Throughout history, theologians have tried to map out elaborate hierarchies of angels. They’ve tried to make categories neatly arranged from highest to lowest.
There's the high order of Seraphim and Cherubim, burning with the fire of God's presence.
There's the mysterious middle order of Dominions, Virtues, and Powers, governing cosmic realities we barely understand.
Then there are the personal orders engaged directly with humanity: Principalities and Archangels.
While the Bible doesn't provide an explicit organizational chart, it certainly hints at a stunning diversity among angelic beings.
Isaiah vividly describes the Seraphim in this way: their six wings covering their faces and feet as they cry out continually, "Holy, holy, holy!" (Isaiah 6:2-3)
Yet the cherubim appear even more frequently throughout Scripture, intimately linked to the throne of God and His holy presence.
They guard the sacred spaces (Genesis 3:24). They adorn the Ark of the Covenant with golden wings stretched toward one another (Exodus 25). They appear as divine chariots carrying God's throne through cosmic realms (Ezekiel 10).
Cherubim magnify God's holiness. They reflect His majesty, His power, His absolute purity.
They remind us that God is not safe.
But He is good.
Cherubim are mysterious, overwhelming beings described throughout Scripture as guardians of God's sacred presence.
When humanity fell, cherubim took their post at Eden, barring the way to the Tree of Life with that flaming sword. (Genesis 3:24)
In Ezekiel's vision, each cherub bears four faces: a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14)
Think about that. Wisdom. Majesty. Strength. Transcendence.
Their very form declares the manifold glory of God's throne.
The tabernacle and temple were adorned with images of cherubim—woven into curtains, carved into walls, cast in gold. Constant reminders of God's holiness, His glory, His abiding presence with Israel.
And here's what moves me:
The very Ark of the Covenant—where God promised to meet His people—was covered by two golden cherubim, their wings stretched toward one another, overshadowing the mercy seat. (Exodus 25:17-22)
Do you see it?
Cherubim became visual symbols of both God's judgment and His mercy. His protection and His purity.
Ezekiel sees them bearing the throne of God, moving in perfect unity, their wings creating a sound like thunder. (Ezekiel 10)
In Revelation, cherub-like beings surround the throne, ceaselessly declaring God's eternal holiness. (Revelation 4:6-9)
They never stop. They never tire.
Because God's holiness is inexhaustible.
Cherubim teach us something crucial about God and about ourselves.
Their fierce guardianship reminds us that God's holiness isn't casual. It's sacred. Approaching His presence is no trivial matter.
You can't just waltz into the throne room with dirty hands and a careless heart.
Yet their presence near the mercy seat also reveals God's deep, aching desire to dwell among His people.
Holiness and intimacy coexist within His divine character.
The cherubim are heavenly pointers—directing our gaze not to themselves, but to the One whose holiness demands reverence and whose presence invites intimacy.
And here's what astonishes me:
Unlike angels, we humans alone bear the image of God. We alone have experienced the redemption that angels long to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)
The cherubim are magnificent. But they're not the point.
As the angel said to John, overwhelmed by heavenly splendor:
"Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you... Worship God!" (Revelation 19:10)
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Friend, remember this today:
The holiness that those cherubim guard with flaming swords is now freely available to you through Jesus Christ.
The veil separating humanity from God's holy presence has been torn. (Matthew 27:51)
The flaming sword barring Eden has been sheathed at Calvary.
You have access again.
So come with awe.
Come with reverence.
But come boldly before His throne.
The cherubim aren't keeping you out anymore.
Jesus made a way in.
