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Spiritual Significance of Numbers – The Number 16

[Study Aired February 27, 2027]

If the number eight signifies new beginnings as in the putting off of the flesh on the eighth day (Lev 12:3), Christ being resurrected on the eighth day (Mat 28:1-7), and Christ calling all men to Himself on “the eighth day, that great day of the feast”, signifying the great white throne judgment (Joh 7:37, Rev 20:11-15), then sixteen, 2×8, amplifies the putting off of, and the destruction of, our old man,  the birth and the new beginning of the new man, and the great white throne judgment with the assurance of salvation for all men of all time through the faith of Jesus Christ. The number sixteen simply amplifies and extends that all of those messages.

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

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 list 16 qualities of love, demonstrating how this number amplifies the positive significance of the number 8:

1Co 13:4  1) Charity suffereth long, and 2) is kind; charity 3) envieth not; charity 4) vaunteth not itself, is 5) not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  6) Doth not behave itself unseemly, 7) seeketh not her own, 8) is not easily provoked, 9) thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6  10) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but 11) rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7  12) Beareth all things, 13) believeth all things, 14) hopeth all things, 15) endureth all things.
1Co 13:8  Charity 16) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Charity (love) is what God is, and the number sixteen amplifies that love by the putting off of the flesh on the eighth day (Lev 12:3), Christ being resurrected on the eighth day (Mat 28:1-7), and Christ calling all men to Himself on “the eighth day, that great day of the feast”, signifies the great white throne judgment (Joh 7:37, Rev 20:11-15).

Joh 7:37  In the last day [the eighth day], that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [By which all men will be dragged to Christ]

1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
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 [G2889: ‘kosmos’].

Mat 28:1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week [the eighth day], came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

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, 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.

Sixteen is 4×4, which confirms and emphasizes the all-encompassing effect of circumcision on the eighth day, resurrection on the eighth day, and the salvation of all signified by the last great day, the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles.

Sixteen is 15+1, fifteen signifying by its three fives the number of spiritual progression towards spiritual completion, the sixteen, being 15+1 is signifying the completion of that progression toward becoming a new spiritual body.

The Number Three

The Number Five

The completion of our progression from our rebellious, carnal-minded old man to the destruction of that old man and the birth of a repentant, submissive new man in the faith of Christ, requires sixteen days to cleanse the Lord’s temple, His house, which temple we are:

2Ch 29:17  Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. [Finished cleansing the Lord’s temple]

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy [our filthy, defiled, old man]; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The sixteen souls that Zilpah, the handmaid of the despised wife, Leah, “bare unto Jacob”, signify the whole of the church which Christ has chosen from the weak and despised of this earth:

Gen 46:18  These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.

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 eight boards, which formed the west end of the tabernacle, were supported by sixteen silver sockets. Two silver sockets under each board to hold it upright.

Exo 26:25  And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

Exo 36:30  And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.

It is instructive for us to notice that the west end of the tabernacle is as far as one can go into the tabernacle. The west end of the tabernacle is where the ark of the covenant and the cherubim were located, signifying the Lord and His Christ. That is where the sixteen silver sockets were located. Those sixteen sockets supported the eight boards which held up the curtain on the west end of the tabernacle.

There were thirty-two thousand female survivors of the war with Midian. It was the Midianites who had seduced Israel at Peor when the Lord would not permit the prophet Balaam to curse Israel for the king of Moab. Half of the thirty-two thousand were given to the people who had not gone to war, and the other half were kept by the men who had gone to the war and of that half the Lord took His tribute.

All the males of Midian were slain, and there were sixteen thousand women who were spared of the slaughter of the Midianites who had “had not known men” and had not participated in the seduction of Israel at Peor.

Num 31:40  And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD’S tribute was thirty and two persons.

The half of the virgins of Midian that went to the people who had not gone to war was another sixteen thousand:

Num 31:43  (Now the half [of the spoils of the war with Midian] that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
Num 31:44  And thirty and six thousand beeves,
Num 31:45  And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
Num 31:46  And sixteen thousand persons; )

Of course there is a negative use of the number sixteen. Both kings of the northern kingdom of Israel and kings of Judah who reigned sixteen years were both evil kings who did not fear the Lord

2Ki 13:10  In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
2Ki 13:11  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.

Sixteen years returns to its positive application signifying one of the good kings of Judah who was sixteen when he began to reign:

2Ki 15:1  In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
2Ki 15:2  Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
2Ki 15:3  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;

Azariah is another name for Uzziah, king of Judah. Azariah was sixteen when he began to reign. He was a good king, and his son Jotham was also called a good king of Judah whose reign lasted sixteen years:

2Ki 15:32  In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
2Ki 15:34  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

Ahaz was another evil king of Judah who reigned sixteen years:

2Ki 16:2  Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.

Shimei, a descendant of Simeon, had sixteen sons and multiplied much more than his brothers:

1Ch 4:27  And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.

Sixteen signifies that there were more chief men of the sons of Eleazar than the sons of Ithamar of the families of the priests.

1Ch  24:4  And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

While Shimei, a descendant of Simeon, had sixteen sons, Abijah, king of Judah had fourteen sons and sixteen daughters:

2Ch 13:21  But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

We have already mentioned Uzziah, who is also called Azariah, who began his reign at sixteen years of age. What I failed to note was that Azariah’s reign was one of the longest in the history of the kings of Judah:

2Ch 26:3  Sixteen years old was Uzziah [Azariah] when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

Sixteen is 10+6 which signifies in its negative sense the perfection of our flesh. The flipside of that coin is the perfection of our new man.

The Number Six, Part 1

The Number Six, Part 2

The Number Six, Part 3

Ten is the Zenith of the Flesh

Sixteen is 12+4 signifying the whole of the foundation of the family of God and the city of God:

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the [12] tribes of the children of Israel [12x12x1000].

