Rev 13:10-13 Part 2, He had Two Horns Like a Lamb, and He Spake as a Dragon

[Study Aired January 26, 2025]

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The Second Beast

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Here is what we are being told about this beast which comes up out of the earth. Here is what is meant by “He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon”.

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Christ has forewarned us about the work of this second beast within us. “Many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many”, because they will have “two horns like a lamb”. How will they deceive? The words they speak will be deceitful, smooth words which will, in the end, prove to be the words of the great red dragon.

Isa 30:8  Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isa 30:9  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isa 30:10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Christ’s words are not “smooth things”, and when we are faithful to His words, we many times are considered to be the enemies of those we consider to be our own spiritual household. Immediately after saying words which were anything but “smooth things… deceits”, Paul poses this question to those who comprised one of the very churches God had used Paul to raise up.

Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Nevertheless, the very fact that Christ warned us against being deceived demonstrates that He already knew that is exactly what would happen to us. Christ Himself becomes our enemy because His Words are the Truth and we cannot, at first, receive them.

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44  Ye are [first] of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will [at first] do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Anyone who has Christ in them will know that the words of the apostle Paul are the words of Christ Himself, because anyone who has Christ in Him will “know Christ’s voice, and a stranger they will not follow.”

Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

“Knowing the voice” of “the Shepherd of the sheep” means that we know God’s Word, and with His Word we are able to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God.”

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

“Every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God… this is that spirit of antichrist…”! It is “the flesh”, it is not ‘a flesh.’ It is certainly not speaking of flesh with no connection to Adam. There are many such ‘immaculate conception’ doctrines in the Christian world which all deny in some way that Christ came in the same sinful flesh that we are in. In doing that, they are denying that He is even now in our own sinful flesh. If Christ would not enter into Adam’s sinful flesh by being “made of a woman, made under the law”, why would He do so after His resurrection? “This is that spirit of antichrist… it is even now in the world” is referring to all who deny that Christ was the son of Adam, and that He is even now come in our sinful bodies of sinful flesh:

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Here is one final example of what this beast with “two horns like a lamb, who speaks as a dragon” is among us:

Act 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Act 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

“Perverse things” certainly include “smooth things… deceits.” I can also include simply refraining from “declaring all the counsel of God”, when that counsel is very unpopular with the world and with God’s own sheep and God’s own people and flock. Let’s read again what the Lord tells us is the mindset of His own people:

Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Isa 30:11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel [“the Word”] to cease from before us.

Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

“He exercised all the power of the first beast before him…” “Before Him?” Yes, that is right. This is the second step in the judgment of the beast that we all are. We are signified by “the earth”:

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

We have established beyond any doubt that “the kingdom of God is within us”:

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

If indeed ‘the kingdom of God is within [us]’, spiritually, then it follows that all the enemy kingdoms of that nation are also spiritually within each of us. When we collectivize these words and apply them to the corporate church and then exclude ourselves, we have completely missed the message of  chapter one:

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 it is we who come up out of the earth and cause all men to worship the beast whose deadly wound was healed. He doesn’t cause us to worship the beast when his first head is wounded with a deadly wound and that first head is being crucified with Christ. Rather, he causes us to worship the first beast only after his deadly wound is healed and he is right back to being a very healthy wild beast who, as we will see, blasphemes God and His temple and those who dwell there. All of those things are exactly what all the ‘Christian’ organizations and corporations of men who declare themselves as ‘Christians’ do, but not do the things Christ tells us to do (Luk 6:46).

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

So what power does the first beast within us have over all the kingdoms of this world within us? Let’s look back at what we have just been told about who we are before Christ truly abides within us:

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, 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?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

There it is; this beast seems to be invincible. He has the most powerful attributes of all the most powerful wild beasts of the earth. He makes war with and overcomes all of God’s saints. “Power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations, and all that dwell on the earth shall worship him… Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” When we see that “we are that man”, then, and only then, will ‘that man’ be removed from his throne in the heavens of our heart and mind, and only then will the only person who can make war with the beast which we all are, take His rightful place upon His own throne within our own hearts and minds.

Notice how late in our relationship with our Lord we are brought to face just how pernicious our old man is. We come to see just how hopeless of our own power we are soon after we have been given the kingdom.

2Sa 12:1  And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2Sa 12:2  The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
2Sa 12:3  But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
2Sa 12:4  And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
2Sa 12:5  And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
2Sa 12:6  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
2Sa 12:7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
2Sa 12:8  And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

Let us not overlook how late in the walk of the Lord’s typical elect this tragedy occurs. This happened to King David after He had been given the kingdom. It happened in his life after fighting for many years against the typical man of sin was seeking his destruction. This happened to King David at this time in his life, and it is written for our admonition for this reason:

1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples [G5180: ‘tupos’, types of us], to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1Co 10:11 Now all this befalls them typically [typifying us]. Yet it was written for our admonition, to whom the consummations of the eons have attained.
1Co 10:12 So that, let him who is supposing he stands beware that he should not be falling. (CLV)

There it is. This battle is all laid out for all who have eyes that can see and ears that can hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God within us. Here is this beast who is sitting on Christ’s throne and is demanding the total worship of himself to the exclusion of Christ and to the “blaspheming of the name of God, His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:6). Here’s this same ‘war in the heavens’ from another perspective:

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come[“the day of Christ’s” judgment within our lives, vs 2], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [Like with King David]
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. [King David was sitting on the throne when he fell to this beast within]
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he [That pernicious man of sin] might be revealed in his time [At the appointed time when ‘the sins of the Amorites are filled up’, Gen 15:16].
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity [Our own self-righteous old man] doth already work: only he who now letteth [withholdeth] will let [withhold], until he be taken out of the way. [Until the Lord sends Nathan to us]
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed [“Thou art the man”], whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [“The sword will never depart from {our} house”, 2Sa 12:10]
2Th 2:9 Even him [our self-righteous old man], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [David’s many wonderful works in the name of the Lord, all nullified by his rebellious self-righteous old man, “the working of Satan” [2Th 2:9 who thought that all he had done for the Lord would cover for what he had done to Uriah. He forgot that the Lord sees and judges our every thought, Pro 16:1 and Eze 33:13]

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man [when we begin to formulate a thought], and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

This “man of sin” here in 2Th 2:3 is the beast of Rev 13. Once the Lord gives us eyes that see and ears that hear, that “Ye are the temple of God” (1Co 3:16), only then can we ever hope to see and appreciate “the brightness of Christ’s coming” into our hearts and minds, dethroning and removing and replacing our fearful old “man of sin”, our sinful, Adamic nature with Himself and His “bold as a lion” nature. A man who considers himself “crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20) is “dying daily” (1Co 15:31), and is “presenting his body as a living sacrifice” (Rom 12:1) is not afraid of death and fears nothing.

Rev 13:13 And he [the beast that comes up out of the earth] doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

This appears to be the ultimate tool of this “man of sin… beast”. Anyone who can “make fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men”, must surely be a very great man of God. But what is “fire… from heaven in the sight of men”? If we say that the fire of Jer 5:14, and 1Co 3:13-15 is the word of God in the mouths of His people, then we simply must be consistent and declare that this fire is the same fiery word of God, but in this case, those fiery words are here found in the mouth of this beast who is called “the man of sin”.

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.

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.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What does this beast, this man of sin, accomplish with these fiery words of God? What does “He makes fire come down from heaven in the sight of men” mean, if that fire is the Words of God?

What those words mean is that this beast is given the ability to use the words of God to effect great changes and to work miracles in the lives of those who follow him. He is able, by reading and preaching and teaching the very same word of God, to purge great sins out of the lives of those who listen to His words of God. It is given to him to literally perform miracles which would, “if possible deceive the very elect”. What this tells us is that great changes can be made in our outward lives, which still have not changed our stubborn hearts. Here are the scriptures which show that “He makes fire come down from heaven in the sight of men” does not prove that this is a man of God:

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
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.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.

We have all been impressed by the ability we ourselves and others have to use the Words of our Lord to effectuate many changes in the lives of others through simply showing them what the word of God actually teaches, instead of what they have been falsely taught.

Even Babylonian ministers, even this ‘beast that comes up out of the earth’ has also been given by the Lord the blessing of ministering to us while we were murderers, drunks, gamblers and pornographers. As lost souls we have all been reformed by the fiery words of the Word of God coming from the mouths of ‘a beast which comes up out of the earth.’ All the while we were still in Babylon and being deceived by the very miracles which seemed at that time to prove that we are serving the true God and His True Christ. In every case, Christ’s truths were never glorified, and the beast was always still sitting in center stage, taking Christ’s throne and Christ’s glory to himself and demanding our worship. Here is Christ’s Matthew 24 warning repeated in 2Th 2:

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you [“Take heed that no man deceives you… ”(Mat 24:4)] by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
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 [“You are the temple of God” (1Co 3:16)], shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
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 [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:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Look at how similar these verses are to Matthew 24:23-25! “Take heed that no man deceive you… Let no man deceive you by any means… Behold, I have told you before… Remember ye not, that, when I was with you, I told you these things?” Both are the same message, and both tell us what withholds that the man of sin is not revealed until His own appointed time in our lives. Both prophecies warn us of  “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” The one thing both warnings have in common is that this “man of sin” is a “false Christ [who] deceives many… with all power and signs and lying wonders”.

Summary and Conclusion

We have seen that the worship of this beast, the blaspheming of God, and the pouring out of God’s wrath upon all our ungodliness is all part and parcel of “the patience and the faith of the saints.”

Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

We saw that this same statement is repeated in chapter 14, where the hour of God’s judgment upon our ungodliness and unrighteousness is again called the patience and faith of the saints and the keeping of God’s commandments.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

We have seen that the phrase, “another beast”, just like the phrase, “another angel… and a third angel” are just like Pharaoh’s second dream, the three angels are all really the same spirit with the same message concerning the three successive stages of our own judgment. We saw that this second beast with “horns like a lamb, but speaking as a dragon” is really nothing more or less than Satan himself being “transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers being transformed into ministers of righteousness” who are given the ability to perform miracles with which the whole world is deceived.

Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

This second beast seems to have the strength of the horns of the lamb of God, but his doctrines are the doctrines of the dragon. It is by simply serving ourselves that this first beast worships “the dragon, that old serpent the devil, and Satan”. This beast, which we all are, is “the earth and them that dwell therein.”

Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

We have seen that the “fire” spoken of here in Rev 13, signifies the same ‘fiery’ Words of God  which are the scriptures being preached in fiery, moving and powerful sermons by ‘two horned lambs in wolves clothing speaking as a dragon’ by twisting and ignoring the sum  of the Lord’s words. It is by the masterful work of using the Word of God, and through that Word effecting great changes in our own lives all the while still living as slaves to the idols of our own beastly hearts, that our own delusions are made to be so powerful that except by the grace of God, none of us would ever escape the delusions we are all first placed under and to which we all first submit:

Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

In our next study we will see that the Lord gives our beast the power to perform miracles for the express purpose of keeping us deceived. Here are those verses, and they should no longer be the great mystery they have been for so long.

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.
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 7

The Living Temple – Christ in You

[Study Aired Dec 17, 2024]

Introduction

Our journey through God’s spiritual temple reaches its pinnacle as we discover the ultimate reality – we are now God’s living temple. Throughout our studies, we’ve moved from external patterns to internal realities, following Christ’s foundational teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you“ (Luke 17:20). These physical patterns served their purpose, for “the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things” (Hebrews 10:1), but now give way to the spiritual reality they foreshadowed.

The transition from physical to spiritual temple reflects God’s eternal purpose. As Solomon acknowledged, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27). This profound question reveals Solomon’s understanding that the physical temple, despite its glory, could never fully contain or express God’s presence. The prophet Isaiah later reinforced this truth: “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?“ (Isaiah 66:1).

God’s dwelling among His people progressed through distinct stages, each revealing more of His ultimate purpose. First, He walked with Adam in the garden, showing His desire for direct communion: “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). After sin was revealed, He established patterns of approach through the first sacrifices: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Later, He dwelt in the tabernacle, a movable tent that accompanied Israel’s journeys: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them“ (Exodus 25:8), “In all their journeys when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward“ (Exodus 40:36-37). The temple followed, providing a fixed location for His presence: “I have surely built thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in forever“ (1 Kings 8:13). Yet each stage pointed toward a fuller reality – God dwelling within His people through Christ.

The Foundation of Living Temple Reality

Christ Himself laid the foundation for this understanding when He declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up“ (John 2:19). John explains, “But he spake of the temple of his body“ (John 2:21). This declaration marked a radical shift in understanding temple reality. No longer would God’s presence be confined to physical buildings but would dwell in living temples – first in Christ’s physical body, then in His spiritual body, the church. As Paul declares, “Now ye are the body of Christ“ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

This transition fulfills God’s eternal purpose revealed progressively through Scripture. When David proposed building a temple, God sent Nathan with this response: “Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me a house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle” (2 Samuel 7:5-6). God’s question suggests that His ultimate dwelling would transcend physical structures.

The prophets increasingly emphasized this spiritual reality. Ezekiel saw a temple with supernatural dimensions through divine vision: “In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south” (Ezekiel 40:2). The dimensions he recorded were extraordinary – “five hundred reeds” for the courts (Ezekiel 42:16-20), approximately one mile, far exceeding any physical structure. Most significantly, he described a miraculous river flowing from this temple: “Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward” (Ezekiel 47:1), which grew supernaturally without tributaries to become “waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over” (Ezekiel 47:5). Haggai promised that “the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former“ (Haggai 2:9), a prophecy fulfilled not in Herod’s temple but in Christ and His church. Malachi foresaw a time when “in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering” (Malachi 1:11), indicating worship would extend beyond Jerusalem’s temple.

The Physical Temple Pattern

Understanding our identity as God’s living temple requires grasping how physical temple patterns reveal spiritual realities. Paul teaches this principle: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20). The physical temple’s structure, furnishings, and service all teach spiritual truths about our function as living temples.

The temple’s three main sections – outer court, holy place, and most holy place – picture aspects of spiritual experience. The outer court represents initial approach to God through Christ’s sacrifice. The holy place speaks of daily spiritual service and communion. The most holy place reveals intimate fellowship with God. In living temples, these areas represent progressively deeper experiences of Christ’s life within us.

