“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 5

Beyond the Veil: Entering the Most Holy Place

[Study Aired Dec 3, 2024]

In our progressive journey through God’s spiritual temple, we now approach its innermost sanctuary – the Most Holy Place. “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). This truth transforms our understanding from mere physical description to spiritual reality, “For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). God reveals His truth directly: “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold” (Numbers 12:8). This reference to speaking “mouth to mouth” and beholding the “similitude of the LORD” indicates that God reveals spiritual truth clearly and directly to those He chooses, not through parables or unclear visions, but through direct spiritual understanding and revelation of the parables and visions. “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables” (Mark 4:11).

The Most Holy Place lay behind a thick veil in the temple, representing the ultimate place of God’s presence. However, this physical arrangement served as a pattern revealing spiritual truth, which “serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5), Understanding this spiritual reality requires divine illumination, as Paul explains “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). As we approach this most sacred space, we must first understand what separated man from God’s presence – the veil itself.

The Veil: Barrier and Access

The veil itself holds profound spiritual significance. God specified its construction precisely: “And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made” (Exodus 26:31). Each element carries spiritual meaning that Scripture reveals to us.

The blue represents heaven and God’s throne, as seen when Moses and the elders “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” (Exodus 24:10). This heavenly connection is reinforced in Ezekiel’s vision: “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone” (Ezekiel 1:26), and further shown when “there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne” (Ezekiel 10:1). God Himself linked blue to heavenly mindedness when He commanded Israel: “bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart” (Numbers 15:38-39). These fringes with blue ribbands represented divine authority, as demonstrated when people sought healing by touching the fringe of Christ’s garment (Matthew 14:36), recognizing the heavenly power of Him who “is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

The purple speaks of royalty, as seen when Mordecai went out from the king’s presence “in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple” (Esther 8:15). This royal meaning is confirmed when the soldiers mocked Christ’s kingship by putting “on him a purple robe” (John 19:2), unknowingly declaring the truth that He is indeed the one “ordained to be a King” (2 Chronicles 11:22), who has now “on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16).

The scarlet carries dual spiritual meaning – representing both the flesh with its sins and the blood sacrifice that cleanses sin. The negative meaning is shown when God states “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Yet this same scarlet also points to blood and purifying sacrifice, as demonstrated in the cleansing of leprosy: “And the priest shall command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop” (Leviticus 14:4). This dual nature of scarlet – representing both sin and its cleansing – shows how Christ takes our sins upon Himself to purify us, for He “was made sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This truth is further revealed in the veil of the temple, which contained scarlet and represented Christ’s flesh: “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20). Through His sacrifice, “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22), our scarlet sins are made white as snow. The rending of the temple veil at Christ’s death demonstrated that through Him, this meeting place with God is now accessible to all believers in their proper order: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51). The rending came from above, showing God’s action in providing access through Christ’s sacrifice, for “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)

The fine twined linen represents righteousness, as directly stated in Revelation: “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” (Revelation 19:8). This righteousness must be pure and without mixture, as pictured in the priests’ garments: “And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen” (Exodus 28:39), for they must be holy as “he that is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26).

The cherubim woven into the veil remind us of those who first guarded the way to God’s presence in Eden: “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” (Genesis 3:24). Their presence on the veil shows that access to God’s presence requires meeting His holy requirements, now fulfilled in Christ who is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Before Christ’s death, the veil restricted access to God’s presence. Only the high priest could enter, and that just once yearly, “the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing” (Hebrews 9:8). God commanded Moses: “Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not” (Leviticus 16:2). Even this limited access required extensive preparation, for “thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering” (Leviticus 16:3).

This limitation served a spiritual purpose, teaching the impossibility of approaching God through human effort or righteousness. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The yearly repetition of sacrifices demonstrated their inadequacy, for “in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3-4). The high priest’s need to offer sacrifices for himself before entering showed human imperfection, which contrasts with the true sacrifice, “ For such an high priest became us, … Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s” (Hebrews 7:26- 27).

The restrictions and repeated sacrifices pointed to humanity’s sinful condition, for “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). The very presence of the veil declared that “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). This separation required a perfect mediator, for “there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). While the veil marked the boundary between holy and most holy, what lay beyond it would reveal the ultimate purpose of God’s dwelling place.

The Most Holy Place: God’s Dwelling

The Most Holy Place formed a perfect cube – twenty cubits in each dimension (1 Kings 6:20), matching the pattern of the heavenly city John saw: “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth… the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal” (Revelation 21:16). This perfect symmetry speaks to the perfection of God’s presence and the complete provision in Christ. As Paul declares, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, 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). This indwelling fulfills God’s eternal purpose: “Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Within stood the ark of God’s covenant with the mercy seat of pure gold placed above it. The mercy seat with its cherubim was fashioned as one piece: “And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold… And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat… even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof” (Exodus 25:17-19). God also commanded “And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee” (Exodus 25:21).

The ark contained three items as Scripture records: “Wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:4). Each item testified of Christ: The tables of the covenant served as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). While “the law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), showing that Christ brings us beyond the shadow to fulfill “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The golden pot of manna pointed to Christ as the true bread, for He declared “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). Aaron’s rod that budded, which God used to confirm His chosen priesthood (Numbers 17:5,8), pointed to Christ’s resurrection which confirmed His eternal priesthood, for He is “made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life” (Hebrews 7:16) and is “declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

Above the ark, God established His meeting place: “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims” (Exodus 25:22). This communion required blood atonement: “And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times” (Leviticus 16:14).

The cherubim on the mercy seat, with faces looking toward it (Exodus 25:20), present a striking contrast to Eden’s cherubim. In Eden, they guarded “the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24), blocking access to life after sin entered, for God said, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22). While those cherubim with flaming sword kept man from the tree of life, these cherubim on the mercy seat face toward the place of atonement where blood would provide access to life through Christ, who declares “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). This shows how God’s mercy meets His holiness through blood sacrifice, restoring access to life, for “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). As the Word reveals, God “hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins” (Romans 3:25).

This mercy seat, where atonement was made through blood, foreshadowed Christ’s sacrifice. The very word ‘propitiation’ (hilasterion – Strong’s G2435) used in Romans 3:25 is the same word used for ‘mercy seat’ in Hebrews 9:5: “And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat [hilasterion].” This same Greek word was used in the Septuagint to translate God’s instructions about the mercy seat in Exodus 25:17: “And thou shalt make a mercy seat [hilasterion] of pure gold” and in Leviticus 16:2: “for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat [hilasterion].” “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself” (Colossians 1:19-20). “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11). Thus Christ became our mercy seat, the place where God’s justice and mercy meet, for “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Just as the high priest entered with blood once yearly, Christ entered the true holy place: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12). Unlike the repeated sacrifices of animals, His one offering perfects forever: “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Yet all these patterns and shadows find their fulfillment in One who would provide permanent access to God’s presence.

Christ: Our Access to the Holiest

Christ’s death transformed our approach to God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20). “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25). This access comes not through our worthiness but through His sacrifice.

The word “boldness” (parrhesia in Greek) means freedom of speech or confidence. This contrasts sharply with the Old Testament high priest’s fearful approach once yearly. Through Christ, we have continuous access with confidence: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Yet this boldness must be balanced with reverence. The high priest’s careful preparation – washing, special garments, blood sacrifice – teaches us to approach God’s presence with holy fear while trusting Christ’s provision. As Isaiah experienced: “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple… Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1,5). As scripture warns, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). With such privileged access granted, we must understand how to walk worthy of this calling.

Spiritual Reality: Living in His Presence

Understanding these patterns transforms our spiritual experience. The Most Holy Place represents the deepest communion with God available to believers through Christ. Paul reveals this mystery as “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Peter adds to this, “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” (1 Peter 2:9). The physical holy of holies pictured what we now experience spiritually – God dwelling in us through His Spirit.

This indwelling makes us God’s temple: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The progression from outer court to holy place to most holy place reveals stages of spiritual experience as we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

These Old Testament patterns find fulfillment through Christ. 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). We press into deeper communion, as David expressed, “I will go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy” (Psalm 43:4), experiencing what John described: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Just as the high priest brought blood into the Most Holy Place, we must always approach through Christ’s blood: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). This blood gives us standing before God, for Christ “by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12).

The mercy seat’s position above the law teaches us that just as “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9), His mercy through Christ transcends the law’s limitations. This indwelling transforms us as His spirit works within, for He declared “I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Yet this present experience is but a foretaste of the glory to be revealed.

