Being Seated with Christ vs. Being the Anointed Cherub

Attribute	Being Seated with Christ	Being the Anointed Cherub
Position	Seated at the right hand of God	Positioned in the holy mountain of God
Authority	Given authority over all things	Had authority as a guardian cherub
Role	Participates in the rule and reign of Christ	Guardian of the throne of God
Relationship	United with Christ in His victory	Served as a covering cherub in the presence of God

Attributes of Being Seated with Christ

Being seated with Christ is a concept found in the Bible that speaks to the believer's position in Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are spiritually seated with Him in heavenly places. This position signifies our union with Christ and our authority as children of God. Ephesians 2:6 says, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

One attribute of being seated with Christ is the assurance of salvation. When we are seated with Christ, we have the confidence that we are secure in our relationship with God. This assurance comes from knowing that our salvation is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross, not on our own efforts or merit. Romans 8:38-39 declares, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Another attribute of being seated with Christ is the privilege of intimacy with God. When we are seated with Christ, we have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears our prayers and cares for us. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Being seated with Christ also means sharing in His victory. As believers, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Romans 8:37). We have the assurance that we are on the winning side because Christ has already defeated sin, death, and the devil. This victory gives us hope and confidence as we face the challenges of life.

Lastly, being seated with Christ involves living a life of purpose and destiny. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and when we are seated with Christ, we can walk in the good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Our lives have meaning and significance because we are part of God's redemptive plan for the world.

Attributes of Being the Anointed Cherub

In contrast to being seated with Christ, being the anointed cherub refers to a specific being mentioned in Ezekiel 28:14. This passage describes the fall of the king of Tyre, but many scholars believe that it also alludes to the fall of Satan. The anointed cherub was a high-ranking angel who was in the presence of God and adorned with precious stones.

One attribute of being the anointed cherub is the beauty and splendor that this being possessed. The description in Ezekiel 28 paints a picture of a majestic and glorious being who was adorned with precious stones and covered with gold. This imagery conveys the idea of perfection and beauty that was associated with the anointed cherub before his fall.

Another attribute of being the anointed cherub is the position of authority and influence that this being held. As a high-ranking angel in the presence of God, the anointed cherub had a position of great authority and power. This authority allowed him to lead and influence other angels in the heavenly realm.

Being the anointed cherub also involved a close relationship with God. The fact that this being was in the presence of God indicates a level of intimacy and closeness that few other beings experienced. The anointed cherub had the privilege of being near to God and serving Him in a special way.

However, despite the beauty, authority, and closeness to God that the anointed cherub enjoyed, his downfall came as a result of pride and rebellion. Ezekiel 28:17 describes how the anointed cherub's heart became proud because of his beauty, and he was cast down from his position of honor. This serves as a warning to all beings, both heavenly and earthly, about the dangers of pride and the consequences of rebellion against God.

In conclusion, the attributes of being seated with Christ and being the anointed cherub highlight the contrast between the believer's position in Christ and the consequences of pride and rebellion. While being seated with Christ signifies our union with Him, assurance of salvation, intimacy with God, victory in Christ, and a life of purpose, being the anointed cherub represents the beauty, authority, and closeness to God that can be lost through pride and rebellion. As believers, we are called to humbly embrace our position in Christ and walk in obedience to Him, knowing that our true identity and significance come from being seated with Him in heavenly places.