The temple’s furnishings likewise reveal spiritual functions. The brazen altar pictures Christ’s cross worked out in our experience, for “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). The laver represents cleansing by God’s Word, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). The golden lampstand shows how we should shine with Christ’s light, for He declared, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

These patterns find fulfillment as we function as God’s temples. The showbread pictures feeding on Christ as living bread. “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.” (Mark 14:22). The incense altar represents our prayers ascending to God. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:3-4). Even the ark of the covenant, with its mercy seat where God’s presence dwelt, shows how Christ now dwells in our hearts through faith. Understanding these patterns helps us function properly as living temples.

The Two-fold Temple Reality

Having seen how physical temple patterns reveal spiritual truth, we now understand that God’s temple reality manifests in two dimensions – individual and corporate. Paul reveals the individual aspect: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Yet he also emphasizes the corporate dimension: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ“ (1 Corinthians 12:12). Both truths must be held together to understand our full identity as God’s dwelling place.

This individual temple reality begins through Christ’s indwelling, what Paul calls “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), bringing both privilege and accountability. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12). As individual temples of God, we must maintain purity, for “if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are“ (1 Corinthians 3:17). Yet this holiness flows not from our efforts but from Christ’s life within, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Yet God’s ultimate purpose extends beyond individual temples to form one corporate dwelling place. Peter declares, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Each believer functions as a living stone, carefully fitted with others to form God’s house, fulfilling His eternal purpose to dwell among His people.

Paul elaborates this corporate reality: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are 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 a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22). This passage reveals how individual temples become one dwelling – we share citizenship in God’s household, rest on Christ as our foundation, grow through relationships with one another, and fulfill God’s purpose as His corporate habitation. Having seen both individual and corporate aspects of temple truth, we must understand how Christ makes this reality possible through His indwelling presence.

The Living Reality of Christ’s Indwelling

Christ dwells within each believer individually through His Father’s spirit, enabling us to function as God’s temple both personally and corporately. Jesus explained this profound reality: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you“ (John 14:20). This indwelling fulfills what the Old Testament pictured when God’s presence dwelt between the cherubim above the mercy seat: “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat” (Exodus 25:22).

The prophets foresaw this internal reality. Through Isaiah, God promised: “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine… I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the LORD’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob” (Isaiah 44:2-5). This pouring out of God’s spirit transforms us into fitting vessels for His presence.

This indwelling transforms our daily life and service. Just as the physical temple had continuous service, our lives manifest constant spiritual activity through Christ’s life within. The perpetual light of the lampstand teaches us to maintain spiritual illumination through God’s Word: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The continual showbread reveals our need for constant feeding on Christ, who declared: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). The perpetual incense pictures unceasing prayer and communion, as Paul instructs: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

This transformation enables proper temple function through Christ’s strengthening: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith“ (Ephesians 3:16-17). The word “dwell” here indicates permanent residence – Christ settling down to live within us permanently. This permanent indwelling enables proper corporate expression of temple life.

The Corporate Function

The temple’s corporate reality requires proper relationships and function. Paul explains how this works: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love“ (Ephesians 4:16). Each member contributes to the growth and function of God’s living temple.

This corporate reality manifests particularly when believers gather. Paul describes this living temple expression: “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying“ (1 Corinthians 14:26). Each member supplies what the Spirit provides through Christ’s indwelling life.

God’s word guides how we function together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). This mutual ministry builds temple reality as each part functions properly.

Unity in this corporate temple comes through submission to Christ’s headship: “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“ (1 Corinthians 1:10). Christ directs His temple through those yielded to His Spirit, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

The prophet Malachi saw this functioning fellowship: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16). Through mutual submission and proper order, we maintain the temple’s corporate expression as God intends. Yet this corporate temple reality must be tested and proven through trials.

The Testing of Temple Truth

God tests and proves temple reality through various trials, refining us for His purpose. As Peter explains, “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” (1 Peter 1:7). These trials authenticate our temple function.

The prophets understood this refining process. The prophet Jeremiah described it: “Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?” (Jeremiah 9:7). God’s judgment purifies, as Habakkuk witnessed: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). Isaiah reinforces this truth: “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin“ (Isaiah 1:25). This process produces a temple fit for His presence.

Through testing, we learn dependence on Christ’s indwelling life rather than our own strength. David testified, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes“ (Psalm 119:71). Paul’s experience confirms this purpose: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh… For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness“ (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

This purifying work prepares us for fuller temple function. Just as metal must be refined for sacred use, trials prepare us for divine service. Every circumstance serves God’s purpose of conforming us to His temple design. Through this testing and proving process, God establishes His authority in and through His temple people.

Kingdom Authority Through Temple Reality

Understanding our identity as God’s temple brings spiritual authority. Jesus declared, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). This authority flows naturally from Christ’s indwelling presence.

Yet this authority operates only through submission to God’s will. James reveals this principle: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Our authority functions as we yield to Christ’s life within. As Paul testified, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me“ (Philippians 4:13).

This authority manifests both individually and corporately. Paul describes the corporate dimension: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God“ (Ephesians 3:10). Together we display God’s wisdom and authority. The prophet Isaiah foresaw this authority: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17). While we now experience this authority through Christ’s indwelling, an even greater manifestation awaits us.

Future Glory and Present Experience

While we now experience temple reality spiritually, we anticipate an even fuller manifestation. John’s vision reveals this ultimate reality: “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it“ (Revelation 21:22). The prophet Haggai foresaw this progression: “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:7). Physical patterns give way to pure spiritual reality.

Yet this future hope transforms present experience. John declares, “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“ (1 John 3:2). The prophet Hosea glimpsed this progressive work: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:3). Each experience of His presence prepares us for fuller manifestation. This future hope transforms how we live now as God’s temple.

Living as God’s Temple

The reality of being God’s temple transforms every aspect of life. As Isaiah describes: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 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“ (Isaiah 55:10-11). Like rain saturating soil, temple truth permeates our entire existence.

This affects how we handle daily responsibilities. Paul instructs, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God“ (1 Corinthians 10:31). Even mundane activities become opportunities for temple service. The prophet Zechariah foresaw this sanctification of daily life: “In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” (Zechariah 14:20).

Our relationships change as we recognize others as potential or actual temples of God. Paul teaches, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another“ (Romans 14:19). Our interactions should contribute to temple building and growth.

Our speech and thoughts must align with temple reality. David prayed, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight” (Psalm 19:14). Paul elaborates: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers“ (Ephesians 4:29). Even our inner life must reflect the temple’s holiness: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Even trials take on new meaning through temple understanding. James counsels, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience“ (James 1:2-3). Every circumstance serves God’s purpose of conforming us to His temple design. This transformed life expresses itself through specific temple actions.

Temple Actions

Living as God’s temple brings specific actions. Peter declares, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light“ (1 Peter 2:9). This priestly function requires faithful service.

We must maintain temple purity through constant cleansing. John writes, “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). This cleansing preserves temple function and fellowship. The prophet Isaiah experienced this purification: “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged“ (Isaiah 6:6-7).

Our action includes representing God accurately to others. Paul states, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). As living temples, we manifest God’s presence and nature to the world.

These combined truths complete our understanding of living temple reality. Through yielding to Christ’s indwelling life, we fulfill God’s eternal purpose of dwelling among His people, both individually and corporately. May we walk worthy of this high calling, manifesting His presence and glory in every aspect of life. Having seen how temple truth manifests in action, we can now grasp the full scope of God’s purpose.

Conclusion: Living Reality

Through our journey into God’s spiritual temple, we’ve seen His eternal purpose unfold – to dwell in and among His people through Christ. What began in pattern and shadow finds fulfillment in living reality. The prophet Zephaniah foresaw this: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

This indwelling presence empowers us for divine purpose, as God declared through Isaiah: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise” (Isaiah 43:21). Like branches abiding in the vine, we bear fruit through His life within us. Our commission flows from this reality – to manifest His presence and declare His glory to all creation.

As living temples, we carry Christ’s presence wherever we go, commissioned to extend His kingdom through the power of His indwelling life. This is not our work but His, “being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will“ (Ephesians 1:11). His presence in us accomplishes His eternal purpose, until all creation knows “all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all“ (Corinthians 15:28).

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:1-17

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:15-18

“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 6

The Throne Above the Mercy Seat – God’s Presence

[Study Aired Dec 10, 2024]

Introduction

In our journey through the kingdom, from the outer courts through the temple and beyond the veil, we arrive at the ultimate destination: the throne above the mercy seat. Here, the physical pattern reveals how God establishes His authority. As Moses recorded, “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” (Exodus 25:22).

This pattern points to a profound spiritual reality. Just as God’s presence dwelt between the cherubim, His authority now works through Christ within His people. The prophet Zechariah saw this: “he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne” (Zechariah 6:13). Solomon recognized the magnitude of this truth when he prayed, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27).

Christ Manifesting God’s Authority

God’s authority manifests through Christ in several key ways. First, it changes our understanding of authority itself. Instead of external command, we experience internal life. King David captured this reality: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). The prophet Micah saw this power: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8).

Second, it establishes truth within us. The prophet Isaiah described this: “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:20-21).

Third, it empowers us from within. The prophet Jeremiah revealed this internal work: “After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me” (Jeremiah 31:33-34). Through this internal operation, God produces what external law could never accomplish.

Fourth, it establishes a new relationship with God. The psalmist experienced this: “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8). This direct communion flows from God’s spirit, leading Asaph to declare: “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:25).

The prophets foresaw this new relationship. Through Isaiah, God declared: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). Through Ezekiel He promised: “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27). These promises reveal how God would manifest His authority through a direct, living relationship with His people.

This new expression of God’s authority brings wisdom and understanding that natural ability cannot achieve. Solomon described this wisdom: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:10-11). This wisdom comes through knowing God’s mind and ways through His spirit working in us. This wisdom leads us to surrender to His authority.

Authority Through Surrender

The yielding of our will to God’s authority comes through His causing us to submit. The prophet Jeremiah understood this when he prayed: “Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented” (Jeremiah 31:18-19). This shows that even our turning to God comes through His work.

King Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson of surrender through God’s humbling: “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:34-35).

The prophet Isaiah saw how God works this surrender: “O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name” (Isaiah 26:13). King David experienced this same work: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Psalm 110:1-3).

This surrender comes not through our own strength but through God’s spirit working in us. The prophet Ezekiel revealed this truth: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).

Through this work of surrender, we begin to experience the practical outworking of God’s authority in our daily lives. As the prophet Hosea declared, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:3).

Living Under God’s Authority Through Christ

The practical outworking of God’s authority affects every aspect of our lives. The prophet Hosea captured this all-encompassing influence: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:3). King David testified to this experiential reality: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Through His spirit, God produces specific fruit in our lives. The prophet Isaiah described this work: “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). Solomon observed this provision: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (Proverbs 2:6-7).

God’s authority transforms our vision. The psalmist understood this changed sight: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Elisha’s servant experienced this transformed vision: “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

Authority Through Testing

God establishes His authority through testing and trials that reveal our dependence on Him. Abraham experienced this when God commanded: “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). Through such tests, we learn complete reliance on God’s authority.

Joseph’s testing in Egypt reveals how God works through difficult circumstances: “Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him” (Psalm 105:19). Through years of slavery and imprisonment, Joseph learned submission to God’s authority, eventually declaring to his brothers: “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20).

King Hezekiah’s experience shows how God proves His authority in our lives: “Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart” (2 Chronicles 32:31). Such testing reveals what truly rules our hearts.

The prophet Zechariah saw how this refining process works: “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:9). Through testing, God establishes His authority in ways that prosperity never could. Once proven through testing, this authority begins to manifest both inwardly and outwardly.

Manifesting His Authority

God’s authority shows itself publicly through those who have been proven through testing. The prophet Samuel demonstrated this: “And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:20-21).

Just as Moses’ face shone after being with God, His authority radiates through tested vessels: “And Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him” (Exodus 34:29-30). This outward manifestation flows naturally from submission to God’s authority.

The prophet Daniel exemplified how God’s authority becomes evident even to unbelievers: “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3). Like Joseph in Egypt, Daniel’s submission to God’s authority was recognized even by those who didn’t know God.

This manifestation brings both blessing and opposition. Queen Esther faced this reality when declaring, “and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Through yielding to God’s authority, salvation came to His people. Similarly, Nehemiah encountered resistance while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, yet declared “The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:20).

Walking Daily Under God’s Authority

Learning to walk under God’s authority requires specific practices that flow from His spirit. The book of Job shows us this daily dependence: “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:11-12). King David sought this constant relationship: “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me” (Psalm 63:8).

Our relationship with Scripture deepens through God’s spirit. The prophet Amos foresaw a time when spiritual hunger would surpass physical needs: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD” (Amos 8:11). The psalmist experienced this hunger: “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11).

Prayer flows naturally as we submit to God’s authority. Hannah demonstrated this heart communion: “for I have poured out my soul before the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:15). The prophet Isaiah described this intimate fellowship: “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

Making decisions under God’s authority means depending on His wisdom. Solomon understood this: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1). The prophet Isaiah described this guidance: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). This daily walk leads to deeper awareness of His presence.

Living in God’s Presence

The practical implications of God’s authority profoundly affect our daily experience. Moses understood this reality when he declared, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). The psalmist Asaph captured this intimacy: “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:23-24).

From this place of intimacy, we learn God’s ways and purposes. The prophet Samuel demonstrated this learning process: “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). King Solomon described this growing wisdom: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (Proverbs 2:6-7).

Understanding our position under God’s authority changes how we function in daily life. The prophet Habakkuk expressed this transformed perspective: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places” (Habakkuk 3:18-19). This elevation above circumstances comes as we submit to His authority.

Regular communion with God transforms how we view all situations. Job learned this truth through trials: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5). The psalmist described this changed perception: “In thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Through His spirit, we gain God’s perspective on every circumstance. This awareness of His presence naturally leads to deeper communion.

Talking with God Through His Spirit

Understanding how we commune with God through His spirit transforms our concept of prayer. The prophet Samuel’s mother Hannah demonstrated this heart communion: “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard” (1 Samuel 1:13). This internal communion surpasses external forms of prayer.

The spirit’s intercession flows from our union with Christ. King David experienced this intimate fellowship: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7). The prophet Isaiah described this direct access: “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9).

Our communication becomes natural and continuous as we yield to His authority. The prophet Jeremiah revealed this constant dialogue: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). The psalmist lived in this continuous awareness: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17).