 Practical Application

Understanding these patterns should transform our daily walk. Like the high priest maintaining the incense altar before the veil, we must persist in prayer: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). As he needed proper garments, we must “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

The high priest’s careful approach teaches us to examine ourselves: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). Yet this examination rests on Christ’s work, not our perfection, for “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

The progression aligns perfectly with Christ’s requirement that we “must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). This preparation flows not from our own strength but through His enabling power, for “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

We maintain this communion first through regular prayer and meditation on God’s Word, for David declared “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). This meditation transforms our minds as we “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

Walking in obedience to revealed truth must follow, for Jesus taught “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). This obedience flows from love, not legalism, as “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). When we fail, quick confession restores fellowship, for “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Essential to this walk is maintaining the Spirit’s filling, as Paul commands “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). This filling produces fruit, for “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Above all, we must live in conscious dependence on Christ, acknowledging “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). This dependence manifests in moment-by-moment yielding to His lordship, for “ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Future Glory

While we now experience God’s presence spiritually, we anticipate even fuller communion. Paul describes our current state: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). This present partial knowledge gives way to complete understanding, for “when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10). “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

John’s vision reveals this future reality where physical patterns give way to direct presence: “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Revelation 21:22). In this new Jerusalem, “the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). The types and shadows dissolve in the perfect reality they foreshadowed.

This hope purifies us: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

The promise of seeing Him face to face surpasses even the high priest’s annual entry into the Most Holy Place. For while he entered with fear and ritual preparation, we shall enter with joy, for “in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). As David anticipated, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psalm 17:15).

This glory exceeds our current comprehension, for “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Yet through His Spirit, we receive glimpses that kindle our anticipation, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).

Conclusion

The Most Holy Place reveals profound truths about accessing God’s presence through Christ. These patterns find fulfillment as we live in continuous communion with God, transformed by His presence. As Paul declares, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Let us therefore press into this spiritual reality, remembering that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Through Christ, we have unlimited access to God’s presence, not just as duty but as delight. May we live daily in this most holy place, being transformed into His image as we behold His glory.

Next Study

Next week, we’ll explore the throne above the Mercy Seat, where God declared, “I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims” (Exodus 25:22). Join us as we discover how this divine presence manifested in the Old Testament patterns reveals our current privilege of communion with God. We’ll examine how Christ, “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3), now grants us access to the very throne of God.

Numbers 19:1-22 The Water of Purification and its Preparation

[Study Aired September 11, 2023]

Num 19:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 19:2  This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: 
Num 19:3  And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: 
Num 19:4  And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: 
Num 19:5  And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: 
Num 19:6  And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. 
Num 19:7  Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
Num 19:8  And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even. 
Num 19:9  And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. 
Num 19:10  And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever. 
Num 19:11  He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. 
Num 19:12  He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. 
Num 19:13  Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him. 
Num 19:14  This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:15  And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean.
Num 19:16  And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. 
Num 19:17  And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:
Num 19:18  And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
Num 19:19  And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. 
Num 19:20  But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. 
Num 19:21  And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. 
Num 19:22  And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even. 

Introduction

In chapter 18, we are shown the service to be rendered and the compensation or the reward given to the Aaronic priesthood, which represents the elect, and how the work of the Levites (our brothers and sisters in Babylon) is to aid the work of the elect. Chapter 19, which is the focus of our study today, follows up with the potential threats to the performance of the priesthood service and the Lord’s provision to sanctify us as we journey in this wilderness of life. As we are aware, there are so many things that can easily defile us to be disqualified in performing our role as priests in this life. During the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, Aaron and his sons (the priests) were prone to being easily defiled, thus preventing them from performing their role as Priests. For example, just touching a grave makes one defiled. Our situation as we see this age gradually coming to an end is very challenging. We can easily be defiled in our heavens through false doctrines of which our Lord Jesus warned us:

Mat 24:3  As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 
Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
Mat 24:5  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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. 

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 
2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

The propensity for the people of Israel to be defiled as they journeyed through the wilderness was extremely high, and so this chapter focuses on the preparation of the water of purification, which is able to cleanse the people to make them clean. Today’s study is to enlighten our understanding on this water of purification, which is cleansing us as His priests so that we can perform our duties as priests of the Lord in this life. 

Num 19:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 19:2  This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:

The red heifer here is Christ who redeems us from our sins.  The color red qualifying the heifer, therefore signifies Christ in His humanity. The heifer being without blemish indicates that Christ was without sin. The fact that the heifer was ‘without spot’ means that Jesus Christ was perfect. The heifer was also not under any yoke which implies that Christ was not under any bondage to sin or anyone. Our Lord Jesus Christ was therefore the perfect sacrifice to take away our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 
Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 
Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 
Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Num 19:3  And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: 

The fact that Eleazer, the Priest, was the one who led the red heifer, representing Christ, outside the camp to be slaughtered in verse 3 implies that we, His elect, all contributed to the death of Christ. In Acts 4:27-28, the list of all those who murdered Christ was mentioned as follows:

Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 
Act 4:28  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Does this list exclude anybody? No. We are all guilty of Christ’s murder. However, this outrageous act did turn out to be for our salvation. This is what our Lord said about us being guilty of the blood of the prophets:

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.

Num 19:4  And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: 

Verse 4 shows us that the blood of Christ (red heifer) cleanses our temple (our hearts and mind) from all unrighteousness. Eleazer cleaning the tabernacle seven times with the blood of the red heifer signifies Christ completely cleansing our hearts and mind with His blood.

Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 
Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 
Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 
Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 
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: 
Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 
Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Num 19:5  And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: 
Num 19:6  And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. 

Where there is burning, there is the judgment of God as shown in the following verses:

Deu 32:24  They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. 

Job 41:19  Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.

Isa 4:4  When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Verse 5 and 6 therefore signify the judgment of the Lord in His humanity which resulted in His total obedience to His father, and therefore He became the author of eternal salvation for His elect, the priests, and for the rest of the world.

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; 

We need to understand the significance of the cedar wood, hyssop and the scarlet which were cast into the midst of the burning of the red heifer. Cedar wood, hyssop and the scarlet are essential ingredients in the purification process according to the law of Moses as shown in the following verse:

Lev 14:51 And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

Cedar trees are considered to be the first of trees. The Bible describes the cedar tree as strong, durable, graceful and beautiful. It is known for its longevity and resistance to decay. It is a symbol of Christ’s considerable spiritual stature, excellence and perfection in God. In the case of cedar wood, it represents Christ in His humanity.

Isa 9:10  The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars [Strong and Durable].

Psa 80:10  The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars [Graceful and beautiful].

Eze 17:23  In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Throwing cedar wood into the burning of the red heifer means that Christ was judged in His humanity as He suffered for our sake.  It also means that Christ’s coming to us is with judgment.

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:

Hyssop is an evergreen plant of the mint family. It was first used in the Bible as a sort of paintbrush to apply a lamb’s blood for cleansing. This usage had been consistent in the law of Moses. 

Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

As we can see, hyssop is therefore an instrument used for cleansing. In this life, it is we, His elect, whom the Lord uses to cleanse His people and therefore we are represented by the hyssop. Being thrown into the burning of the red heifer means the elect must fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in our flesh for the body’s sake in this age.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

The next item thrown in the burning of the red heifer is the scarlet. The word “scarlet” properly refers to the insect “coccus ilicit”, the dried body of the female yielding coloring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to color it scarlet or crimson. The first time this word was used in the Bible was as follows:

Gen 38:28  And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

We, His elect, are the firstfruit of Christ who are the first to know Him in this life (first to come out). We therefore represent the scarlet that is thrown into the burning of the red heifer. Again, this implies that we are to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in our flesh for the body’s sake in this age. The two items (the scarlet and the hyssop) serve as witnesses to the fact that, as His elect, we must suffer with Him in this life. 

It is also very insightful to note that the throwing of the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet into the burning of the red heifer also symbolizes that the elect together with our Lord Jesus will administer judgment in the lake of fire to all humanity to bring them to Christ, just as the son of God (Jesus) was with the three Hebrew boys (the elect) in the oven during Nebuchadnezzar’s time. In this case, the red heifer represents the beast within all humanity.

Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 
Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

Dan 3:24  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 
Dan 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 
Dan 3:26  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 

Num 19:7  Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
Num 19:8  And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even. 

The priest, or the one responsible for the burning of the red heifer, must wash his clothes or bathe his flesh in water in order to be clean. The washing of clothes and the bathing of the flesh in water all signify how the word of the Lord (water) cleanses us as we are given to know the truth of the word. 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

The fact that the priest and the one unclean would continue to be unclean until the evening means that it takes a while to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. That is to say that being cleansed or sanctified is a process. It is not a one-time event. 

2Co 3:18  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another [a process]. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Num 19:9  And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. 
Num 19:10  And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute forever. 

As we are aware, ashes indicate that burning had taken place. The burning of the heifer shows us the suffering of Christ. Remember that during the burning of the heifer, cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet were added to the burning. We indicated that the hyssop and the scarlet represent the elect. The ashes of the heifer collected and preserved therefore include the ashes of the hyssop and that of the scarlet. The ashes of the heifer to be collected and preserved for the water of purification therefore is a symbol of the suffering we must endure in order to be cleansed. In other words, it is the fire of the word of the Lord. This implies that there is no cleansing when there are no fiery trials in our lives (fire of the word) since the ashes together with running water constitute the water of purification. 

