Exodus 26:6 It shall be one tabernacle.

January 16, 2018

And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

We’ve covered just a little about the furniture of the tabernacle. The bible proceeds now into the fabrication of the curtains that cover the Holy Place and Most Holy Place. I must admit once again, the vagueness of this construction is troubling. There is much variance (out there) as to the understanding of all these things.

1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. 

2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. 

3 The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. 

4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. 

5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. 

6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. (Exodus 26:1-6)

The best I can tell is that these ten curtains were coupled together into two separate curtains; each consisting of five of the curtains coupled together. How the five curtains were coupled together I don’t believe is explained. The explanation that follows (verse 4 and 5) is describing how the two bigger curtains are coupled together in verse 6. Otherwise, if the explanation was referring to the coupled curtains of verse 3, then there would be 450 taches needed; and there is not. There is only 50 taches. So I am assuming that the these 50 taches were used to tie the 50 loops on each of the two bigger curtains together.

These taches used to connect the two together were made of gold. If we use 18 inches per cubit, then the connection ran roughly 10″ apart. Fifty connections running down the middle of that huge curtain was sufficient to connect the two curtains together; sufficient enough that God would say it shall be one tabernacle. So it wasn’t at first one huge curtain. It was a combination of ten curtains made into two, then these two made into one. But they were bound in such a way that God considered it one tabernacle.

Now it is believed that once the walls of the tabernacle were erected with the boards, the sockets, the bar, and the pillars, then this was the first curtain to go over this structure. If you walked into the tabernacle on each side of you would be the boards that were overlaid with gold, so you wouldn’t see the curtain. But if you looked up, you’d see the angels embroidered all over the curtain that was stretched across. Moses was told (Exodus 25:9) According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. More and more I am convinced that this pattern which Moses was shown is the original. Moses was given a glimpse of what it looked like in glory. When John went up hither, he wrote (Revelation 5:11,12) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb…

John heard a great voice from heaven saying (Revelation 21:3) Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men… Paul said (1 Corinthians 3:17) For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. The angels and heavenly creatures surround the dwelling place of God. I see these things and I don’t understand how people can be tempted in to believing that we can lose what Jesus has so wonderfully wrought. God told Peter (Acts 10:15) What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. There is nothing common about the tabernacle of God. It’s God’s dwelling place, surrounded and adorned with heavenly cherubims.

(Psalm 34:7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 91:11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. O to be a child of God, to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, is to enjoy the presence of a heavenly host. Paul said (Hebrews 12:22) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.

I love to read about Elisha and the king of Syria. Elisha kept telling the king of Isreal where the king of Syria was gonna show up. So Israel would prevail over Syria. Well the king of Syria got fed up and said Who’s ratting on me?! And his servant said to him (2 Kings 6:12) None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. So the king of Syria sends horses and chariots and a great host after one man, Elisha.

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)

O that we may see we have no need to fear for God has surrounded us, clothed us with ten curtains of angels. You think you are alone in the secret place? I think angels like to hang around God. So this huge one tabernacle that is covered with cheribums speaks to us of the abiding protection of God. It conveys to us the picture of an impenetrable defense that God has hedged around us. But let us remember that this is about the temple of God. (1 Corinthians 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. The worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fellowship with the Holy Ghost, the prayers to God are all under the mighty protection of heavenly hosts. (Psalm 91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

And finally a last thought.Have you ever been in the house of God, and some saintly women sitting right behind you gets in the glory, gets the can’t-help-its and just starts praising God? Wooooooooo! Wooooooooo! Wooooooooo! There ain’t nothing like it. Can you imagine getting around them heavenly hosts praising God? John got to hear the voice of an angel. (Revelation 10:3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. I wonder what the praise of angels sounds like. We’re gonna have to have glorified bodies to handle what’s in heaven. Worthy is the Lamb… Jesus is worthy to be praised in such manner in heaven. He’s worthy down here on earth. (1 Corinthians 6:20) Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. We ought to be clothed and wrapped in a curtain of the praises of God.

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew 8:16 When the sun did set…

January 15, 2018

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

We call this Miracle #5. It was not involving a particular person or a particular malady, but involved many people with divers problems. I recorded all three mentions of this this event for easy reading. There’s a little bit of different information in each account.

(Matthew 8:16,17) When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses

(Mark 1:32-34) And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

(Luke 4:40,41) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

One thing that stands out from the three accounts that is common to all three is when. Matthew says that this all happened when the even was come. Mark also says that it happened at even, when the sun did set. And Luke tells us it was when the sun was setting. Usually, when the sun sets, the work stops! When the even comes, it’s time to quit! Not our Lord! No, he doesn’t quit. It’s never too late for Jesus to work. (Psalm 121:3) He that keepeth thee will not slumber. 