True prayer flows from Christ’s mind operating within us. The prophet Zephaniah foresaw this pure communion: “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9). This purity of communion leads to deeper transformation through His authority.

Transformation Through God’s Authority

This walk under God’s authority produces deep internal transformation. The prophet Ezekiel saw this change: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). The psalmist spoke of this internal work: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Our old nature gives way to Christ’s nature as we are caused to yield to His indwelling life. The prophet Isaiah described this exchange: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). Job witnessed this transformation: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

The spirit’s work aligns our will with God’s purposes. Samuel captured this alignment when he declared, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). The prophet Micah understood this internal reality: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

This transformation affects how we relate to others. King Solomon described this changed perspective: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1). The prophet Malachi saw how true relationship flows from God’s life within: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16).

Conclusion

The throne above the mercy seat reveals God’s authority now manifested through Christ’s indwelling presence. The prophet Haggai foresaw this greater glory: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace” (Haggai 2:9). This reality fulfills what the physical pattern foreshadowed – God dwelling with and in His people.

Living under God’s authority means yielding to Christ’s life within us. The prophet Isaiah captured this yielded life: “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8). This internal work surpasses external religious observance, as Hosea declared: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

The practical outworking of this authority touches every aspect of our lives. King David understood this complete influence: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The prophet Jeremiah experienced this internal guidance: “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9).

As we conclude this study on God’s authority through Christ’s indwelling, let us remember the prophet Zechariah’s vision: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Looking ahead to our next study on “The Living Temple – Christ in You,” we anticipate discovering deeper dimensions of this reality, for as Solomon declared, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee” (1 Kings 8:27).

May we, like the prophet Isaiah, respond to this indwelling presence: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8). For in Christ, this reality of God’s authority expressed through His indwelling presence has become our daily experience and eternal privilege.

Next Study

Having explored God’s authority manifested through Christ’s indwelling presence, we next turn to examine an even deeper reality – that we are now God’s living temple. As Paul declares, “know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Part 7, “The Living Temple – Christ in You,” will explore how the physical temple pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ dwelling in His people. We’ll study how believers are “living stones, are built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5), and what it means that “Christ in you, [is] the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Join us as we discover how God’s promise “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) becomes living reality through Christ’s indwelling life. We’ll examine not only our individual experience as temples of God but also our corporate reality as “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).

Rev 4:6-7 – Part 7, 16 Characteristics

Posted March 8, 2024

This study will cover the last three characteristics which are common to chapters 1 and 10 of the book of Ezekiel concerning the description of the throne of God and the four beast in the middle of and around God’s throne.

Our first characteristic in today’s study is:

14)  A blue throne is common to both chapters.

A sapphire blue throne is seen above the sapphire blue firmament over the heads of the four living creatures, showing us that in the heavens the creatures are subject to him who first sits upon the blue throne in “the likeness as the appearance of a man”, the “son of man.”

Eze 1:26  And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

Eze 10:1  Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

It is “in the middle of and round about” this blue throne that these figures of those who are redeemed out of every nation are seated with Christ and His Father.

Rev 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Rev 4:2  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Rev 4:3  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
Rev 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7  And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
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.

As noted above concerning the color of the firmament, sapphires may come in other colors, but they are generally blue. The throne, we are told is blue. Everything pertaining to spiritual significance of the color of the firmament is also true for the spiritual significance of the color of the throne which is upon that firmament. In our study on the spiritual significance of colors in scripture, we saw that the color blue is associated with the things of the heavens themselves. That is especially true as it pertains to these patterns and figures of the true heavens, which we are now considering.

15)  The likeness of a man is common to both chapters 1 and chapter 10. In part 4 of this study of Revelation 4, we covered the four faces of the four living creatures, and we noted that one of those four faces was “the face of a man.” Another characteristic of these four living creatures is the fact that their overall appearance was “the lines of a man” which is mentioned in both chapters:

Eze 1:5  Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

Eze 10:21  Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

It all serves to confirm who these four living creatures tell us they signify:

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

These are the same words used to describe the Lord’s firstfruits who will be “kings and priest with Christ for a thousand years and then judge angels with Christ in the lake of fire:

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Reigning on the earth with Christ takes place after the “blessed and holy… first resurrection, which Christ called “the resurrection of life”, and which He contrasted with “the resurrection of judgment” for those who are not judged in this present life:

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [G2920: krisis, judgment, the great white throne judgment/ lake of fire/second death].

It will be those signified by these “four beasts in the midst of and round about the throne”, these “four living creatures of Daniel 1 and 10, who will live and reign with Christ over the kingdoms of this world” (Rev 11:15) for a thousand years:

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.
Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands [signified by “four beasts; four living creatures”]; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

These are the exceeding great and precious promises given to us by our Lord for no reason other than “it pleased him” (1Co 12:18, 1Co 15:38, Col 1:19)

Gen 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram [“if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Gal 3:29)] I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

16) The glory of the Lord is common to both chapters 1 and 10.

Both chapters are a description of “the glory of the Lord”, and just as in the book of Revelation, ‘the glory of the Lord’ is described as being “the appearance of the brightness… of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain.”

Eze 1:28  As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so [was] the appearance of the brightness round about. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw [it], I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Eze 10:4  Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, [and stood] over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’S glory.

Rev 4:2  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Rev 4:3  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

How does God display His glory? God’s glory and His sovereignty are revealed in His elect.  Our entire lives are to be in His service and to His glory “as the voice of Almighty God.”

Rom 15:7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

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.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Summary

These are sixteen characteristics of the patterns and figures of the heavenly things themselves. They are all concerning the “glory of the Lord that that is to be revealed in us.”

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

They are:

1) The cloud in which this whole scene is revealed, which cloud we all are.
2) The four living creatures of Ezekiel 1, called cherubims in Ezekiel 10, and called four beasts throughout the book of Revelation.
3) Their four faces, said to be all four common to each creature in Ezekiel, and revealed to also be distinct creatures each one with one of these four faces, in the book of Revelation, and demonstrated as such in each of the four gospels.
4) The four wings of these four living creatures or four cherubims, represent the faith which the whole body of God’s elect have in the promised protection of our heavenly Father. We are “the apple of His eye”, and He will “never leave nor forsake us” (Heb 13:5).

Zec 2:8  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Heb 13:5  Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “ I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.” (WEB)

5) “The hands of a man under the wings of the four living creatures” demonstrate for us that God has placed His entire work in the hands of “the man Christ Jesus.”

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

As His Father has placed His work in “the hands” of “the man Christ Jesus”, Christ has in turn, placed the work His Father gave Him into “the hands” of His Christ.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

There is great peace in knowing that we are all in the hands of “the man, Christ Jesus” and that He has sent us as His Father sent Him. The “hands of a man” demonstrate who these four living creatures are. They four have “the hands of a man, the face of a man and the appearance of a man.” They are redeemed of mankind out of every nation on earth, and they will reign with Him over the kingdoms of this world for a thousand years.

6) “They turned not when they went” (Eze 1:17). Being sent by Christ as He is sent by His Father, these four living creatures “turn not as they go” simply because all things are being worked after the counsel of God’s own will, and there is “no shadow of turning with Him.”

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

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Every move made by these four living creatures was “written in His book, even the days ordained for them, before there were any of those days.”

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

7)  “Whither the spirit was to go they went” is common to both chapters one and ten.

This singleness of mind demonstrates for us the unity that is in the body of the Christ. The Christ is not a schizophrenic, and there are no conflicting doctrines and denominations in the church which is His body.

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:

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 [no denominations] among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1Co 12:25  that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

8) The “one likeness” of the four wheels “upon the earth” is common to both chapters.

“One likeness” demonstrates the “one event” that is common to all men. “They four had one likeness.” ‘Four’ is spiritual language for the whole of any given subject, and the subject with which these four wheels are concerned is the whole of God’s elect, to whom “all things come alike.”  “That one likeness is the “one event” which “comes alike to all.”

“Each in his own order” will experience the revelation of Jesus 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.

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

9) The work of the four wheels was as it were a wheel within a wheel, is common to both chapters.

“A wheel within a wheel” signifies and demonstrates the secret which has been hidden from the generations but is now revealed to us. It is the outgrowth of knowing that Christ is in His Father, and His Father is in Him. The spiritual significance of the wheel within a wheel is Christ in us and us in Him.

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

Col 1:26  even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,
Col 1:27  to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The “wheel within a wheel” is “ye in me, and I in you.”

10) The color of the wheels is the color of a beryl stone, is common to both chapters.

Beryl is blue, and Christ’s body is also the color of a beryl stone. Blue is the color of the heavens. This tells us that if we are like Christ, then we, too, are the color of beryl and fire, because we are “as He is in this world.”

Eze 8:2  Then I beheld, and, lo, a likeness as the appearance of fire; from the appearance of his loins and downward, fire; and from his loins and upward, as the appearance of brightness, as it were glowing metal.

Dan 10:6  his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

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

Christ came to bring fire. If we are like Him, then our words will also be the fiery Words that He spoke.

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 11:5  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.

Beryl typifies the fire that is the word of God in all those who are His. A blue flame is what a welder wants because it is so hot.

11) The wheels being “full of eyes round about” is in both chapters.

These eyes signify the spiritual understanding and spiritually seeing the things of the spirit. Seeing and understanding that “all things are ours” is seeing everything by being “full of eyes round about.”

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, 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.
1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

It requires being “full of eyes round about” to see and to understand that “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Very few have eyes to see or ears to hear those words:

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

12) The firmament above the four creatures is under the throne in both chapters.

This ‘firmament’ signifies the time and work in which we are  hammered out and conformed by the Lord and His Word into the image of His Son. The root of the word firmament means to hammer out.

Gen 1:7  And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
Gen 1:8  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

The color of the firmament is blue, like the color of the throne above the firmament. Both signify the heavens of our hearts and minds but the one is below the other, as we are the progressive work of our Savior who is above us, as the head is above the body.

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

13) The sound of the wings is as the sound of many waters and as the voice of the Almighty is common to both chapters.

Eze 1:24  And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

Eze 10:5  And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

The sound of the wings of the four living creatures is the word of God in these cherubims who are the figures of the true heavens which ‘true heavens’ speak forth the truths of the king of the kingdom of the heavens.

14) The blue throne upon the blue firmament is found in both chapters.

This blue throne and blue firmament are the figure of the heavens themselves where in Christ is king and in whose hearts and minds He rules as sovereign in all things. Christ is said to sit upon both His throne, “clothed with a cloud” (Rev 10:1). This is the throne where we are to reign with Christ. It is the throne in the heavens where Christ and His Father dwell, and it is the throne on which we are seated with both Christ and His Father.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

15) The likeness of a man is the overall description of these four living creatures:

Eze 1:5  Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

Eze 10:21  Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

16) Our final figure of the things of the true heavens which is common to both chapter 1 and chapter 10 of Ezekiel is “the glory of the Lord.”

We are the true heavens and we are that glory.  It is in us that He is glorified, and we glory in Him:

1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

2Co 10:17  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

2Th 1:10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

This concludes our study of the throne of God as described to us in Revelation 4. This is the glory of the place where the Lord and His Father dwell.

[Study Aired December 30, 2021]

1Ki 8:14  And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) 
1Ki 8:15  And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
1Ki 8:16  Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. 
1Ki 8:17  And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 
1Ki 8:18  And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. 
1Ki 8:19  Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name. 
1Ki 8:20  And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 
1Ki 8:21  And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. 
1Ki 8:22  And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 
1Ki 8:23  And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: 
1Ki 8:24  Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. 
1Ki 8:25  Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
1Ki 8:26  And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.
1Ki 8:27  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
1Ki 8:28  Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
1Ki 8:29  That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

The title of our study is taken from John 14:12 which reads “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” It is with this statement of Christ that we are being reminded of the certainty of the fruit in our lives that has been prophesied to come forth (Joh 15:16) as a result of the life of Christ within us (Col 1:27). It is “because I go unto my Father” which was expedient for Christ to do (Joh 16:7) we can be assured that what God has predestined to be fulfilled in our lives will be accomplished through Him who is the vine. As we abide in Him, we will bring “forth much fruit” (Joh 15:5).

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

[Who brings forth much fruit within the gentile flesh that I abide in through spiritual circumcision (Rom 2:28-29) “that ye should go and bring forth fruit“]

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

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The temple of Solomon is now complete, and Solomon, who is a type of the elect, typifies those who have Christ’s spirit within them. Solomon is now proclaiming, in type and shadow, the blessing that is ours unto which we have been called (1Pe 3:9) and that is to be God’s workmanship who will be a blessing for the rest of the world, given as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1, Joh 3:16).  We are ordained to bring forth much fruit through the faith of Christ (Joh 15:16, Rom 7:4, Rom 7:24-25, Luk 22:32), having become the apple of God’s eye through Christ, and a light unto the Gentiles (Act 13:47) as a result of His life in us (Rom 8:9).

1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (1Jn 4:17), that whosoever believeth (Joh 6:28-29) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, 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.

It is those who believe and abide, or continue, in the truth (Joh 8:31-36), who have been given eyes to see and ears to hear where our hope resides (Mar 4:11, Col 1:27). Then, with these things in mind, we will look at this section of Kings which points to that hope of glory within, via the typical language of king Solomon. Solomon is now able to bless the nation of Israel from the completed temple that represents the mature life of Christ in us which will be used to bless all the nations of the world in time.

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? [Mat 24:13]
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. [“If ye continue^G3306 in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (Joh 6:44)]

1Ki 8:14  And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood; ) 

The whole or “all the congregation of Israel stood” is typical of all the world beholding the salvation of God as they stand (Act 1:10-11, Exo 14:13, Deu 18:6-7).

Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 
Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven [in time into the hearts and minds of all of God’s creation].

Exo 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 

Deu 18:6  And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose; 
Deu 18:7  Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.

It is when “the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel” that they were told of the blessing that God was bringing to them that came about by His choosing, “David to be over my people Israel“. David represents Christ, and Solomon represents those who have been granted to turn their faces about and see what God is doing within our lives which is represented by the temple (Rev 1:10-12).

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 
Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

1Ki 8:15  And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, 
1Ki 8:16  Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. 
1Ki 8:17  And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

Solomon’s blessing, given before the congregation of Israel, is a shadow of these words in Revelation 4:10-11 and 1 Chronicles 29:14 that God’s elect will profess before all the world and that we declare to each other as we witness His power working in our lives (Rev 11:3).

