The Treasury of God’s House

[Aired February 18, 2025]

Throughout Scripture, God’s house contained a treasury where offerings and dedicated things were stored. While the physical treasury held material wealth, it pointed to deeper spiritual realities about giving, stewardship, and our relationship with God. Understanding both the physical pattern and its spiritual significance helps us grasp important truths about God’s kingdom.

The physical treasury in the temple served multiple purposes. In King Jehoash’s time, “Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD” (2 Kings 12:9). This chest received offerings for temple upkeep. Similarly, in Nehemiah’s day, the people brought their tithes “unto the treasuries” (Nehemiah 13:12) to support the priests and Levites who served in God’s house.

However, the treasury held more than just money. Sacred vessels, dedicated offerings, and spoils of war set apart for God were stored there. When the Israelites conquered Jericho, “they brought into the treasury of the house of the LORD” the silver, gold, and vessels of brass and iron (Joshua 6:24). King David likewise dedicated war spoils to the treasury, as Scripture records: “which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued” (2 Samuel 8:11).

Just as the physical treasury held material wealth for the temple’s service, it also pointed toward timeless spiritual principles that apply to our lives today. This shift from the tangible to the intangible helps us see that everything ultimately belongs to God, as David acknowledged: “for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14). The treasury served as a constant reminder that we are stewards, not owners, of what God provides.

The treasury also represented the people’s relationship with God. Regular giving showed trust in His provision and commitment to His purposes. When the people were obedient, the treasury overflowed. Under Hezekiah’s reforms, “the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly” (2 Chronicles 31:5). Conversely, neglecting the treasury indicated disobedience, as Malachi rebuked: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8).

Having seen how the temple treasury reflected spiritual principles, we find a profound example in the New Testament through Jesus’ teaching on the widow’s mite. His observation of her offering shifts our focus from external acts to the heart behind the gift: “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:41-44).

This incident shows that God measures giving differently than man does. While others saw low valued coins, Jesus saw complete surrender and trust. The widow’s offering revealed that true giving flows from the heart, not merely the hands. Jesus declared, “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. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24, showing that sincere worship matters more than material offerings.

Christ’s teachings transformed understanding of God’s treasury. He warned against storing earthly treasures, instructing instead: “lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

This reveals that God’s true treasury is spiritual, not physical. The material offerings in the temple treasury pictured the surrender of our hearts and lives to God. Paul grasped this reality, counting all material gain as loss “for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). He understood that knowing Christ constitutes true riches.

The spiritual treasury manifests through transformed lives. When Peter and John encountered the lame man, they declared: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). While lacking money, they possessed spiritual riches that brought healing and restoration. This demonstrates how God’s power working through yielded vessels produces true wealth.

God’s treasury also represents His wisdom and knowledge. Paul describes “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8) and speaks of “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” being hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). These spiritual riches far exceed material wealth, bringing age abiding benefit rather than temporal benefit.

Understanding the treasury spiritually changes how we view giving. Rather than focusing on amounts, we recognize that God desires the gift of ourselves. As Paul commended the Macedonian churches: “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5). This self-giving produces generous sharing of material resources as a natural overflow.

The principle that physical patterns reveal spiritual truth helps us grasp God’s purpose for His treasury. Just as the temple treasury received and stored valuable offerings, God desires to fill us with His spiritual riches. As Paul prayed, “that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

This indwelling wealth transforms us into living treasuries of God’s presence and power. Paul declares that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Like the widow’s mites, our humble lives become vessels for displaying God’s glory when fully yielded to Him.

As we’ve seen how physical offerings reflected spiritual realities, we now turn to a different kind of wealth—spiritual gifts. Just as the temple treasury enabled the work of the priests, these gifts equip believers for God’s work today. The treasury principle applies here as well to be multiplied for His kingdom. Those who faithfully manage what He provides hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21).

As living treasuries, we’re called to freely share what God provides. Jesus instructed, “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). This applies to both material and spiritual resources. We steward God’s provisions to bless others, knowing that “he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Ultimately, God’s treasury reveals His abundant provision for His people. While the physical treasury supplied the temple’s needs, God promises to “supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). These riches include not just material supply but “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

The treasury continues teaching us today. When we recognize that everything belongs to God and yield ourselves fully to Him, we become living treasuries that display His glory. Through complete surrender, like the widow’s mites, our lives store up eternal riches that neither moth nor rust can destroy. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

God’s treasury also relates intimately to spiritual gifts and ministry. As Paul explains, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Just as the physical treasury supported temple service, spiritual gifts enable ministry in God’s house today.

These gifts flow from God’s abundant treasury of grace. Peter instructs, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Like faithful treasurers, we steward these spiritual gifts to benefit the whole body of Christ.

The connection between God’s treasury and our hearts runs deep. Jesus taught that “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). What we store in our hearts determines what flows from our lives.

The treasury also represents spiritual authority and power. When Solomon dedicated the temple, “the glory of the LORD filled the house” (2 Chronicles 7:1). Similarly, as we yield ourselves as living temples, God’s power works through us. Paul experienced this, declaring “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God’s spiritual economy operates differently than natural economics. Jesus taught, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Giving from God’s treasury multiplies rather than depletes resources.

This principle appears throughout Scripture. The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to Elijah, yet “the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail” (1 Kings 17:16). When the disciples distributed five loaves and two fish, twelve baskets remained after feeding thousands. God’s treasury operates by multiplication, not subtraction.

True worship and service flow from recognizing God’s abundant provision. David declared, “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all” (1 Chronicles 29:12). This acknowledgment produces willing service and generous giving.

The treasury’s practical application touches every area of life. Paul instructed believers to set aside offerings “as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2). This regular giving acknowledges God’s provision while supporting ministry needs. Yet beyond material giving, we’re called to offer our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

This complete surrender transforms how we view possessions. Rather than seeing them as personal property, we recognize our role as stewards of God’s resources. The early church demonstrated this perspective when believers “had all things common” and “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:32,35).

The treasury principle extends to spiritual inheritance. Paul reminded Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” within him (2 Timothy 1:6). Like invested talents, spiritual gifts multiply through use. As we faithfully steward what God provides, both natural and spiritual resources increase for kingdom purposes.

Understanding God’s treasury changes our approach to ministry. Rather than relying on human wisdom or strength, we draw from His unlimited resources. Paul ministered “according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). This dependence on God’s supply produces lasting fruit.

The same spiritual riches that empower ministry also equip believers for spiritual warfare. In the same way kings stored resources for battle, God provides His people with the weapons needed to stand firm against the enemy. In the same way kings stored supplies for battle, God empowers believers to stand firm against spiritual opposition. Jesus gave His disciples “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1). This authority flows from God’s treasury of power, not human ability. As vessels of His presence, we steward this authority for others’ benefit.

Our access to God’s treasury comes through a relationship with Christ. Paul declares that in Him “dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). Through union with Christ, we receive “exceeding great and precious promises” that make us “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

As prayer grants us access to God’s spiritual treasury, it also moves us toward practical application. When we understand these spiritual principles, we can apply them to everyday life through generous giving, faithful service, and surrendered hearts. The treasury principle particularly illuminates our understanding of prayer and intercession. Just as the physical treasury stored valuable resources for temple service, our prayers become spiritual deposits that God uses for kingdom purposes. The prophet Isaiah reveals this truth: “Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7). This shows how prayer extends the treasury’s blessings beyond individual believers to benefit many.

The early church understood this connection between prayer and spiritual treasury. When facing persecution, they “lifted up their voice to God with one accord” (Acts 4:24), and God responded by filling them with His Spirit and power. Their unified prayers accessed resources that transformed their circumstances. Like faithful treasurers, they knew how to draw from God’s storehouse through prayer.

Paul reveals how the Spirit helps us access God’s treasury through prayer: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Through the Spirit’s help, our prayers tap into God’s unlimited resources, releasing His provision and power.

These spiritual deposits through prayer produce ongoing dividends. James teaches that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Like compounding interest in God’s treasury, our prayers continue working long after we offer them, as demonstrated when the church prayed for Peter’s release from prison (Acts 12:5-17).

This relationship transforms giving into an act of worship rather than obligation. Paul commended the Philippians’ gift as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). When giving flows from love for God, it becomes a spiritual sacrifice that brings Him pleasure.

The treasury principle reveals important truths about ministry provision. While supporting those who minister, Paul emphasized “not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:17). True ministry focuses on spiritual multiplication rather than personal gain.

Understanding God’s treasury brings profound peace regarding provision. Jesus taught, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). As we prioritize God’s kingdom, He faithfully supplies every need from His abundant treasury.

This principle remains vital for the true church today. When believers grasp that all things come from and belong to God, giving becomes natural. We simply return to Him what He has provided, recognizing that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). This perspective produces generous, cheerful giving that God loves.

The treasury’s lessons extend beyond mere giving and receiving. When properly understood, they reveal God’s heart for relationship with His people. As David expressed, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). This intimate communion represents the highest purpose of God’s treasury.

Just as the physical temple treasury supported worship and service, our lives should facilitate deeper relationship with God. Paul understood this, counting all else as loss “for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). When we value knowing Christ above all else, we discover true riches that can never be taken away.

The treasury principle culminates in Christ, who “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). His sacrifice opened access to God’s unlimited spiritual treasury. Through Him, we receive “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness” to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17).

