“The first man is of the earth, earthy:
the second man is the Lord from heaven” Part 2

(Pro 20:11-20)

[Study Aired October 16, 2025]

Pro 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Pro 20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Pro 20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Pro 20:14  It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Pro 20:15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Pro 20:16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Pro 20:17  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Pro 20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Pro 20:20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

In verse eleven of this weeks study, we read, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” The child represents the younger more physical understanding of the word of God, (Luk 8:11, Luk 8:15, Joh 3:3-7), and tells us something about our level of maturity and comprehension, which we pray the Lord will continue to increase as only He can (1Co 13:11-13, 2Pe 3:18, 1Co 3:6).

Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [like a seed the word has to mature and grow]

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,[Rev 1:3, Joh 8:31-32] and bring forth fruit with patience.[Luk 21:19, Mat 5:37]

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again [as a manchild], he cannot see the kingdom of God. [which kingdom is maturing within the body of Christ Luk 17:21, Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13]
Joh 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [this question reminds God’s elect of that time when we thought we could enter into the womb of another church [woman] and be born again, when in reality we must be born of water and spirit in Jerusalem above the mother of us all (Gal 4:26) mother]
Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; [God’s elect are born in  fleshly carnal Babylon] and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [God’s elect are dragged out of Babylon by God’s spirit working in our heavens before we know we are His] (1Co 15:46, Psa 107:2)
Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [we must be redeemed from the hand of the enemy which is our carnal mind that is enmity against the spirit of God (Gal 5:17)]

In this week’s study we’ll look at how the Lord is maturing the manchild within us, even as we deal with very natural physical circumstances, that God works in the elects’ lives (Eph 2:10) so that we can become stablished, strengthened and settled (1Pe 5:10-11), by the God of all grace, who gives us the strength and faith to rule over the powers and principalities that reside in this fleshly realm, to witness to the world how all things, the natural and the spiritual, work together for the good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:20-21, Rom 8:28).

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Pro 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

There is a maturing process for every son of God that we must go through, including Christ who is our example of one who grew in grace and knowledge, in wisdom and stature, which growth He attributed to our Father who gave the increase, as we are blessed to also understand in our own selves, comes from God [Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5, 1Co 3:6].

Luk 2:52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Christ as a child was known by his doings, that his works were pure and right, even if His physical parents could not understand his actions, they were still exactly what the Father wanted Christ to do and they were being done for our sakes (1Co 3:21), to teach us to follow His example of obedience to our heavenly Father (Joh 14:31, 1Jn 4:17).

Joh 14:31  But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Christ as a child spake as a child and understood as a child, and needed to grow “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luk 2:52, Joh 3:30, 1Jn 4:17). He had his time of being under the schoolmaster in other words as a child, those conditions in his youth of being under his own tutors and governors to later be challenged by the experiences of evil that he would have to go through for his own growth and for our sakes (Mat 4:1, Rom 5:10, Gal 4:1-2, Heb 5:8-9).

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Pro 20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

God created our physical senses to teach us spiritual principles in this life (Rom 1:20). We know a man can hear and not hear, a man can see and not see (Joh 9:41, Mat 7:3-5, Mat 13:13). We also know someone can be physically alive and spiritually dead which is the same principle (Luk 9:60, Rev 11:2).

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

God created all these physical and spiritual laws that govern our existence, he made the “hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them”. It is stated this way to remind us that life comes from not just hearing the word (Luk 8:15), but also by perceiving it which is what ‘seeing the word’ means (Rev 1:3), this is when we enter into life (Mat 19:17).

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Pro 20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

In the physical realm this is true, we shouldn’t over sleep, but spiritually this is talking about being spiritually awake to the battle that we are called unto, to fight a good fight of faith (1Ti 6:12), lest we come to spiritual poverty. Without God’s judgements upon us we would naturally go to sleep spiritually, and so Christ asks the rhetorical question “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? “ that one hour representing the day of the Lord, the day of our judgement that will have us trimming our lamps and receiving of God’s holy spirit. These events would not happen until the holy spirit was given to the church and so Christ was just telling his unknowing disciples that there was no way they were going to be able to watch and pray under those circumstances without God’s holy spirit within them (Joh 6:27, Mat 26:40).

Mat 26:40  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

If we are blessed in this age to be about our Father’s business and not neglect so great a salvation (Mat 6:33), we are promised that we will find our Lord (Jer 29:13) and be “satisfied with bread”.

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Pro 20:14  It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Pro 20:14  The person who buys something from you always says, “It’s no good! It costs too much!” Then that person goes away and tells other people that he made a good deal. [ERV]

Without God’s spirit within us and the faith of Christ (Rom 8:9, Eph 2:8) we would live by our former dishonest conversation where our yes was not yes, and our no was not no (Mat 5:37). We also called “evil good, and good evil; [and] that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; [and] that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isa 5:20).

These diverse measures and weights is what is being talked about in this proverb when we were boastful and confident, “then he boasteth” in our flesh (Rom 3:27, Php 3:3).

Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Pro 20:15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

This proverb hearkens right back to Christ and the church spoken of in (Pro 3:15-19), where the “manifold wisdom of God” is made known through the church, “according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:10, Rom 8:28). It’s Christ’s “lips of knowledge” that are a “precious jewel” on our lips (2Co 4:7-10).

Pro 3:15  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Pro 3:16  Length of days is in her right hand;[gift of eternal life (Eph 2:8)] and in her left hand riches and honour.
Pro 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Pro 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her [Rev 1:3].
Pro 3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens [Php 2:12-13, Mat 28:18].

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus [Rom 5:10, 1Co 10:16], that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Pro 20:16  Take his garment that is surety^H6148 for a stranger^H2114: and take a pledge^H2254 of him for a strange woman^H5237”.

Pro 20:16  Take a man’s clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking (mostly translated ‘pledge’; ‘guarantee payment’-see GNB) from him who gives his word for strange men. (BBE);

Christ took our debt upon himself (1Pe 2:24), and the “strange woman” or “stranger” in this proverb is the church, who is initially cut off from God and Christ, and likened unto a harlot who will be reconciled by the death of Christ. It is by his righteousness that we are saved, typified by His “garment” that we undeservedly received by God’s council and mercy (Psa 22:18, Rom 5:12, Rom 3:25).

1Pe 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Psa 22:18  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness (his garment, guarantee of payment) for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Taking “a pledge^H2254 of him for a strange woman^H5237” reminds us that it is the Father’s good pleasure to bruise Christ, as this is the only way that we can experience receiving the kingdom of God within, which is also God’s good pleasure to give to the body of Christ (Act 4:27, Luk 12:32). The surety^H6148 spoken of in this proverb represents the cost, or means by which the stranger will be reconciled, that being by the life of Christ. The pledge^H2254 also reminds us that Christ was bound to the altar for us, and by His life and death we can also be bound to an altar in this age that the world does not have any right to eat at. God knows we need to eat at that altar if we are going to be given to endure until the end and be saved in this age (Heb 13:10, Mat 24:13).

H2114 stranger zûr zoor
A primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery: – (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange (-r, thing, woman).

H6148 surety ‛ârab aw-rab’
A primitive root; to braid, that is, intermix; technically to traffic (as if by barter); also to give or be security (as a kind of exchange): – engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be (-come, put in) surety, undertake.

H2254 pledge châbal khaw-bal’
A primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), that is, to bind; specifically by a pledge; figuratively to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition): –    X at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt (-ly) destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, X very, withhold.

H5237 strange woman nokrı̂y nok-ree’
From H5235 (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful): – alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange (-r, woman).

Pro 20:17  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

The bread of deceit is the smooth way of Babylon and not the strait and narrow way God’s children are called unto (Mat 7:13-14). It is the negative bread that is eaten in secret (Pro 9:17), and the negative experience of eating that which is sweet in the mouth “but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel^H2687”. The definition of this Strong’s number for ‘gravel’ gives us the sense that this false bread cuts and divides.  God’s truth on the other hand is sweet in the mouth and bitter in the belly where it accomplishes its work of humbling God’s elect in this age through the plagues that are poured out on us (Rev 10:9-10, Act 14:22, Rev 15:8).

H2687 gravel  châtsâts khaw-tsawts’
From H2686; properly something cutting; hence gravel (as grit); also (like H2671) an arrow: – arrow, gravel (stone).

H2686: A primitive root (compare H2673); properly to chop into, pierce or sever; hence to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); as denominative from H2671; to shoot an arrow: – archer, X bands, cut off in the midst.

Rev 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Pro 8:14  Counsel is mine [Eph 3:10], and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.[Eph 3:10]

Pro 20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

A person who gossips as a talebearer and reveals secrets is identified as one who “flattereth with his lips”. That is the carnal first man Adam’s way of seeking advantage for himself at every turn (Pro 20:14), using flattery to smooth the deceitful path that our former conversation had us on in this world where we did not know how to cover the sins of others, but with loose lips were talebearers who revealed secrets.

