, Boldness

• Calf, Sacrifice

• Man, Humanity

• Eagle, Power & Strength.

 Who is Worthy to open the Book?

Rev.5:1-5 "And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor on the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and loose the seals thereof. And they sung a new song, saying Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, and has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

 The Sealed Book

Every time a seal was opened, apart of the book was opened.  It takes a move of God to open the book.  Just anyone cannot open or understand the book. 

 There are some things God ordained for everybody to know, and there are some things God ordained only a few people to know, concerning the deep and real truth of his word.

 We can never know what’s written within “the deeper truth” until you measure up to that which is written on the backside or outside of the book.  I am speaking of those things that is revealed to everyone. Such as; Bible Salvation, Entire Sanctification and the unity of God’s People.

 God some times hides the truth, from some folks, such as; the compromise and the apostates

Who is worthy?

Those who are made worthy.  They can look into the book

Why did John weep?

He knew the rest of his vision was in the sealed book

Why did Jesus prevailed to open the Book?

Because of the pressing need.

 What was the pressing need?

The preparation to do battle.

In the midst of the throne (The Church)

Stood a Lamb – (Jesus Christ) Jesus was there all the time vs. 4:6

 What is a horn a symbol of?

A horn is a symbol of a reigning power, either spiritual or temporal.

In the natural world animals uses their horns to fight with.  It is a symbol of power.  It is a symbol of authority to do battle.  They also was use as vessels of oil to anoint kings, who were to reign in power.  Jesus is the horn of Salvation.  Lu. 1:67-69,74,75 over sin.

Seven eyes (with eyes we see) matt. 5:8, Eph. 1:17,18.

Seven Spirits of God, Seven is a number of completeness

Jesus had 7 eyes or complete understanding of the things of God.

The Church went throught 7 different periods of time (Ages) down through the gospel day for each battle, each conflict, each situation she “The Church” needed power, vision and understanding to be effective.

1. 1^st Age – The Morning Time Age – A.D. 33 – 270.
2. 2^nd Age – The Age of Apostasy – A.D. 270 – 530.
3. 3^rd Age – The Age of the Papacy – A.D. 530 – 1530.
4. 4^th Age - The Age of Reform – A.D. 1530 – 1730.
5. 5^th Age – The Age of Revival – A.D. 1730 – 1880.
6. 6^th Age - The Evening Light Age – A.D. 1880 - 1980.
7. 7^th Age – The Seventh Trumpet Age – 1980 -

All believers know that the "Lion of the tribe of Juda" is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All believers know that Jesus Christ is the "Root of David" and is now reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Of His Kingdom there shall be no end! All believers know why He was the only one found worthy to open this prophetic message of truth. Jesus has prevailed over Satan! Death! and Hell! itself through His supreme sacrifice as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Yes! Christ is worthy! According to this Book of Revelation the 7th Sealed Scroll has been opened! We are NOW living in the 7th Seal Age? of Christianity. True! "No man knoweth the hour of the coming of the Son of God," However, Jesus did say, "When ye see these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh." We are seeing those things come to pass TODAY that John wrote about in ancient time. Let us hear what Jesus has said to us, as we open the 7 Sealed Scrolls in this last Book of the Bible...

It is Jesus..who has redeemed us by His Precious Blood!

It is Jesus...who has translated us from the kingdom of darkness!

It is Jesus..who has made us Priests and Kings unto God!

It is Jesus..who reveals this prophetic truth!

It is Jesus who gives every believer the power to "reign" over Sin, Satan and the World.

Jesus took the book from God on His Throne, with the thought of opening the book.  How do you know? See Rev. 6:1 The Lamb open one of the seals.

As soon as Jesus took the book out of God’s hand it causes some things to happen.  Why? Did it cause something to happen because they knew Jesus was going to open that book?

As Jesus open this sealed book up, one seal at a time, what happen?  The vision begins to unravel, and John wrote down what he saw. 

The second sealed books

There are two sealed book in the revelation, one in the 5^th chapter and the other in the 10^th chapter.  The one in the 5^th chapter contained the vision itself, because as these seals were opened, the vision unraveled and continued.  He opens one seal at a time.

Now the other book in Revelation 10:3 “the other sealed book”, Jesus came to John and thundered out the understanding of what John had already seen. And as John was about to write that down, Jesus told John to seal up these things, in other words, “I don’t want you to put the understanding in the vision, but seal it up.

When was this sealed book to be opened.  Rev 10:7, There are two books taught in Revelation.  One contained the vision itself, but it was open up one seal at a time, as it was opened up John wrote it down which is in the last book of your bible.

The other sealed book taught, John did not write what he saw down, which was the interpretation of the book of revelation, of what all these things meant.  Jesus didn’t want John to write it down.  Seal it up until the days of the voice of the seventh angel (the seventh trumpet), when he began to sound, then the mystery shall be finished, i.e. the revelation would be complete.  It would be ready to be preached and revealed in its fullness

We are living in the Seventh Seal age when the understanding of the book is no longer seal up.  The Mystery (the revelation itself), is revealed, which enables us to be the church of God in our day.

And when Jesus took the book the redeemed praised God

Back to Ezekiel

The 2 Cherubim

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.

- The Cherubim are revealed by Ezekiel in chapter 1:5-10 as 4 living creatures, each one having 4 different faces, the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

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 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.

Mercy Seat

Exod 25:17-22 "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width.

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. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

The word for "mercy seat" is the same root for the word "atonement". It means to cover, cancel, appease, or cleanse.

The Greek equivalent is the word "propitiation". Jesus is the mercy seat of God.

Luke 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

The word "seat" speaks of a resting place so the mercy seat was the "place of mercy or propitiation".

Covenant

The Biblical definition for covenant is "a binding agreement between two parties." The Greek word Diatheke (Testament) and the Hebrew word for covenant is b'rit and actually means "to cut the covenant." It was cut by the shedding of blood and the walking between the two pieces of flesh (Gen 15). A b'rit could not be broken. When you enter into a covenant you make a solemn promise of love and protection to one another and the promise is made "everything that is mine is therefore yours." There were some traditional steps in cutting the ancient covenant:

1. The robe (life) was removed.
2. The belt (strength) was removed
3. A sacrifice was cut in two pieces.
4. Each would walk between the pieces
5. Intermingle the blood of the right hand. (scar)
6. Receive the others name.
7. Sit at a table together
8. Plant a memorial

Scripture mentions several covenants made between man and man, such as Jacob and Laban, and David and Jonathan.

 The Wheels in the middle of the Wheels

 This symbolizes Unity, Knowledge, and glory

 The Sapphire Throne

And the Glory of God

 This symbolizes God’s Throne (His People – The Church)

He reigns in the heart of His people.