[Study Aired October 8, 2020]

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 
Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 
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: 
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 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

In this week’s study we will start off by reminding ourselves how last week’s study which discussed the “two immutable things” spoken of in Hebrews 6:13-14 is the “strong consolation” God gives to those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Heb 6:18).

Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

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:

That hope set before us is being able to endure until the end through Christ as we go from glory to glory looking to the joy set before us that is manifest through the author and finisher our faith Jesus Christ who is our hope of glory (Heb 12:1-2, 2Co 3:18, Col 1:27).

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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:

These promises found in Hebrews 6:13-14, as we recently discussed, were declared of our Father who cannot lie so that we could lay hold of this promise (Heb 6:17) that has been made to those whose inheritance is in the Lord (Col 1:12, Luk 17:21, Pro 13:22). “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath” is just another way of saying “fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”, which is where that inheritance is found (Luk 12:32).

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you [Col 1:27].

Pro 13:22  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 13:22 demonstrates for us what “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew” of Hebrews 6:17 is talking about, and is no small inheritance. The “wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” of Proverbs 13:22 represents those whom God’s elect will judge in the lake of fire, and they in turn will be our inheritance in Christ. So we are Christ’s inheritance, and the world is our inheritance as was typified with Abraham’s promise of “multiplying I will multiply thee” in Hebrews 6:14, and all of these blessings and inheritances are governed by God (Eph 1:11) who will ultimately be “all in all” (1Co 15:28).

God’s elect are indeed the “heirs of promise” being spoken of in Hebrews 6:17, typified by Abraham who was promised “Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.” An heir in Christ is someone who is going to receive an inheritance, and a place of honour given to them for having suffered in this life (Php 1:29, 2Ti 2:12). We are being judged and being made ready and going through much tribulation for the express purpose of being made ready (Rev 19:7) to receive the fullness of that inheritance which will occur in the first resurrection (1Pe 4:17, Act 14:22, Rev 20:6).

Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

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

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.

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.

As God’s elect, we are called to endure until the end, losing our life so we might be found with the righteousness of Christ in us (Mat 10:39, Php 3:8-9). God has promised us, His children, that we’ll be able to overcome through a narrow but certain escape by giving us the power to put off our flesh through all the things we can endure through Christ (Php 4:13). He makes it possible for us to be the first to truly trust in God (Eph 1:12) and no longer have confidence in our own flesh (1Pe 4:18-19, Mat 24:24, Mat 7:14, Php 3:3).

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

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 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

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

In this study we’ll look at how we can, through the grace and faith of Christ, patiently endure until the end and in so doing obtain the promises in full (Heb 6:15). We are coming together often to remind each other of the faithfulness of God who continues to show us how He can deliver and will continue to deliver us (2Co 1:10) as He provides the vision we will all need in order to endure until the end of this age (Pro 29:18).

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

2Co 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

When we have the overview of God’s plan in our heavens, it is easier to be less anxious and to patiently endure, with the vision that comes from knowing our Father and Jesus Christ (Pro 29:18, Joh 17:3).

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It is through hearing the word in “an honest and good heart” and then keeping it (Luk 8:15), as we go through the afflictions (2Co 12:9), persecutions (2Ti 3:12) and much tribulation (Act 14:22) of this life, that we learn to endure as the body of Christ as the veil of our heavens is ripped so we can enter into the “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil“. It is through those trials that God prepares our hearts to endure so we can be among those who have “patiently endured” and “obtained the promise” as His power rests upon us so we can go to the Father through “the forerunner” who “is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Eph 1:6, Joh 14:6).

Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

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

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

As we just read, it is “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” referring to Abraham who is a type of Christ who is our hope of glory within who is making it possible for us to obtain “the promise”. The promise is to receive eternal life, age-abiding life, as a kind of first fruits of God (Psa 133:2-3, Zec 4:6, Joh 6:29, Mat 13:11, Php 1:29, Joh 11:25-26, Joh 6:40).

Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psa 133:3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 

God has to show us that we are beasts (Ecc 3:18), and part of that beastly nature is our inability to keep the promises we make both to God and to man. Presently all these scriptures (2Ti 3:4-7, Rom 11:18-20, Rev 20:8-9, Act 4:27-28) have their present inward application to our daily-dying old man who cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1Co 15:50). Our vision of what God is doing at any given time is dependent on knowing that His word is an eternal is-was-and-will-be word that will not change, and as such we will not be destroyed (Joh 6:68, Mal 3:6). Flesh, on the other hand, and all carnal soulishness will be destroyed (Luk 12:5).

