The Sword, The Prod, and The Word

 

 

Jerusalem has been in the headlines lately, with the announcement by the President of the United States that this country will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The announcement caused much turmoil in that city, and condemnation from all the nations of the world. What is so important about this city, especially in these Last Days, and the role it will play in the events of the End Times, that the world would be so agitated by its recognition?
The city of Jerusalem, cannot be separated from the Temple Mount within it, and with the Temple of the LORD which sat upon that Mount in the past, and, according to prophecy in scripture, will sit upon it again. Not only does the Temple Mount have historical and current day importance, but it also has deep, spiritual meaning and importance. As Ezekiel prophesied:
"Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. This is the law of the house; upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house."   Ezek. 43:10-12
Every detail, every activity of the House of the LORD, has spiritual, life-changing power, according to the verses above. Even the mountain upon which it stood, every inch of it, was "most holy". As the people examined this Temple that Ezekiel would write out for them in detail, it would bring about a spiritual change to Israel. It would bring repentance, renewal, and reconciliation with God. This House shown to Ezekiel was not just a physical structure, but a spiritual structure.
A similar vision was given to the prophet Isaiah:
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we shall walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."   Isa. 2:2-3
This house established on the top of the mountains, which Isaiah saw in a vision, is a work of "the last days", the days in which we currently live. That term does not refer to the end of the world, as people often mistake it, but the end of an age. Not only will this house spiritually impact Israel, but all the nations and people of the world. The LORD will teach all of the people from this house, and they will be enthusiastic to go there. The word of God that comes out of Jerusalem is no small thing. There is also no mistaking who the LORD is that is being referred to here. He is the God of Jacob, from the line of Isaac.
Not only is the world hostile to the idea of a glob-impacting spiritual transformation from Jerusalem, but even many of God's own people, prefer the comfortable status quo, in which they create their own law, and their own religious customs. To these people, it will never be the right time to "build the house of the LORD":
"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, "This people say, "The time is not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built."... Now therefore thus sayeth the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways."   Hag. 1:2, 5
The LORD went on to tell the people that the things that they considered important, and of a higher priority, had not satisfied their needs. The activities in which they invested instead of building the LORD's house, not only consumed their time, attention, sweat, and finances, but had not yielded long-lasting fruits to their lives, just the opposite: "Therefore, the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit." (Hag. 1:6,10). Even the natural conditions of the earth are affected by the presence, or absence of the house of the LORD. The LORD instructs the people to "...go up to the mountain..., and build the house; I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified" (v. 8).
As they listened to the servants of God, Zerubbabel (meaning "I am the sword of the Highest, and a prod to the house") and Joshua, who had both been obedient in all that the LORD had given them to do, and also to the prophet Haggai, the people came and did the work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God. 
The LORD again declares that this house to be built will have a spiritual effect upon the whole earth. The Lord will shake the heavens, the earth, the land, and the sea. Also:
"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace."   Hag. 2:6-9
As the people completed the foundation of the house of the LORD on the 24th day of the ninth month (this would be around the time of Hanukkah), the LORD told them to consider the day because  "...from this day, will I bless you." (v. 18-19).
Keep in mind through all of this, the fact that Jesus is building a spiritual house out of living stones, a living temple. As the Church, this should be our fervent desire and goal. As we consider this great house that the LORD will build on the mountain of Jerusalem, and the earth shaking and changing effect it will have on all people, the living, spiritual house being built by Christ, a latter house, has even greater glory, and must be a part of this plan also. We can see this below.
In Chapter 37, Ezekiel talks about a divided people, one of Judah, and the other of Ephraim, the half-gentile son of Joseph, becoming joined together as one (v.19). It will be accompanied by a great miracle of God: the Israelites are taken from the nations, and brought back into their own land. We already saw this fulfilled after WW II.  As these two people are united as one, David (Messiah) will be their King and Shepherd (v. 24). They will be cleansed of sin, and restored to God (v. 23). The LORD will make an everlasting covenant of peace to be established among this united people. "I...will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."  Ez. 37:26-28

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Simplicity in Christ- Pt. 2

 

Seeing and hearing today's headlines, leads us to look again at the simplicity of the Gospel, the simplicity of Christ. The teaching of lies, and the current turning away from this simplicity of truth seems to be the order of the day. We are all aware of this trend in our secular society, but the danger lies in the rejection of scriptural truth, and the words of Christ in many of our churches, as well. The apostle Paul writes about this very thing with great concern to the church of Corinth:

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  2 Cor. 11:3

In these verses, Paul is concerned that they are weak enough to accept "another" Jesus, and "another" gospel, if someone should come to them preaching those falsehoods (v. 4). He warns that those who teach such lies are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, even as Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (v. 13-14). Though these men brought a false gospel, the church rushed to believe them, even letting themselves be abused and taken advantage of by these false apostles (v. 19-20). Though Paul has gone through great hardships and dangers to bring the life-giving truth of the gospel of Christ to them, the church ran to these smooth talking counterfeits for the lies that they offered (v. 23-33).

