The Unapproachable Light of God and Angelic Coverings in the Old Testament
Paul was referring to something that has been objectively proven in biblical history: at Creation, during the Flood, at the Red Sea, on the holy mountain of Sinai, and in the Tabernacle / Temple.
Biblical TheologySep 9, 2026
“…until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” — 1 Tim. 6:15-16
Paul referred to the unapproachable Light of God during a doxology in This was not a new abstract idea about God that he was contributing to the Bible. Rather, under inspiration, Paul was referring to something that has been objectively proven in biblical history: at Creation, during the Flood, at the Red Sea, on the holy mountain of Sinai, and in the Tabernacle / Temple of the Old Testament. The Light of God appeared repeatedly in the greatest divine revelations in biblical history, but not without the necessary vails and coverings of earthly and heavenly origin.
Unfortunately, the abundance of heavenly activity present during these appearances sometimes distracts people from the Light. It is visible through but significantly covered by a manifesting vail of clouds, smoke, and fire, which we know to be the covering of angelic manifestations. Vails and coverings of earthly and heavenly origin should attract people to see what divine glory is being revealed. The powers and possibilities of Deity are hereby unvailed in staggering tales of glory. This is an important part of the school of God that exists to “bring us unto Christ”
We should be asking questions about these revelations. Why is God being covered? How is God being covered? What about God needs to be covered? What about God is being revealed through coverings? We know that the Cherubim were anointed for the sacred duty of “covering” and biblical history proves it This reality is further reinforced in the theater of typology. God authored a system of typology on earth consisting of ceremonial law to help us understand the mysteries of heavenly things
The curtains of the Tabernacle blocked the view of the common people from the Sanctuary and the Most Holy Place, and the images of Cherubim were sown into the mighty curtains The doors of the Temple blocked their view of the Sanctuary and the Most Holy Place, and the images of the Cherubim were carved into the doors of the Temple And the same images of the Cherubim were carved into all the walls of the Temple Typologically speaking, it could be said, the Cherubim were blocking the view of the common people in a sacred act of covering. Nevertheless, ultimately, the normal order in which divine glory is revealed was going to dramatically change at the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“And, behold, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” — Matt. 27:51
“And the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” — Mk. 15:38
The cherubic curtain of the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom in a corresponding miracle of the Gospel The tearing of the cherubic vail indicates that something hidden of the Father’s glory is being revealed in the Person of Christ. This is a perfection of glory that was not, nor could be revealed through “the disposition of angels” in the Old Testament Hence, the apostle Paul compared the glory of angels and Jesus Christ in -2:8. Comprehending this comparison is essential to understand the glories of both Testaments. The most complex part of the glory of angels pertains to the unapproachable Light of God being revealed through while simultaneously being concealed by angelic coverings.
The Light of God in the Creation of the World
All was quiet and still in the beginning. The earth was without form and void. “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” A pronounced inhalation and exhalation of Breath came with the speaking of the divine word: “Let there be Light” The world was suddenly illuminated with Light days before the creation of the sun, moon, and stars Where did it come from? This is the Light of God in the creation of the world. “God is Light” And all the angels of God shouted for joy to behold what followed during creation week
Day #1 was spectacular to behold because the Angels watched the light of Heaven illuminate a dark world To be specific, the sun, moon, and stars were not created until Day #4 Therefore, we are forced to conclude that the Light of Day #1 was a heavenly light that was coming directly from the Presence of God Speaking volumes about its origin, the whole spectrum of visible Light is visible in Heaven A spiritual and physical reality are overlapping in the Scripture, and the apostles rhetorically punctuated the doctrine in a staggering climax of parallelism. The Light of God appearing in the Genesis of time is a momentous occasion in the beginning that is comparable to and eclipsed by the dawning Light of salvation in Jesus Christ
The Light of God in the Creation of the New World
All was quiet and still like in the beginning. The earth was once again without form and void when the flood was complete. The water stood 26 feet above the tallest mountain on earth after 150 days of flooding “And God made a Wind to pass over the earth”
A pronounced inhalation and exhalation of Breath came with the speaking of divine words as the LORD rebuked the waters of the flood. “At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away.” Simultaneously, Noah was looking out of the window of the Ark and saw God “dwelling in the Light” An eyewitness testimony is provided in
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with Light as with a garment: who stretchest out the Heavens like a curtain:” — Ps. 104:1-2
“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” — 1 Tim. 6:16
Noah didn’t see the physical or spiritual features of a divine image because God is “invisible” God was “dwelling in the Light” God was invisibly concealed “in” and behind the Light. Eyewitnesses said that the Light was acting as a majestic covering for God like the clothing of Kings on earth. Speaking of this, the psalmist said, “Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who converest Thyself with Light as with a garment:” Only God can present Himself to redeemed mankind being dressed, decked, and arrayed in heavenly Light for clothing
The believers in the Ark were filled with adoration and worship as soon as the Light shined on them. They knew it was God! The Light stood in the dome of the sky in a different location than the sun, and it exceeded “the brightness of the sun” Its presence and power posed a danger to Noah and his family. Therefore, it was necessary for God to use “the Heavens like a curtain” to effectively diminish its power so that mortal man would not be destroyed by its brightness “He holdeth back the face of His throne, and spreadeth His cloud upon it.”
