“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 2

The Gates of Jerusalem

[Study Aired Nov 12, 2024]

Our previous study established the foundational pattern for approaching God’s presence, demonstrating how physical structures reveal spiritual realities. Beginning with the city gates,  “Let us go into the house of the LORD Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2), we learned that Christ is the only door and entrance (John 10:9), accessed through a narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14). The study then progressed to the temple courts, examining the significance of the middle wall of partition that separated Gentiles from Jews, and how Christ broke down this wall (Ephesians 2:14-15). Within these courts stood the altar and laver, representing our purification in Christ. Moving inward to the temple building itself, we saw how the golden candlesticks represented churches, and the veil represented Christ’s flesh, revealing progressive stages of drawing near to God.

The study then detailed the requirements for spiritual entrance, emphasizing spiritual poverty and humility, internal transformation through new birth, the holy spirit’s crucial role, and Christ’s indwelling through His Father’s spirit. This process of seeking entrance demands whole-hearted seeking, stripping away false dependencies, engaging in spiritual warfare, maintaining persistent prayer, and participating in fellowship with believers.

Finally, the study outlined evidences of having found the entrance: new spiritual understanding, a changed relationship to sin, the presence of divine love, a new relationship with God’s Word, transformed prayer life, changed priorities, different responses to trials, and Christ’s increasing manifestation in our lives. Throughout, the study emphasized that these physical patterns reveal internal spiritual realities in our approach to God, as we are transformed through Christ’s work in us.

Building on these foundations, we now focus specifically on the gates of Jerusalem. These gates served as entrances to the physical city, but in reality they are types and shadows of the New Jerusalem, which John describes in Revelation: “And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel” (Revelation 21:12).

The spiritual significance of these gates connects to Christ as “the door” through which we must enter: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). He further warns against attempting to enter by any other means: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). Christ’s body is part of Him: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:30), and “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

In this age, the elect (Christ’s body) enter through these spiritual gates, as Christ declares “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). In the ages to come, the rest of mankind will enter through these gates via Christ and His body, for “the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day… And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it” (Revelation 21:25-26). This aligns with God’s purpose that all will eventually come to Christ: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32), through His body, which is “the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:23).

The number of gates being twelve itself carries deep spiritual significance, representing foundation and completion. As Paul declares, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Just as there were twelve tribes of Israel according to divine purpose, and twelve apostles chosen by Christ, these twelve gates represent God’s complete and perfect work within us, for He is “working all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). “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” (Philippians 1:6).

God reveals these spiritual truths progressively, as He declared through the prophet Isaiah: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10). Through this principle, we see these gates not merely as historical structures but as patterns revealing Christ’s complete work in us. As Hebrews confirms, “the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things” (Hebrews 10:1).</P.

The gates are described in several scriptural accounts – Nehemiah details their rebuilding in a circular pattern beginning and ending with the sheep gate, Ezekiel’s vision reveals their arrangement (Ezekiel 48:31-34), and John describes them in Revelation.

We must remember that Christ Himself fulfills what each gate represents, for “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). These gates together represent the complete foundation of our spiritual experience in Christ, who works all things according to His perfect will.

The Sheep Gate

Our journey begins with the Sheep Gate, holding unique significance as both the starting and ending point in Nehemiah’s account: “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate” (Nehemiah 3:1). Seeing that this gate appears both first and last reveals a profound spiritual truth – all spiritual experience begins and ends with Christ.

The Sheep Gate served as the entrance through which sacrificial animals were brought into Jerusalem for offerings at the temple. This physical purpose points us to Christ, who declared, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). The connection between this gate and sacrifice is not incidental, for Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

That priests built this gate carries additional significance, for Christ is both our sacrifice and High Priest: “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Hebrews 7:26-27).

This gate teaches us that all spiritual experience begins with sacrifice and death – Christ’s sacrifice and death for us and our sacrifice and death with Him. As Paul declares, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). This principle of sacrifice continues in our walk, for Paul urges, “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” (Romans 12:1).

The Fish Gate

Once we have entered through Christ’s sacrifice (Sheep Gate), we naturally begin to manifest His heart for others. The Fish Gate is described in Nehemiah 3:3: “But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.”