What are these lies that so easily draw even the church away from the truth of the Gospel of Christ? Paul tells us in v. 3 above, that it is the same lie the serpent used to beguile Eve: "Hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1). The foundation of those tempting lies being so quickly received by the church is the same as from the beginning- questioning and ultimately rejecting the Word of God, the Word of truth.

The church today may wonder how they are rejecting the truth of God. Everyday, churches are teaching the opposite of what the Word of God clearly holds. They are rejecting these truths because society has rejected the truths. Unscriptural definitions of marriage, abortion, and other sinful choices are being accepted, and even sanctified by the church. Foundational truths regarding Jesus, His birth, His ministry of healing and miracles, His uncompromising teachings, His death as our atonement for sin, His bodily resurrection, and His return, are no longer taught in fullness. Instead of leading men into truth, the church is following men into lies. The Word of God, like God, does not change (Malachi 3:6, Rev. 22:18-20).

Paul warned that before the person of the antichrist would be revealed, the faith of many would cease:

"...the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."  2 Thess. 2:2-3

In these end times, a falling away from the truth will set the stage for the manifestation of the son of perdition. It is not the secular world that "falls away". It is the church, falling away from the gospel of Christ, from the Word of God. This son of perdition who comes rejects the headship and lordship of God, taking that authority for himself (v. 4). Those who should have been faithful believers in Christ will have led the way for that, as they also, reject the truth and authority of God, spoken in His Word. Because these believers abandoned the truth, God sends a strong delusion upon them, so they will readily believe and accept the lying wonders and signs worked by Satan through this son of perdition (v. 9-12). As we can see, it is a dangerous time to fall away from the simplicity of Christ.

God did not choose us from the beginning for us to fall away and prefer the lie:

"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ."  2 Thess. 2:13-14

Paul concludes by beseeching and instructing us to "hold fast" to this truth that we have learned (v. 15).

Jesus commands us to continue, to abide in His word (Jn. 8:31), and by so doing, "... ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32). It isn't the lie that sets men free, it is the simple truth of Christ. To those who do not accept His truth, Jesus says:

"...And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore, hear them not, because ye are not of God."  v. 46-47

It is that simple. We cannot say that we believe Christ, yet choose not to believe His words. All scripture is made up of His words, because He is the Word of God from the beginning (Jn. 1:1, 14), and He held and taught all scripture as truth.

The Word says of God:

"Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

For the word of the LORD is right;

And all His works are done in truth."   Ps. 33:3-4

 

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A Thanksgiving Lifestyle

 

As a nation, we have just celebrated a day of Thanksgiving. For Christians, however, rather than being limited to a day, thanksgiving should be a continual lifestyle:

"By Him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."   Heb. 13:15-16

God considers our continual thanksgiving, above, to be a pleasing sacrifice. Thanksgiving becomes a sacrifice because not all of our natural circumstances are conducive to offering thanks. These challenging occasions especially, however, are the most important occasions through which to give our thanks. This is when our thanksgiving to God becomes that much more precious to Him, as we recognize beforehand His promises to us of His merciful deliverance and provision.

As those who are living in the End Times, our lifestyle of thanksgiving to God becomes even more important:

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night...But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief...ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit."   1 Thess. 5:1-2, 5b, 16-19

In the believer's lifestyle taught in the whole chapter of 1 Thess. 5, thanksgiving plays an important role.

Another very important aspect of a lifestyle of thanksgiving, although it is often a neglected one, is thanksgiving for those who have been given to us by God to have spiritual authority over us:

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you....And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." 

                                                                                            Heb. 13:17, 1 Thess. 5:12-13

Our prayer and thanksgiving in this regard, for those in spiritual authority over us, can have a direct impact not only on our own lives, but also on the course of their ministry, as Paul states in Heb. 13:18-19:

"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner."

A lifestyle of thanksgiving to God involves not only an attitude of prayer, but also one of declaration to others as David exemplified:

"I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together....Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk you of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and His strength, seek His face continually. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth...Be ye mindful always of His covenant; the word which He commanded to a thousand generations."   Ps. 34:1-3, I Chron. 16:8-12, 15

Not only should the LORD's wonderful works be surrounded with our thanksgiving, but also His name, His word, and His covenant given to us. Our lifestyle of declarations of thanksgiving are not only profitable to us, but give joy and strength to the humble who hear them.

On the other hand, failure to give thanks to God, though He has shown Himself as Creator to all men (Rom. 1:19-20), can have a catastrophic effect upon the soul:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient..."   Rom. 1:21, 28

A long list of evil thoughts and behaviors grow out of the lack in a person's life of thankfulness towards God (v. 29-32). God's people, who know His word, and His works, should not be among those who refuse to thank Him. God has made precious promises to those who do think of Him, and are thankful to Him:

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. "And they shall be Mine", saith the LORD of hosts, "in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not."   Mal. 3:18-18

Again, as prophesied to Malachi, above, these things are especially important in these Last Days (see Mal. 4:1).

Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a lifestyle.

 

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Periscope: A Thanksgiving Lifestyle

 

 

 



 



Check Yourself !