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
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. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth [The whole world].

The Number Four

The Number Twelve

Sixteen is also 4×4. Any number multiplied by itself will always amplify the significance of that number. Just as the sixteen sockets supporting the eight boards at the farthest end of the tabernacle, so does this number sixteen, 4×4, signify the meaning of the whole work of the Lord’s whole creation.

Sixteen is 11+5 signifying the grace through faith (5) which brings a new man out of the destruction and dissolution of our old man:

Joh 12:23  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
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.
Joh 12:25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

A single seed buried in the earth will ‘die’ and decompose. In the process of decomposition, it gives up its life, and in doing do it spouts into a plant which will produce many more seeds. A caterpillar goes through this same 11+5 process of wrapping itself in a coffin-like cocoon, literally dissolving, the spiritual significance of the number 11, and coming out of that cocoon as a beautiful butterfly now capable of ascending into the heavens, the spiritual significance of the number 5. That is the spiritual significance of 11+5 which equals 16.

The Number 5

The Number Eleven

Sixteen is 13+3, signifying the process of the judgment (3) of the rebellion of our carnal-minded old man, signified by the number 13.

The Number Three

The Number Thirteen

I will close this study of the number sixteen with its sum of nine plus seven. Sixteen is 9+7 signifying the completion, 7, of our judgment, 9.

The Number Seven

The Number Nine: The Number of God’s Judgment

While the religions of this world dread ‘the day of judgment’, the Lord’s elect are aware of the fruits of all of the Lord’s judgments. Look at Isaiah’s mindset when considering the fruits of the Lord’s judgment. Isaiah and Paul and Peter all express their great gratitude for the Lord’s judgments, and they all meditate on the outcome of His judgments:

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:8-9 is the product of 9+7. These two verses are that which the number sixteen signifies spiritually.

Here is how Paul thinks of the judgments of God:

1Co 11:27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

I am that person who has eaten and drunk unworthily and have been weak and sickly among the Lord’s body. It is my desire to be judged in this present time and not be judged at a later time. It is the ‘desire of my soul’ to be found in the way of the Lord’s judgments and to learn righteousness… in this present time’ and not at a later judgment. It is much better to be chastened of the Lord in this life than to be chastened of the Lord at the great white throne judgment. Here are the advantages of judging ourselves in this present time, which in reality is the Lord’s chastening grace working in our lives:

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [G3811: ‘paidueo’], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Not one Christian in a thousand or more realizes that the Lord’s chastening and scourging IS the display and the work of His grace in our lives spoken of in:

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching [G3811: ‘paideuo’, chastening and scourging] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Knowing what ‘grace’, the Lord’s love, does in our lives, knowing that grace chastens us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust and to live Godly lives in this present world’ adds a whole new meaning to this verse of scripture:

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace [God’s ‘paideuo’ His chastening and scourging of Hebrews 12:6] did much more abound:

If the Lord chastens and scourges us in this present time then we are of all men most blessed as the apostle Paul reveals:

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

It is “ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the spirit, groaning within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies”, living out the spiritual significance of the number 7 being completed, added to the spiritual significance of the number 9, being judged now, in this present time.

Peter was inspired by the same holy spirit of God and said the same thing about the number nine doing its spiritual work in our lives in this present time:

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?
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.

Paul tells us that all of our persecutions and all of our tribulations, are a token of our salvation:

2Th 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2Th 1:5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

It is through much tribulation that we must enter the kingdom of God, but the suffering is not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in us if we are granted to have a part in the blessed and holy first resurrection and come out of our graves with a new spiritual body, which is the spiritual significance of 2×8 and 7+9… the number sixteen.

]]> Study of the Book of Kings – “He Made a Molten Sea” – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/study-of-the-book-of-kings-he-made-a-molten-sea-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=study-of-the-book-of-kings-he-made-a-molten-sea-part-2 Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:15:51 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24845 1Ki 7:36-46  “He made a molten sea” – Part 2
[Study Aired December 9, 2021]

1Ki 7:36  For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about. 
1Ki 7:37  After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size. 
1Ki 7:38  Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver. 
1Ki 7:39  And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south. 
1Ki 7:40  And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD: 
1Ki 7:41  The two pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; 
1Ki 7:42  And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars; 
1Ki 7:43  And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases; 
1Ki 7:44  And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea; 
1Ki 7:45  And the pots, and the shovels, and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of bright brass.
1Ki 7:46  In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan. 

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” As we’re told in Romans 11:33, and with the mind of Christ which has been given to God’s elect, we can search out the deep things that are currently hidden from the world and given to a very few who are now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3, Mat 13:17). Christ opens up our heavens and shows mercy to us through judgment that makes us bold (1Jn 4:17) and prepares us in this life to judge angels in the next (1Co 2:14-16, 1Co 6:3).

God’s knowledge is without a doubt unsearchable, and so these verses in Peter will always be true for us, until our last breath in this life, which tell us how we are to approach this unsearchable knowledge God has given to so very few in this life to understand and pursue with a steadfast spirit: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; [Rom 2:4, 2Co 1:5-7] even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2Pe 3:15-18).

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. 

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.

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. 
1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

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

The natural man in me “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 2:14, 1Co 1:21, 1Jn 4:5-6), and so in our flesh we are designed by the Creator to only know things ‘in part’ through the earnest of the spirit (1Co 13:12, Eph 1:14, 2Co 5:5) that gives us a hunger (Mat 5:6) to go from glory to glory with a diligent and steadfast spirit which understands that this process of growing in grace and in knowledge of our Lord is a life-long arduous process of dying daily as we experience “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” which is connected to the goodness of God. His goodness leads us unto salvation via that same longsuffering spirit that is at work in Christ’s body, the church, who are continuing in the truth believing thatGod’s truth will set us free (2Co 3:18, Rom 2:4-5, Joh 8:31-32).  

