Sanctuary Cleansing

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;


Christ Jesus- the HIGH PRIEST of our profession.


The High Priest.


What is a High Priest?


High Priest according to Easton's Dictionary--


Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to this office (Exo_29:7; Exo_30:23; Lev_8:12). He wore a peculiar dress, which on his death passed to his successor in office (Exo_29:29, Exo_29:30). Besides those garments which he wore in common with all priests, there were four that were peculiar to himself as high priest (see Easton's Dictionary for a more thorough description). http://www2.mf.no/bibelprog/easton?word=high+priest

To the high priest alone it was permitted to enter the holy of holies, which he did only once a year, on the great Day of Atonement, for “the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest” (Heb. 9; 10).

Wearing his gorgeous priestly vestments, he entered the temple before all the people, and then, laying them aside and assuming only his linen garments in secret, he entered the holy of holies alone, and made expiation, sprinkling the blood of the sin offering on the mercy seat, and offering up incense. Then resuming his splendid robes, he reappeared before the people (Lev. 16). Thus the wearing of these robes came to be identified with the Day of Atonement.

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The High Priest-


It's very important for us to understand our Lord's role as a High Priest. This was an office held for many, many years through the line of the family of Aaron- of the tribe of Levi. An office that was held by a man and this man had special duties to perform as High Priest.


From the Jewish Encyclopedia-

Sanctity and Functions.

The distinguished rank of the high priest is apparent from the fact that his sins are regarded as belonging also to the people (Lev. iv. 3, 22). He was entrusted with the stewardship of the Urim and Thummim (Num. xxvii. 20 et seq.). On the Day of Atonement he alone entered the Holy of Holies, to make atonement for his house and for the people (Lev. xvi.); on that occasion he wore white linen garments instead of his ordinary and more costly vestments. He alone could offer the sacrifices for the sins of the priests, or of the people, or of himself (Lev. iv.); and only he could officiate at the sacrifices following his own or another priest's consecration (Lev. ix.). He also offered a meal- offering every morning and evening for himself and the whole body of the priesthood (Lev. vi. 14-15, though the wording of the law is not altogether definite). Other information concerning his functions is not given. He was privileged, probably, to take part at his own pleasure in any of the priestly rites. Josephus ("B. J." v. 5, § 7) contends that the high priest almost invariably participated in the ceremonies on the Sabbath, the New Moon, and the festivals. This may also be inferred from the glowing description given in Ecclus. (Sirach) i. of the high priest's appearance at the altar.

Pasted from


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Jesus is our High Priest in heaven. It's no coincidence that there would be High Priests performing many sacred duties connected to God's Holy Temple. The pattern of the heavenly recreated in the earthly. No, they are not the same in many ways because the difference between something heavenly and something earthly is greater than we can fathom. We were given an example to follow, an example of something greater. I can give you an example of something but it's not the something, only an example. I can give you a pattern and you can follow that completely but if I'm telling you to use materials that are indigenous to where you live it won't be the exact replica in the material sense as the one you are using the pattern for. I might have soft yarn to use in a crochet pattern for a shawl, but you might only have coarse yarn available. The coarse shawl won't be exact in material but it will be a exact duplicate of my shawl in construction. The heavenly sanctuary was the pattern for the earthly, the service to be perform was that which would bring man in communion with God. The heavenly sanctuary depicts that until sin is completely eradicated we have a need of a heavenly intercessor between us and God.


Let's read more about our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary-


Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus


Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.


Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens


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


Perhaps a more thorough study of the book of Hebrews is called for. We need to learn about our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. We talk about the end of the world and see so many signs of this growing closer and closer. Think about it… once every year the earthly sanctuary was to be cleansed on the Day of Atonement. There was a whole service that day dedicated to removing all the sin from the temple that had been placed there throughout the year, it wasn't something done with a few words. There were several sacrifices made to do this, several cleansing on that day of cleansing.


Lev 16:11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:


Lev 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat


Lev 16:17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.


Lev 16:18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.


Lev 16:20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat


This all took place on the day of atonement- reconciling of the holy place, of the tabernacle, of the congregation, of the altar- reconciliation for the high priest himself and his family, reconciliation for the people.


Christ our High Priest in a heavenly sanctuary is doing this work of reconciliation, this work of cleansing, full cleansing. Christ is ministering in the heavenly sanctuary for you and I and there will come a day when that work will be done. We don't know the day nor the hour, but we can read the signs of the times given to us.


Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 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.


A time will come when Christ will finish His work in the heavenly sanctuary, make no mistake about it, no mistake at all.


Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.


This day will come.


Right now our High Priest, Jesus Christ is ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary, a Sanctuary that will not be found in the New Jerusalem when it comes down out of heaven to earth. The sanctuary that reveals the fact that God wants to be reconciled to us and has done all He could to make this happen. There will be a day when the reconciliation is complete, but that day is not yet. We are still here on this sin-filled earth filled with it's loathsome evil, ruled by the prince of darkness. When the cleansing is complete and the very last individual that will be cleansed is cleansed by the sacrifice of our Savior's holy blood, then Christ will stand up, Christ will cease His mediation between God and man. A lot of people like to believe that it will NEVER cease. I've even written a lot of times- God's unending grace, but in truth, once all has been done that can be done, once all that would be saved are cleansed, there is no more hope, no more grace. The end will come. The end for many who are caught up in sin and refused the grace of their one and only Savior. No, this isn't what people want to hear, they'd rather be lulled by nice cushiony, soft words filled with nothing but hope without any possibility of losing the opportunity of grace. Grace should be unending, grace should be forever and ever, but for grace to be forever and ever that would mean sin remaining forever and ever. Continuous, unending grace, bringing forgiveness for sins needs sins to be forgiven to remain unending and I don't know about you but I want sin to end!!! Sin will end. Sin will be no more! Christ paid the highest price, a price we can't truly begin to fathom, so that sin could be finished, wiped out completely never to return. We are saved by grace.


Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God


Saved. Given the gift of God.


There will come a day when we are just and holy, no longer sinners all through the grace of our Savior. In that day we will no longer sin, and if we are no longer sinning, we don’t need to be forgiven any longer, we will have been forgiven completely!


