MERKABAH

The Heavenly Throne

In ancient kabalistic lore, the heavenly Throne-Chariot of Yahweh, riding upon cherubim, is the Merkabah-- the fiery cloud-bird upon the heavens, the ark with the cherubim. Just as the Assyrian Sun Chariot with its horses is employed in the legend of the ride of Elijah to heaven, so too did the prophet Ezekiel in his vision ride in his Merkabah, the fiery body of light.

To a later age Ezekiel's picture became a sacred mystery known by the term Merkabah as early as the time of Ben Sira. The ancient Mishnah lays down the rule: "The Ma'aseh Merkabah should not be taught to any one except he be wise and able to deduce knowledge through wisdom (gnosis) of his own".

The Merkabah mysteries, which remained the exclusive property of the initiated ones, have been preserved chiefly in the Enoch literature of the pre-Christian centuries and in the Hekalot known also as the Merkabah and Enoch Books. Those entering the Heavenly Chariot float through the air--ascending to the heavens with the dazzling light surrounding them, behold the innermost secrets of all persons and things, otherwise impenetrable and invisible. In order to be allowed to pass safely through the spheres, the Merkabah rider must provide himself with amulets--seals containing mysterious names, in order to be able to step before the Throne, he must recite certain prayers until God Himself addresses him, if he be worthy.

The central figure is Metatron, whose name (or whose seventy names), are like God's, and who is none else than Enoch translated to heaven and transformed into the highest angel. He is the one who imparted to man all the knowledge of heaven, the past, and the future.

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