God’s Royal Seed—Luke’s Gospel Introduction

Luke 3:21-38 records the lineage of Jesus Christ from Adam through Mary.  Prior to King David the lineage of the royal “Seed” is identical to that recorded in Matthew 1:2-17.  However, Luke’s recorded genealogy from Joseph to David differs greatly from Jesus genealogy depicted in Matthew.  Most theologians believe Luke’s genealogy is that of Jesus’ mother Mary, and Matthew’s genealogy describes Joseph’s lineage—that of Jesus’ legal father.  It passes through Solomon and his royal kingly descendants thereafter.  Jesus lineage through Mary passes from King David through his son Nathan and a different line of descendants.  The two lineages join at Shealtiel and Zerubbabel.

Mary’s lineage in the Gospel of Luke records only several names other than Zerubbabel that have any familiarity to students of Scripture.  Mattathias is listed several times in Luke’s genealogy and Nahum appears only once.  This article will investigate Mattathias, his grandfather Nahum, and Zerubbabel—what little we know about these men.

The Line of Jesus Through Mary

Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:23:38).

David had two sons who became progenitors of two branches of the lineage of Joseph and Mary, ending in the Royal Seed, Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Matthew depicts the genealogy of Joseph beginning with Abraham, connecting with King David, and progressing through King Solomon and his descendants.  The Gospel of Luke records the lineage of Jesus through His mother Mary.  It begins with Adam, progresses to Abraham, then to King David (in similar fashion as Matthew’s genealogy).  It then forks through David’s older son with Bathsheeba, Nathan.  Mary’s genealogy in Luke records mostly obscure names after David’s son, Nathan.  Most of these are not recorded elsewhere in the Bible and historians have found scant information about them in extra-Biblical sources.  The reason is these men were not in the lineage of Jewish kings that descend from King David. Zerubbabel, Mattathias, and Nahum stand apart as the only exceptions to the relative obscurity of the other personages.

Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel became a very prominent man in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.  Isaiah recorded an incredibly detailed prophecy over one hundred and fifty years before the birth of King Cyrus.  The prophecy actually gave the name of this King and recorded he would issue a proclamation to free the Jewish people to return to their homeland and rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem.[1]  This prophecy was given over a hundred years before the Jews were ever deported as slaves to Babylon.  The Babylonian Empire did not even exist in Isaiah’s lifetime!  The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the great temple Solomon had built for God.  King Cyrus arose as the first King of the subsequent MedoPersian Empire.  It conquered the Babylonian Empire and supplanted Babylon as the de-facto world superpower.  King Cyrus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy shortly thereafter, issuing an edict to free the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Jerusalem Temple.  Zerubbabel led a contingent of Jews from Babylon along with the High Priest, Joshua (Jeshua—the same name as our Lord).  They immigrated to Israel.  Zerubbabel then governed the region of Jerusalem under the MedoPersian King Cyrus. Zerubbabel and Joshua directed the rebuilding of the Jewish temple on Mount Moriah. 

Zerubbabel had several sons and one daughter (1 Chron. 3:19). It is not clear why God disqualified his sons from carrying the Royal Seed.  However, their sister, Shelomith, was gifted the opportunity and carried the bloodline of Jesus.  She passed it to her eldest son, Abiud, and then it continued ultimately through Mary to Jesus.

Nahum

The name Nahum means, “comfort.”  It is a short form of the name Nehemiah, which means “comfort of Yahweh.” King Artaxerxes dispatched Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem in 446 B.C. during the MedoPersian Empire.  This occurred several generations after Zerubbabel and King Cyrus. 

The Biblical prophet Nahum lived about 200 years earlier than Zerubbabel, just prior to the fall of the Assyrian Empire.  Yet his name is mentioned in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus several generations after Zerubbabel.  This author believes the Nahum listed in Luke’s genealogy is a different man than the notable Biblical prophet who prophesied the downfall of the great Assyrian Empire.  But the Bible does not mention this name anywhere else.  It is probable Nahum listed in Jesus’ genealogy was named after the great prophet.  The names of godly men of Israel were often used in subsequent generations. 