Right now, right this moment as a write this, Christ, my Lord, my Savior, my High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary is still ministering for me. It is my prayer, my fervent prayer that when He finishes His work that I am covered in His grace, by His righteousness, that I am His, fully, wholly His doing His commandments, loving as He would love, loving Him first and foremost and others as He would have us love others. Is this your prayer too?


In His amazing love!


Amen.

Sanctuary Services

Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?


We know that the earthly sanctuary was based on the heavenly sanctuary, an example was shown and used to created the earthly sanctuary.


The sanctuary wasn't given to God's people as a dwelling place for them to enter and commune with God as we enter churches today. Things were much different back then than they are today, much different. Let's read a little about the tabernacle- the portable sanctuary- Moses had constructed by God's command.


Exo 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exo 40:3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Exo 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
Exo 40:5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
Exo 40:6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exo 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
Exo 40:8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
Exo 40:9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
Exo 40:10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
Exo 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
Exo 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Exo 40:13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 40:14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
Exo 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Exo 40:16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Exo 40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
Exo 40:18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
Exo 40:19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Exo 40:21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
Exo 40:23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exo 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Exo 40:25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Exo 40:27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
Exo 40:29 And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Exo 40:31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
Exo 40:32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Exo 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.


Amazing.


Now, let's take a look at a bit of the sanctuary services.


Lev 4:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 4:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
Lev 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
Lev 4:4 And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.
Lev 4:5 And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
Lev 4:6 And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.
Lev 4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 4:8 And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
Lev 4:9 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away,
Lev 4:10 As it was taken off from the bullock of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of the burnt offering.
Lev 4:11 And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,
Lev 4:12 Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.
Lev 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
Lev 4:14 When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 4:15 And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.
Lev 4:16 And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock's blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:
Lev 4:17 And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
Lev 4:18 And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 4:19 And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar.
Lev 4:20 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
Lev 4:21 And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.
Lev 4:22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;
Lev 4:23 Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:
Lev 4:24 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering.
Lev 4:25 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.
Lev 4:26 And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.
Lev 4:27 And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;
Lev 4:28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.
Lev 4:29 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.
Lev 4:30 And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.
Lev 4:31 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.
Lev 4:32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.
Lev 4:33 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.
Lev 4:34 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:
Lev 4:35 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.


Here we read just a bit about the offerings for various sinners- priests, the whole congregation, rulers, and the common people.


There is extensive reading to do on the sanctuary and all the various offerings commanded of sinners to offer to receive forgiveness. So many people today believe all that means nothing, it's not even worth reading because all this was done away with when the Lamb of God offered Himself on Calvary ending the need of the sanctuary and all it's services. Yes, our Savior was the ultimate sacrificial offering. Every single sacrifice made in the tabernacle, in the temples, all of them going way back to the offerings of Abel were made to God, blood offerings signifying the ultimate blood, our Savior's blood. None of those sacrifices could begin to compare to the sacrifice of the innocent Son of God. Those sacrifices were inferior yet necessary. Those sacrifices proved the people of God understood that blood had to be spilled, a living sacrifice had to be made because sin separates us from God and the sinner is worthy of death. A death in place of a death. Jesus' death in place of our eternal death. The wages of sin is…death.


The many, many sacrificial services talked about in Leviticus reveals truly just how abhorrent our sins are to God. We make light of our sins. We don't consider a lot of things sin that God obviously does. We look at all those restrictions enacted by GOD and feel relief that it was the OLD system, not something God wants us to even consider today. But why? Did God change? Did sin change? Did He suddenly approve of things He didn't before? We don't want all those restrictions, the silly bits about washing, and eating clean or unclean foods, natural bodily functions setting us apart, there is so much that seems offensive to us. We breathe a sigh of relief imagining that all that stuff was done away with along with the need for us to offer sacrifices. We are happy that we are gentiles and not Jewish, gentiles have their own ways yet they can worship God and accept Jesus as their Savior. The old ways are done away, the new ways have replaced them. This is how we like to think, it just makes life a whole heck of a lot easier, right? But we really need to consider sin. Sin is sin is sin. We can't make a sin- not sin. We can't wish sin away. We can pretend all we want that things aren't sin, we're pretty good at doing that aren't we? But all pretense is washed away when it comes to God, He sees through all pretense, nothing is hidden from His sight, nothing.


Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!


The sanctuary services- God's requirements of us to worship Him, to sacrifice to Him, to find forgiveness in Him making us one with Him so He may dwell among us and we can be with Him. The separation between God and man is a far as any separation can ever be. That separation can be breached and it's only breached through Christ. All the sacrifices ever offered imitated the offering of God's only son. Jesus offered Himself to repair the breach between God and man.


We can all understand this, right? Sin equals death. Sacrifice equals escaping death.


We can't pretend our lives are sin free. We can't pretend that we are worthy to stand before God. All our righteousness's are as filthy rags, worthless in their filthy state. We can only kneel before God pleading for mercy, claiming the grace that His Son offers. We can only pray that God looks upon the righteousness of our Savior and our Savior claims redemption for us.


There were sin offerings for so much- for priests, for whole congregations, for rulers, for common people. If we're to look at the sanctuary to find God's ways we need to understand the sanctuary was set up as a place of sacrifice. It's no wonder that in the new earth after new Jerusalem comes down from heaven that there will be NO temple in that new heavenly city. The separation between God and man will be forever gone! The temple was set up to show the way to God, the sacrifice necessary to do away with the separation. The heavenly Sanctuary contains our heavenly Mediator. When all mediation is finished the temple is no longer necessary. The heavenly Sanctuary is where the greatest Sacrifice of all dwells for now, but not forever. Our Savior will one day, on His Father's command, finish His work in the heavenly sanctuary and then all mediation will be over once and for all. Those that are holy will be holy still and those that are evil will be evil still. By the mercy and grace of our all loving Savior may we be among those that will be holy in Christ, through Christ, for Christ.



Amen!

The Heavenly, the Earthly

The heavenly sanctuary.
The earthly sanctuary.


Man is made in the image of God.


One thing reflecting another.