We are fully aware that we are guilty of all and what is interesting to note is that one sin in scripture is often associated with another sin, in this case ‘gossip’ and ‘flattering’. Another example that is telling us the same thing this proverb is telling us, would be the thief who comes to steal and to kill and to destroy (Joh 10:10).

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Pro 20:20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

This is speaking of our spiritual Father and Jerusalem above the mother of us all (Gal 4:26). If we don’t mortify the deeds of our flesh and become as those who are blessed to be positively cursed by hanging on a tree and living by the faith of Christ (Gal 2:20, Deu 21:23) then our spiritual “lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” as a result of our troubling our own house and not kissing the son (Pro 11:29, Psa 2:12).

Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Deu 21:23  His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Pro 11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Psa 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The Sacred Meal Fellowship with God at the Table

[Study Aired July 15, 2025]

Introduction

Scripture reveals that every significant heavenly encounter involves a meal. From Eden’s first commandment about food to Revelation’s marriage supper, God establishes covenant relationship through sacred dining. These meals demonstrate that fellowship with the Almighty transcends mere physical nourishment, creating spiritual communion that sustains eternal life.

The biblical narrative shows that sacred meals serve as celestial invitations to intimacy. When God provides food, He offers more than sustenance—He extends covenant relationship. This pattern begins in Eden where eating from the Tree of Life represented eternal fellowship, continues through wilderness manna that sustained Israel, and culminates in Christ’s sacrifice that enables eternal communion.

Understanding these sacred meals requires recognizing their dual nature: they address both physical hunger and spiritual longing. Each meal serves as both historical event and prophetic shadow, pointing toward the ultimate feast where all believers will dine eternally with their Creator.

Eden’s Table: The Foundation of Sacred Fellowship

In the beginning, God established the sacred meal as the foundation of human relationship with Himself. “And God said, Behold, I have given [Qal tense] you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding [Qal tense] seed; to you it shall be [Qal tense] for meat” (Genesis 1:29). The Hebrew word for “meat” here is oklah (H402), derived from the primitive root akal (H398) meaning “to eat, consume, devour,” which includes the sense of fire consuming completely. This encompasses not merely eating but intimate ongoing participation in heavenly provision that transforms and sustains.

Eden’s abundance revealed God’s heart for generous fellowship. “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). The Tree of Life, chayyim (H2416), provided access to continued life. Scripture later reveals this tree’s significance: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7), and “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). The connection between eating from this tree and eternal communion with God becomes clear through these passages.

God’s first restriction came with this sacred meal: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it dying you shall die” (Genesis 2:16-17, CLV). This commandment established the sacred boundary between heavenly provision and human presumption. The Hebrew da’at (H1847) for knowledge suggests intimate, experiential understanding—the kind that belongs to God alone.

Eden’s meal fellowship demonstrates that access to spiritual life comes through trusting obedience to God’s word. The Tree of Life points forward to Him who would declare, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). This connection reveals that Eden’s fellowship prefigures the eternal feast where believers will eat from the Tree of Life bearing twelve fruits for the healing of nations (Revelation 22:2).

The Passover Meal: Deliverance Through Sacrifice

The sacred meal reaches its first major development in the Passover, where God establishes deliverance through sacrificial dining. “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it” (Exodus 12:7-8). This meal combines sacrifice (zebach, H2077) with communal eating (akal, H398), establishing the pattern that fellowship with God requires sacrificial blood.

The Passover lamb must be without blemish, pointing to the perfect sacrifice required for deliverance. “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year” (Exodus 12:5). The blood applied to the doorposts provides protection, while the flesh must be completely consumed that same night. “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover” (Exodus 12:11). This demonstrates that sacred meals require both the sacrifice and the participation.

God commands this meal as a perpetual memorial: “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever” (Exodus 12:14). The Hebrew zikkaron (H2146) for memorial indicates more than remembrance—it means bringing the past event into present reality. This shadows the spiritual reality that Christ’s sacrifice, though accomplished in history, becomes present and effective for each believer through faith, as Paul declares: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). 

The unleavened bread was commanded as part of the feast observance. “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread” (Exodus 12:15). During their actual departure, “they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry” (Exodus 12:39). The bitter herbs were also commanded as part of the meal: “and with bitter herbs they shall eat it” (Exodus 12:8).

Paul reveals the Passover’s ultimate fulfillment: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Christ becomes both the Passover lamb and the unleavened bread, providing both sacrifice and sustenance for the spiritual journey.

Wilderness Manna: Daily Bread from Heaven

God’s provision of manna in the wilderness reveals the sacred meal as heavenly sustenance for the covenant journey. “Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you” (Exodus 16:4). The Hebrew lechem (H3899) for bread represents essential sustenance, while shamayim (H8064) for heaven indicates celestial origin. This bread comes not from earth but from the throne of God.

The people called it man (H4478), meaning “what is it?”—expressing wonder at this mysterious provision. “And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). The honey suggests sweetness and abundance, reflecting the delight of God’s provision for His people.

Daily gathering of manna taught dependence on eternal provision. Those who gathered much had no excess, while those who gathered little had no lack (Exodus 16:18). This principle reveals that sacred meals come through trust in God’s daily provision rather than human accumulation. The manna spoiled when hoarded, teaching that heavenly fellowship cannot be stored but must be received fresh each day.

The wilderness manna points directly to the greater bread from heaven. “I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:48-51). The manna served as shadow; the substance is the eternal bread that sustains spiritual life.

Sinai’s Covenant Meal: Blood and Fellowship

The sacred meal reaches new significance when God establishes His covenant with Israel through blood and communal dining. “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink” (Exodus 24:9-11).

This extraordinary meal follows the covenant ratification through blood. “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, This is the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words” (Exodus 24:8). The Hebrew berit (H1285) for covenant suggests “eating together,” indicating that covenant relationship inherently involves shared meals. The blood seals this relationship, making fellowship possible.

The seventy elders eating and drinking in God’s presence establishes the pattern for covenant meals. They “saw” God, experiencing holy revelation through fellowship dining. This seeing encompasses both physical sight and spiritual perception—the kind of intimate knowledge that comes through covenant relationship.

This Sinai meal prefigures the new covenant established through better blood. When Jesus declares, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28), He fulfills the pattern established at Sinai. The disciples drinking from His cup participate in the same kind of covenant fellowship that the elders experienced, but through superior blood that enables eternal access to God’s presence.

Christ’s Table Ministry: Grace Extended Through Meals

The sacred meal finds its fullest expression in Christ’s ministry, where table fellowship becomes the primary means of extending grace to sinners. His eating with tax collectors and sinners reveals the heart of celestial hospitality. “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them” (Luke 5:29). The Greek sunanakeimai (G4873) for “sat down with” indicates intimate reclining together—the position of closest fellowship.

Christ’s feeding of the multitudes demonstrates His role as provider of both physical and spiritual sustenance. When He gave thanks and broke the bread, He revealed His identity as the true manna from heaven. The feeding miracles connect directly to His declaration: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).

His post-resurrection appearances centered on meals, confirming that the sacred meal continues beyond death. “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him” (Luke 24:30-31). The breaking of bread becomes the moment of recognition, revealing that Christ is known through fellowship meals.

The breakfast by the Sea of Galilee demonstrates restored fellowship through shared food. “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord” (John 21:12). This meal restores the disciples after their failure, showing that sacred meals heal broken relationships and restore covenant fellowship.

The Last Supper: New Covenant Established

The sacred meal reaches its climax in the Last Supper, where Christ establishes the new covenant through His own body and blood. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28).

The bread represents His body broken for us, while the cup contains His blood of the new covenant. This meal fulfills the Passover typology while inaugurating the new covenant. The thanksgiving that accompanies this meal establishes the pattern for all Christian fellowship dining.

Paul’s account emphasizes the memorial aspect: “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). The Greek anamnesis (G364) for remembrance indicates more than mental recall—it means making present the reality of Christ’s sacrifice. Each celebration of this meal makes present the benefits of His death and resurrection.

The Last Supper connects all previous sacred meals to their fulfillment. Eden’s Tree of Life finds its substance in Christ’s broken body. Sinai’s covenant blood finds its perfection in Christ’s shed blood. The wilderness manna finds its reality in Christ as the bread from heaven. The Passover lamb finds its fulfillment in Christ our Passover. All sacred meals point to this moment when heavenly provision becomes incarnate sacrifice.

Corinthian Warnings: The Danger of Corrupted Fellowship

The sacred meal requires proper spiritual discernment, as Paul’s warnings to the Corinthians reveal. “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils” (1 Corinthians 10:21). The table (trapeza, G5132) represents the spiritual realm accessed through fellowship meals. Sharing the table of demons corrupts the fellowship and destroys spiritual life.

