Genesis 3:24

So he drove out the man and he placed at the east of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life 

We have been reflecting on the Cherubims in our first encounter of it in the bible. In this encounter, the Cherubims are seen as keeping man from reaching out to the tree of life to take it. In further encounters in the scripture, we see them adorning the curtains and walls of the tabernacle in the wilderness and the temple of Solomon respectively. We see two Cherubims at either side of the Mercy Seat upon the ark of testimony. It’s easy to infer from this that the cherubims are actually intimately involved in the redemption of man. At first, they prevented man from taking the tree of life for his own goodness, then later we see them being integral parts of invitation to man to come take the tree of life.

In comparing scripture with scripture, we see, in chapter one of Ezekiel, four awesome beings by river of Chebar in Babylon described and get to know in the tenth chapter that they are actually cherubims.

And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight…. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew they were the cherubims (Ezekiel 10:19-20). Going further, we also come across four similar beings in chapter four of Revelation who are called beasts which should been translated as living creatures. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the forth beast was like a flying eagle (Revelation 4:7). In the writing of Ezekiel, it’s, As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man,…lion,…an ox,… they four had the face of an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10).

We consider eagle

The eagle is associated with the saving strength of the Lord God when He redeems man to himself. This is illustrated in the physical when God did just that to the people of Israel in Egypt. … and how I bare you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself (Exodus 19 :4). Eagles are know for superb celerity in flying and strength in dwelling on heights amongst mountains of rocks. They’re birds of heights as God is the dweller in heaven. They have powerful protective wings as in He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust (Psalm 91:4).

The eagle face of the cherubims speaks of him that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, of one who because of this, abides under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). Jesus says of Himself as the Son of man which is in heaven – a statement the Lord made when he was right on earth. Man is a unique creature. He’s to abound here on earth occupying and reigning for the Lord and is supposed to be in heaven. This is Christ; this is eagle.

It’s the flying eagle that is perpetually in heaven that knows the season and time God has put in His power. These are beings who constantly thirst for the countenance of His face. They easily know His will. They mind God’s mind. They are aware that God also has needs that can and must be satisfied by man. The eagles are represented as, for this, this capacity to plumb the heart of the Father, as prophets. They receive of God’s heart and share to the body of Christ.

The flying eagle is heavenly. He merges with heaven, a denizen of this beyond. Heaven is not an ultima Thule, nor is it a future occurrence; it’s a present reality. The flying eagles are the ones that wait upon the Lord, they are the ones who renew their strength, who mount up with wings as eagles, who run without being wearied and who walk and faint not (Isaiah 40:31).

Eagles, because of their heights in flight and their dizzy dwelling heights amongst rocks are watchers. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand of the holy ones…(Daniel 4:17). These are believer-eagles who stand for the right of God on earth. They’re prophetic intercessors. They can change the course of events for God. They can decree a thing on behalf of God and it will happen. In the course of time, these have assumed the very heart of the Father and are on fire for Him, bringing down to earth and their localities the righteous will of God, turning the land to His kingdom, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

It’s good to close with a testimony though this piece is already bulky. Decades ago, in the early eighties of the last century, somewhere beyond the heavenlies, beyond the Milky Way galaxy, the principalities and their cohorts gathered with human avatars to deliberate with the evil one. It’s in the wee hours of the morning on the planet earth. Suddenly, a holy smoke appeared amongst them to put them in disarray. They all fled including Satan himself who first changed into a wild animal to escape. However, someone, a human avatar, suggested they trace the source of the smoke. They made a detour, avoiding headon confrontation. They discovered five eagles, believers in Christ, all in Kenya, intercessing and decreeing in prayers. A human acolyte returned from the heavenlies from that meeting confused and confounded about how five mere human beings could hold the lords of the universe to ransom! It’s unheard of, but this was the reality on ground!

The eagles are here but dwell in heaven. It’s not clear what name to give these. An animal who can live on earth and water is called an amphibian. What do you call a being who live on earth and is in heaven?

Lord of glory, we give You thanks for this height to which You have brought man – to be co-rulers with You. Father, thank You for the love You bestow on us. We receive the grace to mount up with wings as eagles to Your very presence, coming to the place by redemption You did win and earn for us.

Thank You Lord for this