In Exodus chapter 3 what does the bush represent, and what does it represent when it says it doesn’t burn?
E____

Hi E____,

Thank you for your question about the spiritual significance of the burning bush mentioned in Exo 3.

Exo 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
Exo 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

In order to give you the answer to your question I first must correct your statement “… when it says it doesn’t burn”. It actually says ” the bush burned with fire…” but it does go on to state “and the bush was not consumed.”
Now this is an easy question to answer for this one reason:

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The narrative there in Exodus goes on to tell us that:

Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Exo 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

So that bush that burns but is not consumed is our Lord, and since we must “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” that bush that burns but is not consumed is also “Christ in us the hope of glory.”

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Here is another verse which reveals that we are Jesus:

Act 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

These words are our Lord speaking to the apostle Paul and to you and me. So it is He who says we are “Jesus of Nazareth” if we are being persecuted for His name’s sake.

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 ‘fire’ is the spiritual symbol of the Word of God, which burns up all the “wood, hay and stubble” in our lives, and cleanses and purifies us all.

Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [ By “the Word of God”, which is Christ]

Since we all “live by every Word”, we all first build with “wood, hay and stubble” before we are brought to the point of wanting to build with “gold, silver and precious stones”.
Here is the spiritual significance of how this bush, as a type of you and me, does indeed burn, but it is not consumed:

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure [“Christ in us”] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; [‘Burn up but not consumed’]
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh

“We which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake…” so “the life of Jesus can be manifest in our mortal flesh”.
So our “dying” is really a daily process of giving up the things of this life, the “wood, hay and stubble” of this life, in order to please and obey our Lord, and thereby love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

So this bush is the perfect type of our lives when Christ is living His life in us. It is our life which is always burning up, and yet it is not consumed.
Our flesh does not want to “keep His commandments”, and that is what is always burning within us causing us to “die daily” even as we are living, just as the bush is burning but is not consumed.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Being “crucified with Christ” is the things of this world within us being burned up as “the bush burned”, and “nevertheless I live” is “the bush was not consumed”.
I hope these verses of God’s Word have served to help you to see the spiritual significance of the burning bush, which burned but was not consumed”. If not please get back to me.
Yours in Christ,
Mike

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.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Is this talking about the Bible; it being God’s Word, Life, Truth, etc.? That is, everyone is judged according to their works, based on what God’s Word says…. the Book…. Bible…. Truth? We refer to the Bible sometimes as “the Good Book” so the book of life then would be the same thing as the Bible? I know I have asked three questions, but it’s just me putting it in three different forms because I know what I’m asking; just that I’m not sure how to ask it.

I also would like to enquire about the “burning bush”. God being the Consuming Fire, which I totally understand, the burning bush would then also be God? I tried to find something scriptural about the burning bush, but my search turned up nothing. I think my search was being too specific. This question comes about because my sister’s boyfriend was trying to use it in regard to faith??? I don’t get that at all and don’t know what in the world this would have to do with faith considering the manner in which he used it. He was saying that faith is like the burning bush because the bush didn’t burn up or disintegrate. I am looking for Truth about it and would like to be able to tell my sister exactly what this burning bush is and its symbolism or whatever is scriptural. Not to mention the fact that I would love to know it for myself.

Can a person read too much? lol. Sometimes when I go to bed I lay there for a long time with verses going through my head. It isn’t me controlling it, that is I’m not deliberately trying to think on these things. I’m trying to sleep but it’s just that they’re in my mind I guess. It’s like I’m not quite asleep, but I’m not totally awake either. I look at the clock and it’s 4:00 a. m.! Talk about eat, sleep and breathe something. This I certainly have been doing. Does that happen to you with the sleeping?

I have read a lot of your papers but can’t recall anything on this subject specifically, “burning bush”. It wasn’t until recently that I found out about your wonderful site through a friend. You are a blessing to me, and I pray you keep right on keeping on. I have never felt such a love and fulfillment. Boy, I mean I hunger for all of it! I read for hours, all day even, and late into the night or the wee hours of the next morning. I’m addicted and can’t help myself. The Holy Spirit says “read”, I read.

I thank God firstly for you and what you’re doing…. Now I want to thank you for your faith, love and obedience to the Lord and for all the wonderful things you’re doing. You certainly are blessed and are blessing others, like me!