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[“Silly women” represent the churches of Babylon out of which we’ve come where we were “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14-16)]

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

As it says, making “an oath” is “for confirmation…to them an end of all strife“, meaning for the time being we can say in our flesh — because of our swearing “by the greater” — that we have peace. Whoever we’re subject to, they are “the greater”, and so now with Christ in us we ought to be subject only to Christ in one another and only knowing Christ, as opposed to being under tutors and governors (Gal 4:2-6). As such we do not have need that any man teach us, meaning any carnal man who is still under the law for the lawless, the tutors and governors that represent the milk of the word that we must be established upon but not remain in (1Jn 2:27, Heb 5:11-14).

Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil [Eph 4:14-16].

The truth is the only lasting peace the world will ever have, and it will come through Jesus Christ abiding in us. God has promised the “heirs of promise” that the oath or promise that He made to us is not dependent on some other power greater than Himself because there is none greater (Isa 45:5-7), and therefore we can rest in the Lord and “the immutability of his counsel” which is confirmed by the two immutable promises spoken of in Hebrews 6:18.

Isa 45:5  I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

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: 

These two immutable promises God has given the elect should cause us to move with fear to the saving of our spiritual house (Heb 11:7) which is what “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” means. It is possible because God has granted us the grace and faith, or the unction, to do so (1Jn 5:4, Eph 2:8, 1Jn 2:27). Therefore, because of this anointing, “we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge.

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Our refuge is in Christ in the city of refuge where we flee, and going to that city of refuge (Num 35:15) is another way of saying we go without the camp where our Lord went for us, which is where our “refuge” is (Heb 13:13).

Num 35:15  These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither [Luk 12:5].

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach [Luk 12:5].

We “lay hold upon the hope set before us” by going without the camp where we are “bearing his reproach” of being hated by all men (Mat 10:22) and not by shrinking back (Heb 10:39).

Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul [Luk 12:5].

It is through the giants in our land which God will perfectly position in our lives that we will be nourished and given the strength to lay down our lives as we ought for one another (Num 14:9). Laying hold “upon the hope set before us” can also be thought of as simply looking to Christ who is the faithful author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2-3), who for the joy set before him endured the cross.

Num 14:9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not [Luk 12:5].

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds [Luk 12:5].

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 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

We can’t have any stronger consolation than to know that the One who has promised to bless us and multiply us (Heb 6:14) has sworn by Himself that these things are true, and it is with such a promise we can patiently endure (Heb 6:15) with this “hope” that “we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” that is given to the elect so that we can “entereth into that within the veil“. That veil represents the flesh (Eph 5:30), and Christ, who is our hope of glory within (Col 1:27), is the “forerunner” who “is for us entered, even Jesus” who was “made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec“.

Christ has entered into heaven in the fullness as our resurrected Saviour “after the order of Melchisedec“, and that was the expedient action which had to occur in order for us to receive God’s holy spirit that can and will lead us into all truth if we have that spirit within us (Joh 16:7, Joh 16:13, Rom 8:9). We are therefore raised now in heavenly places (Eph 2:4-6) and the veil or carnal sinful mind is being overcome daily as we die daily and neglect not so great a salvation that is unfolding in this manner: “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).

Salvation has an order to it that starts with our “forerunner” (1Co 15:23-24), then the elect “firstfruits“, and when Christ returns “they that are Christ’s at his coming” who won’t precede those who have already died in the Lord (1Th 4:15-17). When this is all accomplished and the bride of Christ is come together, “then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign [1Co 6:2, 2Ti 2:12], till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” [Rev 11:15].

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

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

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.

Without a clear vision (Pro 29:18) of what “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” is, we won’t be motivated to press toward that mark (Php 3:14-16). However, if Christ is in us as our hope of glory, then we are bound to the altar, and nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Psa 118:27-29, Rom 8:35-39).

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Psa 118:28  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
Psa 118:29  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Audio Links

Awesome Hands – part 98

“Levites versus Priests”

March 9, 2016

We are continuing our study today with looking at the last 7 verses in Exodus 26. At the conclusion of this study, we should have a better understanding if the veils that separate the chambers contained within the inner tabernacle or inner court.

While the fine details may not seem to be significant enough to look into, the finer details allow us to further discover more of the mind of Christ on who we are as the bride of Christ and who our Husband is.

The verses under discussion today will be Exodus 26:31-37.

Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
Exo 26:33  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
Exo 26:34  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Exo 26:35  And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
Exo 26:37  And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Veiling the veils

After talking with countless folks over the past 11 or 12 years one of the more intriguing things I’ve discovered about our mindsets concerning our relationship with God is how undervalued we have valued ourselves according to God’s grace.