This understanding should transform our daily lives. Like the widow who gave her all, we’re called to complete surrender. Yet this surrender leads not to poverty but to abundance, for God promises to “supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). As we yield ourselves fully to His purposes, we experience the truth that “in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Living as God’s treasury brings practical responsibilities and privileges. When we truly grasp that we’re vessels of His presence and power, it changes how we approach every aspect of life. As Paul declared, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). This indwelling presence makes us living treasuries of life.

The early church demonstrated this reality. After Pentecost, believers “were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). The power flowing from God’s treasury through yielded vessels transformed lives and communities. Signs and wonders followed as God’s presence manifested through His people.

This same power remains available today. Jesus promised, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12). As living treasuries, we access resources for ministry that exceed human ability or understanding.

True prosperity flows from this spiritual reality. While the world seeks material wealth, believers find riches in Christ that transcend circumstances. Paul learned to be content in any situation because he drew from God’s unlimited treasury. He testified, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). This inner sufficiency produced outer effectiveness in ministry.

The treasury’s role in spiritual warfare becomes clear when we understand how God’s resources empower our spiritual battles. Just as ancient kings stored weapons and supplies in their treasuries for warfare, God’s spiritual treasury equips us for battle. Paul reveals this connection when describing our spiritual armor: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Each piece of this armor represents resources drawn from God’s treasury of grace and truth.

David’s experience particularly illuminates this principle. Before facing Goliath, he refused Saul’s physical armor, instead drawing from his experience of God’s faithfulness – his spiritual treasury. He declared, “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). David accessed divine resources that transcended natural weapons.

The early church understood this warfare dimension of God’s treasury. When persecution arose, they didn’t rely on physical defenses but accessed spiritual resources through prayer: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). God’s response – filling them with His Spirit and shaking their meeting place – demonstrated the power available in His treasury. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

Paul reveals how this spiritual treasury operates in warfare: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). These spiritual weapons, drawn from God’s treasury, prove more effective than any earthly resource.

Even Jesus demonstrated this principle during His temptation. Against Satan’s offers of worldly treasure, He drew from the treasury of God’s Word, declaring “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). His example shows that the treasures of God’s truth overcome all enemy deception.

The treasury principle reveals important truths about spiritual authority. Jesus gave His disciples “power over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). This authority comes not from human ability but from Christ’s work. As we abide in Him, His power flows through us to accomplish His purposes.

Living as God’s treasury means becoming pure vessels for His use. Paul instructed, ”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” (2 Timothy 2:21). This purification prepares us for God’s ultimate purpose – revealing His glory. As yielded vessels beholding the Lord, we are ”changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Each experience of His presence makes us more effective vessels of His treasury, manifesting His character to others.

The final purpose of God’s treasury extends beyond individual blessing to corporate expression. Together we form “an holy temple in the Lord… builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22). This corporate temple displays God’s glory more fully than any individual can alone.

As living stones in God’s temple, we each contribute to this greater expression. Together we manifest the fullness of Christ’s treasury to creation. Through complete surrender to His purposes, our lives become channels of blessing to others. As we faithfully steward both material and spiritual resources, God’s kingdom advances and His glory increases. Let us draw deeply from His unlimited treasury, knowing that in Christ we have access to “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

For from His treasury flow all things needed for life and ministry. As we abide in Him, having His life to fill and flow through us, we fulfill our destiny as living treasuries of divine presence and power. In this way, the physical pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s body manifesting His glory to all creation.

Lam 4:1-22 Part 4, Scattered Like Dry Sun-bleached Bones

[Study Aired September 2, 2023]

Our Lord has drawn out His little flock from every nation on Earth. Initially, they were unwitting dry bones, temple stones collapsed, dead in a heap until the Lord began raising them to life in Him. There are 120 accounts of scripture using the term “scatter/scattered”, and almost all refer to the Lord’s people in the Wilderness and having come out of Babylon. (Please see Ezekiel 37, The Valley of Dry Bones)

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Joh 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 
Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

That is the Lord’s modus operandi; he destroys our flesh and then sets about rebuilding the new man in his spiritual image.

The Holy Stones Lie Scattered

Lam 4:1 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. 
Lam 4:2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! 
Lam 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. 
Lam 4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. 
Lam 4:5 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. 
Lam 4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Lam 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: 
Lam 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. 
Lam 4:9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. 
Lam 4:10 The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 
Lam 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof. 
Lam 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the World, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
Lam 4:13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her, 
Lam 4:14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. 
Lam 4:15 They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.
Lam 4:16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. 
Lam 4:17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us. 
Lam 4:18 They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come. 
Lam 4:19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. 
Lam 4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen. 
Lam 4:21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. 
Lam 4:22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins. 

Interpretations

The Holy Stones Lie Scattered

Lam 4:1 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. 

Our gold is changed to ‘dim’ when we uphold our righteousness. Self-righteousness makes it hard to authenticate integrity without others, particularly Christ, seeing through our falsehoods. While building our temple under our strength in high places, the stones will likely remain crying out, a rubble heap without foundation at the top of every street in our city. Outwardly, Babylonian Christian denominations, and particularly Roman Catholicism, built their churches on the highest point in each town. At the beginning of the One Thousand Years, every edifice enabling magic arts will undoubtedly be made a ruinous heap of stones and wood at the top of their street.

Christ is the stone cut out without hands that will smash the idols of those He has chosen in this age, leave them in a heap, and break our self-made pot by his hand to pieces at the top of our street.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

Jer 9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps [expressed outwardly by the Romans, and now his Elect within], and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. 
Jer 9:12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? 
Jer 9:13 And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
Jer 9:14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:

Lam 4:2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Our Lord knows His precious sons of Old Jerusalem within are weak-framed earthen vessels we at first believe are so valuable as we journey to becoming the heavenly Jerusalem, fine gold, at the hands of the Master Potter [Rom 9:20, Jer 18:2-6].

Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure 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;
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.

Lam 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. 

We are the “sea monsters” coming out of the abussos, the deep, the bottomless pit (Rev 13), all representations of one and the same. We suckle the breast of the harlot and give seed to more evil children within. We become like our former mother from Mt. Sinai who, like female ostriches, abandons her eggs, never to look back, leaving the male (a zoological fact), the other Jesus, Satan, to brood and raise us.

2Co 11:3 But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity due to Christ. 
2Co 11:4 For if, indeed, the one [you and I in Babylon] coming proclaims another Jesus, whom we have not proclaimed, or if you receive another spirit, which you did not receive, or another gospel, which you never accepted, you might well endure these [… and we did]. 
2Co 11:5 For I judge myself to have come behind the highest apostles in nothing.

‘The Jesus’ chooses His disciples, the Elect of God, to be His Church, vagabonds in ragged clothes of no worldly prestige. We were left in the field in our blood, and He found us (as if we never knew we were there) and raised us to become His own beautiful young woman to be His wife.

1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise men according to the flesh are called, not many mighty, not many noble. 
1Co 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty; 
1Co 1:28 and God has chosen the base things of the World, and things which are despised, and things which are not, in order to bring to nothing things that are; 
1Co 1:29 so that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Eze 16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.
Eze 16:3 And say, So says the Lord Jehovah to Jerusalem, Your origin and your birth is of the land of Canaan. Your father was an Amorite, and your mother a Hittite. 
Eze 16:4 And as for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you. And you were not salted, nor swaddled at all. 
Eze 16:5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these to you, to have compassion on you. But you were thrown out into the open field, because your life was despised in the day that you were born. 
Eze 16:6 And when I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you in your blood, Live! Yes, I said to you in your blood, Live! 
Eze 16:7 I have caused you to multiply like the bud of the field, and you are grown, and you are great; and you come in the finest ornaments. Your breasts are formed, and hair is grown, yet you were naked and bare. 
Eze 16:8 And I passed by you and looked on you, and, behold, your time was the time of love. And I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. And I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord Jehovah. And you became Mine.

Lam 4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. 
Lam 4:5 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. 
Lam 4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Those verses support and amplify the decoding of the previous ones. Old Jerusalem, Sodom, Egypt and Babylon, all of whom we were sent in slavery, fed us the most unsatisfying food and drink. We believed what we had was the best spiritual food available, yet the Lord annoyed our consciences by the undecipherable aspect of His word, eminently the books of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation, in fact, ‘endless’ aspects of the entire Bible subconsciously niggled us. We fed most sumptuously on Babylon’s richness, not knowing that we were poor, blind and naked, sitting in our dung (Rev 3:17).

Thankfully, our greater punishment and judgment are now, in this age, as we come out of Sodom and her sister cities, Old Jerusalem and Egypt, collectively called Babylon. We learn quickly to be incredibly grateful that we were overthrown in a moment.

1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. 
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape.

Mal 2:1 And now, O priests, this command is for you. 
Mal 2:2 If you will not hear, and if you will not set it on your heart to give glory to My name, says Jehovah of Hosts, then I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. And indeed I have cursed it, because you do not set it on your heart. 
Mal 2:3 Behold, I am rebuking your seed; and I will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your appointed feasts. And one shall lift you up to it.
Mal 2:4 And you shall know that I have sent this command to you, to be My covenant with Levi, says Jehovah of Hosts. 

Php 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
Php 3:8 But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith,
Php 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; 
Php 3:11 if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. 

Lam 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: 

That verse is the epitome of sarcasm. We were the Nazarites, the priests of God, saying that we had a husband and were not a widow and would not see death. We dressed ourselves in self-righteous purity and decked ourselves in fine jewelry like Jezebel and Queen Vashti for all to see, and we much later saw our nakedness to our enduring shame (Rev 18).

