9597. 'With cherubs' means the Lord's watchfulness, guarding it from the approach of the hells and the harm they can do. This is clear from the meaning of 'cherubs' as watchfulness and providence, preventing any approach to the Lord except through good and protecting from harm the good from the Lord which exists in heaven and with man, dealt with in 9509, consequently guarding heaven from the approach of the hells and the harm they can do.

3339. In the next life those forms of light, and also those forms of warmth, manifest themselves visually. Angels live within the light of heaven and also within the warmth that has been spoken of. From that light they receive intelligence, and from that warmth the affection for good. Indeed the forms of light seen with their external sight have their origin in the Lord's Divine wisdom, and the forms of warmth which are also felt by them have their origin in the Lord's Divine love. To the extent therefore that spirits and angels possess intelligence in truth and affection for good they are closer to the Lord.