We know how inferior we are to God in reflecting His image. Sin has destroyed so much of what we were originally supposed to be. God's sanctuary on earth was in place for a long, long time before Christ came and revealed that salvation is found in Him- all the symbolic elements of the earthly sanctuary pointing towards that end. So if the Messiah's life and death took over the purpose of the earthly sanctuary why is it important for us to know more about the sanctuary? Because even though the earthly sanctuary culminated in our Savior, our Savior's death and return to life and to the heavenly sanctuary only makes it that much more important for us to understand. The heavenly sanctuary exists and will exist until…


Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.


Out of heaven God's city descends- until what is in heaven comes down to earth, a new earth, a sin free earth- the need to understand the sanctuary, to understand God's temple, to understand and learn all we can of our Lord and Savior is paramount.


The temple - the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of the New Jerusalem on earth- but that new Jerusalem isn't here yet and the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are in heaven. The Lamb - the great sacrifice- the great redeemer- is in the heavenly sanctuary ministering there.


Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.


Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.


Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.


Do you see? Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. The earthly sanctuary and all its implements and services were based upon the example of the heavenly. By studying the sanctuary and all we know of it on earth we can learn so much.


Remember- Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?


May God continue to bless us and open our hearts to all His truths. Through the mercy of our Lord and Savior, by His grace, His love, His righteousness, His all in all.

Enslaved Freed

Exo 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo 15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
Exo 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Exo 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
Exo 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
Exo 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Exo 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Exo 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Exo 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exo 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Exo 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Exo 15:15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
Exo 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.


The story of the Ten Commandments, who doesn't know about it? Most do even if it's from the movie that is played on television every year around Easter time. The Exodus, Moses delivering the slaves of Egypt- God's chosen people the Hebrews, the Jewish people, the Israelites. People enslaved by a ruler who resisted so many entreaties to free his slaves that many suffered, many of Pharoah's own people died because of his resistance to God's commands. The journey from enslavement to freedom was intense. Bogged down, feeling forever enslaved yet longing for a deliverer God's people were finally sent a deliverer but the deliverance didn't come instantaneously. The deliverance didn't happen overnight. Suffering increased for all. There he was, the deliverer- Moses. But deliverance was kept out of reach. The promise was there, the hope was there, the disappointment was there, the pain, the heartache, the trying of the soul, it was all there. Picture it, picture the pain, feel it…imagine it…


More currently we've had the enslavement of the African people, I'm not saying the African Americans just the Africans because from the start they were a people brought from Africa- they were African's displaced and enslaved and forced to live in a land they didn't want to live in, torn from their homeland, ripped from their families, suffering conditions unimaginable. We can relate to this slavery because our history here in the United States is entwined with it. Our land holds many marks of that slavery. Did deliverance come to the African's easily? No. Quickly? No. They suffered horrifically. Was there a deliverer- like Moses delivered God's people? No, one man did not lead the enslaved Africans to freedom- many had a hand in the fight for freedom.


Enslavement and freedom. We can all relate to it, can't we? In some way we can. We are slaves to sin made free in Christ.


Reading the above verses from Exodus the related story tells us of God's power on behalf of His chosen people. This part below tells us something more...


Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
Exo 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.


God has purchased them. God brought them in. God planted them in the mountain of their inheritance. God put them in the place HE would dwell- IN THE SANCTUARY- which He established.


The Sanctuary- a place made for God to dwell in and yet…


1Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?


The earthly sanctuary was symbolic in so many ways. God didn't need a place to dwell on earth, we needed and need to understand God's ways- which are in the Sanctuary- the heavenly, the earthly. We will continue to study this, we will keep on studying it and praying for understanding. God delivered people enslaved and gave them freedom, freedom to worship Him, to learn of Him, to be God's. We all need this lesson. We all need this freedom that is only found in Christ.


By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior, in His amazing love may we be free, all in Christ and through His righteousness now and forever!



Amen.

Sanctuary - God With Us

The function of the sanctuary.


Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.


God said-- let them make me a sanctuary and then He told them why… that I may dwell among them.


Catching the whole picture we have to put this into perspective a bit.

The people of Israel were enslaved to the Pharoah of Egypt for hundreds of years. These were God's chosen people descendents of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob…Joseph and they were slaves. God didn't want them to remain slaves, being slaves kept them from freely being able to worship Him. The people of Egypt worshipped false gods not the one true God. God's chosen people were being contaminated by association with the Egyptians and after hundreds of years it was time to separate them so that God's people would have a chance to worship their one true God, their deliverer, their redeemer. The power of God was fully realized in all He did for them to free them from the tyrannical gripe of their captor.


After their miraculous deliverance they were led out of Egypt and God wasn't going to leave them to their own devices. These were His people, He'd saved them, He loved them and He wanted them to live for Him because He knew this would be best for them. Intent on helping them as never before, God wanted to dwell among them in a very visible manner.


God wanted His people to have a hand in building Him a Sanctuary, a place where He could dwell among them. This was going to be a portable Sanctuary because God's people were going to be traveling to the land promised to them by God and every step of the way God wanted them to realize He was with them, guiding them.


God with us. This brings us to another reference to that particular idea--


Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.


'God with us'


Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.


Dwell among them- God with us.


The connection is undeniable. God reconciling man to Himself. God offering a chance to restore the lost connection between Himself and mankind.


The amazing love God has for us is something we cannot comprehend. We can go into the Sanctuary, God wants us to go into the Sanctuary so we can understand. God wants to be with us.


May our hearts and eyes be opened to understand the unique relationship God offers to mankind, to all of us. By His grace we can be with Him, through His love and unending mercy. All in Christ's righteousness.


Amen.

Understanding their end...

Psa 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.


People bemoan their fate all the time wondering why they're not prosperous, why fortune doesn't favor them but seemingly favors those who are wicked. The bad people having all the luck seems all too common. The ungodly rising in fortune and fame, we see it all the time and we don't understand. Throughout time it's been that way - the poor and honest man struggling to make ends meet, while the rich, liar wallows in prosperity. That's not to say that God's beloved haven't had fortune- Abraham had great fortune. David, Solomon had great, great wealth as well as Job, but those were the exceptions to the rule.


Reading this psalm reveals this in a special way. Here we have the bemoaning of this situation and then these words… 'Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.'


