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Exo 25:23-40  Instructions About the Making of the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick

[Study Aired October 17, 2022]

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 
Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. 
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. 
Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. 
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. 
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. 
Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always. 
Exo 25:31  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 
Exo 25:32  And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Exo 25:33  Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:34  And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 
Exo 25:35  And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 
Exo 25:36  Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 
Exo 25:37  And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 
Exo 25:38  And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39  Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Introduction

Part One – What does the Table of Shewbread Signify?

The last part of Exodus chapter 25 focuses on instructions regarding the making of the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick. To appreciate today’s study better, we need to understand spiritually what the Table for Bread or the Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick signify. 

The Table for Bread or Shewbread is located on the right (North) side of the Holy Place within the Tabernacle. The primary purpose of the Table was to hold the Shewbread which was set before the Lord. Every Sabbath, the priests would replace the loaves from the previous week with a new batch of bread. Twelve loaves of bread were arranged into two rows of six, and these loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Lev 24:5  And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 
Lev 24:6  And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 
Lev 24:7  And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 
Lev 24:8  Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 
Lev 24:9  And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

The Shewbread represents our Lord Jesus Christ who is the bread of heaven or the heavenly manna. 

Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Apart from the Shewbread, other items placed on ‘the table for shewbread’ are vessels of plates, dishes, jars and bowls. The plates and the dishes were likely used to hold the frankincense. The jars and bowls were apparently used for offering.

Num 4:7  And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:

The plates, dishes, jars and bowls symbolize the elect as shown in the following verse:

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

A Table is used often in the Bible to indicate where people gather to eat as shown by the following verses: 

2Sa 9:11  Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

1Ki 2:7  But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

The Table of the Shewbread is not different – it is where the priests eat the Shewbread in the presence of the Lord. Aaron and his sons, representing the priesthood, were those alone privileged to eat the bread in the presence of the Lord in a holy place every Sabbath day. Aaron and his sons symbolize the elect who are privileged to eat the bread of heaven, that is, the words of the Lord in the presence of the Lord. So, the Lord’s commandment for Moses to make a Table for Shewbread is to show us how the Lord prepares us to be given eyes to see and ears to hear. 

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.

The Lord dining with His disciples, (called the Lord’s supper) when He was about to die, while on earth is a foreshadow of our being fed with the word of the Lord in His presence. 

Part Two – What Does the Golden Candlestick Signify?

One of the most important items within the Holy place is the golden candlestick or lampstand.  It consisted of a shaft and the branches. On the ends of the branches there were lamps. Finally, there was the oil for the lamps. There was no natural light in the tabernacle, and therefore the light from the candlestick was what enabled the priest to perform his duties before God. The following verses makes the spiritual significance of the golden candlestick obvious:

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The golden candlestick symbolizes the church of the firstborn. The shaft from which comes the branches is a symbol of Christ just as the vine represents Christ and the branches symbolize us. The oil which runs through the shaft and the branches represents the Holy Spirit. 

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

As stated earlier, there was no natural light in the tabernacle and therefore the light from the candlestick was what enabled the priest to perform his duties before God. Part of our study today is to look at the instructions given to Moses as to how to construct the golden candlestick. What this means is that today’s study is to show us how, as the church of the firstborn, we are to mature or become the light of the world. 

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Let’s start our study today with how the table of the shewbread is constructed as follows:

Instructions About the Making of the Table of Shewbread

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 

As we have stated in the previous study, the shittah tree, from which shittim wood is made, grows wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley. Growing wild means that it is not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to be given ears to hear and eyes to see like Christ, then we need to know that from the beginning until our maturity it is all the work of God – not man. The measurement given of the Table is to make us aware that to be given eyes to see and ears to hear entails being constantly measured to see if we have obtained the standards of Christ. This means that we are constantly being judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of the commonwealth of Israel or His elect. They belong to the Gentiles!!  

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

Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

Overlaying the Table with gold means that to be privileged to eat at the Lord’s Table requires us to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

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.

A simpler rendition of verse 24 and 25 is as follows:

Exo 25:24  You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 
Exo 25:25  And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 

The molding of gold, together with the rim round about the table, was to support it so that nothing which was placed on the table would fall down. As we indicated in the introductory section, what was placed on the Table were the Shewbread and the vessels for frankincense and offering, which spiritually represent the word of the Lord and the elect. As our understanding is being enlightened and our eyes are seeing, we are kept by the word of His power which is represented here by the gold molding and the rim roundabout the table.