 

One of the easiest things in the world to see is the spiritual shortcomings of others, whether they are close to us, or strangers. There is a danger in that, however. When Jesus was with us in the flesh, the greatest scriptural experts in the world at the time, judged Him to be a Sabbath-breaker, a heretic, a blasphemer, even demon possessed. We know, however, that scripture says of Jesus that while He was one who was tempted in all the ways that man can be tempted, He sinned not (Heb. 4:15). Those experts of His day came to completely wrong conclusions concerning Him. We may be able to garner from this that though we may know scripture, we may not always see accurately into another man's true spiritual condition.
As easy as it is for us to come to conclusions about what we see in others, it is very difficult to see our own weaknesses, faults and sins. We seldom spend much time looking for them, and when the Lord puts us in situations where we are confronted with our sins, we don't deal with them sincerely. Yet, this is one of the very things for which all scripture has been given (2 Tim. 3:16). The Apostle Paul also taught:
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (cast away, rejected, not standing the test, that which does not prove itself as it ought)."  2 Cor. 13:5
What constitutes all that is meant by being "in the faith"? It is not limited to whether we believe. Jesus shocked His hearers, and astonished them by saying:
"Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?" And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." 
                                                                                                          Mt. 7:22-23
Jesus is talking about different works here then those outward works that come from faith or belief. He is talking about inner works that should follow belief in His sayings. According to Jesus, the meaning of being "in the faith" includes the following:
"Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock..."   Mt. 7:24
In this teaching, the wise man's house that was built upon the rock (hearing and doing the words of Christ), withstood all things that were thrown against it. Contrarily, the house built on unstable sand by one who is like a foolish man who does not hear and do the words of Christ, suffered not just a fall, but a great fall (v. 25-27). A fool is described in scripture as one who says in his heart, "There is no God" (Ps. 14:1, 53:1). Not hearing and doing the sayings of Jesus is equated with the same spiritual condition of this kind of total unbelief.
Jesus describes again the difference between hearing and believing His words, and doing them:
Strive (endeavor with strenuous zeal, labor fervently, fight) to enter in at the strait (narrow, firm, immovable, to weigh in a balance) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us"; and He shall answer and say unto you, "I know you not whence you are": Then ye shall begin to say, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets." But He shall say, "I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity."  Lk. 13:24-27
Those above, who sat in His presence, and heard His teachings, and even call Him "Lord", will see the other great doers in faith present in the kingdom of God, but they themselves will be "thrust out". They will feel great torment at this loss (v. 28).
The very Word, which is Jesus, is not just for hearing and believing. Doing His words, incorporating His sayings into the actions of our lives, not only builds our spiritual house on a proper foundation, but keeps that house from destruction and fall. Being vigilant to do His words involves strenuous zeal, and fervent labor. Keeping His sayings shows our belief, for how can we say we believe the words, but meanwhile we do not do them? These very words of truth that He has given us are His Father's words sent to sanctify us, removing us, separating us from the works of the world, even while we are still in the midst of the world (Jn. 17:14-18). These same words and sayings of Jesus, given free course in us, glorify us, deliver us from wicked men, and allow the Lord to establish us, and keep us from evil (2 Thess. 3:1-3).
The Church does not always understand nor teach the demand that the words of Christ require of us for our own spiritual health and survival. The demand not just to believe, but to do the words of Christ is not a legalistic demand, nor a religious demand, but a demand that transforms us, as is necessary (Rom. 12:1-2).
As Jesus spoke to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, He urged most of them to repent because their actions, or lack of actions, no longer conformed to the words of truth that He had delivered to them. He tells them that if they will not repent, they will lose His very presence, and those things that represent His presence, from the midst of them. If they will repent, they will gain a spiritual transformation, and a new identity (His identity), and they will endure through persecutions. He concludes by saying to the churches:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."   Rev. 3:19-20
While we may find it easier to check others, the sayings of Christ are a mirror held in front of us with the demand to us to check ourselves.

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Back to Simplicity in Christ

 

There are many people who do not accept the miraculous. It was so in the days of Christ, and it is so today. Even for some of those who consider themselves Christians, the miraculous events in scripture are met with disbelief. However, miracles of every kind filled the life and ministry of Christ, and cannot be separated from Him. It is very important that we do not lose this very foundational aspect of Christ's life, and our faith:

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  2 Cor. 11:3

One of the simplest truths of Christ is His connection to miracles. The Devil, through his nature as an eternal liar (Jn. 8:44) has always tried to challenge God's truths, even from the very beginning:

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"   Gen. 3:1

Paul was concerned that Satan was using the same tactics on the Church in order to undermine its most elemental truths- challenging the believer saying "Did God really say that?" That danger still exists, and even more so because we live in the End Times. One of the signs of these perilous times and the rise of the antichrist, is the strong delusion, and the lies that will be accepted by men because they refuse to receive God's truth (2 Thess. 2:7-12). It gives unrighteous men pleasure to believe lies rather than to believe what God has said. The Church should not accept those same lies and delusions.