What I mean by that is that we are Jesus Christ’s inheritance, His wife and His church. We are the way which He has created for all of His creation to approach Him. Those words may seem hollow or not “humble enough”, but it is a not a puffed up mindset to claim to be the wife and bride of Christ no more different than saying we are the spouse of those we are married to.

When looking at and studying the veils and the separation that provide, we should closely consider what the Lord is telling us about who He considers those that can approach the inner most secrets of His heart and mind.

I will caution you that that things I say in this study can easily be preyed upon by that old serpent whose job it is to separate you from the love of God that is in you. After all, a wife and husband truly love one another in marriage and there is something referred to scripturally as, “This is the Love of God …”.

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

One of the hardest lessons to learn about the the plan of God concerning bringing all of humanity into the kingdom of God is that not all are welcomed into His tabernacle NOW, in this present age.

From the first time we receive our deadly wound (Rev 13:3 and 13:12) that drags us to the Lord, we have heard that the Lord welcomes all to come to Him. While it is true that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, that does not mean that all will be called to be saints in this age. Furthermore, even those who are called must go on to be chosen elect who then must be faithful until the end (Rev 17:4).

So what does this have to do with our study today? Well, it is the veil that separates the priests from those that serve the tabernacle. Here again is the physical tabernacle.

Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
Exo 26:33  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

The innermost veil has cherubims embroidered right on the veil itself and this reveals to us the difference in who could enter into the holy of holies. In the room of the “holy place”, which was before the veil blocking the way to the holy of holies, we have the altar of incense, the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick.

I mention this because we are going to see a pattern immerge in the layout of the items that make up what the tabernacle is. There is what the tabernacle consists of and then there are those that SERVE the tabernacle.

What precisely does the tabernacle represent?

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (G4637) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

G4637

skēnoō

Total KJV Occurrences: 5

dwell, 4

Rev_7:15, Rev_12:12, Rev_13:6, Rev_21:3

dwelt, 1

Joh_1:14

Strong’s defines “dwelt / skenoo” this way:

G4637

skēnoō

skay-no’-o

From G4636; to tent or encamp, that is, (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion): – dwell.

Total KJV occurrences: 5

Thayers defines this same word as:

G4637

skēnoō

Thayer Definition:

1) to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle

2) to dwell

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4636

Citing in TDNT: 7:385, 1040

Here is the root of “dwelt”:

G4633

skēnē

Total KJV Occurrences: 20

tabernacle, 15

Act_7:43-44 (2), Act_15:16, Heb_8:2, Heb_8:5, Heb_9:2-3 (2), Heb_9:6, Heb_9:8, Heb_9:11, Heb_9:21, Heb_13:10, Rev_13:6, Rev_15:5, Rev_21:3

tabernacles, 4

Mar_9:3-5 (3), Luk_9:33, Heb_11:9

habitations, 1

Luk_16:9 (2)

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (G4637) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So the Greek word for “dwelt”, tells us that Jesus Christ was MADE FLESH and tabernacled among us, was full of grace and truth. Doesn’t that sound just like the bride of Christ?

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I WILL COME TO YOU.
Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
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.

Joh 15:4  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.
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.

What is the connection to Christ Jesus abiding in His Father and in us with the tabernacle dwelling among us?

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

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.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

And a few verses later:

1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

What then is eternal life?

Joh 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Joh 17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
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.

So a part of glorifying God the Father is to DO HIS WORK and WILL!

The question that now begs to be answered is who is it that would at all consider denying Christ and being anti Christ by denying that He came in the flesh? After all, most Christians even celebrate Jesus’ BIRTHDAY as Christmas therefore they are celebrating Him PHYSICALLY coming to the earth in FLESH. However, is that what denying He has come in the flesh is?

Bringing this back around to the tabernacle we are studying in Exodus 26, why are the veils important?

The veils separate the rooms of the tabernacle and the even separate those that come from without the tabernacle from those that can approach the mercy seat.

There are three sets of veils. There is the outside veil that is on the walls of the outer court. This veil is hanging on 4 pillars. The next veil is hanging on 5 pillars and leads into the holy place. The final veil blocks the way to the ark of the covenant and mercy seat.

These veils show us in type and shadow the progression of the obedience of those that do what the Lord says to do versus not doing what the Lord says to do.

Levites or Priests?

So, you have the outside world the is represented by those who are outside the outer court, but then the next progression are those who “say they are Jews but are not”. These would represent the Levites, and just who are the Levites?