We begin to see that we have been Old Jerusalem sacked by the Romans, correlating to the Babylonians within. Our spiritual understanding was to us just as black as the Shulamite was to Solomon. We learn to delight that the Lord’s sword never leaves the city’s streets within.

In the positive sense, Christ is the ruddy one, whiter than milk, and as he is, so is the Bride outstanding among her ten-thousand sisters in Babylon.

Son 5:10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. 

Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 

Lam 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. 
Lam 4:9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. 

That verse depicts our judgment today on the household of God in the hope of the First Resurrection. The Lord’s Elect are sustained with oil and wine, the holy spirit that keeps their flame brightly alive for the hope of their marriage to the Lamb of God.

Just as Solomon couldn’t understand the Shulamite’s outstanding purity that defied his God-given wisdom, her visage was black as the tents of Kedar, and she was seen in the streets of Old Jerusalem, Babylon, yet her sisters couldn’t and still don’t know her; she is blacker than coal. She is unknown in their inward streets of Old Jerusalem, and they, like the Elect of God, are slain, each in his own order.

Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The rest in the “field” is the World since Adam until the First Resurrection, who have no whit that they are stricken while feeding luxuriously on the World’s spiritual bread of wokeness; they will be slain in the soon coming age in the Resurrection to Judgment.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. 
Rev 20:3 And he cast him into the abyss and shut him up and set a seal on him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years should be fulfilled. And after that he must be loosed a little time.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

Lam 4:10 The hands of the pitiful women have sodden [Boiled; baked] their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 
Lam 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof. 
Lam 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the World, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

2Ki 6:26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. 
2Ki 6:27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? 
2Ki 6:28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. 
2Ki 6:29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. 
2Ki 6:30 And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh. 

Those three verses of Lamentations continue depicting the physical with the spiritual. The “pitiful women” have been the Lord’s very own people who have “come out of her”, that is, Jerusalem, Egypt, Sodom and collectively Babylon (Rev 18:4), while their brothers and sisters continue spiritually consuming their children in Old Jerusalem to this very day!

Our brothers and sisters in Babylon emphatically believe that salvation is of the Jews since scripture says so. In the sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans, its inhabitants believed that God wouldn’t forsake them, the holy people; until it was too late.

Joh 4:21 Jesus said to her, Woman [addressing our old woman and the Bride of Christ], believe Me, the hour is coming when you shall neither worship the Father in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem. 
Joh 4:22 You worship what you do not know, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 
Joh 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him. 
Joh 4:24 God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.

Nonetheless, by the oligarchy of the financial and political World’s Satan-directed design, the Balfour Declaration finally and firmly established the idol of physical Jews leadership in the World. https://www.britannica.com/event/Balfour-Declaration Babylonian Christianity will not suffer its discretion, not knowing that the Beast will “burn her with fire”.

Salvation is through Christ and His spiritual Jews ~ Christs (plural). That event is profoundly spiritually discerned in the following verses and in cursed strong delusion for adherents of the Balfour Declaration.

 Oba 1:19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau [Our kin brothers and sisters of Mt Sinai, today’s Christianity]; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
Oba 1:20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south [the so-called “holy land”].
Oba 1:21 And saviours [plural] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 

Lam 4:13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her, 

In the following verses, Christ speaks of our former ways that morph into the Elect of God by ‘sleight of spirit’ in verse 49.

Luk 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 
Luk 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 
Luk 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: [The “they” is us judging ourselves in this age, slaying our idols within]
Luk 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; [~ the generation within, today if you hear His voice. Heb 3:15].
Luk 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation [~ the Lord’s people right now]. 
Luk 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! [Pastors; ministers, our former unrighteousness of being a two-fold child of hell] for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Those verses above richly depict in hidden minimal detail us coming out of Babylon and seeing that we are becoming the spiritual Jews who were the lying Jews who remain looking to rout the modern Romans from the World’s political establishment.

Mat 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Lam 4:14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. 

Just as the pure water from Mt Hermon runs down and through the midst of the former physical nation of Israel, so does our righteousness at the top of our streets run down in dead works through Sodom within to the dead sea of our rottenness, purified by salt.

Our spiritual wombs’ “streets” are automatically renewed every four weeks as depicted by the moon’s cycle. Its interior exfoliation has polluted us with blood, and it figuratively purges us of dead works, polluting our spiritual garments by our idols in secret places.

Gen 31:35 And she [Rachel / we becoming the heavenly Jerusalem above] said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. 

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he [The Father through Christ] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Just as Rachel didn’t confess to her father, we, too, have hidden our idols beneath our self-righteous clothing, denying our sins and shed the Lord’s blood yet again.

Lam 4:15 They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there. 
Lam 4:16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.

Israel and we, in our time, departed like deranged King Nebuchadnezzar for his self-importance, figuratively announcing that he is god, and we, sitting in the Lord’s temple, unwittingly stating that we are God. We could not touch the Lord until he said, “Enough”, and blessed our dragging to himself with His spirit, symbolised by Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration to sanity and our God-given spiritual sanity.

Dan 4:28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 
Dan 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 
Dan 4:31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
Dan 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 
Dan 4:33  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. 
Dan 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 

Lam 4:17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us. 

Watching for a nation that cannot save us is a classic example of seeking answers from our many witches of Endor (1Sa 28). When we have suffered long enough with legions of evil spirits in our tombs within and being fearful of our blindness, as was Saul of Tarsus (Paul), our Lord begins setting us free, and we listen to our Elders in the Body who favour our salvation.

Mar 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 
Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 
Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 
Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 
Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 
Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 

Act 20:26 Therefore I [Paul, the Elders and each of us] testify to you on this day that I am pure from the blood of all. 
Act 20:27 For I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. 
Act 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood. 

Lam 4:18 They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come. 
Lam 4:19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. 

Our persecutors are evil spirits sent by the Lord, fouls of the air, represented as eagles generically denoting all kinds of raptors, including falcons (a little trivia), the Peregrine falcon being the fastest creature on Earth (dives up to 300 km (186 mph hr) – Rev 22:12-20, “… I come quickly…” with a ministry of 3 years – 300÷100=3)

2Sa 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Lev 11:13 Of birds these are they which you must not eat, and which are to be avoided by you: The eagle, and the griffon [vulture], and the osprey. [Griffon vulture, incidentally the world’s highest recorded flying bird at 36,000 feet, synonymous with high flying proud- evil spirits]
Lev 11:14 And the kite, and the vulture, according to their kind. (DRB)

Lam 4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

Pits are hollows, dungeons, the depths of the abussos we live with, the wilderness of Babylon’s shadow, yet are not partakers of her unclean bird’s ways. The Lord’s people have come out of her yet remain in the world.

Jer 29:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 
Jer 29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 
Jer 29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 
Jer 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 
Jer 29:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 
Jer 29:9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. 
Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 

Zec 2:7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. [1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.]
Zec 2:8  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. 

Esau, whose land is Edom, is the elder brother of Jacob. The daughter of Edom represents the Lord’s people who despised their inheritance, as typified by Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a pot of red lentils.

Lam 4:21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz [Edom synonymous with Babylon]; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. 

Esau’s cup, represented by the daughter of Edom, reflects the Lord’s people’s transition to being the heavenly daughter of Zion that is Jerusalem above.

Lam 4:22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins. 

Just as Rachel’s idols hidden under her secret parts were eventually revealed, so will the Lord see under our skirts and discover our sins revealed in humiliation and horror upon our faces.

Jer 13:25 This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Jer 13:26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear. 
Jer 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

Lord willing, that time will consummate for his Elect at the First Resurrection.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Exo 38:1-31 The Making of the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Bronze Basin and the Court

[Study Aired February 20, 2023]

Exo 38:1  And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
Exo 38:2  And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. 
Exo 38:3  And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
Exo 38:4  And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.
Exo 38:5  And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves. 
Exo 38:6  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass. 
Exo 38:7  And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards. 
Exo 38:8  And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Exo 38:9  And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:
Exo 38:10  Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
Exo 38:11  And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 
Exo 38:12  And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 
Exo 38:13  And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.
Exo 38:14  The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 
Exo 38:15  And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 
Exo 38:16  All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. 
Exo 38:17  And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. 
Exo 38:18  And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
Exo 38:19  And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver. 
Exo 38:20  And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.
Exo 38:21  This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. 
Exo 38:22  And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 38:23  And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.
Exo 38:24  All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exo 38:25  And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
Exo 38:26  A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Exo 38:27  And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. 
Exo 38:28  And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them. 
Exo 38:29  And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. 
Exo 38:30  And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar, 
Exo 38:31  And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

Today’s study focuses on the making of the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Bronze Basin and the Court. It also centers on the materials needed for the building of the Lord’s tabernacle.  As we can see, the Lord starts His work of making us His temple for His habitation by focusing within us first before our outward righteousness becomes evident. The Holy of Holies and the Holy place and their items were all made first before the outer court with its items were made. This is in contrast to our life in Babylon or the churches of this world where we put emphasis on the outward at the detriment of inner cleansing. 

Mat 23:25  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 

Mat 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Exo 38:1  And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof. 
Exo 38:2  And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. 

Placed in the outer court of the wilderness tabernacle, the brazen altar was the most prominent and imposing object in the court, and no worshiper could avoid seeing it upon entering. The fact that the altar was to be a square in shape is to let us know that from whatever angle we are looking, sin is a problem that has to be dealt with in order for us to appear before the Lord. The natural laws of various countries, the laws of various religions (Babylon) all point to one thing – that is, sin must be dealt with. That is why our Lord Jesus came to atone for our sins.