A basic, foundational, simplicity in Jesus Christ is that He associated Himself with truth (Jn. 14:6), and the miraculous works of His Father:

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake."   Jn. 14:10-11

Not only were the miraculous works part of Christ's very identity, but they illustrated His oneness with Father God, because these were His Father's works. For this reason, it is even more important to Jesus that we believe these miraculous works because they are His Father's. The story doesn't end there. Jesus gave this same power and authority to His twelve disciples:

"And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease..."And as ye go, preach, saying The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

These miracles works went hand in hand with the teaching, preaching and repentance of the kingdom of God.

Jesus went further still. The power and authority of the miraculous works that attended the kingdom of heaven were not limited to the twelve disciples only. Jesus also gave this command to the seventy disciples:

"After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come..."...heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you...Behold, I give you the power to tread (trample, crush) on serpents (snake, serpent, malicious person, especially Satan) and scorpions (hidden, pierce, skeptic), and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."   Lk. 10:1, 9, 19

However, the power and authority of the miraculous works that accompanied the preaching of the kingdom of God were not just ordained for the twelve and the seventy. Jesus commanded it to all who believe:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything, in My name, I will do it....And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."   Jn. 14:12-14, and Mk. 16:17-18
Some have suggested that these wonderful works of God, given by command of Christ to all who believe, were only for the purpose of the establishment of the Church, and have since passed away, or that the works were limited to the ministry of early believers in Israel. However, the promise and command from Jesus to His believers is a universal and eternal one:
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations....Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (age)." Amen."   Mt. 28:18, 19a, 20b
The ultimate calling of all believers is to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13), and that fullness includes His miraculous works, the works of the Father.

This is simplicity in Christ.

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How Much Fruit is in a Seed?

 

 

One seed produces enough fruit to feed many. As God created life on the earth, He created within that life the power to regenerate and multiply. He placed that power in seed form:

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."   Gen. 1:11-12

Each seed produces the same plant and fruit that had produced it. As we know, when the planted seed grows, matures and bears fruit, it has in fact multiplied itself many times, even within each fruit.

The Hebrew word for seed is zerah. It means "seed, offspring, descendants, children, posterity, of moral quality, a practitioner of righteousness, a sowing time".

The future, or fruit, is contained and determined by the seed sown in the present. The Hebrew meaning of the word, as we see above, also contains the idea of an activity, or behavior, as well as a time, or season-there is a time for sowing.

Jesus told a parable of a sower sowing seed (Mt. 13:3-9). The seed itself has the potential to grow. Various conditions, like good soil, stony ground, devouring animals, overgrowing thorns, or unrelenting heat, can impact the resulting growth however. Seed planted in good soil multiplies itself many times over-thirty, sixty, one hundred fold- in the fruit it will produce. Jesus specifically identifies the seed sown in this parable as the Word of God (Mk. 4:14).

The Word, Jesus Himself, is a good comparison to a seed, because we know the Word also contains creative and multiplicative power:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made." 

                                                                                                             Jn. 1:1-3

This same seed, the Word of God, has been planted in each of us who believe. Are we being the "good soil" needed for the Word seed to grow, flourish, and produce fruit? We sometimes mix the seed of the Word with our own strange seed of our own ideas and will. God warns against what He calls "mingled seed":

"Ye shall keep My statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a different kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon thee."   Lev. 19:19

We cause harm by mingling the Word/seed with our own desires. A powerful example of this is found in the account of Abraham and Sarah. The LORD spoke a miracle promise, a seed, to Abraham, a childless man, that his seed (descendants) would be as numerous as the stars (Gen. 15:5). Abraham and his wife Sarah mingled that seed of the Word promise with their own reasoning and unbelief. That mingled seed bore fruit when Abraham conceived a child with his wife's maid, Hagar. Sarah became unhappy with this result of her own making, and abused Hagar. Now that seed was being mingled with jealousy and resentment. The child that was produced from all of this would still have the multiplication power of that seed promise (Gen. 16:10). However, having been mingled with unbelief, jealousy and resentment, the child or fruit produced from that mingled seed would be called "a wild man, whose hand would be against every man" (Gen. 16:12). We still see today in the Middle East the resulting fruit in the ongoing enmity among Abraham's seed.

Our ways and our words are the seeds that we sow. We need to be careful to understand the future ramifications of them:

"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him."  Isa. 3:10-11

The seed we sow by word and deed will affect the harvest that we reap. The two cannot be separated:

"A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence."   Prov. 13:2

When we are careless with our words, speaking things over and over again that should not be spoken even once, we a sowing a crop that will bring forth fruit after its kind:

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."   Prov. 18:21

While we seem to have little awareness of the power of the seed, and its direct connection to the fruit produced from it, the Devil is very aware, using that eternal seed principle for his own evil plans. Jesus revealed this in His parable of the wheat and the tares (Mt. 13:24-30). Good wheat seed (the Word) was sown in a field, but while men slept (sleep, rest, be indifferent to our salvation), an enemy came and sowed tares. Tares are a counterfeit (lying) wheat, difficult to identify until the plant matures but produces no head of valuable and desirable wheat grain. The tares and the wheat had to be left to grow together. Tearing out the closely mingled tares would also pluck up the nearby wheat plants growing with them. The separation would have to wait until the harvest. The tares would have to be allowed to continue doing their damage until then. The effects from a weary or negligent attitude regarding the seed/fruit principle can be long lasting. The enemy will use the opportunity that we give him.

