Lesson 7: Foundations of Prophecy

7.3 Like Burning Coals of Fire
Fire, Wings, and Glory—A Vision of God’s Throne

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Introduction

Cherubim—those mysterious, awe-inspiring beings—always appear when God’s throne is revealed. Whether as golden figures on the Ark (Exodus 25:18), woven into the veil of the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:1), or as living, terrifying creatures in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:4–14), their presence speaks of majesty, holiness, and divine nearness. Psalm 18:11 describes God as riding on the cherubim and “flying”—a poetic image of His absolute authority over time, space, and creation.

These beings are no mere decoration; they are intimately linked to God’s throne. They remind us of a crucial truth: when people encounter God, everything changes. That is precisely what happens in the throne visions of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and John.

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Bible Study: Three Visions—One Message

Ezekiel 1:4–14: Fire, Motion, and Four Faces
Ezekiel describes a stirring, almost unworldly scene: a storm from the north surrounded by fire and brilliant light, bearing four living creatures. Each had four faces—man, lion, ox, and eagle—and moved without turning, carried by the Spirit. Between them glowed something like burning coals, with lightning flashing. This image proclaims God’s power even in exile: though His people are in Babylon, He is not absent. His throne stands above all.

Isaiah 6:1–6: The King on His Throne
Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a lofty throne, high and exalted. Seraphim—angelic beings—surround Him, crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” The temple shakes, and smoke fills the room. Isaiah immediately perceives his own impurity: “Woe is me, for I am lost!” A seraph touches his lips with a glowing coal from the altar—a sign of divine purification.

Revelation 4:1–11: The Throne in Heaven
John sees heaven opened and a throne encircled by a rainbow, flashes of lightning, and seven lamps (the Spirit). Around the throne are four living creatures covered with eyes—lion, ox, man, and eagle, echoing Ezekiel’s vision. They never cease to cry, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” They worship day and night, while twenty-four elders cast down their crowns in reverent praise.

Questions & Answers

1.What similarities unite Ezekiel 1, Isaiah 6, and Revelation 4?

• • God’s throne is central—high, majestic, surrounded by heavenly beings.

  • Living creatures with multiple faces appear in Ezekiel and Revelation.

  • In all three, worship and awe resound: “Holy, holy, holy” rings out.

  • Fire (burning coals) marks God’s presence and cleansing in both Ezekiel and Isaiah.

  • Each vision proclaims: God is exalted, incomparable, and full of glory.

2.How do you stand before God’s holiness? What does that reveal about your need for the gospel?

Like Isaiah, we see our own impurity. No one can stand before Holy God without cleansing. The burning coal symbolizes the gospel: God’s grace that takes away our guilt. We urgently need forgiveness, redemption, and renewal—only in Christ.

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s holiness is absolute—beyond every human concept.

• True encounters with God confront us with sin, not to destroy us but to cleanse us.

• God reigns even in exile, distress, and storms—His throne remains unshaken.

• Worship is the natural response to divine majesty—on earth as in heaven.

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Application for Daily Life

• Deepen your quiet time: Each day, approach God’s throne. Meditate on Ezekiel 1, Isaiah 6, or Revelation 4.

• Live in worship: Learn not only to ask God for help but to worship Him for who He is, not just for what He does.

• Pursue holiness: Holiness isn’t religious perfectionism but growing into God’s character—love, truth, and purity.

• Share the gospel: People need the “burning coals”—the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

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Conclusion

Three visions, one God. Prophecy reveals a God who is not distant but enthroned above all, yet intimately near. The cherubim remind us that His glory is ever-present—in temple, exile, and eternity. And this sovereign God is willing to cleanse, touch, and send us—just as He did with Isaiah.

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Thought of the Day

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.”
If the angels never cease to proclaim this, why shouldn’t we?