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

The fact that the altar was made of acacia wood is to indicate that even our sins and the remission of sins is all the work of the Lord. Without Him, nothing functions!!

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

The altar is to be measured. The standard of measurement is Christ. Those whose sins have reached the heavens in this life are therefore judged to conform to the standard of Christ. The fullness of the sins of humanity will later follow them to be dealt with in the lake of fire. They are those who are not measured as they belong to the Gentiles!!

1Ti 5:24  Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

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.

The horns at the four corners of the altar symbolize the strength of the Lord to deal with the sins of the whole world. The four corners of the table represent the whole world. 

Exo 13:3  And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Exo 13:14  And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

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.

What is insightful about verse 2 is that the altar must be coated with brass. All the instruments in the Holy place and the Holy of Holies were overlaid with gold, signifying that it is through the refining work of the Lord that we can gain access to His presence. This refining work is the judgment of our old man. The coating of the altar with brass is to signify our frail bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.  It is through this corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord Jesus made atonement for our sins and appeared before God. As He is, so are we in this life. It is through our corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord will save the world from their sins.

Exo 38:3  And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
Exo 38:4  And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

The various utensils to be used at the altar refer to various categories of humanity who are all utilized by the Lord to accomplish His purpose of making us aware of the problem of sin, the atoning work of Christ and the need for our sins to be judged.

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 grating of brass was to be inserted into the hollow center of the altar to hold the firewood and sacrifice as it was being burned, allowing the ash to fall below. The grating is a symbol of the judgment we must go through to deliver us from our sins so that we become a sweet savor to Christ our Lord.

Exo 38:5  And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.
Exo 38:6  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.
Exo 38:7  And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

The altar is portable. It was therefore carried using the poles which were required to pass through the rings so that the Levites who carried the altar did not touch the altar. The portability of the altar means that the redemptive work of Christ is still applicable to us as we journey in this life. It also means that we bear in our bodies the mark of His suffering, that is, we, too, are going through suffering in this life to complete the suffering of Christ.

Gal 6:17  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Exo 38:8  And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

A simpler rendition of verse 8 is as follows:

Exo 38:8  He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting. (ESV)

This verse clearly shows us the role of the churches of this world, which are represented here by the ministering women. They provide mirrors for the making of the basin of brass for washing before one enters the tabernacle. In other words, the function of the churches of this world is to make us see who we are as sinners, and therefore we need to be washed of our sins before we come to worship the Lord. The mirror is the word of the Lord, whether it is the letter of the word which is emphasized in Babylon or the Spirit, which is for the elect.

Jas 1:23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
Jas 1:24  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
Jas 1:25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Exo 38:9  And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: 
Exo 38:10  Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 
Exo 38:11  And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 
Exo 38:12  And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 
Exo 38:13  And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

Hangings of fine twined linen marked the boundaries of this court, and its dimensions were 100 cubits on the north and south sides and 50 cubits on the west and east. The fine twined linen hangings were fixed to twenty pillars on the north and south, ten on the west, but only six on the east as this was the side where the gate was situated. Each of the pillars sat on a brass socket, and the hangings were attached to the pillars by means of silver hooks.

Spiritually, the court represents our lives in Babylon where we only see our Lord Jesus Christ come to die for our sins. It is a period of our lives where we have our own doctrines and follow our own ways thinking that we have our own will to choose what we want. 

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

The fact that the north and the south sides should be 100 cubits in measurement is significant. The number 100 (10×10) signifies the fullness of the flesh. What this means is that during our walk in the court of the tabernacle, the deeds of the flesh become evident before we are given to wash ourselves in the word of the Lord in preparation to enter the presence of the Lord.

The use of twenty pillars and the bases emphasizes the point that those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it. During the time of the elect in the court of the tabernacle or Babylon, we are defeated seven times (completely) by the flesh as part of the preparation to learn how to war against the flesh.

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

The use of brass to coat the twenty pillars and bases signifies that it is through this corruptible flesh and blood of the elect that the Lord is building His house or dwelling place. This is the same as having treasure in earthen vessels.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The fact that the west and the east sides of the tabernacle must be fifty cubits in length is to suggest to us that a prerequisite to become the dwelling place of the Lord is through the liberty we have in Christ. This liberty is freedom from the bondage of sin.

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Exo 38:14  The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 
Exo 38:15  And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 38:16  All the hangings of the court roundabout were of fine twined linen.

In total there were six hangings at the east end of the tabernacle where the gate was. The number six is the number of mankind. So, this is to emphasize the point that it is through us, in our corruptible flesh and blood, that the Lord is using to admit all those predestined to come to His presence. In an age to come (the lake of fire age), the Lord will also use us to bring all humanity into His presence.

The fact that the hangings on each side of the gate were three is to let us know that becoming the conduit for humanity to enter into the presence of the Lord entails being spiritually mature, which is brought about through the Lord’s judgment of our old man.

Rev 15:8  and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

That the hangings must be of fifteen cubits (15 = 3×5) is to serve as a witness to the fact that it is grace through faith by which we become mature enough to enter the temple to worship the Lord. This grace is the chastening work of the Lord.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching (Chastening) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Exo 38:17  And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.

We are both the pillars and its sockets which were coated with brass. As indicated, brass signifies our frail bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.  It is through this corruptible flesh and blood the Lord is using to build His temple. It is through our corruptible flesh and blood that all humanity will be admitted into the temple of God. The silver, which was used to overlay the pillars of the court, and the chapiters represent the strong desire for the things of the spirit, which signifies the very foundation upon which the boards and pillars of the tabernacle stand.

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job 14:15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire [Hebrew: kasaph – the root from which comes ‘keseph‘ – silver] to the work of thine hands.

Exo 38:18  And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
Exo 38:19  And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.
Exo 38:20  And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.

The hanging for the gate of the court was of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. We, the elect, are the hanging through which humanity must pass to enter the Lord’s temple. The colors blue, purple and scarlet mean that we are those who are being changed from our Adamic nature to that of Christ. As indicated earlier, we are both the sockets and the pillars. The fact that there were four pillars and four sockets means that the pillars and the sockets represent the whole of the elect of every generation. The pins used for the tabernacle and the court being made of brass means that it is through our corruptible flesh and blood that the Lord is using to build His temple.

Exo 38:22  And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 38:23  And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

As indicated in previous studies, Bezaleel represents our Lord Jesus Christ who is building our earthly tent. Building our earthly tent means the Lord is the one who is cleansing our hearts and mind to make it His dwelling place. Aholiab means ‘tent of his father.’ Our bodies are the earthly tent of our Father, Jesus. Aholiab, therefore, represents the body of Christ, or the Lord’s elect, as we are given to work with the Lord, who is represented here as Bezaleel in the building of the New Jerusalem for our Lord to dwell. The wise-hearted are also the elect.

2Co 5:1  Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. (CEV)

We are therefore co-workers with the Lord as we work together as a unit to achieve what God desires. That is, by building the church of God which is the Lord’s body.

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Exo 38:24  All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exo 38:25  And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

The rest of the chapter deals with the inputs needed for the building of the tabernacle.  Verses 24 and 25 mentions gold and silver as key ingredients needed for the building of the Lord’s church.

2Ch 5:1  Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.

The gold and the silver refer to the truth of the word of the Lord that fits our every circumstance.

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

Exo 38:26  A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.

Another key input needed for the building of the Lord’s tabernacle is men who are twenty years old and above. As we have studied in previous lessons, the number twenty refers to those who are mature and are able to wage war against the flesh.

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

According to verse 26, the men who were numbered as mature enough to war was 603,550. The number six refers to mankind. The number three means the process of spiritual maturity through judgment, and the number five signifies grace through faith. What we are therefore being told as referring to the sum of mature men ready to battle the flesh is that it is through the process of judgment that we mature spiritually enough to wage a war against the flesh. It is our faith or belief in this process of judgment, which is the grace that we have received from the Lord, that enables us to become spiritually mature as we deny ungodliness and worldly lust to become righteous in this present world.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching (Chastening) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Exo 38:27  And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
Exo 38:28  And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

The hundred talents of silver needed for the casting of the sockets of the sanctuary is to make us aware that we never offer anything to God for which we have made no payment or atonement. Jesus paid the price for our redemption.

1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1Co 7:23  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

What this means is that the foundation upon which Christ comes to live within our temple has already been laid by the price Jesus paid for our sins.

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.

The 1,775 shekels is the measure of the silver according to the standard of shekels of the sanctuary. This is what is needed for the making of the hooks of the pillars, which signifies that it is by grace through faith we become complete in Christ and therefore become worthy of being part of the pillars of the temple of the Lord.

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Exo 38:29  And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.
Exo 38:30  And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,
Exo 38:31  And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

According to these verses, we need seventy talents of brass, which measure about 2,400 shekels according to the standard of shekels of the sanctuary, to make sockets for the door of the tabernacle and also the court gate. As indicated in our studies, brass represents our frail bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.  It is through this corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord Jesus made atonement for our sins and appeared before God. As He is, so are we in this life. It is through our corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord will save the world from their sins. It should be noted that when the Lord appeared to Apostle John to unveil Himself to him, His feet were like fine brass. This is to show us that Christ does everything through His saints who are still in these bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Rev 2:18  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Being sockets of brass at the door of the tabernacle and at the court gate is to let us know that it is through us the Lord will save the world, as all humanity will have to pass through us as the door of the tabernacle in order to worship the Lord. We are therefore the saviors of the world!!

