Would this not be a real revelation for us in Scripture so that we might see the added importance of the Crucifixion not discussed as yet by others? How about the Cross and the mission behind it, symbolized ever before G-D the Father in Heaven?I believe such would make a very interesting exploration, but it must begin somewhere...even if it is a thought process that is to be started as a work in progress.
The Cross in Heaven
The Father and the Son:
When we think of G-D the Father, many of us may perhaps refer
our mind to the Scripture of "Him who sits on the THRONE", and think of G-D in the context of Revelation 4:2-3.
"…and behold! A THRONE was set in Heaven.
And on the THRONE
(One) sitting.
And He sitting was -- like in appearance to
[having the attributes of clearness, but the color of]
a jasper stone, and a sardius.
And a Rainbow around the THRONE,
like in appearance to an emerald."
(Literal Translation, with my commentary)
It stands to reason, that if Jesus is G-D the Son: then His ministry is required to be an extension of the Father. Not only this, but there must also be such a unity of Oneness and Purpose, that the very words and deeds are in a perfect harmony beyond any possible human or angelic manipulation. Indeed, the very testimony of Jesus is along these lines, for He says:
"The Son can do nothing of Himself,
but what He sees the Father do;
for whatsoever He does,
these also the Son does (in) like manner."
(John 5:19 translation mine)
"The (one) seeing Me -- has seen the Father," (John 14:9c - Literal)
"The (one) not loving Me keeps not the words of Me;
and the word, which you hear, is not mine,
but of the Father, Him having sent Me."
(John 14:24 Translation mine)
In Scripture, Jesus is reckoned of the Right Hand of the Power of G-D (Luke 22:69); and as the Right Hand of YHVeH who is YHVeH (Psalm 110:5, 118:14-17, Exodus 15:2-6). There is no doubt to His and the Father's masculinity of personality, but often overlooked is the femininity of the Creation, as revealed by the Left Hand of YHVeH: G-D the Holy Spirit. Even though G-D has no sex, being THE BEING, it pleased G-D to create the expression of Himself in Masculinity and Femininity in His Creation, for
"in the Image of G-D created He him,
male and female created He them" (Genesis 1:27 - KJV).
The Mystery of the Cross: Revealed in the Presence of the 4 Living Creatures before the Throne of G-D
In Psalm 104:4, we read:
"He makes His angels --winds,
and His ministers -- a fire of flame." [Translation mine]
In that passage, we find that the origin of the Angels and Seraphims were not entirely Creatio Ex Nihilo (created out of nothing). Angels not only have the ministerial capacity of creating or controlling winds or gusts that affect humanity and this Creation, but their origins were likely in their being created from winds (the breath of G-D) also. When Jesus commanded the winds with "Peace, be still" in Mark 4:39, He was not only fulfilling the passage of Psalm 107:29-30 to reveal His identity as YHVeH, He was also at that moment commanding the angels who were responsible for creating the storm of violent winds and very rough waves. Instantly, they obeyed and all was calm, and they very quickly found themselves transported to their desired haven. The same formula of Psalm 104:4 cited above also applies to the Seraphims. Seraphims are not only also, but primarily known to most by their designation as the Cherubims (four faced, one on each side of the head, and six winged creatures). These have a ministry of creating or controlling fire, and were likely first created from fire.
At the Creation of Physical man, we find G-D breathing into one vessel of clay made a living being of flesh with a single soul (Genesis 2:7 in the Hebrew), and imparting the yod or a sliver of the soul of G-D Himself to make that one eternal with "souls". "YHVeH Messiah the breath of our nostrils" (Lamentations 4:20), the LORD Christ, created Adam our first father to be a Father or co-Origin of all humanity.
Prior to the Creation of the Heavens and the Earth, in Heaven or the heavenlies, G-D breathed, and the wind was formed; and out of the wind, created He the Angels by the spoken word. G-D generated flame from Himself, and fire was formed; and out of the fire, by the spoken word, created He the Seraphim. Whether that "flame" had "heat" to it, I don't know...because the Seraphim are "spirit beings", and "heat" is a physical property that was only made manifest with the creation of this physical Universe by G-D (it seems to me).
The Seraphim are before the Throne of the Father, and 4 chosen ones are about His Throne, created for the Father's good pleasure. The Angels, it seems from the Scriptures (such as associating this passage with Jesus teaching Nicodemus in John 3:5-8), are to be associated with G-D the Father, and were created for His good pleasure. Now then, that leaves us, mankind. Who and what were we created for? For the Son's good pleasure. Our substance was more tangible, more material than the angels and cherubim. Yet we assume certain attributes of both. We breathe in and out of our nostrils a wind that repeats the very NAME of GOD, YH-VeH, every time we breathe. We also generate heat from our bodies, and can externally manipulate and control fire to some degree. These beings rejoiced in the Creation of this enclosed Universe of Darkness within the greater Universe. Job 38:7 tells us that the Cherubim sang, while the Angels shouted for joy. Fire sings, and the wind shouts.
