Staves – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word

Exodus 25:10-22 Building the Ark of the Covenant

Ato Barnes — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 21:14:37 +0000

Audio Download

Exo 25:10-22 Building the Ark of the Covenant

[Study Aired October 10, 2022]

Exo 25:10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
Exo 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
Exo 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exo 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Exo 25:21 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.
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.

Introduction – What Does the Ark Signify?

This section of Exodus chapter 25 deals with how to build an ark. In order to understand the passage of scripture we are reviewing today, we need to understand spiritually what an ark signifies. The first time the word “ark” appeared in the Bible was when the Lord commanded Noah to build an ark.

Gen 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Gen 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

This ark is a prototype of the ark Moses was required to build by the Lord in this chapter we are reviewing. There are many similarities between these two arks. The following verses of scriptures bring our what the ark stands for spiritually:

Num 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.

Num 10:35 And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

Jdg 20:27 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

From these verses, it becomes obvious that the ark of the covenant represents our Lord Jesus Christ, just like the ark the Lord commanded Noah to build is also Christ. When we are in Him, we are delivered from the flood waters of false doctrines, carnality, traditions, human wisdom, etc.

Gen 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
Gen 6:18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Noah, his wife and sons, and his son’s wives represent the elect who have fled to take refuge in our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to note that it is through the Lord’s judgment of the flood that Noah and all those saved took refuge in the ark. Our Lord’s judgment of our old man is what facilitates our being found in Christ. Noah’s ark resting on the seventh month is another way of saying that the Lord rested on the seventh day from all His work. All of these are to confirm to us that the ark represents the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gen 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Inside the ark of the covenant, we have three items – the golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the tables of the covenant.

Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Heb 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

On a positive note, the golden pot containing the manna represents the Lord’s words. It is through the word that we find ourselves in Him as He is in us. The Lord commanding Noah to bring food into the ark emphasizes the point that it is through the word of the Lord that we find ourselves in Him.

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

As we are aware, a rod signifies discipline or judgment. Thus, Aaron’s rod refers to the judgment we must go through in order to be found in Christ. As we know, the flood was the catalyst that resulted in Noah and his family being found in the ark in (Christ).

Psa 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

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?

The third item in the ark is the tables of stones on which were written the commandments of the Lord. The tables of stones remind us of our spiritual poverty state as we were not able to obey the Lord’s commandments as our hearts were hardened like the tables of stones. To be in Christ therefore, we must first acknowledge that we were spiritually bankrupt as our hearts were hardened like stones, but through the grace of God, we now have a heart of flesh.

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Similarly, the Lord commanding Noah to bring into the ark beasts (both clean and unclean) and the fowls of the air are to remind us that a prerequisite to being in Christ is to recognize our beastly nature and the devil’s influence (fowls of the air) on our live, that is our spiritual poverty. This is what the tables of stones in the ark remind us of.

Gen 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
Gen 7:3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Today’s study focuses on the construction of the ark, which therefore symbolizes how we become like Jesus Christ. Let us therefore take a closer look at what the Lord commanded Moses regarding the building of the ark.

The ark was to be made of shittim wood from shittah tree, probably from acacia. They were found growing wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley. Growing wild means that it is not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to become like Christ, then we need to know that from the beginning until 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.

The ark of the covenant in the tabernacle (Exo 37:1) had the following dimensions: Two and half cubits in length and a cubit and half in breadth and height. What is significant about the measurements are that they are all in halves. This means that we cannot obtain the stature of Christ in this life. It is in resurrection that we become perfected like Jesus Christ.

1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
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.

Another significant point to note in verse 10 is that to become like Christ means we are constantly being measured to see if we have obtained the standards of Christ. This means that we are constantly being judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of the commonwealth of Israel or His elect. They belong to the Gentiles!!

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

Overlaying the ark 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.

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 25:12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put four rings of gold that them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

In Ezekiel chapter 1, the living creatures who represent the elect have wheels which are rings full of eyes. These living creatures represent the elect. The four cast rings of gold are therefore the elect which are placed in every corner of the earth even as the Lord fills the earth. The number four means the whole of all the elect scattered over the four corners of the earth. The fact that two are placed on one side and two on another is to let us know that we serve as witnesses of Christ on this earth.

Eze 1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
Eze 1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
Eze 1:17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
Eze 1:18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

The staves are long rods of wood which pass through the rings to make it easier to carry the ark so that the ark is not touched. The function of the staves suggests that spiritually, they represent the spirit of the Lord which helps us bear Christ wherever we go. These staves are made from shittim wood and therefore are not of man’s origin but the Lord. In verse 15, the staves being in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so that we can have the mind of Christ and therefore “carry” Christ wherever we go. The commandment that the staves shall not be taken from the rings in verse 15 is to assure us that the spirit of the Lord or the Comforter has come to stay in the elect.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Exo 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

The testimony is the two tables of stone upon which the commandments of the Lord had been written.

Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Exo 32:15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

The placing of the two tables of stones bearing the commandments into the ark is why the ark is later called the ark of the testimony as shown in the following verses:

Exo 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

Exo 31:7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,

The question is, “Why are the two tablets of stones called the testimony?” Testimony is evidence or proof of something. What this means is that the two tablets of stones upon which the commandments of the Lord were written provide proof or testify that we are really sinners who have been saved by grace before God. This is to affirm to us that in order to be in Christ, we must acknowledge that we are sinners or spiritually poor. The difference between the elect and those in Babylon is that the elect are aware of their spiritual poverty while those in Babylon do not even know that they are spiritually poor. The law of Moses written on the tablet of stones is what brings us to acknowledge our sinful state.

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:
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.

Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Exo 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

One of the significant aspects of the ark is the mercy seat. This is to make us aware that the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ is to show mercy to humanity.

Psa 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Psa 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

If we are to be like Christ (the ark), then the mercy we have received from the Lord should translate into us being merciful in all our dealings. This is what the Lord requires of us.

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.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

The scriptures above show us that we have a significant role to play in showing mercy to humanity during the lake of fire age. The measurement of the mercy seat is to let us know that as His elect, we are being measured regarding our mercy attribute. What this means is that as we fall short of this measure, we are being disciplined to conform to Christ.

The fact that the measurement of the length and breadth of the mercy seat are given as two and half cubits and a cubit and half are to remind us that we cannot grasp the fullness of our Lord’s mercy in this age until we are perfected.

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 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

We need to know what the Cherubims represent in order to understand what is being said here. The Cherubims are living creatures, and it is in the midst of these Cherubims that the Lord dwells and speaks to His people.

Eze 10:20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

1Sa 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

This is what we know about where the dwelling place of God is – among His people. This means that the cherubims represent His people or His elect.

Exo 29:46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, 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.

2Co 6:16 And 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.

What verse 18 is therefore telling us is that in order to become like Christ, we must be like the beaten work of gold. Gold can be beaten to assume any shape only when it is melted through heat. It is through our fiery trials (heat) that the Lord can make us become like Him.

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.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The fact that Moses was required to make two cherubims suggests that through the beaten work of gold, we become witnesses of Christ.

Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

What these verses tell us is that the mercy seat is between the two Cherubims who cover it with their wings as they behold each other. The mercy seat is where the Lord dwells. Wings in the scriptures serve as a hiding place and also a place of protection.

Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psa 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

The wings of the Cherubims hide the mercy seat where the Lord dwells. This means that the Lord is hidden in the elect in this age.

As we are aware, Christ is the word of God. The mercy seat sandwiched between the two Cherubims means that the two Cherubims protect the mercy seat. This means that the role of the elect is to protect the truth of the word of the Lord in this age. This role was made clear to us when the Lord was laying the foundations of the earth. We are the ones who are keeping the way of the tree of life, which is Christ and His words, through a flaming sword which turns in every way.

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.

Exo 25:21 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.

Putting the mercy seat above upon the ark is not to say that mercy is greater than our Lord Jesus Christ who occupies the mercy seat. What is being said here is that to the elect, represented by the two Cherubims beholding the mercy seat, the Lord has elevated His mercy for them to see clearly. In other words, mercy is one of the key characteristics of the Lord which He wants His elect to appreciate. In a later age, all humanity will also see His mercy.

Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Psa 57:10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds (the elect).

Psa 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

As indicated earlier, the first step toward being found in Christ is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty. This is the work of the testimony that is put into the ark to remind us of the law which was our schoolmaster until Christ came.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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.

It is between the two Cherubims which are upon the ark that the Lord meets us to commune with us. In other words, the Lord speaks in our midst. It is in the assembly of the elect that the Lord speaks to us through what every joint supplies.

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
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.

May the Lord avail to us more of His mercy to be able to know Him more as He gathers us under His wings just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Amen!!