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

May the Lord continue to prepare us to become a habitation for the Lord to dwell. Amen!!

2Ki 4:1-7  “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”

[Study Aired August 18, 2022]

2Ki 4:1  Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 
2Ki 4:2  And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 
2Ki 4:3  Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 
2Ki 4:4  And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
2Ki 4:5  So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 
2Ki 4:6  And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 
2Ki 4:7  Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 

This chapter of Kings has five main sections that have a theme running through them that shows us how God will provide an abundant spiritual life for all mankind in time and “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Joh 10:10, Php 4:19).

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The thief that comes “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” of  (Joh 10:10) is Satan and his influence over mankind as the prince of the power of the air (Joh 8:44, Eph 2:2) and he accomplishes this destruction through false doctrines, lies, that cause everyone in their appointed time to “climbeth up some other way” as Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Joh 10:1, Pro 16:25, Gen 3:4).

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

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

Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 

The life that we can have “more abundantly” of John 10:10 is the life of Christ within us to which we are dragged (Joh 6:44, 2Co 10:17-18, 1Co 11:19). These stories in the fourth chapter of Kings were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages are come (1Co 10:11) and remind us of the faithfulness of our Creator whose workmanship we are (Eph 2:10). We are being given all the provision we need (Eph 3:20, 1Ti 1:14) through the bride of Christ who will be made ready (Eph 3:10), and so we ought to rejoice always for that truth (Rev 19:7, Php 4:4, Rom 12:15, Php 1:8).

2Co 10:17  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 
2Co 10:18  For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

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

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

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

Rom 12:15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 

Php 1:8  For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

2Ki 4:1  Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 

The husband in this story who dies typifies Christ, the head of the wife, who when he dies causes the wife [the church] whose husband was a servant of Elisha to be indebted to “the creditor” who “is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.” The wife, who represents the church, has two sons that witness to how we are slaves to sin or “bondmen” who must pay all that we owe to the “creditor” (Mat 5:25, Rom 13:7) and that only through Christ working within the church, which is His body (Col 1:24), can we be delivered from this spiritually impoverished state that would otherwise keep us in bondage (Joh 8:36). The rest of the parable goes on to explain how that freedom or liberty is obtained through an obedient spirit that does what we are asked of the prophet who typifies Christ and His body (Mat 17:27, Mar 12:14-17) and because of that obedience which we learn through suffering we are given His holy spirit that strengthens us to overcome and endure through Christ (Heb 5:8, Act 5:32)

Mat 5:25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour [“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s“].

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

Mat 17:27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, [1Co_8:13] go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Mar 12:17  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

2Ki 4:2  And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Our Father in heaven also asks “What shall I do for thee?” and Christ reminds us to cast our cares upon him, to the end that we may receive what we ask of Him for He cares for us (1Pe 5:7, Jas 4:2-3).

1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 

This woman typifies the church who has “a pot of oil“, representing the holy spirit, and at the same time recognizes that there is “not any thing in the house” meaning when God gives us to see it, we realize that we bring nothing to the table and are unprofitable servants who are accomplishing through Christ that which is expected of us (Luk 17:10, Php 2:12-13).

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

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2Ki 4:3  Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 
2Ki 4:4  And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

Borrowing empty vessels and not a few is a parable for us that tells the elect that we must “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations“. It’s true the vessels are “empty” in this world, the spirit of God or oil is not within the vessel (Rom 8:9), and yet God tells us how important our neighbor is in this parable and how we must have three measures of meal obtained in this life via the loving relationships that we have outside of the church, doing good unto all men (Mat 5:47) but especially unto the household of faith (Gal 6:10, 1Co 5:11).

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.

Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 

Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1Co 5:11  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. 

The Meaning of The Widow’s Sons Being Sold Into Bondage

2Ki 4:5  So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 
2Ki 4:6  And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 
2Ki 4:7  Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Shutting the door “and shut the door upon her and upon her sons” (Exo 12:22,  Mat 25:10, Mat 6:6) is what we do on the world within us, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life through mortifying the deeds of the flesh, and by not giving the devil a foothold (1Jn 2:16, Rom 8:13-14, Eph 4:27) that can only happen through the crushing process the body of Christ is going through in the temple of God which is Christ’s body (Col 1:24, Mat 21:44). The filling up what is “behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” is what it takes to produce the precious oil of God’s word (Joh 12:3) which anoints our walk in the Lord and gives us dominion over sin and those who would try to spy out our liberties in Christ (Gen 4:7, Rom 6:14, Jdg 16:3, Gal 2:4, 2Pe 2:19, 2Co 11:14).

Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. [“and she poured out“]

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. [“and she poured out“]

Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [“and she poured out“]

Joh 12:3  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 

Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Jdg 16:3  And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. 

Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Selling the oil (“sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest“) represents our fervent love toward all whom we encounter, including our enemies to whom through Christ we can turn the other cheek and love them even while they are enemies as God loved us while we were yet enemies (Col 1:21, Rom 5:8, 1Jn 4:17). Fervent love toward our family covers a multitude of sins within today (1Pe 4:8, Mat 5:44) and is needful if we are going to be used by the Lord to ultimately cover the sins of the innumerable multitude who will give an accounting in the second resurrection (Rev 7:9). If we don’t forgive our debtors their debts today, the Lord will not forgive us of our debt, so it is critical that we examine ourselves and love our enemies and pray the Lord continues to soften our hearts so they don’t grow bitter or wax cold because of the iniquity that we are promised is going to abound more and more at the end of the age (Mat 6:12, Mat 24:12).

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

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

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. [Jas 5:20, 1Co 7:14-15]

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

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

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

God’s desire for the church is going to be accomplished which is the opposite of what is happening in Babylon where the whole stay of bread and water has been taken away, and it is all happening according to the counsel of His own will (Isa 3:1, Eph 1:11). As for the body of Christ, we are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ to a full measure, “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph 4:13) typified with this verse, “And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.”

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, 

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

God has truly called us to learn from every single soul we meet in this life and is maturing His children so that we do not render “evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1Pe 3:9).

Being given the power to overcome and lose our life (Mat 16:24-25, Mat 10:38-39) as we learn obedience in this life through the judgment process that is upon the body of Christ today is what produces the abundant life of which Christ spoke in this verse, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” This is an abundant life that fills us with hope that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” a purpose that teaches us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust and to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and our neighbor as ourself (Rom 8:28, Rom 5:5, Mar 12:30-31).

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [If we love God whom we don’t see, we have passed from death to life and love everyone else we do see (1Jn 4:20)]

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; [Rom 1:16] because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

1Ki 7:47-51 “He made a molten sea” Part 3

[Study Aired December 16, 2021]

1Ki 7:47  And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out. 
1Ki 7:48  And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was, 
1Ki 7:49  And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold, 
1Ki 7:50  And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple. 
1Ki 7:51  So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.

These verses below are all taken from Matthew 6:1-34 and, as part of the introduction to our study, serve to help us see what the workmanship Solomon accomplished “for the house of the LORD” represents. It is at the altar, which represents the cross, that God has dragged His people to Christ to worship our Father and Christ in spirit and in truth (Joh 6:44), and it is the truth found in God’s word that is likened unto silver and gold vessels (“the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD“) that must abide in us and be brought into the “the house of the LORD” if we are going to be among those who worship our Father in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:23).

The “treasures of the house of the LORD” are symbolic of the increase God gives the bride of Christ and is laid up in heaven, meaning our hearts and minds. This section of Kings shines a bright light for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear what it means to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Mat 6:21, Luk 12:33) which is represented by:

• the altar of gold

• the table of gold

• the candlesticks of pure gold

• the lamps, and the tongs of gold

• the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

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.

Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luk 12:33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Seeing it is God’s gold, we are admonished from the onset of the sixth chapter of Matthew not to take any glory for the gold God is laying up in store within the body of Christ, which is the temple of God (1Co 3:16, Luk 17:10, 1Ch 29:14).

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Mat 6:1-4)

Where and how we pray is contrasted with the wrong way we naturally pray when Christ is not the one orchestrating that prayer with His righteousness (Php 3:9-11), and it is through the dying daily process through which our Father drags us to Christ that we are able to overcome the hypocrisy that abides within all flesh.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Mat 6:5-8)

This next section of Matthew chapter six is a whole study within itself that explains to us how we are to pray to our Sovereign Father in heaven Who has given us this outline to build fervent prayer upon which does avail much when it is His righteousness working that prayer.

Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Mat 6:9-15)

God is faithful to reward and to punish those with whom He is working in this age (Heb 12:6), and He has given the elect to see that He is in charge of both the light and darkness, the good and evil within us (Isa 45:7). As such, we are admonished not to mourn as others even though we do mourn the putting off of our flesh. This good and evil or light and darkness are represented by the “the silver, and the gold” that was brought into the temple of God and reminds us that the longsuffering process to which God has called us in order to become mature sons (Rom 2:4) is accomplished through a lifetime of having a contrite and broken heart God grants to the elect (Isa 66:2) who can be easily intreated and who acknowledge our transgressions as we endure the chastening every son of God can and must endure in this life to cease from sinning so we can be prepared to rule under Christ (Heb 12:7, 2Ti 2:12)

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

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

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? 