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.

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

It is David, who is a type of Christ, through whom the Father spoke (Joh 1:1-4), and so when we read of this event, it is typical of our heavenly Father speaking through Christ, the YAHWEH of the Old Covenant. “The LORD God of Israel” who “spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it.” Christ came to reveal the Father and was speaking only what the Father had predestined Him to say (Joh 12:49-50).

Joh 12:49  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Joh 12:50  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

What David spoke was a declaration of what Christ would declare while He was on earth, and that is, “Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.” This statement is symbolic language telling us that many are called and few are chosen. God “brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein” represents the many called but not chosen to have the life of Christ within them, and “but I chose David to be over my people Israel” represents Christ and His body who are chosen^G1588 out of the called^G2822 (Mat 20:16).

Mat 20:16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called^G2822, but few chosen^G1588.

G2822klētos klay-tos’

From the same as G2821; invited, that is, appointed, or (specifically) a saint: – called.

Total KJV occurrences: 11

G1588 eklektos ek-lek-tos’

From G1586; select; by implication favorite: – chosen, elect.

Total KJV occurrences: 23

Then we’re told in 1 Kings 8:17 that “it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel” which further confirms that David is a type of Christ whose desire was to drink of the fruit of the vine with the body of Christ but plainly said “For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.” It is when the kingdom of God comes within us (Luk 17:21) that a “house for the name of the LORD God of Israel” is built by Christ (Psa 127:1). However, it is Solomon who typifies the elect through whom God builds this new creation, doing greater works than Christ as Solomon did greater works than David, typified by the building of the temple which we are (Joh 14:12, 1Co 3:16). The words  “greater works than these shall he do” means God’s elect are blessed to be able to be instrumental in the conversion of someone which Christ, while he was in the flesh, never did (1Ti 4:16).

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue^G1961 in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1Ki 8:18  And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. 
1Ki 8:19  Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

These two verses (1Ki 8:18-19) are saying the same thing as 1Kings 8:16-17, that it was in Christ’s “heart to build an house unto my name” (Luk 22:15) as it was in David’s. That desire would be accomplished in time but was not going to be accomplished while Christ was in His flesh (Joh 16:7). The true spiritual communion we have in Christ was not going to be realized until the holy spirit was given on Pentecost, making it then (and only then) possible for Christ’s disciples to be as Him (1Jn 4:17) having the same desire “to eat this passover with you before I suffer” which is how the spiritual house is built (Luk 18:34, 1Co 10:16). Breaking bread and drinking wine at the Passover were symbols that revealed how the word of God nourishes the body and prepares our hearts to endure the suffering required in this life if we are going to mature in Christ and rule with Him in the next (2Ti 2:12-13). It sounds like the scriptures are saying that David of himself did well to have this desire in his heart to build the temple, but the sum of God’s word tells us otherwise: “thou didst well that it was in thine heart” (Pro 16:1).

Luk 22:15  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

Luk 18:34  And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. 

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

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 
2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself [Joh 10:28-29, Mat 16:18].

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 

“Nevertheless” is a word that means ‘never what we want in our fleshly desires, but God’s will be done’, which Christ always submitted to while He was on the earth, and this is what God’s elect pray is being accomplished in our lives now as it was in His (Luk 22:42, 1Jn 4:17). So Christ himself would “not build the house” which was not God’s will for him, but His sons “thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name” (Joh 16:7). Abraham, who is a type of Christ, reminds us of this point (Gen 15:2-6). We are so few now who are being used to build that house with God’s spirit within us, but we know that in time Christ’s other fold will be saved, and God will ultimately be all in all (Joh 10:16, Gal 4:27, Rev 19:7, 1Co 15:28).

Gen 15:2  And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 
Gen 15:3  And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 
Gen 15:4  And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. [“thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins” (Gal 3:16)]
Gen 15:5  And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be [Gal 4:27].
Gen 15:6  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd [1Co 15:28].

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

1Ki 8:20  And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 
1Ki 8:21  And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. 
1Ki 8:22  And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

The first section of this verse reminds us that we are raised in heavenly places with Christ: “I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel” (Eph 2:4-7), Solomon, being a type of the elect, “risen up in the room of David my father” and David being a type of Christ our Olam^H5769 Father. (Deu 32:39-40, Eph 2:6)

With Christ as our high priest (Heb 4:15-16), we are promised we can be more than conquerors through Him, just as the covenant of the Lord being within the ark is symbolic language telling us we will overcome through the exceedingly great and precious promises of God (2Pe 1:4). We will overcome the powers and principalities we wrestle against through Christ, which overcoming is typified by the covenant (‘promise’ Exo 19:5, Luk 24:49) that the LORD “made with our fathers” when “he brought them out of the land of Egypt“.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust [Tit 2:11-12].

“Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven” is a shadow of God’s elect that tells us when we are before the altar of God which is symbolic of the cross, we can then spread forth our hands toward heaven to bless others as a wave sheaf offering (Lev 23:17), or like the cherubim that sat on the ark with wings that were “spread forth” symbolizing the mercy that God will extend to all the world one day as a mother hen does her chicks (Mat 23:37).

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

1Ki 8:23  And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: 
1Ki 8:24  Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand^H3027, as it is this day.

We serve a merciful God who “keepest covenant” meaning what God has promised to do, He will do (Heb 6:18-19), and what He has promised to God’s elect in this age is that He is going to show “mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart“. That mercy is expressed through “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” that leads us to repentance in this age, which we are not to despise (Rom 2:4) as we seek the Lord with all our hearts (Heb 11:6-7, Jer 29:13-14). The corruption of this world is escaped by giving all diligence and following these steps outlined in 2 Peter 1:4-12.) Do we rip the veil with Christ in us (Rom 5:10)? The answer is yes, and we are called to believe that the One who we are committing our ways unto is faithful, and promises we will be more than conquerors through Him (1Pe 4:19).

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: [Rom 8:25]
Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

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.

[God turns away our captivity by blessing us to move with fear as we build the ark which is represented by the church, Christ’s body (Col 1:24), that is being led by God’s holy spirit (Rom 8:14)]

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet [Rom 8:25], moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

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

David is again mentioned, in context with this covenant of mercy, as a type of Christ who brings to the body of Christ the understanding that we have been given promises which are exceedingly great and precious (2Pe 1:4). “Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand^H3027, as it is this day” tells us that all of God’s desire is going to be fulfilled in each of the elect’s lives by God’s power (Heb 10:7, 1Jn 4:17, Php 2:12-13). As God accomplishes His will through the body of Christ, we are told not to murmur which is the bad fruit of despising “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” that leads us to repentance.

Heb 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 

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:

1Ki 8:25  Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. 
1Ki 8:26  And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. 

If the LORD God of Israel will keep “with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him“, the gates of hell will not prevail against the church (Mat 16:18), which is what this symbolic statement means: “There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel.” Why this must happen is “so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me“, meaning because of God’s purpose being fulfilled in the body of Christ through God’s power, the world will in time “take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

Solomon, who is a type of the elect, goes on to say “And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified^H539, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father“, demonstrating the right desire to want to see God’s plan move forward through the judgment of the rest of His creation brought about by God’s word being spoken, which words are the fiery words of eternal life (Rom 10:1, Num 11:29, Rev 6:10, Jer 5:14).

verified  H539  ‘âman  aw-man’

A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (in Isa 30:21; by interchange for H541) to go to the right hand: – hence assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right.

Total KJV occurrences: 108

Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Num 11:29  And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! 

Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [Our blood is avenged by fulfilling its purpose of washing the sins of the world, seeing our blood has now become the blood of Christ, his bones and flesh that will devour all carnality in time (Eph 5:30, Oba 1:21, Jer 5:14)]

1Ki 8:27  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? 

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” was answered to Philip with this verse (Joh 14:9), written for our sakes to help us understand our relationship with our heavenly Father and Christ “at that day” (Joh 5:30, 2Co 3:5, Joh 14:20). We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling knowing that it is God who is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:12-13).

If ever there was a verse that witnesses to the fact that we have God’s spirit in earnest (Eph 1 :14) this would be the one: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”. We are those marred vessels that must be made new again (Jer 18:4), weak and “not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof” (Luk 7:6). Yet “he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psa 103:14). “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all” (Psa 103:17-19, Heb 12:2, Php 1:6).

It is only by the power of God that we, as His body, can be partakers with Christ and strengthened “in the inner man that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts by faith” (2Co 13:4, Eph 3:16-19, Joh 15:5, Col 1:24, 1Pe 1:3-5).

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 
Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 
Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 
Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

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: 

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 
1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1Ki 8:28  Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

The verses that show us God would have “respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication” can be found in 1 John 5:14 and John 16:23-24, to name a few. David is typified as Christ through whom our prayers are accepted, which is what “respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication” is a shadow of (Eph 1:6).

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1Ki 8:29  That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. 

This last verse of our study reminds us again that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church if we are the apple of His eye (Zec 2:8). He is wakeful over His word so “that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place“, symbolized also by the sparrows that over which He watches, and whether they live or die, it is unto the Lord because of our belief (Jer 1:12, Mat 10:29, Rom 14:8). This concept ties in with our title for this study taken from John 14:12,  which reads, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Jer 1:12  Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Mat 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [“The works that I do shall he do also” (Lev 14:5-7)].

Rom 14:8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

God is the one who is making a holy people unto Himself which is what “my name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place” symbolizes, and this is being done for the purpose of perfecting praise within us as we worship Him in spirit and in truth for the wonderful works (Rom 2:4, Pro 3:11, Gal 6:9) He is doing unto the children of men (Joh 4:23-24, Psa 107:8, Psa 107:15, Psa 107:21, Psa 107:31), which we will look at more closely next week, Lord willing.

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh [1Pe 4:17], and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

[Study Aired October 14, 2021]

1Ki 6:13  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
1Ki 6:14  So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
1Ki 6:15  And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.
1Ki 6:16  And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
1Ki 6:17  And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
1Ki 6:18  And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
1Ki 6:19  And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1Ki 6:20  And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
1Ki 6:21  So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
1Ki 6:22  And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

God’s faithfulness was witnessed to Israel and pronounced with this verse: “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel“.

The spiritual fulfillment of this statement for God’s elect today, who are the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), is realized through the faith of Christ which is a gift of God (Eph 2:8). It is the faithfulness of Christ within us doing the work of God both to will and to do (Php 2:12-13) that Christ’s body, which is the church (Col 1:24), comes to learn of “at that day”, as we become persuaded of His faithfulness to finish what He has started in us and that nothing can prevail against His purpose for God’s elect (Joh 14:20-22, Mat 16:18, Rom 8:38-39).

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

1Ki 6:13  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

Notice in John 14:21 and our first verse of 1Kings 6:13 where the same pattern arises telling us that keeping God’s commandments is the reason why God and Christ abide with us and make their abode with us, or manifest themselves to us.

Israel’s relationship with God and their obedience or lack of obedience was for our sakes and was never meant to bring about conversion, only to be a type (1Pe 1:12) of the relationship God’s elect would now have with our Father and Christ where we worship them in spirit and in truth (Joh 17:3, Joh 4:23).

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him [possible with Christ].

1Ki 6:12  Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father [not possible without Christ]:

1Ki 6:13  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

As we look further into these verses in the book of Kings which speak about the various parts of the temple representing the body of Christ (1Co 3:16), we will see, Lord willing, how this temple was all fitly framed, with the exact measurements and materials needed, along with the exact design, all to give us hope that we are a many-membered body of Christ. As such we are able to grow in our care and love for one another because of the workmanship we have become in His hands being fitted to do the works He has set before us “prepared unto every good work” (2Ti 2:21). We are knit together in this relationship through our Father and Christ so that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1Co 12:12-26).

This relationship we share is being accomplished “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” that makes it possible for us to help each other come into the same unity of faith (Eph 4:13-16, 1Jn 5:4). That gift gives us the ability to overcome the world by bearing each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Eph 2:8-10, Gal 6:2-10).

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.

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

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another [Joh 21:22].
Gal 6:5  For every man shall bear his own burden [“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”].

With the mind of Christ which we have been given, a direct correlation can be drawn from all of the workmanship that is found in Solomon’s temple of what we are becoming through Christ as we’re given to remember that “he that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1Co 2:15-16). Judging all things means comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1Co 2:13-15) by using the physical creation, and especially the temple of God that tells us so much about Our Father and Christ and each of us who make up that temple.

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.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

In this study we will look further into those correlations and connections throughout the physical temple that reveals who we are in Christ (1Co 3:16), bearing in mind that it is only possible for us to know what we know because of the mercy God has extended to us by giving us eyes to see and ears to hear (Mat 13:11-13) that make it possible for us to know our first verse tonight which says “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel” and is a reminder to God’s elect that He is faithful who has begun this good work in you and will accomplish it (Php 1:10-11, Php 1:6, Rom 8:9).

Php 1:10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Php 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,  which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform^G2005 [G5692 = future tense] it until the day of Jesus Christ.

perform: ep-ee-tel-eh’-o – Strong’s: From G1909 and G5055; to fulfill further (or completely) that is execute; by implication to terminate undergo: – accomplish do finish (make) (perfect) perform (X -ance).

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, 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.

1Ki 6:13  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
1Ki 6:14  So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

God is dwelling among us right now in this earnest relationship we have in these marred vessels of clay (Eph 1:14) in which He tells us He is going to finish a work, through our hope of glory Jesus Christ who is working within each joint that is supplying that love of God, as is shown in these verses in 1Corinthians 12:12-14. These verses explain what it means to be one body with the same spirit).

1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

That is what we can take from this encouraging opening verse that uses the life of physical Israel to remind us what God is going to accomplish in the lives of “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:16) whom He will not forsake: “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel” (Col 1:27, Heb 12:2-3, Heb 13:5, 2Ti 2:13).

Christ will remain our faithful high priest accomplishing the saving work of grace through faith (Eph 2:8) that will drag us to that altar to which we are bound in this life as the body of Christ (Psa 118:27). He cannot deny Himself in this process of bringing the elect to see that this is a true statement, and therefore, through Christ, we are told we are more than conquerors despite all the tribulations and fiery trials we are promised in this life. In fact it is those fiery trials we go through that glorify God and give witness to the fact that we are more than conquerors through Him (Joh 6:44, Rom 8:34-36).