Study of the Book of Kings – 1Ki 8:1-13 “I have Surely Built thee an House to Dwell in, a Settled Place for thee to Abide in for ever”

Tony Cullen — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 09:24:11 +0000

1Ki 8:1-13 “I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever”

[Study Aired December 23, 2021]

1Ki 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
1Ki 8:2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
1Ki 8:3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
1Ki 8:4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.
1Ki 8:5 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
1Ki 8:6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.
1Ki 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
1Ki 8:8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.
1Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
1Ki 8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
1Ki 8:11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
1Ki 8:12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
1Ki 8:13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

In the last verse prior to this chapter (1Ki 7:51), we were told regarding the work king Solomon made for the house of the LORD, “So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD” which ending was just the beginning of what God purposed to do with the temple for the nation of Israel, typifying for us today what the Lord will do for all of His creation that is going to be saved through the church, which will implement the judgments of God in the earth. These judgments will bring forth the fruit of Christ’s righteousness in time (Isa 26:9, Isa 55:11). God’s judgments are in the earth and began to be revealed from the “creation of the world” with the natural physical creation (Rom 1:20) revealing the spiritual plan of God. That plan is progressively moving forward with “many prophets and kings” (Luk 10:24) who desired to see and hear the things that we see but did not, and will not until the holy spirit dwells in them (Joh 6:28-29, Heb 11:6, 1Co 2:12-13, Rom 8:9).

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.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, [“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God” (1Co 2:14)] but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

This section of Kings shows us in type and shadow how God is going to use the elect to redeem all His creation by bringing them into the knowledge of God’s judgments. That judgment is always done in stages, just as the disciples who were blessed to walk with Christ during his ministry for so many years without having their heavens open so that they could believe and understand what all His teachings meant. That understanding would all begin to change when the holy spirit was given on Pentecost making it possible for the seed of God’s word to not return void through God’s kind of first fruits (Rom 8:22-25, Col 1:20-22, Psa 107:1-15, Joh 2:17-19).

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. [Like a tree planted by the riverside we don’t see the roots of the tree, but our hope is that our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) is taking deep root within us as the author and finisher of our faith who God is faithfully directing to give us the nourishment that we need to mature in Him (Psa 1:1-3)]

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psa 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Psa 107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Psa 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Psa 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, [Psa 23:4] and brake their bands in sunder.
Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

This section of Kings introduces us to this “city of habitation” of Psalms 107:7, which is represented by the temple of God and the country we seek and the city in that country. It is all saying the same thing regarding that ‘place’ being the house of the Lord, the temple of God, which temple represents the body of Christ where our Father and Christ abide with us in spirit and give us rest and peace that passes all understanding (Heb 11:14, Jas 4:13-15, Joh 14:23, Heb 4:11, Php 4:5-7).

Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him [“city of habitation“].

Heb 4:11 Let us labour [“continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain” (Jas 4:13)] therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief [to do the works we must believe and it is through doing those works that we enter into God’s rest (Jas 2:20)].

Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
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.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1Ki 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

The completion of the temple by Solomon and bringing “in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels” of 1 Kings 7:51 is typical language that represents the finished work of the body of Christ that will occur in the first resurrection and is being represented by this physical temple’s completion (1Co 3:16).

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

It is after God’s elect are resurrected that Christ, who is represented by Solomon, assembles “the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem“, which symbolizes all the world coming up to learn of God’s truths via the elect who have already been gathered at this point “from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mat 24:31, Rev 11:15-17).

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

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

What they bring up to Solomon, who is a type of Christ, is “the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.” The ark of the covenant being brought up represents overcoming Babylon through the communion of the blood of Christ that is now being recognized by a world that has had no stay of bread or water (Zec 9:11-12, Oba 1:21).

Zec 9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water [Isa 3:1].
Zec 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, [Psa 18:2] ye prisoners of hope: [Col 1:27] even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; [judgment]

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

1Ki 8:2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim^H388, which is the seventh month.
1Ki 8:3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
1Ki 8:4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

The Israel spoken of in this second verse is typical of the Israel of God who represents the world, the other fold Christ spoke of in John 10:16 who will come up to keep the feast of tabernacles. It is “all the men of Israel” who “assembled themselves unto king Solomon“. They assemble at a place called “the permanent brooks” [Ethanim^H388] which will bring forth the living waters to heal the nations via the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) typified by “the priests and the Levites” (Rom 6:5, Joh 7:38, Rev 22:2).

Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

All of this occurs in “the seventh month” reminding us that the completion [7] of the temple, which represents the body of Christ, is now ready to bring forth “the living waters to heal the nations”.

“All the men of Israel assembled themselves” and “all the elders of Israel came” represent “flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great” who the elect will judge, which is what it means when we “eat the flesh of kings” having been commanded “Come! Gather for the great supper of God [ISV]” found in (Rev 19:17-19).

1Ki 8:5 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
1Ki 8:6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.