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; [2Pe 3:15] not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 
Rom 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

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.

We learn obedience by the things that we suffer going from glory to glory as the veil is ripped, and through those experiences God gives His children the ability to compare spiritual things with spiritual using the physical (1Co 2:13). That is the concept God has called us to have at the forefront of our thinking so that with the mind of Christ we can make sense of all God causes in our lives as we grow in a spirit of gratitude and thanks as we recognize His workmanship taking place in our lives by the faith that is given to us as a gift from God (Eph 2:10, Luk 17:17-19). 

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. 

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. 

Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 
Luk 17:18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 
Luk 17:19  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

This section of Kings we are looking at now reminds us that it is through much tribulation that God’s elect will inherit the kingdom of God, and God is the one who causes the furnace to be turned up “seven times more than it was wont to be heated”, which is typical of the lavers in this section of scripture that were used to heat the baths that were used for ceremonial washing. All these works of copper are, in type and shadow, reflecting the sanctification process which God’s elect are going through ‘in this age’ that must be accompanied with fiery trials (Dan 3:19, 1Pe 4:12).

Dan 3:19  Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy [presently today as we go from glory to glory to glory, rejoicing always in the Lord, and ultimately in the first resurrection if we are blessed in this age to endure until the end through Christ].

1Ki 7:36  For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about.

“The sides of the cart and the frames had pictures of Cherub angels, lions, and palm trees carved into the bronze. These pictures were carved all over the carts—wherever there was room. And there were flowers carved on the frame around the cart.” (ERV)

All these symbols were very visible on every side of each cart that represent God’s elect who will very visibly be seen by all corners of the world that we will minister to during the thousand year reign and beyond (Isa 30:21, Act 26:26, 1Jn 4:17, Rev 20:6), as those “Cherub angels, lions, and palm trees” [process of judgment – #3 – Cherub angels, lions, and palm trees], with Christ in the midst of them symbolized by ‘flowers’ (‘additions’H3914 in the KJV)] carved on the frame around the cart”. 

Psa 92:11-15 “Bless The LORD, O My Soul…” Part 3 (see the section in this study regarding palm trees and the elect )

Animals in Scripture – Lion (see this study by Mike regarding the lion and the elect)

FAQ – the seraphim of Isa 6(see this FAQ for a concise study on the cherub angels/seraphim and the elect)

These symbols remind us what we will be doing for humanity at this time in the physical realm as spirit beings whose lives have been predestined or carved into God’s plan for that very purpose as typified by this verse:

Dan 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

In the physical realm during Solomon’s time the water of these carts was used to wash off the ashes of the sacrifices that were burnt. As God’s ministering spirits, we will go forth as angels who will bring strength and healing to a world that will be learning of God’s mercy toward them as they are washed with the word of God through Christ’s bride who will “wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev 21:4).

Right after the twelve symbolic tribes of Israel are sealed in Revelation 7:1-8, which represents God’s remnant that is sealed, we see how a great multitude is then worked with as Christ’s other fold of which we are told “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” (Joh 10:16, Rev 7:9-17).

This twain becoming one process started first with the body of Christ (1Co 6:16, Eph 2:14, Mat 19:6, Rev 19:9), and as saviours of our Lord it is completed through the elect (Oba 1:21) who are sent forth for this purpose of reconciling all the nations unto God (Joh 20:21, Joh 3:17). “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” of Revelation 6:17, reminds us that no flesh will be able to stand before God’s wrath which will begin to consume all the world who are not as yet aware that their lives are going to be presented as living sacrifices that will drink the cup God’s people will have already drank (Jer 25:28).

Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 
Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? [Mal 3:2-3] 

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree [these are able to stand through Christ, having done all (Eph 6:13)].

[God’s elect who are likened unto palm trees do not measure the court that represents the world today (Rev 11:1-2) which is what “that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree” means]

Rev 7:2  And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 
Rev 7:3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 

[Once the first resurrection occurs [the servants having been sealed in their foreheads], then the work of God’s judgments being in the earth will begin (Isa 26:9, Rev 11:15) and although there is no conversion at this time, men are in this first stage of judgement that is represented by a baptism with water and not fire that will unfold in the second resurrection (Rev 20:6). The measure of stripes people receive in the second resurrection has all been calibrated by our merciful Father and there is no one who is in that second resurrection who does not need to have these words fulfilled in their lives to greater or lesser degrees as it has already occurred to God’s elect (Joh 3:5, Heb 13:8)].

First group:

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Second group:

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 
Rev 7:10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 
Rev 7:11  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 
Rev 7:12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 
Rev 7:13  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 
Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washedG4150 [G5656] their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rev 7:15  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 
Rev 7:16  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 
Rev 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe awayG1813 [G5692] all tears from their eyes.

We’ve gone from the first group, the 144,000 sealed, (the kind of first fruits who minister to one another and bring those living waters via those carts that symbolize the body of Christ who are being saved today), to then start to minister to the rest of the world the words of God that will ultimately bring forth fruit when the trial of humanity’s faith occurs in the lake of fire (1Pe 1:7). The trial of our faith is happening today so we can be those jewels God will prepare for the world’s sake, with God’s longsuffering spirit of mercy extended to them through that process (Mal 3:17-18, Joh 14:20).

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: 

Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. [Joh 14:10, Jas 5:7] 
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. 

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

1Ki 7:37  After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.