Matthew 4:19 states “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This commission to be fishers of men aligns powerfully with Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

The Fish Gate also teaches us about divine provision and multiplication. When Christ fed the multitudes, He used fish as part of the miracle: “And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes… And they did all eat, and were filled” (Matthew 14:17,20). This shows how God multiplies our small offerings in His service to others.

The Old Gate

After experiencing Christ’s sacrifice (Sheep Gate) and beginning to manifest His heart for souls (Fish Gate), we come to the Old Gate: “Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof” (Nehemiah 3:6).

While “old” often carries a negative connotation in scripture, as in “the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22), it also represents established truth and wisdom when referring to God’s ways. This positive meaning appears in God’s call through Jeremiah: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). These “old paths” represent foundational truths that never change, just as Christ Himself “is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

The Old Gate thus teaches us the importance of established, foundational truth. As Paul warns, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:9). These ancient truths aren’t meant to be modified or modernized but preserved and protected, for “the words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6-7).

The Ephraim/Corner Gate

Moving forward from foundational truths, we come to the Ephraim Gate, also known as the Corner Gate: “From above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate” (Nehemiah 12:39), and “Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate” (2 Chronicles 26:9).

The name Ephraim carries great spiritual significance. Joseph named his son Ephraim saying, “For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:52). This speaks to spiritual multiplication even in times of trial, a principle Paul confirms: “But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

As the Corner Gate, this entrance represents Christ as the chief cornerstone: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). This corner stone function joins walls together, revealing how spiritual growth and body unity work together: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

The Valley Gate

After experiencing fruitfulness and unity, we come to the Valley Gate: “The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof” (Nehemiah 3:13). This gate’s name suggests lowliness and humility.

True spiritual growth requires descent before ascent, following Christ’s own pattern: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven” (John 3:13). “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Following this pattern, Christ teaches us “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The Valley Gate reminds us of David’s words: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

This brokenness is not an end in itself but a means of experiencing God’s presence: “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

The Valley Gate teaches that true spiritual authority comes through humility: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). This principle was demonstrated perfectly in Christ, who “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself… Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (Philippians 2:8-9).

The Dung Gate

Following the path of humility, we encounter the Dung Gate: “But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof” (Nehemiah 3:14). This gate served for removing waste from the city, teaching profound truths about purification and cleansing.

True humility leads to honest recognition of what must be purged from our lives. Paul demonstrates this principle: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

This cleansing process is both initial and ongoing. God promised through Ezekiel: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you” (Ezekiel 36:25). Christ Himself speaks of this purging work: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

The Fountain Gate

After purging comes the Fountain Gate: “But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof” (Nehemiah 3:15). The sequence is significant – only after purging can we fully experience the flow of living water.

Christ revealed the spiritual significance: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive)” (John 7:37-39).

The prophet Jeremiah identified two serious problems: “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). The Fountain Gate teaches us to return to the true source – Christ Himself.

This living water produces continual freshness and fruitfulness: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).

The Water Gate

Following the flowing fountain, we come to the Water Gate: “Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east” (Nehemiah 3:26). Uniquely, this is the only gate not mentioned as needing repair, suggesting the eternal, unchanging nature of God’s Word.

At this gate, Ezra read God’s Word to the people: “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel” (Nehemiah 8:1).

The Water Gate represents the cleansing power of God’s Word: “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). As David asked, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9).

The location “toward the east” is significant, as east in Scripture represents God’s glory and Christ’s coming. God’s Word always points us to Christ: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). “And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.” (Ezekiel 43:2).

The Horse Gate

After experiencing the washing of the Word, we come to the Horse Gate: “From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house” (Nehemiah 3:28). In Scripture, horses are often associated with warfare: “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).

The placement after the Water Gate is significant, as God’s Word equips us for battle. Paul describes this as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Our warfare is spiritual, not carnal: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Christ Himself leads us in this warfare: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war” (Revelation 19:11). Our victory comes through Christ dwelling in us by His Father’s spirit: “ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The East Gate

After spiritual warfare comes the East Gate. Scripture reveals specific truths about this gate through Ezekiel’s vision: “Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut” (Ezekiel 44:1-2).

The glory of God approaches from this direction: “And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory” (Ezekiel 43:2), and enters through this gate: “the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east” (Ezekiel 43:4). Christ also connects His coming to the east: “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27).

This gate’s unique characteristic of being shut after the Lord enters reveals profound truth about Christ and His elect. Just as the gate is shut with the Lord inside, our union with Christ is secured by the Father’s will: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30).