The scriptures assure us that the principle of the sowing of seed and the reaping of the resulting harvest or fruit, and the seasons that accompany them, will exist as long as the earth exists (Gen. 8:22). Paul uses this same principle to teach that the connection between  sowing and reaping is a spiritual truth:

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary of well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."   Gal. 6:7-9

How much fruit is in a seed? Like the stars in the sky- too many to number.

 

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Feast of Dedication: Festival of Lights

 

The Feast of Dedication, or Festival of Lights, is a traditional Jewish Feast. It is not one of the ordained Feasts of the LORD according to the Law of Moses, but it is observed throughout the generations.

This feast memorializes the occasion when an out-numbered, small group of Jews re-took control of the Temple in Jerusalem from a far stronger enemy invader. Having regained the Temple, the small force had to cleanse and re-dedicate it from the idol worship and abominations that the enemy had practiced in it. Though there was only one day's worth of oil to keep the Lamp of the Holy Place, the Menorah, lighted, God miraculously kept the Lamp lighted for eight days, until additional oil cold be produced for the Lamp.

Light and miracles-Jesus spoke about both of these things as He observed the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.

Just before this Festival of Lights was to begin, Jesus passed by a man who had been blind from birth. He told His disciples, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (Jn. 9:5). He then brought light to the darkened eyes of the man born blind by anointing his blind eyes with clay that had been mixed with Jesus' own saliva. Jesus then instructed the blind man to go to the pool of Siloam (sent), and cleanse his eyes there. When the blind man rinsed his eyes at the pool, he found that he had regained his sight (v.7). How appropriate for the Feast of Dedication. The blind man cleansed himself in the pool, and was miraculously filled with the light of sight. Not only did he received natural sight, but he gained spiritual sight as Jesus came back to him and revealed Himself as the Son of God to him (v. 35-39). The formerly blind man worshipped Him. 
The light of the Golden Lampstand, or Menorah, in the Temple, represents the "owr" light of the Messiah. It is a light that not only illuminates naturally, but it illuminates the spiritual understanding, the light that was in the beginning. By meaning, it is a light that enlightens eyes that had been encased in darkness (Ps. 13:4). When Jesus told His disciples that He is the Light of the world, He was revealing who He is as Messiah.
The religious people who witnessed this miracle of new sight, rejected it, and also cast out the formerly blind man who received the miracle, because they rejected the Light who created the miracle. Jesus said to them:
"For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind."  Jn. 9:39
As the religious took offense at being referred to as blind, Jesus answered them:
...If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say "We see"; therefore, your sin remaineth."  Jn. 9:41
After all of this, on the day of the Feast of Dedication, Jesus entered the Temple. The religiously blind immediately surrounded Him and demanded that He tell them plainly if He was the Christ (Jn. 10:22-24). Jesus answered:
"I told you, and ye believe not; the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me...I and My Father are one."   Jn. 10:25, 30
They immediately sought to stone Jesus at this declaration that they considered blasphemy.
Jesus pointed out to them that their own scriptures declare "Ye are gods", yet they accuse the One whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world. Again, Jesus confirms in v. 37-38 His identity by the miracles that they have witnessed Him doing:
"If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in Me and I in Him."
The religiously blind came to the Temple that winter day to observe the Feast of Dedication, but the very fulfillment of the Feast was in their midst, and they didn't "see" Him, and they rejected miraculous works that the Father had sent Him to do in confirmation of this feast.
What does this Feast, and Jesus' words and works at this Feast of Dedication, mean for our lives?
First, we are a living temple, built of living stones, a spiritual house, which we are because we have cleansed ourselves from defilement, and sanctified, or dedicated ourselves in the Word of God (1 Pet. 2:1-3). It is then said of us:
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past, we were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."   1 Pet. 2:9-10
Secondly, we have not only been called into His light, and we have been commanded to be the same light:
"Ye are the light of the world...set on a hill...on a candlestick...it giveth light unto all that are in the house."   Mt. 5:14-15
Thirdly, along with being part of the miraculous Light of the world, we have been called to do the miraculous works, as well:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Mt. 5:16
Jesus also said of us:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."  Jn. 14:12
The prophet Daniel described those who know their God as shining "as the brightness of the firmament" (Dan. 12:3), and the miraculous works connected to them as "great exploits" (Dan. 11:28).
The prophet Isaiah describes a people who are "as a watered garden", who shall "build the old waste places", and be the "repairer of the breach", the "restorer of paths to dwell in" (Isa. 58:11-12). They become this after they have sanctified themselves, and dedicated themselves to the ways and word of God (v. 13).
Our purpose in being both light and miraculous works in the world, is the same purpose as Jesus had: to bring glory and praise to God the Father, and the knowledge of Him to all who will receive it.
If you desire to dedicate yourself as a living temple, to receive the Light, the Son of God, who was sent into the world to bring witness of His Father, then believe in your heart, and confess your desire to Jesus in simple prayer with your mouth. He will come into your heart, and bring His marvelous light to your soul, and spirit.
"Come Lord Jesus, be my Light of salvation, my Light of life, my Light of sight, my Light of the knowledge of our Father in heaven. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I dedicate my heart, mind and strength, my living temple, to You."

