The Bible describes seraphim as celestial beings who serve in the presence of God. Their appearance, role, and the impact of encountering them are all profound. But what would happen if you, as a human, were to see a seraphim? Let’s explore what the Bible reveals about these mighty beings and what such a vision might mean.
1. What Are Seraphim?
Seraphim are a specific class of heavenly beings mentioned only in the book of Isaiah. The name "seraphim" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "burning ones," which likely refers to their intense, fiery nature.
The seraphim are depicted as surrounding God’s throne, continually worshiping Him and proclaiming His holiness. Their role is to glorify God and respond to His majesty with awe and reverence.
Isaiah 6:2-3 gives us a glimpse of these angelic beings:
"Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
(Isaiah 6:2-3 KJV)
2. The Appearance of Seraphim
Seraphim are described as having six wings:
- Two wings cover their faces (likely to shield themselves from the full glory of God).
- Two wings cover their feet (perhaps as a sign of humility and reverence).
- Two wings allow them to fly and serve God.
Their appearance is awe-inspiring, and the scene around them is filled with divine light and holiness. The seraphim’s role is not only to worship God but to bear witness to His supreme holiness.
3. What Happens When You See a Seraphim?
If you were to see a seraphim, several things would likely occur, based on biblical examples of people encountering heavenly beings:
1. Overwhelming Awe and Fear
When humans encounter angels or heavenly beings in the Bible, the reaction is often one of fear and awe. Seraphim are no exception. Their fiery, majestic appearance, and proximity to God’s glory, would be overwhelming.
For example, when Isaiah saw the seraphim in Isaiah 6, he was immediately overcome with fear and a sense of unworthiness:
"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."
(Isaiah 6:5 KJV)
Isaiah recognized his own sinfulness in the presence of God’s holiness, and this led him to feel undone and unworthy. If you saw a seraphim, you would likely feel similarly overwhelmed, realizing the vast difference between God’s holiness and human frailty.
2. Conviction of Sin
A direct encounter with a seraphim would bring a deep conviction of sin. These beings are not only in the presence of God but actively proclaim His holiness. This might cause you to confront your own sinfulness in a powerful way.
In Isaiah’s case, he immediately confessed his uncleanliness when confronted with the seraphim’s worship and God’s glory. The sight of a seraphim would highlight the holiness of God and make human sin feel even more evident.
3. Experiencing God's Purification
After Isaiah’s confession of sin, one of the seraphim took a coal from the altar and touched it to Isaiah’s lips, symbolizing the purification of his sin. This act of purification is significant, for it shows that even in the presence of God’s holiness, there is hope for cleansing and restoration.
"Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
(Isaiah 6:6-7 KJV)
If you were to see a seraphim, it would be a moment of encountering God's holiness in a way that might lead to conviction, but also cleansing. It would be a moment of great spiritual significance, possibly followed by a sense of renewal.
4. A Call to Service
After Isaiah’s purification, God asked, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah responded, "Here am I; send me." (Isaiah 6:8). An encounter with a seraphim, especially in the context of seeing the glory of God, might inspire a sense of divine calling or a renewed commitment to serve God.
Seeing such a celestial being would likely provoke deep reflection on God’s purpose for your life, leading you to want to serve Him more fully, just as Isaiah did after his encounter.
4. Seraphim’s Role in Heaven
Seraphim are not just celestial beings who appear for one moment in time—they continue to serve God eternally, worshiping and proclaiming His holiness. Their role is to continuously glorify God, emphasizing the centrality of God’s holiness in heaven.
"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
(Isaiah 6:3 KJV)
Their continual praise is a reflection of the eternal nature of God’s holiness. If you were to see them, it would be an invitation into that same worship and awe of God's magnificent holiness.
5. The Impact of Seeing a Seraphim
In summary, seeing a seraphim would likely have a profound spiritual impact. It would be:
- Overwhelming: You would be struck with awe, fear, and reverence.
- Convicting: You would be deeply aware of your own sin in the light of God’s holiness.
- Purifying: It would be a moment for you to experience God's cleansing grace.
- Purposeful: You might feel a renewed sense of calling to serve God more fully.
Ultimately, the encounter would remind you of God’s infinite holiness, His absolute purity, and the need for personal purification. While a seraphim would be an awe-inspiring sight, the message would always point to God’s supreme holiness and the mercy He offers through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 6:3 (KJV) sums up the essence of a seraphim's proclamation:
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
To see a seraphim would be to experience something truly profound, reminding us that the holiness of God is the foundation of all creation, and our response should be one of worship, repentance, and obedience.
