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The Fourfold Realm of Glory
And
we beheld His glory…
"Now
it came to pass … that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 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.
… 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."
Ezekiel 1:4-5,10
Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the captives taken to Babylon, experiences
an open vision of the heavenly glory. He saw four angelic beings, each with four faces – one of a man, one of a lion,
one of an ox, and one of an eagle. What can it mean? This vision presents four pictorial clues that will help us unlock the
mysteries of God’s kingdom. In these studies we will explore seven levels of the Ezekiel Code that lies hidden within
Ezekiel’s vision of the four cherubim.
Level I unveils the Fourfold Realm of Glory. Ezekiel begins his book by introducing
us to the four faces of the Cherubim. While the representation of their faces is symbolic, the Cherubim themselves are not
simply symbolic. They are real spiritual persons; Ezekiel calls them living souls. We often refer to them as archangels. The
Tabernacle of Moses represented the four cherubim surrounding God’s throne with two on the Mercy Seat (covering cherubim)
and two on the Veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (guardian cherubim).
The Fourfold Gospel
The early church fathers associated the four cherubim with the four apostles
and the fourfold message presented by apostolic gospels. Thus, the concept of the fourfold gospel is as old as
the four gospels themselves. Arthur C. Custance (1910-1985) provided a summary of the historic view of the cherubim:
Thus we have Jesus presented to us in four distinct
portraits: as the Promised King, as the Servant of the Lord, as the Son of man, and as God Incarnate. In the symbolism of
the Old Testament we meet these four figures under the guise of the cherubim. These "living ones" are described in Ezekiel
1:10 as having four faces. the face of a man, the face of a lion, the face of an ox, and the face of an eagle. The first of
these symbols is clearly the picture that Luke provides, the lion is the King of Matthew's Gospel, the ox is the servant of
Mark, and the eagle is the One from heaven of John's Gospel. There are four interesting exclamations, as it were, in the Old
Testament that bear out this same fourfold portraiture: "Behold thy King" (Zech. 9:9); "Behold My servant" (Isa. 42:1) "Behold
the man" (Zech. 6:12); and "Behold your God" (Isa. 10:9). The context of each exclamation underscores the significance of
the wording used.
Near the turn of the century, Albert B. Simpson (1843-1919) embraced the Fourfold
Gospel and established the four foundational doctrines of the new Christian and Missionary Alliance movement. He phrased them
as "Jesus our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King," The Assemblies
of God and Foursquare Church, whose early pastors trained in Simpson’s C&MA Christian Missionary Institute, adopted
this view for their core doctrines. The Assemblies termed their four cardinal doctrines as Salvation, Healing, Holy Spirit
Baptism, and the Second Coming.
The founder of the Foursquare Church, Aimee Semple McPherson based her presentation
of the Foursquare Gospel on a vision of the four cherubim although she used a somewhat different alignment than we will see
here. This particular alignment will prove to be consistent with the prophetic message behind the four ministries of Christ.
The Eagle portrays Christ as Saviour, the Ox portrays Him as Healer, the Man portrays Him as Baptizer in the Holy Spirit,
and the Lion portrays Christ as the Soon Coming King.
Introducing the Four Cherubim
From scripture we have the names of two angels: Michael and Gabriel. The Bible
names only Michael as an archangel. Gabriel introduces himself to Zacharias as the angel “who stands in the presence of God.” (Luke
1:19) From extra-biblical works the Jews give us the names of seven archangels. They understood four of them
to be the four cherubim: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and Uriel. We cannot know for certain that Raphael and Uriel are truly
the names of angels, let alone archangels or cherubim. Nor can we assume without any question that Michael and Gabriel are
two of the cherubim. However, in spite of these disclaimers, we find that these four names relate to the four ministries of
Christ.
Gabriel
Gabriel’s name translates to ‘God is my strength.’ It comes
from two Hebrew words. El of course refers to God. The other word is geber, which means “man, strong man, warrior (emphasizing strength or ability to fight)” The i in Gabriel specifies possessive; in this case it indicates “my warrior.” Isaiah, using the word geber, paints a
word picture of God our mighty warrior.