We all have been or currently are Levites. At some point of our walk as Christians, we have been those who are not worthy to eat at the altar of those who are PRIESTS to God.

In the new series I am doing on Sundays, I just started to point out in the first study the difference of the body of Christ and the women who are drunken with the bloods of the saints. Those drunken are all harlots from the main harlot mother and [divorced] wife of God.

Jer 3:8  And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

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

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

See, the true nation of Israel, those which are Jews inwardly, are those who OBEY God and His commandments and do not take it upon themselves to so much as utter doctrines of devils nor entertain the idea of going along to get along. There are harlots and levites and then there are kings and priests.

You might be saying, how are levites involved in this study? Well, the veils provided the separation on who performed what duties for the tabernacle. So, how do the levites SERVE the tabernacle? We will get to that in a moment.

Firstly, who are the levites?

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.
Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

The levites were taken from all the tribe of Israel and given to Aaron and his sons, the priests, to MINISTER to them. So, this is what they did for the physical temple, but they also were NEVER ALLOWED to partake of the ALTAR that the priests ate at and partook of.

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which SERVE THE TABERNACLE.

How can God put some in service to the tabernacle but NOT be partakers of the altar?

1Co 9:13  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

1Co 10:18  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

If that is not clear enough, then listen to what the book of Malachi and Genesis have to say about those who wish their brethren priests DEAD!

Mal 2:4  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:5  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
Mal 2:6  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Mal 2:7  For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:8  But ye [Levi] are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:9  Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
Gen 49:6  O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
Gen 49:7  Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

You might say, well whoever these levites are today, they probably haven’t slew a man in their anger and we are all still alive so who are the levites who are going to want to slay us?

Joh 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Joh 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

What exactly is Jesus talking about when He talks about the world hating US?

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.

Here then is the Truth about being hated, murdered and slain priests whose priestly blood the harlots are drunken with.

1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the DOCTRINE which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but DOTING ABOUT QUESTIONS AND STRIFES OF WORDS, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5  Perverse DISPUTINGS OF MEN OF CORRUPT MINDS, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such WITHDRAW THYSELF.

Wait, aren’t these levites the same levites God Himself called to be SERVANTS of the TABERNACLE? Why, yes, yes they are. Here is a well known levite. Here is a levite that thought VERY HIGHLY of his life, his standing with others and what others thought of him.

Num 16:1  Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Num 16:2  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Num 16:3  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then LIFT YE UP YOURSELVES above the congregation of the LORD?

Has anyone experienced being called before those that believe they are or should be kings and priests that judge God’s elect? Have any of you been called before loved ones, family, friends, coworkers, strangers or your enemies to give an account of WHO you are to the Lord? have you ever been accused of lifting YOURSELF up, of being elitist and thinking you are the only one with the Truth?

If you have, then you know who the levites are. The spiritual levites of today are those whom the Lord has placed in your lives to TEST you in His Fire. It is the TRIAL of your Faith that is precious to the Lord.

In the end, our job is to speak the Word of God, the Way, Truth and Life that dwells in us, to those the Lord places in front of us. We are NEVER to bow our knee to their Gods and the Lord DOES NOT want us to “agree to disagree” with them. In the end, it is the Lord who decides what happens with those levites the Lord places in front of us.

These levites are SO CALLED Christians who call the Lord, Lord but DO NOT keep His commandments and the Lord is not mocked. Before we go thinking that the levites are somehow ONLY OUTSIDE of us, we better think again because in our own time WE HAVE ALL been levites!!

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.

Praise the Lord that it is all up to Him and He has chosen to call and choose us out from among them who are wretched, miserable, blind, naked and poor!

For those still remaining to SERVE US, the TABERNACLE of God, they are there to SERVE US in causing many severe trials in our lives and relationships with them and one another.

Here is how the Lord deals with them. He did this to the physical descendents of the tribe of Levi and He does this spiritually to those who come up against “Moses and Aaron” within us.

Num 16:4  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
Num 16:5  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and WHO IS HOLY; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

A few verses later…
v
Num 16:19  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
Num 16:20  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Num 16:21  Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Num 16:28  And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
Num 16:29  If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
Num 16:30  But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
Num 16:31  And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
Num 16:32  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Num 16:33  They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Num 16:34  And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

In the next study, we are going to continue to visit what the veils separating the different areas of the tabernacle means as well as studying more the different functions of each group of participants in the house of Israel.

For now we must meditate on Romans 11 knowing that our enemies are BELOVED by the Father for what they produce in His children.

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles 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:
Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Be thankful for your trials but NEVER compromise with the doctrines of levites and devils. Amen.