The Miphkad Gate

Following the East Gate, we come to the Miphkad Gate: “After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner” (Nehemiah 3:31). This gate is also known as the Prison Gate: “and they stood still in the prison gate” (Nehemiah 12:39).

The word ‘Miphkad’ relates to appointment, numbering, or inspection, connecting to judgment. Christ is the judge: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). Yet for Christ’s elect, this judgment perfects us in this age: “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32).

That this gate was repaired by “the goldsmith’s son” points to Christ’s purifying work: “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: 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” (Malachi 3:2-3).

Return to the Sheep Gate

Finally, we return to where we began – the Sheep Gate. This return represents a deeper experience of Christ’s sacrifice. As Paul describes: “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10).

This circular journey reflects Christ’s declaration: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Each return finds us knowing Him more fully so we are able to: “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The elect’s journey through these gates does not represent aimless repetition but spiral growth – each return to the Sheep Gate brings us to a higher level of experiencing Christ, “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” (Ephesians 4:13).

All spiritual experience leads back to and flows from Christ’s sacrifice. As John saw in his vision, all worship centers around “the Lamb that was slain” (Revelation 5:12). Through His Father’s spirit dwelling in us, He continues working until completion: “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” (Philippians 1:6). Each circuit through these gates represents another layer of this perfect work.

This completion of the circle teaches us that our deepest spiritual experiences always bring us back to deeper appreciation and experience of Christ’s death working in us, that His life might be more fully manifested. For He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), working all things according to His perfect will.

Conclusion: The Complete Journey

Having examined each gate’s spiritual significance, we understand that these gates represent internal spiritual realities that Christ works in us through His Father’s spirit. As Christ declared, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20).

The complete journey through these gates reveals progressive aspects of Christ’s work in His elect. We begin at the Sheep Gate, representing Christ’s sacrifice and our death with Him, then move to the Fish Gate where His heart for others manifests through us. The Old Gate grounds us in foundational truth, leading to the Ephraim/Corner Gate of spiritual fruitfulness and unity. Through the Valley Gate we learn true humility, followed by the Dung Gate’s purging and cleansing work. The Fountain Gate brings the Spirit’s flow, while the Water Gate provides washing by the Word. At the Horse Gate we engage in spiritual warfare, before coming to the East Gate where Christ’s glory is revealed. The Miphkad Gate brings His judgment and deliverance, finally returning us to the Sheep Gate for a deeper experience of death and resurrection.

This progression isn’t merely sequential but cyclical and deepening. As Paul describes, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The internal nature of these gates means we cannot progress through our own effort. Christ Himself, through His Father’s spirit, must work these realities in us: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

As we look ahead to studying the Temple Mount and its courts, we remember that this progression leads to deeper communion with God. As David wrote, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

Like the physical temple pattern, our spiritual journey reveals Christ dwelling in His elect through His Father’s spirit. As God promised, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

All these types and shadows find their fulfillment in Christ and His work in us, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). As Paul declares, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and “Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11).

As we move to our next studies of the Temple Mount, its courts, furnishings, and progression to the Most Holy Place, we’ll discover more about our spiritual journey into fuller knowledge and experience of Christ. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3).

Act 16:1-21  They Delivered the Decrees… of the Apostles and Elders

[Study Aired May 28, 2023]

Before we continue following the chronology of Paul’s second journey, let us consider what would have happened if Peter, Paul, and Barnabas had rejected the counsel of their elders. The complete church will do just that and reject the counsel of their elders towards the end of Paul’s life when he tells Timothy:

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

“All they which are in Asia” refers to “the seven churches of Asia” to whom the book of the revelation of Jesus Christ is addressed:

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

It is this same ‘John’ who also tells us that the apostasy of the church was so complete before his death that “Diotrephes… cast… out of the church” those whom John had sent to them:

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

‘Loving to have preeminence’ is just another way of saying “the pride of life”, which is the last and most insidious of the three categories which encapsulate “all that is in this [evil and wicked] world”:

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, [1] the lust of the flesh, and [2] the lust of the eyes, and [3] the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Doctrinal differences, as we have learned, are commanded to be settled within the body of Christ by seeking the counsel of the elders. That counsel is rejected only because of “the pride of life” which afflicts us all, especially when we are given an “idol of the heart” (Eze 14:4). When “all they which be in Asia” and when “the seven churches of Asia” apostatize, they do so because they are sent “an evil spirit from the Lord” which causes them to make the conscious decision to ignore the counsel of their elders and cling to idols of their heart (Eze 14:4), and follow “false apostles” who ‘appear as angels of light’ to “draw away disciples after them” (Act 20:30). Paul had been made to know this would happen in his own lifetime. This is what he prophesied to the elders of the church of Ephesus:

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Notice that Paul’s admonition is addressed to the “overseers” of the Lord’s flock. Nevertheless, his words apply to “yourselves” whether we are overseers of the Lord’s flock or overseers of His words within us… “take heed to yourselves” that the pride of life does not cause me or you to attach ourselves to an idol of our heart which not even the consensus of your leaders can persuade you is rank heresy:

Heb 13:17 Be persuaded by your leaders, and be deferring to them, for they are vigilant for the sake of your souls, as having to render an account, that they may be doing this with joy, and not with groaning, for this is disadvantageous for you.

False prophets, who bring in false doctrines, have never sought the counsel of their elders. They dare not do so lest their heresies be revealed for what they are. False prophets always think that they and Jesus have it all worked out, and they do not need anyone to tell them they are dead wrong.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  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.

There is nothing new under the sun, and there is no doubt that false apostles “of your own selves” have been a key to the scattering of the Lord’s flock throughout all the generations since Christ. We ourselves have seen it happen on more than one occasion. Men who had been appointed as elders in our own fellowship and by our own leaders, were sent an evil spirit from the Lord which insisted that there is no natural element to the Lord’s words. “After all”, they told us, “Christ Himself said, ‘The words that I say unto thee, they are spirit, and they are life.’” As mentioned earlier in this study, just because Christ says His words are spirit, does not mean that there are no words which have a natural application. We are in fact told the exact opposite:

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

All the spiritual doctrines of Christ and His Father are only understood “by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead”:

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [How has ‘God shown it unto them?]
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

“The things that are made” are the things which all natural men can see. Therefore ‘the things that are made are not spiritual because:

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds [G165: ‘aions’, our lives] were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

If the spiritual realm is “not first… but that which is natural” is first, then it cannot be taught that “The resurrection is past already” because there has not yet been a “things that are seen” resurrection. This natural realm must first witness a resurrection from the dead of people who can then say, “Handle me… for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” before there can be a resurrection with no “flesh and bones” involved.

Luk 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Yet that was, and is the ‘fullness now… everything is spiritual’ doctrine against which the apostles were fighting and against which we are still fighting:

2Ti 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

I used to wonder how anyone could teach such a falsehood. Now I understand clearly how many are led astray by the doctrines of Hymenaeus and Philetus. Now I know how they were able to deceive so many. The false ‘fullness now… everything is spiritual now’ doctrine is “profane and vain babbling” which “overthrows the faith of some.” That doctrine teaches that the “blessed and holy first resurrection… the marriage supper of the Lamb, the ensuing thousand-year reign, the rebellion which follows the thousand-year reign, and even the great white throne judgment, are one and all being experienced spiritually within us here and now, and none of these future events will ever be manifested in an outward and natural fulfillment.

One thing wrong with that doctrine is that it denies that death will ever be destroyed because it denies that flesh will ever stop being produced generation after generation.

The false doctrine of ‘fullness now… everything is spiritual now’ leads one back to the false doctrine of an immortal soul. That is the only way they can inherit the kingdom of heaven if everything is fulfilled in this present time and if all the promises are only inward and spiritual here and now. That false doctrine, which was sent into our midst, denies the order of the events which the scriptures reveal must take place. It denies there will ever be an outward kingdom of God which will rule over the literal kingdoms of this world. If there is no literal kingdom of God ruling over the natural, literal kingdoms of this world, then death will never be destroyed. Here, on the other hand is what the scriptures teach:

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: [1] Christ the firstfruits; [2] afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  [3] Then cometh the end [all the rest ‘in Adam’], when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The Lord was merciful to us and kept us from being swept away by the flood of lies that passed over us all just a few years ago. Nevertheless, there is one more lesson we must all learn from that painful experience. As most of us know, we had eleven elders at that time to whom we all looked for spiritual nourishment. We did not see it until we “looked behind [us]” and saw what the Lord had done. When it was all over then we realized that the Lord had done with us the same thing He did when he decided to divide the nation of Israel in the days of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. When Rehoboam was approached by the representatives of the people of Israel pleading with him to lower the taxes which Solomon had imposed upon them to finance all his building projects and his military, Rehoboam at first sought the counsel of the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. Here is that story:

1Ki 12:4  Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
1Ki 12:5  And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
1Ki 12:6  And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
1Ki 12:7  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
1Ki 12:8  But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
1Ki 12:9  And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
1Ki 12:10  And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
1Ki 12:11  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
1Ki 12:12  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
1Ki 12:13  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
1Ki 12:14  And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
1Ki 12:15  Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

There are no coincidences with God. It is not a coincidence that all four of the elders who were giving us such “profane and vain babbling” counsel, attempting to “overthrow [our] faith”, were the four with the least seniority among our eleven elders. Larry Groenewald, Bobby Lynch, Kenwin Thomas, Steve Crook, Aaron Lohman, Tony Cullen, and I all agreed that the doctrine that ‘everything is spiritual, and everything is fulfilled in this present time’ is an insidious false doctrine which must be denied and rooted out of our teachings. It is no coincidence that we were all the senior elders in the body of Christ who were given to see through those lies and give sound counsel to the rest of the body of Christ.

That doctrine was a deadly cancer which had been growing within the body of Christ for some time, and just like any outward surgery, it was a painful extraction, and it took a lot of time to heal the wound of that surgery. There have been many lessons which we learned through that painful experience. I am especially grateful that the Lord showed us that when the apostles went up to Jerusalem to discuss the heresy which taught that the Gentiles must be physically circumcised to be saved, they discussed the subject among themselves and “the whole multitude held their peace.” When the judgment was given, then the apostles and elders did not ‘take it to the people’ as we did during that time of trial, instead they did what Christ said to do, and they “told it to the church”:

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them [the counselors], tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Mat 18:18  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall [have been] bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall [have been] loosed in heaven.

We will now continue with the chronological order of the events which took place during the second missionary journey which Paul took, taking with him Silas who had come down to Antioch to confirm the words of the letter sent by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to the Gentile converts in Antioch and the surrounding areas:

Act 16:1  Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Act 16:2  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Act 16:3  Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Act 16:4  And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Act 16:5  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act 16:6  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Act 16:8  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Act 16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Act 16:11  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Act 16:12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Act 16:13  And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Act 16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Act 16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

On this journey, Paul begins by passing through Cilicia, where his hometown of Tarsus was located:

Act 15:40  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Act 15:41  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Then Paul travels first to the last city which he and Barnabas had evangelized on their first journey. That city is Derbe, and he goes from Derbe to Lystra where he meets a Jewish woman named Eunice, who has a son named Timothy, whom Paul spiritually adopts as his own son:

Act 16:1  Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Act 16:2  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Here is how we happen to know the name of Timothy’s mother and even his grandmother. Paul reveals that he was closely acquainted with Timothy’s family:

2Ti 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2Ti 1:2  To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Ti 1:3  I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
2Ti 1:4  Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2Ti 1:5  When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Now for any who think that Paul was only begrudgingly agreeing with the apostles and elders concerning the need for the Jews to remain faithful to the covenant of circumcision notice what Paul does to Timothy whose mother was a Jew:

Act 16:3  Him [Timothy] would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Paul’s preaching at this time was in complete accord with the agreement made with the apostles and elders that the Jews still had to live under the covenant of circumcision and keep the law of Moses as our next verse demonstrates:

Act 16:4  And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Act 16:5  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

‘…As they went through the cities” means Paul and Timothy as well as Silas, because it is later revealed that Timothy joined Paul on this missionary journey:

2Co 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Act 16:6  Now when they [Timothy included] had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Act 16:8  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Act 16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Here is a map of all the places, cities and provinces that were just mentioned:

https://www.conformingtojesus.com/charts-maps/en/paul%27s_journeys_map.htm

Paul, Silas, and Timothy then sail from Troas to Samothracia and then to Neapolis, and from Neapolis they traveled to Philippi, a city in Macedonia where Paul converts a woman named Lydia and is eventually imprisoned with Silas. While they are in prison there in Philippi, the Lord sends a miraculous earthquake which frees them and all the other prisoners of their bonds and opens the doors of the prison.