Again, the Seraphim and Cherubim, it is to be remembered, are the same creature. The designation of "the Seraphim" is used primarily for us to distinguish the 4 living creatures who are Cherubim about the Throne of the Father, from any other Cherub, including Satan / Lucifer / the Devil.
Unlike the paintings of the cherubs in Western Art, cherubs are NOT baby-faced kids with little wings flying about wearing nothing but a diaper loincloth. Seraphs or Cherubs are the fiery winged priests of Heaven. They are the Levites and the Kohenim. They are the Ministers of G-D. These creatures sing praises to G-D the Father, and walk in the midst of the sea with stones of fire, which is before the Father's Throne (Revelation 4:6; Ezekiel 28:14, 16). The function of the Cherubim is likened as to that of being the Levites of Heaven. But our attention, in order to see that the Cross is ever before the Throne of the Father, focuses on the 4 Cherubim/Seraphim about the Throne of the Father. Now, it is written,
"And this (was) how they looked:
the likeness of a man (was) to them.
4 faces (were) to each, and 4 wings to each of them.
Their feet (were) the feet of straightness,
and the sole of their feet (was) like the sole of a foot of a calf;
and they shone out in sparkling brilliance, like the color of burnished copper.
And the hands of a man from under their wings on the 4 of their sides;
their faces and their wings were to the 4 of them.
Joining each one to the other, (was) their wings.
They did not turn in their going.
Each one (set) their face (of a man) toward the front as they went.
The likeness of their faces:
the face of a man,
and the face of a lion on the right to the 4 of them,
and the face of an ox on the left to the 4 of them,
and the face of an eagle [to the rearward of their heads]
to the 4 of them…."
(Ezekiel 1:5b-10, translation mine)
Thus, is the Gospel of the Cross ever before the Throne of the Father, through the faces of the 4 Living Creatures.
--------------------Rear ----------------
--------------------Man-----------------
------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
----Right---------Center-------------Left
-----Ox------------------------------Lion
----------------of the FATHER------------
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
-------------------Front------------------
-------------------Eagle------------------
Surrounding the Throne of the Father, as He looks to the Cherub on His right, He sees the face of an Ox -- that of the servant and slave. The Ox slave gives his back to man who tills the field. The Ox slave hauls the cart of man, who travels with his goods from the field to the place of market. The Ox slave performs the will of his master.
As the Father looks straight on, directly in front of Him, He sees the face of the Eagle -- the symbol of the Heavenly, in both its goal and its design / creation. The eagle makes its nest in high places. Its home is in the bosom of the heights, the skies, or the heavens. It descends to the ground, and ascends again to the great heights from which it came. Its ability to see even small details from the heights of the heavenlies is part of its fame.
As the Father looks or is all knowingly aware of the face beholding Him from behind the Throne, the cherub's face is the face of man. The height of the face is probably only to the height of the Father's chest, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled of He who is hidden in the bosom of the Father, is thereby demonstrated by type. Without seeing and hearing what the Father says, even from within, this one can or simply will do nothing. He is to be revealed as after the likeness or similitude of one beholding the face of the Father.
As the Father looks to the left, He sees on the Cherub, the face of a lion. The lion is representative of one who stakes out a domain, and rules over it.
Therefore, without getting into minutiae detail, we see the ministry of YHVeH Messiah:
---------------Man--------------------
----------Ox---------Lion-------------
--------------Eagle-------------------
Eternity past ----- Present "tense" existence -----Eternity Future
The ox falls ----- man is exalted as the eagle -----the Lion of Judah rules
Death----------------------Resurrection----------New Heavens & New Earth
The Servant who like an Ox falls and in the Resurrection as Lion, rules.
The Son of Man who is humble shall be exalted in the Image of the Father ( hence the location of this face being both before and behind the back) like the Eagle.
Thus, the Ministry of the Cross of Jesus is the centerpiece of the intent of all Creation, and the reason for the existence of Creation, and is thus the centerpiece of all TIME and SPACE in the Design of the Father, as spoken into existence by the Son, and Care-taken by the Holy Spirit.
In effect, the goal is that Man, made in the "Image" of G-D,is to be exalted to honor behind and in service to G-D the Father. Through the servitude (like the ox) he is given dominion with authority to stake out a territory given him by G-D and rule like the lion.