God does dwell among His people Israel, but not all Israel believed then, and not all of those who claim to be the Israel of God believe now (Heb 4:1-2, Rev 2:9-11). So, in type and shadow, the lives of the ancient Israelites are an admonition for us to be vigilant and sober (1Co 10:2-10) as their actions, or lack of actions, in their walk in the wilderness are written for our sakes upon whom the end of the ages have come (Rom 11:25-26, 1Co 10:11-12).

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

[Where there is a lack of faith there is a lack of fear, but the faith of Christ working in the elect, along with the chastening and scourging by which we are received of God who demonstrates His love through that correction, keeps us and preserves us unto salvation (1Jn 5:4, 1Co 15:57, Heb 12:6, 1Pe 4:12, Rom 2:4)]

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know  the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ [Heb 6:1-6].
1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness [Mat 22:14]
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand [Heb 4:1].
1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents [Heb 4:1].
1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; (forgetting that God has blinded Israel’s eyes and opened our eyes and ears to His righteousness and (Php 3:9, Luk 12:19, Isa 22:13), that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall [“lest ye should be wise in your own conceits“].

If we are granted to truly seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness, the spirit will bear witness that we are sons and daughters of this “household of faith” (Rom 8:14-16, Gal 6:10) who are labouring to enter into His rest by dying today (1Co 15:31), and not tomorrow in the lake of fire where humanity will die to their iniquities then (Mat 6:33-34, Psa 127:1, Heb 10:25).

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching [“and will not forsake my people Israel“].

1Ki 6:15  and he builds the walls of the house within with beams of cedar, from the floor of the house unto the walls of the ceiling; he has overlaid with wood the inside, and covers the floor of the house with ribs of fir. (CLV)

The boards^H6763 of cedar that covered the stone wall  and ceiling were like a plank overlay for this area of the temple.

Boards H6763 tsêlâ‛  tsal‛âh  tsay-law’, tsal-aw’
From H6760; a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, that is, leaf); hence a side, literally (of a person) or figuratively (of an object or the sky, that is, quarter); architecturally a timber (especially floor or ceiling) or plank (single or collectively, that is, a flooring): – beem, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib, side (chamber).

The “planks of fir^H1265” that covered the floor along with cedar that we find in this verse was also used in the ships of Tyrus that represent our time in the churches of Babylon in (Eze 27:3-5).

The mast of the first ‘mother ship’ we are called out of as His people (2Co 6:17) has us being driven about by every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14) with a mast that is made of cedar. The cedar that covers the ceiling of the temple of God is the positive use of that material representing our new purified minds of Christ that are raised in heavenly places (Eph 2:6) and led by the spirit of God (Rom 8:14).

The floor of the ship like the floor of the temple is made of fir^H1265 telling us that in our original state of walking with the Lord we were not the salt of the earth but rather those who defiled the word of God and said, “Lord, Lord” but did not do the things which He said, being driven about by our own lusts and worshipping Him in vain (Luk 6:46,  Mar 7:7). Christ’s words were not accompanied with God’s spirit, so those words could not be salted within us and became “good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” trodden under foot in the massive ships of Tyrus which represent the false religions of Babylon out of which God blessed us to exit (Mat 5:13).

Eze 27:3  And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
Eze 27:4  Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
Eze 27:5  They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

Mat 5:13  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Our nobility in this life comes from knowing God and Jesus Christ, our noble King (1Co 1:26, Joh 17:3) through whom we become part of that nobility through the holy spirit that makes it possible for us to be measured or judged (1Pe 4:17, Rev 11:1, 1Pe 2:9). When we judge ourselves we will not need to be judged in the second resurrection (1Co 11:31). Our walk or our conversation or our way of life is symbolized by those fir planks that covered the floor of the temple which are fitly framed and measured as a result of Christ working in our heavens, a desire both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure which is to sanctify and purify us so that our walk or way of life is pleasing to Him (Php 2:12-13). We only have to look at the entries of the word “noble” to see what our Father in heaven considers to be noble. What we will find is that it is those who fight a good fight of faith, and labour in the word today who God is using to lay the floor of the temple of God with fir planks^H1265. God’s elect must be measured and fitted which is what is happening when we are given to judge ourselves now. That judgment creates the humble and contrite spirit we need to be placed in the body where it pleases God, where we will operate in the measure of faith given to us (1Co 11:31, 1Co 12:18, Rom 12:3).

Fir H1265
– Original: בu1468 רu1493 שu1473
– Transliteration: Barowsh
– Phonetic: ber-osh’
– Definition:
1. cypress, fir, juniper, pine
a. a noble tree (lit.)
b. of stateliness (fig.)
c. material for temple
– Origin: of uncertain derivation
– TWOT entry: 289a
– Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
– Strong’s: Of uncertain derivation; a cypress tree (perhaps); hence a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood): – fir (tree).
Total KJV Occurrences: 20
•fir, 7
2Sa_6:5; 1Ki_5:8; 1Ki_5:10; 1Ki_6:15; 1Ki_6:34; 1Ki_9:11; 2Ch_3:5
• tree, 5
Isa_41:19; Isa_55:13; Isa_60:13; Hos_14:8; Zec_11:2
•trees, 8
2Ki_19:23; 2Ch_2:8; Psa_104:17; Isa_14:8; Isa_37:24; Eze_27:5; Eze_31:8; Nah_2:3

Noble G2104
– Original: εu965 ̓u947 εu769 νu951 ςpar 
– Transliteration: Eugenes
– Phonetic: yoog-en’-ace
– Definition:
1. well born, of a noble family
2. noble minded
– Origin: from G2095 and G1096
– TDNT entry: None
– Part(s) of speech: Adjective
– Strong’s: From G2095 and G1096; well born that is (literally) high in rank or (figuratively) generous: – more noble nobleman.

Total KJV Occurrences: 2
•noble, 2
Act_17:11; 1Co_1:26

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

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

[Rightly dividing those old false doctrines represented by the fir planks that made up the ships of Tyrus which represent our taking God’s word and wrapping it around the idol of our hearts instead of becoming teachable children, which is what brings about the nobility of Christ’s life in us that must increase as we decrease (Mat 18:3)]

1Ki 6:16  And he builds the twenty cubits on the sides of the house with ribs of cedar, from the floor unto the walls; and he builds for it within, for the oracle, for the holy of holies. (CLV)

Now we are speaking about “the sides of the house” where cedar is used “from the floor unto [or to] the walls” (CLV, YLT, LITV) or “from the floor as far as the cross-beams” (Rotherham). KJV is a poor translation using the word ‘both’ in this instance (“both the floor^{H4480 H7172} of the house, and the walls of the ceiling” of verse 15 and “both^H4480 the floor^H7172 and the walls with boards of cedar” of verse 16), contradicting verse 15 where we are specifically told that planks of fir are used for the floor.

Cedar was also used to build the mast, which is the highest part of the ship (Eze 27:5), representing our high and lofty thoughts while we are in Babylon that must be humbled by “the sides of the house“.

Eze 27:5  They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

The idea of being humbled in the presence of God is a theme that runs throughout God’s word, and the fir flooring reminds us that God resists the proud but gives grace unto the lowly (Jas 4:6-7). When we come to the oracle, or the holy of holies, we learn of the true nature of our Father and Christ which is grounded in humility which is represented by the fir flooring (Joh 10:30-31, Isa 53:7, 1Pe 5:6, 1Jn 4:17). We are truly one with our Father and Christ when we are humbled in this life (Luk 18:19, Joh 10:30). God gives us an experience of evil in Babylon that humbles us, symbolized by the fir planks on the floor of the ships of Tyrus. The planks of fir in the oracle on the floor are the positive use of fir that represents our new conversation or walk in the Lord that has been humbled by the fiery trials of this life which represent the floors that are covered with gold. While ‘walking the planks’ in Babylon’s mother ship we really are dead men burying dead men! Pun intended!

Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.
Joh 10:31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

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.

1Ki 6:17  And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.

“And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long” describes the part of God’s temple that is before the most holy place and it is “forty cubits long“, twice as long as the most holy place which has a length and breadth of twenty cubits (1Ki 6:20).

The word “before” is Strong’s number H3942 defined as ‘before, to the face of‘ in this verse and helps us unravel what these dimensions symbolize for us. We are to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” while we are in these earthen vessels (Heb 4:16). That grace or favour is found through Jesus Christ who is “the faithful witness” and our Great high priest (Rev 1:5, Heb 4:14-15). The dimensions of the holiest place symbolize that point, twenty cubits length and breadth, pointing to the faithful witness (2) that Christ is, was and will be (2Ch 3:8, Heb 13:8).

2Ch 3:8  And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.

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

Our relationship in the flesh, and Christ’s relationship with our Father while he was in the flesh, is also a witness (Rev 11:3) of an earnest relationship (Eph 1:14) which needs to go through much tribulation, symbolized by the forty cubits, in order to go onto perfection (Act 4:26-28, Luk 13:32). The day will come when God’s elect will no longer see through a glass darkly, which is the earnest relationship we are experiencing now with the treasure of Christ’s life hidden in these earthen vessels (2Co 4:7, Col 1:27). “For now we see through a glass, darkly [40 cubits]; but then face to face [20 cubits]: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1Co 13:12).

1Ki 6:18  And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.

“No stone seen” is another way of saying we are hidden in Christ the rock upon which the temple is built (1Ki 6:7, Col 3:3, Mat 16:18).

1Ki 6:7  And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And “the cedar of the house within was carved with knops^H6497 and open flowers^H6731” tells us that within the hearts and minds of Christ’s bride a new heart is being fashioned by God (Eze 36:26) who is skillfully directing our lives according to the counsel of his will (Eph 1:11), which Will has been predetermined from the foundation of the world to bring forth fruit as God’s kind of first fruits (Jas 1:18) symbolized by these “knops^H6497” that are accompanied with “open flowers^H6731” which is a symbol of the righteousness of Christ, that has been supernaturally given to us, as was also foreshadowed with Aaron’s rod that budded making it possible by the power of God’s holy spirit typified by Aaron’s rod to see “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Num 17:8, Rom 8:28).

knops H6497 peh’-kah

From an unused root meaning to burst; only used as an architectural term of an ornament similar to H6498, a semi-globe: – knop.
open flowers H6731  tseets, tseets

From H6692; properly glistening, that is, a burnished plate; also a flower (as bright colored); a wing (as gleaming in the air): – blossom, flower, plate, wing.

Num 17:8  And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed^H6692  blossoms^H6731, and yielded almonds.

1Ki 6:19  And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 
1Ki 6:20  And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.

The “oracle he prepared in the house within” represents that holiest place of all where Christ went so that we could be redeemed by our high priest (Joh 16:7, Joh 20:17). Redemption is a process that happens when we are judged of God and so “the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof” to symbolize that process of judgment (3) that is being accomplished through Christ (20) who is the true witness accomplishing these works within us (Rev 3:14, Php 2:12-13).

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

As we just read, “to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD“, the holiest place has to be prepared and Christ being our high priest is prepared now to strengthen, settle and establish us in this life (1Pe 5:10). He is preparing His bride unto every good work now having been raised as our high priest for that purpose (2Ti 2:20-21, Joh 14:12, Heb 4:14-16). The “ark of the covenant of the LORD” houses these items spoken of in (Heb 9:4) that represent His power within us, the spiritual word of God that has been purified through the trials of this life that bring “the ark of the covenant” that represents our life in Christ, to be set there in “the oracle“. Said another way “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [“the oracle“] I will build my church [“the ark of the covenant“]; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”(Mat 16:18).

The oracle that represents the holiest place where Christ  abides was overlaid “with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar” reminding us that Christ was also delivered from His sinful flesh and identifies with His creation (Heb 4:15) as symbolized by the altar made of cedar that was ‘overlaid with pure gold’. Cedar represents the flesh of any and all men, however Cedar that has been covered “with pure gold” represents a life that has suffered and been made ready to rule (Php 2:8-9).

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:

1Ki 6:21  So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
1Ki 6:22  And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

The outward adorning of the temple is being positively reflected through stages of growth symbolized by the stone layer then a wood layer and then the gold layer that was overlaid on the wood. The gold is beaten and thinned out so much that it can be worked with in a manner where it can cover or be overlaid with this precious gold (Act 14:22). The symbolism is hard to miss seeing we know gold in the positive use of the word represents the righteousness of Christ with which God’s elect are granted to be arrayed (Rev 19:8). The process that purifies the beaten gold so it can be overlaid, or arrayed, if you will, on Christ’s bride is found in these verses (Rev 3:18-19, 2Ti 2:21).

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

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 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent [Heb 12:6].

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.

Gold that has been purified and used to overlay the various parts of the temple of God represents Christ’s righteousness which is given to us as a gift from God. The bride, as we mentioned earlier, is adorned, and because we know the temple represents the body of Christ which represents the church which is his body and the bride of Christ (Col 1:24), we can therefore say that the adorning of the bride is the adorning of the temple. The temple is adorned with purified gold which represents the righteousness of Christ, as does the linen with which the bride of Christ is covered is the righteousness of the saints (Php 3:9, Rom 5:17, Rev 19:8).

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:

Rom 5:17  For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

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

With these points in mind, we can now look at what was specifically covered with gold overlay. What we learn is that “Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold; and he overlaid it with gold” and “the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house” and “the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold“.

These were the three major areas that were covered with gold telling us that there is an ongoing process of judgment in this life that is needed in order to bring every thought into subjection to God (2Co 10:5). When we bring our thoughts “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”, those words are purified and become fitly spoken words that are as apples of gold in pictures of silver that cover the temple that we are (Pro 25:11).

This last point regarding the “partition by the chains of gold before the oracle” ties into the title taken from the first verse that reads, “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel“. God promises us that the son of God will set us free (Joh 8:36) and that no one can take us out of His hand (Joh 10:28), and that we are bound to the altar (Psa 118:27). All these powerful promises of overcoming the bonds of sin are why there is “a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold“.

The judgment that comes upon God’s people is what is represented by the first time the word “chain” is used in the bible in Ezekiel 7:23-24.

Eze 7:23  Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
Eze 7:24  Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.