The ten bases that were made as “one casting” represents the hardness that is forged in our heavens, for each and every member of the body of Christ (Eze 3:9), which is what God’s judgment promises to accomplish for the church. It is all “ten bases” because “the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” and in our flesh, where God is working this work (2Th 2:2, 1Pe 4:1) which will bring us to perfection on the third day (1Pe 5:9-10, Luk 13:32).

Eze 3:9  As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

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; 

1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

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.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

1Ki 7:38  Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver. 

The numbers mentioned in this verse are significant as they denote that it is those who have become those “ten lavers of brass” who can administer God’s judgments, and each “laver contained forty baths“. Forty represents the tribulation that comes about as a result of being washed with the word of God.

Every “laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver” tells us that all the world will be judged, all “four cubits“, and there is “one laver” for every “ten bases” to accomplish this. The “one” represents the tenth part of ten that has already been judged and becomes the storehouse God intended for this purpose of judging the rest of His creation (Mal 3:10-12). If we are granted to “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse”, which means to give our whole life unto God, the outward fulfillment of this blessing will be beyond what eyes and ears can comprehend, a true statement regarding the elect’s future that is too great to be received in the flesh: “I will …open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. “(1Co 2:9).

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:12  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. 

1Ki 7:39  And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south. 

Putting “five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house” represents the witness of grace that will  be experienced by the whole house that needs to be washed by the blood of the lamb (Heb 9:22, Joh 1:29). The molten sea’s position “on the right side of the house eastward over against the south” demonstrates God’s power on the “right side” that will make this cleansing work of grace possible. It is on “the right side of the house eastward over against the south” which is symbolic language that tells us that the man of perdition who is trying to flee judgment in the south will be judged by the brightness of Christ’s coming from the east “eastward” (Mat 24:27, 2Th 2:8).

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

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: 

1Ki 7:40  And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

All these tools that Hiram made, “the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons“, are types of how Babylon serves the body of Christ today with all the means by which the gospel has been able to go forth into all the world. That work does lead people to repentance at an altar that brings our flesh to stumble onto Christ, but if we are blessed to be introduced to the altar of Christ that sweeps away the refuge of spiritual lies in our heavens, it will be through the crushing process Christ requires of all those who are being received as disciples indeed who are blessed in this age to continue in the truth (Heb 13:10, Mat 21:44, Heb 12:6-7, Joh 8:31-32).

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 

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.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

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.

The “laversH3595, and the shovelsH3257 and the basonsH4219” each symbolize the vehicles God will use to make the gospel known to all men as a witness, and for those who are given to receive that witness in this age and keep the sayings of the prophecies, there will be a sanctification process which unfolds that will lead to the first resurrection (Mat 24:13-15, Joh 17:17).

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 
Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) [Rev 1:3]

If you recall, in our last study we looked at the word “networksH7639” which means ‘lattice’, and learned that the same word was used in the negative sense with the king within us by the name of Ahaziah who has to fall through that network or lattice and continue to seek healing in Babylon where there is no healing, meaning no stay of bread or water (2Ki 1:2, Isa 3:1).

In the positive use of the word ‘lattice’ we see these two pillars that represent the elect who are being dragged out of Babylon having “networksH7639” that God has ordained to provide a safety net for all the world eventually through the crown of life that represents the faithfulness of Christ who finished the work of faith within the elect who were granted (Rev 19:8) to resist sin unto the shedding of blood, and as such were given this crown of life represented by the “chapiter“.

I think it’s extremely important that we meditate on the fact that we all fall through this lattice [the lies of Babylon, and half truths of the harlot], and even after we fall and hit the ground so hard, we still seek healing in Babylon for the longest time, which is not there (Isa 3:1). God wants us to know that salvation comes from only One, and that is through Christ and His Christ (Act 4:12, Act 26:14, 1Jn 4:17).

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Act 26:14  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

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 7:42  And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars; 

We’re certainly not bearing this cross alone of being saviours along with Christ, and this verse we are looking at confirms this fact and gives us hope that together as “four hundred pomegranates for the two networks” all the world can be saved, and all this will be accomplished by the life of Christ in us represented by the witness of “two rows of pomegranates for one network“. What we do as those works of lattice is save all the world.  None that the Father drags to us will be lost (Joh 17:20, Mat 4:19). The lattice is used to “cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars” which represents the elect who are the means to the end with the life of Christ in them, making it possible for them to save all of humanity in the great white throne judgment (Rev 20:12).

Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 

Mat 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 

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. 

1Ki 7:43  And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases; 

If we are going to be equipped to save anyone, we will need to have a permanently fixed understanding in our heart that we are unprofitable servants who have only done that which was expected of us (Luk 17:10). That is what it means to be “ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases.” You’ve been abased, you know intimately you’re the chief of sinners and that you have nothing to offer God and that you bring nothing to the altar, and yet you also understand that through Christ you are more than a conqueror. You are a saviour who can now save others as you have been saved through Christ by continuing in the word of truth (1Ti 4:16).

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 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.

1Ki 7:44  And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea; 

Abraham, who is a type of Christ, was given this promise in Genesis 32:12. Making Abraham’s seed “as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude” typifies what God is going to do for His elect (Gen 32:12, Rev 7:9).

Gen 32:12  And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 

These verses in Revelation 7:4-8 which speak of the twelve tribes of Israel that precedes Revelation 7:9 typify the “twelve oxen under the sea” who are a type of the elect or 144,000 whose salvational work will save all of mankind “as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude” (Gen 32:12, Gal 4:27).

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

Gen 32:12  And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

1Ki 7:45  And the potsH5518, and the shovelsH3257, and the basonsH3257: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of bright brass. 
1Ki 7:46  In the plain of JordanH3383 did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

Hiram is a type of those who have not been given eyes to see and ears to hear the true gospel (Luk 8:10) and are serving the elect by making the word available through their labours as expressed with this verse “and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of brightH4803 brass“.