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Illustration – Like Burning Coals: An Encounter with God’s Holiness

Jonas Merten was a man many would call successful. At thirty, he was a project manager in a Frankfurt software firm—sharp-dressed, technically skilled, goal-driven. Yet success whispered hollowly when the heart is silent. Beneath the surface, Jonas felt drained, as if his life’s substance was slipping away. Once driven by passion, vision, and curiosity, he was now trapped in a monotonous cycle of to-do lists, spreadsheets, and empty meetings.

He hadn’t exactly renounced God, but faith had become an old piece of furniture in storage: once precious, now forgotten under layers of rationalism, performance anxiety, and modern cynicism. As a child, he’d heard Bible stories and admired his grandmother’s gentle, prayerful faith—but that felt like someone else’s story, not his own.

One stormy evening, as lightning danced across the sky and rain hammered his apartment windows, Jonas impulsively reached for his grandmother’s Bible. Dust coated the black leather cover. In its pages lay a bookmark at Ezekiel 1. Opening it, he read hesitantly, like a stranger stepping into a forgotten home.

What he read was not a gentle tale. It was a tempest of fire, wheels ablaze with eyes, living creatures with four faces—man, lion, ox, and eagle. He didn’t grasp every detail, but the power of the vision shattered his inner defenses. This description wasn’t religious drudgery—it was breathtaking, overwhelming, fearsome, yet strangely beautiful. It felt both alien and profoundly familiar, as if his soul had been waiting for this moment.

He couldn’t sleep that night. The vision replayed in his mind: the fire, the cherubim’s wings, the wheels aflame. Not just any story—but a revelation that God sits enthroned above exile, chaos, and the world as he knew it.

The next day, he dug deeper, finding Isaiah 6—“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” He read of the trembling temple, the rising smoke, the seraphim’s six wings, and Isaiah’s cry, “Woe to me! I am lost!” That confession resonated in his bones.

Then came the image of the seraph touching Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar—God’s sign of purification. Jonas felt it was spoken to him: his life needed cleansing. The coal seared into his heart, answering an unasked question.

That weekend, he stepped into a church for the first time in years. Not from habit, but from a raw longing. The small sanctuary was empty; candles flickered. He sat silently, offering no words, no prayers—only stillness. In that sacred quiet, he felt, like Isaiah, utterly exposed. Not for a single sin, but for a lifetime lived without God’s throne in view.

Tears rolled down his cheeks, not dramatic, but steady, like water released from a dam. He realized: God is holy—and he was not. No career success or good intentions could change that. Yet, as at Isaiah’s cleansing, there was this burning coal—no angel, no tongs—but a cross. And a name: Jesus.

He understood then: he hadn’t come to reclaim religion but to receive grace. He was not the hero—God was. And that God, so holy and awe-inspiring as the creatures in Ezekiel’s vision, had drawn near in Christ.

His life didn’t transform overnight. He remained a project manager, wore the same suit, rode the same train. But deep within, everything shifted. He began to see the world differently—as a mirror of divine glory and a stage where God’s throne reigns unseen.

And sometimes—in moments of worship, in song, in Scripture, in the slant of sunlight through a window—he’d catch a glimpse of burning coals, a light not of this world. Then he’d remember: the angels never stopped declaring, “Holy, holy, holy,” and he, too, was invited to join in.

May 13, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 27 – Jacob’s Deceit and the Birthright Blessing: A Chapter of Deception, Tragedy, and Divine Providence

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Bible Text – Genesis 27 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.

² And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

³ Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

⁴ And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

⁵ And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

⁶ And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

⁷ Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.

⁸ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

⁹ Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

¹⁰ And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

¹¹ And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

¹² My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

¹³ And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

¹⁴ And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

¹⁵ And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

¹⁶ And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

¹⁷ And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

¹⁸ And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

¹⁹ And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

²⁰ And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.

²¹ And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

²² And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

²³ And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

²⁴ And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

²⁵ And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.