Heb 1:3  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

In Ezekiel chapter 1, the living creatures, who represent the elect, have wheels which are rings full of eyes. These living creatures represent the elect. The four cast rings of gold are therefore the elect who are placed in every corner of the earth even as the Lord fills the earth. The number four means the whole of all the elect scattered over the four corners of the earth. 

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

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

The staves are long rods of wood which pass through the rings to make it easier to carry the table such that the table is preserved. The function of the staves suggests that spiritually, they represent the spirit of the Lord which helps us bear Christ wherever we go. These staves are made from shittim wood and therefore are not of man’s origin but the Lord. The staves placed in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so that we, His elect, can have the mind of Christ (shewbread) and therefore continue the feasting wherever we go.

Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. 

As indicated earlier, the dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls all represent the elect. 

2Ti 2:20  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 
2Ti 2:21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

The utensils were to be made of gold which means that they have to be refined as gold through the fire. This is the judgment of our old man.

Rev 3:18  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Isa 48:10  Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

These utensils are used for holding frankincense and for offering. As we are aware, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. The prayers of the elect are signified by the frankincense.

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,
Rev 8:4  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Rom 12:1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always. 

This verse is another way of saying the word of the Lord should not depart from our mouth and that we should meditate on it day and night.

Jos 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Instructions About the Making of the Candelstick

Exo 25:31  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Exo 25:32  And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 
Exo 25:33  Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

The candlestick must be made of pure gold and of beaten work. What this is telling us is that the church of Christ consists of those who are like gold beaten to assume any shape through the process of melting through heat. This means that it is through our fiery trials (heat) the Lord can make us become part of the church of the firstborn like Him.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

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

As indicated in the introductory section, the shaft represents Christ, and the branches symbolize the elect and they are all ‘beaten work’ of gold. There are three branches on each side of the shaft, and for each branch, there are three decorative almond blossoms (bowls). Where each pair of branches comes out from the shaft or stem, there must also be a decorative almond blossom. 

The fact that there must be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch is to make us aware that it is through judgment that we blossom or mature to produce fruits (almond). In other words, being given to partake of the Lord’s words (shewbread) is through our fiery trials which causes us to produce fruits (almond). That is when our light will shine before men so that they see our good works and therefore glorify our Father in Heaven.

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

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Exo 25:34  And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 
Exo 25:35  And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 
Exo 25:36  Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 

A simpler rendition of these verses are as follows:

Exo 25:33  There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch 
Exo 25:34  and four on the stem. 
Exo 25:35  There must also be a blossom where each pair of branches comes out from the stem. 
Exo 25:36  The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered pure gold. (CEV)

As we have indicated, the shaft or the stem is Christ who has four of the decorative almond blossoms. This is to demonstrate that it is through Christ that the whole (the meaning of the number four) of the elect becomes mature. The pairing of the branches together with a blossom on each pair is to show us that we become witnesses of Christ as we mature. The lampstand, its branches and the decorative flowers being all made from one beaten work of pure gold is to bring to our attention that even as our Jesus Christ matured through the things He suffered, we are also to mature through our fiery trials in order to become the light of the world.

Heb 5:5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 
Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
Heb 5:10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Exo 25:37  And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

The seven lamps refer to the complete number of the elect from every generation. Verse 37 states the purpose of the candlestick – that is, to give light to the space in front of it in the Holy place. What is insightful to note is the fact that the light given by the candlestick is not seen outside the Holy place. It is to give light for the priest to perform his duty. In this dispensation, although we are the light of the world, we are not seen that way by many (the world). It is only the elect who see our light and use it to perform their duty – that is, live a life worthy of the Lord. This light is the word of the Lord which is the light for our path. Paul sums up our being beaten like the work of gold in order to give light as follows:

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2Co 4:8  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 
2Co 4:9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (providing light for the priest to function).
2Co 4:11  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

The reason the world (including Babylon) does not see this light of the elect is because they do not know the Lord.

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.

As He is, so are we. Although our Lord Jesus Christ was the light of the world, the world did not recognize His light.

