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So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Gen 3:24
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And so it is today that the old man, Adam, in you and me is kept from partaking of the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is Christ, from Whom all the fruit of the Spirit grow. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and this fruit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. (Gal 5:22 & Eph 5:9)
Adam is afraid to meet God. He is really unable, because of his faulty reasoning which is every bit imagination. Because of that which he imagines, Adam is not able to accept the New Covenant, which is also the oldest covenant, even before the foundations. This covenant of love and grace opens up access to the Tree of Life, with all its good, joyous and peaceful fruit. It is only in the vain mind of Adam, that man imagines and suffers alienation from God and His Eden. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled” (Col. 1:21).
It seems of late Joian and I have been sharing with friends and family a series of messages written by Elwin Roach. In this series Elwin opens up the idea that the Cherubim, guarding the Tree of Life are our imaginations. Sounds right to me and this must hold water also with Joian. For upon finishing this five part series, she was so moved, that she decided to read it all again.
Dear sweet reader, If you are being buffeted from every side by the enemy and suffering anxiety, I strongly urge you to read this anointed series. I know it will help subside the unsavory thoughts and replace the warfare in your mind with a gentle peace. The link to Elwin's papers follow a few of his introductory words. I have also added some scripture. my friend Cindy put together in her short writing on vain imaginations. I found her choice of translations for these verses quite anointed.
"THE CHERUBIM ARE IMAGINATIONS which find their roots in the imaginative mind of man.
Perhaps we can see why the cherubim were sewn into the veil, that which represents man's mind, and is the obstacle which separates him from the Most Holy Place. The curtains of the tabernacle also contained cherubim, as well as the two doors of the temple, not to mention the walls. Everywhere in the tabernacle and the temple cherubim were sewn and made. This was for the purpose of keeping carnality out of the Holy of the Holies, which is the same as the midst of the Garden.
....... The curtains and veil speak of the physical makeup of man (his body of flesh) and his soul (mind, will, intellect, and emotions.) The cherubim are sown into the very fabric of man: in the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. He can no more escape them than he can the serpent that feeds upon the dust of his makeup." (Roach)
http://www.godfire.net/cherubim_seraphim1.html
2 Corinthians 10:5
Inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ, the Messiah and the Anointed One"
AMP
"These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ" (TLB)
"For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every thought as if into slavery--into subjection to Christ" WEY
And a few other verses ....
Romans 1:21 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened"
Acts 4:25-26 “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.”
Jeremiah 7:24 “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward”
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power making it active, operative, energizing, and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Dear brother, sweet sister, "He works all things for good" and the heartfelt knowledge of this, buries our fretting and despair. May God grant you today His wonderful peace and may He fill you with a quiet heavenly joy,
Jack