Much Love to you and yours,

K____

Hi K____,

It is such a thrill to realize that there are those out there who, like you, are being given “eyes to see and ears to hear.” I am receiving letters like yours at an increasing rate. It is only natural to become addicted to Truth once you see through the lies. I had a man at my house this past weekend, who told me the exact same story you are telling me. I have just sent off an e- mail to a man who said the exact same thing. As I told him, it is the same story every time. Yet is is a different story every time. I never tire of hearing this story. It is the story of God’s elect. It is the story of those who have “come out of her my people.” I love to hear that story. I love to hear it in all of it’s variations. Truly we do “receive one hundred fold in this life, with persecutions.” But even the persecutions are a cause for rejoicing.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I too, thank God for you. I hope some day to meet you at one of our conferences.

Now for your questions:

Your first question is about the books of Rev 20. “And the books were opened… and another book… which is the book of life.” Here are the verses you ask about:

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.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

You see those three entries of the word ‘book’ in verse 12? Only the first two are in the original Greek text. So it should really read “and another book was opened which is of life” The word ‘book’ in verse twelve is Strong’s number 975-‘biblion.’ The word in verse 20 is a slightly different word. Instead of ‘biblion’ it is ‘biblios.’ Here is what Strong’s has to say about 975, the word ‘biblion’ of verse twelve: “975- Biblion; a diminutive of 976: a roll, bill, book, scroll, writing.”

The phrase ‘book of life’ is in the New Testament eight times.” It is always ‘976- biblios.’ It is never in the “diminutive.” Here is what the “book of life is:

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.

The ‘book of life’ is “the book of the life of the lamb…” The book which was meant to show us “the book of life of the lamb is called “the book of the unveiling of Christ,” better known as the Book of Revelation. It should now be clear why we are told at the beginning of this book to “Keep those things which are written therein.” If we have not “kept the things which are written therein,” then we are obviously “not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The diminutive 975- biblion is judged, as you supposed, against “the book of life of the Lamb.” This word ‘book’ here in Rev 13:8 is not in the diminutive form. It Isa 976- biblios. Any biblion not found in the Biblios is cast into the lake of fire. They are all “judged according to their works.” If any are not “in Christ,” then they do not measure up to “the book of life of the Lamb…” We must never add to or take from “the book of life of the Lamb.” This book which opens with the admonition to “Keep the things which are written therein” ends with the same admonition:

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

But then to clarify what we are to keep, we are given this stern warning:

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I am quick to point out that Peter reminds us that “no prophecy of scripture [ including the “sayings of the prophecy of this book” of Revelation] is of any private [ its own] interpretation.” God’s Word, like it’s author, “is not divided” (1Co 1:13).

I ask all my readers; what is “your part in the things which are written in this book?” If you know the answer to this question, your chances of being in “the book of life of the lamb” are greatly enhanced. Of course I say this only as a way of speaking. The Truth is that our salvation either now, or in the lake of fire, has nothing to do with ‘chance.’ “He works all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11).

As hard as it is for most to understand, Christ and His word cannot be separated:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth [ gives life]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

I hope this sheds some light on what is the difference between the ‘books’ of Rev 20:12 and the ‘Book of Life’ of Rev 20:15.

Your next question is do I too, have trouble getting to sleep when my mind is so full of the scriptures?

Yes, I too end up staying up all night just being in the word of God at times. Tonight apparently is one of those nights.

And here is your last question:

I also would like to enquire about the “burning bush”. God being the Consuming Fire, which I totally understand, the burning bush would then also be God? I tried to find something scriptural about the burning bush butmy searchturned up nothing. I think my search was being too specific.

Yes, your search probably was too specific. There is but one burning bush in scripture. But there many references to things which are not affected by fire. Along with Moses’ ‘burning bush,’ there are also the three Hebrew children who lost not one hair of their heads to the fire, even though it was so hot that it consumed those who had cast them into that purifying flame. Christ Himself is said to have feet that are “as brass as it burns in a furnace.” Here now is the meaning of all things which are capable of “living in the devouring flame:”

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

That word ‘dwell’ means ‘to take up permanent residence.” This verse is nothing less than the revelation of the composition of the ‘lake of fire.” What makes this lake so fiery is its inhabitants. The ‘lake of fire’ is nothing less than God’s elect! It is nothing less than those who will “judge this world…”

While it is true that it is impossible to please God without faith, the fire of the burning bush was symbolic of those things which can enter the fire and come through that fire unscathed. As with virtually everything in the word of God, even the first Adam, it typified Christ and all who are “in Him.” Without first being a “marred vessel of clay,” we could never become the “new vessel, as seemed good to the Potter to make it”

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

It is all, from Genesis to Revelation, “the unveiling of Christ.”

Next you ask:

Can a person read too much?

To which I am compelled to quote “let your moderation be made known in all things.” Nevertheless, what you are experiencing is just as understandable as eating when you are hungry. It is just that you have been starved for so long that you are trying to make up for lost meals. You will come back down to earth at the appointed time.

Thank you for your concern and for your prayers.

Mike