The believers in the Ark needed God’s tender care during Noah’s baptism You could say that there was a lot of divine activity during the watery deluge. The Light was moving. Noah reported that the Light was “walking upon the wings of the wind” Noah’s family didn’t know it yet, but the baptismal waters of burial were turning the earth into a graveyard filled with trillions of fossils buried in 10,000 feet of sedimentary layers
The Light of God in the Baptism of the Red Sea
Israel was in great distress as they saw the Egyptian army in pursuit while they were trapped at the Red Sea. But then the “Wind” started blowing and simultaneously a divine “rebuke” was uttered and suddenly everything changed The Jews then descended into the crystal walls of a divided Sea on dry land even as a weary animal descends into a valley for rest Meanwhile, a divine blockade of miracles was keeping the Egyptian army at bay. All seemed quiet and still because “the Spirit of the Lord” had “caused” the Jews to be at “rest” They were at peace and joyful as they walked through the Sea because they were “under the Cloud” and “in the Cloud” Meanwhile, glancing upward, millions of Jews saw the Light behind the Clouds.
“He bowed the Heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under His feet. And he rode upon a Cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.” — Ps. 18:9-12
A bright Light “came down” from Heaven and “the Heavens” dropped with it to provide a “secret pavilion” for it There is the hiding of God’s power! The Heavens were acting like a curtain for the Light The Light was covered by a moving pavilion of “dark waters and thick clouds” that were being conducted about in a circular motion by furious “wind” Like the sun, but exceeding it in glory, “the brightness” was visible behind the moving clouds Bright beams of Light were bursting into view as they penetrated through the darkness while the “thick clouds passed” over the LORD
The Light was moving. It did not stay in a fixed position. God was busy doing many great things during the baptism of the Red Sea Literally, the LORD was slaying dragons for the Jews. They didn’t know it yet, but on the other side of the flood, millions of Jews were going to eat the Leviathan for lunch The Jews had a long journey through the Red Sea, but they were encouraged as they went, looking up, because they could see that the “darkness was under His feet” as God luminously walked in the covering pavilion above them
The Light of God at Sinai
A freshly baptized Israel embarked upon their journey from the Red Sea Their next destination was mount Sinai in Arabia around 70 miles away Upon arrival, millions of Jews gathered before the holy mountain under strict charges that they would be prepared to meet with God They were told, “the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai” Waiting quietly in perfect stillness, suddenly, an angelic trumpet began to sound from Heaven, and then the northern horizon was filled with Light.
“And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.” — Deut. 33:2
“God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the Heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the Light; he had bright beams coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.” — Hab. 3:3-4
The people looked north toward Seir and Teman, and the northern horizon was full of glory because “His brightness was as the Light” The brightness of the glory of God was like the Sun, only more excellent brilliantly shining in a different location than the Sun. Hence, it could not be mistaken for the Sun. It was daytime and the Sun was already running its course in the vault of Heaven, rising and setting from East to West, while the divine Light was coming from the North. The Light was not stationary. It was moving. It was rapidly traveling North to South towards the Jews who were gathered before mount Sinai, as the angelic trumpets were being blown louder and longer with each blast. The Jews could see the Light from 100 miles away as it passed over and “shined forth from mount Paran”
Everyone is delighted to see the sunrise. “The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the Firmament showeth His handywork.” We look until we cannot any longer because we are forced to shield our eyes in awe of its power. “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary: Praise Him in the Firmament of His power.” From the vantage point of Sinai, if the divine Light was equal to or exceeding the brightness of the Sun, the entire northern horizon would have been filled with glory as the Light was approaching. It would have appeared like a majestic sunrise of terrible glory, albeit the light “rose up from Seir unto them”
As the Light got closer, mile by mile, it became apparent that when the Light came down, “the Heavens dropped” with it as a curtain to vail its power This means that there were thick dark rainclouds moving around the Light There is the hiding of divine power! Nevertheless, the sky resembled a sunrise in how the Light illuminated the Heavens with glory, as Habakkuk said, “His glory covered the Heavens” Even the presence of the sun can be perceived behind a vail of clouds. The Jews at Sinai looked up in wonder as they saw “bright beams” of light piercing through the clouds in all directions! Meanwhile, an array of “bright beams” was being cast upon the world, and Habakkuk said, “the earth was full of His praise”
Minute by minute, the Jews were afraid to see more things coming into view when “the Presence of God” dwelling in Light was coming toward them A trail of glory was left in the wake of the Light. Directly underneath its path the peaks of nearby mountains were being set on fire and melting and in this sense the everlasting mountains were bowing in worship before God The earth was violently quaking and trembling before the Light insomuch that the mountains were moving out of their locations
“Why leap ye, ye high hills?” — Ps. 68:18
“What ailed thee…ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and yet little hills, like lambs?” — Ps. 114:5-6
The same things happened to mount Seir and mount Paran, and the hills and mountains around them, and much more to Sinai and the mountains around it “And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake”
