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"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels; the Lord is
among them as in Sinai, in the holy place" (verse 17).
It appears from these various passages that angelic ministry was constantly associated
with the mountain of God. In some cases it is difficult to distinguish between the angels
and God Who is represented by His messengers. We believe these things reflect light
upon the office which was occupied by the anointed cherub before his fall, and show the
nature of the "snare" of the devil (I Tim. 3: 6). Holding this high and lofty position he at
length "thought it a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God", saying, "I will be
like the Most High". One has only to remember also how the cherubim are very closely
connected with the throne of God to appreciate this the more.
Stones of fire.
One further item is given regarding the anointed cherub:--
"Thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire" (Ezek. 28: 14).
The Companion Bible says these words refer to facts concerning which nothing further
is known. This is true, but we believe we can improve our understanding a little by
consulting Ezek. 1: In describing the cherubim in that chapter, Ezekiel says he saw a
brightness like the colour of amber, out of the midst of fire. And out of this midst came
the cherubim, and their appearance was like burning coals of fire. Then when he
describes the throne which was above their heads, he speaks of the likeness of the
appearance of a man above upon it, and again he says that he saw the colour of amber, as
the appearance of fire round about and within it (Ezek. 1: 4, 5, 13, 26, 27).
John in Rev. 1: speaks of the appearance of the Lord in glory:--
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in
a furnace" (Rev. 1: 14, 15).
Again in Dan. 10: 6 we read a description of the heavenly messenger sent to Daniel:--
"His body was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes
as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass."
These passages are sufficient to show the excellent glory of that one of whom it could
be said, "Thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire".
The sin of Satan.
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created" (Ezek. 28: 15).