Now the stage is set for these sacrifices to be made from “all the congregation of Israel“, from which congregation the elect are called. It is “before the ark” or before Christ and His body (Rom 12:5) that the world will give an accounting of what they have done in this life (Ecc 11:9, 1Co 6:3), and it is through Christ’s sacrifice, which takes away all the sins of the world, that humanity will be made free by the same advocate who will have already set the elect free (Joh 1:29, 1Jn 2:1, Joh 8:36).

Sacrificing “sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude” foreshadows the time when all the multitudes of humanity will present their bodies a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) that has been redeemed by the blood of the lamb (Rev 7:9). That redemption will come about through the process that is explained in the following verses (1Ki 8:6-7) and is accomplished by God’s elect who are being typified in this instance by the priests who “brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.”

We know the end of the thousand-year reign will end in rebellion (Rev 20:8) and so this dedicated and zealous beginning that we’re reading about in Kings represents the ‘anon with joy’ (Mat 13:23) period of the world that ends up in a less than zealous society that has lost sight of the forgiveness that was granted them (2Pe 1:9). This pattern is talked about in The Biblical Overview of the Plan of God – Part 11 by Mike Vinson that discusses the spirit of rebellion of Israel reflected by the diminishing sacrifices offered at that time (during the feast of tabernacles in the seventh month), which is a type of the end of the thousand-year reign of the saints (Num 29:12-34).

That Solomon did not listen to the exact details of these ordinances to do sacrifice in Numbers 1:1-34, as they should have been, is again an admonition for us now in this age, because these things happened unto them for our sakes upon whom the end of the ages have come to admonish us to listen very carefully and not to do the same which we will do until we don’t (1Co 10:11, 2Ti 4:3, Heb 10:25).

Those “wings of the cherubims” represent the saviours who will come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau (Oba 1:21) and who will show mercy through judgment to those “whom the god of this world hath blinded” so they could not believe. God’s fiery judgment in the lake of fire will be executed by those who were first redeemed through a lifetime of judgment in this age (1Pe 4:17, Act 14:22) which will make them “prepared unto every good work” because of the purging process they will have gone through.

Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

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

1Ki 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves^H905 thereof above.
1Ki 8:8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

These staves^H905 that were used to carry the ark represent God’s elect who are granted to handle the holy things in this life in the prescribed manner God has directed (Heb 13:10). There are two staves which witness [2] that it is Christ in us as our hope of glory in this life (Col 1:27) who makes it possible for us to handle the holy things of the temple, being accepted through him (Eph 1:6). God gives us this power through Christ to bring healing to the nations as the bride of Christ who has an unction to do so (1Jn 2:20, Oba 1:21).

staves H905 bad
From H909; properly separation; by implication a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as adverb, apart, only, besides: – alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.

Total KJV occurrences: 202

It is the ministry of reconciliation that will cause twain to become one (2Co 5:18, Eph 2:14), a ministry represented by the cherubims who “spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves^H905 thereof above.” Carrying the ark is a symbol of our bearing each other’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal 6:2).

Notice that the “ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle” and conversely “not seen without: and there they are unto this day“. This ‘being seen’ and ‘not seen’ reminds us of the first commandment of promise given to the elect to have a period of life in Christ before the rest of God’s creation where we are seen and known of God (Gal 4:9) who we now see face to face in earnest (Joh 14:9, 1Jn 4:17). We see him now in each other, symbolized also by the cherubim who face each other. We are hidden in Christ now (Col 3:3), and the world cannot see the hidden work God is doing in His little flock “unto this day” (Rom 11:8). That work is to bring forth much fruit which will remain, both within ourselves as the body of Christ matures and outwardly seeing the fruit develop and mature as the whole world will eventually be saved in time (Zec 4:10, Joh 15:16, 1Ti 4:16).

Our marriage to the Lamb makes us one with Him and happens as a result of our being drawn out of this world toward Christ (Eph 6:2-3, Mar 10:8, Joh 6:44). We are no longer of our father the devil. We honour our Father in heaven and Jerusalem above who is the mother of us all. As such we are being made one with Christ and assured that there is a reward and great incentive being held out for us to encourage us to endure until the end by fighting a good fight of faith (1Ti 6:12). That reward is symbolized by the first commandment with promise which tells us we will live long on the earth (Gal 4:26, Rev 20:6).

Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise
Eph 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

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

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

1Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

It was at a desolate place [“Horeb^H2722] in our lives when the Lord, represented by Moses, put “the two tables of stone” (the law for the lawless – 1Ti 1:9) in our ark, which ark represents the temple where we are first judged by that law which is likened unto a schoolmaster (Gal 3:24) “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful” (Rom 7:13). If God is working with us, this law that brings us to see more clearly the law of sin in our members will cause us to cry out from the bondage of sin which we cannot escape unless we become partakers of the new law of liberty found by the life of Christ in us (Gal 6:2) symbolized by this statement: “when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.” Coming out of Egypt could never happen without Christ having prepared a way (Hos 11:1, 1Jn 4:17, Jer 51:44-45) for us to make this possible. That is the covenant our Father has promised is going to happen to those who are called to overcome in this life (Rom 5:10, Rom 8:37).

Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

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.

Jer 51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
Jer 51:45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD [Rev 18:4].

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

1Ki 8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
1Ki 8:11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

When the glory of the LORD fills the house of the LORD, the priests “could not stand to minister because of the cloud”. This event symbolizes for us that when we’ve done all, it is Christ who is going to give us the power to stand, and not our flesh, as He is the one who fills the temple “for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD” both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure (Php 2:12-13, Mar 13:11).

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

The great cloud of witness represents the body of Christ (Heb 12:1), and the earthly priests that “could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD” represents our flesh, and Adam who cannot stand (Rev 6:17) but must decrease by coming out of the holy place to have Christ increase and enter in as He does when we are granted to put off our flesh via the plagues of God which chasten us to the end that we might learn to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts in this life (Rev 15:8, Tit 2:11-12). In other words, it is the new man who enters into the temple represented by “the glory of the LORD” that “had filled the house of the LORD” and the “no man” represents the flesh that cannot enter into this holy place.

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

Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

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.

[“Then after we are chastened and receive of God (Heb 12:6) the new man the great cloud of witness, the body of Christ stands having done all, meaning having been judged which is an ongoing dying daily process, that we’re called to endure until the end of our life (Joh 3:30).“]

1Ki 8:12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
1Ki 8:13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

Solomon, who represents Christ or Christ in us, declares [“Then spake Solomon“] that God will dwell in the “thick darkness” while He abides in those who keep His commandments (Joh 14:20-23). The “thick darkness” is symbolic of where the life of Christ is hidden within us (Col 3:3, Col 1:27) and reminds us that we see through a glass darkly in this life even though we can search out the deep things of God with the spirit of God (1Co 2:10). Our sojourn in this life is a narrow way accompanied with certain victory for the few who God has predestined to overcome by trusting God today “to the praise of his glory” (1Pe 4:18, Mat 7:14, Mat 22:14, Eph 1:12). The house God is building for us today is established through judgment which is taking place in “thick darkness“^H6205 where we stumble (Jer 13:16, Job 22:13, Pro 24:16) and when we look at some of the entries that refer to this Strong’s number, it becomes clear that God dwells there in our midst to establish His righteousness in us through His judgments (Psa 97:2).

“thick darkness” H6205‛ărâphel

Total KJV Occurrences: 18
darkness, 13
Exo_20:21, Deu_4:11, Deu_5:22, 2Sa_22:10, 1Ki_8:12, 2Ch_6:1, Psa_18:9 (2), Isa_60:2 (2), Jer_13:16, Joe_2:2, Zep_1:15

dark, 2
Job_22:13, Eze_34:12

gross, 2
Isa_60:2, Jer_13:16

cloud, 1
Job_22:13

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted^G4276 in Christ.

G4276 proelpizō pro-il-pid’-zo

From G4253 and G1679; to hope in advance of other confirmation: – first trust.

G4253pro pro

A primary preposition; “fore”, that is, in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to. In compounds it retains the same significations: – above, ago, before, or ever. In compounds it retains the same significations.

G1679 elpizō el-pid’-zo

From G1680; to expect or confide: – (have, thing) hope (-d) (for), trust. [Jer 29:11]

If we have the mind of Christ which enables us to see through a glass darkly, our groaning will be within because of the birth pangs we are experiencing, and we will know “that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” and that pain and groaning without ourselves is for our sakes as well (2Co 4:15) causing us to sigh and cry for the abominations of this world as Christ softens our hearts in this age through all the suffering that is unfolding in this world (Rom 8:20-23, Eze 9:4).

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Christ has “surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever” as was promised in John 14:3, and it is through the much tribulation of this life that we become a “settled place” (Act 14:22, 1Pe 5:10) where our Father and Christ abide as we learn to possess our souls patiently as we are saved by grace through faith that He gives, along with peace that passes all understanding (Luk 21:19, Eph 2:8, Php 4:7).

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Solomon says of our LORD, “I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever” and God’s elect are given to see and acknowledge that it is the Lord who builds the house (Psa 127:1, Php 2:12-13) and uses Solomon to accomplish this as he or we give back to God that which was always His in the first place (1Ch 29:14, Rev 4:10-11).

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

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

1Ch 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.