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

This point of Hiram being as those who are not given to discern spiritually is also symbolized by there being two groups who built the temple: “Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house” (1Ki 5:18). Solomon typifies the elect who are blessed to have the hope of glory within them, Jesus Christ, the new man who is the only one who can build the spiritual temple (Psa 127:1).

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. 

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.

To further brighten this point of where our knowledge of Christ starts, we read:

“And the pots, and the shovels, and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD” were of “bright brass” and they were made in “the plainH3603 [circle] of JordanH3383 [descender] did the king castH3332 [cleave fast, be firm] them, in the clay groundH127 [man] between SuccothH5523 [booth] and Zarthan.H6891“[Jos 3:16].

This tells us that as the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) we must live by these words that explain our forty years in the wilderness which have us going in circles trying to perfect ourselves in our flesh cleaving fast to our false doctrines. It is here where we formulate or cast our thoughts in the earth, which represent Babylon, that we are called out as the manchild of God (2Co 6:17, Rev 12:5). At this stage we do not hear the word of the Lord, but rather the king in us at that time does this:

“…the king castH3332 [cleave fast, be firm] them, in the clay groundH127 [man]”, 

All of this is showing us that we are Adam from start to finish “between SuccothH5523 [booth] and ZarthanH6891” [their distress (Jos 3:16)]; but if we are blessed to be worked with in this age as God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10), then Adam will be decreasing and Christ increasing all our lives, and that image of the beast or [man] will be dying daily (Joh 3:30, Rev 13:14-15).

It is a lifelong process to which the Lord has called the elect to learn how to implement the “pots, and the shovels, and the basons” in the service of God in the temple of God as they were intended to be used. Because judgment is upon us (1Pe 4:17), we are assured we will learn through that judgment and see God’s love perfected in us (1Jn 4:17) so that we can minister to those whom God will drag to us (Joh 6:44) to show mercy as He has to done to us (Rom 11:30-32). Looking at the words “pots, and the shovels, and the basons“, we are given an understanding of how these vesselsH3627 typify the word of God that will be used to bring the world to salvation through the church (Oba 1:21).

God made a physical molten sea through Hiram, and we are blessed to see that the true “molten sea” this represents is the lake of fire which will purify the rest of humanity. Why is it a blessing to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6)? The only way we can know the answer to this is to have been tried and tested and made ready to wash the world with the blood of the lamb, symbolized by the molten sea. All the glory and honour are God’s for the starting and finishing of this process, and the saints cry out “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” because they typify those who understand the blessing it will be to one day be used to bring healing to all the world made possible because of the judgment they have endured in this life [3] (1Pe 4:17).

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. 

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

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. 

]]> Daniel – Dan 4:1-18 The Most High Rules in the Kingdom of Men https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/daniel-dan-41-18-the-most-high-rules-in-the-kingdom-of-men/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=daniel-dan-41-18-the-most-high-rules-in-the-kingdom-of-men Mon, 29 Nov 2021 09:11:04 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24792

Dan 4:1-18  The Most High Rules in the Kingdom of Men

[Study Aired November 29, 2021]

Dan 4:1  Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 
Dan 4:2  I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 
Dan 4:3  How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 
Dan 4:4  I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 
Dan 4:5  I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 
Dan 4:6  Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 
Dan 4:7  Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 
Dan 4:8  But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, 
Dan 4:9  O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 
Dan 4:10  Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 
Dan 4:11  The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 
Dan 4:12  The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 
Dan 4:13  I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 
Dan 4:14  He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 
Dan 4:15  Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 
Dan 4:16  Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 
Dan 4:17  This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 
Dan 4:18  This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. 

Last week’s study of Daniel chapter 3 focused on who we are and how, through our fiery trials represented by the furnace, those called and chosen are not given to worshiping the image created by Nebuchadnezzar which represents our old man or the beast within.

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; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

Today’s study is about a dream Nebuchadnezzar had and what this dream spiritually signifies. This dream shows us who we are as a beast and the need for us to go through judgment to learn righteousness.

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. 

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Dan 4:1  Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 

This verse shows us that what we are going to read in this chapter is addressed to all the people of the world, that is, all humanity. We must understand that what Nebuchadnezzar was going to unveil in the dream he had affects all humanity. However, as we are aware, it is only the elect who can understand the implication of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream on their lives. This is because it is not given to all humanity to understand the word of God in this age except those elected by God who are privileged to do so.

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

Dan 4:2  I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 
Dan 4:3  How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 

As we shall see later, the signs and wonders God has wrought in the life of Nebuchadnezzar, of which he was telling the whole world, relates to the revelation of who he was and how the Lord dealt with him. Our Lord showing us who we are and coming to deal with our old man is the wonderful work that is spoken of by Nebuchadnezzar in these verses. The Psalmist also talks about this wonderful work of the Lord as follows:

Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 
Psa 107:32  Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

The details of this wondrous work of the Lord are as follows:

Psa 107:23  They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
Psa 107:24  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 
Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

This wonderful work of the Lord starts with us going down to the sea and doing business in great waters. Going down to the sea and doing business in great waters means being ruled by the flesh and conforming to the standards of this world. This gives the Lord the occasion to come and judge us by raising a storm which causes us to come to our wits’ end. In our desperation, we cry to our Lord to deliver us just like Paul cried:

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Our Lord comes in to calm the storm and bring us to our safe haven. That is to say that through this experience, we learn righteousness and become the sons of God. That is the wonderful work of the Lord or the signs and wonders of His work that Nebuchadnezzar is bringing to our attention so we can praise the Lord!!