Paul warns against unworthy participation: “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). The adverb “unworthily” (anaxios, G371) describes the manner of participation, not the worth of the participant. Proper participation requires self-examination the kind of testing that reveals spiritual condition.

These warnings connect to Israel’s wilderness failures with food and fellowship. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:6). The golden calf incident, where the people “sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:6), serves as a warning about corrupted fellowship through false meals.

False Meals: The Corruption of Sacred Fellowship

Scripture reveals that false meals corrupt the sacred fellowship that God intends. The golden calf incident demonstrates how quickly God’s people can pervert holy provision. “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:6). The Hebrew tsachaq (H6711) for “play” suggests immoral revelry that follows corrupted worship.

This false meal involved the golden calf made of gold. Their eating and drinking in this context represented spiritual adultery—sharing fellowship with false gods rather than the true God who had delivered them from Egypt. The sacrifice they offered was directed toward an idol, corrupting the entire fellowship.

Balaam’s teaching about idol feasts reveals the ongoing danger of false meals. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). Eating idol sacrifices leads to spiritual compromise and broken fellowship with God.

The connection between false meals and sexual immorality appears throughout Scripture. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods” (Numbers 25:1-2). False meals create false intimacy, leading to spiritual adultery and covenant-breaking.

Revelation’s Marriage Supper: The Ultimate Sacred Meal

The sacred meal finds its ultimate fulfillment in the marriage supper of the Lamb. “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:9). This marriage supper represents the consummation of all sacred meals throughout biblical history.

The Lamb who provides this feast is the same one whose blood established the new covenant. Every previous sacred meal pointed toward this ultimate fellowship where the redeemed will eat and drink with their Creator forever. The marriage imagery reveals that this meal represents the most intimate fellowship possible—the union of Christ with His church.

This meal restores the Tree of Life that was lost in Eden. “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). The eternal life that flows from this tree provides healing for all who partake.

The river of life flowing from the throne connects to the spiritual sustenance that has been available through sacred meals throughout history. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1). This river fulfills the promise of spiritual refreshment that accompanies heavenly fellowship.

Conclusion: The Sacred Meal as Sacred Invitation

The biblical pattern of sacred meals reveals that God consistently invites us into fellowship through shared food. From Eden’s abundant provision to Revelation’s marriage supper, these meals demonstrate that heavenly relationship transcends physical sustenance to create spiritual communion. Each meal in Scripture, while rooted in history, unveils a prophetic portrait of the eternal banquet prepared by our Creator.

The progression from Eden through Sinai to the wilderness, from Passover through Christ’s ministry to the Last Supper, from Corinthian warnings to Revelation’s finale shows that sacred meals require proper spiritual discernment. False meals corrupt fellowship and lead to spiritual death, while true meals create covenant relationship and sustain eternal life. The blood that enables access to these meals finds its perfect expression in Christ’s sacrifice, which opens the way for perpetual fellowship with God.

Understanding these sacred meals transforms how we approach both physical and spiritual nourishment. Every meal becomes an opportunity to remember God’s provision, to practice fellowship with others, and to anticipate the eternal feast. The table where we gather reflects the sacred invitation to intimacy, revealing that our deepest hunger is not for food but for fellowship with our Creator who satisfies every spiritual longing through His abundant provision.

Let us therefore come boldly to His table—not merely to eat and drink, but to commune with the One who invites us into eternal fellowship. For in every sacred meal, we taste not only bread and wine, but the goodness of the Lord who prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and leads us to dwell in His house forever (Psalm 23:5–6).

Matthew 14:1–21 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

[Study Aired June 30, 2025]

Today’s study highlights the circumstances leading to the death of John the Baptist and the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes. 

The Death of John the Baptist

Mat 14:1  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 
Mat 14:2  And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 

Herod the Tetrarch is the same as Herod Antipas or simply, King Herod of the New Testament. He bore the title of tetrarch, which means ruler of a fourth part of a country. He represents the earthly kings of this world who are in league with the harlot woman or the physical churches of this world (Babylon) and therefore have committed fornication with her.

Rev 17:1  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 
Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

In verses 1 and 2, Herod, who heard of the fame of Jesus, thought that He was John the Baptist risen from the dead. This was because of the mighty work of signs and wonders that Jesus was doing. In other words, Herod was implicitly predicting the resurrection of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist signifies the Lord’s elect, and it was through the Lord’s disciples or elect that Jesus manifested Himself with signs and wonders when He rose from the death.

Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 

Just as Jesus spoke through a donkey to Balaam, Jesus sometimes speaks through those who do not know Him, and it is only the elect who are able to recognize the voice of the shepherd when Jesus speaks through an unfamiliar vessel. This speaking may come in various forms such as a direction in life, a solution to a problem or what the Lord wants to achieve in us, etc. There are several examples in the Bible.

Joh 11:49  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 
Joh 11:50  Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Joh 11:51  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Mat 27:19  When he (Pilate) was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

There is this lady friend of mine who was going through a series of challenges when she graduated from university. Her friend took her to a witch doctor to help solve her problems. However, immediately after she arrived at the premises of the witch doctor, the witch came out of her house screaming at the top of her voice asking, “Why are you here? Don’t you know that you don’t belong here? Get out of my sight immediately before God comes to punish me!!” My lady friend fled from the scene, and not long after, she had an encounter with Jesus. All of these show us how the Lord is in total control of His creation and uses it according to the purpose of His will for our good.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Mat 14:3  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
Mat 14:4  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Mat 14:5  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Herod divorced his first wife in favor of Herodias, who had formerly been married to his half-brother. It was John the Baptist’s condemnation of this marriage which caused Herod to imprison him. On one hand, John the Baptist signifies the Lord’s elect. During our time in the churches of this world, we were bound or put in prison by the devil, represented here as Herod through the harlotry of Herodias, who signifies Babylon. Our nourishment during this period was the great river Euphrates which signifies the false doctrines of the enemy. 

Rev 9:14  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 

The question is, “Was John the Baptist right in criticizing Herod regarding his marriage to his brother Philip’s wife?” In the word of the Lord, we are called to hold each other accountable and not to judge those outside the faith.

1Co 5:12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Again, from the perspective of being part of the Lord’s army, we are not to involve ourselves in the affairs of this world.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

Initially, Herod wanted to put John the Baptist to death, but because the multitude considered John to be a prophet, he refrained from killing John. As we have indicated in previous studies, the great multitude that followed Jesus represents those who are not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. They signify our brothers and sisters in the physical churches of this world who are not given to understand the spiritual reality of the word of the Lord. At a certain stage of our walk with Christ, we were part of the multitude when we were in the churches of this world. Therefore, Herod fearing the multitude in verse 5 is to attest to the fact that the kings of this world have committed fornication with Babylon and are therefore are under her spell.

Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

Mat 14:6  But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 

This verse reminds me of the devil pursuing the woman who gave birth to the manchild in the Book of Revelation. Whenever the devil cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, the earth swallowed the flood. 

Rev 12:13  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 
Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 
Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 
Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 

As indicated, Herod represents the devil, and Herodias and her daughter signify Babylon or the churches of this world. The earth is also another symbol for Babylon. What verse 6 implies is that this issue of birthday celebration or church anniversaries, etc. are all doctrines spewed out of the devil as a flood as we see Herod celebrating his birthday and the churches of this world (Herodias’ daughter) dancing to it, that is, the earth swallowing the flood. We are clearly admonished by the Lord to refrain from birthday celebrations as follows:

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.  

As we are aware, the Lord’s elect is compared to a soldier in a war or a stranger on a journey in this world. As Paul said, a military man does not meddle with the affairs of this world. In a similar vein, a stranger on a journey does not become distracted by birthday celebrations and other issues of this world.

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1Ch 29:15  For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 

In the Bible, there were few instances where birthdays were celebrated, and they all ended up with the death of someone. It is insightful to note that the birthday celebrants were people of the world and not the Israelites. The Jews never celebrated birthdays. The death associated with the birthday celebration is to show us that the Lord is more interested in the death of our old man and not the birth of the flesh.

Ecc 7:1  A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 
Ecc 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 

One example was Pharoah, the king of Egypt who celebrated his birthday and ended up killing the cook.

Gen 40:20  Three days later, while the king was celebrating his birthday with a dinner for his officials, he sent for his personal servant and the chief cook. 
Gen 40:21  He put the personal servant back in his old job 
Gen 40:22 and had the cook put to death. Everything happened just as Joseph had said it would, 

Another instance of birthday celebration is this story of King Herod celebrating his birthday that we are discussing. This birthday celebration resulted in the death of John the Baptist as we see in the next verses as follows:

Mat 14:7  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 
Mat 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 
Mat 14:9  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 
Mat 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 

The previous verse indicated that Herod was pleased with the dance performed by Herodias’ daughter, and therefore, in verse 7, Herod promised with an oath to do anything that she would ask. In consultation with her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. This is to show us the hatred of the Lord’s elect by Babylon or the churches of this world, just as the High priest and the people of Israel asked for the head of Jesus instead of Barabbas.   