Joh 1:6  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light (Jesus Christ), that all men through him might believe. 
Joh 1:8  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light (Jesus Christ). 
Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 
Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Exo 25:38  And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39  Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.

The tongs and the trays used for the lamps are to be made of pure gold. In summary, the lampstand and all its equipment must be made of gold. Being made of gold means that it is the true doctrine of Christ which establishes everything in the House of God including the elect. 

Pro 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

The pattern that we are to model everything after is Christ and His words. This is because it is in Him that everything is sustained. Without Him everything falls apart.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

May the Lord be merciful to us to be found in Him and to be upheld by the word of His power. Amen!!

]]> Gospels in Harmony – Who Eats the Lord’s Supper? https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/gospels-in-harmony-who-eats-the-lords-supper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gospels-in-harmony-who-eats-the-lords-supper Tue, 02 Nov 2021 21:42:11 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24670 Gospels in Harmony – Who Eats the Lord’s Supper?

Matt 26:21-30, Mark 14:18-26, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:18-32

[Study Aired November 2, 2021]

Joh 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Joh 13:21a When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, 
Mar 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said,
Joh 13:21b and testified, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Mar 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish,
Mat 26:23b the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Joh 13:26 He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,
Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Mar 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Luk 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Today’s study picks up after Christ washed the feet of the twelve disciples. Washing feet represents being a servant. Christ gave us this example and commanded his disciples to do the same for each other. We are to be the servants of the body of Christ. We do not serve each other by the ritual of foot washing as many practice. We wash each other’s feet by giving our time, energy, thoughts and support by laying down our lives as a living sacrifice.

Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This study will focus on those who are and are not able to eat at the Lord’s supper. Our first verses tell us that among the chosen there is a betrayal taking place. 

Joh 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Joh 13:21a When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, 
Mar 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said,
Joh 13:21b and testified, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

Being with Christ at the table represents being called and chosen. Being called and chosen, you may partake in the passover and have your feet washed, but that does not entitle you to eat the Lord’s supper. The disciples at this stage cannot determine who is the betrayer.

Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

Notice the disciples are looking at one another doubting that any of them is a betrayer. It takes Christ in us to determine the betrayer within the group of the called and chosen.

Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Mar 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish,
Mat 26:23b the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Joh 13:26 He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Judas is the betrayer who has been chosen by Christ since the beginning of the world. The scriptures are now fulfilled.

Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Judas represents the called and chosen that cannot continue in Christ’s word who fall away without repentance and cannot go on into perfection in this age.

Joh 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Heb 6:1-6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Judas also represents the fornicator within us that must be destroyed.

Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Christ has now delivered Judas to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.

1Co 5:1-13 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Judas will not be saved until the lake of fire, and he is used as a warning to the elect to examine their hearts continually for any fornication taking place within themselves.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Now is the Son of man glorified. It takes being cast away to Satan for this to take place.

Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

The Lord’s Supper can now take place.

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,

The new testament is now beginning. The old is passing away.

2Co 5:11-21 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The churches of the world have turned this into a ritual. The Lord is not creating a ritual for mankind to perform. The Lord is telling us what it takes to reign with him in the kingdom of God.

Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, 
Luk 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Eph 5:1-21 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

]]> The Book of Hebrews – Heb 9:2 Part – “Christ Being Come an High Priest of Good Things to Come” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-hebrews-heb-92-part-christ-being-come-an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-hebrews-heb-92-part-christ-being-come-an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come Fri, 04 Dec 2020 02:32:18 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=21798

Heb 9:2 Part 2 – “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come”

[Study Aired December 3, 2020]

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 

The tabernacle of God was made for worship and service toward Him, and the book of Hebrews was written to help us understand what that service looks like, as God uses the physical temple to help us understand our spiritual relationship with our great Creator and how we can worship Him “in spirit and in truth” through Christ as our high priest of the better covenant.

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

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

Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews [Rom 2:28].
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises [Eph 1:6, Rom 15:7, 2Pe 1:4].