In this late hour, the Great Physician is still at work. He’s still heals the sin sick soul. He still rebukes the devils. And he still lays his hands upon those that come to him. And he’s still Christ the Son of God. And Jesus doesn’t quit. You might think that it’s too late for you; that your life is already spent. The lights are going out and the hour is late. Ah! But we are not dealing with man, but with Almighty God. He doesn’t slumber and he doesn’t sleep. Jesus said (John 18:36) My kingdom is not of this world. Where Jesus comes from (Revelation 21:23) The city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God does lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

It’s better late than never and it’s not too late to come to Jesus. (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. He healed them all. As long as they kept bringing them, Jesus kept healing them. As long as the devils would cry out, Jesus would cast them out. He will in no wise cast the sinners out; but he will cast those devils out. It’s not too late to come to Him. (2 Peter3:9) The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Jesus is still at work in this late hour; still doing the Father’s will. (Hebrews 10:7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Jesus said (Luke 2:49) Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? People just don’t get sick Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 and 5. No, it’s when all the world has quit. It’s when there’s no one to turn. It’s when the doors are locked. It’s when no one answers the phone. That’s when the pain comes. That’s when the fever burns. That’s when the real woes begin. But thanks be to God The Great Physician now is here; The sympathizing Jesus! You’ve gone all day long thinking that you were gonna be okay. But now the even has come, and the sun did set, and you’re worst than ever. The sun may set, but the Son does not sit. He can save the 70 year old as well as the 7 years old. There may be darkness all around, but (1 John 1:5) in him is no darkness at all.

Comes to Him, before it is truly too late.

 

 

 

Proverbs 5:11-14 I was almost in all evil…

January 10, 2018

And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

This proverb is from a father to a son. It begins My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding. And notice that rest of that verse we started with. The proverb states that he was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. Remember what the Psalmist said (Psalm 1:5) The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. This advice is for those in the house; the church; the saved individual.

Why do we not listen? Why do we not heed the instruction and the reproof of those who have gone before us? Why do we forsake the wisdom and understanding of those who have it? Do we have to go into error to learn the truth? Do we have to step into folly in order learn our lesson? We jokingly speak of the school of hard knocks. But I wonder if we truly realize how hard we got knocked.

As this journey goes on, I’m starting to see more and more that all the saints of God seem to get knocked down, but some never get back up. The bible says (Proverbs 24:16) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: Possibilities don’t always come to fruition. They don’t always get back up. People do fail. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. David states the ideal circumstances (Psalm 1:2,3) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Sound goods. I like that prosper part! But perhaps there’s more to the story.

David delights in the law of God, as we should. But Paul states the reality of the matter. (Roman 7:22,23) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Maybe that is why Paul was such a good teacher. He knew the dangers of the flesh. It’s very easy to stray from the good teaching of the church, the bible, and the man of God. It’s very easy to be deceived into thinking that you know more than you truly know.

Reproof? Instruction? If I’ve learned anything my years of existence, it’s this: People just don’t like being told what to do. People just can’t stand it. They always always always always always buck! In fact, it’s usually the opposite, where everybody wants to be the teacher. People just want to be the one to teach you a lesson; to tell you something that you don’t know. Paul, instead admonished us (1 Thessalonians 4:11) And that ye study to be quiet..

Paul said (Romans 12:3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Paul’s qualifications and credentials were God’s grace. It was through God’s grace that Paul could say these things to us. Paul had been through some things. Labours. Stripes. Prisons. Deaths. Stripes. Rods. Stones. Shipwreck. The deep. Journeyings. Waters. Robbers. Weariness. Painfulness. Hunger. Thirst. Fastings. Cold. Nakedness. Paul had known the amazing grace of God. And through all that he warns us to not think ourselves more highly that we ought. I think Paul was saying I’ve needed alot of grace, and you’re going to need it too. There are some people that just plain know what they’re talking about and it would behoove us to heed their warnings. Like the old song says:

Drifting too far from shore,
You’re drifting too far from shore,
Come to Jesus today,
Let Him show you the way
You’re drifting too far from shore,

(1 Corinthians 10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. The proverb says I was almost in all evil… You don’t know how far you’ve strayed until you turn back around and see just how far you’ve drifted. The Psalmist said (Psalm 73:2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. Repentance is honesty; honestly with God; honesty that you’ve not obeyed the voice of your teachers, nor inclined your ear to them that have instructed. I was almost in all evil. My feet were almost gone. It’s not too late. You think you can do it on your own; without the church; without the man of God; without the instructors or teachers that God has given you. You’re wrong and you know it. Come back before even almost is gone.

 

Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick…

January 9, 2018

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

As I was saying before, I never thought of myself as the temple of God more than just the simple doctrine that the Holy Ghost dwells in me. I never thought the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost to still be patterned after the tabernacle, with the instruments, the vessels, the furniture and such. So, I’m really trying to study this in that light. Here’s the passage in it’s entirety.