Mat 13:20  As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 
Mat 13:21  yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word [the fire of the word], immediately he falls away.

The ashes of the heifer, which are a mark of suffering, are the same as the scars on the hands of our Lord Jesus when He appeared before Thomas and asked Thomas to put his finger into His scars as proof that He has resurrected. 

Joh 20:25  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 
Joh 20:26  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 
Joh 20:27  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 
Joh 20:28  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 
Joh 20:29  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In verse 10, we are told that gathering ashes of a heifer makes one unclean. In another perspective, gathering ashes is the same as requiring evidence before believing, which makes us unclean. That was what happened to Thomas, and as a result, the Lord told him it is those who have not seen but yet believe who are blessed.  

The rest of the verses of this chapter focus on the sources of contamination which would require the use of water of purification.

Num 19:11  He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. 
Num 19:12  He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Num 19:13  Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him. 
Num 19:14  This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.

Spiritually, a dead body of any man refers to a person who is spiritually dead. Touching a dead body therefore means accepting the false teachings or doctrines from a spiritually dead person. As stated in verse 11, such a person becomes unclean for a complete period of his or her life until the person has access to the water of purification. In verse 12, purifying himself on the third day means that it is through the process of judgment that such a person will become spiritually mature or clean and shall be regarded as being clean over his complete (7 days) walk with Christ. This also implies that if such a person does not experience the process of judgment, such a person will not be clean or spiritually mature. 

In verse 13, we are told the consequence of touching a dead body of a man, that is, accepting false teachings or doctrines from a spiritually dead person. It defiles the tabernacle of the Lord, and in the final analysis, such a person is cut off from the elect if he or she does not accept the judgment, or the fiery trials produced by the fire of the Lord’s words (water of purification). Defiling the tabernacle of the Lord means that our hearts and minds become defiled with false doctrines. Verse 14 says that if a man dies in a tent and we continue to come into the tent of the dead man, we shall be defiled for the rest of our walk with the Lord (complete 7-day period). What this implies is that if a person in our midst (in a tent) becomes spiritually dead and we continue to fellowship with such a person, we end up defiling our hearts and minds for the complete period of our walk when we continue to fellowship with the spiritually dead person. This scenario is what the apostles warned us about as follows:

Jud 1:3  Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 
Jud 1:4  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Jud 1:8  Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 

Jud 1:10  But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
Jud 1:11  Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Jud 1:12  These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 
Jud 1:13  wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Jud 1:14  It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 
Jud 1:15  to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 
Jud 1:16  These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. (ESV)

Num 19:15  And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. 
Num 19:16  And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. 

Verse 15 talks about the fact that an open vessel, without a cover fastened to it, is prone to being contaminated or unclean. We are the open vessel that must have a cover. Having a cover means we must be able to test the spirit to see if it is of the Lord. If we are not able to test the spirit, then we are just like an open vessel without cover which makes us unclean. 

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Verse 16 deals with being unclean by touching anything associated with a dead person – the dead body, a bone of a man or a grave. This means that we should not share fellowship with anyone who we know is spiritually dead, otherwise we end up becoming spiritually dead for a certain complete period of our walk with Christ (unclean for seven days). During Paul’s time, the church in Corinth was still having fellowship with a man who even slept with his father’s wife, although this deed was known within the church. This was Paul’s advice to the church:

1Co 5:1  It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 
1Co 5:2  And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 
1Co 5:3  For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 
1Co 5:4  When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 
1Co 5:5  you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 
1Co 5:6  Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 

1Co 5:9  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people 
1Co 5:10  not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 
1Co 5:11  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (ESV)

Num 19:17  And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:
Num 19:18  And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
Num 19:19  And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. 

It takes running water and the ashes of the burnt heifer for purification for sin. The running water here refers to the living and active word of the Lord.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

As indicated earlier, the ashes of the burnt heifer refer to the fiery trials we endure or the fire of the word, which together with the living word of the Lord, causes us to learn righteousness or become clean. A clean person dipping the hyssop in the water and sprinkling it upon the tent means that it is the elect who, through what every joint supplies, helps those who have been overtaken by a fault to cleanse their hearts and mind with the truth of the word of the Lord. The clean person or the elect sprinkling upon the person who is taken in a fault on the third day means that it is through the process of judgment of our old man that we become clean or spiritually mature. The fact that he shall purify himself on the seventh day after washing his clothes and bathing himself in water signifies that the complete period of his walk with Christ shall be characterized by knowing the truth of the word of the Lord which is able to make one clean.  

Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 

Num 19:20  But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. 
Num 19:21  And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. 
Num 19:22  And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even. 

These verses show us that if we do not walk by the truth of the word of the Lord (water of purification), we shall be alienated from the people of God or the elect. This means that we must pay heed to what we hear. It is not by our own power that we can walk in the truth of His words, but if we depend on Him, He will drag us to walk in His truth. 

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 
Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 
Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 
Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

May the Lord help us to be doers of His word as we see the day approaching! Amen!!

[Study Aired February 27, 2023]

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work. 
Exo 39:4  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. 
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel. 
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. 
Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
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 chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. 
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. 
Exo 39:20  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. 
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Exo 39:25  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; 
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:27  And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, 
Exo 39:28  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, 
Exo 39:29  And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 
Exo 39:33  And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, 
Exo 39:34  And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins, and the vail of the covering, 
Exo 39:35  The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, 
Exo 39:36  The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, 
Exo 39:37  The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, 
Exo 39:38  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, 
Exo 39:39  The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
Exo 39:40  The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
Exo 39:41  The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office. 
Exo 39:42  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 
Exo 39:43  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

This chapter captures the making of priestly garments. In the Bible, garments have both positive and negative connotations. On a positive note, priestly garments represent the righteousness of Christ. 

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The negative aspect of garments reflects the sinful deeds of the flesh during our walk in Babylon and the world.  That is why, in the scriptures, we are admonished to change our garments when we come to Christ as shown in the following:

Mar 10:50  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

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.
Zec 3:5  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Gen 35:2  Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

What we need to know is that without these priestly garments, which reflect our righteousness in Christ, we cannot enter into the presence of the Lord. In the parable of the prodigal son, when he came to himself and asked for forgiveness from his father, he received a new garment or robe.

Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

The color red or scarlet symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The colors purple and scarlet remind us of our sojourn in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

What this means is that to change our old garments of flesh to put on Christ our righteousness, we must first recognize our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) while in Babylon before we are turned into blue linen, that is, Christ coming to us. All humanity must pass through the same process to put on the righteousness of Christ.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

The ephod was a garment of great importance and was a type of apron. It was an object to be revered in ancient Israelite culture. The ephod of the high priest was very special because it had a chest of twelve jewels on its front, which represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The ephod is worn as a ceremonial dress by the High Priest. We know that the High Priest is our Lord Jesus Christ. From the scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ’s garment that He wore represents Him. That is why when the woman with the flow of blood touched Jesus’ garment, Jesus said that someone has touched Him. 

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. 
Luk 8:45  And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 

This means the spiritual significance of putting on the ephod garment is to put on Christ.

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The question is, “What does it mean to put on Christ?” The verse above shows us that to put on Christ means not to focus on gratifying the desires of the sinful nature. 

The ephod must be of fine linen and colored gold, blue, purple and scarlet. The color gold signifies the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. That is what will qualify us to put on Christ, the ephod. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The fact that the ephod must have blue, purple and scarlet is to make us aware that putting on the righteousness of Christ is a process. We start our walk being earthy or scarlet or of the flesh. Then we proceed to the color purple which is a mixture of blue and red. As shown earlier, the color blue represents Christ coming to us in our earthly or fleshy state to produce the color purple. This represents our life in Babylon where our righteousness is of the letter of the word or the law of Moses. Finally, if we are called and chosen, then Christ will come to us with His judgment to conform us to the righteousness of Christ, represented by blue.

Exo 39:4  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. 
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

In order for the ephod to become complete, two shoulder pieces must be joined to its two edges.  As indicated earlier, the ephod represents Christ our Lord. The two shoulder pieces are the elect and the rest of humanity who are to be joined to Christ at different times to complete the work of Christ. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 
1Co 15:23  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 
1Co 15:24  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

The girdle of the ephod must also be gold, blue, purple and scarlet. It represents the truth of the word of the Lord. What this means is that to be given to know the mysteries of Christ, we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

Mal 3:1  Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:2  But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 
Mal 3:3  He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Two onyx stones are to be mounted in gold and fastened on the ephod’s shoulder pieces. These stones are to be engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel with six names on one and six on the other. These stones represent the elect as we are fastened to the Lord’s shoulders. This means that when He comes to us, He carries us on His shoulders. Being carried on the shoulder means that it is the Lord who does the work – we are only resting on His shoulders as He does the walking (leads us).