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Supremely Blessed

The public ministry of Jesus included miracles from the very beginning. He healed people of all manner of sicknesses and diseases. He brought deliverance to those who were tormented, lunatics, and possessed of devils. He taught and preached about the kingdom of God in the synagogues of the Galilee area, at first. This awesome ministry of Jesus filled with the truth, the power and the mercy of God drew great multitudes from that area and even from other parts of Israel, and beyond, such as Syria, and the land across the Jordan River. They followed Him wherever He went (Mt. 4:23-25). 

After choosing His disciples, He took them to the top of a mountain, and began to teach them and the great crowd that followed. That mountain is still known as the Mount of Beatitudes in Israel today, because of the great teaching Jesus brought forth there.

If you were to ask the religious leaders of that time how one could receive the blessing of God, they would probably give you several inadequate religious answers. The world would be able to offer only a very limited understanding of the blessing of God, if asked. However, the teaching of Jesus that day, brought such a depth of spiritual truth and revelation, that it would forever be identified with Him as the Sermon on the Mount. It lifted the cover off of the kingdom of God, and clearly revealed the very heart and understanding of our heavenly Father towards us (Mt. 5:3-12).

The term "Blessed" that Jesus used in His teaching means "happy, supremely blessed", as He brings us to the very root, and source of the blessings from God:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Poor in spirit, a broken spirit. Would any of us seek that condition, or admit that we are "poor in spirit"-that we are nothing, have nothing, and know nothing apart from Him? Our Father answers this kind of spiritual poverty with the richness of His kingdom.

"Blessed are they that mourn (grieve, suffer, even associated with the passion): for they shall be comforted (beseeching, comforted, encouraged, strengthened)."

Do our hearts mourn for the spiritual condition we see round us, and within ourselves? Are we interceding with a grieving heart? Our Father answers this grief, and gives the remedy that comforts and strengthens.

"Blessed are the meek (gentle, humble): for they shall inherit the earth."

Humility has become a rare commodity, both in the world, and in the Church. All feel entitled, and deserving of honor, substance, and reputation. They do not seek the great (earthly) inheritance that the LORD has for those who remain "small" in His sight.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

We crave many things, but do we crave righteousness? Righteousness is not valued in the world. Religious righteousness, gathered by our own efforts is worthless, but the righteousness of God, the Person of His Son, is gained by our craving for Him. Our Father answers that sincere craving by filling us with His Son, the King of Righteousness.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

The world has become a place without mercy. Do we have mercy for others? A heart that extends mercy to others will, in turn, receive the mercy of our Father. That mercy is the fountain that produces eternal life.

"Blessed are the pure in heart (the center of our being, purged and cleansed) : for they shall see God."

Romans 12:1-2 tells us not to be conformed to the world, but transformed, changed into something completely different, by the renewing of our minds. We are to align our thoughts with what God says, being living examples of His good, acceptable and perfect will. Those who have been so transformed will see (gaze with wide open eyes at something remarkable) God, see His face.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children (mature sons) of God."

Where are the peacemakers of this generation? Are they in the divided, strife-filled Church, or in our divided families? Can we claim to be "mature" in the LORD, when we are not able to be peacemakers? Our Father gave His only begotten Son to make peace between Himself and men (Lk. 2:14). What sacrifice are we willing to make to bring the peace of reconciliation? A peacemaker of God makes peace without compromising truth.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...for great is your reward in heaven..."

We hear the stories of those across the world who have been severely persecuted for their faith in Christ. Even in our own country, we see reviling directed toward those of faith. The righteousness of God is called evil, and reviled by those who have made up their own system of "righteousness".

The religious leaders of Jesus' time were so undiscerning of the kingdom of God, that they thought Jesus was teaching against the Law of Moses, and reviled Him as unrighteous. He assured all that nothing could be further from the truth. He, His teachings, the miracles that followed Him, were the fulfilment of the Law and the prophets (Mt. 5:17-18).

He told His disciples and us, that in knowing and becoming, being transformed, into these truths of the kingdom of God, we would also be the light, and the preserving and cleansing salt of the whole world (Mt. 5:13-16). We are to do these things, and teach them (Mt. 5:19). Our righteousness was to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20), the religious leaders of that day, and even this day, whose religious form of righteousness could not save themselves, or others.

Through this sermon of Jesus, not only is the heart of the Father and His kingdom revealed to us, but our own hearts are revealed as well. Jesus intended that we should be transformed by His teaching, and become the "supremely blessed". In turn, we would also be a supreme blessing to others in the earth.