Nahum 1: 1 states the original Nahum was an Elkoshite, which likely refers to his birthplace.  Many have tried to locate the city or village of Elkosh, but its location has not been conclusively established.  Some have linked a city in northern Iraq, Al Qosh, to Nahum’s birthplace or residence. This would place he or his parents among the Jewish exiles taken by the Assyrians into northern Iraq around 700 B.C. Capernaum was a famous town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which became the center of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Capernaum means “the village of Nahum.”  Biblical scholars attribute its name to this Biblical prophet.  Perhaps Nahum was among the notable residents of this village before the Assyrians exiled him into northern Iraq.  Some have theorized the original name of Capernaum was Elkosh and was later named Capernaum to commemorate Nahum.  If this is true, he was originally a citizen of that city, then moved to Judah after the Assyrian invasion of Israel.  Several other possibilities have been proposed, as well.

Nahum prophesied against Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, during their zenith of power.  His ministry probably occurred before 626 B.C., but after 663 B.C., because he notes the fall of No-amon (Thebes) in Nahum 3: 8-10, which occurred in 626 B.C.  Nahum probably wrote his book of prophecy during the reign of Manasseh, the wicked King of Judah (695-642 B.C.).[2]  It is also possible Nahum prophesied during the reign of Manasseh’s son, Amon, or his grandson, Josiah.  

A century after Nineveh had repented from the Word of God spoken by the prophet Jonah it had fallen into idolatry and violence once again. The Assyrians had become absolutely brutal in their conquests.  They frequently impaled their victims on spears and paraded them before citizens of cities they conquered.  Assyrians also skinned their victims and adorned their tent walls with these skins. God was fed up with Nineveh’s arrogance and evil ways.  It was judgment time, and Nahum detailed the methods of God’s judgment.

Nahum prophesied Nineveh would fall “with an overflowing flood.”[3]  This later occurred in 612 B.C. when the Tigris River overflowed enough to destroy a portion of the 100-foot wall surrounding Nineveh, allowing the Babylonian military to enter the city.  Nahum prophesied Nineveh would be hidden.[4]  After the Babylonians destroyed it in 612 B.C., it was literally buried by desert sands.  It was not rediscovered until 1842 A.D.—over 2,400 years later.

It is interesting the village of Capernaum was named after Nahum.  That same town provided a home for Jesus and His Apostles during His earthly ministry.  Many of Jesus’ most famous miracles occurred in Capernaum or its environs.  Peter and his fishing buddies worked out of Capernaum.  Peter’s wife and mother-in-law lived there.[5]  Capernaum was just several miles down the road from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up as a child. His parents had previously resided in Nazareth with their families.  Could this very Nahum, after whom the village of Capernaum was named, be in the genealogy of Mary?  In view of the fact it is closely located to Mary and Joseph’s hometown, this seems possible.  But the supportive data is scant and we will have to wait till we reach heaven to hear the rest of the story.  Some have conjectured the prophet, Nahum, is in Christ’s lineage. This author believes the Nahum in Jesus’ genealogy was named after the famous prophet. The 500-year duration between the prophet Nahum and Mattathias is a long stretch to make him grandfather of Mattathias (as portrayed in Luke’s genealogy).  Also, recall Zerubbabel lived after the prophet Nahum, but is listed earlier in Luke’s genealogy.  All this points to a different Nahum for each of the two Biblical listings.  However, one of Nahum’s later descendants may have taken his name and appeared in the genealogy of Mary.

Mattathias

Luke’s genealogy lists the grandson of Nahum as Mattathias.  It also lists his great grandfather as Maath and great, great grandfather as Mattathias.

Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel (Luke 3: 24-27).

Heli was father of Mary and father-in-law of Joseph.  The names of men preceding Heli sound strange to modern ears, but four of eleven of these men were given the name Mattathias or a derivative of that name.  The name Mattathias became very popular in the two centuries preceding Jesus Christ.  In fact, the tax collector Matthew, called by Jesus as a disciple, was named after the most famous of these men, Mattathias.  He was likely the earliest one listed in Jesus lineage.

Mattathias was a priest during and after the invasion of Israel by Antiochus Epiphanes 168-165 B.C.  The Apocryphal Books of Maccabbees recorded his story.  These books are not in the Bible, but are excellent historical references of the events of “the silent years” following completion of the Old Testament by Malachi’s prophetic work.

