Genesis 3:22–24 (NASB95) — 22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Revelation 4:5–8 (NASB95) — 5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
In Genesis, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, God expelled them from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24). He placed cherubim and a flaming sword that turned in every direction to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
As a result, all of humanity after Adam was cut off from access to the Tree of Life. Since they could not eat its fruit, they could not attain eternal life.
The cherubim guarding the Tree of Life symbolize that “the world of the Tree of Life” has been sealed off from sinful humanity. In other words, this world is a hidden world.
What does it mean that it is “hidden”?
Matthew 13:35 (NASB95) — 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Isaiah 46:10 (NASB95) — 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
The secret hidden within the cherubim is the world of the Tree of Life, and this world will be revealed again to the saints in the last days. Because the end has been hidden from the beginning.
Therefore, “the cherubim can also be said to represent the Word that reveals the end from the beginning.”
How Can We Pass Through the Blocked Way to Eternal Life (The Way to the Tree of Life)?
- The Bible teaches us that simply eating the fruit of the Tree of Life grants eternal life.
- However, this path has been blocked by cherubim and a flaming sword due to Adam’s sin.
- If one does not understand the mystery of the cherubim and the flaming sword, it is impossible to approach the Tree of Life.
- Therefore, in order to reach the Tree of Life, one must first understand the cherubim and the flaming sword.
- Who/what are the Cherubim?
After Adam’s fall, the cherubim serve as gatekeepers, preventing him from re-entering the Garden of Eden in his sinful state and blocking the way to the Tree of Life. Therefore, for the saints of the last days who seek to approach the Tree of Life, “the mystery of the cherubim” serves as a shortcut leading to the path of life.
The cherubim do not merely block but also guide. To those who understand, they serve as clues and shortcuts.
The cherubim revealed in Genesis appear as “living creatures” in Ezekiel and as “four living creatures” in Revelation. The cherubim are not only briefly mentioned in the biblical narrative but also play a crucial role in understanding the “way to the Tree of Life” and the “mystery of God’s throne,” which the saints of the last days must grasp.
The first living creature is like a lion, the second is like a calf, the third has a face like a man, and the fourth is like a flying eagle.
Thus, the cherubim are symbolic and figurative:
- “Lion” → Represents the mission of evangelism and proclamation of the Word (loud voice, king of beasts) – Image of Christ presented by Matthew
- “Calf” → Represents obedience and faithfulness (servanthood) – Image of Christ presented by Mark
- “Man” → Represents the image of God (Son of God) – Image of Christ presented by Luke
- “Eagle” → Represents those who understand the revelation and spiritual (heavenly) realm – Image of Christ presented by John
- Description of the Cherubim
Ezekiel 10:12 (NASB95) — 12 Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around, the wheels belonging to all four of them.
Revelation 4:6 (NASB95) — 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB95) — 9 “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”
Revelation 5:6 (NASB95) — 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
The eyes of the cherubim symbolize God’s omniscient insight. God sees and knows the hearts of His people across the earth.
John 2:25 (NASB95) — 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
Ezekiel 1:19–21 (NASB95) — 19 Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. 20 Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. 21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
Wheels are used for movement on the ground, not for flying. Since cherubim have wings, why do they need wheels?
The presence of wheels signifies that God, who is Spirit, has taken on flesh to dwell among us as Immanuel, spreading His tent over us and walking with us (Philippians 2:6-8).
The wheels are not independent; they move only according to the “Spirit of the living creatures” within them.
Ezekiel 10:9 (NASB95) — 9 Then I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like the gleam of a Tarshish stone.
Ezekiel 10:17 (NASB95) — 17 When the cherubim stood still, the wheels would stand still; and when they rose up, the wheels would rise with them, for the spirit of the living beings was in them.
This symbolizes Jesus Christ, who came in human flesh yet was fully God, working as one with the Father.
John 14:9–11 (NASB95) — 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 10:30 (NASB95) — 30 “I and the Father are one.”
Just as the wheels of the cherubim move in perfect harmony with the Spirit within them, Jesus’ actions and words were entirely in obedience to the Father.
John 12:50 (NASB95) — 50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
When the cherubim move in unity according to the Spirit within them, they become one. Likewise, when we receive the grace of the cherubim, we become one with God, walking according to the Word dwelling within us, fulfilling His will.
Revelation 4:8 (NASB95) — 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
The wings represent the swiftness in carrying out God’s will.
- Their wings indicate that their realm of activity is not earthly but heavenly, moving in the “expanse above the firmament.”
- This means the cherubim, though having a form, are spiritual beings rather than mere physical entities.
The Six Wings Have Different Functions:
Isaiah 6:2 (NASB95) — 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
- Two wings cover the face → Representing reverence and awe before God
- Two wings cover the feet → Representing humility and honor before God
- Two wings are used to fly → Representing service and worship
Absolute obedience to God’s command symbolizes eternal life.
The “sound of the wings” of the cherubim is described as the voice of God.
Ezekiel 1:24 (NASB95) — 24 I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.
Ezekiel 10:5 (NASB95) — 5 Moreover, the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.
This shows that the cherubim represent God Himself, and their wing sounds represent God’s spoken word.
Revelation 1:15 (NASB95) — 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.
The image of the cherubim portrays the mystery of God’s redemptive history, in which the Word becomes flesh and swiftly fulfills God’s salvation plan.
Thus, when the sound of the six wings of the cherubim unites with the already proclaimed Word, it will bring forth the perfect seven-fold work of the Word in the last days.
- The position of the Cherubim
Ezekiel 1:26–27 (NASB95) — 26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. 27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.
Revelation 4:6 (NASB95) — 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
The cherubim go back and forth from the throne of God.
Originally, the cherubim are positioned in the midst of the throne, but when faith wavers, they can be seen as mere gatekeepers or as surrounding angels.
Conclusion
- If one does not understand the four living creatures, one cannot understand the cherubim. Without passing through the cherubim, one cannot reach the Tree of Life.
- The wisdom to understand the cherubim is the key to the path leading to the Tree of Life. In the last days, the saints must fully understand the Word revealed through the cherubim.
- In Genesis, the Tree of Life stands at the center of the Garden of Eden, surrounded by cherubim. In Revelation 4, God’s throne is at the center of heaven, surrounded by cherubim.
- However, these cherubim are not merely surrounding angels; they are also present within the throne.
Acts 7:55–56 (NASB95) — 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
John 5:17 (NASB95) — 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
When Jesus came to earth, He did not appear as the enthroned God. Those who were chosen understood Him as God, but those who were not chosen stumbled and could not believe.
In Genesis 3:22-24, after Adam’s fall, cherubim and a flaming sword were placed to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
However, in Revelation, this closed way is now opened.
Who will enter?
- Those who overcome themselves
Revelation 2:7 (NASB95) — 7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Revelation 22:19 (NASB95) — 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
“Living sacrifice” is very difficult. But we need to be successful in this like Abel by letting the Word come alive to put off our old-self, my attachments to sin and the world.
- Those who wash their robes daily
Revelation 22:14 (NASB95) — 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
The phrase “wash their robes” is in the present tense, indicating a continuous process.
One must daily wash with the detergent of the Word and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:5 (NASB95) — 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
Revelation 19:8 (NASB95) — 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Those who keep the Word without alteration
Revelation 22:19 (NASB95) — 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
By fully understanding the mystery of the cherubim, we will not only pass through the gatekeepers and eat of the Tree of Life for eternal life but also guide others to this way of eternal life.
May you receive this grace in the name of the Lord!