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

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

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

Last week we looked at the “ordinances of divine serviceG2999” in the temple of old to understand how they are a type and shadow of the discipleship that is understood by those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. We saw that true divine service as “true worshippers” who worship God “in spirit and in truth” with the “divine nature”, which is expressed in obedience to God’s commandments, is only possible by having God’s love shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5). So it is that we can do the service of having the “heavenly things themselves” cleansed with better sacrifices than these as we present our lives a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-3), which we have become to the glory of God and for the express purpose of bearing each others’ burdens. We are to follow our Lord’s example of this service as one who washed our feet, meaning He laid down His life for us as we should for each other.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

We are nourished at the altar, which is the cross and the place where our Lord strengthens us and provides all we need in order to fulfill His will “in earth, as it is in heaven” (Php 1:29, Mat 6:10). In this week’s study we will look more closely at how “accomplishing the service of God” of Hebrews 9:6 is done within the body of Christ and symbolized by those things which were ordained of God for our sakes so that we can learn the spiritual significance of those patterns which offer great meaning to those who are blessed to have eyes to see and ears to hear at this time.

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

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuaryG39.

The candlestickG3087, the tableG5132 and the shewbreadG4286 G740 are within the area called the sanctuaryG39.  This is where the priests always went; into this first tabernacle to accomplish the service of God (Heb 9:6).

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

These three words are very significant for God’s elect and are types and figures of what must be present within our lives, our sanctuary, in order for us to be able to enter into “a greater and more perfect tabernacle” through Christ our high priest (Heb 9:7, Col 1:27).

Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

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:

If we look at these three words: the candlestickG3087, the tableG5132 and the shewbreadG4286 G740, along with the other accompanying verses which use these words in the bible, it will give us a greater appreciation for why these items needed to be in the sanctuary and how they represent the means by which the process of spiritual completion can be fulfilled within the lives of those whose candlestick is in Christ’s hand (Rev 1:13, Rev 1:20, Joh 10:28). If we are granted to eat at His altar, which is the cross (Heb 13:10, Gal 2:20), we will receive the true bread that comes from heaven and not just the shadow that cannot spiritually nourish us or cleanse our conscience as Christ the true bread of life can (Heb 9:14, Joh 6:51).

Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Joh 6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

With all this in mind, let’s begin by looking at the word sanctuaryG39 and notice that it is the same word used for both the first tabernacle and the second which is called the holiestG39. The difference between these two areas is the subject at hand, and God is showing us through these types and shadows of the old covenant temple what great hope and promise we have in Christ if He is in fact our hope of glory within today, giving us access to the second tabernacle which represents the throne of God where God’s elect are raised in heavenly places today and accepted “in the beloved”.

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:

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

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

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Christ is the “minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”  He is the one who brings to light what all these symbols mean to us within the “worldly sanctuary”, and most importantly He gives us the strength to lay down our life and go without the camp with Him as typified by this statement: “For the bodies of those beasts [Ecc 3:18], whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp”. (As he is so are we: Heb 13:13, Heb 9:7, 1Jn 4:17).

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

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

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.

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Without Christ in us, we could not have the boldness, the faith, or the perfect love that casts out fear (1Jn 4:18) to enter into “the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all.” This is what we do every time we “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). As long as our hope is yet in things that are temporal (2Co 4:18), we could say, “The first tabernacle was yet standing.” However, the way has been made manifest through Christ for us to tear down the old temple which represents our worshiping God in a manner that is temporal or carnal and not in spirit and truth, which is something that we grow into as the old temple is torn down and the new spiritual temple is built. This is accomplished by the only one who can build it to the glory of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (Joh 2:19-21, Psa 127:1).

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

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.

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.” and we must experience and appreciate the fiery trials He is giving us today (1Pe 4:12) as His goodness leads us to repentance and we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church (Col 1:24). If we despise “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”, it is akin to trodding under foot the Son of God that will result in a “much sorer punishment”. It is akin to beating the manservant who must be judged because judgment is upon us as the body of Christ, and we must be patient with that longsuffering process of which we are all part (Rom 2:4, Heb 10:29, Mat 24:48-51, 1Pe 4:17).

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Our hope lies in the fact that God reconciled us to himself through the death of Christ so that “we shall be saved by his life“, and that is the confidence God wants us to always have (Php 1:6) even as we endure through the hardship that being a good soldier for Christ brings in this life (Rom 5:10, Isa 53:4, 2Ti 2:3-4). “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” means watch and be ready because Christ has promised us that “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” If we watch and pray and don’t despise the process of judgment through which we all have to go, then we will in fact be watching and will be by our Lord’s estimation “a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season”.