Many argue the Hasmonean priest Mattathias was indeed in Jesus lineage.  Mattathias ministered as the senior Jewish priest in the city of Modin—just a short distance from the capital city of Jerusalem. He actively resisted the cruel edicts of Antiochus Epiphanes, a wicked Syrian King who had invaded and controlled Israel in that time.  Mattathias became a hero of the Jewish people as a result of his resistance.

Antiochus Epiphanes ordered a pig sacrificed on the altar of the Jerusalem temple and had its blood sprinkled throughout the Holy of Holies. His men poured pig broth over the holy scrolls, then burned them to ashes.  Syrian soldiers erected a statue of Zeus (the supreme god of the Greek pantheon) on the temple grounds that portrayed the face of Antiochus Epiphanes.  Shock and horror spread throughout the Jewish people.

Antiochus Epiphanes continued his rampage, commanding all Jews who worshipped the God of Moses be executed. His soldiers snuffed out the life of countless circumcised Jewish infants by running them through with swords.  The lifeless infants were then hung from their mothers’ necks until the corpses rotted.  Women were tossed from the city walls.  Entire Jewish families were executed if Biblical scrolls were found in house searches.  Jewish rabbis were killed and Jewish citizens forced to eat pork, forbidden by the Mosaic Law. Jews were forced to decide between assimilation or annihilation.

Many Jewish believers gave their lives during this dark time. Syrian military detachments were sent throughout the land to enforce Greek culture and punish any dissidents.  One detachment was dispatched to the tiny village of Modin, located 17 miles from Jerusalem.  The Syrian soldiers ordered an altar erected to worship Zeus.  They convened the village people and ordered the senior priest of the village, Mattathias, to sacrifice a pig to Zeus in honor of Antiochus Epiphanes.  He adamantly refused to sacrifice the pig. But an apostate priest approached the altar and requested to perform the sacrifice. Mattathias tore the sword from the hand of the Syrian guard and killed him, then thrust the sword through the apostate priest preparing to sacrifice the swine.[6]  Mattathias, his five sons and their followers fled to the wilderness to hide from the Syrian army, who intended to capture and execute them.

Mattathias died shortly thereafter.  On his deathbed he chose his son, Judah, to lead the revolt.  The number of faithful rebels steadily grew, and they called themselves Maccabees, after a Jewish word meaning “hammer.”  They waged terrorist warfare, ambushing Syrian troops by stealth and surprise.  The rebellion raged for three years and gradually broke the Syrian occupation.  Many newlyweds named their sons Mattathias from that time forward to commemorate the heroic actions of this man. 

The most authentic ancient source of Mattathias genealogy is provided in the First Book of Maccabees: "Mattathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joiarib, from Jerusalem; and he dwelt at Modin."[7]  Simeon is also listed in Luke’s genealogy as father of the first Mattathias. The Jewish historian, Josephus, traces the genealogy back for another generation, mentioning Hasmonæus after Simeon.[8] But Hasmonæus is not likely Mattathias' great-grandfather, but rather a distant ancestor. The fact the names Mattathias, John and Simeon recur in the family lineage in subsequent generations after Mattathias, while the name "Hasmonæus" is not found in that period, lends proof that this man lived in a much earlier time in history. The name Mattathias recurs in the person of his grandson, a son of Simon.[9] A derivative of this name also occurs several additional times in Jesus lineage as mentioned above. 

This author cannot maintain with certainty this same Mattathias is in the direct lineage of Jesus through Mary.  But many believe it is highly likely.  If true, the genealogy of Jesus portrays the Kingly line from Judah, the priestly line of Levi, with prophets possibly in His lineage, as well!   The Books of Genesis and Revelation depict Jesus as the Lion King who will reign forever over His creation.[10]  The Book of Hebrews portrays Jesus as the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.[11]  Moses speaks of Jesus as the great prophet who is to come.[12]

