Metaphysical meaning of seraphim (mbd)
seraphim (A. V., seraphims), ser'-å-phim (Heb.)--the burning; fiery ones; consuming with fire; nobility; eminence; glorious; princely.
Heavenly beings that Isaiah saw in his vision, described in the 6th chapter of Isaiah.
Meta. Ideas of purity, or the cleansing power of exalted ideas (the burning, fiery ones, glorious, princely).
Wings symbolize freedom from material limitations. Six wings indicate that the purification must go through the six avenues of consciousness in the body. Those who are spiritually quickened have a partial development of intuition, in addition to the five senses. The intelligence, represented by the face, is concealed, because the work to be done is too deep for human understanding; the flying shows the divine action. The "Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts" is the word of Truth, the statement of wholeness in the whole body--"the whole earth is full of his glory." This spiritual perception of the all-pervading glory of the divine perfection is well understood by those who have had visions of the heavenly law.
The consciousness of personal impurity is taken away through the realization of divine purity in thought and word (Isa. 6:5-7).
The mystery of this hard message of the Lord to the people who so greatly needed help has often been commented on and generally misunderstood because taken in its literal sense. This is a treatise on body rejuvenation after a great depletion. The body must be built up in strength and flesh before the mental and spiritual forces can be expressed through it; hence, "Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes" (Isa. 6:10). Give the natural man opportunity to rebuild his wasted forces before you pour in upon him the high voltage of Spirit.
Regeneration begins its work in the conscious mind and completes it in the subconscious mind. The body is the substance side of the subconscious mind. In Scripture it is called "earth" and "land"; its brain centers are "cities" and its specific functions are "houses" (Isa. 6:11).
When the regenerative process sets in, the poison in the system is starved out by a withdrawing of the consciousness from certain centers. The Lord has "removed men far away, and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land" (Isa. 6:12). A parallel to this is observed when the body has been excessively weakened by sickness; the functions are dormant for a time, but as the strength returns they gradually resume their normal action. If there is even a "tenth" (Isa. 6:13) of the normal life left in the body it will serve as "holy seed" and the fruit thereof will be eaten again.
A most holy and wonderful thing is man's body. The whole universe is epitomized in it, and through a right study of its laws man may gain full knowledge of the cosmos. The greatest of the prophets, Isaiah, could have chosen no higher theme for his inspired messages. "Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more ? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it" (Isa. 1:5, 6).
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Preceding Entry: Seraiah
Following Entry: Sered