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

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

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Mat 6:16-18)

It is “At that day” (Joh 14:20) that we realize where our treasure is and begin to see all those gold items in the temple of Solomon for what they really represent. The character of Christ being formed within the body of Christ through the fiery trials that prove our faith in Him (1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 1:7), is the immeasurably more valuable workmanship of God that is an ongoing cleansing process which is making the bride ready for that great and blessed day of His return (Eph 2:10, Php 3:8, Rev 19:7-8).

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

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mat 6:19-24)

We just read it, “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”, which is what it means to be one of “the lilies of the field” which are contrasted against Solomon and all his glory that was shown in the temple and his kingdom. The lilies represent Christ in us (Son 2:1-2), and so, with that knowledge, we do not need to take “thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.” The Lord will provide and direct the lives of His little flock (Psa 23:1-3) as we are led by the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-16) that will make a way for us to endure through this life, taking care of one another both physically and spiritually (3Jn 1:2-3, Luk 6:38, 1Jn 3:17-18).

Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 
Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

3Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 
3Jn 1:3  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

1Jn 3:17  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 
1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [1Co 3:6] And why take ye thought for raiment? [Rev 19:8] Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; [1Co 3:6] they toil not, neither do they spin: [Php 2:12-13] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Mat 6:25-29)

God knows what we have need of, and we can so easily forget that in our flesh and start seeking to be clothed with our own righteousness (Php 3:9) as opposed to being clothed by Christ on whom we are to wait (Psa 27:12-14): “shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” God knows we lack that faith, so He sends an evil spirit to trouble us that only by His grace and faith is overcome after we have been brought to our wits’ end and ask our heavenly Father to help us in our unbelief (Mar 9:24).

Psa 27:12  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. [Both can be understood within and without and both an experience of evil to humble us thereby so Christ can be exalted in due time (Ecc 1:13)] 
Psa 27:13  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 
Psa 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. 

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, [“why take ye thought for raiment?“] which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [Rev 19:8]

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Mat 6:30-32)

Christ himself and Christ in us are praying for each other and have prayed and will continue to pray for the faith needed to not give up in our quest of seeking the kingdom of God first and His righteousness, and as such those prayers will lead to our salvation availing much in every way through this life (Php 3:9, Luk 22:32, Gal 6:2). These are also some of “the treasures of the house of the LORD” that we will be looking at tonight.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (1Co 3:6)]

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [by bearing with the infirmity of those who are weak in faith by praying for their faith we are helping them on that road to being “converted” so they can go and do the same for those who they will “strengthen” by the strength that they received from others].

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” [What is added to God’s elect is the gift of being able to help convert and strengthen others in this life and the next. The experiences God gives the elect turns us into a brand new creation whose function is likened unto the implements in the temple (1Ti 4:16)] ”Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Mat 6:33-34)

1Ki 7:47  And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out. 

This language that describes ‘the brass that could not be weighed there was so much’ is symbolic of the innumerable multitude who are purified after the elect (Rev 7:9). Those who go on to be the golden vessels in the temple of God do so by the grace and faith of Christ, purging “himself from these [within], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Ti 2:19-26). The house contains both vessels, and everyman’s work is made known of what sort it is by fire, and the fire judges us either now in this age or in the lake of fire depending on what God has ordained from the foundation of the world (1Co 3:13-15).

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

2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 
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. 
2Ti 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
2Ti 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 
2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 
2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 

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.

1Ki 7:48  And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was,

Solomon who is a type of Christ and “made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was,“.

Making “the altar of gold” and “the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread [is]” are both symbols of what Christ has done for us in giving His body at the altar, which is the cross, and in so doing made it possible for us to receive the true bread of life (Joh 6:51) symbolized by the “shewbread” which could not be given to humanity until Christ died and sent the comforter on Pentecost (Joh 16:7, Act 2:1-4). Christ is the first wave offering spoken of in Leviticus 23:11-12, and the elect of God are symbolically represented by the “two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD” spoken of in Leviticus 23:16-17. We are like Christ in that regard giving our bodies as a living sacrifice for the world that will one day be used to feed the masses spiritually as Christ has done and is doing for us today through the church (Eph 3:10).

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.

Lev 23:11  And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 
Lev 23:12  And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. 

Lev 23:16  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. 
Lev 23:17  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. 

1Ki 7:49  And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold,

God’s mercy and favor are witnessed through the grace that is symbolized by the light of “the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left“. The elect are likened to these candlesticks in Revelation 11:4, and there are two because it is the witness of Christ’s life in us that makes it possible for our witness to be steadfast and true, seeing those candlesticks are in Christ’s right hand and are not able to be taken out of His hand or the Father’s hand (Rev 1:3, Rev 3:14, Rev 2:1, Joh 10:28-29). What we are called to do as God’s two witnesses is to faithfully speak the word of God that will proceed out of our mouth as fire, both in this life and going forward, until all the world is consumed by that fire (Jer 5:14, Rev 11:4-5, Jas 3:5, Luk 12:49).

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. 

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 
Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 

Jas 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Where this fire is being kindled is “before the oracle^H1687, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold“, telling us that Christ and His Christ are the ones who will administer God’s judgments upon the world from the “inner most part of the sanctuary”^H1687, and that is made possible by being the first to be tried by those words of eternal life that are purified “before the oracle”^H1687 today (Joh 6:68). The “flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold” are symbolic of Christ’s and God’s word, which is likened to hot coals in Isaiah, that will be used to give the world one pure language after their mouths (Isa 6:6, Zep 3:9), from where our words come, are sanctified or purged with fiery coals as ours are being tried today (Joh 12:48, Isa 6:7, 1Pe 4:12)

1Ki 7:50  And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.

These implements and vessels and hinges are connected with “the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was” of 1Kings 7:48 describing the blessing that God’s elect have to be in such a trusted and blessed relationship with our Father and Christ to be used to administer God’s word that will be used to purify the nations.

“The bowls“^H5592 and “the basons“^H4219 are the symbolic vessels that are used to contain the blood of the sacrificed animal, which blood symbolizes God’s word that is likened to blood and is now kept within the purged vessels we have become to the glory of God.

Then we have “the snuffers“^H4212 (‘tweezers’), which word is derived from the word “to prune”, telling us our function as kings and priests will be to prune the nations and wash them with the word of God in which we were blessed to be the first to trust (Eph 1:12).

The word “spoons“^H3709 demonstrates that it will be with the humble mind of Christ that God’s elect, who are those spoons, will wash the feet of the nations (Rev 22:9, Joh 13:15).

H3709 kaph  the hollow hand [Psa_26:6] or palm [Isa_49:16] (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole [Eze_1:7] , and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm tree); figuratively power: – branch, + foot, hand ([-ful], -dle, [-led]), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.  [Also used as “clouds” in Job_36:32]

From H3721: A primitive root; to curve: – bow down (self).

The “censers“^H4289 is “a pan for live coals” and the root of this Strong’s number is H2846 (“to take away” or “heap” – Pro 25:22). Therefore this vessel again symbolizes the elect who will use God’s word, alive and active, to purge the nations of all iniquity.

Lastly, “the hinges“^H6596 reveal that God’s elect are in an intimate spiritual relationship with Christ, like a husband and wife (Eph 5:28-32). We are the first who learn to trust our Husband before all the world (Eph 1:12), learning that He is the one who is sovereign over all things that consist by Him (Col 1:17). He is the one “that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth” (Rev 3:7-8) as the Father directs. The gold “hinges” make it possible for the door of our heavens to be opened, increasing our spiritual knowledge that comes about by our fiery trials “hinges of gold” that bring us to trust in the living God (1Co 3:6).

H6596 pôth / pôthâh  From an unused root meaning to open; a hole, that is, hinge or the female pudenda: – hinge, secret part.

Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 
Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Rev 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Rev 3:8  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

• the bowlsH5592

• the snuffersH4212 from H2168

• the basonsH4219 from H2236

• the spoonsH3709 from H3721 

• the censersH4289

• the hingesH6596

1Ki 7:51  So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.

What God has started in us He will finish through Christ in us, a thought that is typified by this statement: “So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD” (Php 1:6).

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

Then we’re told “And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated”^H6944 telling us that only the words of God in our life that have been sanctified by Christ in us can become treasure laid up in heaven (Mat 6:20). David is a type of Christ who dedicated/sanctified^H6944 the temple with “even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD” which is all typical language of what Christ is doing in the body of Christ to sanctify it with the word of God (Joh 17:17).

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:
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart^G2588 be also.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Anyone who is going to become sanctified to God in this life (Rom 8:30), or dedicated to God, will do so through Christ (Heb 10:10), and all these items “even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels” represent the work Christ does in the lives of the elect who then become the vessels of honour (2Ti 2:21, Rom 9:21) He will use to redeem the rest of mankind through his body which is the temple of God (1Co 3:16, Oba 1:21).

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

Heb 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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. 

Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 

We’ll end this last section of our 4-part study entitled “He made a molten sea” with these verses in Hebrews 9:23-28 which remind us that the workmanship of Solomon within and outside the temple is a type of the workmanship in “the heavenly things themselves” which is where our Father and Christ are abiding (Eph 2:6) with those many vessels that represent His word within each of us (Joh 14:23, Joh 8:32) that is likened to gold and silver.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: [Eph 2:6] 
Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself [within us (Rom 12:1-2)]. 
Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 
Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Rom 12:1  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. 
Rom 12:2  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. [1Jn 2:17]

[Study Aired October 14, 2021]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

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

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

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

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

knops H6497 peh’-kah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

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

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

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

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent [Heb 12:6].