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount. (Exodus 25:31-40)

So I know that there are several common types regarding the candlestick. Jesus is the light of the world. The lamps on the candlestick are of course powered by oil which is a type of the Holy Ghost. Beaten gold speak of the sufferings of Christ. The branches from the side of the candlestick are the church that came from the side of Christ. It’s all good stuff but we’re not necessarily going to go that route with types and all.

If you were to look at pictures and representations of what the tabernacle was believed to look like: drawings, models, paintings, etc., one thing you would notice is that the holy place and the most holy place were together under one tent, separated by a veil. This tent-like place though was covered in many curtains and veils; too many to name right now. Lord willing, we’ll look at that later. But I say all this to say this: It was dark. The candlestick and the lamps were a necessity. You needed light to do the service of the priest, even during the day I would think. You wouldn’t want to accidentally stumble into the most holy place and touch the ark. You know that would be bad.  I would personally prefer some light in there.

The tabernacle was the house of God; and of prayer and worship. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Ye are the temple of God, the tabernacle of God, a place of prayer and worship; communion and fellowship. And the light of the candlestick is within; behind the curtains. So this is not (Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men. No. This light is for holy place. This light is for the secret place. The verse that comes to mind in this is (Psalm 139:23,24) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Oh Yes! Lord turn on the lights! (John 3:21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.

The Israelites were instructed And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof. Seven lamps to light the temple of God; even the hidden part of the sinner saved by grace. David said (Psalm 56:13) That I may walk before God in the light of the living. I’m glad that God has turned on the lights on the inside. Seven lamps to reveal the inner parts of man. (Genesis 16:13) Thou God seest me…

The seven lamps speaks to us of God’s perfect knowledge of us. The bible says of Jesus (Luke 6:8) But he knew their thoughts… We cannot hide from God in the holy place. Worship of God is a time of truth and openness; to bare one’s soul before God. Now there is a negative side to this in that (Psalm 90:8) Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. God sees and knows all, so why the lamps? Are they for God? Or is that for us? God knows our sins, our faults, our failures. We’re the ones that are without understanding. (Psalm 19:12) Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. But when God shines the light, it’s so that we could see the truth about ourselves; and not our brother or our sister. But God says (2 Samuel 12:7) Thou art the man.

But there’s also the positive side of what light reveals. (Proverbs 15:3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Can I just say this? Maybe the lamps are in the temple of a necessity so that we might see God. When God shines the light, it’s not just to see the truth about ourselves, but the truth about God. (1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light… If we can just get hold of that; that He is in the light. He is in the light, and I am in the light! (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness… Ye are all the children of light… Thank God for the revealing power of the candlestick and the seven lamps in this temple of God. Paul said (Romans 8:10) And if Christ be in you… It’s very hard to locate something, to find it, without light. God has got to provide that light. Back in Exodus, it was thou shalt make a candlestick. But this temple is a work of God. (Philippians 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:

 

Luke 4:39 She arose and ministered…

January 8, 2018

And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

The miracle of Peter’s mother in law being healed is recorded in three of the gospels:

And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. (Matthew 8:14,15)

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. (Mark :29-31)

And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. (Luke 4:38,39)

What has stood out to me in this miracle of Jesus is the end, where the bible says she ministered unto them. She got up and began to minister unto them. This really seems strange to me. She was lying down sick, she had a great fever. And Jesus comes into her house, stands over her and just rebukes the fever and it left her immediately. There’s no record of any outspoken awe or surprise. There’s no record of celebration. No thank yous. No pardon mes. There’s just no record of anything but that she gets up and ministers to them; them being Jesus, Peter, James and John.

(Hebrews 9:22) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? To serve God? Do you realize when someone is saved, they become servants to God. Everybody seems to be okay with Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. It’s that next verse that we get a little tripped up on, amen? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. What do you know, there are expectations! It’s not of works. But it is unto works.

Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s unto work I go! I’m glad I’m in the service of the Lord. I don’t want to go free. Put the awl through my ear. I’m here to stay. I know the fever has left, but that don’t mean we go cold! We get up and get moving, Amen! That word ministered comes from the greek word διηκόνει (diēkonei) which comes from the word διάκονος (diakonos) where we get the title deacon. It was thought once to literally mean raising dust by hastening. Ministering carries with it the meaning kicking up the dust! Well, maybe so. But we ought to be eager to serve.

(Romans 6:17,18) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. We are free to serve! What an oxymoron! Free to serve. I was a servant of sin but I’ve been made free, but not free to serve another or myself. No. Free to serve God. After all, he paid the price for my freedom. I’ll gladly serve him. (Psalm 100:2) Serve the LORD with gladness.