What does it mean to go into the sanctuary of God? What is the sanctuary of God? What happens in the sanctuary of God?


Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?


God's way is in the sanctuary and until we go into the sanctuary we can't understand the end of the wicked and in understanding that, we can understand the end of those who are not wicked, those who are God's.


The whole sanctuary set up was for mankind pointing the way of reconciling between God and man. Only those who understand their need of reconciliation, only those who go into the sanctuary of God can find the way of God. The understanding of the sanctuary service didn't stop when Christ died, in fact Christ was full revelation of the Sanctuary. In Christ we can understand the meaning of the Sanctuary.


I've studied the Sanctuary before, but I feel the need to study it again. We know that there is a Heavenly Sanctuary and it's a Sanctuary that unlike the earthly Sanctuary, it cannot be destroyed.


Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man


May God bless us as we seek to understand the way of God in the sanctuary, as we seek to understand the life we live in surrounded by the prospering wicked, a world that is not our world, a world filled with evil. Let us go into the Sanctuary so we may understand.


By the grace of God, by the mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit's enlightening may we understand.


Amen.

In Well Doing

Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life

Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality

Eternal life

We need to seek for glory- eternal life...
We need to seek for honor- eternal life...
We need to seek for immortality- eternal life…


This is a recipe if you will - for eternal life.


Not seeking glory for glory sake, not seeking glory for selfish reasons.
The only glory one should desire is eternal life.
Not seeking any honor at all for self in any way, but finding and wanting honor only in eternal life. People the world over seek immortality in many ways- but we need to seek it only through eternal life.


Eternal life is found only in Jesus.


To us, who by patient continuance.
To us who by perseverance in WELL DOING seek glory, honor and immortality - we will have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. If we don't patiently live our lives in WELL doing we will NOT have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.


People get alarmed when they hear that sort of talk- no, no, no, it's not by works but by FAITH, they cry! Don't tell me I have to have patient continuance in well doing!


I'm not telling you that, the Bible is! God is! The Bible also says this...


Rom 2:8
But unto them that are contentious,
and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9
Tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10
But glory, honour, and peace,
to every man that worketh good,
to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile


And these are the verses above all those we've just read-- it's important to put it all together--


Rom 2:1
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest
for wherein thou judgest another
thou condemnest thyself
for thou that judgest
doest the same things.
Rom 2:2
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things
and doest the same,
that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
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?
Rom 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God
Rom 2:6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds


God- WHO WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS


I didn't make that up! I didn't! We are told these things and for the people who think that they can act any way they want to and never have to account for their actions but simply say the words they accept Jesus as their Savior and have eternal life- well they are in for a rude eternal death awakening. Many will say to Jesus in that day that they knew Him, that they even did things in His name, but He won't know them. This is life! And Jesus came and led as our great example and if we think we can act contrary to how Jesus would have acted, how Jesus lived, then we are fools. He gave us a lot of instruction, a lot! We can't ignore it all and honestly believe we will be saved. We are accountable for the opportunities to learn and grow in Christ. We are accountable. God will render to EVERY man according to his deeds. Rather than trying to convince ourselves that it's okay to live worldly- in accordance and acceptance with the world- face the truth, we have to live in accordance with the will of God and it's not the will of God that we conform to the world, that we don't hold ourselves accountable for our own actions.


Salvation is found in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone! As a result of having Jesus Christ as our Savior we will …


In well doing--

Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality
Eternal life

Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life

By the grace of our Lord! By His mercy may we live in Him now and always, our hope in His righteousness because no matter how good our deeds are we will fall far short in righteousness. Does this mean we shouldn't do good deeds? Or live a life of good deeds seeking to do well in all things? No. It is our hope the Lord can use us for His will now and always, in all things! It was no mistake that Christ said this…


Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


What are fruits but the produce of our lives? Make no mistake what we do in our lives, who we are in our lives, the type of person we are is all a part of who we believe in, who we call our Savior. We are known by our actions by God and man.


In His amazing grace!!!! In His love always!


Amen.

There is none holy as the LORD

After leaving her young son, Samuel, with the High Priest Eli at the Holy Temple, knowing she'd be leaving him there for the rest of His life never to have him in her home again, Hannah prayed this prayer…


1Sa 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said,
My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,
mine horn is exalted in the LORD
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies
because I rejoice in thy salvation.


Her heart rejoiced! There was NO sadness! Her heart rejoiced! Imagine it, your heart's desire was a child and you have that child and then have to give the child up, can you imagine rejoicing? The thing here is Hannah didn't *HAVE* to give up Samuel. Hannah chose to lend Him to the Lord. There was honor and the need of rejoicing in such a miraculous gift and being able to hold true to your vow to the Lord. This was a blessing. Hannah wasn't dooming Samuel to a life of horror, but gifting Him with the life of service to the Lord. The Lord who answered Hannah's prayer would surely be trustworthy and Hannah knew this, she was giving Samuel a gift by lending Him to the Lord. Hannah was rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord. She knew the power of the Lord firsthand, she understood that salvation was found in the Lord and no where else. Her life was exalted, she was able to praise God and give glory to Him and no one could take this from her, no enemy could destroy this bonding Hannah had with the Lord God. Her prayer continues...


1Sa 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD
for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.


Such amazing praise and truth! People might think there are things or others that are holy as the Lord but there is nothing and no one as Holy as our God. God is a surety beyond all sureties. Satan would have us believe God defaults on His promises, that all of life's heartaches are allowed by God to bring us pain and misery. Satan wants us to believe that all our suffering is from God, that there is no surety with the Lord, no goodness, nothing holy only that which is contemptible. God holds our eternal life in His hands as a precious gift He's proven to be more than willing to give to us, it's our eternal life which matters more than anything we suffer here on earth right now. Satan would have us only focus on this world and our short life that we are to live within it. As long as we only focus on this world Satan will have us lose the very thing he longs for and will never, ever have-- eternal life. Hannah spoke true… neither is there any rock like our God.


1Sa 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly
let not arrogancy come out of your mouth
for the LORD is a God of knowledge
and by him actions are weighed.


