THURSDAY January 15, 2026

The Cherubim of Glory

...and above it [the tablets of the covenant] were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Hebrews 9:5

Paul the Apostle continued to give a description of the earthly sanctuary from the viewpoint behind the veil––in the Holy of Holies. He described the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat––their two golden wings were spread out facing each other––as if protecting the Ark of God.  The Ark was understood to be the presence and the Shekinah glory of God in the camp of Israel.

The mercy seat was covered with gold, speaking of God’s divinity, royalty and majesty. The high priest only went into the Holy of Holies once a year, on the day of Yom Kippur, or The Day of Atonement, to sprinkle the blood of an animal sacrifice on the Mercy Seat, first for his sin, and second, for the sin of God’s people.

Today, Jews do not sacrifice animals to atone for their sin; instead, on the Day of Yom Kippur they do good deeds to compensate for their bad deeds. Yet the Bible states that there is no forgiveness of sin unless there is shedding of blood: And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse a person from sin: ...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness... To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood... (Revelation 1:5).

One day, the Jews’ eyes will finally be opened to who Jesus is––their awaited Messiah. The Holy Spirit will be poured out upon them:

And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son... (Zechariah 12:10).

Jesus is the only one that can atone for peoples’ sin, for you and for me. He makes us righteous before God; He gives us eternal life in heaven.

“For this is My [Jesus’] blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
~Matthew 26:28~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!