Ezekiel 9: 1 – 6
‘Visitors from outer space’ Part 1
1 Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, “Let those who have charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand.” 2 And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar.3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” 5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
We will see here God using angels to serve Him through protecting and destroying humans. Those who have charge over the city are His angels, which have received specific assignments. We know this fact as listed for us in the book of Daniel 10: 5 – 21,
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” 15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” 18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
I would like to take a little time to share some details about angels so we know who they are and what they do.
Our Magnificent and Holy God is a Trinity. That is three distinct Holy Persons in the God Head that we know as our Father [Yahweh and Jehovah], The Son – our Precious Lord Jesus Christ [Yeshua] and the Holy Spirit. What we have a hard time with is the fact that They have always existed.
At some period in existence The Holy Trinity decided to create angels. We read in Psalms 104: 4 this,
“4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.”
Angels are spiritual beings like our God. So how many are there? Psalm 68: 17 tells us a little bit regarding this question,
“17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.”
They number is so large as being un-numbered. So, at this point every angel was good. The Holy God also established different levels of authority for angels, some higher in responsibility than others. The book of Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10 is one such verse that tells us about the different levels of angels,
“10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places”,
Things changed dramatically in heaven when a certain incident occurred. Isaiah 14 says, 12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.”
Ezekiel 28 also says, 12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “ You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16 “ By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. 17 “ Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you. 18 “ You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth. In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, and shall be no more forever.”’”
One of God’s highest ranking angel, if not the highest ranked one, was Lucifer. He was one of God’s cherubs or one who had the awesome privilege to be set at God’s throne room. Because of ‘pride’ his name became Satan or the Devil. His influence was so great that he convinced one-third of the angels to rebel with him as the book of Revelation 12: 4 tells us,
“4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”
So now we see two groups of angels – bad and good. Here then is a description of God’s angelic host starting with those who have remained faithful to God. We see from the book of Ezekiel angels called cherub(im).
“5 Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. 10 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.”
In Ezekiel chapter 10 we find out more about cherub[im],
2 Then He spoke to the man clothed with linen, and said, “Go in among the wheels, under the cherub, fill your hands with coals of fire from among the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” And he went in as I watched.3 Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court. 4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and paused over the threshold of the temple; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory. 5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of Almighty God when He speaks. 6 Then it happened, when He commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside the wheels. 7 And the cherub stretched out his hand from among the cherubim to the fire that was among the cherubim, and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed with linen, who took it and went out. 8 The cherubim appeared to have the form of a man’s hand under their wings. 9 And when I looked, there were four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub and another wheel by each other cherub; the wheels appeared to have the color of a beryl stone. 10 As for their appearance, all four looked alike—as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 11 When they went, they went toward any of their four directions; they did not turn aside when they went, but followed in the direction the head was facing. They did not turn aside when they went. 12 And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, were full of eyes all around. 13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “Wheel.” 14 Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. 15 And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar. 16 When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also did not turn from beside them. 17 When the cherubim stood still, the wheels stood still, and when one was lifted up, the other lifted itself up, for the spirit of the living creature was in them. 18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. 19 And the cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels were beside them; and they stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. 20 This is the living creature I saw under the God of Israel by the River Chebar, and I knew they were cherubim.
These angels are always associated with the holiness of God. When Adam sinned God placed cherubim’s to guard the way to the Tree of Life. They represent the righteous government of God and are the executioners of God’s righteous judgment. They have four faces [lion, ox, man, and an eagle]. Also, they have four wings with eyes all around. There at least 4 around the Throne of God and we have read how He placed at least two at the entrance to the Garden of Eden.