Luk 15:4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 
Luk 15:5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

The breastplate was one of the sacred priestly garments to be worn by the High Priest. As a breastplate, its primary spiritual significance is that it stands for the righteousness of Christ. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

In Exodus 28:15, however, it is called the breastplate of judgment in connection with the attachment of the Urim and Thummim. The judgment here relates to knowing the mind of Christ concerning issues brought before the Lord. We can therefore see that it is only when we put on the righteousness of Christ we can know the mind of Christ. That is to say that it is when we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord, that we are able to know the will of God in our lives.

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.

The breastplate was to be made of fine twined linen of gold, blue, purple and scarlet. As indicated earlier, this refers to the process we must go through to put on the righteousness of Christ. What this means is that we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

The fact that the breastplate must be four squared in shape is to let us know that all humanity must obtain the standard of the righteousness of Christ, though each in his own order. This is also another way of saying that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to God without Christ. 

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

Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
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.

The precious stones represent the elect. The fact that the stones are of different types is to suggest that we all play different roles in the body of Christ. 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 
Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Aaron was the first High Priest. Aaron represents Christ, who is our High Priest and bears the names of all the elect of every generation in His heart. This is another way of saying that as our High Priest, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as He intercedes on our behalf. 

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. 
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
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.

Rom 8:34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. 
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. 
Exo 39:20  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.

The priests wore a long robe covering their whole body, then on top of this robe, there was a tunic, a kind of coat (breastplate) to the knees. On top of the tunic there was the ephod. These verses are to show us how the ephod is fastened to the breastplate (coat) through chains and rings made of pure gold. The importance of the chains and the rings is to ensure that the breastplate does not swing out from the ephod. As we have indicated, the whole of the priestly garments represents Christ. Since we are the body of Christ, we also represent the priestly garments. Just as the breastplate and the ephod must be fitly joined together, so is the body of Christ which must be fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies.

Eph 4:16  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.

Fitly joined together implies that there are no divisions in Christ. Any sign of division means that we have failed. We are all of the same mind pursuing one goal in Christ, which is to please God, and this is achieved through what everyone offers in the house of God. 

1Co 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

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.

Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. 
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Exo 39:25  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; 
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

As we have indicated, the color blue represents the Lord Jesus in our heavens. The robe of the ephod represents righteousness. These verses therefore imply that our righteousness is of Christ and not by ourselves. 

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The robe of the ephod must have an opening for the head in the middle of it. This opening should have a woven binding around it so that it does not tear. This woven binding is decorated with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarns around the hem with bells of gold in-between them.

Spiritually, the opening for the head regarding the robe of the ephod is another way of saying that in order to put on the righteousness of Christ, we should make a way for the Lord. To make a way for the Lord is to repent from our sins. In other words, we must be aware of spiritual poverty if we are to repent from our sins. This is the message that John the Baptist preached throughout his ministry.

Luk 3:2  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luk 3:3  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Luk 3:4  As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

As stated in verse 23, the opening for the head and the binding of woven work are what prevent the robe of the ephod from tearing. As indicated, the woven work is the embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet, inter-spaced with golden bells. Pomegranates symbolize the bearing of the fruit of the spirit when we start to possess our bodies or land.

Deu 8:7  For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Deu 8:8  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

The embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet is to remind us that we start our walk in the Lord bearing fruits of the flesh (purple and scarlet) before we bear the fruit of the spirit or Christ.

The golden bells, which are part of the embroidery work, are inter-spaced between the pomegranates. As we indicated in the previous study, the robe is one of the sacred articles of clothing for the High Priest. It was worn under the ephod. The significance of the robe was the bells attached to it. Their sounding as a result of Aaron’s movement, is to alert those outside the Holy place that Aaron is alive and well. The symbol of the golden bells on the embroidery work is therefore to remind us of the holiness of the Lord. It is when we walk in holiness that we are alive in Christ. The bells therefore represent holiness. 

Zec 14:20  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Exo 39:27  And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

Aaron and his sons represent the elect of every generation. All the Lord’s elect are priests before the Lord and are therefore required to serve or minister in the presence of the Lord.

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:

Though many priests served in the Tabernacle, there was only one acting High Priest at any given time. The first High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. At his death, the office of High Priest was then transferred to his oldest son, down through the generations. As we are aware, we are the firstborn sons and therefore are entitled to wear these priestly garments as transferred to us by the Lord Jesus Christ who is our High Priest.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Exo 39:28  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, 
Exo 39:29  And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

Now we come to the mitre which is the turban that covers the head of Aaron, the high priest. The mitre or the turban represents the helmet of salvation. Remember that all parts of the priestly garments are to be made of fine linen as linen which does not cause sweat. This means that putting on the righteousness of Christ is not the work of man. Everything is of Christ.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eze 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

In verse 30, the mitre bears the inscription “Holiness to the Lord” and was to be put on the forehead of Aaron, the high priest. This is to remind us that we were marked by the Lord to walk in holiness before the world began.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The fact that the inscription was made of gold is to show us the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire to attain holiness. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In verse 31, the inscription was to be put on a blue lace. The color blue signifies the Lord Jesus in our heavens. It is when the Lord comes to our heavens that we can attain holiness and be designated as “Holiness to the Lord”.

Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 
Exo 39:33  And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, 
Exo 39:34  And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins, and the vail of the covering, 
Exo 39:35  The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, 
Exo 39:36  The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, 
Exo 39:37  The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, 
Exo 39:38  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, 
Exo 39:39  The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
Exo 39:40  The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
Exo 39:41  The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office.

These verses are to demonstrate the work carried out in building a tabernacle for the Lord to dwell. This is New Jerusalem where the Lord dwells with His people. Our temple will be completed in the fullness of time when we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face.

1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Exo 39:42  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
Exo 39:43  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. 

These verses remind us that we should build according to the pattern, which is Christ. 

Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Moses here signifies the elect. As Moses was faithful in executing all that the Lord required, we are required to be faithful in building the temple of the Lord.

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 
Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

May the Lord grant us the grace to be faithful to building according to the pattern of Christ. Amen!!

Exo 26:19-37  Instructions About the Construction of the Tabernacle, Part 2

[Study Aired October 31, 2022]

Exo 26:19  And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. 
Exo 26:20  And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: 
Exo 26:21  And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 
Exo 26:22  And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. 
Exo 26:23  And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 
Exo 26:24  And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. 
Exo 26:25  And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 
Exo 26:26  And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 
Exo 26:27  And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. 
Exo 26:28  And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. 
Exo 26:29  And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.
Exo 26:30  And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. 
Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: 
Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. 
Exo 26:33  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. 
Exo 26:34  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Exo 26:35  And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. 
Exo 26:37  And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them. 

This second part of Exodus chapter 26 continues with instructions given to Moses regarding the building of the tabernacle. Today’s study continues with the instructions about the boards to be used for the construction and other items such as bars, the four pillars and the veil. The tabernacle was constructed with boards made of acacia wood. Apart from the fact that acacia wood grows wild in the desert, it is considered incorruptible. It is very dense and resistant both to disease and insects, just like cedar. Each of the boards is required to stand upright, not lying down and must have two tenons. A tenon is an end of a piece of wood that is cut into a special shape to fit into a hole on another piece of wood to make a strong joint. Twenty boards were to be fixed in the southern part of the tabernacle. The Boards of shittim wood represent the elect whom the Lord is using to build His temple. The fact that the boards must stand upright is to remind us of standing in the presence of the Lord.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 

We are the two candlesticks and the two olive trees that are standing before the presence of the Lord, just as the boards are standing before the Lord. Each of the boards must have two tenons for support. As indicated, a tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood to make a strong joint. As boards, we are being shaped to fit the standard of Christ. This is being done through the judgment of our old man in this life. The result of the judgment process we are going through is to form a strong joint with Christ for the building of His temple.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

In Exodus 26:18, twenty boards were to be used for the southern side of the tabernacle. The number twenty, on a positive note, refers to those who are mature enough to wage war. This means that the twenty boards on the southern side signify the fact that those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it.

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Today’s study focuses mainly on the sockets of the board which give firm stability to the upright boards.

Exo 26:19  And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
Exo 26:20  And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: 
Exo 26:21  And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 
Exo 26:22  And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. 

As indicated, each of the boards must be supported by two tenons. A tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood which in this case is the socket to hold the boards firm. Since there were twenty boards for the southern side, there must be forty sockets which were made of silver. The northern side also had twenty boards which were also supported by forty sockets of silver. The forty sockets on each side of the tabernacle – the south and the north sides show us that trials (the significance of the number forty) form an integral part of becoming part of the temple that the Lord is building. 