Luk 23:20  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 
Luk 23:21  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 
Luk 23:22  And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. 
Luk 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 

As He is, so are we. To our brothers and sisters in Babylon, we are spiritually dead. In the Book of Revelation, the rejoicing and making merry of the people because of the death of the Lord’s elect (the two witnesses), attest to the hatred that we face from the churches of this world.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 
Rev 11:9  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 
Rev 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 

Mat 14:11  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 
Mat 14:12  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 

The fact that the head of John the Baptist was brought to Herodias’ daughter and she passed it on to her mother is to tell us that the churches of this world are responsible for the death of the Lord’s elect or saints. We must remember that we were part of the church system of this world at a certain stage of our walk with Christ, and therefore we were responsible for the death of the Lord’s prophets. In other words, we have lived through a period of our lives where the Lord required the blood of the Lord’s prophets from us, just as He required the blood of Stephen from Paul. This is what the Lord is doing to every generation of those who claim to know God.  

Luk 11:47  Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luk 11:48  Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 
Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 

We must understand that to hate a brother or a sister means that we are murderers, and therefore, we were guilty of murder at a certain stage of our walk with Christ.

1Jn 3:13  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 
1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 

John the Baptist, in a negative context, represents the law of Moses. His death therefore signifies the doing away of the law of Moses when Jesus, who is a symbol of faith, comes into our lives while we were still in Babylon. 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.   

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Mat 14:13  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 
Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, He retreated by ship to a desolate place, where the multitude followed Him there out of their cities. If we are to serve the Lord, then we must go outside the camp of Christianity or the cities to meet Jesus. 

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 
Heb 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

The multitude going by foot to meet Jesus means that they were exerting their energies to know the Lord. That is to say that the multitude or the churches of this world, worship the Lord in their own strength. The purpose of the law of Moses is to show us that we cannot by our own strength be obedient to the Lord. 

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

As we shall see later in the next study, Jesus constraining his disciples to get into a ship while the multitude walked away is to show that it is the Lord who constrains us from the pull of the sea of flesh.

Mat 14:22  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

In verse 14, we see the Lord showing compassion for the multitude and therefore, healing them of their diseases. The Lord’s compassion never fails and is available not only to us, His elect, but the whole of humanity who are His children.

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

As we have indicated earlier, the multitudes represent our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world. This verse therefore shows us that in the fullness of time, the Lord will show mercy to our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world as He heals them of every disease of the flesh. That is to say that the salvation of the Lord will also be theirs. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Mat 14:15  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
Mat 14:16  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.  

To understand these verses, we need to know that the disciples of Jesus at that time were just like our brothers and sisters in Babylon who think that it is impossible for the Lord to save all humanity signified by the multitude. The disciples telling Jesus to send the multitude away so that they can buy food for themselves therefore shows our mentality when we were in the churches of this world where we taught that salvation depends on us and that we can understand the word of the Lord by ourselves. The Lord telling the disciples to give the multitude food to eat implies that the salvation of the multitude is dependent on the Lord’s elect. We are therefore saviors of humanity. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 
Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Mat 14:17  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 
Mat 14:18  He said, Bring them hither to me. 

These verses highlight how the Lord will save the people of the world including our brothers and sisters in Babylon signified by the multitude, through us, His elect. Prior to verse 17, the Lord told the disciples that the multitude must not be sent away, but that the disciples should feed them. In response, the disciples told Jesus that they have five loaves and two fishes. In other words, what will save the multitude and the people of this world are five loaves and two fishes. As we know, the loaves represent the word of the Lord. The loaves being five shows us that it is grace through faith that the Lord will save the whole of the human race through His word. 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Fishes signify mankind as shown by the fact that Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a dragnet cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind – both good and bad fishes. In His interpretation, Jesus said that at the end of the age, His angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous. 

Mat 13:47  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 
Mat 13:48  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 
Mat 13:49  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 
Mat 13:50  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The number two symbolizes being a witness. Therefore, what the two fishes represent is that the Lord will save the multitude through His witnesses who are His elect.

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 

In verse 18, the Lord telling the disciples to bring both the five loaves and the two fishes to Him is to show us that everything that happens is through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Him that everything consists. The term “consists” in this context means to hold together. 

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

This verse therefore indicates that Jesus is not only the creator of all things but also the sustainer and preserver of the universe. Without Him, nothing works.

Mat 14:19  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

The Lord commanding the multitude to sit down implies that we must be at rest if we are to receive from the Lord. It is when we are at rest that we cease from using our own effort and depend on Him only. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

It is instructive to note that the five loaves and the two fishes must be broken by the Lord, and given to the disciples first, before the multitude are given their share through the disciples. As indicated, the loaves represent the word of the Lord which must be broken by the Lord. Breaking the loaves means rightly dividing the word of truth. By implication, this means making us understand the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord. The Lord giving the broken loaves to the disciples first is to show us that in this age, it is only the Lord’s elect who are given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. All of this is done by grace through faith. 

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

The two fishes broken and given to the disciples symbolize our judgment in this age. Just as horses have to be broken before they submit, we, His elect, must go through the Lord’s judgment or suffering as the Lord puts our rebellious flesh to death. 

Later, in an age to come (the lake of fire age), the whole of the Lord’s creation shall also be given to know the mysteries of the kingdom through us, His elect, as we share the broken loaves of bread with them. That is the period that they shall be broken or judged. In the final analysis, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Mat 14:20  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 
Mat 14:21  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 

Everyone shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord in the fullness of time.   

Hab 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

The fragments of twelve baskets that remained signify the false doctrines in the hearts and minds of all humanity which are destroyed by the truth of the word of the Lord. The fact that the remains constituted twelve baskets full is to show us that everything is of the Lord since the number twelve is the number of Christ. In other words, even the false doctrines perpetuated by the devil is of the Lord.

The number of those fed was five thousand men. The number five thousand consists of five times three tens (5,000 = 5x10x10x10). As indicated earlier, the number five means grace through faith and the number 10 signifies the fullness of the flesh. The three tens refers to the process of our spiritual maturity through judgment. The number five thousand therefore shows us that it is when our flesh has reached its fullness or our sins have reached the heavens that the Lord comes to judge us, to become His children by His grace through faith.  

The fact that the children were not counted implies that all will mature to become sons of the Lord and therefore there will not be children, who are tossed by every wind of doctrine, to be counted. 

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

The women who were not counted indicates that there will be one church as all humanity shall have the same mind and the same judgment. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

May the Lord’s name be praised for His wonderful plan of salvation. Amen!!

The Book of Joel – Joe 1:13-20 Part 2

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works” – 2Co 11:14-15.

[Study Aired July 20, 2024]

The Book of Joel is a relatively broad summary primarily for the Bride, although inclusive of all mankind’s transition from the flesh to being recreated as God. In the first part of Joel 1, we learned that locusts symbolise the innumerable lies and inventions of the Christian churches in the wilderness, drinking in their smooth, ear-tickling, more agreeable doctrines, thus creating their own clothing of self-righteousness. Moreover, now, in this second part of Chapter 1, the Bride precedes her brothers and sisters in Babylon for her appeal to repentance. Here, in the verses in John and Thessalonians below, is a reference to the Bride’s calling. The following in Isaiah 4:1 signifies the harlot church, from which the Lord wrested his incipient Bride, similar to the Angel of the Lord forcibly removing (dragging) Lot’s wife and his daughters out of Sodom.

Joh 15:18  If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you [The Romans of Christ’s time didn’t hate him; it was the haters of his very household, the Jews who are Christians].
Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 
2Th 2:14  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Isa 4:1  And in that day [ever since the cross] seven women [seven equals all the churches of Asia and the Christian world, today] shall take hold of one man [Christ], saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Crucially, concocting our own lying doctrines through our multitude of equally lying counsel of self-appointed elders in Babylon is what we have to repent. It is those inventive doctrines that clothe us in filthy, blood-soaked apparel. It is us, the ‘priests and ministers of the altar’, the embryonic Bride of Christ, at whom Joel 1:13-20 aims its indictments.

Job 9:30  If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
Job 9:31  Yet [Christ] shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

Pro 6:26  For by means of a whorish woman [Us as a harlot] a man is brought to a piece of bread: 

Being submerged in the ditch for our cleansing by our supposed pure doctrine will result in Jeremiah’s declaration:

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 

Pro 6:26  For by means of a whorish woman  [Babylonian Christianity as greater Israel] a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 
Pro 6:27  Can a man take [God’s fiery word or “strange fire”] fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Job 15:16  How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? 

Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 
Zec 3:4  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Joshua was a faithful servant of God, masterfully dispatching the enemies of Israel with his bloody sword; his clothes were thus bloodied and filthy. Blood spiritually is Christ’s word, his very body! Blood, the physical essence of life, prefigures death to the Old Man and life to the New Man. If blood is spilt spiritually, it means the death of the truth or lies. Since the Elect metaphorically kill another person with the fiery sword of God’s word, that action results from them having killed us for our rejection of God’s word just as we killed Christ physically and spiritually – it all is figuratively spilling blood.

Isa 59:7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Joe 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 
Joe 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman [Babylon the Great] drunken with the blood [Her zealous killing of God’s word] of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

A Call to Repentance

Joe 1:13  Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. 
Joe 1:14  Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, 
Joe 1:15  Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. 
Joe 1:16  Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 
Joe 1:17  The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. 
Joe 1:18  How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. 
Joe 1:19  O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. 
Joe 1:20  The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Significations:

Joe 1:13  Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. 

As earlier stated, the Bride of Christ is the priest and minister of Christ the “altar“, under whom we spiritually die daily.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange [bloody] doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 
Heb 13:10  We have an altar [Christ, our husband that only we can touch], whereof they [Gentile Christianity, the world] have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle [The Bride, the Temple of God]. 
Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts [animal sacrifices symbolising our death], whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp [Equal to the Temple we are being chiselled into shape outside of the construction site]. 
Heb 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 
Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 

When we were entrenched in Babylon and early in our calling, we often howled prayers all night and every other night for our Lord to release us from severe chastisement when, primarily, all we had to do was acknowledge our sin (Jer 3:13) and get up and walk in His statutes and judgements as the Lord told Joshua following Achan’s sin! An unrepented sin is an “accursed thing” spoken of in Joshuah 7 that we think is a trifling thing and thus our “meat and drink offering”, our prayers are not answered as we think they should.

Jos 7:10  And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 
Jos 7:11  Israel [you and I] hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 
Jos 7:12  Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 

The day of the Lord is at hand when we obtain his favour by first acknowledging our sins from our heart, and then our ‘fast’ becomes a sweet savour and joy to him.

Joe 1:14  Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, 
Joe 1:15  Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. 
Joe 1:16  Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 

That destruction of our old man within can only be effectively accomplished by the acceptable fast our Lord has chosen that soundly results in forgiveness and brings joy to Christ and eventually to us as we grow in faith and knowledge and learn to walk comfortably in the fire of His word. Our “meat” is either our false doctrinal meal or the spiritual sacrifice Christ desires. Our ‘meat’ offering is our sacrifice of spiritually dying daily to our sins and not pointing our finger at our brother’s sins.

Mat 5:23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift [prayers for ‘gimme this, or gimme that’ of selfish needs while not acknowledging your sins] to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 

Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 
Luk 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 
Luk 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 
Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 
Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Isa 58:6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [How? By acknowledging from our ‘publican-like heart our sin] 
Isa 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry [soul within!], and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the [yourself] naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? [FIRST inwardly and outwardly]
Isa 58:8  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. 

Joe 1:17  The seed is rotten under their clods [shovel; sweep away], the garners [treasure, storehouse] are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered [now shovelled out of the barn is dried up, mouldy and useless]. 

The seed being rotten directly corresponds to us being of our first father, the Devil and thus, his spiritually rotten seed. Wheat seed stored not completely dry in the garner or storehouse goes rotten and utterly stinks. It needs to be shovelled out of the silo by hand and comes out in big, stinking “clods”. Jesus, speaking to those Jews figurative ‘stinking clods’ who believed in him, meaning Christians, says,

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil [his rotten seed], and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

1Co 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 
1Co 15:35  But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 
1Co 15:36  Thou fool, that [seed] which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 
1Co 15:37  And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 
1Co 15:38  But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 
1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 
1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Needless to say, the result of not having good seeds to sow means there won’t be a harvest. As such, the beasts representing the people, groan because their priests have fed the laity Satan’s lies and are “perplexed” at the enigma the entirety of scripture is. Subsequently, the flock is made a desolate woman, even The Great Whore, who rules over the nations.

Joe 1:18  How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

Rev 17:15  And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues [the entire World]. 
Rev 17:16  And the ten horns [Is the Beast] which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 
Rev 17:17  For God hath put in their hearts [being those Jews/Christians who believe in ‘another Jesus’  (2Co 11:3-4)] to fulfil his [God’s] will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast [Non-Christian world that includes themselves] until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 
Rev 17:18  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, [The Great Whore of Ephraiam-like Christianity inclusive of all other religions] which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Joe 1:19  O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. 
Joe 1:20  The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. 

The beasts of the field, representing mankind, are bereft of the truth in Christ since God gave us all over to spiritual deafness and blindness except for the little flock He called out of Babylon, representing Gentile Christianity and the world.

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles [Babylon, the world] be come in.

Isa 5:24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 

Our former dismissal of our Lord’s ‘light bread’ doctrine emanating from his ‘good seed’, meaning the simplicity in Christ, didn’t sensually bond us to Him as it didn’t Old Israel in the wilderness to her Husband. The seed He planted in our hearts rotted in the earthy beast which we are.

Because of women’s intrinsic nature to be emotionally bonded to a husband that enigmatically enchants him and unwittingly curses us all because of her ‘inventive’ nature to capture men’s hearts (Ecc 7:23-29), she becomes the mother of harlots, the Lord’s former wife, Old Israel and us. Subsequently, ‘the beasts of the field perplexedly today cry also unto Christ: for unwittingly, the rivers of Christ’s commands are dried up, and his fiery word hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness’.

Babylonian Christianity found the Bible impossible to systematically piece together for understanding, as it did John regarding his visions in Revelations. Thus, it was much easier to default to the adage, ”Jesus loves you,” since that maxim soothed their consciences, paradoxically condemning them for the looming death in the equally inscrutable Lake of Fire.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 
Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

On that note, it leads us next week, Lord willing, to Chapter 2, “The Day of the Lord.” ‘A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains’ Joe 2:2.

Numbers 9:1-23 Celebrating the Passover

[Study Aired June 26, 2023]

Num 9:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 9:2  Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. 
Num 9:3  In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. 
Num 9:4  And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
Num 9:5  And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
Num 9:6  And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
Num 9:7  And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel? 
Num 9:8  And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you. 
Num 9:9  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 9:10  Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. 
Num 9:11  The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 
Num 9:12  They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. 
Num 9:13  But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 
Num 9:14  And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land. 
Num 9:15  And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 
Num 9:16  So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 
Num 9:17  And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 
Num 9:18  At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 
Num 9:19  And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. 
Num 9:20  And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. 
Num 9:21  And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 
Num 9:22  Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. 
Num 9:23  At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 

Introduction

This chapter talks about celebrating the Passover and also shows us how Israel’s movement in the wilderness is dictated by the cloud covering the tabernacle. The Passover feast was in recognition of the miraculous exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The name ‘Passover’ comes from the story of the tenth plague (the death of the firstborn), meted out against Pharaoh and the Egyptians, which passed over the Israelites’ houses, sparing their children.

Exo 12:5  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 
Exo 12:6  and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 
Exo 12:7  “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 
Exo 12:8  They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 
Exo 12:9  Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 
Exo 12:10  And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 
Exo 12:11  In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. 
Exo 12:12  For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 
Exo 12:13  The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 
Exo 12:14  “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

Being the firstborn in the Bible, positively signifies the might or strength and the source of power:

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Deu 21:17  But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

The plague of the death of the firstborn, therefore, signifies the destruction or the stripping of the power or the strength of the old man (Pharaoh) who dominates us. This is achieved by the coming of the Lord with His words (the spirit of His mouth) into our lives after we have come to clearly see the old man or the beast within us.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

The Passover, therefore, signifies the process of the destruction or the stripping of the power or the strength of our old man when Christ comes with His brightness in our lives.

Num 9:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 9:2  Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. 
Num 9:3  In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. 
Num 9:4  And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
Num 9:5  And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

The Lord speaking to Moses in the first month of the second year is to let us know that to keep the Passover, we must be perfectly joined to the body of Christ, having one mind, as we serve as the Lord’s witnesses on this earth. Keeping the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month is also significant. The number fourteen means spiritual progression.  It is as we progress spiritually through the judgment of our old man that we can keep the Passover. 

Once the source of our strength or power of the old man is being dealt with by the Lord through judgments of the death of the firstborn, we are able to offer a sacrifice of unleavened bread throughout the rest of our lives, which is signified by the seven days of the feast of eating unleavened bread. The unleavened bread here signifies sincerity and truth. This means that through judgment, our understanding of the word of the Lord is deepened and is accompanied by a life of sincerity and truth. In other words, our lives then reflect the righteousness of Christ.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 
1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

The seven days of unleavened bread refer to the complete period of our lives during which we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord by living a life of Christ’s righteousness.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Num 9:6  And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
Num 9:7  And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel? 

