THE WILL OF GOD,
AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
25
B. -- Yes, and as a result he was cast out from the mountain of God, and the judgment pronounced was:
`I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire' (Ezek. 28:16).
A. -- What has this to do with the mystery?
B. -- Here we have a spirit being who bears the name both of `Christ' (for he is called the `anointed') and `cherub'.
The derivation of the word cherub is controversial: our own conclusion (which however we will not press) is `like
the greatness', and this seems echoed in the words `I will be like the Most High'. Michael's name seems to
challenge this, for it means `Who is like God?' You will observe in Genesis 3 that the cherubim balance the serpent
in the structure. But this is a long subject and beyond our present scope. You will find it dealt with in The Berean
Expositor vol. 15, pp. 113, 130, 181.
The Goal of the two Mysteries
All I now say is that originating with the anointed cherub, who was cast out as profane, is the mystery of
iniquity, the goal of which is the usurpation of the throne of God. The origin of the mystery of godliness is found in
the true Christ, the true Anointed, Who when the work of redemption is accomplished presents to the Father the
perfect result, that God may be all in all.
These two mysteries come to a crisis in the Book of the Revelation. There `the mystery of God is finished' (Rev.
10:7). With the ending of the mystery comes the ending of the present period of bondage and alienation. The
purpose of God shall have been accomplished, the utmost opposition of the enemy thwarted.
A. -- It struck me just now that it was strange that there should have been one called `the Christ' or `anointed' other
than the Lord.
B. -- You will find that it is entirely in line with a principle that runs throughout the record of the ages. The first in
order of time is not the first in order of purpose. Always the type sets forth that evil is allowed its opportunity first,
but that the true purpose is found in the second. Let us make a list:
The true Christ. --
The first christ. -- Ezek. 28.
The Lord Jesus.
The first son. -- Cain.
Abel. -- The true seed.
The first son. -- Ishmael.
Isaac. -- The true seed.
The first son. -- Esau.
Jacob. -- The true seed.
The second man. --
The first man. -- Of the earth.
The Lord from heaven.
The first king of Israel. -- Saul.
David. -- The true king.
The same may also be said of the angels. Though angels, principalities and powers belong to a family created
before man, nevertheless man is destined to take a place `far above principality and power', `the saints shall judge
angels', and though made `for a little lower than the angels' man the second family is the true heir of glory. It will
not be possible to pursue our theme much further, although there still remains a great deal untouched.
A. -- Before we bring this study together to a close, I should like a word or two upon the question of the second
death, for I believe that Scripture teaches that those who are subject to the second death are to be delivered from it at
last and numbered among the redeemed.
B. -- We will proceed to consider this question, and then shall have to conclude with a résumé of the chief features
that have come before us.
The Second Death
Universal reconciliation necessitates a resurrection from the second death. The proof text is here examined
A. -- I want to consider the teaching of the Word concerning the second death before we leave the subject of
universal reconciliation.