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

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

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Study Posted June 12, 2020]

Est 1:1  Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 
Est 1:2  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 
Est 1:3  In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 
Est 1:4  When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. 
Est 1:5  And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; 
Est 1:6  Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 
Est 1:7  And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 
Est 1:8  And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. 
Est 1:9  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 
Est 1:10  On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 
Est 1:11  To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 
Est 1:12  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 

In the spiritual context, the book of Esther shows how, through God’s mercy, the elect (represented by Esther) are replacing the many called (represented by Queen Vashti) in every generation as given to us in Romans 11:30–31 and how we are being prepared to become the bride of Christ. It is also a record of the superintending care of divine providence over His chosen people (the elect). The book gives details of how God raises a storm to bring us to our wits’ ends and then causes us to cry to him for deliverance and finally brings us to our safe haven (Psalm 107:25–30). Although God’s name is rarely mentioned in this book, the presence of God is felt throughout the book, and it shows how our God is a God who hides Himself (Isaiah 45:15), and yet he is a God who is nearer to us than we can imagine (Acts 17:27). With this in mind, let’s start our feast by journeying through the book of Esther.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

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

Isa 45:15  Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Est 1:1  Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Est 1:2  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Est 1:3  In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces,being before him: 
Est 1:4  When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

The book of Esther starts with Ahasuerus (Xerxes), King of Persia, holding a feast in Shushan for his nobles, officials and his military leaders of all his provinces. The name Ahasuerus means a mighty man. In the spiritual dimension, he represents God. The name Shushan means Lily. In the bible, the elect is referred to as lily (Hosea 14:5). As indicated in verse 2 where the King sat on his throne in Shushan, it shows that the throne of God is in the elect’s heavens (hearts and minds), so that is where the feast is being held. Feast is about eating and drinking, and it represents how God is enlightening our understanding of the word of God to know Him. Remember that eternal life is all about getting to know God and Jesus (John 17:3), so feasting is equivalent to being given eternal life. This feast represents a period in our lives that our heavens are opened resulting in Jesus being unveiled to us.

Now this feast is being held for only the nobles, officials and the military leaders.  These top rank executives are the elect in every generation who feast on the word of God. This whole feast is to help us appreciate the vastness and the greatness of the King’s kingdom (verse 4).  Paul puts it this way: That our eyes of understanding will be enlightened and that we may know the hope of his calling and what the riches of his glory of his inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe (Eph 1:17–23).

Hos 14:5  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 

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

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 
Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 
Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 
Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 
Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

This feast happened in the third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus. This implies that the feasting (our eyes being enlightened through his words) is our process of spiritual completion through judgment. What this means is that while we are feasting, we are being judged by the fiery words of the Lord. The feast lasted for 180 days. 180 days X 7 is equal to 1260 days, which represents the days that the two witnesses in the book of Revelation prophesied. What this means is that the 180 days represents a certain period in the lives of the elect that our heavens (hearts and minds) are opened to receive the revelation of Christ is completed. In other words, our understanding of the mystery of God is completed.

It is no coincidence that 180 days is 1/7th of the 1260 days of the witness of the two witnesses. Being at the very beginning of the book of Esther demonstrates that this 180 day feast is but the white horse of the six seals of the book  of the revelation of Jesus Christ in His bride. The rest of the book of Esther, and all the trials of the Jews are nothing more than the opening of the other six seals, with the seven trumpets and seven vials which are the seventh seal.

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

Est 1:5  And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; 

This feast will also be held for the whole of the human race for a period of seven days representing the lake-of-fire age (from the second resurrection to the end of the lake of fire). The elect are the first to feast, but that is not the end. The fact that there are those who trusted in God first means there are others to follow. The whole of the human race will also have their feast through the agency of Christ and His Christs. That is the salvation of the human race depicted in several places in the scriptures.

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

2Sa 14:14  For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 
1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

The next three verses talk about details of this feast.

Est 1:6  Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 
Est 1:7  And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 
Est 1:8  And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. 

This feast is associated with the following colors: white, green, blue, purple, red and black. In the Old Testament, the door of the tent of the tabernacle had the colors blue, purple and scarlet.  These colors together signify part of our walk as we enter through the veil into the presence of God where we are feed by His fiery words resulting in us being clothed with white linen, signifying the righteousness of the saints (Refer to studies on colors on iswasandwillbe website). The colors of the feast also signify that the feast is targeted towards those in whom God’s spirit is working the process of going from red to blue, that is, from the first to the last Adam.

We are the vessels of gold into which the drinks are poured. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is being tried with fire as we feast.  This will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed in us. These vessels are diverse one from another. Yes, we are many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. Out of the abundance of the King, we have all received grace for grace!! During this period of the feast, we begin to see the abundant provision our God has made available to us through his precious promises.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 

Joh 1:16   From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (NLT) 

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

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

Est 1:9  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 

As the elect are feasting, the children of the harlot woman (represented by Vashti) are also feasting. In the case of the elect, this feast brings light to the elect, as we are admonished to pay heed to this sure word of prophecy, which is light shining in darkness until the day star (Jesus) rises in our heart. Regarding the children of Christendom (Vashti), though they are also feasting, the feast is not helping them because the pillar of cloud (Jesus) is seen as a cloud and darkness instead of light. They therefore cannot hear the words of the savior, and so His words have no place in their hearts. The result of this is disobedience as seen in Vashti’s refusal to heed the King’s command. That is where we were sometime back in the past, and it is all of the Lord’s doing as we will see later!!

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

Exo 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 
Exo 13:22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 

Exo 14:19  And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 
Exo 14:20  And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 

Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 

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

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Est 1:10  On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 
Est 1:11  To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 

The seven chamberlains represent the elect from every generation who speak the fiery words. Verse 11 makes us aware of the task of the elect – that is to show Vashti’s beauty to the people and princes present.  That is the task of Jesus – to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.  That is also our marching orders as Jesus is also sending us.

As it is, unless we are shown our transgression, we will always think that we are feasting with the king even as Vashti was feasting thinking that she was pleasing the king. However, one day our disobedience will be obvious as the king will call us to come and show our beauty, and that is when we will be found wanting on the day every man’s work shall be made manifest!!

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 
Isa 58:2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 

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. 

Est 1:12  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Vashti refused to obey the King’s command and therefore incurred the wrath of the King. We all, in our appointed times, have refused the King’s commands and were/are under the wrath of God.

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

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

ESTHER 1:13 – 22: THEY SHALL DESPISE THEIR HUSBANDS IN THEIR EYES

Est 1:13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Est 1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) 
Est 1:15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 
Est 1:16  And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 
Est 1:17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 
Est 1:18  Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 
Est 1:19  If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 
Est 1:20  And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 
Est 1:21  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: 
Est 1:22  For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. 

The last session ended with Vashti refusing to obey the King’s command. In our own appointed times, we have disobeyed our Lord Jesus. However, this is all part of the process of coming to know Christ. This disobedience by Vashti prompted the King to speak to his wise men who knew the times.

Est 1:13  Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 
Est 1:14  And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

The wise men here represent God’s elect in every generation who knew the times. Knowing the times as explained here in verse 13 means knowing His law and judgment. That means understanding His words or being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom or having the mind of the Lord. Although knowing His law includes knowing His judgment, judgment is specifically separated here for emphasis. His judgments in our lives are what qualifies us to become his children of righteousness. This is because when his judgments are on our lives (earth), that is when we learn righteousness.  It is therefore imperative that those who are being chosen understand the significance of His judgment in our lives and the fact that we are first to be judged. Verse 13 also talks about the King’s manner toward the elect. The question is: “What is the King’s manner here?” The King’s manner here is that God will do nothing unless He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets (us).

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

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. 

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

The seven princes of Persia, whose names are mentioned in verse 14, are the elect in every generation. Verse 14 gives us two characteristics of the elect – they see the King’s face, and they are first in the kingdom. In the Book of Revelation, the seven angels stand before God.  These seven angels are the same as the angels of the seven churches which are represented by the seven stars.  These stars are the elect. Since Jesus is on His father’s throne holding the seven stars in his right hand, the elect are therefore always before the King. In other words, they see the King’s face. The elect are also the first in the kingdom, because they were the first to trust in Christ. What this means is that there are others who will trust in Christ later.

Rev 8:2  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 

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.

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

Est 1:15  What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
Est 1:16  And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
Est 1:17  For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
Est 1:18  Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

These verses focus on the discussion of the ramifications of Vashti’s (our) disobedience.  Verse 17 shows how we all have despised our husband, Jesus, in our appointed times by disobeying Him. This disobedience is the result of our flawed nature as our desire is against our husband, just as Eve was told when she disobeyed. The disobedience we experienced is all part of the process of knowing Christ as it gives Jesus the occasion to come into our lives to judge us so that we can enter into the temple to worship Him and be ruled by our husband, Jesus. For those who are not destined to overcome in this life, this disobedience is used by the Lord to replace them with the elect as we will see as the story unfolds.

Gen 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to (against) thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these (Vashti and her children) also now not believed, that through your mercy they (Vashti and her children) also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Est 1:19  If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 

The consequence of Vashti’s action is that she will not see the King again and that her royal estate will be given to another (replaced by the elect). The question is: What does it mean to be denied the presence of the King (Christ)? Not coming before the King is like being abandoned, just like Israel (Vashti) being neglected as a vineyard by the owner (Christ) for bearing bad fruits in Isaiah 5. In the New Testament, it means being cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. From verse 6 of Isaiah Chapter 5, we get the idea of what it means to see the King no more:

• We will lay waste (We will not be used by our master)
• We will not be pruned nor digged (Judgment shall not begin in our house in this age)
• There shall come up briers and thorns (We will subscribe to false doctrines and lies prevailing in Babylon)
• The Lord will not command the clouds (His elect) to rain on us (We will not be able to receive or understand the word of God as spoken by His elect)

We all as Vashti, in our appointed times, have gone through this phase of not being able to see the face of the King. But God, who is rich in mercy, has come to quicken us if we are destined to be part of the first resurrection.