Psa 107:22  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 

The rest of Daniel chapter 4 deals with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which unveils who we are as we go through Babylon and the steps the Lord takes to deliver us.

Dan 4:4  I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 
Dan 4:5  I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 

We thought we were at rest and basking in our own self-righteousness in Babylon just like Nebuchadnezzar, when Christ came into our lives and ‘all hell broke loose’. As we are aware, our Lord Jesus coming into our lives is not for peace but a sword. That is exactly what happened to Nebuchadnezzar.

Mat 10:34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 
Mat 10:35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 
Mat 10:36  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 

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

Dan 4:6  Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 
Dan 4:7  Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 

The wise men of Babylon are the magicians, astrologers, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers. These men represent the leaders of the various religious organizations of the world whose delicacies have made rich the merchants of the earth (the church leaders) and have caused all the people of the world to drink of the wine of their fornication.

Rev 18:3  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

These wise men are not given to know the truth and therefore do not have the mind of Christ. As a result, they cannot interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar which is given to those whose eyes are being opened and their ears hearing what the spirit of the Lord is saying.

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will 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. 

This is what the Lord says of these scribes and Pharisees of today who represents the wise men of Babylon:

Mat 23:4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Mat 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  
Mat 23:14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 
Mat 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Dan 4:8  But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
Dan 4:9  O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

In verse 8, the last person to come before the king to attempt interpreting the dream was Daniel. Daniel represents the elect and, as indicated, the wise men who came earlier stand for Babylon. As we know, the flesh always comes first before the spirit. We had to be in Babylon first before we were given to worship God in spirit.

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

We, the elect, are the ones who are given to know the mind of Christ just like Daniel and therefore, we can interpret the dream of the king or the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is a parable that those who have not been given the mind of Christ cannot understand or interpret.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 
Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 

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.

As we continue in Him, the secret things of the Lord will be made known to us.

Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Jer 33:2  Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 
Jer 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Dan 4:10  Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 
Dan 4:11  The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 

According to the word of God, a tree represents man. A good tree therefore signifies the elect, and a bad tree stands for all humanity who are not given to know Christ in this life.

Mar 8:24  And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

Psa 37:35  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Psa 52:8  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

All humanity, including the elect, starts as bad trees. Those predestined to become the sons of God in this life, however, are transformed to become good trees later in life. The characteristics of the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream qualifies it as a bad tree as described in verse 10 and 11. In verse 10, it is stated that the height was great. Also in verse 11, it is shown that the height of the tree reaches heaven.

Eze 31:3  Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds. 

Eze 31:10  “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, 

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.

What we are being told is that the height of the tree here symbolizes the pride of man. We become proud because we think we control our own destiny and that it is through our effort that we have become righteous. This is the self-righteousness, which is iniquity, spoken of by Ezekiel.

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 righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Verse 11 also states that the tree grew and became strong. As we age in life without Christ, the old man within us also becomes more entrenched in wickedness and therefore we end up being worse off than when we started.

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Again, in verse 11, it is stated that the tree was visible in all parts of the world. This visibility of the tree refers to the worshiping of the beast by all humanity, which is becoming more and more obvious as we see the increase in wickedness in all humanity as we go from bad to worse.

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 13:8  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.

Dan 4:12  The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

We must remember that this dream is about Nebuchadnezzar who represents who we were when we were in Babylon. This verse compares to the following scripture:

Mat 13:31  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 
Mat 13:32  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Matthew chapter 13 verses 31 and 32 can be interpreted to mean that we all take the grain of mustard seed which is the word of God and turn it into images of men or false doctrines which strengthens the devil’s (fowls of the heaven) influence or hold on us as it empowers the old man or the beast within.

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

That is what happens to us in Babylon. We become worse off than when we started. Daniel 4:12 talks about our deplorable state in Babylon.

Dan 4:13  I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 

According to Strong, the word ‘watcher’ means an angel or a messenger. So, the holy one and the watcher represent our Lord Jesus and His Christ. It is the Lord Jesus, the Chief messenger, who came to announce to us that we, His elect, must be judged for our sins. In other words, we must be cut down as a tree. We, as His Christ, are also carrying the same message that to learn righteousness, one must be cut down or judged.

1Pe 4:17  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Dan 4:14  He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 

In our marred state in Babylon, our Lord comes into our lives to judge us. This judgment is signified by the hewing down of the tree, the cutting off of its branches, the shaking of its leaves and the scattering of its fruit. We are the tree that is being cut down.

Eze 17:24  And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

The end result of cutting down this tree is that the beasts get away from it. This is another way of saying that the beast or the old man within us is put to death. The fowls getting away from the tree branches is to let us know that we are no longer under the dictates of the devil. In other words, the devil is no longer our father.

Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Joh 8:44  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

It is when this cutting down of us as trees is accomplished that we learn righteousness.  We can therefore live righteously because the beast within us is dying, and the devil is no longer our father.

Isa 26:8  In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. 
Isa 26:9  My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

The import of this dream Nebuchadnezzar had is the same as Ezekiel’s prophecy to Pharoah, king of Egypt.

Eze 31:1  And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Eze 31:2  Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? 
Eze 31:3  Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. 
Eze 31:4  The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. 
Eze 31:5  Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. 
Eze 31:6  All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. 
Eze 31:7  Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. 
Eze 31:8  The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. 
Eze 31:9  I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. 
Eze 31:10  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; 
Eze 31:11  I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.
Eze 31:12  And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.
Eze 31:13  Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:

We can see that it is our pride that causes us to be cut down. While in Nebuchadnezzar’s case, we were not told who was going to do the cutting down, in this case, Ezekiel said that judgment would be meted out by strangers and the terrible of the nations. This is referring to one of the four sore judgments of the Lord – the noisome beast. The end result is that it leads to the destruction of the old man.