“And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.” — Ex. 19:18-20
The eyewitnesses of this spectacular event were manifold. As distant and foreign outsiders, the heathen saw the Light go from Sier to Sinai. They were terrified to see that God was going there to meet with Israel “face to face” The staggering vision left a lasting impact on sinners in distant lands. No marvel that Balaam was compelled to call the Messiah “a Star out of Jacob”
The general population of the Jews were also outsiders in one sense, because they couldn’t even touch mount Sinai We could call them “citizen outsiders”. From their vantage point, they looked on mount Sinai and saw layers of heavenly glory via clouds and fire acting as a covering for the Light at the peak of mount Sinai. Firstly, they saw a tempestuous pavilion of dark clouds and black smoke moving in a circular motion around the peak of Sinai Secondarily, behind the clouds, they saw a devouring fire which burned furiously insomuch that the flames were ascending high into the sky above Sinai Finally, behind it all, they saw indications that the Light was shining through the celestial vail that was constructed to hide its deadly power. A white heavenly Light of indescribable brightness was shining through the fire creating a heavenly glow of amber
The time came for Moses to ascend Sinai to its peak. Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 Elders of Israel ascended partway up the mountain as witnesses of this event It is written, “they saw the God of Israel” and worshipped “afar off” However, due to being closer to Sinai’s peak than ever before, they stood at a vantage point where they were able to see under the pavilion of clouds and fire. They saw something that looked like a floor of sapphire serving as a platform for the heavenly throne room of God. Keep in mind that sapphire is a gemstone that reacts with Light, which is why these rocks are called “stones of fire” in the Bible Thus, as they beheld radiant Light coming from “the God of Israel”, they saw a reacting floor that looked similar to “a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of Heaven in His clearness” Finally, after six days, they watched as “Moses went into the midst of the cloud” and disappeared from their sight
Moses entered into the cloud and then saw many heavenly things of eternity Nevertheless, not even Moses could stand before the Light to bask in the fulness of divine glory He wanted to, but he couldn’t! Moses knew that the Light was coming from the Face of God. When he prayed to God, “I beseech Thee, shew my Thy glory” he was asking to see the Face of God. This becomes clear in how the LORD responded to Moses, saying, “Thou canst not see My Face: for there shall no man see Me, and live.” Readers of the Law also understood this fact, namely, that the Face of God shined like the sun.
The prophet Malachi, among others, referred to the LORD as “the Sun of Righteousness” The people of God in general repeatedly prayed and sung about the shining Face of God and the Light of His Countenance as a central part of their faith (Face: Countenance: ). All other believers were spiritually compelled to join Moses in a quest to see the Face of God They wanted their own mountaintop experience with God! But Moses hardly survived the wind, fire, earthquake, and Light of his own mountaintop experience with God, and this was only a “pass by” encounter with the Face of God
“And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by:” — Ex. 33:22
So far from seeing the Face of God, Moses needed protection from it! Literally, Moses needed a covering. And the cleft of the rock didn’t provide enough protection. Moses needed the hand of God to cover him while he abode in the cleft of the rock! A supernatural covering was necessary because in the “pass by”, the holy mountain itself was rent and the rocks around Moses were scorched with fire and broken in pieces. These explicit details were provided when Elijah experienced the same thing when “the LORD passed by” at the same location upon Sinai
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12
Is wind capable of rending mountains and breaking rocks into pieces? Only if the power of the sun, or something like it, is somehow introduced to the atmosphere of our world. For some perspective, read while meditating upon the “wonders” of the Last Days This description is remarkably similar to the violence and destruction unleashed by a flash of thermonuclear light in the explosion of an atomic bomb. After a 180-million-degree flash of thermo-nuclear light that catches everything on fire for miles, the blast of an atomic bomb will create shockwaves causing an earthquake and waves of compressed air above land – terribly destructive walls of strong wind that will essentially rip apart every manmade structure for 5 miles – and then comes a massive fireball a mile in diameter, turning the asphalt streets of the city into molten lava.
Elijah’s account fills in the lines of Now, imagine Moses in his hiding place as “the LORD passed by before him” Do you see why it was necessary for the LORD to cover Moses with a divine hand? With the mountain rending and the rocks around him being scorched with fire and broken in pieces at the power of God, it was necessary for Moses to be covered, and in covering him, the LORD was hiding him from a deadly onslaught of divine power. Habakkuk brings this same scene into view through a poetic Hebrew song.
“God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the Heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the Light; He had bright beams coming out of His hand: and there was the hiding of His power.”– Hab. 3:3-4 (KJV)
“His brightness was like the Light; rays flashed from His Hand; and there He veiled His power.”– Hab. 3:4 (ESV)
Habakkuk went on to say, “He had bright beams coming out of His hand” Habakkuk did not say, “hands”, as though he was referring to the dispensing of light from the hands of God as a general form of projection all throughout biblical history. Rather, Habakkuk was referring to an instance in history when a single divine hand was being used as a covering to hide or vail the power of divine Light from Moses at Sinai.