(Acts 9:6) Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? It’s not too much to do his bidding. Peter’s mother-in-law put on no show, she just served him. Talk is cheap. (1 John 3) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 

 

 

Romans 8:32-36 No Charges. No Condemnation. No Separation

January 7, 2018

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Introduction

This is incomplete. I’ve got alot of changes and notes that I have yet to add in here, but you can read what I got… 🙂

I really love this beginning verse of the message. It’s got to be one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? This is kinda of a summation of what we believe as believers. Especially as baptists this about sums up our religion. I know it’s not a denomination that’s going to save you and you know that too. But do you realize that there’s a millions upon millions out there in the so-called Christian religion that will die and go to hell because they think that they’re going to get to heaven or paradise or whatever they believe by their works. They don’t believe that he’s going to freely give us all things. They believe that they’ve got to earn them, not receive them.

If you believe that it doesn’t matter what you believe, that everybody believes the same God, that we’re all going to make it if we just sincerely believe whatever it is we believe, then I want to say that you are sincerely wrong. We’re not all God’s children. We’re not all gonna make it to the other side. There is a hell according to this bible. And there will be everlasting judgement to who don’t make it to the other side. There is a lake of fire and there is eternal torment that every lost sinner will endure. You say I don’t believe that. I don’t think God’s gonna do it. He’s too loving. I think that when it comes down do it, God’s just is not going to go through with it. John, the apostle, got a glimpse of the last days. You say How are we supposed to know what’s going to happen? Nobody really knows what’s going to happen in that last day! John knew. God showed it to him and told him to write it down.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 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. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

When you stand before that great white throne of judgment, do you think that God is going to change his mind at the last second? That He’s gonna close those books and say Never mind. Oh you’re not in the book of life. No problem. We’ll just over look that. You can come in anyway. Listen, God is not going to change his mind. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Five verses later, he told John (Revelation 21:5) Write: for these words are true and faithful. John said in Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, God is not going to change. He said by the prophet Malachi (3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? We believe that he does that now. Today. We believe 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Now, not later. Most all of the other so-called Christian religions believe that if you get baptized and try hard and do your best and stay faithful that somehow in the end, God is going to freely give you all things at that white throne judgment. And my heart breaks for those that believe that. God is going to give them all things. But it will be all things that they deserve. Jesus said (Matthew 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

You say Preacher I really don’t see the difference between what they believe and what we believe. I pray that God will open your eyes that you may see. Lord willing we’ll cover some of those things today in the message. Last time we preached, we preached on that great truth that God is for us. We talked about those four pillars that hold this truth up: predestinated, called, justified, and glorified. (Romans 8:31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? And we preached that God is for us. And really that’s just half that sentence. The rest of that sentence is the question is Who can be against us?

And just like we’ve been preaching for months, this is now. This is present time truth. God is for us now. What can be against us now? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? This is a now question. He that spared not his own Son. That’s God the Father. The bible says (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. No variableness, neither shadow of turning? Do you know what that means? That means God doesn’t change. That God is faithful. That verse in Malachi that we just read For I am the LORD, I change not; The rest of that verse says therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

Isn’t it strange that the same faithfulness that sustains us and provides for us and protects us is the same faithfulness that will judge the sinner on that last day? John said his name is Faithful and he doth judge and make war. He told John that whosever was not written in the book of life he was going to cast into the lake of fire and he said write it down because the words are faithful. God is faithful. He is faithful. So you see if God would change his mind about what he told John to write down in Revelation, then he would cease to be faithful. He said these words are true and faithful. If God changes his mind, then he will cease to be true and faithful. But he says For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

So we enjoy the provisions, protection, and affections of the Father today and now and this present time because He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all is faithful and true.

 

 

#1 There will be no indictment, charges

(33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

When we got saved, all the record was wiped away. All the charges that were against us were dismissed. If someone wrongs you, steals from you, hurts you, or violates you in some way shape or form. There’s probably a law against it. So what we can do it press charges. We can bring these charges before a court of law and a judge will determine if there’s going to be a trial. Or sometimes they’re brought before a grand jury. And if there’s enough evidence then we go to trial. So when someone commits a crime, before a trial date can be set, before the witnesses testify, before all that, charges need to be pressed.

Before I got saved, the charges were building up. Like the old song says That an Old Account was standin’ for sins yet unforgiven. My name was at the top there were many things below. But I went unto the keeper and I settled it long ago. When that account was settled, the charges were dropped. But what I want to say is that not only was my slate wiped clean, but it was also broken and thrown away, never to be used again. All the charges were dropped. Past, present, and future. How can God forgive sin that hasn’t happened yet, future sins? When Jesus died on the cross, all you sins were future sins. (Hebrews 9:14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? He offered himself through the eternal Spirit; the spirit of the past, present, and future; no begimning and no end.

There will be no charges, no indictments. It is God that justifieth. And I believe he’s really referring to the previous verses. In other words, we can say that it is God that justifieth. It is God that glorifieth. It is God that has called us. It is God that has predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son. We preached about last week how God is so for us that it’s not even funny. He is so on our side, it’s amazing. That’s the amazing grace of God. He is for us. We are his elect. So Paul asks, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? Who’s going to go to God and accuse God’s people of something?

