MAYSVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST COLUMN
QUESTION: Mr. Whitlock, I am reading the book of Isaiah and in chapter 6 the prophet speaks about Seraphim. Are they the same as angels?
ANSWER: This is the only time in the Bible where Seraphim (the plural for Seraph) are mentioned.
Literally, the Hebrew terms mean “burning ones” which implies their nature and their function for God.
The text reads: “Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is Jehovah of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:2-3). These beings served as agents of purification for Isaiah. One placed a hot coal against Isaiah’s lips and said, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin forgiven.” (Isaiah 6:7).
They are winged creatures whose function seems to be to serve God through praise and worship as well as in ministry. One of these beings touches Isaiah’s lips to signify his cleansing (Isaiah 6:6-7).
These are heavenly beings, but whether they are specifically angels or not, we cannot be dogmatic. Many angels are mentioned in the word of God, but none share the description given to the seraphim. It is my personal conviction they are heavenly creatures, but differ somehow from other beings of heaven, such as the angels.
A warm welcome awaits you at all the services of the Maysville church of Christ, at Main & Ash Streets. We have worship services each Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bible classes for all ages are held Sunday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. We offer a Bible Correspondence Course without any obligation to you. You can reach us by phone at 405428-7318, by mail at P.O. Box 562 in Maysville, or by email at jessandterr@yahoo. com.
Come and “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” on the Lord’s Day this Sunday.