As we indicated in previous studies, being defiled by the dead means taking in or accepting the teachings of those who are spiritually dead. We become spiritually unclean when we take in or accept the teachings of those who are spiritually dead. That is what characterized our walk with Christ when we were in Babylon. We accepted the teachings of our leaders who were spiritually dead, and so we became defiled. 

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 
2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Verse 7 shows us that when we become defiled in our minds by accepting false doctrines, propagated by those who are spiritually dead, we disqualify ourselves from keeping the Passover. This means that we cannot offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord as required by the Lord in keeping the Passover at the appointed time of the Lord. The appointed time here is our time here on earth.  

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Num 9:8  And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you. 
Num 9:9  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 9:10  Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. 
Num 9:11  The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
Num 9:12  They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. 

It is very insightful to note that whenever Moses was approached about an issue, he sought the Lord’s guidance as to what should be done. He did not depend upon his own insight but relied wholly on the Lord for direction. This should be our attitude as we seek to know the Lord. 

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 

The good news is that those who get defiled by false doctrines from those who are/were spiritually dead will have the chance to also celebrate Passover. However, this will happen in the fourteenth month of the second month. As we have indicated earlier, the number fourteen means spiritual progression. The number two, or the second, means a witness. This signifies that our brothers and sisters in Babylon, who are defiled by false doctrines, together with those come out of Babylon but are defiled by their idols of the heart due to false doctrines, will have the opportunity for Christ to come into their lives to destroy the strength and power of their old man (firstborn) during the lake of fire age in the presence of the elect as witnesses (the second month).

Eze 16:55  When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

During this period in the lake-of-fire age, they shall eat the flesh of the lamb with unleavened bread together with bitter herbs for seven days in keeping with the celebration of Passover.

Exo 12:8  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 

The flesh of the lamb must be roasted with fire and eaten in the night. This is to let us know that we cannot separate the judgment of the Lord (roasting with fire) from His words. As we are being given insight into the mysteries of the kingdom of God, we are being judged to conform to His image.

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

The lamb must be eaten with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs. The unleavened bread here signifies sincerity and truth. This means that our understanding of the word of the Lord must be accompanied by a life of sincerity and truth. In other words, our life must reflect the righteousness of Christ.

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

It is so exciting when the Lord reveals some aspects of the truth of the word of the Lord to us. In other words, it is sweet in our mouth. However, when it enters our belly, it is bitter. The bitter herb that must accompany the eating of the unleavened bread refers to the bitter experience we must go through to actualize the word we have received. 

Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Eze 3:1  Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 
Eze 3:2  So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 
Eze 3:3  And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 
Eze 3:4  And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. 

This bitter experience also includes the words of those we are sent to minister, as shown in Ezekiel’s case.

Eze 2:6  And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 
Eze 2:7  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

In verse 12, letting nothing remain of the lamb in the morning means we must not neglect any part of the word of the Lord. We must endeavor to understand the whole counsel of God through His words. 

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

Our lives here on earth are considered as a long night. It is during our time here on earth that we have to eat the lamb; that is, to know Christ and His words. The morning in verse 12 signifies Christ coming with His elect (the cloud) during the first resurrection.  

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light.

Not breaking a bone as we eat the lamb in verse 12 is another way of saying that we should not go beyond what is written in the word of the Lord, which is His flesh. 

1Co 4:6  I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

Num 9:13  But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 

A man who is clean is someone who is not in touch with a dead body. In other words, such a person has begun to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Not being on a journey means one has come out of the world (Egypt) and Babylon and has come into the assembly of the firstborn or the elect. Such a person must keep the Passover. That means Christ has come with His brightness into his life to destroy the power of the flesh or the old man. If we allow our flesh to dominate us, then it means that we are not observing Passover, even though we have been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift. In this case, we shall not be counted as part of the Lord’s elect and therefore will not be part of the first resurrection. We shall be cast into outer darkness.     

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 
Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 
Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 
Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 

Mat 8:12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Num 9:14  And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land. 

We, the Gentiles, were not part of the commonwealth of Israel, but by the grace of God, we, the strangers, are part of the commonwealth of Israel and therefore can partake of the Passover. Verse 14 also means that the Lord will find a way to bring in all strangers of Christ (those banished) to partake of Him as the Passover.

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 

2Sa 14:14  For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Num 9:15  And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 
Num 9:16  So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 

As we are aware, our bodies represent the temple of the Lord or the tabernacle. When Christ, who is the cloud, comes to us, He comes with His judgment to remove all that offends within us so that He can stay in us. The appearance of fire in the evening is therefore our judgment while we live here on earth. Since we represent Christ here on earth, we are also the cloud covering the tabernacle.

Mal 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:2  But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: 
Mal 3:3  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 
Mal 3:4  Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Num 9:17  And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 
Num 9:18  At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 

These verses are to show us that we are not on our own. In this life, everything that we do, both good and evil, is ordered by the Lord. In other words, our deeds are all written in the Lord’s book even before we were born. 

Psa 139:16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Act 17:26  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 
Act 17:27  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 
Act 17:28  for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Num 9:19  And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. 
Num 9:20  And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. 
Num 9:21  And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 
Num 9:22  Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. 
Num 9:23  At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 

These verses reflect how the Lord deals with us at various phases of our lives. There are periods of our lives where the Lord tests our patience as it looks like we are going round in circles, and nothing seems to work even though we cry to the Lord. For example, the Israelites stayed on Mount Sinai for so long until the Lord commanded them to leave. In our lives, we may be battling with some issues which take a long time before we are given a break. There are other times that before we speak, He hears us and comes to our aid. 

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Deu 1:6  The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 
Deu 1:7  Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 

Isa 65:24  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

May the Lord help us to be patient in our walk with Him in order to win the prize of His higher calling. Amen!!

[Study Aired November 18, 2021]

1Ki 7:13  And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.
1Ki 7:14  He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work. 
1Ki 7:15  For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. 
1Ki 7:16  And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits: 
1Ki 7:17  And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. 
1Ki 7:18  And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter. 
1Ki 7:19  And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits. 
1Ki 7:20  And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter. 
1Ki 7:21  And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz. 
1Ki 7:22  And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

In this section of the construction of Solomon’s temple we will be looking at the “two pillars“, among other sections of the temple, that typify the elect of God (Rev 3:12, 1Co 3:16). The two witnesses of Revelation 11:3, like the two pillars, witness to where our strength and power come from to witness and overcome in this life as we learn to bear each other’s burdens as the body of Christ made up of those pillars who are fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal 6:2).

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 

Our power comes to us from God through Christ (Php 4:13). When we read about the workmanship (1Co 3:16, Eph 2:9-10) that went into the pillars in Solomon’s temple, we are learning about what God is doing today in the lives of those who He has predestined from the foundation of the world to be those pillars of truth that’s God’s government will be established upon (1Ti 3:15).

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

These pillars being built in the temple of God were for our sakes “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1Co 10:11).  We know we are in the last days within us (1Jn 2:18) when we see the negative example of two pillars being pushed down in our own heavens by God’s power within us which will result in the destruction of all things within (Jdg 16:26, 2Pe 3:11, Mat 21:44).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 

Jdg 16:26  And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

Mat 21:44  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

The destruction that we are hoping and praying for is of the man of perdition within who will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming (2Th 2:8). So we pray our flight won’t be on the Sabbath or in the winter (Mat 24:20).  As God’s elect we cry out to God for deliverance like Christ did (1Jn 4:17) and was heard in that He feared (Heb 5:7).

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

As God’s pillars we are told that we must become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God (Mat 18:3-4) as we are led by the spirit of God, typified by the lad who guided the hands of Samson to push on the pillars that would kill more people in his death than he killed in all his life (Jdg 16:30). God has called the elect to die daily and to knock down those ungodly self-righteous idols in our lives that cause us to think we stand by our own power (1Co 10:12-14) as opposed to acknowledging God who is working all things according to the counsel of His own will both to will and to do of His good pleasure within us (Eph 1:11, Php 2:12-13).

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven [to be converted and become as a little child is to be led of the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-15) that guides our old man into death going where we do not want to go (Joh 21:18)].
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Jdg 16:30  And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 
1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

This is the idolatry from which we must flee spoken of in 1Corinthians 10:14 as we die daily acknowledging His sovereignty over the entire process, both the light and the darkness (Isa 45:7), that is accompanied with His mercy telling us that as we go through this dying daily destruction process that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” as pillars of God in His hands that learn to joyfully bear the burden (1Co 10:12-14, Joh 10:28-30, Gal 6:2).

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 
Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1Ki 7:13  And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. 
1Ki 7:14  He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.

When God calls us into his service we don’t have a choice in the matter as we are dragged to Christ (Joh 6:44, Jer 20:7). Solomon in this instance represents the Father who has “sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre” from where we all symbolically come. Tyre means “a rock”, but it is in the negative sense of the word rock and not the rock that church is built upon, Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18).