Have you even had to deal with those parents that think that they’re kids can do no wrong?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be no sentence given, decision, doom, judgement, no verdict against us.

(34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who is he that condemneth? I want to take this opportunity to cover some things about comdemnation. I want to cover something about this white throne judgment that we spoke of earlier. I want to cover some doctrine here.

When you hear the word condemnation I want you to hear the loud echoing final slam of the judge’s gavel. I want you to place yourself in the courtroom; where the judge orders the accused to stand and receive the verdict; where the judge says Guilty as charged. And in the case of capital punishment, the judge says The court doth order you to be taken from hence to the place from whence you came, and thence to the place of execution, and that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead and may God have mercy upon your soul… And the gavel comes down. The trial is finished, the verdict has been given, and the sentence has been declared.

The bible says (Hebrews 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: There is going to be a judgement. And we call this the white throne judgment of Revelation 20 where the dead, both small and great, will stand before the judge. The books are going to be opened. You say What books? (Holding up my bible) These books. These 66 books are going to be opened up. And more particularly the first five books, the law of God. And the dead will be judge out of what is written in the books.

I want to remind you that Paul said (Romans 3:20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. When those books are opened they will not reveal righteousness, but they will give the knowledge of sin. Paul said (7:7) I had not known sin, but by the law. Those books were not written to reveal righteousness in man, but sin and iniquity. The law was never given to man as a ladder to gain heaven. It was not given to save, but to condemn. (Romans 5:13) For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. The law was given to impute sin; to convict of sin. (Romans 7:12,13) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. The law was given to reveal sin, to impute sin.

The dead will stand before God and he books are going to be opened. And if those books that are opened are the books of the law we have to understand what Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 1:9) We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, I want to say this. You don’t want to go to the white throne judgment. You will not stand before those books when they’re opened. How do I know that? Because (Romans 3:10-12) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

My friends, the white throne judgment is a court of law. It’s a trial. You can’t have a trial without law. You can’t have a judge without law. Those books are the law of God. (Romans 3:19,20) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

So if you think that somehow when you get to that white throne judgment, and that you’ve been good enough by whatever standards you got… If you think that it’s going to be enough to get you in, I hope you realize that you are expecting the everlasting, eternal, almighty God that has never changed and never will change, to change for you at the last second. I warn you that God is not going to change.

I want to say this. And I’ve debated as to when to say this. But if you think that at the white throne judgment that your hope is in that other book that was opened, the book of life, you better think again. I believe with all my heart, nobody that stands at the white throne judgment will be found in the book of life. You say Why is it opened then? It’s opened so you can see for yourself that you’re not in there. You think God don’t know who’s in that book? Do you think God needs to search the book?

Jesus said (John 10:14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep… (2 Timothy 2:19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. (1 Corinthians 8:3) But if any man love God, the same is known of him. Brother Jeremy been saying alot lately that it’s good to know God, but what really matters is does he know you? Matthew 7:23, the saddest words in the bible, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. It’s not God that needs to look at that book. He knows who’s in and who’s not in that book. (Psalms 1:6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I’m telling you today that the there’s only one way to survive the white throne judgement. There’s only one hope you got to survive the white throne judgement. John said:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 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. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

It’s the dead that will stand before God. It’s the dead that will be judged according to their works. It’s the dead that the sea gives up, the dead that death and hell deliver up. Four times the bible declares that the white throne judgment is for the dead! Jesus said to those Sadducess (Matthew 22:32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. The white throne judgment is not for the living. It’s for the dead.

Jesus said (John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Listen, that white throne judgement is not for the saved. The only way you’re gong to survive the white throne judgement is to not go through it. And Jesus is the only one that’s gonna get you out of having to go through it. (John 10:10) I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The apostle John, towards the end of his book, he wrote of the gospel: (John 20:31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. He wrote the gospel of John to persuade; to persuade men to believe in Jesus Christ. And then you see years later in his letters, he write to those who have been persuaded (1 John 5:13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life. John said that ye may know that ye have eternal life! He said we know that we have passed from death unto life! The white throne judgement is not for us, it’s for the dead.

That white throne judgment is at the end of Revelation 20. And I don’t want to get into all these eschatological topics: the 1000 year reign of Christ, the rapture, the tribulation, the binding and loosing of Satan, and all those things. But I do want to bring your attention to a few verses before the white throne judgment. This happens before.

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 the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

What I want you to get out of this and understand is that there’s two resurrections. He said This is the first resurrection. Those who are in this first resurrection, they will live and reign with Christ a thousand years. And the bible says Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. Sounds to me like you want to be in the first resurrection. You don’t want to take part in the second resurrection because at the second resurrection is the second death. When death and hell and whosoever was not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, the bible says (Revelation 20:;14) This is the second death. You want to be in the first resurrection because Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power. They say if you’re born twice you’ll die once, but if you’re born only once, you’ll die twice. If you’re born twice, of the flesh and the Spirit, if you’re born again, you’ll only have to endure a physical death. But if you’re never born again, only born of the flesh, then not only will you die once, but you’ll have to suffer the second death.

