Constructive Criticism x 4

We have reached the Seraphim. Their names are already known to us. The lion is Monarchy, the ox is Theocracy, the man is Anarchy, and the eagle is Democracy.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

They are thusly named, because the lion represents the relationship between a monarch and their subjects, the ox represents the relationship between a spiritual leader and their flock, the man represents our relationship with ourselves, and the eagle represents our relationship with our peers.

Each has six wings, two that cover their feet, two that cover their eyes, and two with which they fly. More on that in a minute.

They have eyes in the front, as well as the back, and even under their wings. This tells us that they are constantly looking forward, and behind them, but also… Well, have you ever had someone take you under their wing, or taken someone under your wing? Did you watch that person, and judge their worthiness or readiness? Were you watched and judged? I think we all have been, at one point.

Seraphim are watchful creatures. They look to the future, and learn from studying the past. By watching them, we can learn how to make our relationships better. They can help us define our role, because a Son of Man should always know his role.

Here’s how they work. The two wings that cover their feet represent two people trying to walk together. If they are going in different directions or try to step out of turn, they will trip over each other and fall, but if their movements are synchronized, they will reach their destination.

For instance, if a monarch wishes to take his people in a direction they don’t want to go, they might boot him out and crown a new king they can follow. Likewise, three popes can cause a schism, because the people won’t know who to send their tithes to. If we are lukewarm, as we were in Laodicea, we’ll get spat out, and if Republicans and Democrats can’t agree on a budget, the government shuts down.

Those were four examples, one for each of the living creatures. Note that they are not dead. It is better to survive, than to die, and it is better to live, than merely survive. Living implies tasting of life’s fruits. Without experience and stimulation, are we truly living?

The wings that cover their eyes are similar to the ones that cover their feet, except that they relate to vision and perspective. A monarch must see his people and their wants and needs clearly. Likewise, the people must see their leaders for what they are, human. If we can’t see ourselves and others in the clear light of day, we might miss what’s important.

With two wings, the Seraphim flies. When our actions are synchronized, with ourselves and others, we can fly too, right up to Heaven. We can faithfully execute our duties, whether we are a king or a peasant, a priest or a congregant, an introvert or extravert, or just someone’s neighbor.

Teamwork makes the dream work. The Seraphim call us God, and Holy, because they see our destiny. They know what we were, and what we will be. They can help us reach our full potential. They can help us slide our vanities, which are potentiometers, from deadly sin to saintly blessing. They can help us dance to our own tune, which is all God really wants from us.

Like any typical husband, if we ask what do you want to do, He will respond with, what do you wanna do? He knows what is in our hearts. He put it there. Some people know from an early age what they were born to do. The rest of us have to figure it out in our own good time. One way is not better than the other. Both are gifts.

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The Elders love us when we do well, especially if it was their example we followed. By laying their crowns before our throne, they are telling us that we surpassed them, and their expectations. Sure, they all traveled the revelation road, but they may not have gone down it as far as we will. If you stand on the shoulders of giants, are you not able to reach higher than they can? Each person who walks this path moves all of us a little further toward the end of the road.

God doesn’t need honor and glory, but we do. He is all powerful and all knowing. He doesn’t need us to tell Him how great He is. It’s us who needs a reminder. We are a part of Him. From the beginning we were a part of Him. The only thing that has changed is our perspective. In that respect, we were part of Him when He created all things. It was our will to be separated temporarily, so that He could walk us down this road, so that we could grow closer, still.

That’s a difficult concept to grasp, and one I don’t have words to fully explain. Sometimes it’s like that, when we try to bring the spiritual into the physical. Even Jesus struggled with it. He used parables, but the message didn’t always get through. You can take this small discrepancy and use it as an excuse to throw out everything else I’ve said. I can’t stop you, nor would I try. That’s your path to walk, not mine.

The Seraphim describe how we work together, and how we can trip over each other. Is a small stone enough to keep us off the path ahead? You decide. Just remember that I don’t know everything, but we both know someone who does.