By the Lord our actions are weighed. We cannot profess to have all understanding. We cannot presume to place ourselves on the level God. God alone has all knowledge, God alone is worthy of being honored and glorified. Any pride, any arrogance we possess should be silenced. Hannah knew this, because Hannah was blessed by the Lord and the words she spoke in her prayer were from the Lord. The full circle that took at least four maybe six years -including the time Hannah became pregnant- brought Hannah to the culmination of a miracle granted to her. As Hannah fulfilled her vow God blessed her with amazing insight.


1Sa 2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken
and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
1Sa 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread
and they that were hungry ceased
so that the barren hath born seven
and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.


The mighty- broken
The stumbling- strengthened
The full- hungered
The hungry-filled
The barren- bares seven
The fruitful womb- feebled


1Sa 2:6
The LORD killeth,
and maketh alive:
he bringeth down to the grave,
and bringeth up.
1Sa 2:7
The LORD maketh poor,
and maketh rich:
he bringeth low,
and lifteth up.
1Sa 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
to set them among princes,
and to make them inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,
and he hath set the world upon them.
1Sa 2:9
He will keep the feet of his saints,
and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength shall no man prevail.


FOR BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL! It's not be strength we gain eternal life, it's not by being strong on our own we can get through life and it's heartaches- only through the LORD do we prevail. It is the strength of the Lord that brings victory. Separated from the Lord we are NOTHING. We may think we are all that and then some, but we are but living dust without the Lord.


1Sa 2:10
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces
out of heaven shall he thunder upon them
the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.


PRAISE and GLORY all HONOR to our LORD! Hannah prayed and prophesized of the Lord's king, the Lord's anointed, our Savior! So beautiful, so wondrous this prayer of Hannah's. There is such depth in this prayer that there is no doubt that the Lord gave Hannah a blessing for her kept vow.


Reading on...


Hannah went home and time passed--


1Sa 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
1Sa 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.


Every year Hannah made her first born son a coat. Once a year Hannah would see Samuel. Imagine the joy of watching Him grow in knowledge and love of the Lord.


1Sa 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
1Sa 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.


Eli was thankful for Hannah's and her husband's gift to the Lord, the loan of their son. How well behaved Samuel had to have been. How respectful, how subservient, and attentive he was because he had Eli, the High Priest blessing his parents. Samuel had been raised properly and was a blessing to his parents. The blessing Eli gave to Samuel's parents was the gift of more children. Hannah went from being barren to receiving a blessing in Samuel. She raised Samuel for three to five years then loaned him to the Lord and then she visited Him every year… let's suppose 3 years maybe more, maybe less, but let's just imagine it was a few years and during all this time from the time of Samuel's birth until 7-8 years later Hannah was barren once more but found no sadness in her barren state. She'd been blessed and rejoiced in that blessing, it was enough. No more sad countenance, no more despair, no more heart ache longing for a child, that was all gone even though she didn't have possession of her child any longer. The Lord blessed her and Hannah wasn't presumptuous in that blessing, she was grateful eternally so. Then she was bless by Eli who asked the Lord to continue to bless her with children. The LORD visited Hannah, not once but six times! The LORD visited her and she was able to conceive. Without the Lord's blessing, without having the favor of the Lord, without having been obedient to the Lord, the Lord would not have continued to bless Hannah's barren womb. Hannah didn't miraculously become fertile after having Samuel, she remained barren until she was blessed again, and again with five more children. While Hannah was blessed with these children Samuel was growing before the Lord.


Amazing, all of this is so incredibly amazing and it's good for us to study, to glean the miraculous wonders, the truths that God has for us in all He does. May God continue to bless us as we seek Him, may we have understanding in Him of all we need to understand so that we may serve Him, that we may love Him as He would have us do.


God's will be done now and forever.


In His miraculous mercy and grace!


Amen.

...no more sad

Hannah prayed after she brought her very young son to live with the High Priest Eli. Biblical scholars estimate that Samuel- Hannah's son- was between 3 and 5 years old.


( 2Ch 31:16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses)


Hannah did not bring a child who couldn't understand instruction and follow commands. Hannah did not bring a child who had to be cared for in every little thing. Hannah brought a child that was old enough to listen and obey, she brought a child that could tend to his own needs- feed himself, wash himself. It's not really a stretch to imagine Samuel 4 or 5 years old, the age we send most children to kindergarten. Samuel was to be molded by Eli- taught the ways of God because Hannah lent Him to God for the rest of His life.

1Sa 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.


Elkanah- Hannah's husband- returned to Ramah, Hannah with him, leaving Samuel at the temple and what did Samuel do? Samuel MINISTERED to the LORD before Eli the priest! Yes, Samuel definitely had to be out of his infant/toddler stage and right on up there into his childhood when Hannah brought Him to the temple and lent him to the Lord. I can just imagine the life Samuel had to have led with his mother. He had to have been taught daily about the Lord He was promised to. Hannah wouldn't have been cruel and kept Him in the dark as to his future. She knew from the moment she realized that she'd conceive that the child in her womb was only loaned to her by God. Upon his birth I can only imagine Hannah's thoughts of joy even knowing she would one day be without her son. Can you just picture her looking down into the little scrunched up newborn's face, his tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers as she told him right then and there that He was God's. Hannah laid no permanent claim to Samuel and he grew up knowing this. He was promised to God and he would go to the Temple when he was older and there he would serve God by serving the High Priest. He knew this from the moment he could comprehend Samuel understood that his life was spoken for. Samuel knew he would be leaving his mother and father as well as the only home he knew and he also knew it was an honor, a great thing that he would be doing-- something to be much desired. Hannah's love of God was instilled in her son. Going away to the temple wasn't something dread but a day to look forward to. Hannah left her son but not in tears of sadness. Was she going to miss him? Yes. Would he miss her? Of course he would. God's greater purpose was what ruled their lives and nothing else.