The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of
war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)
Revelation adds to Isaiah’s portrait of the Messiah, describing Jesus as
a mighty warrior riding his white horse with the sword of the Spirit proceeding from His mouth. “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that
with it He should strike the nations.” (Revelation 18:15)
In the Realm of Glory, God's Word is a mighty weapon. Gabriel’s ministry
represents the resurrection power of the prophetic word. Scripture shows Gabriel coming as a messenger, carrying the word
of the Lord to Daniel, Zacharias, and Mary. Mary demonstrates her faith in God’s prophetic word by responding to Gabriel’s
message, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
The declaration of the prophetic word releases the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His power and perform the word of the Lord.
Thus, we can associate Gabriel with Jesus’ ministry as the Son of Man, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, as shown
in Luke’s gospel and the book of Acts (also penned by Luke).
Michael
Michael’s name translates to ‘Who is like God?’ We can turn
to the book of Micah to learn more about this archangel’s name. It turns out that Micah’s full name is Micaiah,
making it the same as Michael, using Yah rather than El for the ending. Micah gives this passage, interpreting Michael
for us:
Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the
remnant of His heritage? (Micah 7:18)
First we have a messenger angel with a warrior’s name, now we have a warrior
angel who presents himself with a mission of mercy. We will see this developed further in King David who, while he was a warrior
king, he was also known for his mercy. We will learn that mercy flows from humility. Significantly, we can also translate
Michael as ‘the humility of God’, which must apply to Jesus, the Son of God. Again in Micah we read concerning
His humble beginnings:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of
you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)
Yes, Jesus came as a King, but He came to be a servant king, not a despotic, tyrannical
ruler. God uses three chapters of Isaiah (44-46) to answer the question, “Who is a God like You?” We can call
on three verses to summarize His response:
"Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and
there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things
that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ I bring My righteousness
near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory." (Isaiah 46:9,10,13)
Now we can associate Michael with Jesus’ ministry as the Son of David,
the King of Kings, as shown in Matthew’s gospel. Under the Messiah’s command, Michael leads his angelic legions
in battle against the forces of evil, establishing the kingdom of righteousness.
Raphael
Raphael means “God has healed.” echoing what God said through His
servant Moses,
"I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For
I am the LORD who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)
We can say without reservation that healing is part of the atonement. (Isaiah
53), but the atonement provides more, much more. John wrote, “Beloved,
I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2) ‘All things’ – that sounds like pretty inclusive
language, does it not?
Now, we can associate Raphael with Jesus’ ministry as the Son of Joseph,
the Suffering Servant, as shown in Mark’s gospel. Under Jesus’ authority, Raphael leads his angelic hosts who
assist us in overturning the rule of the curse and bringing blessings to those who believe.
Uriel
Uriel means “God is my light”
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalms 27:1
Behind door number one: Darkness. Deep darkness. Destruction.
Behind door number two: Light. Brightness. Glory. Salvation.
I think I’ll take door number two. The choice seems so obvious. Yet so many
choose door number one. But that’s why God sends us as a light to the nations – to turn their hearts to the light.
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory
will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Finally, we can associate Uriel with Jesus in His ministry as the Son of
God, the Saviour of the world, as shown in John’s gospel. Under Jesus’ authority, Uriel leads his angelic hosts
in aiding the spread of the Gospel message to the ends of the earth.
These four angels work together to accomplish the four ministries of Christ.
When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside
when they went. … Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went. Ezekiel 1:17,20a
They follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. When He moves in the ministry of provision,
they move together in that ministry. When He moves in the ministry of protection, they move together in that ministry. They
need not rotate or turn around; when the direction changes a different angel assumes the lead as they each have a face oriented
in that direction. While each of the cherubim may lead or have a primary ministry, they all share in a facet of each ministry
of Christ.
Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome;
and
their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them.
Re 4:8 The four living creatures, each having six wings,
were full of eyes
around and within.
Their eyes most probably represent the angelic host under their specific
administration. Four cherubim at the top of the angelic order, which God calls an innumerable company of angels, places a
great number of angels under each.
We now move on to interpret the Four Ministries of Christ and the promises these
ministries fulfill. For all the promises of God in
Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor 1:20) First we see the
face of a man, representing Jesus as the Son of Man, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit who fulfills the Promise of Resurrection
Power. Next we have the face of the Lion representing Jesus as the Son of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who fulfills
the Promise of Protection from the attack of the enemy. Then we see the face of an Ox, representing Jesus as the Son of Joseph,
the Kinsman Redeemer who fulfills the Promise of Provision for our physical needs. Finally, we have the face of an Eagle,
representing Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, who fulfills the Promise of Purpose in the Realm of Glory.