Conclusion

Zerubbabel, Nahum and Mattathias carried the ‘Royal Seed’ of Jesus Christ and passed it down to subsequent generations.  God’s “Seed” finally arrived at its destination in a babe born in very impoverished circumstances.  This babe was laid in a cow trough (a manger) and clothed in burial clothes.  Normal parents of this time had low expectations that a child born in these conditions would even survive.  Infant mortality was very high.  But Jesus’ parents were not normal.  God had planted great faith and hope in their hearts.  They carried the Royal Seed of God’s only Son, begotten in human flesh for the sole purpose of paying the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind.  This infant babe would later open the path to the Tree of Life and its heavenly environs for countless myriads of people.  The path to this ordinary looking babe passed through very ordinary people, about whom we know very little.  Most of these ordinary individuals were like us—not famous, wealthy, or of Kingly lineage.  God used these ordinary people to bring forth His Son—His Royal Seed.  God still uses ordinary people today to bring forth bounties of fruit from that Royal Seed.  Are you one of those ordinary people?

[1] Isaiah 41: 2-4, 25; Isaiah 44: 28-45: 6; Ezra 1: 1-2; 6: 3

[2] 2Kings 21: 1-18

[3] Nahum 1: 8

[4] Nahum 3: 11

[5] Mark 1: 21-31

[6] 2Maccabees chapter 2

[7] I Macc. 2: 1

[8] Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews. xii. 6, § 1

[9] I Macc. 16: 14

[10] Genesis 49: 8-12; Revelation 5: 5

[11] Hebrews 7: 17

[12] Deut. 18: 18; Matt. 21: 11; Luke 1: 76; Luke 7: 16

Submission—An Important Skill for All Christians

Introduction

Submission is not a word Christians like to hear.  It is definitely not hard-wired into the human nature.  Men and women are very independent creatures who like to exert their will over others and aspire to top positions in the pecking order.  As we shall soon see, it was not that way in the beginning.  Submission is a high calling for all God’s children.  Why is that?  And why does God even consider it important?  The Biblical Scriptures that follow will supply the answers to these important questions. God has supplied these answers through multiple writers in both the Old and New Testaments.  Even Jesus Christ has weighed in on this fundamental issue.

What Do the Scriptures Say?

Why is submission so difficult?  It certainly does not come natural for believers.  The answer to that question lies in the first Book of the Bible—Genesis.

Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Gen. 2: 15-17).

We know the rest of the story.  Eve capitulated to Satan’s temptation and ate fruit from that very tree.  Adam quickly followed in disobedience to God.  The failure to submit to God’s simple instructions precipitated a catastrophic fall of mankind into sin.  All Adam’s descendants are born with a sin nature that cannot be removed by human hands.

This original sin precipitated many long-lasting consequences for the human race.  Human rebellion against authority is one of these consequences.  God prophesied of this rebellion when He judged Adam and Eve after the fateful event.  “To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” (Gen. 3:16).  The word ‘desire’ refers to a longing for an elevated role of authority in the marriage relationship.  God prophesied Eve would resist the leadership of her husband, yet he would rule over her.  Submission would not come easy for Eve, or for any of her descendants.  This is exactly what has transpired over the course of history.  Human nature detests submission.  The natural desire of every human opposes authority.  Satan is the ruler of this world until Jesus subjects him to eternal punishment.  Satan continually revolts against God’s authority.  He does all in his power to drag mankind into his rebellion.  Humans born in sin are Satan’s children.  They reflect the nature of their father.  They behave like Satan.  They resist authority—especially within institutions established by God.  God foreknew ‘the fall’ and its consequences on humanity.  Therefore, He established His institutions early in this world to enable His plan to move forward.  The Book of Genesis delineates these institutions—marriage, government, family, and work.  Each institution requires the submission of its participants.  Satan hates these institutions and corrupts the hearts of his children to rebel against all of them.  Therefore, governments fall into anarchy, marriages crumble through divorce and homosexuality, and families loose their anchor.  Satan has blurred the definitions of all God’s institutions. When God reaches down to touch human hearts, He gives a new nature to each of His children.  Submission to His will and to His institutions becomes possible once again.  However, the old sin nature still desires dominance in every believer until Jesus removes the shackles of earthly bodies.  Nevertheless, He commands the submission of all believers to His institutions.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.  For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear (1Pet.2: 13-3:6).

Wow! The Apostle Peter penned these words when Roman rulers targeted Christians as deviants of society and persecuted them relentlessly. It would have been convenient for Peter to instruct believers to rebel against their oppressors.  Yet he commanded them to submit to authority.  That is God’s will.