Some might argue that Hannah's desire for a child was pure selfishness, that her heart aching for a child of her own was wrong, that she should have just trusted that God would allow her to have a child or not as He wills. Others might say that God knowing Hannah's every need understood that she might need a child and Hannah lacked the trust she should have had in God by praying as she did. What matters most is God and His will, not ours, not even our understanding. We don't know all of what Hannah prayed--

1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying


She continued praying, how long she prayed, what she prayed we do not know. We do know that she was being watched and Eli, the High Priest believed her to be drunk. Intervening he asked her how long she'd drink and told her she should put away the wine. Eli didn't know that Hannah's sorrowful prayer- of the sort that would cause her actions in prayer to be misinterpreted as a drunken woman's- was coming from the depths of her heart. Eli didn't know what Hannah prayed for, what her heart's affliction was. But when Hannah answered him with respect and explained herself as only one that wasn't drunk could, Eli said this…


1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.


Go in peace.
The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.


Eli's response was one of genuine understanding. He wanted the very sorrowful Hannah to go in peace not in upset, he wanted her petition- the petition of such intensity- to be granted and he didn't even know what it was she'd prayed for.


Hannah's response was one of gratitude. Here the High Priest in God's Holy Temple was telling her that he was right there with her- wanting God to hear her and answer her as she desired. Faith, belief in God and trust in those God has called into His service- so amazing. Hannah left Eli…


1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.


…and was no longer sad. Amazing. The faith she revealed was wonderful. God rewards faith, time and time again we can read of how much God rewards those who truly believe in Him, even if the rewards aren't always immediate. We can believe in all God promises.



Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.


Hannah was no longer sad, she believed that God would indeed grant her petition and He did. Amazing.


No, even the most sincere, heartfelt prayer can go seemingly unheard, the petition not granted, but God has His plans, His ways and we need to belief, we need to have that faith that can make us turn away from our heart wrenching petitions and no longer be sad.


More on this study to come. : )


All glory to our Savior!
All praise to our Creator!
By His mercy!
By His grace!
Forever and always God's will be done!


Amen.

Lent to the Lord

Hannah- bring Samuel to Eli at the temple--

Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.


The LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.


Therefore also I have LENT him to the LORD.
As long as he liveth he shall be LENT to the LORD.
And he worshipped the LORD there.


Lent to the Lord.


When we think of lending something we don't think of it as a permanent lending or else we'd just say we are just giving that thing away, no lending involved. Hannah was giving Samuel- her longed for son- to God. Yet she didn't say she was giving him to the LORD she said she was lending him and then she clarified that. She was lending her son to the Lord for as long as he LIVED. So why the lending? Maybe there's some deeper meaning of all this I'm missing, something to explain the whole 'lent' thing, but in my simple thoughts it speaks volumes to me. The Lord granted Hannah a desire that she had in the depths of her heart and in response to that granting, Hannah promised to give back the very thing she longed for. The very answer to her prayer and she was offering to give it up if she received it. Doesn't that seem sort of strange? What if Hannah's lending Samuel was stated that way because Samuel would forever be part of her life. Part of Samuel would never leave Hannah. The wonderful miracle of the answered prayer, the fulfilling of a heart's desire, this would always be with Hannah, always. The miracle of carrying a child, or being part of that amazing act of bringing life into the world- this was Hannah's desire. Having that child to care for and raise was what she longed for. Her husband had children by another, and even though he treated her even better than his other wife and children she still wanted children. It didn't appear as if she want a child to make her husband happy. It didn't appear as if her husband thought less of Hannah for her lack of child bearing. This desire of Hannah's was something coming deep from within her and as a woman, I can relate to this particular desire. The fact that Hannah was going to give up the very thing she longed for is something I can't completely relate to. The idea of giving up my longed for child would have been unimaginable to me. Even now I want to have my hand in the lives of my children. This selfless act of Hannah's was amazing. Hannah really meant she was lending Samuel to the Lord, the Lord had lent Samuel to her and she was giving Him back to serve the Lord.


We all have desires in our hearts. We all know what it means to pray from the heart, crying out to the Lord for the thing we long for. Sometimes God answers us exactly as we expect, other times God answers us in what we might consider a roundabout way. God desires that we give Him thanks for the gifts He bestows on us, the prayers He answers. God also desires that we hold true to our word if we give it to Him. We have to be very careful what we pray don't we? It's easy to pray to God and promise Him this, that, and the other thing, people do it all the time. Do people always hold true to their promises? No. Does God expect them to ? Yes. Hannah promised God something if her prayer was answered and Hannah held true to that promise. In her heart she wasn't losing a son, she was lending Him back to the Lord, a promise made, a promise fulfilled.


There is much more here to study and I'm going to continue to do so but not tonight. The Lord is wonderful and He knows our heart's desires, He knows our everything there is to know about us. May He answer my prayer to know Him and for Him to know me, to bless me, to forgive me, to love me. May this be the prayer of us all.


By His Grace!
In His LOVE!


Amen.

You're Fighting for Your Eternal Life

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Greek Definitions--

Walk-- G4043 peripateo¯ per-ee-pat-eh'-o - figuratively to live, deport oneself
Spirit-- G4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah - the Holy spirit, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind
Fulfil-- G5055 teleo¯ tel-eh'-o - accomplish, perform
Lust-- G1939 epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah - what is forbidden
Flesh-- G4561 sarx sarx - human nature, passions, carnal


If we live in the Holy Spirit, being spiritually minded, we will NOT perform what is forbidden in our human nature, our carnal passions.


Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.


Lusteth -- G1937 epithumeo¯ ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o -to set the heart upon


Our carnal human nature sets our heart AGAINST the Spirit.
The Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal human nature

Our carnal nature is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit contrary to our carnal nature. To live in the Spirit means NOT living in our carnal human nature. Likewise to live in our carnal human nature means NOT living in the Spirit. We cannot have it both ways! We try though, we really, really do try. We make excuse after excuse for our carnal desires. They are who we are and a leopard cannot change it's spots, right? We are human, born with a human nature subject to things carnal, things that aren't spiritual. It goes against what comes naturally to us, to walk in the Spirit which is unnatural to us. Our natural nature is carnal and we cannot change that. We make the mistake thinking we can change our nature.