(Flesh wants to be that “faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household” but without going through the process. We must take the lower seat today and go through the process of judgment if we are ever going to be called to “go up higher” or “come up hither” Mat 23:12, Luk 14:10, Rev 11:10-12)

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Luk 14:10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Rev 11:10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Rev 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

The incentive to fight a good fight of faith is given to us right after Christ tells us to watch, in saying “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Mat 24:46-47). It is a blessing to be sanctified in this age and to be made ready to rule under Christ. It is the greatest blessing ever bestowed upon any human, and only possible because God has promised to give us the strength through Christ to endure this sanctification process we are experiencing.

God’s elect will one day, in the fullness of our inheritance, repeat these awe-inspiring words of worship that have the message built right into them as to how we are able to worship our Father (Rev 4:8). That blessing will be ours if we are granted to endure until the end, being then able to bring life to all of the world, starting with physical healing at first as Christ did (1Co 15:46), and then in the lake of fire, bringing life through spiritual healing to all mankind (Act 20:35). No wonder we praise God for that sanctification process of which He has blessed Christ’s bride to be a part as those “who first trusted in Christ” (Eph 1:12).

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.

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

Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Now we’ve laid the ground work to explain what the candlestickG3087, the tableG5132 and the shewbreadG4286 G740 are going to do within the body of Christ which was represented by the area called the sanctuaryG39.

All three of these items have been used as symbols of God’s power that is made manifest through the church, and is one of the first things we can consider when we look at these words.

Starting with candlestickG3087, we understand that the two witnesses of Revelation eleven are likened unto a candlestick to remind us that their prophecy was only possible by being given the power (Rev 11:3) to fulfill God’s purpose through them: “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Rev 11:4). That prophetic time of witness represents the second half of Christ’s ministry where our testimony was made possible through Christ and is revealed through our hope of glory within (Col 1:27, Luk 24:48). We bear witness to the truth that we are a peculiar people zealous of good works, as Christ’s light shines in this earth, not by our might or power but by God’s holy spirit that makes this all possible (Zec 4:6, 11-14). That prophetic period of time in the life of God’s elect represents the filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church (Col 1:24), and that three and a half years combined with Christ’s three and a half year ministry complete (7) that testimony for the world to learn of how God can make His strength perfect through the weak flesh which we are (2Co 12:9, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5, 1Co 1:27-28).

Luk 24:48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

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:

God’s elect are represented by these two candlesticksG3087 of Revelation 11:4 that are empowered by the two olive trees, so we can be the light of the world that God sets “on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light”. Christ is in the midst of the seven candlesticks which represent the seven churches, or the complete church of God, being formed within the body of Christ. This ‘complete’ church of God will not be separated from God because: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” is the very church of which Christ said to Peter “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [one of God’s angels (Rev 22:8-9)], and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” With this in mind let’s look at these entries for candlestick and candlesticks that reveal that Christ represents the candlestick within us. The candle is our life that is in His hands burning away as we die daily so we can glorify God with all we say and do (1Co 10:31, Mat 25:7-13).

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The next word is tableG5132. A table (“our hearts and minds“) is where we either lay out the truth or lies, as an overview of these words will show. Christ comes into our lives and overturns those lies upon that table (Mat 21:12) if He is cleansing our temple in this age (“the heavenly things themselves” – Heb 9:23), and begins the process of sanctifying us so we can worship him in spirit and truth at an altar or table at which the world has no right to eat (Heb 13:10).

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tablesG5132  of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

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

Notice the entry for the word bankG5132 in Luke 19:23, which is also translated table in Matthew 21:12 above:

Luk 19:23 “Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bankG5132, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”

God’s words are what we bank on. They are eternal words (Joh 6:68) that we are storing up and that God is purifying through the trials of this life. All we have been given is carefully measured out by our loving Father (1Co 10:13) who knows how to cause us to bring forth much fruit and provoke us unto love and good works so we have something to bring to the table. When we lay up treasure in heaven, it is God’s word that is being stored in the storehouse of our spiritual heavens where neither moth nor rust corrupt (Joh 15:2, Mat 6:20).