Man's destiny was meant for the heavenlies (above the eagles); and to be greater than the Cherubim (the Oxen) and the Angels (the Lions): for in man, the attributes of all three, servitude, the heavenlies, and dominion are encompassed in one singular Creature. Man is the only being which is GOD-breathed, so that conscience and morality are to man as if in his nostril cavity and forehead.
On the Earth, the Ox, made in the likeness of the face of the Cherub, was created upon the Earth on the 6th Day, somewhat prior to the creation of man (Genesis 1:24 ff.)
On the Earth, the Eagle, also made after the likeness of Heaven’s Cherubic face, was created upon the Earth on the 5th Day, before the Ox was, but sometime after the creation of the fishes. (Genesis 1:20-21)
The Lion was created on the Earth in the 6th Day, at about the same time as the Oxen were (Genesis 1:24 ff.); and on the same day man was created.
The Teaching
What is being taught, is that man is being called for to be as a First Creation. Man is called, through the Cross, into the past of the Day before, into the regenerative activity of eternal life, of agelessness. Man's destiny is more than just the here and now, and the Sabbath rest of G-D; it is the growing in the likeness of GOD, until he reaches into the 4th Day, and attains the Two Great Lights (Genesis 1:14) These are the Father and the Son, as it is written,
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
Kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43 - KJV)
"AND YHVeH shall be, IN THAT DAY, King over all the Earth,
and there shall be YHVeH, united as ONE,
and His NAME (shall be called): ONE."
(Zephaniah 14:9 Translation mine)
“And he showed me a clean - clear - and - pure* river of life that was bursting*forth*so*vigorously*, it*was*though*it*were*taken*up*and*away*.
It shone out and forth as bright and dazzlingly as crystal, as it proceeded forth in its coming out, out from the Throne of GOD and of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 22:1 - Using Greek word pictures, Translation Mine.)
But from the Hebraic and Messianic perspective, as illumined by the prophet Hosea, there are clear references as to the signs toward when we should see the True Reality of Messiah's Kingdom even without the need for Faith: that is, with our eyes, with our hands, with our ears, and with our noses. For it is written,
"Come, and let us return unto YHVeH:
for He has (been) torn, and He will heal us; [Isaiah 53:5]
He has (been) smitten, and He will bind us up.
After 2 days will He revive us: [Psalm 90:4]
in the 3rd day he will raise and cause us to stand up,
and we shall live in His sight." (Hosea 6:1-2 - Translation mine)
Now the Apostles taught after the manner of Messiah's own instruction, teaching that: even as the Heavens and the Earth of this Universe was created in 7 literal Days, as G-D reckons a Day (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3), so should we reckon the completion of man's fall and restoration to GOD (cf. Psalm 90:4, with 2 Peter 3:8 and Revelation 19:1 - 20:15). Each Day is reckoned as 1,000 years in prophecy. Therefore, after 2,000 years will He revive us, seems to indicate that from the Passion of Christ, there must be 2,000 years passed, before the reviving of Israel. If Christ was crucified on Passover of March 23, 30 A.D., then (if we can predict a date, though we truly cannot), as of March 24, 2030 A.D., the revival can occur. This may indicate a Tribulation start perhaps no earlier than as of Rosh HaShana in 2026, and a sudden and unseen Rapture (the Enochian Rapture) in the days or months preceding Rosh HaShana and the signing of a 7 year Peace Treaty. This is merely just a literalist observation, which is in line with prophetical interpretation and fulfillment; but also which those who would be around in 2026 ff. will probably have to wait until the times to see if they are at least approximately correct.
In the Hosea prophecy cited above, the sons of Israel are revived in the Resurrection to Life (cf. Revelation 20:4-6 w/ Daniel 12:2-3; John 5:28,25) in the 3rd day, to which YHVeH Messiah reigns in Jerusalem, and restores the land.
Those infants and children who are taught and who choose to believe into him at that time, having lived through the Tribulation and Great Tribulation, these will age very slowly, so that a child is as 10 years old although 100 years old, and an unbeliever being 100 does as he does now, very old, and is called then as accursed (Isaiah 65:20). We see in Revelation chapter 20, that it is at the end of the 3rd day that Satan and all who refuse Messiah's pardon are cast into the Lake of Fire, to which GOD, as in Isaiah 65:17, creates a New Heavens and a New Earth in the 4th Day from the Passion of Christ. In other words, on the 8th Day, the corruption of this darkened Universe and this Earth is entirely dissolved, as the saints stand with the angels and cherubim of Heaven, and watch the Universe created anew as was done at our enclosed Universe's First Creation (Job 38:4-7). This tells us that Yiheyeh (I AM or [YH] “who is”) has his Passion occur dead center to Time's past and future. In the Center of the Earth and in the Centermost point of Time from man's fall to his completion is 4,000 years before the Cross to 4,000 years after. In the very spot, perhaps, that the Adam and Eve once stood and transgressed, some 6 months after Adam was formed, and perhaps 3 months after he was given a helpmeet, on the day which their descendants would know as Passover some 2519 years later in 1551 B.C. The Tree of Life was probably then where the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant would later stand.