We have to LIVE in the Holy Spirit, not just visit the Holy Spirit when it's convenient to us. People just don't get it, and people-- including me because I don't fully understand what it means to LIVE in the Spirit-- struggle with it all. When we are caught up with Christ in the air upon His return to go live with Him forever it will be a reunion, a blessed completion of what is started here and now. We will have been living in the Spirit that He's sent to live with us. We won't be suddenly inspired towards God in that moment, we will have been living in the God called the Holy Spirit. It's an agony for us to live with our human natures constantly at war with things Spiritual. Paul talked of how hard it was and it's so true. But it's a fight we cannot give up on, not for a moment! Satan would have us discouraged that is one of his biggest weapons in this spiritual warfare.


We must LIVE in the Spirit.
We must live so that the Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal nature.
We cannot let our carnal nature set our hearts against the Spirit.


Our carnal nature with the help of principalities and powers unseen will stop at nothing to set our hearts against God and all things spiritual. By the GRACE of our Lord we must call upon His mercy and His righteousness even when we are at our lowest point because we have to seek GOD first always, no matter what happens in our lives. We must throw ourselves at the feet of our Savior begging for forgiveness seventy-times seven times, endlessly realizing that our self without Him is nothing. We are only truly alive in Him. We are in a WAR! We are! WAKE UP EVERYONE YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR ETERNAL LIFE! Arm yourself with Spiritual armor! Too many are in this battle without any armor choosing to be defenseless and expecting to be on the winning side. Too many are being mortally wounded without ever realizing their eternal life blood is seeping away.


Please Lord! Please! Let us live so that the SPIRIT we live in sets our hearts constantly against our carnal nature and NOT let our carnal nature set us against the SPIRIT.


By your grace, your mercy, your love now and forever! Thank you! All glory, all praise, and all honor unto You our Savior, our King!


Amen!

Bought

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

Greek definitions--


BOUGHT-
G59
a????a´??
agorazo¯
ag-or-ad'-zo
From G58; properly to go to market, that is, (by implication) to purchase; specifically to redeem: - buy, redeem.


PRICE-
G5092
t?µ?´
time¯
tee-may'
From G5099; a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some.


SERVANTS-
G1401
d??????
doulos
doo'-los
From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.


MEN-
G444
a?´????p??
anthro¯pos
anth'-ro-pos
From G435 and ??´? o¯ps (the countenance; from G3700); manfaced, that is, a human being: - certain, man.


You are REDEEMED with the HIGHEST DEGREE, A VALUABLE PRICE, be not the SLAVES in SUBJECTION of another HUMAN BEING.


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


We are bought! Yet we don't often act like we've been bought because we want so desperately to be our own person, not to need anyone or anything else. We want to stand on our own two feet without any help, thank you very much. If we do have help from others we want those others to turn around and tell us how wonderful it is that we made it mostly on our own, that they only offered a token of help, that without us doing the majority of the work nothing would have happened.


Self-sufficient, self-made, self-supporting. We reject the idea of relying on anyone. We reject the idea of anyone 'owning' us. Slavery is appalling to us with good reason given the horrors equated with it. Being enslaved sounds awful. Yet if we are BOUGHT, and we are, we are owned. You cannot buy something and not own it. Yes, you can buy something and then give it away to someone freely, gift it to another but until it's yours you cannot give it away. Once you buy something you can do with it pretty much what you want to do with it. You can care for it or neglect it. If it's a living thing- our world has created certain laws to protect the living thing, animals for example- even then a lot of animals are bought as livestock in order to kill them- humanely of course. When you've bought something and it's yours you are at liberty to control what you've bought. We've been bought. Bought from whom? Who owned us before we were bought? These are questions we need to think about, right?


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


Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17 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.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.


Servants of sin.
Servants of righteousness.


If we are servants of sin- who owns us?


Eze 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.


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.


There is a father of lies, a father of sin, and that father is Satan. Satan brought sin to the human race and that sin has come to all humans through Him. As soon as we are aware of right and wrong and choose the wrong we are serving Satan. That sounds harsh but it's true. People don't like to talk about the accountability of children there is a great debate over it all but to me personally, accountability begins when you know better and still do it no matter the age. When we serve Satan by engaging in the works He's wrought He owns us. Is it no wonder we have to be born again daily? Is it no wonder that we have to ask for forgiveness daily? Is it no wonder we need to pray always?


Jesus bought us from Satan. Jesus bought us by paying the HIGHEST price one could ever pay. A God, setting aside His spirit form and taking on human flesh and in that flesh suffering the pain of living in a sin-filled world and being murdered while innocent of any and all sin. He died and by His death we are bought. Once we are bought we are not enslaved and tormented, we are loved as those adopted by God the Father. Once bought we have salvation from the sin of Satan, we are no longer in bondage to Him. On our own we cannot save ourselves. We cannot buy ourselves, we have to rely on our Savior. We don't need self-sufficiency we need God-reliance. We need to accept that we are so loved that the price paid for us was beyond measure.


1Co 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1Co 7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.


No matter our situation in life, no matter if our job is as a servant to others, no matter what we are called to do we have to abide with God. God is our master, we serve God, we serve our Savior, our full allegiance is first and foremost to God above all.


Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.


Bought by our Savior. We are His and once we are bought we are freed from sin and are owned by a loving Savior who owns us in pure love like we can scarcely imagine.


By the grace of God may we be servants of righteousness in Him and not servants of sin. All praise, glory, and honor to our loving Savior for His mercy, for His grace to us who are so undeserving.


Amen.

Not to send peace

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

When did this change? When did Jesus change this to peace on earth? You hear all the time talk of world peace. But Jesus didn't bring peace to earth when He was here and He didn't tell us to try and bring world peace. He wants us to find peace in Him, for us to promote His peace to others, but not to set a course for world peace. He tells us THINK NOT. He didn't want us to be confused on this issue. So many believe that the Messiah would come and bring peace with Him, today many believe He will come again and bring world peace with Him. But there will be NO world peace until sin is totally gone. Sin will not be totally gone until the day the author of sin is destroyed along with all those that have followed Him. People who spend countless hours, countless dollars are striving for world peace before the Bible tells us there will be world peace are misguided. I know this sounds contrary to a lot of people. Shouldn't we want peace? No, not the peace this world imagines, not peace without God as it's Author. The world will strive for some semblance of peace that it can manufacture, but at it's heart it won't be led by God. Jesus' own words tell us a different story. 'THINK NOT that I am come to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace, but a sword.' That sword is the Word of God, the Word of God is the truth.