²⁶ And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

²⁷ And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:

²⁸ Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

²⁹ Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

³⁰ And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

³¹ And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

³² And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

³³ And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

³⁴ And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

³⁵ And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

³⁶ And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

³⁷ And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

³⁸ And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

³⁹ And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

⁴⁰ And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

⁴¹ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

⁴² And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

⁴³ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

⁴⁴ And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;

⁴⁵ Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

⁴⁶ And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

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Introduction

Chapter 27 of Genesis depicts a pivotal turning point in the patriarchal family saga: Jacob, the younger son, with his mother Rebekah’s collusion, steals the elder’s blessing that rightly belongs to his brother Esau. This episode is fraught with tension, human frailty, familial intrigue—and yet beneath it all, the mysterious workings of God’s providence. Though deception abounds, God’s sovereign plan moves forward in unexpected ways. This chapter challenges us to reflect on truth, faith, responsibility, and the inscrutable paths of divine sovereignty.

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Commentary

1. Isaac’s Charge to Esau (vv. 1–4)
   Now blind and old, Isaac senses his own death approaching. He summons Esau to hunt game, prepare a savory meal, and come receive the patriarchal blessing. This ritual—so bound up with family tradition—reveals Isaac’s deep attachment to Esau, foreshadowing the family’s coming division.

2. Rebekah’s Scheme and Jacob’s Reluctance (vv. 5–17)
   Rebekah overhears Isaac’s instructions and hatches a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob. Though God had already foretold that “the older shall serve the younger” (Gen. 25:23), Rebekah resorts to subterfuge rather than patient faith. Jacob hesitates, fearing discovery and a curse. Rebekah pledges the curse upon herself if necessary, and Jacob obeys her by bringing goat meat dressed up as venison.

3. The Deception Succeeds—Isaac Blesses Jacob (vv. 18–29)
   Disguised in Esau’s garments and goat skins, Jacob deceives the blind Isaac. Though suspicious, Isaac is convinced by the hairy arms and the “voice” of the elder son. He bestows a sweeping blessing: fertile land, dominion over nations, authority over brothers, and protection for all who bless him. This deceit irrevocably alters the family’s destiny.

4. Esau’s Return and Despair (vv. 30–40)
   No sooner has Jacob fled than Esau arrives with his venison and homemade stew. Isaac realizes he’s been tricked, and Esau breaks into a bitter wail. He begs for a blessing, but Isaac affirms that Jacob’s blessing stands. He grants Esau a secondary promise: a life of hardship, dependence on his brother, and eventual liberation by the sword. The pain of Esau’s lost inheritance cuts deep.

5. Esau’s Vengeful Plan and Rebekah’s Intervention (vv. 41–46)
   Consumed by rage, Esau vows to kill Jacob once Isaac dies. Rebekah learns of the plot and again takes matters into her own hands—urging Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran. She hopes to delay Esau’s wrath until it abates, and also to prevent Jacob from marrying a local Canaanite woman. Ironically, Jacob will remain away for many years—and never see his mother again.

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Summary

In Genesis 27 we witness a deeply fractured family: a father unwittingly blind to God’s own promises, a mother forcing God’s will by human trickery, a son’s calculated lie, and another son’s bitter anguish. Yet through it all, God’s blessing persists. Though secured by deceit, Jacob becomes the rightful bearer of the covenant promise. The narrative underscores that divine purposes triumph despite—and sometimes through—human failure.

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Message for Today

• God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes. Rebekah sought to advance God’s promise, yet her deception brought strife.

• Deception destroys relationships. Jacob gained the blessing but traded it for years of exile and separation. The ends do not justify the means.

• God’s blessing is irrevocable—even when conveyed through weakness. Once Isaac blessed Jacob, it could not be undone. God remains faithful despite our failures.

• Forgiveness is essential for reconciliation. The rift between Jacob and Esau took decades to heal (see Gen. 33), but reunification was possible.

• Wait on God’s timing. Impulsive interference brings unintended consequences. Rebekah’s haste had dire repercussions, even though God’s will ultimately prevailed.