The Universe from the eyes of Job 38:4-7
And if the Cross stands at the center of the Earth and the center of Time, it stands that it should be at the Center of this Enclosed Universe from G-D's perspective and Order of the Creation we find around us. Because,
"Through the manifest WORD of YHVeH the heavens were made,
and by the Breath of His Mouth all the armies of the heavenly hosts."
(Psalm 33:6 - translation mine)
This is a direct connection to Jesus, the Logos or Word of G-D (John 1:1-3), who is called "YHVeH Messiah the breath of our nostrils" (Lamentations 4:20), the eternal ONE of old -- even of everlasting-- (Micah 5:2): who is called YHVeH who breathed into man the breath of life and gave him a living soul (Genesis 2:7).
Of the Universe within a greater Universe, the Scriptures say:
"O YHVeH, YHVeH my GOD,
You are very great and continually grow ever greater;
You have put on majesty and honor.
(You) covering Yourself (with) light like it were but a cloak,
stretching out the heavens like it was but a curtain."
(Psalm 104:1-2 translation mine)
And what is the scope or limits of a curtain in the Temple? It is the enclosure of a small room within a greater room, in which the Ark might be placed and with which GOD might dwell. In is a small room of total darkness within a greater room filled with light --especially that light from the Great Menorah of 7 lamps, which represent the 7 Spirits of GOD and Heaven (Exodus 25:31-37, 37:13-23; Revelation 4:5). The form of the seven lamps spelling the Hebrew word SooS שיש, which means to be both "bright" and "cheerful": which definition is given for Heaven in Revelation 21:3-4, 22-23.
And in Isaiah:
"And to whom will you liken GOD?
…Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Was it not told from the Beginning to you?
Did you not discern the Foundations of the Earth?
He who sits over the circle of the Earth --
even its dwellers are like grasshoppers --
[it is] He who stretches the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in."
(Isaiah 40:18, 21-22 Literal Translation)
And in two passages of Job:
"(Is) not G-D (in) the Height of Heaven?
And look at the top-most stars, for (they are) high.
And you say, 'What? Does G-D know that He can
judge and discern through the Dark Cloud ?’
[the curtain of darkness]
(Are) the clouds (so much) a hiding place for Him
so that He does not see
(when) He walks the Compass Circle of the heavens?”
[i.e., the Circuit of this Universe within a Greater Universe]
(Job 22:12-14 - translation mine)
"With whom have you spoken words?
Whose breath came forth from you?
The Departed Spirits are made to writhe
from beneath the waters,
and their inhabitants.
Hell is naked before Him, and [to GOD there]
is no covering for the Place of Ruin.
He stretched the North [Heaven]
over the void [this darkened Universe];
He hung the Earth on nothing.
He wraps up waters in His clouds;
and the cloud does not burst under them.
He covers the Face of His Throne,
spreading His Cloud over it.
He has described a circle on the surface of the waters
to the Boundary of Light with Darkness. [cf. Isa. 4:2-6]
The pillars of the heavens tremble
and are stunned at His rebuke.
With His POWER He quiets the sea,
and by His Understanding He shatters pride.
By His SPIRIT the heavens were beautified;
His HAND sorely wounded the fleeing Serpent." (Job 26:4-13 Literal)
The circle on the surface of the waters to the boundary of light with darkness is not only of the sun and the earth, it is also reflective of the micro and macro-cosmic. The small things on earth such as a pebble rippling over the waters: this is the effect of Creation and that of this very Universe to the Curtains or Boundaries of Light G-D had established to which the Heavens could spread and go no further. Notice that the next verse speaks of the pillars of Heaven trembling. It is as if we are contained in a box or enclosure to which the Curtains of Darkness are attached. In Isaiah 4:2-3 and vv. 5-6, we get the sense of a canopy of light with a global outward looking sky-line unto itself, perhaps? In the day light, we see a canopy of a circular blue skyline. Perhaps, and this is just speculation, but perhaps in that day...those dwelling in New Jerusalem may see a different color sky-line than that which we are accustomed to now.
But I wonder, if light refracts and bends over long distances, even with the Hubble Telescope and the best lens and computer enhancements we have to look into deep space, if or not we see the shape and size of this Universe of darkness accurately. For if the Cross is the center of time and space in this Universe, and the earth is in the essentially same physical position as between the cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies in respect to Universal location, although certainly not in size ration, what does that tell us? Just musing here..with more thoughts to still yet consider. Hope you were blessed. Thanks and Peace.