Psa 95:9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Psa 95:10  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 
Psa 95:11  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

On the west side, there were sixteen sockets supporting eight boards. Thus, in total, there were 100 sockets for the boards. Apart from supporting the boards, it is the sockets on which stood the pillars that support the veil.  These sockets therefore represent the foundation of the tabernacle. What this means is that the hundred sockets of silver symbolize the atonement and the redemptive work of Christ on our behalf. The strength of the whole structure depended on this foundation which rested on the silver of atonement. Fellowship with God can only be based on redemption.

1Ki 20:39  And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

Jesus Christ therefore has laid the foundation for our temple to be built. 

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

Silver also signifies the doctrine of Christ as shown in the following verse:

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, 

Joe 3:5  Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things: 

As we are aware, Christ is the word of God. This means that the materials we need for the foundation of the Lord’s temple within us is Christ’s work of atonement and redemption, and His words. 

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Exo 26:23  And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
Exo 26:24  And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. 
Exo 26:25  And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

At the two corners at the rear, the setup was different. Two boards were made for each corner, thus a total of four boards. The corner boards, however, were to be coupled together by a ring at the top and at the bottom. The two corner boards, plus six boards, totaling eight boards were to be at the west end. The Bible does not describe in detail how the corner boards were made. The joining of the boards at the corner provided the needed stability to the rear of the tabernacle. It is through our coming together as one that we become witnesses of Christ (the meaning of the number two) and therefore become established in Christ. What brings us together is the spirit of the Lord, which in this case refers to the ring at the top and the bottom used to couple the corner boards together.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

The coupling of the two boards at each corner results in eight boards being at the rear of the tabernacle. As we are aware, the number eight signifies a new beginning. In the process of becoming a habitation of the Lord, we are turned into new creatures before God – the old things are gone!!

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 
2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Exo 26:26  And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 
Exo 26:27  And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. 
Exo 26:28  And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. 
Exo 26:29  And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

Along with the boards and the sockets, the LORD commanded that bars be made. They were needed to reinforce the frame of the tabernacle walls. The Israelites were to make bars of acacia wood. The bars mentioned here, were probably crossbars that supported the sides of the tabernacle. As we have indicated in previous studies, the bars being made of acacia, which were found growing wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley, means that they were not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to become a habitation for the Lord, then we need to know that from the beginning to our maturity it is all the work of God – not man. Even our sins are all part of the work of God. All we do to become like Christ is to believe in Him.

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

There were to be fifteen bars in all. Ten bars were to be used for the boards on each side; five on the north side and five on the south side. Another five bars were to be used on the back (west) side of the tabernacle. The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. This might mean that the middle bar was longer than the rest. It apparently passed through a hole drilled in the boards, whereas the other bars passed through rings.  

Overlaying the bars with gold means that to become like Christ, we must be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. That is what will qualify us to be crowned with gold just as our Lord Jesus Christ overcame and is wearing a crown of gold. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Exo 26:30  And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. 

In the process of becoming a habitation for the Lord to dwell, we are to fashion our lives according to the pattern the Lord Jesus has shown us with His life here on earth. 

1Jn 4:17  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Let’s look at the few examples of how the Lord was made a habitation in which God can dwell. Our Lord Jesus Christ learned obedience by the things He suffered. We are also to learn obedience through the judgment of our old man.

Heb 5:7  In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 
Heb 5:8  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 
Heb 5:10  being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 

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.

Jesus Christ was motivated by the reward ahead of Him. Therefore, He despised the shame He was to go through in this life and rather focused on the reward He was to receive.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

We are also to focus on the reward. If we are not excited about what lies ahead of us in terms of our glorification, then we have lost the driving force which will bring us to our expected end. This is what Paul has to say about this:

Php 3:15  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (ESV)

Our Lord laid down His life for His sheep – the church. We must also lay down our lives for His church. We do this through what every joint supplies. What we need to note is that this supply is possible only through the assembling together of the saints. 

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 
Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 
Joh 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 
Joh 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Php 2:19  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state (the state of the church).
Php 2:20  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state [the church].
Php 2:21  For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

Jesus pressed on toward the mark of His higher calling by God. Without dying on the cross, Jesus did not consider Himself as having already attained even though He had not sinned while in this life. We are also to follow His example, just as Paul did, if we are to become the dwelling place of God. 

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: 

The word “vail” in the Hebrew language means “to separate.” The veil was at the gate of the entrance into the tabernacle just before the bronze altar. We are the veil. What this means is that it is through us that all the people of the world, including Babylon, will have access to the Lord. 

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 
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.

The veil acted as a barrier between the Lord and the world. The fact that Cherubims must be woven on the veil was to remind us that just as the Cherubims served as a barrier to Adam and Eve from accessing the tree of life, which is Christ, as the veil, we are playing the same role as the Cherubims in preserving the things of God from the world in this age. 

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.

The veil must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. The color red or scarlet, symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The colors purple and scarlet reminds us of our sojourn in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

What this means is that the process of becoming a veil, through whom salvation will come to the world, starts with us recognizing our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) while in Babylon before we are turned into blue linen, that is, Christ coming to us. All humanity must pass through the same process to become a habitation for the Lord to dwell.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

The four pillars upon which the veil must be hung represent the whole of the elect in every generation. The fact that the pillars were made of shittim wood and were overlaid with gold means that to become the dwelling place of God is the Lord’s work as He takes us through fiery trials to learn righteousness.

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Exo 26:33  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
Exo 26:34  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

There were three veils within the tabernacle. The first one is at the entrance to the tabernacle. The second one is hung at the door to the Holy place and therefore separates the outer courts from the Holy place. The third veil divided the inside of the tabernacle into two rooms: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It is in the Holy of Holies that we have the ark of testimony which represents the Lord. As we have indicated, the veil (curtain) represents the elect. It is through us that the whole of humanity can come to the presence of the Lord.

Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Exo 26:35  And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. 
Exo 26:37  And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them. 

At the Holy Place, there was the table with the shewbread and the candlestick placed at the north and south sides respectively. We have already talked about the color of the hanging being blue, purple and scarlet. What is insightful here in these verses is that there must be five pillars of shittim wood, overlaid with gold for the hanging of the veil at the entrance to the tent. As indicated, the pillars represent the elect. The number five signifies that to enter into the presence of the Lord is by faith through grace.  What is insightful about verse 37 is that the five sockets for the pillars were made of brass. All the other sockets were made of silver signifying the redemptive work of Christ. However, it is through the brass sockets that we get access to the tabernacle. These brass sockets represent the elect. It should be noted that when the Lord appeared to Apostle John to unveil Himself to him, His feet were like fine brass. This is to show us that Christ does everything through His saints who are still in bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 

Rev 2:18  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 

May the Lord continue to prepare us to be counted worthy recipients of the glory to be revealed. Amen!!!

(Key verses: Gen 18:1-33)

We are discussing the foundational theme of faith as it is typified in the life of Abraham. As we develop spiritually through the faith of Christ working in us, the communication with God, especially our prayers, also grows in maturity. Prayer is basically a two-way communication with God which He works in totality – He always initiates prayer and also brings His conclusion or answer to that prayer according to His will (Mat 6:10; Jas 4:15; 1Jn 5:14):

1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Abraham is not only our physical type of what the faith of Christ entails, but he is also our Old Testament example of a man of prayer:

Gen 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Gen 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

In Chapter 18 of Genesis we see an interesting development in the life of Abraham which prepared his heart to be in a position to make petitions to the Lord, who personally appeared to him. Three things are recorded here which all combine to bring us the full picture of how a heart is prepared by God to pray fervently “without ceasing” and to see how God never forsakes the righteous (1Th 5:17; Psa 37:25):

Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

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.

