Describing an event or an object is probably one of the more difficult tasks we can encounter as we go through life. It’s not so hard if we have a good understanding of what we are attempting to explain, but on the other hand, if we cannot fully comprehend what we witness, then providing a description is most difficult. For example, try to think of how you would describe a firework to someone that has never seen one.
How would you take the image of a bursting firework and then, in words, create that same image in another individual’s mind who has never seen a firework? What words would you use? How could you be sure you have accurately delivered the right information? For anything short of a picture you would need colorful metaphors, descriptors and comparisons. Even after lengthy descriptions, the chances are the image in the other person’s mind is not completely accurate.
Now take this task of describing an event or object and compound it with the primitive knowledge of ancient man. Back then, mankind had only a few basic elements in their arsenal of description. These were primarily Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire or a combination of these four. If ancient man saw something incredible, then these elements were all they had in their vain attempt to describe what they see.
However, in the Bible we see countless records where man witnesses absolutely phenomenal things that demand a description. One does not need to read into the Bible too far to notice this. Things like chariots of fire, pillars of cloud, giant wheels in the sky, and Angels themselves are all primitive descriptions given by men who have a limited vocabulary and limited scientific knowledge. Yet these events and objects are still recorded in the Bible to the best of their ability. As the dutiful Bible readers we are, we read these descriptions thousands of years later and create an image in our minds in an attempt to visualize what the ancient man had the privilege of seeing firsthand. As we can see, the difficulty of transmitting the complex information through primitive means is next to impossible. Despite this, I’ve noticed many people still interpret Biblical sightings either one of two ways.
First, the Biblical sighting is taken at face value. Meaning what is described is precisely what it really was with no deviation. A pillar of cloud is an actual pillar of cloud, nothing more, nothing less. A chariot of fire is a real chariot that is actually on fire as it blazes into the sky with Elijah. I believe a literal interpretation with no analysis is a most unfortunate method of interpreting phenomenal events in the Bible, yet it is surprisingly common.
Second, the phenomenal event is symbolic. What is seen is not actually real, but a vision meant to describe a situation or the future. This is highly possible in many cases. In some places it is even explicitly stated as such. However, I believe people make the mistake of automatically assuming an event is symbolic simply because a literal definition is impossible or unexplainable.
I propose a third method of interpretation. This one may require opening our minds beyond the limits of religion which may be difficult, if not impossible, for some. This method will use analysis of the object that is described by ancient man. The goal is to understand why ancient man used certain descriptive language.
If you are unfamiliar with the Earth, Water, Wind and Fire concept, then you should do some quick reading on it. In order to understand the perspective of ancient man, you will need to become familiar with how he saw his environment.
The example I will use comes from Genesis 3:24
“So He drove out the man; and He placed Cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”
In this passage, God wanted to protect the tree of life from the hand of man. The Cherubim and the flaming sword were the tools God used to carry this out. I will focus on the flaming sword.
So in an analysis of the flaming sword, let us first consider the entire unit to be an object of some kind. This is a safe assumption because everything whether material or immaterial, is an object. Furthermore this object has means of defense which indicates it can kill if need be.
Secondly, this object is comprised of three characteristics: a flaming property, a sword, and an ability to rotate independently. We can now analyze each characteristic.
Flaming. The adjective “flaming” indicates a sense of intensity in the form of brilliance, heat, shape, or a combination of all three. The “flaming” could be either intermittent or continuous. If this “flaming” is the result of Fire, then the object may have the ability to consume through the means of heat in the form of burning, searing, incinerating, or other various forms of radiation.
The Sword. A sword is another object whose purpose is to kill someone or prevent oneself from being killed. In ancient days it was the common means of carrying out the act of killing. In other words, it is a tool with the purpose of killing. A conventional sword kills by lacerating or piercing its victim.
Independent Rotation. If an object can turn every way, then it can rotate a full 360 degrees. It is a safe assumption to claim that this object will orient itself towards an intruder or in a manner that will address an intruder. There are Cherubim present but there is no indication that they control this object, although it is possible. If the Cherubim do not control it, then this object is capable of automatically orienting itself towards an intruder.
With further knowledge of the Bible and science, you could continue with the analysis and come up with more possibilities. From the simple analysis I have done we can come up with a basic definition:
Possible explanation: A device capable of independently orienting itself towards an intruder with the intent to kill possibly by lacerating or piercing and possibly with the use of heat in the form of burning, searing, incinerating, or other various forms of radiation. The device has a visible indication of intensity in the form of brilliance, heat, shape or a combination of all three.
Now, along with an actual sword that is visibly on fire, use your imagination to think of other devices God could conjure up that would fit this description. I know today, with modern inventions, mankind could easily create many devices that ancient man would describe as a “flaming sword”. But I’m sure God could do much better. He is a bit more advanced I’d say…