When the face of the sun passes by a canopy of dark clouds, ones that are thick enough to conceal its brightness, mortal men look up and see beams of light “coming out of” the clouds as the sun penetrates through various holes and crevices in the clouds. Simultaneously, bright beams of light are visible along the outer edges of the clouds. Nature itself teaches us how the clouds act to hide or vail the brightness of the light! Similarly, the Face of God passed by Moses, and in the process, there were bright beams of light penetrating through the small holes and crevices of the divine hand, and along its outer edges. The hand was being used to hide or vail the deadly power of divine light as the Face of God was passing by! The LORD then took away His hand, and this allowed Moses to get a glimpse of the “back parts” of God. The Light of the glory of God then struck the mortal face of the beholder, and immediately, Moses’ face was illuminated with an otherworldly light.
“And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two Tables of Testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.” — Ex. 34:29-32
There is a holy complexity to this awesome situation. This mountaintop experience is truly unfathomable! Therefore, we must humbly approach it, hoping only to understand it in part. Remember, outsiders looked at Sinai and saw layers of heavenly glory acting as a covering: firstly, they saw smokey clouds; secondarily, behind the clouds, they saw the fire; thirdly, behind the fire, they saw the Light. All three of these things were visible and manifestly contributing to the glory of Sinai. Furthermore, we know that Moses entered into the cloud and hereby passed through one layer of heavenly covering Meanwhile, the Israelites marveled to behold how Moses had access to God as the Mediator of the Old Testament However, after entering the cloud, Moses could proceed no further into the glory. Of note, the same thing could be said about the High Priest on the Day of Atonement.
Moses never entered into or passed through the fire. We are told that Moses personally beheld the fury and power of the fire, and fell down before it, thus comprehending the real danger that it posed especially when God’s “wrath” did “wax hot” to “consume” the Israelites In this case, standing in the breach as an intercessor means that Moses stood before the divine threat of fire Moses came “before” the fire when it was kindled in “hot displeasure” Proceeding no further, it was written, “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, for forty days and forty nights…” He “fell down before” El-esh-oklah, God the Consuming Fire, He did not go into the fire. All this happened during the same mountaintop experience that made Moses’ face shine with an otherworldly light. Therefore, we must conclude that the Light was shining from behind a vailing presence of fire. Such a scene like this would be incomprehensible, if it were not for the eyewitness testimony of the prophet Ezekiel. A most staggering vision is described in
“And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind [Rûacḥ] came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four Living Creatures.” — Ezek. 1:4-5
Ezekiel beheld the Sinaic glory of the LORD even while sitting by the river Chebar in Babylon. Keep in mind that Sinai was also called a “tempest” of “blackness” and “darkness” First, looking North, Ezekiel saw “a great cloud” furiously moving in a circular motion like a “whirlwind”; and behind the cloud, he saw a “fire infolding itself”; and behind the fire, he saw the “brightness” of the Light; and as the Light shined “out of the midst” of the fire – passing through it – it created a glowing color of “amber” Usually, something like this is all that outsiders are permitted to see. Not so with Prophets.
Ezekiel saw Angels within the fire. They were visible “out of the midst” of the fire (Eze. 1:5). They were called Living Creatures, but Ezekiel knew them to be the Cherubim Let that sink in! The presence of Cherubim certainly indicates that the enthroned presence of the LORD was in the midst radiating with Light, as described in This isn’t a matter of speculation. The Throne of God in Heaven is surrounded by the Cherubim on all sides right now These are “covering” Cherubim It is their duty! Therefore, we can be sure that the Light was shining from behind and through the Cherubim. Hence, “the color of amber” and “the appearance of the bow”
“Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place.” — Ezek. 3:12
Let us remember that the angelic act of covering safely reduces the radiant power of divine glory. With Ezekiel’s vision in mind, one can only imagine what Moses saw at the peak of Sinai! It had to be something comparable and even more excellent than the Sinaic glory at the river Chebar. We can be absolutely sure that Moses saw the Cherubim too, and that is how he directed Bazaleel in the “cunning work” of their sown images on the curtains of the Tabernacle, on the “vail” of the Holy of Holies, and the golden statues of the Throne Room
These mighty revelations of God coexisting with angelic coverings are an important part of the Bible. Perspectives change depending upon the vantage point of the beholder. The unlearned eye looks at Sinaic glory, and says, “There is the revealing of divine power!”, without realizing the infinite greatness of divine power that was being vailed and covered during the revelation. On the contrary, Ezekiel and Moses would say, “There was the hiding of His power!” because they understood how the smokey clouds, fire, and Cherubim were acting as a covering to the deadly force of divine Light.