Eze 14:21  For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? 

Dan 4:15  Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 

On a positive note, the tree stump that is left is the elect. When we are judged (cut down) by the Lord, we are not destroyed completely. It is our old man or the beast within that is destroyed, and we are left as a tree stump to grow again at the scent of water which is the word of God. In verse 15, being wet with the dew of heaven means receiving the word of God.

Job 14:7  “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. 
Job 14:8  Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, 
Job 14:9  yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. (ESV)

Isa 6:11  Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste, 
Isa 6:12  and the LORD removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 
Isa 6:13  And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump. (ESV)

The tree stump being bound with iron and brass means that we are dragged by the Lord to Himself. In verse 15, it is also mentioned that the stump must be left in the tender grass of the field so that it will be wet by the dew of heaven. This is to suggest that our Lord will plant us in the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem so that we can be beneficiaries of what every joint supplies, which is the word of God. Remember that grass of the field positively represents the elect.

Zec 10:1  Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

The last statement of verse 15 is that the tree stump’s portion should be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. This signifies that we, as our Lord’s elect, are being sent as sheep in the midst of wolves. In other words, we shall suffer persecution and be hated by all men.

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 
Mat 10:17  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 
Mat 10:18  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 

Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

The physical implication of verse 15 was that Nebuchadnezzar would not be destroyed totally but would become like the beast of the fields so that he would appreciate the fact that he is a beast just like all of us. The next verse explains this point.

Dan 4:16  Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

The period for Nebuchadnezzar to come to the realization that he is a beast was seven years, which signifies the complete period of time that we come to realize during our time in Babylon that we are beasts. Coming to know that we are beasts is the beginning of the process of the Lord to make us His sons.

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.

Dan 4:17  This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

According to Strong, the word “watchers” here means holy angels. The watchers and the holy ones are all the same. They represent the elect. This whole issue of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is to bring to our attention the fact that our Lord is at the center of all that takes place in our lives, both good and evil. The Lord giving the kingdom to whomsoever he will means that we play no part in our salvation. As a matter of fact, it is God who has chosen us before the foundations of the world. We did not choose ourselves.

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 
Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 
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,

The Lord setting the kingdom up being ruled over by the basest of men means that He chooses the stupid things of this world to confound the wise and the prudent to the effect that no flesh shall glory in His presence.

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.

Dan 4:18  This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

As we have said earlier, it is those who have been given eyes to see and ears to hear who have the mind of Christ and are therefore given to know the interpretation of the mysteries concerning the kingdom of Heaven which is signified by Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

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.

]]> Who Does Jacob Foreshadow? https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/who-does-jacob-foreshadow/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-does-jacob-foreshadow Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:05:08 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=14986 Who Does Jacob Foreshadow?

Hi B____​

Thank you for your question concerning the Lord’s choice of Jacob as a type of Christ and His elect.

While all the deceit and trickery of Jacob and his mother against Esau and Isaac have no resemblance to our Head (Christ), it certainly does reflect us as His body. We need to know Christ did not consider His personal flesh and blood to be fit for the kingdom of heaven any more than our sinful flesh is. He challenged the man who called Him ‘good master’, and He informed us that He was not yet perfected while in this earthen vessel:

Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day [at His resurrection] I shall be perfected.

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

So while the flesh and blood of our head, Christ, was the same as ours yet because He was conceived in HIs mother’s womb of the holy spirit of His Father, and because He was not given that spirit “by measure”, He was kept from ever sinning, even as He walked about on this earth in a body of corruptible flesh and blood:

Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. [This is not true of any of us. Both of our parents are completely “in Adam”, 1Co 15:22.]

Joh 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. [This is not true of any of us. We have all been given “the measure of faith”, Rom 12:3.]

We, “His body… the church”, on the other hand are ​eminently qualified and demonstrated to be just as guilty and deceitful as any of the Old Testament types of Christ. As you noticed, Jacob took advantage of his brother’s hunger to take Esau’s birthright away from him. He conspired with his mother to lie to and to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau.

Many years later another type of God’s elect, King David, committed adultery with the wife of one of his own captains, a man named, Uriah, and then he had Uriah to be murdered by the Ammonites to cover up his sin.

So now we have every reason to say of ourselves, as the Lord’s elect, “God be merciful to me a sinner”, and to acknowledge that from my own perspective “Christ came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am chief”.

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

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.

This is what qualifies anyone to be a follower of Christ:

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:

The stories of Jacob and King David are both stories of base men, acting very foolishly in the weakness of their flesh, doing things we all despise, and He chose those men to typify us as His perfected saints because that is something which is not yet completed and yet we are declared to be “the sons of God”:

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2  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.

The next verse of 1Corinthians 1 tells us why God has chosen the base, weak and despised things “which are not” yet perfected to be His elect sons:

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

I hope this helps you to see why the story of Jacob, a man who was willing to lie, cheat and steal, is used as a type of the spiritual children of God:

Luk 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Christ was not justifying the theft of the unjust steward. He even went on to say:

Luk 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luk 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luk 16:12  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

Nevertheless, He does use that thief and Jacob as examples of how resourceful and desirous we should be to obtain our birthright:

I hope this helps you to see that Jacob really is a very good type and shadow of the Lord’s elect who, in their own estimation, have been so sinful that they cannot so much as raise their heads before God because they perceive themselves as the despised, weak and base men of this age.