Hiram, whose name means ‘noble’, has been called and chosen in type and figure unto this noble calling to help in the construction of Solomon’s temple and more specifically in the construction of the pillars. Hiram who was “a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass” represents the work that Christ is doing through the church where the wisdom and understanding, unlike Hiram’s is not for the building of a physical temple but rather for the temple of God that we are that is being build by Christ (Psa 127:1, Heb 9:23-24).

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 
Heb 9:24  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: 

We are told Hiram “was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass“. The significance of this sentence is that his father is now dead who represents his old man who worked in Tyre [Babylon] with brass which represents fleshly works. Hiram who is “a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali” which means he’s come from a place of wrestling (“Naphtali”) and is now ready to come “to king Solomon, and wrought all his work” which is what we are able to do when God puts to death our old man making us “meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Ti 2:21).

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

1Ki 7:15  For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. 

These numbers describing the dimensions of the two “pillars of brass” represent the judgment (18+18=36) that is needed in our lives in order for the foundation of Christ to be formed within our heavens represented by “a line of twelve [Christ is the foundation] cubits did compass either of them about” [1+8 is 9, 1+8 is 9 and 3+6 is 9]. That judgment [9] leads to life [12]!

The two pillars being “eighteen cubits high apiece” are also symbolic of the two Cherubim who are accompanied with “a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen 3:24) again reminding us that the life of Christ we have within us is kept through judgment which God’s word brings to our hearts via His ministers and each other who have that sword in our lives that we pray will never depart from us (Rom 13:3-4, 2Sa 12:10, Psa 139:21-24). Once we have these truths established and along the way we then hold fast to the truths we have proven and guard the truth like these two cherubim who are guarding the way to the tree of life (Psa 11:6-8, 1Th 5:21).

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. 

Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 
Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

2Sa 12:10  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 

Psa 139:21  Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? [within ourselves]
Psa 139:22  I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 
Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 
Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

1Ki 7:16  And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits: 
1Ki 7:17  And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. 

These pillars represent a place of judgment that is needful if we are going to enter into a right relationship with God. The physical location of these pillars in the temple reminds us of the order that leads us into the holiest place which represents where we can boldly go to obtain mercy and help in time of need (Rom 2:4, Heb 4:16, 1Jn 2:1).

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance [through the pillars – Eph 3:10]?

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

The “two chapiters of molten brass” that are “set upon the tops of the pillars” which are both “five cubits” in height are a witness [2] of how we are saved “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).

The positioning of these “chapiters“^H3805 “upon the tops of the pillars” is significant as well, seeing it is only when we are granted to be abased through the chastening grace of God teaching us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust in this age (Tit 2:12) that we can through that process of suffering, which is brought about by judgment, be among those who will receive a crown of life (2Ti 4:8) that is represented by these crown-like structures that are “upon the tops of the pillars” (2Ti 2:12). Our salvation will come about through His leading us unto repentance (Rom 2:4) that requires we learn to not grow weary of that correction as we patiently possess our souls in this life by the strength God gives us to do this through Christ (Heb 12:6, Luk 21:19).

chapitersH3805
– Original: כu1468 תu1512 תpar
– Transliteration: Kothereth
– Phonetic: ko-theh’-reth
– Definition:

1. capital crown, capital of a pillar

– Origin: act. participle of H3803
– TWOT entry: 1060c
– Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
– Strong’s: Feminine active participle of H3803; the capital of a column:
– chapiter.

Total KJV Occurrences: 24

• chapiter, 12

1Ki_7:16(2); 1Ki_7:17(2); 1Ki_7:18; 1Ki_7:20; 1Ki_7:31; 2Ki_25:17(3); Jer_52:22(2) 

• chapiters, 12

1Ki_7:16; 1Ki_7:17; 1Ki_7:18; 1Ki_7:19; 1Ki_7:20; 1Ki_7:41(2); 1Ki_7:42; 2Ch_4:12(2); 2Ch_4:13; Jer_52:22 

H3803 kâthar kaw-thar’ A primitive root; to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself): – beset round, compass about, be crowned inclose round, suffer.

Network, lattice, and checker are all the same Strong’s number H7639, and in the positive use of the word snare, these “nets of checker work” remind us how we are bound to the altar (Psa 118:27) as Jeremiah was in type and shadow realizing he was bound to his commission unto the Lord (Jer 20:7).

The “wreaths^H1434 of chain^H8333 work” reminds us also in the positive sense how we are bound to Christ on his chest like the breastplate with chains of Exodus 39:14-15 and John 13:23. The word wreaths^H1434 is also used in Deuteronomy 22:11-12 which tells us that our whole [4] relationship with Christ is to be pure and not mixed with another cloth as we are being covered with His righteousness, and the linen is the righteousness of the saints (Rev 19:8).

Exo 39:14  And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. 
Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chainsH8333 at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 

Joh 13:23  Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

H7639 śebâkâh seb-aw-kaw’:  Feminine of H7638; a net work, that is, (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar: – checker, lattice, network, snare, wreath (-enwork).

Total KJV Occurrences: 17

network, 5 1Ki_7:18, 1Ki_7:20, 1Ki_7:42, Jer_52:22-23 (2)
networks, 2 1Ki_7:41-42 (2)
work, 2 2Ki_25:17 (2) 
wreathen, 2 2Ki_25:17 (2) 
wreaths, 2 2Ch_4:12-13 (2) 
checker, 1 1Ki_7:17
lattice, 1 2Ki_1:2
snare, 1 Job_18:8
wreath, 1 2Ch_4:13

1Ki 7:18  And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

The chapiters were covered with a lattice, or ‘network’^H7639 as it is expressed in the KJV. In another instance, not related to the temple, this Strong’s number is used in the KJV is in 2Kings 1:2, where we read of Ahaziah the king of Israel making this request to enquire of “Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease” having fallen through the “lattice^H7639, in his upper chamber”. What needs to be noticed in this story is that the lattice did not prevent him from falling and going to “enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron” which would be equivalent to one going to find spiritual healing in the churches of Babylon. There is no stay of bread or water at their table (Isa 3:1) that can bring spiritual healing, “for he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare^H7639” (Job 18:8 – same Strong’s number).

2Ki 1:2  And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

If we compare this story to Christ who was in the upper room at the last supper (Mar 14:15), we then see the example of where true healing and life comes through the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and are reminded how our spiritual healing comes about by touching the hem of His garment (Luk 8:43-44). The high priest, who is a type of Christ, had pomegranates around the hem of his garments (Exo 28:34), and we can connect these thoughts together to see that these chapiters that had lattice work represent the strength of our relationship with Christ.  It is something we receive when we are granted repentance, which is symbolized by the blood red fruit of the pomegranates, found on these raised chapiters as well as on the garment of the high priest, which represents Christ’s blood “which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Mat 26:27-28).

Mar 14:15  And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 

Luk 8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 
Luk 8:44  Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 

Exo 28:33  And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 
Exo 28:34  A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

Mat 26:27  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 
Mat 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

1Ki 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.

The chapiters were on the top of the pillars, and they were four cubits in size and “of lily work” which reveals to us that the whole (4) (1Co 15:22) of mankind will be saved through Christ and His Christ (Son 2:1, Act 4:12, Oba 1:21).

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

Son 2:1  I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

1Ki 7:20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter. 

There were two hundred pomegranates in rows around each cap or chapiter that covered these two pillars. The “belly” was the rounded area at the top by the network or lattice. The two hundred pomegranates in rows that are round about upon both chapiters represents the salvation of all [4×50=200] men by grace [5×10] through faith (Eph 2:8) that will come through the body of Christ (Rom 10:17) whose witness of having eyes within and round about the entire pillar is represented by the pomegranates (Rev 4:8, 2Ch 16:9, Eph 5:30, 1Co 12:17, 1Co 12:21). Unless the Lord had given us those eyes we could have never understood how our communion in God is connected to the body and blood of Christ, which fruit of repentance is demonstrated with the pomegranates (1Co 10:16). They are also next to the lily which shows us that this work of salvation is being accomplished through the strength God gives us through Christ (2x10x10=200). We have been eating the bread and drinking the cup of the Lord unworthily most of our lives and as such were guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1Co 11:27). It is only when we are given to acknowledge our transgressions as we’re led to repentance (Rom 2:4) that we are truly being blessed with the strength of Christ’s life within us, which is life indeed (Joh 6:51-57).

Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 

1Co 11:27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

Joh 6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world [Eph 5:30].
Joh 6:52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 
Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you [Eph 5:30, 1Jn4:6]. 
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day [Heb 10:25]. 
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 
Joh 6:57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

1Ki 7:21  And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz. 
1Ki 7:22  And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished. 

Setting up “the pillars in the porch of the temple” the right pillar and the left pillar is represented by this verse:

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The pillar on the right is called “Jachin^H3199” which means ‘he will establish‘ the ‘right’ representing the power of God that makes it possible for our lives to be established in Christ.