The Light of God in the Tabernacle / Temple
A pass by encounter with the Light at the peak of Sinai transfigured the mortal face of Moses making it radiant with light. But the Jews were frightened when they saw the shining face of Moses. This was disappointing to Moses and problematic to their relationship. Reluctantly, Moses decided to put a vail over his face to cover the light
The light on Moses’ face would have eventually disappeared because it was fading overtime However, the light was renewed when Moses went into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle to meet with the LORD because he would take the vail off during the engagement. The light on Moses’ face was renewed because the Light of God was in the Tabernacle.
“And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.” — Ex. 34:33-35
The great God of Sinai descended the holy mountain and entered the Tabernacle. This is how Moses was able to continue meeting with God in the same unique way even after Israel departed from mount Sinai Moses wasn’t being presumptuous to go into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. The Law sanctioned these meetings Aaron, the High Priest, was also called by name to meet with God in the Holy of Holies
The LORD audibly called to Moses from the peak of mount Sinai, and the Mediator went up the mount to meet with God Similarly, the LORD audibly called to Moses from between the Cherubims above the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, and then the Mediator “went in” the Holy of Holies to meet with God Of course, this raises some questions.
Moses hardly survived the Light of God at the peak of Sinai. If the Light of God was going to be in the Tabernacle, then Moses and Aaron would need a covering of protection to survive it A close study of Scripture reveals that the same layers of protection were provided, and all the eyewitnesses could see that the Sinaic Light of unapproachable glory was in the Tabernacle.
The general population of Jews congregated before the Tabernacle and saw the fire coming out from before the LORD as it consumed the sacrifice of the altar They also watched it consume those who provocatively offended the LORD They saw the glory of the LORD in the form of thick dark clouds fill the Tabernacle insomuch that not even Moses could enter the Tabernacle for the time being, and as eyewitnesses they knew that the Light was shining like the Sun behind a vailing pavilion of darkness Hence, when Moses went into the Holy of Holies, the fading light was renewed on his face. Allow Solomon to provide his own eyewitness testimony when the same thing happened at the Temple.
“So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.”– 1 Kings 8:11-12 [Rev. 15:8]
The Levites, Priests, the High Priest, and the Mediator greatly cherished these layers of protection. There is the hiding of God’s power! Their survival depended upon it. Nadab and Abihu didn’t survive long and due to this, a new restriction was put upon Aaron that prohibited him from meeting with God in the Holy of Holies at will The new law allows Aaron to enter the Holy of Holies only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Furthermore, if Aaron dared to enter the Holy of Holies without a thick cloud of incense completely engulfing the Throne of God as a covering, then Aaron would have been killed The symbolism here further underscores the need for the Light of God to be covered as divine glory would visibly “appear” above the Mercy Seat
“And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the Mercy Seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the Mercy Seat eastward; and before the Mercy Seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the Mercy Seat, and before the Mercy Seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the Tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the Tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.” — Lev. 16:12-17
There was a successful transfer of glory from Sinai to the Tabernacle, but the same precautions needed to be taken for the protection and survival of those who would come near to meet with God. The Mediator and the High Priest were safe to look upon God as long as a cloud of incense filled the Holy of Holies. This means that the smoke had to be dense. The cloud had to be thick enough to “cover the Mercy Seat” Otherwise, these men would have certainly died when they encountered the Light of the Tabernacle The eyewitness testimonies of Isaiah and Ezekiel will confirm this reality.
“…and the House was filled with smoke.”– Isa. 6:4 [Rev. 15:8]
Isaiah the Prophet went into “the Temple” and “saw” the LORD “sitting upon a Throne” in the Holy of Holies, and “the House was filled with smoke” for his own protection and survival Isaiah even thought he was going to die because he “saw His glory” And that is why Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me! For I am undone…for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isiaah survived only because the Temple was “filled with smoke” to protect him from the Light The Prophets are in perfect agreement about this.