There’s two resurrections! (Daniel 12:2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And this is where alot of people go wrong. Those Sadducees that came to Jesus, remember? They didn’t believe there is a resurrection. The bible says (Matthew 22:29) Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (31-32) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

I’m glad I’m of the living. (Romans 6:11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The reason we don’t have to go through the white throne judgment is because Christ has already been through it for us. We don’t have to go this court of law, because law and sin hath no more dominion over us. We are not under the law, but under grace. (Galatians 4:4,5) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. God sent forth his Son made under the law. And when I was crucified with Christ, it was under the law. The law was satisfied. The account was settled. (Colossians 2:13,14) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

Look, you only go to court of law if you’ve been accused of breaking that law. The bible says (Jude 1:24) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Thank God he’s forgiven all my trespasses. He’s blotted out all the handwriting of ordinances that were against me. He took it out of the way. My sins are gone gone gone! I don’t have to see the judge when this is all over. I already saw the judge. (John 5:22) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: I already went to him for judgment. And I found out (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. I went to him and he didn’t cast me out. He told me that he loved me and wanted to save me. Oh, I’m telling you that if you go to him now, you’ll find mercy. But if you wait until you’re summoned on that last day, it will be too late. The white throne judgment is not for the saved, but for the lost. It’s not for the living, but for the dead.

Look, you only go to court of law if you’ve been accused of breaking that law. If you have no charges, then you have no business before the judge (Ephesians 5:25,27) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Then you look at Solomon, the bridegroom, talk to his beloved bride. This is a picture of Christ and his bride (Song of Solomon 4:7) Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. They’re gone gone gone. My sins are gone. And I am the bride of Christ.

And let me bring this all the way back to our text. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died… Paul is operating under the premise that his readers understand that it is Christ that will judge. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Why would Christ put us through a trial that he’s been through himself for us already? And paid the price and died in our stead? And took his blood and washed us in it? He shed his own blood to make atonement for our sin; to cover them; to forgive them. Why would we have to stand trial for that again? Because we’re not. The white throne judgment is not for the living, but for the dead.

Like I said, let me try to bring this back to where we are today.  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  God is for us. And at the great white throne judgment at the last day, if God is for us then and not against us, how could he ever be against. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Do we really think that that he who has kept us from the wrath to come, from the second death, the lake of fire, is going to be against us? And then on top of that, we know that he is risen again at the right hand of God making intercession for us. I guess Paul is just driving home the point of what a ridiculous notion it is to think that God is against us.

There will be no sentence, decision, doom, judgement. There will be no verdict against us. There won’t even be a trial. The Holy Spirit is praying for us down here. And the Son of God prays for us up there. With his nail scarred hands and his wound in his side. Before the throne my surety stands. He’s my advocate, my representative in heaven. And then The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. So if we are the bride of Christ, our husband is not only advocating before the judge, but he is the judge. We’ve got alot going for us amen? For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

 

 

 

 

#3 There will be no punishment, defeat, death, sentence carried out.

(35-36) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 4:9 A crown of glory…

January 3, 2018

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

This verse stood out to me because of another verse that I’ve been meditating on lately and that is Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That phrase there according to the riches of his glory has truly helped me.

You see, that phrase according to the riches of his glory reminds me of another verse (Psalm 51:1) according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. I don’t want to belittle the mercies of God. I don’t want to take lightly our need for forgiveness; our transgressions. I know it’s serious stuff. But when I see that God can deal with us not only according to his tender mercies, but also according to the riches of his glory, something inside of me stirs and I want to know more a little more about the latter.

Dealing with us according to mercy implies that we we sin, and that we walk not according to his word, and out of his will. And thank God for his mercies. Thank God they’re new every morning. O but is there another plane to all this? According to the riches of his glory? I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day. When I perceive a difference I cannot help but think My brethren, have we graduated! It’s nothing we’ve earned nor deserved and is still according to his mercies. But (1 John 3:2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God…

It means something to be saved. I love the mercy of God in Psalm 51, but I don’t want to dwell there the rest of my life! (Luke 15:22,23) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: Now don’t get me wrong. I know I’ll always need the mercy of God, and I know it will always be available. (1 John 1:9) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But our salvation did not end at the cross! No, Jesus rose again! The bible says (Romans 6:4) That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. By the glory of the Father it says. And we also should walk by that; the glory. And that’s the only way we can walk it.

Lately, I’ve been hanging around Romans 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. And I realized something the other day. I’ll just say it. I am just as much glorified as I am justified. This verse is not dealing with a future event. It’s dealing with a present state. This verse is not talking about a glorified body you will one day receive. No. Remember Paul said that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the (Romans 8:18) glory which shall be revealed in us. Not put upon us; but revealed in us. What is hidden and soon to be revealed is there already in this present time.