Peter instructed slaves to submit to their masters, even when their demands brought unjustified pain and suffering. Jesus submitted to worldly authorities, even unto the cross, despite He had never committed sin nor voiced rebellion.  Most importantly, through His submission He bore a victory for God and for mankind that can never be annulled.  The fruit of this victory will continue to blossom to the very end of history.

In like manner, Peter instructed “wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.”  The he noted that even Abraham and godly men of old were exhorted to stay within the boundaries of God’s Word by the submissive behavior of their wives.  Wives naturally rebel against the authority of their husbands due to sinful human nature.  Peter asserts submission softens the hearts of sinful men and promotes godliness.  The Apostle Paul provided even more insight regarding submission of wives to husbands:

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband  (Eph. 5:22-33).

What a wonderful revelation!  If God’s people could only apply this in their marriages, the Body of Christ would have much greater influence in this world.

Ephesians chapter 5 reveals the mystery of marriage as the reflection of a magnificent union between Christ and His church.  The holy union of marriage presents a picture of the Body of Christ to the world.  If a marriage is broken it cannot reflect the oneness of Christ with His body.  This is a secret God held from the foundation of the world. The Christian wife submits to the authority of her husband because this reflects the submission of a believer and the church to Jesus Christ.  The husband provides spiritual guidance and addresses the material/emotional needs of his wife just as Jesus Christ does for His Body in this world.

But alas!  Marriage is in dissolution.  The divorce rate among Christian marriages is the same as non-believers—at least 50%.  Recent studies show this rate continues to creep higher.  Evil forces controlling this world have successfully pushed for liberal definitions of marriage.  Satan knows the Scripture—including this ‘mystery’ God has revealed to His children.  If marriage reflects the union of Christ with His church (His Body in this world) why not promote divorce and blur the definition of marriage?  Satan clearly understands such a debacle would tarnish the testimony of the Body of Christ.  When we pull back the curtain and examine the worldly evidence, it becomes painfully clear Satan has already accomplished this very thing.

Satan continues to corrupt God’s marriage institution.  He has pushed women to rise up and overthrow their bonds, usurping authority over their husbands.  He has promoted homosexual marriage.  Marriage no longer reflects the oneness of Christ with His church.

Who can undo this mess?  The Body of Christ is currently on very shaky ground.  The permanence of marriage and the ‘oneness’ of Jesus with His Body on this earth seems a distant mirage.  But we know the end of the story and it is glorious, indeed.  God has revealed this mystery to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation.

‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.’  It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Rev 19:9).

Somehow, someday, there will be a glorious eternal union between the Lamb and His bride—the Body of Christ.  The above Scripture describes the bride clothed in fine, bright linen, depicting the righteousness of Christ imputed to His followers.  Jesus will consummate that union.  God will make it happen, because He is omnipotent.  The current path Christians walk until that time is unclear.  But God has recorded instructions for His followers.

Marriage is a permanent covenant meant to last till death.  This should admonish every Christian to consider the seriousness of entering that covenant and the need to keep it ‘until death do us part.’  Likewise, members of Christ’s body have been united with Christ at salvation.  He has purchased them with His blood.  All believers are slaves to their Master Jesus.  He has commanded their allegiance.  Obedience reflects oneness with Him—a union that will last for eternity.

Peter instructed all believers to submit to governmental authorities, as noted earlier.  Several other New Testament authors have issued similar commands—Paul and Jesus Christ.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves (Romans 13: 1-2).

Paul instructs both believers and non-believers in this passage.  Hence, governments establish laws and consequences for breaking them in all nations of the world.  God supports submission to leaders in power, even if they are evil.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away (Matt. 22: 15-22).

Even Jesus affirmed submission to governmental authorities.  The poll tax was an onerous burden for all Jews living in the Roman Empire at that time.  They detested it and shared great resentment towards the Romans.  Yet Jesus admonished them to pay it because that was the law of the land.

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ (1Cor. 11:3).

The above verse not only confirms Paul’s earlier teaching in Ephesians, but it also gives insight that submission is very important to God. Truly, it is a reality within the Godhead!  The woman submits to man within marriage and the church.  The man submits to Jesus Christ, and Jesus submits to God the Father.  Jesus’ life portrayed the reality of submission within the Godhead. The following Scriptures demonstrate this principle.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day (John 6: 37-39).