All the violence in the land represents our own sinful nature that cannot be overcome except the Lord delivers us (Psa 127:1). God can always and does delivers us from the bondage of sin through Christ (1Jn 2:1, Gal 2:20), and Satan can always sift us like wheat (Luk 22:31). However, if we are God’s elect in this age, Christ has prayed for us and inspired us to pray for each other that our faith fail not, and that is how we “Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence” and overcome together as the body of Christ (Ecc 4:12, 1Co 12:18-20).

God declares the end from the beginning and speaks of things that are not as though they were (Isa 46:10, Eph 1:11, Rom 4:17), telling us that regarding His kingdom, which is within God’s elect now (Luk 17:20-21), “There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27). This “partition by the chains of gold before the oracle” represents that separation from those who know God in the spirit and those who have not been blessed to cross that threshold yet and partake of the altar, which is the cross (Heb 13:10).

God’s elect are blessed to read, hear, and keep the sayings of the prophecy (Rev 1:3), which our first man Adam could not do because of the bondage of sin and our inability to consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive in Christ (Rom 6:11). When we are blessed to have eyes that see and ears that hear, then we can become that son who hears the instruction of our Father, and forsakes not the law of our mother, knowing “they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Pro 1:8-9). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but Christ, our hope of glory within, is writing our books to the end that we will be used to judge the rest of the books of humanity who have not yet come to know God and Jesus Christ through judgment (Joh 17:3, 1Jn 4:17, 1Pe 4:17, Oba 1:21, Rev 20:12)

Pro 1:8  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Pro 1:9  For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

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.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

In this fifth chapter of the first book of Kings, we will look at the story of King Solomon’s anointing to rule over Israel and at the significance of the temple he was given to build. That anointing of the king typifies the unction (1Jn 2:20) that God’s elect have in this age which will make it possible for us, through Christ, to endure until the end and reign in the next age (Rev 20:6).

1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

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.

Our initial temple does not know God (Mat 7:22-23) and cannot see the wretched condition of self-righteousness which just naturally inhabits the temple (Rev 3:17). It is only when God opens our eyes that this spirit defiling the temple of God can begin to be taken and destroyed, which is what God’s judgments are doing in the body of Christ today (1Pe 4:17, 1Co 3:17, Col 1:24).

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:[Joh 17:3] depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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:

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?

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

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:

We can answer the question in the title of this study “Know you not that you are the temple of God” if God will permit us to do so, by maturing in Him so we can bring forth fruit that will identify the tree that we are (Luk 6:43-45).

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

We understand that we naturally defile the temple of God with the mind of Adam (Rom 7:24, 1Jn 1:8) and believe that if God is working with us in this life, that first man Adam will be crushed (Mat 21:44) and overcome through our acknowledgement of what God causes in our lives for our good (Isa 63:17, 1Co 11:31-32, Rom 2:4). We must lose our life in order to gain it, in other words, and the first temple that defiles must be destroyed so the new temple can be formed, the temple which represents the body of Christ we are and that can only be formed through the chastening and scourging process (Heb 12:6) into which we have been called (1Co 3:17, Mat 16:25, Col 1:24).

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.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [“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” (Luk 18:19, Joh 9:41)].

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. [In order to lose our life we must be granted to see that this flesh is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind” and that we are continually in need of our hope of glory within us Who gives us eyes to see so we can lose our life for His sake (Col 1:27)].

No one who does not have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9) can say they are that temple which represents the body of Christ (1Jn 4:6). Although many naturally want to lay claim to that relationship, it is God alone Who drags us to Christ (Joh 6:44) to purify the temple and make that relationship one that is holy and acceptable through “the beloved” (Eph 1:6, Joh 8:36).

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, 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.

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

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.

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The natural relationship with which we all start by knowing Christ after the flesh (2Co 5:16) is the important first step that can only advance through judgment, destroying that which still defiles the temple of God which we are. That judgment will befall the rest of the world in the great white throne judgment that will purify the hearts and minds of all of God’s creation (1Co 15:28).

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

In this study we will be looking at King Solomon and his reign in particular, which is a type and shadow of how the elect who will rule and reign over the kingdoms of this world, setting the stage for the great white throne judgment at the end of that reign which will bring life^G2222 (Rev 11:15, Rev 20:11-13, Rev 20:6).

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 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened (Oba 1:21), which is the book of life^G2222: (Joh 14:6, Joh 6:53-56, 1Co 10:16) and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life^G2222: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life^G2222 in you.
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life^G2222; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him (Joh 14:20).

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (Col 1:24)

1Ki 5:1  And Hiram^H2438 king of Tyre^H6865 sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

The noble [Hiram^H2438] were sacrificed for the elect and “Hiram king of Tyre” represents one of those noblemen with whom God’s elect, represented by Solomon, will work during the thousand-year reign (1Co 1:26).

Tyre means a rock, not the rock that Christ is, but rather the negative example of the word rock which represents the foundation upon which the world puts Christ during the thousand-year reign, rather than the stone being put upon the only true “rock” that can bring lasting peace and life^G2222 our corner stone and rock Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18).

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Hiram is someone who loves David, typifying the love and adoration that people have for Christ in their flesh, and this statement “Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David” is a shadow for our sakes that explains there will be people like the humble centurion of Matthew 8:8-10 who will have great faith and recognize the anointing which has come upon God’s elect, just like John the baptist who knew Christ, as this man in this section of kings loved David, but even still with all that understanding of Solomon’s father, he, like the centurion and John the baptist, is yet carnal and the least who have God’s spirit within are greater than these men because of that indwelling of God’s spirit which is typified by the statement “they had anointed him king in the room of his father” (Mat 11:11).

Mat 8:8  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Christ tells us with this story in Matthew 8:8-10 that great faith is accompanied with an understanding of God’s plan, but faith in God’s plan is not enough. We must be anointed as kings and priests, typified by Solomon’s anointing, to follow through and accomplish the work of God, which is what is happening to God’s elect as our faith is tried with fiery trials in this life that is precious to God for that reason (1Pe 1:7, 1Pe 4:12).

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:

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:

1Ki 5:2  And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
1Ki 5:3  Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

What amazing order there is in God’s plan, and these verses reflect that order of salvation once again. It’s Solomon who typifies God’s elect who “sent to Hiram” just like that centurion we read of earlier who had people under him doing his bidding, and what Solomon tells Hiram is this: “Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God“, reminding us that David, who was a type of Christ when he was on this earth, did not convert anyone, did not “build an house unto the name of the LORD his God“, leaving humanity in that vain condition of not truly knowing God and Jesus Christ until the comforter was sent (Psa 127:1, Joh 16:7, Joh 17:3).

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.

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

David, who typifies Christ, could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God “for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet” (Psa 47:3, 1Co 15:27). God does not need the approval of the world to “choose our inheritance for us”. In other words, the elect whose inheritance it will be to rule the nations that are under us is what “until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet” means (Mat 19:28).

Psa 47:3  He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet [Rom 12:4].
Psa 47:4  He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

These wars, “for the wars which were about him on every side“, represent the wars inside us that only Christ can conquer through the power of God’s holy spirit “until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet“, meaning the powers and principalities that Christ is far higher than (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21) will be overcome when God’s holy spirit is given (Joh 8:36-38, Rom 8:37-39).

Initially we’ll be dominated in our thinking by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, being yet carnal (1Jn 2:16, 1Co 3:3), and all our labours will seemingly be in vain not being able to build a house that is going to contain true worship in spirit and in truth. However, if God has determined from the foundation of the world that we overcome by His holy spirit, the comforter which is sent will lead us into all truth, and our continuing in it and enduring to the end through Christ will lead to our salvation (Joh 4:23, Joh 8:31-32, Mat 24:13).

David typifies Christ who does not build any spiritual house [converts no one] while in the flesh, but when Solomon reigns, who is a type of the elect, greater works than these are then accomplished as Christ promised would happen first within the body of Christ and then one day when the rest of humanity will be saved by God’s elect who will be blessed to judge and bring God’s creation to perfection in the second resurrection (Oba 1:21). Those in the second resurrection will not marry “neither marry, nor are given in marriage”, but they will be witnessed to by those who have married Christ, which is where “the power of God” is being manifest in our lives today (Joh 14:12, Joh 5:20, 1Co 6:3, Mat 22:29-30).

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Joh 5:20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Mat 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

1Ki 5:4  But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

Because we are as Christ was on the earth, we will also build a house during the thousand-year reign that will not bring about any conversion, just as none of His disciples in Christ’s life were converted after spending all the time He did with them teaching them, sowing the seed (1Jn 4:17, Joh 14:26). That house is the natural relationship that preceded the spiritual one Christ had with His disciples, just as our relationship with the world during the symbolic thousand-year reign will be the natural relationship that precedes the spiritual (1Co 15:46), when all the carnal-minded temples of mankind will be torn down and made anew in the lake of  fire (Joh 2:19, Jer 18:4, Joh 12:24).

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 [now and during that reign].

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Joh 12:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

God will give us, His elect, “rest on every side” during this reign (Rev 20:6) as Solomon was granted during his reign, and that rest for us is typified by these words: “God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent“. However, that superimposed rest will be taken away when the adversary is “loosed a little season” (Rev 20:3).

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.

1Ki 5:5  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

Solomon purposes to build a house unto the name of the LORD, and yet we know that “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps”, as God did with Solomon whose steps were directed of the Lord for our sakes. David, who typifies Christ, did not build that house, just as Christ did not convert any soul during His ministry on earth (Pro 16:9, Jer 10:23, 2Co 4:15).

All things are for our sakes for a specific reason and that is so “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God”. The story we are reading of this temple being built by Solomon is a type and shadow of the work that God will give the body of Christ to do through that period of time we will, Lord willing, rule and reign as kings and priests under Christ (Rev 20:6).

Solomon’s reign is typical of the reign of God’s saints on earth which will be like the time of the seven churches of Asia that are yet carnal and that are rich and increased with goods but not able to see the sin of iniquity within themselves (Rev 3:17, Rev 1:4). The only temple that will have been cleansed and measured by Christ is the body of Christ which comes to see the fullness of that relationship of being cleansed in the first resurrection (1Co 13:12). That temple is typified by the temple Zerubbabel built, and that Christ is building today in His elect (2Co 6:17, Zec 4:9-10, Hag 2:23).

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; [Eph 1:14] but then face to face: [Rev 20:6] now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Hag 2:23  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet^H2368: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts [Eph 4:30, Exo 28:21, Luk 15:22].

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Exo 28:21  And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet^H2368; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

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:

God’s elect are the first to be able to worship God in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:24), and this is possible because of the promise of Christ who is typified by David who knew that it was his son Solomon, who is a type of the elect, who would build the temple upon the desire that was in David’s heart, who is a type of Christ.

The desire to build that temple was put there in Solomon as it was in Christ and his Christ by God (Joh 4:23, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5) who “seeketh such to worship him”, and Christ was consumed for the temple as we are consumed for God’s temple today. The consummation of our age within this temple that cannot inherit the kingdom of God, being flesh (1Co 15:50), is typified in the story of the prodigal son who comes back and is given “a ring on his hand”. God’s elect must experience and overcome with God’s holy spirit, as was typified by the story of the prodigal son, making it possible for us to bring the rest of humanity home to our heavenly Father (Joh 4:22-24).

Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Christ did not begin building the church until He was resurrected and sent the spirit on pentecost, and He is building it upon the rock within us, our hope glory within, Jesus Christ (Col 1:27). “Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name” is telling us this very thing; that God’s elect are seated “upon thy throne in thy room“, which is what it means to be raised in heavenly places where we are seated in order to fulfill God’s will on this earth, which is to build the church that the gates of hell won’t prevail against (Eph 2:6, Mat 16:18).

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When we come to know that we are the temple of God, then in like manner as Christ, we will be demonstrating the fruits of our Lord that will have us visiting the fatherless  and widow in their affliction and remaining unspotted from this world (Jas 1:27). The tree that is known by its fruit is something that must take time to grow and mature.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at how many trees were sacrificed for the elect’s sake so “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God”.

1Ki 5:6  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
1Ki 5:7  And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
1Ki 5:8  And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
1Ki 5:9  My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
1Ki 5:10  So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
1Ki 5:11  And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
1Ki 5:12  And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
1Ki 5:13  And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
1Ki 5:14  And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
1Ki 5:15  And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; 
1Ki 5:16  Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
1Ki 5:17  And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
1Ki 5:18  And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

1Ki 1:19-27 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3)

[Study Aired June 10, 2021]

1Ki 1:19  And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
1Ki 1:20  And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
1Ki 1:21  Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
1Ki 1:22  And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
1Ki 1:23  And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
1Ki 1:24  And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
1Ki 1:25  For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
1Ki 1:26  But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
1Ki 1:27  Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

The last part of that verse in Isaiah 53:3 from which our title for tonight’s study is taken says, “and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” It was by hiding our face from the truth in our former conversation because of our blindness (Eph 2:1-3, 2Co 4:4), that we demonstrated we despised and rejected Christ, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

In this section of 1Kings 1 we will learn through the example of Adonijah how, by our self-righteous religious actions, we were all guilty of rejecting Christ by holding fast to His name but not His doctrine (Isa 4:1), and conversely how, when we were given to know the truth, we then began to be rejected and hated by all men for His name’s sake becoming as He is in this world, “rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”. It is by living by the faith of Christ that we can go through the crushing and dying daily experiences  (Gal 2:20) of this life which are precious in the sight of God (1Pe 1:7) who is preparing the bride through those trials to become saviors (Mar 13:13, 1Jn 4:17, 1Pe 2:6-9, Psa 116:15, Col 1:24).

Isa 4:1  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

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:

Mar 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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.

1Pe 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.
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:

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

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:

Before Solomon, a type of the elect in this instance, can be appointed king by King David, who represents Christ, we need to see the extent of our own pride and self-righteousness that wants to do good and offer sacrifices as Adonijah did, and how we naturally forget these words: “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1Sa 15:22-23). That obedience is something we learn through the things we suffer as we go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18) beholding the glory of Christ our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) who gives us the power to be able to be obedient, until ultimately we will no longer “hid[e] as it were our faces from him” but rather see him face to face (1Co 13:12, Joh 17:3-4).

1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

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.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do (Rom 4:17, Eph 2:10).

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Ki 1:19  And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. 

As we just read in 1Samuel 15:22-23, these sacrifices of “oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance” which were slain demonstrate the stubbornness in Adonijah’s heart and the extent that he and all flesh will go to in order to get its own way that seems right (Pro 14:12). We do many wonderful ‘religious’ works (Mat 7:22-23) without truly knowing that Christ is the one who is working in us both to will and to do all those works (Php 2:12-13).

