Chariots of Fire

I was reading through I Chronicles 28 this morning, and 'happened' upon verse 18; which reads, in desribing the preparations for the Temple furnishings:

" and refined gold by weight, for the altar of
incense, and for the construction of the
chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread
(their wings)and overshadowed the ark of the
covenant of the Lord."

When I read this; I immmediately thought of this passage, in II Kings 2, verse 11, describing the 'ascension' of Elijah:

"Then it happened, as they continued on and
talked; that suddenly a chariot of fire
(appeared ) with horses of fire, and separated
the two of them: and Elijah went up by a
whirlwind into heaven."

and this verse, from II Kings 6:

"And Elisha prayed, and said, 'Lord, I pray,
open his eyes that he may see.' Then the Lord
opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.
And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire, all around Elisha."

I guess that my point is, that if, according to the passage in I Chronicles; the chariot of the Lord was simply the cherubim ( Strong's 3742-a cherub, or imaginary figure; Ungers Bible Dictionary says that they were vindicators ( or protectors?- my addition ) of God's holiness ) that overshadowed the ark of the covenant; were Elisha ( in I Kings 2 ) and his servant ( in II Kings 6 ) 'simply' given 'visions' ( glimpses ) of God's holiness, rather than what we have traditionally understood ( especially about II Kings 2 ); that Elijah was transported to Heaven ( John 3:13?? ) ?

just some thoughts
IN Christ,
Charles Shank