Abraham’s meal with three visitors

Gen 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

We already discussed the plains of Mamre in an earlier study (study #56) concerning Abraham’s connection to this place in Canaan (Gen 13:18; Gen 14:13). ‘Mamre’ means vigour or strength as we grow stronger in the faith of Christ, even as we also “sit in the tent door in the heat of the day.” The heat of the day refers to the fiery trials we need to endure in the time of our flesh for the purpose of maturing the faith we received from God (Eph 2:8-9):

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

The number three spiritually confirms this process in our spiritual growth and even in the three men who came to visit Abraham:

Gen 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
Gen 18:3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
Gen 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Gen 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Through the faith of Christ in us we also learn how to be servants of God to all people whom God sends on our path (1Pe 4:8-11). If we serve others we can only present them with what we have been given to share. God loves a cheerful giver, and we should not begrudge people afterwards – that only reveals the carnal selfish spirit in our hearts when we think things are our possessions and not gifts from God to share with others (Rom 12:6-21; 2Co 9:1-15). It is only those at the right hand of God who will have this cheerful spirit in them to share their gifts, and they do not even seek recognition when they do good (Heb 13:2; Mat 25:34-40). Again the number three is emphasized in this event with Abraham when he asked Sarah to make cakes for these three visitors using three measures of fine meal:

Gen 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

It is only fine meal that is useful in the kingdom of heaven as the three measures is progressively leavened in us (Rev 6:6):

Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Leaven, like all things God is using in this creation through His Word, has a negative and positive application. The negative of leaven is connecting with unbelief and false doctrines in our hearts. The positive leaven is the pure Word of faith which is hidden by the woman, the church of God, in those who are crushed to powder by the stone over which we first stumble (1Pe 2:8):

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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 good leaven produces the faith of Christ in us and is continually increased as we are also increased in the measure of our sacrificing to God (Rom 12:1-2):

Gen 18:7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
Gen 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

He took one of his best young calves – an offering of the herd which represents the highest offering one can make and gave it to a “young man” to dress it. Youth is used in the scriptures as pointing to immaturity, but here the positive application of youth is emphasized in this sacrifice of Abraham:

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

This sacrifice also indicates that Abraham somehow recognised that his visitors were of a high order. ‘Tender and good’ refer to our humility and meekness in our service to God and His people. The higher our sacrifice, the clearer we hear the voice of the true shepherd and how we can be more precise or diligent in following that voice.

A clear announcement of the ordained time of the birth of Isaac

Gen 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Gen 18:10 And he [one of the three men] said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Gen 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

On numerous occasions God promised Abraham an offspring, but now the time of the birth of this child is certain or fixed by the Lord as He also makes this announcement Himself:

Gen 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

This person who brings this news to Abraham and Sarah is now revealed to us also as the Lord Himself as He also knew every word which Sarah said in her own heart. Our thoughts are known to God as He ordains all things to come to us, and nothing is hidden from His sight (Psa 139:1-6). Humans are fond of parading their ignorance in Godly matters in the form of knowledge or “science falsely so-called” (1Ti 6:20). In our carnal state of mind we cannot also see that nothing is too hard for God, even as we unashamedly protest against the Lord Himself in our self-righteous attitudes:

Gen 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Gen 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

The intercession of Abraham for the righteous

These visitors ate with Abraham, and the announcement to Abraham and Sarah of the time of the birth of Isaac all coincides with the judgment that God was to bring on Sodom and Gomorrah. This brings to mind the meal Jesus had with His disciples when He also made the final announcement of his imminent death (His judgment) and resurrection of new life (Mat 26:17-35; Luk 22:7-38):

Gen 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Gen 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Gen 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Abraham is a type of Christ who “will command His children and His household…to keep the way of the Lord.” “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do” is also emphasising that Jesus indeed reveals His secrets or mystery of His will to His elect (1Co 2:7: Eph 1:9)

Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

God’s secret includes His sovereignty, and few can see how God works all things after the counsel of His will, especially His salvation plan through “His servants the prophets.” His servants will indeed be informed by Him about His ultimate purpose with all in the generation of the first Adam. He determined before the creation of this world to “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (Eph 1:3-12). However he does not reveal the future to His prophets because in the “is” the “was” and the “is to come” part of the revelation of Jesus Christ is settled (Mat 6:25-34; Jas 4:14):

Rev 1:8 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.

God only informs us that all He had written in our books before we were born, will happen on the earth as it has been ordained and determined in the heavens (Psa 139:16; Mat 4:4):

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The distinction between the earth (represented by the evil in Sodom and Gomorrah) and the heaven (the righteous having the mind of Christ) is the focus of this conversation between Abraham and the Lord who stayed with Abraham, while the other two angels went to speak to Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah:

Gen 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
Gen 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
Gen 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Sodom (and Gomorrah) represents the evil city (or cities) of our own flesh which is also symbolized by that great city, the spiritual whore Babylon, which controls all the “waters” of humanity (Rev 11:8):

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 cry that came from Sodom (and Gomorrah) represents the prayers of the saints who still live under these evil worldly systems and who were at their appointed time also trading in its merchandise before they were dragged out by God (Eph 2:2-3). Lot was in this case the type of the righteous elect of God as Lot is also described as “just” and a “righteous man” in the scriptures for this purpose (2Pe 2:6-10). Lot cried to God concerning this city and all its evils, while he sat at the gate of Sodom. The Lord indeed knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, by taking them through the trails and temptations first before they are taken out:

Gen 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.

2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

God’s elect are the ones who are “vexed…in seeing and hearing…the filthy conversation…[and]…unlawful deeds” in Sodom as they wait for the judgement of God on all evil. God already determined that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed, but these evil cities also serve the elect to understand the process of salvation inwardly first. This process is now revealed through Abraham as the Lord will drag him into making petition to the Lord for the sake of the righteous:

Gen 18:23 And Abraham drew near [Hebrew: “nâgash” = very intimate/something is “at hand” – Rev 1:3], and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Gen 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

Making petition is a type of prayer where God brings to our heart the desire to “reason together” with Him while we are growing in the prayer of faith (Isa 1:18). God wants Abraham and us to first see and concentrate on the needs of His elect. Abraham’s plea to the Lord for the salvation of the righteous is reflecting God’s goal of the salvation of His elect first and foremost. God is not saving the world at this time, as He also does not pray for the world in that sense (Joh 17:9). Through the salvation of the elect God will cause the whole of the earth to be covered with the knowledge of the Lord at the appointed time (Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14):

Gen 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
Gen 18:26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

At this point it is interesting to see how the number five and its multiples are constantly used in Abraham’s prayer as they apply to the righteous (or elect) first, as that is also Abraham’s focus. The number five relates to the spiritual application of what “grace…through faith” is all about (Eph 2:8-10; Tit 2:11-12; Heb 11:6; Heb 12:6). In Abraham’s first plea to the Lord he starts with fifty – the number five joining in with the number ten as ten relates to the flesh – all those in Adam. All in the flesh will be saved through the faith and work of Christ. That is the macro-spiritual picture God’s plan of salvation:

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: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end [Greek: “telos” = “the final point aimed at”], 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.

Although “they that are Christ’s at His [first] coming” will be raised in the first resurrection, this salvation process is not yet concluded at that time. The rest of humanity (described here as “the end” or “telos” in the Greek) will be the conclusion of the salvation process. This conclusion is when the “kingdoms of this world” (all in Adam) will be in the kingdom of God and delivered to the Father in spiritual perfection by Jesus. This is also symbolised by the fiftieth year when “liberty [is given] throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” in the Old Testament (Rev 11:15-19; Lev 25:8-10).

The number fifty also indicates the feast of weeks (“pentecost”) which is fifty days after the first feast of the harvest, which is the feast of unleavened bread in the calendar of the physical Jews (Lev 23:9-44; Exo 23:14-16). The feast of unleavened bread was fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ as the “firstfruit of them that slept” in death (1Co 15:20). The feast of weeks is fulfilled in the elect who is the “kind of firstfruits” who will be given spirit life at the first resurrection (Jas 1:18). This is why Abraham starts with fifty as referring to the righteous chosen ones specifically. We are not saved only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all in the generation of the first Adam. These few elected ones will be used to bring in the rest of humanity in what the scriptures called “the lake of fire” or second death where this second group will come to see their own spiritual death state:

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Now Abraham is caused by God to enquire further from the Lord to help us to get a deeper understanding of this salvation process by using another multiple of the number five (all related to faith and its growth in us):

Gen 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Gen 18:28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

In the number forty-five, the number nine joins with the number five. Nine relates to judgment in the scriptures. Though painful and filled with anguish, the elect experience judgment as something positive because it is only through judgment that we are taught the righteousness of God (Isa 26:9; Mat 26:38-39). The elect does not escape the judgment and wrath of God, but it is first on them as the house of God before it comes on the rest of humanity (Isa 54:7-8; Mat 24:34-35; 1Co 10:11; Eph 2:2-3; Rev 1:3; Rev 15:5-8):

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Now Abraham is moved in his petition in prayer to the Lord to help us understand that the new spirit man is indeed ordained for all through faith in another multiple of five:

Gen 18:29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.

The number forty is also formed by a combination of numbers eight and five in their spiritual meanings. The number eight is the number for the new spirit man in the scriptures which will come through the completion (number 7) of judgment and destruction of the kingdom of the beast in us:

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

The righteous will indeed be covered and protected by God (2Sa 22:3-4; Psa 121:1-8; 2Th 3:3).

Gen 18:30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

The number thirty includes the number six as it joins with the number five. Although the number six in its negative application symbolizes the carnal man in us, in its positive application it represents the covering and protection which comes through the Word of God. This new covering destroys our old tent of fleshly dependence as Boaz (typifying Christ) gave Ruth (typifying the elect) six measures of barley which started her new life with him:

Rth 3:15 Also, he [Boaz] said, Bring the veil on you, and hold it. And when she [Ruth] held it, he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. And she went to the city.