“Now the Cherubims stood on the right side of the House, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the Cherub, and stood over the threshold of the House; and the House was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory.”– Ezek. 10:3-4 [Rev. 15:8]
Ezekiel had his own encounter with the glory of God at the Temple. However, Ezekiel didn’t go into the Temple. God came out of the Temple while Ezekiel was standing by during a prophetic vision. The Light was not stationary. It moved! Ezekiel watched as “the glory of the Lord” moved from the Holy of Holies to “the threshold of the House”, which is a place equivalent to the door of the Tabernacle. The glorious Light was changing locations as a thick cloud was continually circling to vail its deadly power. The Light could be seen shining in and through the cloud, making it a “bright cloud” even as “the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’S glory”
“…Thou that dwellest between the Cherubims, shine forth.” — Ps. 80:1
Jewish readers correctly interpreted what was going on in the Holy of Holies when Moses and Aaron saw the glory of God in the Tabernacle. Asaph joined his voice with a chorus of Prophets who all desired the same thing, as he prayed fervently to God, saying, “Thou that dwellest between the Cherubims, shine forth.” By interpretation, this meant, “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” Every godly man throughout all ages wanted to see the Face of God Of course, this is certainly why Moses removed the vail from his face when he “went in” to the Holy of Holies The Mediator wanted to see God! And upon passing through the vail of the Holy of Holies, Moses and Aaron beheld a “bright cloud” of glory shining with heavenly brilliance in front of them Moses described it as “the beauty of the LORD”
Everyone was awestruck with amazement at the ministry of the Mediator and the High Priest in the Tabernacle. Israel was even more thrilled at the divine blessings which were bestowed upon them through these holy ministers Receiving a blessing from a man who came fresh from the Holy of Holies was an exhilarating experience! Especially, when they say, “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” The blessings that came from these intercessors were unforgettable by virtue of their experience in the Holy of Holies
David wanted to be a Priest rather than a King. This may be confusing to some people. David wanted to be a Priest because he desired to be close to the Holy of Holies for as long as possible all the days of his life, because there he could bask in the light of the “Sun” as it was shining from above the Mercy Seat David was an eyewitness of this glory! He told all of Israel about it through psalms, as he said to God, “I have seen Thee in the Sanctuary” A visible revelation of “the beauty of the LORD” was attracting him to the Tabernacle
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the House of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His Temple.” — Psalm 27:4
“Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in Thy Courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the House of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a Sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” — Psalm 84:9-11
The voice of the LORD was calling David to come nearer and nearer. Speaking of this, David said to God, “When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” As one beholden to the Face of God, even though it was concealed in a bright cloud of Light, David said, “The LORD is my Light and my salvation…” Similarly, David declared, “For the LORD God is a Sun and shield…” Meanwhile, all the psalmists were made to sing about the shining Face of God even as all of Israel was made to know the blessedness of the Light of His Countenance There can be no doubt about the origin of these doctrines pertaining to the Face of God. It can be traced back to the Light that shined at the peak of Sinai and subsequently in the Holy of Holies Increasing clarity was given from generation to generation.
The Revelation of God and Angelic Coverings
Heaven invades into time and space and suddenly God luminously appears before the eyes of mortal men. God is hereby revealed in biblical history, but not without marvelous heavenly coverings. The Light of God comes down from eternity and then its brightness is shaded with manifestations of supernatural glory. Believers wish to see beyond the vailing pavilion of glory, but we rest assured that this thing is impossible due to the Cherubim surrounding the Throne acting as a covering.
Cherubim are the highest-ranking angels of Heaven who are nearest to God and positioned directly around the Throne to cover the brightness of the glory coming from the Face of God. This is not immediately apparent while looking into the vision of Heaven presented in Interpreters may erroneously conclude that the Cherubim are only the guardians and transporters of the Throne. The whole counsel of God reveals that the Cherubim were anointed to perform the sacred duty of covering the Light, as God said, “Thou art the anointed Cherub that covereth” This heavenly situation is mirrored on earth in the typology of the Tabernacle / Temple in the Old Testament.
The Tabernacle / Temple and Angelic Coverings
The average Jew standing before the door of the Tabernacle / Temple during an official offering looked with longing to enter the Sanctuary. The curtains of the Tabernacle blocked their view of the Sanctuary and the Most Holy Place, and the images of Cherubim were sown into the mighty curtains The doors of the Temple blocked their view of the Sanctuary and the Most Holy Place, and the images of the Cherubim were carved into the doors of the Temple And the same images of the Cherubim were carved into all the walls of the Temple Typologically speaking, it could be said, the Cherubim were blocking their view in a sacred act of covering.
The Priests, who frequented the Sanctuary, looked with longing to see into the Holy of Holies, but they were given some pause as they gazed because they were confronted and blocked by the images of the Cherubim emblazoned upon the vail of the Holy of Holies Only the High Priest, Aaron, was permitted to pass through the vail of the Holy of Holies one time a year. Upon doing so, he was confronted and blocked by the presence of two golden Cherubim standing 17.5 feet high within in a thick cloud of smoke
“And the Cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the Cherubims be.” — Ex. 25:20
“And the Cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the Cherubims.” — Ex. 37:9
“And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the Cherubims: For the Cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the Cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.” — 2 Chron. 5:7-8
“And over it the Cherubims of glory shadowing the Mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” — Heb. 9:5
The Cherubim stood 17.5 feet high with their wingspan extending 35 feet wall-to-wall acting as a “covering” for God who was seated upon the Mercy Seat. The mighty wings were outstretched in a certain way so that the Mercy Seat was “under the wings”, and the wings were “over” the Ark in the act of “over” “shadowing” and hereby the Throne of God was “covered”. All these details were given in the Theater of Typology so that we could understand how the Cherubim perform their sacred duty of covering in reality.
Heaven and Angelic Coverings
The description of the Cherubim in the Theater of Typology is impressive. But the reality of Heaven must be far more impressive in every way. For example, in size, the Cherubim are much bigger in height and wingspan in Heaven. They would have to be extremely large to act as a covering for the Great White Throne of Heaven Four Cherubim are positioned on each side of the Throne for an overshading in all directions Each Cherubim possesses six wings for the job
Under God, the Cherubim were the greatest created beings in the universe, who alone had the power and ability to cover God. They covered God adequately for everyone else’s safety in Heaven and Earth. Even though the holy eyes of Heaven were longing to look into what was being covered, even the act of covering is something of spectacular beauty. The Daystar of eternity, exceeding the brightness of the sun, shines forth from behind the covering Cherubim in a dazzling display of glory The Light of God passes through small holes and crevices, and shines along the edges of the covering Angels, even as sunlight interacts with clouds Consequentially, an array of bright beams can be seen breaking out in all directions.