“Do not let your heart be distressed; your brother Esau will show you mercy.”
— Trust that in God’s time, even broken relationships can be restored.

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May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

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Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

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Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

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Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16

Lesson 7: Foundations of Prophecy

7.2 The Two Cherubim
The Cherubim at Eden’s Gate—Guardians of Life, Signs of Hope

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Introduction

After the Fall, Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden. Yet God did not leave them without hope. At the eastern entrance to the garden He stationed two cherubim, wielding a flaming sword to guard the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24). These cherubim were not merely sentinels but also symbols of God’s ongoing presence and of the promise of redemption.

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Bible Study

Question: What was the role of the cherubim—and why?

In Genesis 3:24 we read that God placed the cherubim east of Eden to guard the path to the Tree of Life. This prevented fallen humanity from gaining eternal life in its sinful state. Yet the cherubim were more than gatekeepers; they symbolized God’s presence and the hope of future restoration. Their presence reminded mankind that access to God was blocked but not lost forever. Later, the cherubim were depicted in the Tabernacle and the Temple, overshadowing the Ark of the Covenant—the place where God met His people (Exodus 25:18–22).

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s Holiness and Justice: The cherubim guard access to the Tree of Life, underscoring God’s holiness and the consequences of sin.

• God’s Presence: Their placement symbolizes God’s continuing desire to dwell with His people.

• Hope of Redemption: Even amid separation, God offers hope through the promised Messiah.

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Application for Daily Life

The story of the cherubim teaches us that even in seasons of separation and loss, God’s presence and hope remain. In our daily lives, we can remember that despite our failures, God is with us and points us toward redemption. Like the cherubim at Eden’s gate, we too can serve as beacons of hope and guides to God’s presence for others.

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Conclusion

The cherubim at Eden’s gate are more than guards; they symbolize God’s holiness, His abiding presence, and the hope of redemption. They remind us that despite sin’s barrier, God has prepared a way back to Himself.

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Thought of the Day

Though the path to the Tree of Life was blocked, hope of redemption remained alive—guarded by cherubim who symbolize God’s presence and promise.

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Illustration – The Guardians of the Lost Garden

In the quiet of night, as the city slept beneath darkness, Samuel sat alone in his study. The dim glow of his desk lamp cast flickering shadows while rain tapped softly on the window. A scholar of ancient cultures, he had recently been gripped by a restless longing for something beyond the tangible.

His research led him to the cherubim—those mysterious beings described in ancient texts as the guardians of Eden. They were not only protectors but symbols of hope, promising that humanity would one day return to paradise. The idea fascinated him.

One evening, as he read an old manuscript, he paused at a passage: “He drove the man out, and placed cherubim east of the garden of Eden, with a flaming sword that turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” The words seared into his mind.

In the weeks that followed, Samuel studied the cherubim’s symbolism. He realized they were more than sentinels; they bore witness to God’s presence. In the Tabernacle, their wings stretched over the Mercy Seat atop the Ark of the Covenant—the place where God met His people. They signified that God dwelt among them.

This discovery moved Samuel deeply. He began to see that the cherubim were not distant, mystical creatures but emblems of God’s nearness—His willingness to be with humanity despite its failures.

One night he dreamed he stood before a glorious garden, its entrance flanked by two radiant cherubim. A brilliant light shone between them. As he approached, he felt overwhelming warmth and love emanating from that light, and a voice said, “The way is not closed but prepared. Return, and you will enter the garden once more.”

When he awoke, Samuel was changed. He felt a profound calling—not only as a historian but as a witness to God’s presence. He began giving lectures, sharing his insights, and encouraging people to seek God’s nearness in their own lives.

For Samuel, the cherubim became living symbols of hope—the promise that the way back to God is always open. And so the historian became a messenger of divine presence, reminding others that God dwells among them, ready to welcome them with open arms.