 

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Soon to come!  "Nazah-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling"

 

 











An Easy Choice

 

Ronald Reagan, Jr., the son of the former president, leads an organization for the promotion of atheism, agnosticism, and secularization, or the removal of faith tenets from social and political issues. In one of his adds, Reagan, Jr. discusses his atheism and concludes with the statement, "...and I am not afraid of burning in Hell."

Believing in God, our Creator, is a choice that is presented to each of us:

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."    Joshua 24:15

Joshua issued this clear choice to Israel, and to each of us, and declared firmly his choice. You will serve something, according to Joshua. If you choose not to serve God, the Creator, you will serve another god, even if you delude yourself into thinking that you are serving no one but yourself.
The choice to believe in, and serve God, however, is really an easy choice:

"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."   Rom. 1:20

Creation shows the hand, the power, and the knowledge of the Creator. The physical elements have been arranged and combined in such an intricate complexity, it would be a greater stretch to deny the pattern of the awesomely brilliant design that is evident. We would have to believe instead that it is rational to think, for example, that a canvas dipped into a vat of mixed paints, could emerge as a da Vinci, or a Rembrandt.  Or perhaps a random collection of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass could, over time, arrange itself into an automobile. The very intricacy of the physical creation is for the purpose of putting the proof in front of us of the Creator, and the obvious choice to be made.

King David wrote that the very consideration of the creative work of God's hands brought David to the revelation of God's even greater creative purpose and accomplishment in man, though we are small, and seemingly insignificant in comparison (Psalm 8:3-6). The New Testament confirms this assertion:

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded...But ye are  chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."   1 Pet. 2:5, 6, 9

We are not only a physical creation, but we are a spiritual creation. As we choose God, our Creator, and His Son as our salvation and restoration, we are also a "becoming", or changing creation, becoming that royal priesthood.

What of those who make the opposite choice, rejecting the knowledge of God? Scripture tells us that because of all of the evidence of the Creator before their eyes (see Rom. 1:20 above), they have knowingly, and willfully rejected the truth of that evidence:

"(They) changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen...And even as they did not retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (prescribed, ordained, decreed, fit, becoming of);"   Rom. 1:25, 28

Because they purposefully make the choice to reject the truth of God as Creator, they also are changing and "becoming" something that reflects that rejection:

"...became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened...God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves...God gave them up unto vile affections...against nature...leaving the natural use...working that which is unseemly..."   Rom. 1:21, 24, 26, 27

Not only are their physical inclinations being changed, but their character, or inner man, becomes similarly twisted by the lie they have chosen. They become haters of God, disrespectful to parents, covenant breakers, covetous, malicious, full of envy, even murder, and more (Rom. 1:29-31). Though they know their behavior is worthy of judgment, they make the choice to reject the truth anyway because of the pleasure found in their behavior and rebellion. Even if they refuse it, however, God still continually stretches out His hand to them (Rom. 10:21, Isa. 65:1-3).

We see the fruit of the rejection of God described above, in every part of our society today.

Continuing to choose the lie instead of the Creator, will bring them to a certain end point, however. At that point, they will have to look into the face of the One whom they rejected. Facing total calamity instead, will be preferred by them:

"...and they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us"; and to the hills, "Fall on us." 

                                                                        Hos. 10:8, Rev. 6:15-17

This is where our nation is. We are seeing the result of the choice to reject God. Even the Church is moving further away from God's outstretched hand, full of strife, and division, rejecting the words of our Creator that are inconvenient for us, or unpopular with others.

The choice is still before each of us. It is not yet too late. His hand is still stretched out to us. It is an easy choice to make. As for me, and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

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Sukkot: Tabernacles

 

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is the third fall feast of the LORD. It is observed for seven days, with an additional holy convocation on the eighth day. No servile work (meaning work of any kind, but especially work associated with bondage, captivity, or slavery) is to be done on the first and eighth days of the feast (Lev. 23:33-36). During the seven days of this feast, the Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths, or sukkot (tents or tabernacles). They were to observe this feast with booths for ever (v. 42-43). The booths are a reminder that after delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the LORD set His tabernacle in the midst of them, and His presence continually dwelt with them defending and providing for them. Tabernacles is a joyous feast, celebrating God's bountiful deliverance, provision and protection.

The haftorah readings from the books of the prophets during the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles show the connection between deliverance from the enemy, and Tabernacles. The portion from Zechariah 14 read for this feast includes:

"Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations (who come against Jerusalem), as when He fought in the day of battle."  v. 3

In this prophesied battle, there is a great event that will split the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. That moment is when the Lord, Himself, the Messiah, will set His feet on the Mount. He then establishes His kingdom:

"...and the LORD My God shall come, and all the saints with Thee...And the LORD shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one."  v. 5b,9

At that time, living waters are released (v.8), and a plague destroys the enemies of God's people (v. 12).

In the Messianic kingdom established at that time, all the nations of the earth will be required to come yearly to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles:

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles...whoso will not come up...even upon them shall be no rain."  v. 16-17

We can see that the Feast of Tabernacles is directly associated with this great victory over the enemy, and prophetically, with the reign of Messiah on earth. Not only that, but Zechariah clearly identifies Jesus as that Messiah:

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn...In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." 