Isa 5:1  Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 
Isa 5:2  And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 
Isa 5:3  And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 
Isa 5:4  What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 
Isa 5:5  And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 
Isa 5:6  And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 
Isa 5:7  For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Est 1:20  And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
Est 1:21  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

At the appointed time during the lake-of-fire age, the King’s decree shall be made known to all humanity so that we all as wives will give honor to our husband Christ. All humanity will come to understand what it means to honor Christ our husband when the fiery words are spoken to them by the elect. This is what it means when the scriptures say that, ‘the LORD said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ That is, at the fullness of time, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. The Lord has planned all these before the foundation of the world. Currently however, the King’s decree is being published within the elect where the kingdom of God is.  This is what pleases the King, and since we are the princes and have the same mind as Christ, we are also pleased to submit to our husband, Jesus!!!

Mat 22:44  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Mar 12:36  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Isa 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Est 1:22  For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

In this age, letters are being sent out in every generation and every part of the world since Pentecost, calling all elect to bear rule in their own house. To bear rule in our own house means to overthrow the man of sin from sitting on the throne in our hearts and minds through the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives. It is the same as Christ sitting on the throne of our hearts and mind. This letter (the fiery words of God) is being published in the language of every people. In other words, to the elect in every part of the world, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are being unveiled, and this is what is bringing the brightness of Christ’s coming that destroys the man of sin!! May we pray to be found worthy to be those who bear rule of our own house in this age!!!  In the fullness of time, all men everywhere will bear rule of their own house!!! What a wonderful plan!!!

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance (when we did not have letters sent out) God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent (In this age, only few will repent).

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Next time, we will focus our studies on Esther, the period of her purification and her selection as wife by the King. That will be Esther Chapter 2.

Mike,

Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a FALSE VISION and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Zec 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

I want to know what you think of those who claim to have seen a literal hell. I know that many make it up for the money, but do you think demons can influence people to have a real dream about a hell of torture?

J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.

The answer is, yes indeed, God sends evil spirits to answer us “according to the idols of our hearts”.
If the idol of our heart is eternal torment, then that is what we will see in scripture.

Eze 14:1  Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:9  And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Eze 14:10  And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh [ unto him];

Christ demonstrates the truth of this statement in this parable.

Mat 25:14  For [ the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [ who] called his own servants,and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [ them] other five talents.
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that [ had received] two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, [ thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [ there] thou hast [ that is] thine.
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [ then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give [ it] unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 14 tells us up front that “He delivered unto them HIS goods”. God gives us life and the very air we breathe. He is a loving, merciful and generous heavenly Father to those who see Him as such. So when verse 26 says “You knew that I reap where I sowed not”, the Lord is answering this “wicked and slothful servant… after the multitude of his idols of his heart.” He sees His Lord as “a hard man…” and so the Lord shows Himself as such to this wicked servant whose heart’s idols see him as “a hard man.”

2Sa 22:26  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
2Sa 22:27  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

So the billions of Christians who see God as a God who will torture people for all eternity in literal flames of fire will have dreams and visions of such things. The fact of the matter is that they will even be raised from among the dead with these very same “idols of the heart” intact in their hearts. It is then that they will realize that they are not yet in the heaven they had thought they would see, and they will be tormented with the very “heart’s idol” they died with. That sort of thing is the ‘fire’ of the lake of fire, and this is what it will accomplish.

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [ it is] an evil [ thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [ is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

It is wickedness to think of God as “a hard man…” and that very wicked thought will have to be burned out of all in whom it has taken up its abode.
I hope this helps you to see that God does indeed send evil spirits to trouble us when He is preparing us as vessels for destruction who are defiling the temple of God.

1Sa 16:14  But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
1Sa 16:15  And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

All false doctrines are evil spirits from the Lord which trouble us.

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

I also hope you see that we are all vessels of destruction before we are brought to be vessels of honor.

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

We have all “defiled the temple of God, both physically, with immoral activities, and spiritually with our false doctrines. But life comes only through death and the destruction of our old man.

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

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hi Mike,
What does a wheel spiritually mean in Ezekiel?
D____

Hi D____

You ask what the wheels in Ezekiel mean? Wheels are mentioned in two chapters in Ezekiel. They are mentioned in both chapters one and ten. Here are a few verses from chapter one:

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.
Eze 1:19  And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
Eze 1:20  Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Eze 1:21  When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Twice we are told “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels,” and since the wheels are “upon the earth,” and yet are seen only in relation to the throne of God, and since “God dwells with men,” it becomes obvious that these wheels in Ezekiel typify that upon which the throne of God within us is carried about. The fact that there is a “wheel within a wheel, is nothing less than Christ within His elect:
So what then is the difference between the wheels and the creatures if indeed “the spirit of the living creatures is in the wheels?”
The answer lies in the fact that we are told in verse 15, “Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creature.” And again in verse 20, “Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go.” So the wheels “upon the earth” are led by the spirit in the creatures. The spirit in the creatures are the heavenly counterpart of the wheels upon the earth, and we are even told that the creatures have the power to “lift the wheels up from the earth” (verses 19 -20).
So it is “in spirit” only that we, too, are “seated with Christ in the heavens.”

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

The key to understand what are these wheels is in understanding what are the living creatures, because we are told “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” So what are these four living creatures?

A close comparison of the descriptions of these “four living creatures” mentioned in Ezekiel 1 and 10 with the four living creatures of Rev 4 and 5 will reveal that they are the same four creatures. The only difference is that it is revealed in Revelation that while the creatures in Ezekiel have but four wings, the creatures in Revelation have 6 wings. This does not make them different creatures, it makes them more clearly revealed for what it is they symbolize.
Those with eyes that see the things of the spirit, know that the number six, in the final book of Revelation, connects these four creatures with mankind. Is that really the case? Let us not speculate about what the symbols of God’s Word means. Let’s always let the scriptures interpret the scriptures. It will always be “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little,” but those with eyes that see and ears that hear, will not then be snared by the wild speculations of men who cannot understand God’s Word as it is written line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. So here now is what the creatures themselves reveal about themselves. When we come to know what these creatures reveal about themselves, then we will know what are the wheels of Ezekiel. Just who are these four creatures which are “in the midst of and round about the throne of God?

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

“You have redeemed us to God out of every nation tongue and people, and we will reign on the earth.” On the earth is where the wheel within a wheel is said to be in Ezekiel. And it is also the overcomers only who are promised rulership with Christ on this earth during the millennium.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

But it is the nations within us which must first be dealt with. If those nations are not first conquered we will be found unworthy to rule outward nations.
These four creatures, as well as the four and twenty elders “in the midst of and round about the throne of God,” identify themselves as God elect overcomers who will be given power over the nations. “You have redeemed us, and we will reign on earth.”
But this is the significance of the wheels as opposed to the creatures:

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

What is meant by “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels?” What is “this treasure [ which] we have in earthen vessels?” That treasure in earthen vessels and the spirit of the living creatures, is one and the same. Here is what that treasure and that spirit is:

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:

How do we know that this spirit is the spirit of Christ in us? Here is how we know:

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.

So those ‘four living creatures’ whose spirit is in the wheels, could never claim that they are God redeemed overcomers if they did not possess the “spirit of Christ.” And notice this amazing fact:

Eze 1:13  As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

What is likened to lamps in the book of Revelation?

Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

That’s right, the four creatures are given the spirit of Christ, whose spirit is the spirit of His Father, which spirit is also called “the seven spirits of God”.  But Christ, His Father and the seven spirits of God are, in reality all one and the self same spirit:

1Co 6:17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

So we are forced to see that “all things are of God.”

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all thing s, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

But for the purpose of communicating with His creation, God has symbolized His entire message to mankind in words which are “not according to man’s knowledge.”

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Things that are “spiritually discerned” are the “hidden wisdom” spoken in parables which only the spirit can discern with spiritually discerning eyes and spiritually attuned ears. With such eyes and ears we can see that “the wheels upon the earth” are the same thing as “this treasure in earthen vessels,” or “Christ come in the flesh,” that flesh being both the flesh of His physical body as well as the flesh of His spiritual body, which body we are:

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [ Christ in our flesh], that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
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.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Satan is as much a creation of God as we are. 1Co 15:25 tells us that Christ will put all His enemies under his feet. This would certainly include Satan. The orthodox teaching that Isa 14 refers to Satan is in error, because we are told in verse 4 that it is actually referring to the king of Babylon. The orthodox teaching that Ezekiel 28 refers to Satan is equally in error, because we are told in that chapter that it is addressed to the king of Tyre. Both of these men die and go to their graves. They say in their hearts that they will be like God, but they will be brought down to their graves.

The truth about Satan, according to our Lord himself, is that he was a liar and a murderer from the beginning (Joh 8:44), not some time after the beginning. Consequently, he was created as a vessel of dishonor, straight from the hand of the creator for the purpose of being a satan, which means adversary. God needed an adversary for his purposes. Consequently, it is incumbent upon a loving Father, Who is also the Father of Satan, to redeem his entire creation. Php 2:10 and Rev 5:13 make it clear that all of creation will glorify God in the end.