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

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

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

The last word will look at in our study is shewbreadG4286 G740. Being about our Father’s business will nourish us, and this is why it is so important that we lay up treasure in heaven against the days of evil that we are in now (Tit 3:8, 1Pe 2:12, 1Ti 6:19).

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Christ being about his Father’s business was how he laid up in store for himself “a good foundation against the time to come”. He told his disciples as much, that if we would be about our Father’s business that bread would strengthen our hearts and keep us focused on what is important as good soldiers of Christ.

Joh 4:32  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Joh 4:33  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work [Mat 12:50].
Joh 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Psa 104:15  And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.[“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me”]

Mar 8:14  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
Mar 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Mar 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
Mar 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mar 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Mar 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mar 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

Mar 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

[God did not give them to remember to bring bread “Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread” and Christ’s rhetorical question “How is it that ye do not understand?” was answered in this parable that reveals it was not time for the disciples to know because the true bread from heaven had not yet been given to them on Pentecost.]

They did not understand at this point, but once their understanding was open on Pentecost (Luk 24:45) and going forward, then they understood and remembered the things that Christ spoke as the comforter led them into all truth (Joh 12:16, Joh 16:13).

Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Only then would those numbers “five thousand” and “four thousand“, as they are connected to feeding the whole of humanity “four thousand” and saving them by grace through faith “five thousand“, would those numbers become significant to Christ’s disciples. Those numbers are also illustrated for us with the nine pillars in the temple of God, telling us we will be sent and used of God to feed this world and have all men saved through the church, the temple, the body of Christ (Rom 11:26, Rev 3:12, Col 1:24, Exo 26:37, Exo 26:32, Exo 36:35-38).

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Exo 26:37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Exo 26:32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

Exo 36:35 And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.
Exo 36:36 And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
Exo 36:37 And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;
Exo 36:38 And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.

Saving the world is the major part of the good things to come (Oba 1:21) that Christ’s ministry is going to produce, and in the end God will be all in all.

Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

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.

]]> Awesome Hands – part 91: “Hearken to the sound of the trumpet” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/awesome-hands-part-91-hearken-to-the-sound-of-the-trumpet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=awesome-hands-part-91-hearken-to-the-sound-of-the-trumpet Thu, 05 Nov 2015 01:03:26 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=10406

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Awesome Hands – part 91

“Hearken to the sound of the trumpet”

November 4, 2015

 

Previously we talked about the beginning components commanded by God to make for the sanctuary. So far we have been told to make an ark, a mercy seat and the cherubim, and in this study today we will continue to see the items that accompany those we have already mentioned.

We saw that the Lord communes with us both above the mercy seat between the two cherubim, and today we are going to look into how we have fellowship with the Lord as well as how we are given power by the Lord to execute His will.

 

“The table of shewbread”

 

The first verses we are covering today are found in Exodus 25:23-28.

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

Like the ark, we now have a table which is made of wood but covered in gold. Given that we have an overlay of gold being used to cover the wood, we can apply the same thoughts to “overlay” that were mentioned in last week’s study.

The Hebrew word used for “overlay” is connected with “watchmen” and “rather identical” according to Strong’s and BDB. The next question then is how does the table of shewbread relate to watchmen?

There are many verses which deal with tables in scripture, but we are going to look towards those verses that show us our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ as it relates to “tables”.

The table we are concerned with is not the physical table overlaid with gold in the physical tabernacle that is being setup with Moses, but we are concerning ourselves with what the table represents to us in the Spirit.

Luk 22:24  And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Luk 22:25  And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Luk 22:26  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Luk 22:27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Luk 22:28  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Luk 22:29  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

There is the “table of the Lord” we must all be aware of. At this table, we partake of the cup of the Lord with the Lord, so like any table we have fellowship at (since that is what eating a meal at a table is all about – fellowship with family, friends, peers and loved ones) we must know the “manners” which are expected.

When eating at the Lord’s table we must recognize the table we have been seated at. Here is what is on the table.

Lev 24:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 24:2  Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
Lev 24:3  Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
Lev 24:4  He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
Lev 24:5  And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Lev 24:6  And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
Lev 24:7  And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 24:8  Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9  And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

We know from scripture that we are be prepared as kings and priests for the Lord’s work and the Lord’s kingdom. Therefore, it is incumbent for us to know how to perform as a priest at the table the Lord has prepared for us.

