Covering Cherubs After All?
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Who Are Those Covering Cherubs After All? Ozzie and Denice Grant 1 WHO ARE THOSE COVERING CHERUBIM AFTER ALL? Through the years, questions have arisen concerning some of the statements we have made on certain particular topics. One of these is whether Michael was or was not a Covering Cherub. I imagine that those who challenge our conclusions assume that we haven’t done our homework. For the record, if we study a topic and happen to arrive at a wrong conclusion, we remain open to learn the truth and change our position if new evidence arises. Sola Scriptura is still our motto, along with the second witness given to us, the inspired works of EGW. But Jesus Christ is our final Word. As we all know, there have always been two Covering Cherubim in God’s government, which are two witnesses. It is a well-known fact that Lucifer used to be a Covering Cherub until he turned against the very thing he used to protect—God’s law. When he left his high post in God’s government the position became vacant and someone else had to take over his post. There are only three angelic beings who are named in the Bible: Lucifer, Gabriel, and Michael. This study is not meant to show or prove that Michael is Jesus. We assume that most everyone who is reading this has already come to that conclusion. If not, we encourage them to read Doug Bachelor’s thorough study on this topic: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/85/t/who-is-michael-the- archangel- Our aim here is to identify who the two Covering Cherubim were. Who was the Covering Cherub along with Lucifer? Who filled his post when he defected, or was his position left vacant? Is there a Covering Cherub that has never been named, having remained anonymous all along? Or is there evidence that Michael is a Covering Cherub, and was so all along? We hope this study is a blessing to you. COVERING CHERUB: DESCRIPTION IN THE SANCTUARY Moses describes the two Covering Cherubim in Exodus chapter twenty five: And thou shalt make two Cherubim of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the Cherubim on the two ends thereof. And the Cherubim shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look 2 one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the Cherubim be (Exodus 25:18-20, emphasis added). As their position in the Most Holy Place atop the mercy seat implies, Covering Cherubim are protectors of God’s law. The Hebrew word for “covering” is sâkak, which means: A primitive root; properly to entwine as a screen; by implication to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect: - cover, defence, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up (Strong’s Concordance). The wings of the Covering Cherubim entwining “as a screen” symbolize that together they fence in, cover, protect, defend, and hedge in the mercy seat—God’s throne of mercy. The mercy seat was the lid of the ark which contained God’s law of agape love— the law of grace, mercy. Covering Cherubim are light bearers. They are the chief beings who reveal God’s character, principles, and purposes for the universe. They are messengers of God: they are sent directly by God as messenGers on special missions to relay specific messaGes. It is well known that the position of the Covering Cherub is the hiGhest position in the angelic hierarchy. And it is also well known that the Covering Cherubim stand in the presence of God. All of this is confirmed by EGW in the following statements quoted from the SDA Bible Commentary and Desire of Ages: Ezekiel 28:14 (SDABC4): 14. Anointed cherub. The original position of Satan is illustrated by the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat in the Jewish Temple. Lucifer, the Covering Cherub, stood in the liGht of the presence of God. He was the hiGhest of all created beinGs, and foremost in revealing (MESSENGER, MESSAGE) God’s purposes to the universe (see DA 758, emphasis added) But even as a sinner, man was in a different position from that of Satan. Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God's glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God's love (THE LAW). Understanding the character of God (THE LAW) knowing His goodness, Satan chose to follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final... DA 761.5, emphasis added). As we look at the Biblical passages concerning the Covering Cherubim we will always see one or more of these descriptive words identifying their office: “sent,” “sent by God,” “stand in the presence of God,” “angel,” (which also means messenger),” “messenger,” “message,” “angel of the Lord.” 3 The questions we want to explore here are (not necessarily in this order): 1. Who served as Covering Cherub with Lucifer? 2. Was Michael, whom we understand to be the Son of God, ever a Covering Cherub? 3. Did anyone replace Lucifer as Covering Cherub, and if so, who was it? GABRIEL We begin by studying the angel Gabriel, because by studying him we will be able to answer all of these questions, which will become apparent. Gabriel is mentioned by name four times in the Bible, and each time, he is playing the role of a messenger who has been sent directly by God to a human being in order to relay a specific messaGe. The first mention of his name is in the Book of Daniel: 1. And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision (Daniel 8:15-16, emphasis added). Here we see a “man” sending Gabriel to make Daniel “understand the vision.” It is well accepted that this “man” was Michael—Jesus; this will become apparent shortly. Michael, who also is God, sent Gabriel to relay a specific message to Daniel: “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” In Daniel chapter nine Gabriel is again mentioned by name, as he is sent to talk to Daniel a second time: 2. And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, beinG caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to Give thee skill and understanding (Daniel 9:20-22, emphasis added). 4 Gabriel was “caused to fly swiftly,” that is, immediately, as soon as Daniel prayed. He was sent to “inform” Daniel, to give him “skill and understanding” regarding the vision. Again, he is acting as one who is sent by God as a messenger. Gabriel is mentioned by name a third time, now in the NT: 3. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth... And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (Luke 1:5, 11-19, emphasis added). Gabriel, the Covering Cherub, is again sent from God to relay a messaGe, this time to Zacharias. Gabriel came to give Zacharias a messaGe from God as one who stood in the presence of God. Only the Covering Cherubim stood in the “presence of God” as is made clear by the sanctuary in the desert (they were positioned in the Most Holy Place—a representation of God’s throne room) and also by Gabriel’s own words to Zacharias, as shown above.