Jesus lived by the principle of submission.  He submitted to worldly authorities, but most importantly, He submitted to His Father in heaven through all His accomplishments in this world.  Submission within the Godhead is extremely important.  There is no resistance and no complaining.  It just comes naturally.

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5: 19-23).

“I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one Shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (John 10: 14-18).

Jesus’ prayer to God the Father prior to His suffering and crucifixion reveals His submission to the Father.

“I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. “Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they receivedthem and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled(John 17: 4-12).

Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt: 26: 38-39).

Conclusion

Submission naturally occurs within the Godhead as Jesus demonstrated by His own words and behavior.  Submission glorifies God, our Father.  The creation submits to the will of the Creator.  He commands all His adopted children to live by this standard.  Satan is a rebel and resists God’s authority. When believers reject submission to God’s institutions, they manifest their old sinful nature.  Satan controls that nature and he opposes God.  The spirit of a believer is always at war with the flesh.  Submission is a battle the spirit must win, for it reflects the very Godhead operating in this world.  A believer is no different from a worldly unbeliever if he flaunts submission in his life. He merely follows Satan’s leadership. Yet the believer who faithfully submits portrays a wonderful picture of how the Godhead works.  As Jesus instructed His disciples the night before He was crucified while washing their feet at the Passover supper: “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13: 16).

Cherubim- God’s Secret Service Force

Introduction

God created the angels. They worship and serve their Creator.  The fallen angels follow their commander, Satan.  These will also ultimately bow to revere their Creator.

At least 34 books of the Bible teach the existence of angels.  The Scriptures use the word ‘angel’ at least 275 times.

Angels are a higher order of creation than man.  The Scripture commands men not to worship angels.[1] The eternal God is the only acceptable One to worship. God created the angels before He created the world.[2] He created them all holy and without sin.[3] They are subject to the authority of Jesus Christ.[4]  They execute the purposes of Jesus Christ.[5] Angels even ministered to Jesus during His earthly life.[6]

The angels are of different orders.[7] God also made various kinds of angels. Michael is the archangel.[8]  Gabriel is angel in Scripture charged with delivering God’s message to humans.  There are guardian angels.[9]God created seraphim, who worship God.[10] Angels minister to believers,[11] to the nations,[12] and even to unbelievers by announcing impending acts of God’s judgment and executing His commands.[13]  Angels have great power,[14] and God created them for an eternal existence.[15] God created a myriad of angels.[16]

This article will discuss the angels God made to guard His holiness.  They are named cherubim.  We shall see these angels also guard the precious sacrifice of blood for the covering of man’s sin.

 The Cherubim

The Bible describes that God created Lucifer as His “anointed cherub who covers.”  He was the most beautiful of God’s created beings until sin was found in him.  Lucifer, the ‘Light Bearer’ became Satan, ‘the Adversary.’

“You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there.  You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked in the midst of the stones of fire.  You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.  By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned; therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God.  And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezek. 28: 14-16).

The ‘stones of fire’ likely refer to the other cherubim God had created.  God left others of these angelic warriors to prevent entrance into the Garden of Eden.

So He drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3: 24).

This is the first Scripture to mention the cherubim.  This is a plural word.  The singular angel is called a cherub.  Cartoons and fairy tales of mythology portray a cherub as a fat baby angel with rosy cheeks and wings who floats on clouds.  That picture is far from the reality, as we shall soon see.  The above verse portrays the cherubim with a flaming sword guarding against access to the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life.  The Tree of Life confers eternal life in a sinless state.  God has set it apart from man as holy, and the cherubim make certain God’s will is carried out.

“The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!” (Psalm 99: 1).

“He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers” (Psalm 104: 4).

And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire” (Hebrews 1: 7).

“and He rode on a cherub and flew; and He appeared on the wings of the wind” (2Sam. 22: 11).

God rides on and above the cherubim.  His very throne rests upon them.  The Holy Scriptures portray the cherubim as God’s angelic ‘ministers of fire’ and ‘messengers of the winds.’  They defensively protect God and aggressively fend off any incursion into His territory.