Act 16:11  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Act 16:12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Act 16:13  And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

It is a wonderful thing to witness how the Lord just lays the needs of His saints upon those whom He drags to Himself, and lays it upon their heart to minister to the needs of His body, “[their] own flesh”:

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?
Isa 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

That is exactly what Lydia did. She “hid not herself from her own flesh.” She met the needs of the Lord’s saints.

Now we come to the event which caused Paul and Silas to be cast into prison under the watchful eye of the Philippian jailer, who, as we will learn in our next study also ends up being converted.

Act 16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

The spirit in this damsel is using the Truth to draw attention to herself and to make others think that she is of herself a clairvoyant to whom they should seek for advice. The spirit reveals this to Paul, and he is inspired to cast this evil spirit out of this damsel.

Act 16:18  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Act 16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

The gospel of Christ clashes with both the doctrines of the great harlot and with the doctrines of men. Those who are called to serve Christ in this age are given this sobering promise:

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

We will stop here for today, and we will see how the Lord can and does miraculously deliver us from our insoluble trials in our next study.

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Awesome Hands – part 136

"The journeys of the children of Israel"

June 17, 2018

What is my purpose in life? I know God’s truths, but what am I supposed to do with them? I am a child of God, yet I sin. How can I still be His child?

These are among the thousands of questions we all have from time to time. Some questions just seem to linger our entire lifetimes without an answer we are satisfied with.

These questions are also the same for all of humanity even if they don’t know it or we otherwise seek out ways to answer these questions which aren’t seeking first the kingdom of God.

Seeking the kingdom of God first is another way of saying seeking to do God’s will in all things for the glory of God among other things.

When we examine the verses for our study today, we will find that Israel was given a hard path through the wilderness, but is this only meant to happen to them or is this the case for all of humanity? Is knowing this answer of any help for the children of God now, in this age?

The verses for consideration today start in Numbers 33.

Num 33:1  These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Num 33:2  And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.

It is very easy to read these verses and consider them as only a historical rendition of what happened to the Israelites during this time. Moses and Aaron are leaders and the people followed them according to what the Lord told them to do.

Is this all we are reading though?

This very book is about the number of things the Israelites did against God, in what capacity they did it, what judgments befell them as a result and how they time and again disobeyed the One who was their salvation.

When I look at my own history, it is hard for me to put in words and accurate timeline, with all the details needed, to give someone an accurate picture of my life.

With Moses, he is recording the “goings out” of the people and what happened during that time.

Take these next two verses for an example.

Num 33:3  And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
Num 33:4  For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

Yes the Israelites “departed” from Rameses after the Passover with a “high hand” in sight of all the Egyptians, but where is the mentioning of the miracle of how they passed through the Red Sea, how the plagues were poured out on the Egyptians (and them early on in the first few plagues).

We don’t learn about the ten commandments being given, nothing about how their camps were setup with the priesthood, nothing about the ark and the tabernacle playing huge roles in their staying and going, nothing about the cloud guiding them through the wilderness, and nothing about why they had to stay in the wilderness so long in the first place while eating manna that miraculous just happened to feed these people.

If we look at this chapter as only a historical recounting of the movements of these people, then we will have missed it completely.

What Numbers 33 does for us, in a very short and compact way, is tell us that God is working all after the counsel of His own will. This chapter clearly tells us that there are a people of God being lead my God in a way that God determines.

What I see in this chapter is the absence of man’s influence on the writing and how God’s preeminence is over all. Without thinking too hard about it, God start with the people of God while in Egypt. He stays with them as they depart. He is with them at the end of their 40 years in the wilderness and was with them during the 40 years.

God is always with them no matter what is happening in the details. We have other chapters and other books that tell us what the very specific details are, but if we were only left with this recounting of this history, then we would still clearly have an understanding that God is over all and remains until the end.

From verse 1 through 49, we are told about a long history of Israel being lead by the Lord, and after all that history, the Lord continues to tell us how He will be WITH US until the end.

I started this study by asking a few questions, so let’s see if we can start to answer some of them.

Let’s start in Ecclesiastes to see what we experience things the way we do.