The divine Light also passes through the covering Angels, and the associated “firmament” that they are supernaturally manifesting The Light reacts with their angelic bodies, even as light reacts with the firmament of Heaven The Light also reacts with their bodies like gemstones on earth, seeing that their angelic skin is adorned with the likeness of “every precious stone” known to mankind Through refraction, the whole spectrum of Light in the form of a rainbow can be seen as a glow of brightness around the Throne What a magnificent scene! Truly. “Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place.”
The Flood and Angelic Coverings
Eyewitnesses and inspired authors of biblical history have been talking about angelic coverings as early as the Flood. This becomes more apparent as readers pay attention to the Hebrew word, Rûacḥ.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with Light as with a garment: Who stretches out the Heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds His chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the Wind [Rûacḥ]: Who maketh His Angels Spirits [Rûacḥ]; His Ministers a flaming fire:” — Ps. 104:2-4
We have already observed how the Light of God was present during the creation of the New World, and therefore it was necessary for the LORD to use “the Heavens like a curtain” to effectively diminish its power It is important to understand that even this type of language can qualify as a description of an angelic curtain. Follow the punctuation. As is customary in Hebrew poetry, a series of parallel statements starting in verse two leads readers to realize that the author is talking about angelic coverings when he uses the word Rûacḥ in verses three and four.
Noah saw the Light flying through the sky, and therefore it was said that He “maketh the Clouds His chariot” These are supernatural clouds referring to angelic chariots. The Light could be seen moving around in a supernatural pavilion of heavenly “curtains”, and therefore it was said that He “walketh upon the wings of the Wind [Rûacḥ]” God was being supported, upheld, and carried by Rûacḥ on this momentous occasion. Finally, for clarification, the Psalmist declared: the LORD “maketh His Angels Spirits [Rûacḥ]; His Ministers a flaming fire:”
Naturally, this may be difficult for us to understand. Mortal men are made of clay and return to the dust. God made Angels glorious in various forms of Rûacḥ and fire. Therefore, when Angels appear, we may not recognize their glorious “disposition”, unless we are careful to remember the testimony of Scripture
Sinai and Angelic Coverings
At Moses’ first ascent of mount Sinai, he encountered the LORD through a fiery angelic manifestation in the burning bush. As it was written, “the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” “Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.” Being sent by God, Moses departed to Egypt on a mission to deliver the Israelites from slavery And for clarification, it was written, Moses was divinely sent “by the hand of the Angel which appeared to him in the bush” Clearly, God has spoken in diverse manners through Angels in the Old Testament
The Jews were liberated from Egypt and Moses returned to Sinai with the congregation to meet with God. The Light appeared on the Northern Horizon and “the Heavens dropped” with it The dropping Heavens was literally an angelic “tempest” of wind, whirling “clouds”, and “fire” The LORD flew to Sinai in the center of this heavenly storm of glory and then descended upon the holy mount. Israel watched the whole thing and through the instruction of Moses knew exactly what was happening.
“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the Heaven in thy help, and in His excellency on the sky.” — Deut. 33:26
“Sing unto God, sing praises to His Name: extol Him that rideth upon the Heavens by His Name Jah, and rejoice before Him.” — Ps. 68:4
One of the highpoints of their praise was that the LORD “rideth upon the Heavens” like when He did “fly upon the wings of the Rûacḥ” when He “rode upon a Cherub” at the Red Sea crossing Evidently, one Cherub was not enough for Sinai. The Sinaic revelation of glory was much greater in magnitude than anything that existed before it. Therefore, understandably, the “chariots” of “thousands of Angels” were actively involved in the terrible majesty put on display at Sinai
“And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake” — Heb. 12:21
The voice of the Living God thundered out of the Consuming Fire declaring the Ten Commandments in the ears of the people And so terrible was the sound of it that the congregation of Israel said, “let not God speak with us, lest we die” Speaking of this under inspiration, Stephen said that this mighty divine voice was “the Angel which spake…in the mount Sinai”, and hereby the Jews “received the lively oracles” Literally, the Jews “received the Law by the disposition of Angels” Agreeing with this, the apostle Paul said that “the Law” was “ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator” God was revealing Himself and speaking through Angels Isaiah called this theophany, “the Angel of His presence” and the same thing was confirmed to Moses repeatedly
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” — Isa. 63:9
All this corresponds with the Sinaic glory that was manifest in the days of Elijah. The Doctrine of Angelic Coverings developed over time in the Bible. And the time finally came for full disclosure in the Old Testament. Perhaps no one else except Elijah could understand what Moses experienced as a Seer of glory at the summit of Sinai.