The prophet Ezekiel contributes the majority of what we know about cherubim.  Ezekiel’s image describes the cherubim as fearsome, powerful beings.  They guard God’s Holy presence from sin and corruption.  The Bible often portrays them around the throne of God. The cherubim have four faces on four sides of their heads.  They can travel in any direction without having to turn.  The word Cherub originates from a Hebrew term ‘to guard’ which fits their role. Far from fairytales of cute, cuddly creatures, the cherubim are the mighty and powerful guardians of God.

As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.  Within it there were figures resembling four living beings.  And this was their appearance: they had human form.  Each of them had four faces and four wings.  Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze.  Under their wings on their four sides were human hands.  As for the faces and wings of the four of them, their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward.  As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.  Such were their faces.  Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.  And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.  In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings.  The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire.  And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.  Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them.  The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another.  Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved.  As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about.  Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them.  And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also.  Whenever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction.  And the wheels rose close beside them, for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.  Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still.  And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.  Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads.  Under the expanse their wings were stretched out strait, one toward the other; each one also had two wings covering its body on the one side and on the other.  I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.  And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads.  Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.  Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.  As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance.  Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.  And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking (Ezekiel 1: 4-28).

Then I looked, and behold, in the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim something like a sapphire stone, in appearance resembling a throne appeared above them.  And He spoke to the man clothed in linen and said, “Enter between the whirling wheels under the cherubim and fill your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city.”  And he entered in my sight.  Now the cherubim were standing on the right side of the temple when the man entered, and the cloud filled the inner court.  Then the glory of the Lord went up from cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the cloud and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord.  Moreover, the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.  It came about when He commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim,” he entered and stood beside a wheel.  Then the cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire which was between the cherubim, took some and put it into the hands of the one clothed in linen, who took it and went out.  The cherubim appeared to have the form of a man’s hand under their wings.  Then I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like the gleam of a Tarshish stone.  As for their appearance, all four of them had the same likeness, as if one wheel were within another wheel.  When they moved, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went; but they followed in the direction which they faced, without turning as they went.  Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around, the wheels belonging to all four of them.  The wheels were called in my hearing, the whirling wheels.  And each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.  Then the cherubim rose up.  They are the living beings that I saw by the river Chebar.  Now when the cherubim moved, the wheels would go beside them; also when the cherubim lifted up their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels would not turn from beside them.  When the cherubim stood still, they wheels would stand still; and when they rose up, the wheels would rise with them, for the spirit of the living beings was in them.  Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim.  When the cherubim departed, they lifted their wings and rose up from the earth in my sight with the wheels beside them; and they stood still at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them.  These are the living beings that I saw beneath the God of Israel by the river Chebar; so I knew that they were cherubim.  Each one had four faces and each one four wings, and beneath their wings was the form of human hands (Ezek. 10: 1-21).

The backs, hands, wings and wheels of the cherubim are covered with eyes (10:12).  Nothing escapes the sight of these powerful creatures.  The four faces of the cherubim resemble a cherub, a man, a lion, and an eagle (10:14).  The cherub face was given the face of an ox in the earlier scripture of chapter 1.  Perhaps the faces can manifest different appearances according to God’s will. Each cherub possesses four wings, two of which cover their bodies, and two extend upward. They travel on “a wheel within a wheel” (Ezekiel 1:16) and move in any direction like a flash of lightning. Their appearance is brilliant like fire and their wings sound like a great waterfall. The cherubim appear to have the form of a man’s hand under their wings (Ezek. 1:8; 10: 7-8, 21).

The imagery of Revelation 4: 6-9 also appears to describe cherubim. Here, the cherubim serve the purpose of magnifying the holiness and power of God. This is true in other Biblical Scriptures, as well. In addition to singing God’s praises, they also serve as a visible portrayal of God’s majesty and glory and His abiding presence with His people.

Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder.  And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.  The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.  And the four living creatures, each one of the them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Rev. 4: 5-8).

The Apostle John apprehended the “four living creatures” nearly identical to Ezekiel’s image of cherubim 600 years earlier.  These four living creatures are likely cherubim.  The only difference between the visions is John visualized each creature with six wings, while Ezekiel’s vision depicts only four.  The wings are portrayed “full of eyes around and within,” suggesting that nothing escapes their gaze.  Each creature has four faces: a lion (symbolizing power and strength) a calf (portraying humble service rendered to God), a man (depicting a rational being), and an eagle (suggesting services swiftly executed).