Your brother in Christ, Mike

]]> The Spiritual Significance of Base Metals in Scripture – Iron, Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/spiritual_significance_of_metals_iron_2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spiritual_significance_of_metals_iron_2 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 14:54:57 +0000 http://iswasandwillbe.wpengine.com/?p=8523 The Spiritual Significance of Base Metals in Scripture – Iron (Part 2): Its Positive Application

By way of review:

Base metals all are refined from out of the dust of the earth, but they are not very valuable because they are so common. And yet none of the precious metals would be considered precious to us without the fact that we have so much and so many of these common, base metals. For this very same reason God’s “jewels” are ‘jewels’ because they are precious and few in comparison to such an abundance of these base or common metals. Here is how God expresses this thought:

Rom 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Rom 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Mal 3:16 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.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous [jewels] and the wicked [base metals], between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

All the common and base metals are refined through the furnace of fire, just as are all of the precious metals. That refining process begins while we are yet in Egypt:

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Deu 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Israel’s calling was at the expense of the rest of the world.

Lev 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

God’s elect are chosen at the expense of physical Israel:

Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [Israel’s] unbelief:

Our election is based upon the rejection of the multitudes of Christians. We would not be elect without the rejected firstborn flesh. And they will not be brought to God except through God’s elect:

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

The same is true for Christ. Through what was Christ raised from the dead:

Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for [Greek – dia – through] our offences, and was raised again for [Greek – dia – through] our justification.

Christ’s death was “through our offences.” Christ’s resurrection from the dead was “through our justification,” through God’s rejection of the common base metal called “sinful flesh” which we all are in the beginning of our experience.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

What is flesh? It misses the mark. It is “sinful.”

Iron is found in the promised land, flowing with immature, but “sincere… milk and honey”.

Deu 8:9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

Exo 3:17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

But as it is with all immature “babes in Christ,” babies do not consider themselves to be immature.

1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

And yet these Corinthians were just immature babes:

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

‘Carnal’ is as common and as base as it comes. But ‘carnal’ is not just others, carnal is common to all men.

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
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:[base metals]

So this next verse is not some one else. This next verse proceeds out of the mouth of God and is each of us in our common base metal, part of our walk:

Rev 3:15 I know thy [he that hath and ear to hear] works, that thou [that hath an ear to hear] art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

What are iron’s unique properties?

There are, no doubt, others but the two most obvious are its hardness and its tendency to rust and corrode.

Deu 28:48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Jer 6:28 They [are] all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: [they are] brass and iron; they are all corrupters.

Dan 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

So ‘iron’ symbolizes our trials and tests needed to break our hard hearts and bring us eventually into submission. That is why Egypt is called an iron furnace:

Deu 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

There will be no merciless, hard iron tools of man’s works, used in the construction of God’s house:

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. [Christ builds His own temple. Our works are “tools of iron”].

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.

Iron’s positive application in scripture

But iron will be used in its construction. Iron is unyielding as it holds the house of God together. It breaks in pieces all the false doctrines that come against it.

1Ch 22:3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

Iron is used “without weight” in the construction of God’s house:

1Ch 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

There is much work in building God’s house. God’s house is full of workers in every material including much iron. But the Lord’s house cannot be built until the giants in the land have been subdued, until we have entered into our rest from our works:

1Ch 22:15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
1Ch 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
1Ch 22:17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, [saying],
1Ch 22:18 Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
1Ch 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

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.
Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

God’s house also has an abundance of gold, silver, and precious stones:

1Ch 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for [things to be made] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and the brass for [things] of brass, the iron for [things] of iron, and wood for [things] of wood; onyx stones, and [stones] to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

Iron – Tribulation – Is By Far The Most Common of All Metals

But it takes far more of the common, base metals and stones for God’s house, than the gold, silver, and precious stones. Both are demanded, but the one is precious, the other is common or base. Hard, unyielding, trying iron, is far more abundant than any other metal.

1Ch 29:7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

Here is what this signifies:

1Sa 26:21 Then said [King} Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
1Sa 26:22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
1Sa 26:23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed.
1Sa 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
1Sa 26:25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed [be] thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Notice, David did not take King Saul up on his offer to “return my son David.” King Saul signifies Babylon. Babylon is “The lord’s anointed, against whom we are not to stretch forth our hand” even as they bring us “much tribulation:”

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.

We are not “return” to our oppressors:

Hos 11:5 He [Israel] shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return [to God].

The son of a Gentile, foreshadowing God’s calling of the Gentiles, is chosen to work on God’s Temple. He is skillful in working with all the metals, including iron.

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

A reminder

These materials and all that is constructed of these materials represent the works and the doctrines with which the common people and the Levites were never to come in contact, except as God called and chose them to do so. many were called to supply the materials, but few were chosen to work on the temple.

2Ch 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

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

Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Iron and brass are used to “mend the house of the Lord”

2Ch 24:12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

God’s elect are likened to iron:

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

God’s elect are called the daughter of Zion:

Mic 4:13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

God’s Word Is Likened Unto Iron

Isa 10:34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

How does God describe “my words in thy mouth?”

Jer 1:17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
Jer 1:18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
Jer 1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

God’s elect will rule with “a rod of iron”:

Psa 2:9 Thou [Christ] shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

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.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The ‘sharp sword’ and the ‘rod of iron’ are one and the same thing. Both are the “words which proceed out of the mouth of God,” by which all men shall eventually live.

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

Compare:

Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

“The sword of the spirit, the word of God, the rod of His mouth, and the breath of His lips,” are all one and the same, Word of God.

In Conclusion

Iron, like all of the base metals, as well as the precious metals, must be smelted in the furnace of fire. Iron is less valuable than copper, but more useful that tin or lead. Iron, in it’s negative application, is the hardest and yet the most easily corrupted of all of the base metals.

But iron in its positive application breaks all the false doctrines of Babylon in pieces and destroys them. The word of God purifies our lives, rooting out what needs to be gone and breaking it to pieces.

Our next base metal is our last base metal. It is not nearly as common as iron, but it is still common. We will deal with the spiritual significance of copper in our next study.

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