Praise the Lord, when I trusted Christ, his glorious righteousness was imputed unto me. I am just as much glorified as I am justified. Jesus prayed (John 17:22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them…  That is right! He said that we might be presented to himself (Ephesians 5:27) a glorious church! Thank God that what’s behind this veil of flesh will soon be revealed, justified and glorified.

Now, this crown of glory? This term is also used in regards to elders and pastors (1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. This speaks to us of the judgement seat of Christ, of whom we shall all appear. And Proverbs Chapter Four is chock full warnings and encouragements with that day in sight. (Proverbs 4:18) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Don’t you want to be on that path? (Proverbs 4:26) Ponder the path of thy feet… Don’t you want to stay on that path? (Proverbs 4:27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left…

It’s the path of the just. (Proverbs 4:18) It’s the path of the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) It’s the path of God’s perfect will. (Ephesians 5:17) It’s the path of God’s perfect work. (Ephesians 2:10) It’s the strait and narrow path. (Matthew 7:14) It’s the path that Noah walked. (Genesis 6:9) Noah walked with God. That is where I want to walk. It’s according to God’s mercy that we can be on that path and stay on that path. But according to riches of his glory, with the judgement seat of Christ before us, we can find strength and power to actually walk this path. 

Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt make a table…

January 2, 2018

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

Now, the things of the tabernacle (the furniture, vessels, and instruments) are the same items of the temple. And Paul has said adamantly that (1 Corinthians 3:16) Ye are the temple of God. God has set up a place of worship; a place to do the service of God. And we are (1 Peter 2:9) A royal priesthood. God said then to build an ark and hide the commandments in there. Now God says to us (Romans 10:8) The word is nigh thee… in thy heart… And also (Psalm 119:11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart… God said then to build a mercy seat, place it on the ark and that he’d commune with his people from above that mercy seat. Now God wills that (2 Corinthians 13:14) the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Now it’s Christ in you, the hope of glory.

After all the vessels of the tabernacle were made, Moses consecrated them for the service of God. He took the blood of calves and goats and (Hebrews 9:21,22) He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry… All things are by the law purged with blood… And now of this temple that God has wrought from us, the bible says (Revelation 1:5,6) Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us… priests unto God and his Father.

God has always desired a place to be with his people. (Exodus 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. And yes now, God has set up a place of worship; a place to do the priestly service of God; a place of communion; a holy temple. He has done this in us. So in that light we approach again the word of God to see what we can better understand.

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

I read this verse, and it brings this verse to mind (Psalm 23:5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies… And it reminds me of that verse (Song of Solomon 2:4) He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.  I remember the words of that verse put to song were He brought me to his banqueting table and his banner over me is love. That’s what you do at a banquet. You eat at the table.

Now on this table was placed what is called the shewbread. And here are the instructions on how this shewbread was made. (Leviticus 24:5-7) And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row… Fine flour and frankincense? Meal and oil. What was it that Elijah said to that widow woman? (1 Kings 17:14) For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 

Likewise, the shewbread was a continual, perpetual offering. It was to never end. (Exodus 25:30) And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway. Alway is short for all the way! The bible goes on to say about the shewbread (Leviticus 24:8) Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. God will always sustain! He’ll alway freely give us bread from heaven! (John 6:33) For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven. (John 6:35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger… 

This speaks to us of God’s all-sufficient providence; his loving and bountiful provisions. Man shall not live by bread alone. God feeds and satisfies the hungry soul. He fills the deepest voids. The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail! David said (Psalm 37:25) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Surely David was not speaking of an earthly bread. (John 6:27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth. I believe that meat which endureth is the perpetual bread that is in the temple. It’s the bread that sits upon the golden table in the holy place.

(Leviticus 24:9) And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place… There we are; the royal priesthood! Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? And we shall eat in the holy place; the holy place of worship; the house of prayer. Jesus said that when we pray we should say (Matthew 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread. In the secret place of prayer does God give his sustaining Son to us. (Psalm 91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. And we can truly say (Song of Solomon 2:3) I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

The bible says the shewbread belongs to the priests and they shall eat it in the holy place because (Leviticus 24:9) It is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute. It is the most holy. How magnificent the table that God has spread before his people! And in love, he invites us to come and dine. What a picture of prayer! It’s not come and ask. (John 21:12) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.

 

Mark 4:27 What thing is this?