Jdg 7:13 And when Gideon had come, behold, a man told a dream to his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came to a tent, and struck it so that it fell, and overturned it, so that the tent lay along.

Abraham in his petition to the Lord for the righteous in Sodom is again caused to realise that it is indeed a very small number who were chosen to be in that holy and blessed first resurrection when another multiple of five is mentioned (Mat 22:14):

Gen 18:31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.

Twenty is the number four combining with the number five. The number four spiritually points to the whole of something, and in this prayer of Abraham the whole of the elect will be kept faithful by God until the end (1Sa 22:1-2; Mat 24:24; Rev 17:14):

Mat 24:31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

The last multiple of five which Abraham used in his petition to the Lord for the righteous is the number ten:

Gen 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

The number ten has the number two joined with five and the number two represents the true witness of the elect as in their mouth the Word shall be established:

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.

The reason why Abraham did not go lower than ten is found in the following verse:

Gen 18:33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

The Lord ended this conversation by going “His way.” God initiates everything in this life, including our prayers to Him, and He brings an end to everything according to His own counsel – He is indeed the beginning and the end:

Rev 1:8 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.

———

Detailed studies and emails relating to these foundational themes in Scripture are available on the iswasandwillbe.com website, including these topics and links:

The Spirit as Flesh
Rev 17:7-11 The Scarlet Beast
Numbers in Scriptures
Our Great and Precious Promises

Video Links

Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Rev 17:9 And here [ is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [ and] the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven,

Introduction

In our study of the first six verses of this 17th chapter we saw that a great harlot was seen riding on a scarlet colored beast. That scarlet colored beast is the subject of verses 7-12 which we will cover today. But before we continue, let us remind ourselves that this harlot is not just any harlot. This harlot is “that great harlot” who is the fallen wife of our Lord and Savior. Anyone familiar with the Old Testament prophets would immediately recognize the meaning of the phrase “the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth”.

Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THEGREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Here is the only great “harlot” which was the focus of the Old Testament prophets. She is our Lord’s own harlot wife, who has placed the pleasing of the kings of this world above the need to please and obey her own God- given husband, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Here is how this is expressed in the prophet Isaiah:

Isa 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [ and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Isa 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Isa 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Here is how God refers to His own people throughout the prophets:

Isa 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

“The faithful city is a harlot… full of murderers”. Who does she specialize in murdering? What is our Lord’s answer to that question?

Luk 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

So “the faithful city is become a harlot” who is also called “that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Jerusalem is God’s own people to this very day, who reign over the kings within and without. But as with all harlots, her lovers have no respect or true love for her, and will, in time turn on her.
What else happens within us all? What else takes place in this great city in which all the prophets must be killed? This is what has happened within us all:

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.

It is God’s own people who kill those He sends to them. “It cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem”.
To let us know that this is the same today in the Christian church, it is revealed to us that it was “the Jews who believed on Christ” who wanted him killed. It was not the Romans as we so often hear.

Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [ but] the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Joh 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Stand with Christ, stand fast in His doctrine, and you and I will to this very day, be hated of “those… who believe in Him”, who are “Abraham’s seed”, and yet our Lord can say of them “If ye were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.” Like “the scarlet colored beast”, those who claim the name of Christian, are at the same time Abraham’s seed and yet are not Abraham’s seed. They believe in Christ, and at the same time want Him dead. It is all a mystery which the scarlet colored beast cannot understand “because [ for a Christian who cannot hear Christ’s Word, our Lord can truly say] My Word has no place in you”. Speaking to these same believing Jews, Christ tells them:

Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Again, to demonstrate how those who claim to be Christ’s own wife are playing the harlot, we have this sure word of prophecy:

Jer 2:4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
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.
Jer 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
Jer 2:21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
Jer 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
Jer 2:23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

We are supposed to be God’s people. We are to be the virgin bride of Christ:

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Paul tells us that all of his counsel concerning the proper relationship between husbands and wives, is really nothing more than a dissertation concerning Christ and the church.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

What does this all mean? We have already covered the meaning of “seven heads and ten horns” in our study of this very same beast back in chapter 13.

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

What we saw is that seven is the symbol for a complete beast, and ten is the number of the perfection of the flesh of that complete beast.
What this combination of a beast and a harlot tells us is that when we speak of the Great harlot, we are also speaking of “the beast that carries her”. “I will show you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her”. What this unholy alliance of the beast and this harlot tells us is that this mystery is the account of our own relationship as the unfaithful wife of our own husband and Savior, Christ Jesus. What we are being told is that we are both the great harlot who is riding the scarlet colored beast, as well as being the scarlet colored beast upon which this great harlot rides. The fact this great harlot is sitting upon us, tells us that she rules over our physical bodies which are filled with the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Her function as a harlot is to make us feel good while we are dishonoring and disobeying our husband. To do this we must be made to be feel rich and increased with spiritual riches, while in reality we are playing the harlot and are “poor and blind and naked”.

Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

We must come to understand the principle that “the [ vision] is one”, and that both this harlot and this beast are who we are at our own appointed time, and God is showing us that all of this is merely a part of His “great and marvelous” works within our lives, which will prepare us to enter into the temple.

Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
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.

We, as Pharaoh, are being shown what the Lord is doing within us.
“The angel said unto me” is the voice of God’s elect angels, who bear witness to what is seen in His Word. They can say nothing except the Lord has already given us those words from the throne of His Father.
The mercy seat within the temple, is the throne of God, from which He spoke to Israel.

Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

This is all now done through God’s elect, who have been given to see and hear these Words of God. These words are now called “fire in their mouths”. All fire that comes from that throne is to be understood as being nothing less than the Word of God.

Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Zec 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side] of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Zec 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Zec 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

“The beast was, and is not, and yet is”. There is absolutely no way to understand such an apparently contradictory statement, unless we are also given to understand how we must “lose our life to find it”. Until we see that our “perdition” is our salvation, we will never understand how we are “saved by fire”.

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Only if we are granted to understand how we are at this very moment being “crucified with Christ, and yet we are living” will we be given to understand how our own beast within can be both dead and yet be alive and going into perdition, How we can we possibly be “was, and is not, and yet is”? Here is how that verse is fulfilled within us.

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.

Gal 2:20 and Rev 17:8 are opposite sides of the same coin, which is the coin of our lives. Gal 2:20 is that side which reflects the ultimate death of our first Adamic beast, while Rev 17:8 is that part of our lives which reflects the healing of our deadly wound as “carnal… babes in Christ”, before we are truly “crucified with Christ”. We have already covered this part of our walk in the revelation of Jesus Christ within us, in our study of the deadly wound of the beast we all are, as it is revealed to us in Rev 13.

Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat [ Greek – thronos, throne], and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

When our “deadly wound is healed”, we all return to the weak and beggarly elements from which the sword of God’s Word had delivered us. We must all live by these words.

Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Who among us has not, in his own time, returned to that from which we had been delivered? These are words which are addressed to us all:

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, [ the healing of that “deadly wound… by a sword] that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? [“the wound by a sword]

The word ‘among’ in Gal 3:1 is ‘en’, and it means “in you”. It is the same Greek word which is twice translated as ‘in’ in this verse:

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eight is the number of the new man or the new week or a new beginning. This eighth beast is the beast we are that Christ has overcome while yet in a beastly “vessel of clay”.

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.

We have seen in our studies of Rev 9 that this “bottomless pit” is the Greek word ‘abussos’ and it appears seven times in the book of Revelation. It is first mentioned three times in Rev 9.

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

It is mentioned once in chapter 11, where we are given a very good clue as to the location of this ‘abussos’ which is called the bottomless pit.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

It is mentioned once here in this verse we are now studying in Rev 17:8, where we are given the same clue of its meaning which we were given in chapter 11.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Finally, this “bottomless pit” is mentioned twice in Rev 20.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

But when we look for the total entries for this word under its original Greek entry, we discover two more very revealing entries for this Greek word ‘abussos’. Here are those two entries:

Luk 8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
Luk 8:32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
Luk 8:33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

The word ‘abussos’ is translated as “the deep” in verse 31 of Luk 8, and it is explained as meaning “into the lake”, in verse 33.
Here is our final and ninth entry for this Greek word ‘abussos’ which is most commonly translated as ‘bottomless pit’ in the King James.

Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [ from above]:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

What this tells us is that “the deep” is the same as the “many waters on which the woman sits” and is nothing less than a symbol for the sea of the flesh of all mankind:

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 11:7 and 17:8 both tell us that “the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit” and here in Rev 13:1 we read “I… saw a beast rise up out of the sea”. The Greek word for ‘sea’ here is ‘thalassa’ and not ‘abussos’, but it is clear, that ‘thalassa’ here is just another way of saying “the deep”, or “the lake” into which the swine stampeded and drowned. “The sea” out of which the beast arises is the Biblical type of all flesh, out of which we all rise as the scarlet colored beasts which we all are by natural birth into bodies of sinful flesh and blood.