God gave Moses directions for constructing the Tabernacle and its contents during the time He led the exodus of Israelites from Egypt into the desert.  The most important item of the Tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant, covered by the mercy seat and cherubim.  God directed it would reside in the Holy of Holies where His presence and glory dwelled.

“You shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat.  Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.  The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat.  You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you.  There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel” (Exodus 25: 18-22).

It is most interesting the cherubim and the mercy seat were made as one piece. It suggests the very close relationship of the Mercy Seat with God and also with His cherubim. In other verses, this entire piece was overlaid with hammered gold.

And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim (2Sam. 6: 2).

“Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!” (Psalm 80: 1).

This refers to the previous Scripture in Exodus 25, describing the Mercy Seat overlying the Ark of the Covenant. Cherubim sit above the ark, facing one another—guarding the Mercy Seat (the propitiatory).  Gold cherubim on the mercy seat signified the Holiness and royalty of God.

And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim: so He spoke to him (Numbers 7:89).

The word for ‘Mercy Seat’ is propitiatory.  A propitiation is a payment that satisfies God.  The High Priest applied blood sacrifices yearly to the Mercy Seat to atone for his sins and those of the Jewish nation.  Jesus lifeblood is the only payment that fully satisfies God for the sins of mankind.  The Mercy seat represents Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.  This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed” (Rom. 3: 23-25)

Therefore, He (Jesus) had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Heb. 2:17).

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb. 7: 26-27).

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1John 2:2).

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His SON to be the propitiation for our sins(1John 4:10).

 Conclusion

God created angelic beings, cherubim, as His agents of security.   They guard the things most important to God—His holiness and His mercy.  The Scriptures in Ezekiel portray that no sin or imperfection can get anywhere near God’s throne due to the constant vigilance of the cherubim and their fiery presence.  The Genesis record reveals God placed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden to prevent the entrance of sinful men.  He charged the cherubim to prevent any access to the Tree of Life, which bestows the gift of eternal life to God’s chosen.  Eternity in God’s presence is a gift only God can grant.  He freely extends this gift to all who come with their sins to the Mercy Seat.  The only atonement for these sins is the faithful acceptance of the blood sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the sole ‘propitiation’ for our sins.  His blood sacrifice fully satisfies God’s requirement for justice, but it must be appropriated by faith.  The Scriptures above also portray God’s angelic security agents guarding access to the Mercy Seat.  No human can access God’s mercy except by the ‘blood of Jesus.’  No other sacrifice will suffice.  The cherubim make certain God’s mercy is only conferred through the ‘blood of the Lamb’- Jesus.  The ‘blood of the Lamb’ opens the fountains of God’s mercy.  His mercy confers access to the ‘Tree of Life,’ and an eternal heavenly existence with God and all his celestial beings.

[1] Col. 1: 16; 2: 18; Rev. 19: 10; Heb.1:3-4, 6; Rev. 22: 9

[2] Job 38: 6-7

[3] Jude 6

[4] Eph. 1: 21; Col. 1: 16; 2: 10; 1Pet 3: 22; Heb. 1: 6-7, 14

[5] Mt. 13: 41; 24: 31

[6] Matt. 4: 11;  Matt. 26: 53; Matt. 28: 2; Luke 22: 43; John 1: 51

[7] Isa. 6: 2; Rom. 8: 38; 1Cor15: 24; Col. 1: 16; 1Thess. 4: 16; 1Pet. 3: 22; Jude 9; Rev. 12: 7

[8] Jude 9

[9] Heb. 1: 14 (for all people); Matt. 18: 10 (for children)

[10] Isa. 6: 1-3

[11] Heb 1: 14; Acts 12: 7; Dan. 9; Luke 16: 22; Acts 27: 23-24; 1Cor. 4: 9; 1Tim. 5: 21

[12] Dan. 12: 1; Dan. 10: 21; Rev. 8, 9, 16

[13] Gen. 19: 13; Rev. 14: 6-7, Acts 12: 23

[14] 2Peter 2: 11

[15] Luke 20: 36

[16] Heb. 12: 22