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind [Rûacḥ] rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind [Rûacḥ]: and after the wind [Rûacḥ] an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12
Here, in we read a conspicuous statement of clarification. Namely, that “the LORD “was not in” the Wind [Rûacḥ], Earthquake, and Fire. It was Angelic! Renowned commentators agree that this was written to reinforce the Doctrine of Angelic Coverings. Matthew Henry, John Gill, and Adam Clarke interpreted in the light of John Gill and Adam Clarke chose to underscore this interpretation by pointing to the Chaldee Targum.
“But, 1. He heard a strong Wind, and saw the terrible effects of it, for it rent the mountains and tore the rocks. Thus was the trumpet sounded before the Judge of heaven and earth, by his Angels, whom he makes Spirits, or Winds (Ps. 104:4), sounded so loud that the earth not only rang, but rent again. 2. He felt the shock of an Earthquake. 3. He saw an eruption of Fire, 1 Kgs. 19:12. These were to usher in the designed manifestation of the divine glory, Angels being employed in them, whom he maketh a flame of Fire, and who, as his Ministers, march before him, to prepare in this desert a highway for our God.” — Matthew Henry
“And after the Earthquake a Fire, but the Lord was not in the Fire,.... As he was when he descended on this mount, and spake to Moses, Exodus 19:1, the Targum, and so Jarchi, interpret all these appearances of Angels, and not amiss; the Wind, of an host of Angels of Wind; the Earthquake, of an host of Angels of commotion; the Fire, of an host of angels of Fire; see Ps 104:4, these Ministers of the Lord went before him, to prepare the way of his glorious Majesty; which emblems may represent the power of God, the terribleness of his majesty, and the fury of his wrath, which he could display, if he would, to the destruction of his enemies; and could as easily destroy the idolatrous kingdom of Israel, which Elijah seems to be solicitous of, as the Wind rent the mountains, and broke the rocks, and the Earthquake shook the earth, and the Fire consumed all in its way; but he chose not to do it now, but to use lenity, and show mercy, signified by the next emblem:” — John Gill
“Yet here, though every thing is produced in its natural order, yet the exciting cause of the whole is supernatural. Thus the Chaldee understands the whole passage: "And behold the Lord was revealed; and before him was a host of the Angels of the Wind, tearing the mountains, and breaking the rocks before the Lord, but the Majesty (Shechinah) of the Lord was not in the host of the Angels of the Wind. And after the host of the Angels of the Wind, there was a host of the Angels of commotion; but the Majesty of the Lord was not in the host of the Angels of commotion. And after the host of the Angels of commotion, a Fire; but the Majesty of the Lord was not in the host of the Angels of Fire. And after the host of the Angels of Fire, a voice singing in silence," c. that is, a sound with which no other sound was mingled.” — Adam Clarke
Something of divine glory and power was being revealed in the manifestation of Fire, Wind, and Clouds, but it was through the presence of spiritual beings called Angels. God “maketh His Angels…a flaming Fire” God “maketh His Angels Spirits [Wind / Rûacḥ]” And all the Jews knew that God dwelt within the thick darkness of vailing Clouds This is how God was dwelling behind the covering Angels.
The act of covering was accomplished by Cherubic “wings” in the Theater of Typology Ezekiel saw everything in action as the Cherubim were flying while manifesting a tempestuous whirlwind of clouds and fire. Ezekiel could literally see the Cherubim appearing “out of the midst” of the fire Also, of note, the Cherubim have the ability to manifest “the likeness” of a “firmament” in and around their presence
“And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind [Rûacḥ] came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four Living Creatures.” — Ezek. 1:4-5
Ezekiel was especially focused on the “wings” of the Cherubim during this revelation, speaking of them ten times in one chapter, because the wings were used for flight and for covering He described how “their wings were joined one to another” even while the Cherubim were moving He saw the wings fully spread out and “stretched upward” as “two wings of every one were joined one to another”, confirming their ability to cover God and themselves simultaneously Meanwhile, their bodily appearance was like “fire” with a mixture of “lightning” This is why Isaiah called them, Seraphims, or Burning Ones.
“Above it stood the Seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isa. 6:2-3
The Cherubims / Seraphims fly with their mighty wings to cover God for everyone else’s protection, and they simultaneously cover themselves for their own protection. They have eyes in their wings so they can see where they are going They are excellent in “strength” They fly with unimaginable speed, as fast as lightning, so that in flight they can fully cover God on all sides in a vailing whirlwind of glory The fast and powerful movement of Angels is visibly spectacular! For example, observe how Daniel described the glory of the Angels who go to and fro as they appear before the Throne in obedience to the “commandments” of God, as the LORD actively governs the universe in real time
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his Throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” — Dan. 7:9-10
The sight of the Throne in a stationary position was impressive. Daniel watched from afar as hundreds of millions of Angels in their courses were coming and going from before the Throne of God, as each Angel was attending to the divine commandments that were thundering from the voice of God. As the fiery angels go to and fro all at once with unimaginable speed like lightning the vision of the angelic thoroughfare in the eye of the beholder would appear to be “a fiery stream” that is coming out from the Throne of God
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