Ecc 1:13 (CLV)  I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.
Ecc 1:14  I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun, And behold, the whole is vanity and a grazing on wind."
Ecc 1:15  What is distorted cannot be set in order, And what is lacking cannot be counted."
Ecc 1:16  I spoke with my heart, saying, Behold, I have grown great and have added in wisdom Over all who were before me in Jerusalem; My heart has seen much of wisdom and knowledge."
Ecc 1:17  Then I applied my heart to know wisdom, As well as to know about raving and frivolity; I realize that even this, it is a grazing on wind."
Ecc 1:18  For in much wisdom is much vexation, And he who adds knowledge adds pain."

I think the CLV really brings home the meaning of verse 1:13, but I like how Darby puts these verses together in our common English.

Ecc 1:12  I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Ecc 1:13  And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
Ecc 1:14  I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Ecc 1:15  That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
Ecc 1:16  I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge.
Ecc 1:17  And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.
Ecc 1:18  For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Solomon was given a lot of wisdom and he himself looked for even the knowledge of having so much wisdom and found that it was like trying to grasp the wind.

If this happened with wise Solomon was precludes it from happening to me also? The answer is nothing.

Instead of us grasping the wind, the wind grasps us.

Isa 64:1  Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
Isa 64:2  As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
Isa 64:3  When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Isa 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Isa 64:5  Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isa 64:7  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Isa 64:9  Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Isa 64:10  Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Isa 64:11  Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Isa 64:12  Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?

What is my purpose in life? I know God’s truths, but what am I supposed to do with them? I am a child of God, yet I sin. How can I still be His child?

What I find interesting about Numbers is that we start off in this book with Israel as they are taken from slavery to freedom back to being prisoners of the Lord.

Phm 1:8  Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
Phm 1:9  Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

We see Israel go from Egypt to starting off the book of Numbers in the wilderness of Sinai to where we now find them entering the plains of Moab by the Jordan river.

What these verses today cover for us, including all verses in this chapter, is a heavenly view of God into the lives of His people.

Truly, life is just a vapor here and gone or as a leaf which fades away. From start to finish, a leaf is a miraculous life which gives MORE LIFE during it’s life time. After all, trees produce oxygen because they are able to take the ENERGY that leaves ABSORB from LIGHT, mix it with other things, which then produces a by-product called oxygen.

Chlorophyll in the leaves reacts with carbon dioxide and water, making glucose and also the by-product of oxygen. Have you ever noticed that there are MANY leaves on a tree?

Now, which leave are you and on which tree?

We all belong to a very special tree called the Tree of Life. The purpose of our lives, no matter how we came to the point we are at now while reading or listening to this study, is to take the ENERGY given to us by the LIGHT of the WORLD and produce something that others can live off of.

We do not grasp the wind, but in a way, we help produce it through the process of being used by the Lord to SPREAD it.

This is what we are seeing in this chapter of Numbers 33. When you file it all down, the New Testament came from all the history that transpires in the Old Testament; yet, as an example of how much it all matters, in the details, we see that the END GAME is the purpose of it all.

In other words, we have many details that the Lord teaches us with in the other books of the Old Testament, but as a summary of it all (up until Numbers at least), our conclusion is that God is involved and in control from beginning to end!

Think about the concept that here in the summation of Numbers 33, we see one generation come and go, while another generation comes in. We see Moses and Aaron depart while others are being setup to continue the process that the Lord has orchestrated.

However, which ever “generation” we find ourselves in, we are indeed A PART of the generation that we EXPERIENCE and LIVE in.

Every leaf on the tree matters just as the wind which eventually blows them all away. Yes, one of the things we are used to produce, oxygen which is part of the wind, is used to fade us away because it takes us off the tree and blows us about as is the will of God.

The end of numbers finds us seeing that the Lord has a plan which must be followed and if we do not do as He commands, we will find ourselves reaping what we sow.

Num 33:50  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
Num 33:51  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
Num 33:52  Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
Num 33:53  And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.
Num 33:54  And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.
Num 33:55  But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Num 33:56  Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

When we do not uttering follow the Lord, and who can do it on their own, we will rap the sowing of our discord. However, when we are empowered to follow the Lord fully, we will also reap the benefits of those actions even if the reward comes later.

That is what our lives are about when we are a part of the family of God. We are brought in to the family by being humbled with the knowledge that that evils we see and feel are done on purpose to humanity.

However, we also are given an equal measure of LIFE to share with others so that others can know the reason of it all. We can share, as the Lord permits, what it is the Lord has shared with us. For those chosen to have their eyes and ears opened, these words of Life will truly set them free.