You can’t sneak up behind them. They are perfect watchmen. With the four faces nothing is behind nor beside them. The wings stretched upward reveals reverence and submission. The jewel beryl and chrysolite are yellow or golden. The Lion represents strength, and fierceness. The man’s face speaks of mind, reason, affection and things that encompass a human being. [It is interesting that when our Holy God created the cherubim we see that he already thought of creating man, pretty neat huh?] The ox’s face is an animal that patience labored for his owner. He is strong, able to bear a burden, and knows his owner. Lastly, the eagle represents a divine bird that flies above the storms, where there is only sorrows, dangers, and distress. A swift bird that has keen eyesight. It is also strong and powerful – never becoming weary
Another group of angels are called Seraph[im]. The word Seraph means ‘burning ones’ or nobles. They are also sometimes called the ‘ones of love’ because their name comes from the Hebrew root for love. There are only mentioned by the prophet Isaiah which tells us this in chapter 6,
“1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “ Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “ Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “ Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”
You will notice that they have six wings, not four like the Cherubim. They use only two for flying. With two they cover their faces. Being so close to God they would witness His full Glory. The other two covered their feet. Feet are considered unclean and therefore not worthy to be shown in God’s Presence.
Their positions in the Throne room are flying above God’s Throne, unlike the cherubim who are beside and around the throne. Their primary duty is to constantly glorify and praise God and they may also be the personal ‘attendants’ who serve God. Their eternal song is ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His Glory.’ In Hebrew, when you use the same word three times means that the person or object is utterly like the word. So calling God Holy three times means that God Is utterly and perfectly Holy.
We also see in the Throne room of our Holy God – 4 Living Creatures. They are revealed to us in the book of Revelation chapter 4,
“ 1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “ You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”
These amazing created beings have features in common with both the Seraphim in having 6 wings and who continually are praising God. They are also like the Cherubim with eyes all around and features of a Lion, Eagle, Ox, and man. The difference is that instead of having four faces, each Living Creature individually takes on the whole form of an ox, another a lion, another an eagle, and another a man.
Gabriel is another good angel mentioned in the bible. His name means ‘God’s Hero’ and he is God’s special messenger. On several occasions he is given the job of coming to earth to give important announcements and tell of special events as revealed in the following scriptures;
Daniel 8: 16, “16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
He appeared to Daniel and gave him the message from God about how much he is loved by all of heaven.
Luke 1: 19 – 38, “19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Gabriel showed and informed Zacharias that his prayers as the ‘special priest’ who offered the incense of the people which asked for God to send His ‘Anointed’ was going to be fulfilled by God and secondly that his prayers for a son would also be granted. It was also Gabriel who had the amazing job of telling Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, the King of the Universe. It is also likely that he was the one who spoke to Joseph and told him that Mary would have a special baby called Jesus.
Then we have an innumerable amount of angels who serve God in various ministries. They have the ability to take on the form of men. Hebrews 13: 2 tells us, “2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
They have appeared throughout the Bible as males. They are not sexless. Like us they have the freedom of choice and some of them have made the wrong choices and will ultimately pay for these sins.
Genesis 6: 1 – 2 reports, “1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.”
Our Holy Lord God loved them so much He even referred to them as His sons. As you can see they sinned by sexual acts and God immediately dealt with this sin. Some were so bad that they immediately were placed under confinement. Think about this, if God did not turn a blind eye towards His angels sexual sin, what makes us humans think that we can get away with our types of sexual sins?
The chief of the fallen angels is Satan. What does he look like? Ezekiel tells us in chapter 28, 14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”
He was the ‘Anointed’ Cherub. We have discussed previously who the cherubim are. Remember that they have four faces – man, lion, ox, and an eagle. This scripture takes on new meaning then,
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
One of Satan’s four faces is that of a lion. He goes about this face in his pursuit of devouring mankind.
Notice also that he is mentioned as the ‘anointed cherub’. He is the only angel ‘anointed’ for a high position. Perhaps this is one of the major reasons why he hates our Lord Jesus Christ so much. Our Lord and savior is also known as God’s Messiah – His Anointed! God Himself took away the ‘anointed’ title.
As mentioned before there are various levels of angels and this applies to fallen angels as well. At the Last Supper Satan possessed Judas. Throughout the Bible you read of incidents involving possession of humans by demons and this still goes on today as well. To be possessed you have to offer yourself.
1 John 4: 4 says, “4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
If you are a Christian you cannot be possessed as our Lord informs us through His Holy Word.
Now we can understand more clearly as we look at Ezekiel 9