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [our own righteousness of (Php 3:9)].

Eze 18:26  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

The righteousness being spoken of in Ezekiel from which we turn away is typical of the righteousness of Christ who is our righteousness (1Co 1:30), and when God causes us to err by hardening our hearts (Isa 63:17), we die in our own works that Christ likened to the dead burying the dead (Luk 9:60). God is in the process of burning all this self-righteousness out of Christ’s bride as we’re led to repentance (Rom 2:4). God is working with the elect in this age to bring about mature sons who will glorify Him as vessels that have been made unto honour, through a sanctification process, that makes us meet for the master’s use, being prepared unto every good work (2Ti 2:21, Rev 19:7, Eph 2:10, Mat 3:8)

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

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.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Mat 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

This is the blindness that is caused and is typified by Jacob who for seven years served the tender eyed^H7390 firstborn Leah who represents our completely blind flesh that cannot see (seven years) until we are given Rachel who represents the gift of God’s grace given to us through faith (Gen 29:17-20, Eph2:8).

Gen 29:16  And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Gen 29:17  Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
Gen 29:18  And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
Gen 29:19  And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
Gen 29:20  And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

Adonijah was in no way following the principle that Christ tells us in Luke 14:12-15 and had chosen rather to invite those people who would best advance his goal of securing his position as king via “Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host“. In Adonijah’s mind, these were the most likely people who would “bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee”, which was his way of seeking political advantage.

Luk 14:12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luk 14:13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just [Rev 20:6].
Luk 14:15  And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

The banquet that God’s elect are called to is the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9) and so we only need to look at Christ’s example here to know who it is that has been determined to be called from the foundation of the world: “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind” — those who have been brought to see that they are unworthy (Luk 15:19, Luk 17:10) and see the hope in these trustworthy statements (1Ti 1:15-16, 1Co 1:26-29) that are worthy of all acceptation.

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Luk 15:19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

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.
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

“The king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host” represent the mighty and the noble of this world who will, in God’s time, see the order of His plan that was determined to be that way so that “no flesh should glory in his presence”.

“But Solomon thy servant hath he not called” reminds us that Adonijah was not given to receive the wisdom that was needed in order to become the true king of Israel as it was too high for him (Pro 24:7). Adonijah typifies our flesh trying to find some other way into the kingdom of God (Joh 10:1); that some other way being our own works, our own righteousness (Php 3:9).

Pro 24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Joh 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

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:

1Ki 1:20  And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 
1Ki 1:21  Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
1Ki 1:22  And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

This verse, “And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him“, has its fulfillment for God’s elect in Malachi 3:18, which is when the eyes of “all Israel” who represents the world (Rev 5:10, 1Co 6:3), will look to mount Zion which represents the elect who will judge the mount of Esau (Oba 1:21). We are all offenders. But for the grace of God our offences as a kind of first fruits are given an accounting in this life, which is represented by the actions of Bathsheba and Nathan who are disclosing the facts about Adonijah whose life represents our former conversation (Eph 2:1-3). That is the reason we ought to come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain grace in “time of need” (Heb 4:16, 1Pe 4:17) along with this attitude of humbling ourselves before the king (1Ki 1:16, 1Ki 1:23) who represents Christ Who already knows we are the man of 2Samuel 12:7 and that we have all forsaken Christ in our time (Mat 26:22, Mar 14:50). In other words, if Christ does not set us free from sin (Joh 8:36), “I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders“.

Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

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.

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Verse 21 is accompanied by an admonition for us right after verse 20 stating “Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders“, telling us also that unless our witness does not truthfully go forth through Christ, who is our hope of glory represented by King David, that their blood will be upon our head and we “shall be counted offenders” (Eze 3:18-19, 1Ti 4:15-16). The solution to being able to heed this admonition of being a faithful witness is given to us in the form of a parable represented by Nathan who in verse 22 appears on the scene, stated this way: “while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in“.

Our hope is not in this life alone because we know Christ is raised, and although it is true “my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers“, our hope is that Christ our king is raised now and we are raised with him in earnest making it possible for us to be true witnesses who are not experiencing any condemnation in Christ (Rom 8:1). If God so allows, then we are being blessed to demonstrate our discipleship through obedience to God’s commands as we experience His love being shed abroad in our hearts for that very reason of giving us the power to be obedient and faithful witnesses (Rev 11:3) to the end of this life (1Co 15:14, Eph 2:6, Rom 5:5).

Eze 3:18  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:19  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

1Ti 4:15  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1Co 15:14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Bathsheba is a type of the church whose witness to the king is going to be confirmed by the prophet Nathan. We are dragged to the king (Joh 6:44) to make these requests and are accepted in the beloved through God’s holy spirit (Eph 1:6). Nathan is the second person to confirm (witness) what was being brought to the king, and Nathan is a type of the spirit of God which will bear witness that we are His sons in this age who have been given the power to testify, while others deny Christ who won’t deny Himself, if He is abiding in us and saving us by grace through faith (Mat 10:19, Rom 8:14-16, the spirit of God is not bound 2Ti 2:10-13, Joh 6:63, 2Co 3:17, Rom 8:9, Eph 2:8).

Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1Ki 1:23  And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

Unlike David, Christ knows what is going on all the time and everywhere in the earth (2Ch 16:9, Jer 1:12), and this statement “and they told the king” is typical of the statement found in the book of Job where Christ asks this question that would generate an answer: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”(Job 1:7). That question was not for His benefit but for ours to remind us that we are constantly dealing with a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and yet he will not prevail or catch God’s elect off guard if we are granted to resist him stedfastly in the faith (1Pe 5:8-9, Mat 16:18, Luk 22:31).

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: [1Jn 5:4] and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

What we hope to see in all our dealings with Christ in each other is this spirit of humility that Nathan brought forth: “and when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground” (Php 2:3). Having our “face to the ground” is a symbolic gesture that reminds us who we are to be in the presence of our King.

1Ki 1:23  And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself^H7812 before the king with his face^H639 to the ground.

bowed himself H7812 shâchâ  shaw-khaw’ – Strong’s: A primitive root; to depress that is prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): – bow (self) down crouch fall down (flat) humbly beseech do (make) obeisance do reverence make to stoop worship.
Total KJV Occurrences: 171

Zep 2:3  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger^H639.

face; anger H639 From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: – anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.
Total KJV Occurrences: 276:
anger 171, angry 4, face 19, faces 3

1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1Ki 1:24  And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? 
1Ki 1:25  For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

The discerning mind of Christ, represented by King David, is going to make a declaration very shortly after all the facts are stated by Bathsheba and Nathan (1Co 2:15-16).

1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Bathsheba and Nathan have gone about to establish this witness with humility in their approach stating only the facts of the matter on which the king will base his arbitration (Pro 18:13). Nathan begins by asking king David if these are his words “Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne” to immediately establish that Adonijah’s actions were self-willed, boastful (Pro 25:14), and not ordained by the king, which Nathan and Bathsheba wanted to be sure was the case (1Jn 4:1).

Pro 18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

If this is the case that David has approved Adonijah to be king, then surely David would have been the one putting all of these things together (Luk 15:27) that Adonijah took upon himself to do, “for he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.” These were all normal proceedings for someone who has been ordained to be a king, but in Adonijah’s case it was all a demonstration of the flesh wanting to be acknowledged and given approval for his own personal gain (Mat 6:2).

Luk 15:27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

These were the matters that Bathsheba and Nathan were searching out in order to preserve the true lineage of the king, and it demonstrates a typical lesson that we are called to learn by looking well unto ourselves and the church (1Pe 1:12, Act 20:28) so that by the grace of God no man will take our crown (Pro 25:2, Jer 17:10, Rev 2:2, Rev 3:11).

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Pro 25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

1Ki 1:26  But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
1Ki 1:27  Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

Nathan’s statement had the veiled understanding that Adonijah was conveniently calling who he wanted in order to get approval for his actions, even as he steered away from calling on Nathan “thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called“.

Calling Zadok^H6659 would have brought condemnation to Adonijah, just as would calling Nathan^H5416 along with Benaiah^H1141 son of Jehoiada^H3077 and Solomon^H8010.

ZadokH6659
H6659 tsâdôq tsaw-doke’
From H6663; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites: – Zadok.
H6663 tsaw-dak’
A primitive root; to be (causatively make) right (in a moral or forensic sense): – cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be, turn to) righteous (-ness).

NathanH5416
H5416 nâthân naw-thawn’
From H5414; given; Nathan, the name of five Israelites: – Nathan.
H5414nâthan naw-than’A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): – add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.

BenaiahH1141
H1141 ben-aw-yaw’, ben-aw-yaw’-hoo
From H1129 and H3050; Jah has built; Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites: – Benaiah.
H1129baw-naw’
A primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively): – (begin to) build (-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), X surely.
H3050yaw
Contracted for H3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name: – Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Cp. names in “-iah,” “-jah.”

JehoiadaH3077
H3077 yeh-ho-yaw-daw’
From H3068 and H3045; Jehovah-known; Jehojada, the name of three Israelites: – Jehoiada. Compare H3111.
H3068 yeh-ho-vaw’
From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050, H3069.
H3045 yaw-dah’
A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.): – acknowledge, acquaintance (-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, [un-] awares, can [-not], certainly, for a certainty, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be [ig-] norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to, let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have [knowledge], (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have [understanding], X will be, wist, wit, wot.SolomonH8010
H8010 shel-o-mo’
From H7965; peaceful; Shelomoh, David’s successor: – Solomon.
H7965 shâlôm  shâlôm shaw-lome’, shaw-lome’
From H7999; safe, that is, (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, that is, health, prosperity, peace: –  X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X greet, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ly), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.
H7999 shâlam shaw-lam’
A primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively to be (causatively make) completed; by implication to be friendly; by extension to reciprocate (in various applications): – make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace (-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper (-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, X surely.

Twice now Nathan is used to bring this question to the king, once through his counsel given to Bathsheba, and then from his own mouth (1Ki 1:13, 1Ki 1:27): “Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?“.  Nathan respectfully puts this question before the king because none of this appears right in the heart and minds of him and Bathsheba, and the Lord is showing us that a witness will always be established against our old man, typified here by Adonijah: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets”.

We will all feel the rejection that will cause us to groan in our spirits as we long with all the saints for his vindication on our lives that have become like Christ “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Rev 6:10, Isa 53:3).

Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice [Heb 5:7], saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Next week, Lord willing, we will see the type and shadow answer to this question “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” as we look at the response King David gives that brings us into remembrance of these verses.

Hab 2:3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[Study Aired June 18, 2020]

Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 
Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 
Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

God’s elect will give the more earnest heed as the spiritual “seed of Abraham” to whom Christ and His body are likened  (Gal 3:16) being those who were first granted the grace and faith (1Jn 5:4) needed at this time in order to overcome and endure until the end.

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed [‘Christ and his spiritual seed’] were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many [Mat 22:14]; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith [‘It is the few who overcome the world within today by losing our life through Christ‘].

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.  [We ought to give the more earnest heed to this “earnest of our inheritance” relationship with our Father and Christ (Joh 17:3).]

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now [Abraham and all the prophets of old for example, groaned and suffered for our sakes (Jas 5:11, 2Co 4:15)].
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.

[Eph 1:14 God’s elect are learning to give “more earnest heed” to this process of patiently possessing our souls “until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Luk 21:19)]

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.

The opening verse of this last section of chapter two explains how those who are that holy seed, who are of that kingship and priesthood through Christ, typified by Abraham, are able to endure the temptations of this life and are being comforted by Christ in each other through God’s spirit which is able to “succour [comfort] them that are tempted” knowing that this temptation is promised to never be beyond what we can endure.

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

[He uses the body to accomplish this bearing through the law of Christ that is working in the members of those who are connected to the vine as a joint which supplies in love (Gal 6:2-3, Eph 4:16]

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

[A healthy body of Christ like a healthy tree supports the fruit at the various stages that it grows supporting it and contributing to that growth as a joint that supplies (Luk 6:43-45, Joh 15:5]

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.

Christ’s body (Col 1:24) is to “give the more earnest heed” in regard to knowing that we must be armed with the mind and suffering of Christ (1Pe 4:1) in order to become those kings and priests who bring forth much fruit together alongside Christ who will give us the ability to identify with this verse: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [comfort] them that are tempted” (2Co 1:4). Those fiery trials through which we support each other are essential for bringing fruit unto maturation, and the trial of our faith is precious to God for what it works in the entire body which is learning to support and endure these fiery trials together (1Pe 1:7, 1Pe 4:12).

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:

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

In this study we will do a small overview of what we have talked about already in Hebrews chapter one and two and how those previous verses have brought us to these very succinct words in the last three verses of chapter two describing who Christ was in type and shadow as Abraham and who He is today as our high priest and who we will ultimately become (1Jn 3:2) because of what our Lord is accomplishing within our Father’s workmanship today (Eph 2:8-10, Tit 3:8).

We ought to give the more earnest heed to what it means to be called to become kings and priests, rejoicing, praising, and thanking God for the blessing to which we have been called. That blessing is to bring forth much fruit (Joh 15:8) through much tribulation in this life leading to eternal life (Psa 68:3-5, Rom 6:22-23, Act 14:22).

Psa 68:3  But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Psa 68:4  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Psa 68:5  A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 

God moved the prophets of old for our sakes as He inspired them to point to the reality of the One who was going to be born the saviour of humanity (Isa 9:6). Christ would be used to speak to us as our high priest, being the one “whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb 1:1-2). Chapter one of Hebrews sets the stage for how God is going to redeem mankind through our Lord who knows our form, who “made the worlds”, the physical world that typifies the workmanship we are in his hands (Eph 2:10). The Master Potter is able to take us in our marred condition and make us anew to the glory of God (Jer 18:4, Joh 15:8).