January 1, 2018

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

This is the third miracle that we’re going to peek at. What is quoted here is the account from the Gospel of Mark. This is also covered in Luke 4:33-37. In Luke, however, he is not an unclean spirit but an unclean devil. Either way, he’s unclean.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. (Mark 4:23-28)

This is very interesting considering this past week I was engaged in some pretty deep discussions about devils, the dead, and the occult. I’ve always found it very interesting that Jesus had much to say and do about devils and unclean spirits, yet nobody seems to have any real answers on them. We don’t see devils, but they’re out there. And they are in people. So we look briefly at a few things to better understand the work and ways of devils and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their Hangout

Firstly, this unclean devil was in the synagogue. He was not out on the streets, at the bar, in the dark, or some other undesirable place. No. He was in the place of worship. He was at the place that God had chosen to put his name. He was where the Word of God was read. That’s right. In the synagogue! If they weren’t afraid of a synagogue, I doubt seriously that they’re afraid of the church. I know in Hollywood, a crucifix of some sort was sufficient to scare away a devil. Or maybe a gargoyle would do the trick. But there’s no evidence that any of that works. There’s no place sacred to the unclean. (Titus 1:15) Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure… Devils promote and practice a lack of reverence for the house of God and the things of God in the minds and hearts of men, women, and children.

Their Harshness

They said, Let us alone! Unclean spirits are everywhere because this is a common response and attitude from people when you speak to them of Jesus. Let us alone! Don’t bother me with your religion! I don’t want church on Sunday! I want football! Leave us alone! Salvation? Leave us alone! Consecration? Let us alone! Separation! Let us alone! Prayer meeting? Let us alone! Tithes and offerings? Let us alone! Missions? Let us alone! That devil asked What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? When people’s attitudes are that which care nothing for the things of God and have no desire to know God or the Lord Jesus Christ, that’s a pretty good indication of an unclean spirit. Especially when they bark at you Let us alone!

Their Horror

This devil also asked Art thou come to destroy us? It’s no secret that hell is a prepared place. It was not prepared for men. (Matthew 25:41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. It is suggested in this devil’s question that their end is at the forefront of their concerns. Their days here on earth are numbered. Time is running short on the devil and his crowd. (Revelation 12:12)  The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. This may very well be a another hint that there are indeed devils amongst us. The consumption with one’s imminent destruction may cause the obliviousness to one’s salvation. This may manifest itself as a chronic complainer; or perhaps what we amusingly call a Debbie Downer. You think I’m kidding? It’s devils my friend.

Their Hate

And then there’s this devil’s shocking confession I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Absolutely stunning! To know the Holy One of God, and still want nothing to do with him. But Jesus did say (John 3:20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. You cannot hate something unless you are somewhat acquainted with it. It’s not that sinners don’t know about God. And it’s not that they’ve never had a witness of God. (Romans 1:19,20) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: You see it’s not that they don’t know. It’s that they hate God. It’s that God is their enemy. They have set themselves against God.

The Holy One

But then we see the answer to this devil’s rant. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. Jesus casts devils out and puts in men and women a love for the house of God and the things of God. He takes away their harshness and hard heart and puts in gentleness and a broken and contrite heart. He takes away the horror and fear and puts in hope and faith. And instead of us knowing about him from a distance, he knows us intimately; no more an enemy but a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Those Jews saw this and said  What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. Is this new doctrine to you? Have you ever witnessed Jesus command with authority and power the unclean spirits out? There is none other able to do these miracles. Jesus has got the power! Amen! (John 3:11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen…

Proverbs 3:1 Let thine heart keep my commandments…

December 27, 2017

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

While reading about the law that was given Moses while up in the mount, this verse reminded of something I just read regarding that: (Exodus 25:21,22) And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat… The ark was the focal point of the entire tabernacle, and also the temple when it was built. (It still is) It contained the two tables of stone which the law was written. It’s as if everything else revolved around that. It was the most sacred of all the instruments and furniture. It was in the holiest place. If anybody touched it, they died.

The bible declares that (1 Corinthians 3:16) Ye are the temple of God. And in this temple is also an ark; the heart. And in this heart, God says to keep my commandments. And then in Proverbs 3:3 he speaks of the table of thine heart; not for eating, but for writing. I believe that God is very serious about this. He protects and cares for the temple of the Holy Ghost just as he did the tabernacle and things of it in the days of Moses. (1 Corinthians 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.

No wonder Peter said we are (1 Peter 2:5) an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 2:9) a royal priesthood. As baptist, we say that we believe the priesthood of every believer. I must admit, I never thought of myself as the temple of God beyond that of the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost. I’ve always thought the tabernacle (from Exodus) was a pattern of what is in heaven, and surely it is. But I never thought that what God had wrought inside of me is patterned after what is in heaven. And it is among these elements that he chooses to commune with me. He said let thine heart keep my commandments.

And that our service to God starts on the inside; amongst the things of the heavenly, yet bodily, sanctuary. What’s going on in the inside? Are the commandments where they belong? They belonged in the ark under the mercy seat of which God said there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee. Paul said (2 Corinthians 13:14) The communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. I wonder if this is so, how can we commune with God without the commandment being in it’s proper place?

I believe the Psalmist had it in it’s proper place.

Communion and Commandment. My most precious times with God have always been by the Word of God. My most intimate understandings of God have always come by the Word of God.