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

That is the spiritual meaning of “the bottomless pit”. It is the symbol for the sinful flesh and blood which we all worship from our first breath.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

As we have already seen, we are all first blotted out of God’s book, because we have all sinned.

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Who would that be?

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So when we read here in Rev 17:8 “… and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is”, what we are actually being told is that God knew in advance those whose deadly wound is healed would be reinstated, while yet in these vessels of clay. What we are being told, is that God knew all of His elect before the world began, and had reinstated their names in His book “before the world began”.

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

So once again, that which the natural man understands as so very cataclysmic is seen by the eyes of the spirit to be a “great and marvelous work… to the children of men” (Psa 107:8, 15, 21, and 31; and Rev 15:1).

Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

After all “the things written therein” are “the revelation of Jesus Christ” to his servants (Rev 1:1 and 1:3). After all “there is one event to all”.

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

The only thing this verse adds to the first verse of Rev 13 is the woman who sits upon this beast. “The mind that has wisdom” is the mind which is given to understand the symbols of this revelation of Jesus Christ, and who is given to understand that “the time is at hand… to keep the things which are written therein”.

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.

So this is two symbols for the same thing. Just as with the beast and the harlot which sits on the beast, once again “the dream [ or vision] is one, and the seven heads and the seven mountains are one and the same thing, as understood by “the mind that has wisdom”. They both symbolize a complete and mature beast, whose perdition as an “eighth beast” is eminent.

Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

“Five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space”, is just another way of telling us where we are in our spiritual development when we look behind us to see this revelation. Until we begin to see these spiritual truths, we are hopelessly lost in the darkness of our own ignorance. We are a beast who is ruled by a harlot, and we aren’t even aware of our own spiritual darkness. But when that darkness is finally shattered by “the brightness of His coming”, then that which restrains and withheld is removed and destroyed. Here is Rev 17:19 in the book of 2nd Thessalonians.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the [ eighth beast, the] son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [“Know ye not that you are the temple of God” 1Co 3:16-17]
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [ Same Greek word translated ‘withhold in verse 6] 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: [“he must continue a short space”].

Once we are given to see how we have been serving ourselves instead of our Lord, our old man’s days are numbered, and he is soon destroyed by the bright light of the Truth who our Lord is.

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

As He is, so are we in this world:

Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

It is by being in us that Christ is still “in the world [ as] the light of the world”, and those are His own words.

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.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Next week, Lord willing, we will see what is the spiritual significance of the ten horns of this beast.

Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [ are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
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.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns 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 to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Both Adams Are Red

We have seen how the name ‘Adam’ is the same as the word ‘adam’ and that both mean earthy, of the ground and red. We have demonstrated that this word ‘adam’ whether speaking of mankind, the earth, the ground, or the color red, are all to be recognized spiritually as that part of the man of God which is rejected of God and is in rebellion to the laws of God. Above all we have seen that this is not ‘without’/outwardly and in the lives of others only, but it is first and foremost within the lives of every believer at its appointed time to dominate and later to be dominated. The negative application of the color red is that which first dominates us in the flesh. The positive application of the color red, is the domination of the flesh by the spirit. Both are typified by red.

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

There is also the much less discussed but equally important, positive application of the color red. It is the same root ‘adam,’ but called ‘admoniy’. This word also is used to describe both God’s rejected anointed and God’s elect anointed:

Gen 25:25  And the first came out red [admoniy – H132], all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

1Sa 16:12  And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy [red – admoniy – H132], and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Why are both the lost and the saved pictured as red? It is because no one is lost ultimately. It is because all men must endure that which is temporal before any will come to that which is eonian, leading to that which is immortal. Red, then is the best of the temporal man of God, that which is earthy and first and red, is also therefore necessarily connected with that which is to become immortal.

Crimson and Scarlet in Scripture

There are other words in God’s Word which have this same ‘red’ concept but are not derived from the word Adam. That is what we will cover in today’s study.

The two other words which convey the color red are crimson and scarlet.

2Ch 2:7  Send me [King Solomon] now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson [H3758: karmiyl – red], and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

2Ch 2:14  The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson [H3758: karmiyl]; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
2Ch 3:14  And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson [H3758: karmiyl], and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet [H8144: shaniy], they shall be as white as snow; though they be red [H119: adam] like crimson [H8438: tola ], they shall be as wool.

Here is Strong’s definition for ‘tola,’ the word translated ‘crimson’ in Isaiah 1:18.

H8438
tola  to le a h  to la ath  to la ath
to-law’, to- lay- aw’, (3, 4) to- lah’- ath

From H3216; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of H8144) the crimson grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it , and cloths dyed therewith: – crimson, scarlet, worm.

Look at how it is used by King David:

Psa 22:6  But I am a worm [tola, red grub], and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Here is a “man after God’s own heart”, the man who is to replace God’s rejected anointed King Saul, who recognizes that he is nothing more than a little red grub “despised of the people.”

This should remind us all of another inwardly applied scripture:

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The color red should remind us all that we are all Adam, and all that is in Adam is in us by right of birth. It should remind us that we are all in Babylon before we “come out of her:”

Jer 4:30  And when thou [God’s rejected anointed – Babylon] art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson [H8144: shaniy – same word translated ‘scarlet’ in Isaiah 1:18], though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

Rev 17:4  And the woman [Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots] was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

It takes nothing less than the resurrection from among the dead to change this ‘red’ Adamic nature within us all. Only then can we become ‘ruddy’ as God’s new accepted kings and priests. The flesh is always before the spirit:

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

Christ had to come in the flesh before He could come in us in spirit.

Gen 38:21  Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.
Gen 38:22  And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.
Gen 38:23  And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
Gen 38:24  And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
Gen 38:25  When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
Gen 38:26  And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
Gen 38:27  And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
Gen 38:28  And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
Gen 38:29  And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
Gen 38:30  And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

Pharez, breach; “Pharez, division; rupture,” according to Hitchcock’s dictionary of names, came out first and thus became the father of Christ “according to the flesh.” Here is that part of Christ’s genealogy in Luke:

Luk 3:33  Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was [the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda,

What does the scarlet thread on the hand of Zarah mean? What it means is that Zarah typifies the second Adam. It typifies Christ after the spirit:

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more [after the flesh].

That is never first which is spiritual. Pharez was first and was the physical father of Christ, but the promise of the spirit came afterward:

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46  Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Zarah was “afterward that which is spiritual.” Why did Zarah put forth his hand first? He did so to tell us that Christ was first with His Father. He did so to tell us that even though both Pharez and Zarah are born of Judah, who was born of Adam, nevertheless even the first Adam also was “of God.” It is all right here in 2Corinthians 5, only two verses after telling us that we are to “know no man [including Christ] after the flesh” we have this verse:

2Co 5:18  And all things [both Adams – Adam after the flesh and Adam after the spirit] are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

‘Adam’ means “earthy, red.” The “last Adam” has a “scarlet thread” around his hand and stands for the beauty and health of God’s elect in Christ, who was here before the first Adam. In spite of His preeminence, He, too, was “out of the ground:”

Gen 2:9  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.

Zarah, too, was “out of the ground.” Zarah does not mean “division or rupture” as Pharez means. According to Hitchcock’s Dictionary of names, Zarah means:

“East; brightness.” And who is the brightest of them all?

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.

As much as the Adversary wants us to believe otherwise, God truly brought and is bringing us our savior “of our own brothers,” out of the red earth, “out of the ground.”

Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deu 18:16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
Deu 18:17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well [spoken that] which they have spoken.
Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.

Zarah’s “scarlet thread” foreshadows all of this. Of all of God’s creation, Christ alone was spirit first, and is truly “the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Red Blood Both Stains and Washes White

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isa 63:1  Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Isa 63:2  Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Isa 63:3  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Isa 63:4  For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

What Makes Scarlet and Crimson Sins White?

Rev 7:13  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Christ was Mocked in a Scarlet Robe

Mat 27:28  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

Why a scarlet robe? Because scarlet is the color of earthly royalty and rulers. Look at the colors of this ruler:

Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Who is riding this “scarlet colored beast?”

Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Jer 4:30  And [when] thou [art] spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; [thy] lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

Yet crimson is the color of the veil of the temple:

2Ch 3:14  And he made the vail [of] blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

So both the lost and the saved are pictured as red because no one is lost ultimately, and because all men must endure that which is temporal before any will come to that which is eonian, leading to that which is immortal. Red, then, is the best of the temporal man of God, that which is earthy, and first, and red is also therefore necessarily connected with that which is to become immortal.

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

The color red connects the spiritual with its “of the ground” origins.

[Next study in this series is here.]