Simply put, we cannot even partake of the bread on the table, the BREAKING of Bread which is CHRIST, unless we have first dealt with any devils that desire to participate with us at this table.

What do devils have to do with the table of the Lord?

1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1Co 10:18  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Often times, I have heard 1 Corinthians 10:16 referencing Christ but just as often key component is missing from what the subject of this verse is. It just so happens that the table in the temple of God has on top of it 2 rows of 6 loaves of bread.

The bread we break is the COMMUNION of the body of Christ. In breaking of bread together, what is the focus?

Communion – the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.

What I am about to share now is going to make the old man in anyone not spiritually minded CRINGE at the thought of these words being Truth. However, I am to look after the sanctuary and tend to it well.

First, communion as defined above is an intimating sharing with the body of Christ, and who is Christ’s body? Second, WHO is the BREAD?

Joh 6:48  I am that bread of life.
Joh 6:49  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
Joh 6:50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Joh 6:51  I am the LIVING BREAD which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give IS MY FLESH, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Jesus just told you and me and anyone who ever reads these words that we MUST eat His flesh and drink His blood. HOW CAN THAT BE? Jesus Christ’s flesh isn’t even around now! Or is it?

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

What happens to Jesus Christ’s flesh? It is put to DEATH but THROUGH DEATH comes LIFE!

We eat the flesh of Christ by SITTING at His table, and His table is one where we commune with each other over what this death process that produces life is all about.

However, this is NOT a table where just anyone is welcome to eat. Yes, I said that. The table of the Lord is NOT OPEN to just anyone partaking of this bread.

Everyone WILL eventually partake, and no human can determine who is caused to enter the sanctuary, but here is who we are told is permitted to LAWFULLY partake.

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Num 18:1  And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Num 18:5  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

Keeping the charge of the sanctuary includes avoiding the pollution of the sanctuary by those who are not allowed into it. The Lord is very specific that we listen and learn NOT to be like the ministers of Babylon who permit uncircumcised strangers into the sanctuary.

In our unconverted service to the Lord, we have all been guilty of breaking the covenant of the Lord regarding this matter, but now we know of the more expedient way.

Eze 44:5  And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.
Eze 44:6  And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
Eze 44:7  In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
Eze 44:8  And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Eze 44:9  Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Someone who is uncircumcised is a gentile. This was true physically and is just as true spiritually. What then is the connection to uncircumcised hearts and the sanctuary?

1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Mal 1:6  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Mal 1:7  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

Whenever we allow someone to worship false idols and false spirits, i.e. false doctrine WHOM we consider a brother or sister in Christ, then we are allowing the polluted bread to sit on this table the Lord has covered with His gold.

How does the gold “overlaid” on the showbread table have anything to with doctrine? Remember, we are at the gate COVERING the protection for the city called JERUSALEM.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Isa 62:7  And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Eze 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

We are the watchmen of the gate and MUST keep the sanctuary holy by doing what the Lord commands. Our duty as watchmen is to tell God’s people to listen to the trumpet of the Lord!

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jer 6:17  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jer 6:18  Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
Jer 6:19  Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

If all this sounds a bit far-fetched, then I will include one more story which I hope will help let us know who it is the Lord is working with now and who it is we are also to help into the sanctuary.

Mat 15:22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Mat 15:23  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Mat 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 15:25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
Mat 15:26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Mat 15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
Mat 15:28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

With eyes to see you will notice there are some key ingredients on why Jesus helped this woman and her daughter. First, she asked for mercy and acknowledged this was the “Son of David”. Then, she worshipped Him. Finally, she acknowledged that the Lord was speaking Truth thereby speaking Truth herself.

When all of these ingredients were together it was apparent that this woman had FAITH, she had BELIEF that Christ was Christ.

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

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

We know this woman was given Faith because the story is told so that we understand that EVEN the DOG in the masters house is given mercy. Jesus says He is sent to the house of Israel and here is this woman who calls herself a dog in this house.

The house of the Lord is being covered in these latest studies to show that the sanctuary items given to Moses and the Israelites have immense meaning to our walks with Christ today. They aren’t only items that had value for the physical Jews, but they are also items that show us who we are in Christ and who He is to us. That is worth far more than physical gold could ever be worth.

In the next study, we will be covering the various items mentioned in the last verses of Exodus 25.

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