The one on the left is called “Boaz^H1162” which means ‘fleetness‘ tying into the word “spoudazō” that we heard on the Sunday study. We must be diligently about our Father’s business (Luk 2:49), and if Christ is working in us we will be consumed for the temple as He was because we are as He is with God’s spirit within us (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9).

Having God’s spirit within us (Rom 8:9) is typified by the lilys which are mentioned in the same context of these two pillars. It is therefore Christ alone who can do this work within us, and all glory and honour are his “upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished“, which is what this section of Kings is telling us.

Excerpt from Mikes study:

Now let’s look at Strong’s definition of the Greek word translated as ‘study’ in 1Timothy 2:15. Here is that word and its definition:

G4704  σπουδάζω  spoudazō  spoo-dad’-zo
From G4710; to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: – do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

It is by divine design that this word is used in connection with how we are to deal with the false doctrine of Hymenaeus and Philetus concerning the resurrection being only spiritual and with no physical application. What we are being told is that we must be speedy and make an effort to be prompt and earnest and give diligence to sorting out in a very timely manner what is the Truth and what is not the Truth whenever a question about doctrine arises in the body of Christ.  **** end quote.

‘To him who overcometh’ is something God has already predetermined from the foundation of the world as to whom that will be, and in line with this last thought, the fruit on the tree is what should determine at the end of this age who has this spirit of spoudazō and who does not (1Pe 2:9, Tit 2:14, Rev 3:12).

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light [Joh 6:63, Mat 5:14-16]:

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

“And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight” Heb 4:13

Psa 139:7  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psa 139:11  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psa 139:13  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

As we mentioned in our last study, there are four distinct parts to this Psalm 139:  the first describing God’s omnipotence, the second section, which we will look at tonight, which gives us insight as to how God sees all of His creation, the third section more specifically how he sees the church, the body of Christ, the workmanship of His hands, and the fourth describing how God brings light out of darkness through the judgment upon the church (1Pe 4:17).

We have been granted to know and believe and hope (Col 1:27) in the answer to the question “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”  The answer is nowhere; not for God’s elect and not for any part of God’s creation. Not everyone knows now just how all-encompassing the answer to the question, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” really is!

The “any creature” spoken of in Hebrews 4:13 is speaking of all the inward creatures of the sea and on the earth and in the heavens representing everything within the first Adam and everything God’s omnipotent hand is leading and holding (Gen 2:19), stated this way: “there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me” (Psa 139:10), reminding those who have eyes to see that God is working all things “after the counsel of his own will” (Eph 1:11).

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

When we look at the verses surrounding Hebrews 4:13, along with the surrounding verses of Colossians 1:17, which tell us “he is before all things, and by him all things consist”, a very parallel message is given to tell us how the “manifold wisdom of God” is made known “by the church”. It is through the destruction of the first man Adam, the “creature” or beast we need be shown we are through the experience of evil we are given, that we are humbled (Eph 3:10, Joh 3:30, Ecc 3:18, Ecc 1:13).

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight [Num 14:9, 2Co 4:15]: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

All things are for the elect’s sake, and that truth becomes apparent through the destruction of “every living creature” (Gen 2:19) in the sea and in the earth and in the heavens whose soulishness is destroyed by the brightness of His coming as they become bread for us little by little, being brought into subjection to Christ. The only thing which can accomplish this miraculous event of becoming a new creation is having the “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” word of God not depart from our house so that it can be “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

2Sa 12:10  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

In tonight’s study we will look at how blessed we are in not having that sword depart from our house, which represents God’s word being used to do this miraculous work of grace through faith in the lives of His children in this age who are receiving this “gift of God” of being His kind of first fruits and workmanship of His hands in this age.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Psa 139:7  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Another example of how it is impossible for us to “go from thy spirit” or “flee from thy presence” is found in the story of the two thieves on the cross with Christ (Luk 23:39-46).

Please see this article written by Steven Crook:

“http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-thing-i-fear/”

…that explains how “at our appointed time we are all thieves and robbers, but there is One who has the solution to this “death sentence”.

All three men were bound to the altar which is represented by the cross, but only Christ at this point was able to eat at that altar and lay down His life for these two men who were being witnessed to by Christ showing them, and us, what it means to truly present your body a living sacrifice, and how it would only be through Christ that we could come to the Father.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.

If we look at all three men on the cross as one man representing who we were, who we’re becoming, and how we can go unto perfection (Gal 2:20), and if we believe God is writing all three books at the same time (Psa 139:16) to teach us something today about the process through which our flesh must go, then surely we are being shown through this living parable whether our soul is converted as Christ was, or is in rebellion, or the process of moving away from that rebellion, as demonstrated with the two thieves. In every instance we can ask the question for all three men, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?” or “whither shall I flee from thy presence?” God’s elect are blessed to be saved by this hope, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.” That is only possible because of the comforter He has sent to help us and lead us into all truth in this age, to set us free as these scriptures demonstrate (Heb 13:5, Joh 16:13, Joh 6:63, Mat 10:19).

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

Heb 13:5  Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak.

Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven^H8064, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell^H7585, behold, thou art there.

H8064 heaven  shaw-mah’-yim, shaw-meh’

The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): – air, X astrologer, heaven (-s).

H7585 hell sheh-ole’, sheh-ole’

From H7592; h

ades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: – grave, hell, pit.

The word heaven^H8064 is very often associated with the fowl of the air (Gen 1:26, Gen 1:28, Gen 1:30, Gen 2:1, Gen 2:4, Gen 2:19, Gen 2:20) which we know can represent evil spirits (Mat 13:4), and the grave^H7585 is very often associated with sorrow and death in scripture (Gen 37:35, Gen 42:38, Gen 44:29).

Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air^H8064, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Gen 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air^H8064, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Gen 1:30  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air^H8064, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Gen 2:1  Thus the heavens^H8064 and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Gen 2:4  These are the generations of the heavens^H8064 and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens^H8064,

Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air^H8064; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air^H8064, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Gen 37:35  And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave^H7585 unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

Gen 42:38  And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave^H7585.

Gen 44:29  And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave^H7585.

Both heaven and hell are to be understood as being within us, and when we are given to see this, the true meaning of what is being said in the context of these words becomes very instructive. Babylon insists these are places outside of ourselves and not the heaven and grave within us that Christ has dominion over as He ascends and descends in our lives working all things in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure where He is sovereign over the light and darkness, in the heavens and in the grave. The physical heavens themselves can be darkened or be filled with light which in itself tells us what God can do and is doing on earth as it is done in heaven within us (Php 2:13, Eph 4:9-10, Gen 28:10-19, Isa 45:7, Mat 6:10).

Gen 28:12  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Gen 28:13  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:14  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 28:15  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Please see this article written by Mike Vinson:

“https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/what-and-where-heaven-2009

…that explains why God created the heaven and the earth in the beginning (Gen_1:1) and this will further help us understand why “If I ascend up into heaven^H8064, thou art there: [and] “if I make my bed in hell^H7585, behold, thou art there.”

Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

When we “take the wings of the morning” at first in our life, we have no idea that we are going to give an accounting for all the actions God has caused as we “dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea” (Ecc 11:9, Rom 14:12, Joh 12:48). Neither do we see or understand, as Joseph’s brothers did not, that God is the one making a way in that sea, and working all things according to the counsel of His own will so that many or all of God’s creation can be saved (Isa 43:16, Eph 1:11, Gen 45:5).

When we pray not to be led into sore trials or temptations (Mat 6:13), it is by God’s power that we will come to learn that He can “hold me” and direct me with His spirit which will deliver us (Joh 16:13, 2Co 3:17) from the shadow of the valley of death that we are in while we are in these marred earthen vessels (Psa 23:4-6, Rom 8:14-17).

We come to see, through falling seven [complete] times, that God has always been there in the midst of the entire process, His “right hand” holding us, that hand of power. We are also told “there shall thy hand lead me” in advance of being told “thy right hand shall hold me” as a type of the reality Christ is seeking as an occasion against our flesh, and if He is working with us in this age, He is leading us unto repentance (Rom 2:4) by His spirit, by the comforter leading  us into all truth, including the truth that we will be caused to fall a symbolic complete seven times in this life (Pro 24:16).

Psa 139:11  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

What is very little understood is that the night and day, light and dark, are the same to God in the sense that He sees through it all and is glorified in being able to control the good and evil within us to bring us to maturity in an appointed time (2Pe 3:18, Php 3:14, Eph 4:13).

Christ explained to Peter, “You will deny me” or “Surely the darkness shall cover me“. Christ also prophesied to Peter and others that they would drink the cup: “even the night shall be light about me” clearly showing God’s sovereign hand in the affairs of the good and evil of the disciples’ lives.

Christ also made a clear statement to Pilate that he [Pilate] personally had no power over Him demonstrating once again “the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee” (Psa 139:12, Mat 26:34, Mat 20:23, Joh 19:10-11).