                                                                                            Zech. 12:10, 13:1

The defeat of the enemies of Israel in the battle that the LORD fights in the passages from Zechariah above, is the battle of Armageddon. It is also referred to as the war against Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:18-23. Rabbis teach that this war will occur during the fall feast season, and often refer to it as "the Tishri war". We can imagine the great joy of God's people as they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, as the LORD, Himself, descends and intervenes against the enemies of Israel during this horrific battle. We currently see in the events of today, the very same nations of which the prophets spoke, lining up against the nation of Israel.

In describing the deliverance of His people from the enemies around them, the LORD says that He does it by His "mighty hand, and a stretched out arm" (Deut. 4:34, 26:8, Jer. 32:21)

He associates that mighty hand and outstretched arm of deliverance with His name of "LORD" (Ex. 6:6). His name is written with the Hebrew letters yod, hey, vaw, hey. The pictographic meaning of these Hebrew letters is "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". The LORD's great hand that delivers is a pierced hand, according to His name. The bared arm of the LORD in deliverance is associated in scripture with salvation, or "yeshuah", Jesus (Isa. 33:2, 52:10, 63:5).
Finally, in scripture, David brings together the tabernacle of the LORD with deliverance from his enemies:
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple (sanctuary, prevail, victor, overcome, strength). For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion (booth, protection, hedge, fence about, defend): in the secret of His tabernacle (dwelling, to shine) shall He hide me; He shall set me upon a rock. And now mine head shall be lifted above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD."  Ps. 27:4-6

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Feast of Atonement: Shadow Feast

 

We are currently in the middle of the Fall Feasts of the LORD. We have completed the Feast of Trumpets, the following nine days of awe, during which we examine ourselves and repent of our sins in preparation for the day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27-32), which we have also just completed.

On the day of Atonement, under the old covenant, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle and sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats on the mercy seat atop the Ark of the Covenant. This sprinkling of blood would cleanse himself, his family, the sanctuary and its vessels, and the people, sanctifying the flesh (Heb. 9:13). This cleansing, however, had to be repeated yearly, being able to cleanse the flesh temporarily only. While this, in itself was of significant spiritual importance, The Feast of Atonement, being a temporary and partial remedy, was a mere example and shadow of the eternal atonement yet to come:

"...priests that offer gifts according to the law: who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."   Heb. 8:4b-5 (see also Ex. 25:40)

During this feast, the tabernacle into which the old covenant priest entered and temporarily cleansed with animal blood, was only a shadow of a heavenly tabernacle:

"It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these (animal blood); but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."  Heb. 9:23-24

Even the blood applied yearly under the old covenant to the mercy seat during this feast that could cleanse only the flesh, was a shadow prophesying the eternal one-time atonement by the blood of the Son of God made in the heavenly tabernacle, that cleansed the conscience (mind, soul, inner man), not just the flesh, of man:

"...but now once in the end of the world (age) hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself...Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?...For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins...For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Heb. 9:26b,12-14,10:4,14

The priest, himself, in the old covenant, was only a shadow of the eternal Priest, Jesus, who would make the offering for all of us. Jesus, our High Priest, was not a priest made from the law and commandments as the earthly, or shadow priests were, but by the power of an endless life (Heb. 7:16). While the shadow priests must end their service because of death, His unchangeable priesthood continues forever (Heb. 7:23-24).

The LORD gave us a prophetic picture of this eternal Priest to come through the miraculous incarnation of an eternal king-priest in the old covenant, Melchisedec (meaning the king of righteousness):

"(For those (earthly or shadow) priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath made by Him that said unto Him, "The LORD sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."  Heb. 7:21, (Ps. 110:4, Gen. 14:18, Heb. 7:1-3)

Not only was the eternal priesthood of Christ to extend forever into the future, but it began in the eternal past as He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Heb. 4:3, Rev. 13:8). This eternal priesthood accomplished the thorough work of salvation and sanctification only hinted at in the shadow Feast of Atonement, allowing us to be written in the Book of Life:

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, utterly, entirely, to the end, to the last) that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them...now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." 

                                                                                            Heb. 7:25, 8:6

Being those who have been cleansed, saved, and sanctified through the fulfillment of this shadow Day of Atonement, the knowledge of all these things should manifest in us:

"Having... boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,...Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering..."  Heb. 10:19, 22-23

This knowledge of the eternal, one-time, completed atonement offering by our High Priest, Jesus, also comes with a sobering consideration:

"...if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins...He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how mush sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?...The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God."

                                                                                Heb. 10:26, 28-31 (excerpt)

The fulfillment of this "shadow feast" does not give us a free pass, or eternal permission, to rebelliously, and wilfully, continue to sin. The blood of Jesus, sprinkled for us upon the mercy seat in the heavenly tabernacle should not be despised in this manner by the very people who have the knowledge of the miraculous deliverance accomplished by our eternal High Priest of the atonement. Instead, let this truth be a part of us, and manifested through us.

 

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