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days [‘the last days of our fleshly carnal minds that are being destroyed by the brightness of his coming‘] spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Christ did not come to earth so He could get comfortable with the idea of how it is to be a human for His own sake, “but he took on him the seed of Abraham” for our sake (2Co 4:15). We can so easily, in our fleshly thinking, separate ourselves from this momentous event in history when Christ was born of the virgin Mary, but that event was for our sakes and points to another momentous event. At the birth of the bride of Christ, typified by the birth of Jesus who is the head of the manchild [‘the bride’], who is later, on Pentecost, to be caught up into heaven (Isa 7:14, 2Co 11:2, Rev 14:4, Rev 12:5). The body of Christ is judged as those who go through this nine-month period of spiritual gestation in the church (1Pe 4:17), so we, like Christ, can be born again in an earnest relationship at first, becoming that seed of Christ, the children of God (1Jn 3:1) who are typified by the seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16, Rom 9:6-8, Rom 8:9).

Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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.

Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. [Rom 8:14-16] These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Rom 9:6  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, 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.

Chapter one of Hebrews boldly tells us it is not only Christ who is going to “Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Heb 1:3, 13, Eph 2:6, Rev 4:10-11, Rev 3:9). Those who are being ministered to as Christ was when He was in this marred vessel of clay, who had to die daily and carry His cross just as He commanded His disciples to do, will also be there (Mat 16:24-26, 1Jn 4:17, Gal 2:20).

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins [Joh 17:17], sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

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.

Rev 3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. [Eph 2:6]
Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

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.

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.

Chapter one of Hebrews sets the stage to help us understand that we have an high priest who is identifying with us in our marred condition for a reason.  That reason is so that we can go through the suffering of this life, enduring all things through Christ who strengthens us (Php 4:13), as we experience this hope of glory within (Col 1:27) which gives us the power to faithfully witness and overcome in this life (Rev 11:3). The inward enemies of the cross are naturally within us as a root of bitterness that could manifest if we don’t continue to diligently examine ourselves (Heb 12:15), and they are only overcome through Christ who gives us the power to bring every thought into subjection to Him (2Co 10:5) as we learn to patiently possess our souls sitting at His right hand where there is power to overcome and drink the cup we are called unto: “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (2Ti 2:12, Joh 8:36, Psa 110:1, Mat 20:23).

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

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

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

It behooved Christ not just to be born into the flesh “to be made like unto his brethren” but to be connected to the physical seed of Abraham for those who would one day identify with what the spiritual significance of being “made like unto his brethren” means (1Co 10:11). It was critical that Christ have all the same pulls of the flesh, being tempted in all diverse manner yet without sin for our sakes, but also critical that He experience the power of God, the spirit without measure (Joh 3:34), giving Him the ability to overcome all those pulls of the flesh demonstrating that the head of this spiritual lineage typified by Abraham could overcome and remain as a pure and unspotted lamb without blemish (Heb 4:15, 1Pe 1:9).

The “reconciliation for the sins of the people” is a statement connected not just to Abraham, but to Abraham’s seed and the type and shadow events which brought about the miraculous birth of Abraham’s son, Isaac (Gen 17:17). Each patriarch has his counterpart in the flesh as well to remind us that we will have to struggle against the powers and principalities over which God will give us power to prevail and overcome through Christ. The reconciliation process takes time, and it is a matter of supernaturally overcoming what we could never overcome except for the grace and faith God gives us through Christ.

Starting with Abraham and Lot [Abraham was a type of Christ who listened to God (Gen 22:2) whereas Lot went where his passions drove him (Gen 13:8-10)].

Isaac was the son of promise (Gal 4:28) as opposed to Ishmael whom Abraham lamented for not being able to “live before thee” (Gen 17:18). Isaac was presented a living sacrifice by his father, typifying our being dragged to Christ by our Father (Joh 6:44) who has made provision for us through Christ as the goat who is killed for all the sins of the world (Joh 1:29) within and without (Lev 16:7-10, Gen 22:13).

Jacob represents the body of Christ that perseveres and overcomes the flesh represented by Esau. The daily reward for not following our fleshly passions as we daily mortify the deeds of our flesh (Rom 8:13) is what it means to strive for the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ (Php 3:14). If we are granted the power to continue to overcome and forget what is behind us (Php 3:13, Luk 17:32), we will be partakers of those promises as typified by Jacob’s life. His name means “to follow, to be behind, to supplant, circumvent, assail, overreach”. Jacob’s new name was Israel, as we are the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), and Israel means “God prevails”^H3478 (Gen 32:28).

Abraham and Lot, Isaac and Ishmael (Gal 4:28), and Jacob and Esau (Gen 32:22-31, Gen 28:13-14) all serve to remind the body of Christ there is a process of spiritual completion unfolding in the lives of God’s children who are joint-heirs with Christ. The inheritance in type which was promised unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is something that can only be inherited through a lifetime of overcoming and enduring until the end through Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Rom 8:17-19, Act 14:22). To “make reconciliation for the sins of the people” will require a reconciliation process that will be administered by those who have first trusted God and suffered in this life (Eph 1:12) so we can rule in the next (2Ti 2:12).

Rom 8:17  And if children [spiritual children of Abraham typifying those who have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:6-9)], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

We need to ask ourselves again, “What good will any or all of this knowledge be to us if we don’t give the more earnest heed today?” Therefore “we ought to give the more earnest heed” means we ought to identify with Christ’s suffering, filling up what is behind of His afflictions for His body’s sake, the church, and not be surprised concerning the fiery trial which is to try us as though some strange thing happened to us (Col 1:24, 1Pe 4:12).

What a humbling and glorious thought all at the same time, to consider that God can and will strengthen, stablish and settle those He has called in this age to experience that humbling event under His mighty hand so that we can be exalted in due time! It is through the struggles, the process we have discussed, that we will be established in the Lord.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

2Th 2:16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2Th 2:17  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

2Th 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

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

We are humbled to know that we are as He is in this world (1Jn 4:17), and as such, these words in the book of Hebrews should apply just as much to the body of Christ as it did to Christ when He was in the flesh: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted“. God is the one who is directing all the growth in the body of Christ (1Co 3:6), like the young child of twelve years old (Luk 2:40-42) who walked into the temple and was being established of His Father. So the body of Christ is also being established in the temple, being strengthened and settled so we can be the foundational government God will build upon Christ (Mat 16:18), a government that will know no end to the peace and increase that has been promised (Isa 9:6).

Luk 2:40  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. [2Pe 3:18]
Luk 2:41  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luk 2:42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

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Awesome Hands – part 41

“ The children of Israel were fruitful”

At the end of the book of Genesis, we looked into the meaning of the experience of forty days and forty nights and applied that to our “beginnings” with Christ.

We learned that this process is not exclusive to the children of God, but is inclusive to all of mankind in the Lord’s timing. Judgment simply starts at the house of God.

In this study, we are going to start in the book of Exodus, and Lord willing, we are going to learn much about the process that the Lord is working in all of mankind in His own timing as we leave behind our beginnings and move towards our Exodus from our slave masters.

“The children of Israel were fruitful”

As we left we last study we saw that the Pharaoh, typifying God the Father, gave permission to Joseph to keep his oath to his father Jacob to go and bury Jacob among his father’s.

Of course prior to all of this the same Pharaoh had given Joseph the power of the pharaoh aside form the throne itself.

Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Gen 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Additionally, Joseph was promised that no man in all the land of Egypt would be given the power to so much as lift his hand or foot up outside of Joseph.

Given that we have covered that Joseph is a type of Christ, then we know that Israel was redeemed and given salvation via what the Father had caused to happen in Joseph’s life.

By extension, all of Israel was given life because even as they did evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord caused these things to happen because he “meant them for good”.

We actually saw this pattern happen in Genesis, and Exodus is simply going to expound and express this same process as we progress through the book.

Lord willing, we are going to see the workings of the awesome hands of the Lord in our lives. While the word “yad” or hand will nto specifically be mentioned in the first chapter, we will read this chapter today so that we can have the stage set for everything else that follows.

Notice, Joseph i. ee Christ, us told that “only in the throne will the Pharaoh be greater than Joseph”.

With Christ’s ministry, He reflected the same thought in the Spirit.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Just like Noah building the arc, we too are being built up with the Words that are spoken in the Word of God, and God is building up His spiritual temple so that He can sit on the throne of our hearts.

The arc represents the salvation that is going to be brought to God’s people, a generation that is being separated from those of the rest of the world and is no different than Joseph being used to “save much people alive” except in the quantity of the people being given salvation.

Bringing this thought back into focus as it pertains to Israel, notice what the Lord causes to happen with the children of Israel as they are living in Egypt under the Pharaoh’s rule.

Exo 1:5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
Exo 1:6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
Exo 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Exo 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Likewise, what was Adam before him told?

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Gen 1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

What did God tell Noah?

Gen 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Gen 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Finally, we see a similar command given to Israel (the Father and the people).

Gen 35:10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
Gen 35:11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Gen 35:12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

We are reading a progression in how the Lord is dealing with all of mankind. It first starts with the Head and then moves to the body.

What starts at the Head can be seen in type in the first Adam, in that first God grows us up spiritually speaking, as babes in Christ. We start with the milk of the Word and progress to being able to digest more of the “afflictions of the Christ”.

The first Adam (and Eve) is told to be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and the green herb shall be meat for you. Also, have dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the earth.

Then, this type progress’ to Noah in that Noah and his sons are blessed with the same blessing and are told to multiply and replenish the earth, and also the FEAR and DREAD of you shall be upon the beasts, the fowls of the air and the fishes of the sea and in our HAND they are delivered.

Notice, we are given every moving thing that liveth to be meat for us. This includes the BEASTS of the field because in type, the things that happen to seem not so good for our flesh is actually NOURISHMENT for the spiritual new man.

Lastly, Jacob is renamed to Israel and is given the same blessing. Only this time, nations shall be among the fruit and the entire Land will be given to Israel AND those who are “of Israel’s seed”.

With all that in mind, who is Israel and why am I bringing this all up on context of this study on Exodus?

Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

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.

Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
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.

“Let us deal wisely with them”

When we are first truly dragged to God the Father in the Spirit, we are first nourished up as babes in Christ, who are given the sincere milk of the Word, but then as we mature we are given to eat herbs and then meat.

After milk, we are only given herbs because it takes a little while to learn to digest things which we are not accustomed to. Then, we are given meat and herbs together. The very beasts we eat also eat the herbs we are allowed to eat.

The “third type of consumption,” however, is going to be the very land itself but there must first come a very grievous Exodus from what we have known prior to this land being given to us.

Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.
Joh 6:49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

There is going to be a time come in all of mankind’s walk with God (whether in this age or the next), and it starts at the house of God, where God will take the situation and the circumstances He has caused in our lives, so that He will use them to the flip our worlds upside down.

When this happens, it will be the same experience which is befalling God’s called out people who have been CALLED into Egypt. With Egypt, we know that spiritually speaking it is equivalent to Babylon. With Babylon, we are called out of her.

So, when you connect the spiritual concept that Israel is called out of Egypt to make an Exodus, you will see that this is the SAME as God’s chosen people being called out of her so that they can go onto perfection and possess the land.

However, what must happen first?

We are Christ’s flesh and we are washed with His blood and in order to to have LIFE in us, we must eat of this flesh and drink of His blood. In other words, we must partake of the cup He drinks out of.

Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Before you think I need to be shipped off to the looney bin like they Pharisees thought of Christ, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (Joh 6:52), let’s see how this ties into how God actually makes this come about.

Exo 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
Exo 1:9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
Exo 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Exo 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Exo 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
Exo 1:14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Hearkening back to how God has orchestrated this whole scenario, let us look at what He first told Adam.

Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Now we see another king of Egypt, one who doesn’t know Joseph i. e. Christ, who sets taskmasters over the children of Israel to afflict them but as they are afflicted they are more increased and grown up into the people of God.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

The Lord is building up His people because the Lord knows what is ahead as they are about to be called up and out of Egyptinto the wilderness and the wilderness will not be an easy experience for them.

However, in the “here and now” of what they are experiencing in Egypt at this time, they are made to serve with rigour of which it is easy to conclude that they did not ENJOY it.

This is not different than Joseph having to go through his man trials to get to the thrown. Now, in a different way of expressing this truth, we are shown that God’s people will go through this Exodus process from Egypt to eventually having their Savior placed on the throne of their hearts and minds.

This is the True Bread from Heaven, but it requires drinking of the cup of the wrath of God which is upon all flesh initially.

“The midwives feared God”

Once this union is made between the True bread from heaven and the children of God, there is only one thing that is left to attack by those who are “of the world” or of those who are not of God’s people.

When Christ is on the throne, there will be sons of God born. Not on that, but as those sons fo God grow, there will be fruit which comes about because of this union.

In the letter and on the surface, we are starting to talk about God’s people in Exodus chapter 1 as God works with them while they are being prepared to migrate from Egypt.

In the Spirit and within the kingdom of God, we know that these circumstances are admonishments for us in what God is doing with each and every one of His people.

What He is doing is uniting the bride of Christ with the Groom, and this produces much fruit despite what the world can throw at those who are in Christ and Christ in them.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

We haven’t arrived at the law of Moses being instituted, but we are building up to it and you’ll notice that the law is setup as a schoolmaster for us initially just like taskmasters are initially setup over us to PRODUCE growth.

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.

After we are built up and multiply “in the Spirit”, the Fruit which is produced is the only thing that can possibly be attacked, but even that is futile for the flesh and carnal mind.

Exo 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
Exo 1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
Exo 1:18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
Exo 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
Exo 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
Exo 1:21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

The Pharaoh ordered that Shiphrah, which means “fair” or “glisten” and Puah, which means “glitter” or “splendid” to kill the sons of the Hebrews.

However, if you recognize who these midwives are in Spirit, then you will understand why God orchestrated this whole event I order to admonish us by it.

Psa 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isa 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

It is through this very process, that a redeemer is sent to Israel, the people of God. God uses His “midwives” to bring forth the Truth of the Word of God as the pillars in His temple. As such, God BLESSES them with “houses,”…. Houses which are not built with a man’s hands! Amen

Exo 1:22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

There is a King coming to us through this process, just as was told to us by one of those sons “cast into the river” and in type, baptized by the same, a river of water of LIFE and salvation.

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;

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Next study, we will continue to see how a child is born up despite “the ruler of the time” trying to kill him at a young age. This happens to Moses as he was born and this happens to Christ from king Herod as he is born.

However, God has blessed His elect to be able to know that their redeemer lives in His prophets and prophetesses and there is nothing we have to fear of what flesh can do to us.

We should all take great joy in knowing that we are used as “spiritual midwives” in this glorious plan of our Father in Heaven!