The Cherubim of Glory

Hebrews 9:5

If we could go behind the veil with the High Priest on the day of atonement into the holy of holies, the very first thing that would strike our eyes would be “the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat.” Those cherubs represent God’s preachers (Ex. 25:18-20; Ps. 80:1; Isa. 6:1-7).

We know that these cherubs represent gospel preachers, because they are the same as those living creatures before God’s throne which John saw when he was called up to heaven to behold the throne of God (Rev. 4:6-11).

It is not possible for a sinner to find, know, or come to God apart from the instrumentality of gospel preaching. Without question, God could save sinners without the instrumentality of the gospel; but that is not his purpose. It is his purpose to save sinners by the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:14-17; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; 1 Cor. 1:23; Heb. 4:12); and God almighty can never be compelled to alter his purpose. He will either send Philip to the Eunuch or the Eunuch to Philip at the appointed time of love (Acts 8), and graciously cause the chosen sinner to hear the gospel in the day of his power.

God’s preachers are not priests. We detest idolatrous priestcraft, be it Roman, Anglican, or Mormon. But God’s preachers are his angels, his messengers of mercy and grace to his people in this world. And they ought to be treated as such (Isa. 52:7). Their eyes are always toward the mercy-seat – Christ’s atoning sacrifice (Heb. 9:12). Their message is the message of sins forgiven by blood atonement. And the glory of God is revealed by the message they proclaim.

July 29, 2001

The New Testament knows nothing of free-lance Christianity. Membership with, faithfulness to, and the support of the local church are matters as commonly associated with true faith in the New Testament as love, joy and peace. I cannot imagine how anyone could delude himself into thinking he is a believer, who does not love the family of God, find joy in the worship of God, and promote and pray for the peace of Zion.