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


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


Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.


Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.


Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.


Jesus didn't pray for world peace and He didn't tell us to seek peace for the world. Do a search online for world peace, you'll find it's something many, many people are seeking. To talk contrary about world peace makes you appear as a rebel, as contrary to something God and Jesus would want. But the Bible tells us differently, Jesus tells us differently. I believe it's very important we have this understanding because we know that the enemy of God likes to appear as an angel of light. The enemy of God likes to set up false hope and situations that are pure counterfeit- meant to appear as if they are from God but they really, really aren't.


Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.


Our battle is with the same enemy of Jesus, and our armor, our weapons the same as Jesus used. We have to wear our armor and we have to wield our sword confidently, practicing and using it daily so that we NEVER are caught without it at our side, unprepared to use the sword when we need it the most.


These verses here tell a story so much different than the one we like to imagine--


Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
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.


This is not a pretty picture of peace in the world. This is a picture of the warfare we are part of and if it's a warfare that can hit close to home and heart, what makes us think that it would be better for us with strangers and those who have no ties to us at all?


No, we are not to bring discord, we are to bring truth and if the truth brings discord we are to remain grounded in that truth and any discord that comes as a result is not to be unexpected. We can have the peace of God with us, but still be in a situation of discord. Peace in a storm. The storm may rage all around us, buffeting us unrelentingly, but we can have the peace of our Lord and Savior with us through it all. Satan will try and tell us that all the discord around us proves we are not really followers of Christ, because wherever we go there is upset and angst, but in truth that only proves how much Satan wants to draw us away from the peace by instigating the discord.


May God bless us all richly with His peace, with His amazing, all consuming love. May we hold fast to the truth in ALL things as we fight this battle of spiritual warfare.


By His grace and mercy!
Through His love and in His righteousness forever!


Amen.

I will deliver my flock

Eze 34:9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
Eze 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.


I am against the shepherds.
I will require my flock at their hand.
Cause them to cease from feeding the flock
Neither shall the shepherds feed themselves anymore
I will deliver my flock from their mouth
They may not be meat for them.


Think about this…really think about what this is saying. Shepherds tend their sheep, they feed them, guide them, care for them and yes, often they do this so they can eventually eat from them. In the analogy sense we tend to believe that the good shepherd isn't shepherding his sheep to eat them later, we imagine the sheep being protected and used mainly for their wool, not food. The good shepherd is to guard his flock, keep them alive and well but only until they are needed for something else- even sacrifice. These verses tell a slightly different story. These are the words of the LORD.


The LORD is against the shepherds.
The LORD will require the flock at the shepherds hands.
The LORD will stop the shepherds from feeding their flock.
The LORD will stop the shepherds from eating.
The LORD will deliver HIS flock- He will keep the shepherds from eating of the flock.
The LORD will keep the sheep from being food for the shepherds.


Again in the analogy sense the picture here is clear. Those tending to God's people are corrupted and the LORD intervenes, protecting His people, keeping His people from being devoured spiritually by false shepherds- shepherds that aren't tending God's people as God would have them be tended.


Reading on…


Eze 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out
Eze 34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.


God will search for HIS people even those not with the flock but scattered away from the protection of the majority. God's people will be DELIVERED from ALL places in the CLOUDY and DARK DAY. When will they be delivered? In the cloudy and dark day. Is there a darker day than the day the world meets it's end? Things will be at their absolute worst right before Christ returns for His people, just like in the days of Noah and the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember- only 8 people were saved in Noah's day and even less in Sodom and Gomorrah. Not even TEN people worthy of saving could be found in that city teeming with self-servers. The last days will be the same.


Reading on…


Eze 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
Eze 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
Eze 34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.


Again, in the day of deliverance we will be brought into our own land, the land of heaven. The symbolism of God's land is Israel, the New Jerusalem is in heaven and we who have been tortured and tormented from living in a world of hate against God and God's love will find all the solace we need in our new pasture, with our Good Shepherd. Christ finds the lost, binds up the broken, Christ will strengthen the sick, but all those who are healthy and strong from living in league with the world will be destroyed.


We, right now, live in a world as those lost. We don't belong in this world and God knows that, He knows that His people live lost in a world of sin, needing to be found by Him. We live in a world that breaks our hearts daily with all it's horrors and sin, God will bind up our broken hearts fully. We are sick and in need of Christ- our holy physician- on our own we are far from healthy. There are those who don't seek the Lord but live in the world glorying in its atrocities, being a part of the sin filling our world, making it sick. Those who appear to be healthy will be destroyed, they believe they have NO need of saving, no need of a Savior, they are fine just the way they are.


Some people are waiting for this world we live in to find peace. People will twist the Bible until they are convinced that peace will come to earth while sinners still reign. Christ is going to come again and take us WITH Him. The earth will be made new after ALL sinners are destroyed. Read this…


1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.



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.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived NOT AGAIN UNTIL the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 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.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are EXPIRED, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.



When Christ returns we will rise and meet Him in the air and be with him a 1000 years! Then after the 1000 years the dead are raised - those that weren't taken with Christ when He came- the ungodly, those who never truly repented and never accepted Christ as their Savior. Then they are all judged according to their works and their final punishment set accordingly as they are destroyed completely once and for all, forever. Then and only then will the New Jerusalem come down from God OUT of heaven and it is then the earth is made new.


Those who are expecting peace now are deceived. The Bible clearly reveals the truth. The devil has many deceived and they expect world peace here and now. False Christs, Satan disguised as an angel of light, people who cry peace and safety, these are what we can expect. Unbelievable deception that only those who ….

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

….who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus will be spared the deception. We know there are going to be FEW, we know it's a very narrow path, we know these things and we have to remember these things because while the whole world around us falls under the deception, we alone will stand out as those deceived.


Well, this study certainly took a turn I wasn't expecting, but such is the way of studying sometimes. Christ our Good Shepherd will ultimately take us His sheep and we will be safe in His love. Until the time we are taken with Him we live in this world of sin with the promise of His return as our hope. Living with that promised hope doesn't mean we won't be sick, broken-hearted, tired, weary, worn, it means we have hope even through all the pain and heartache of life. Hope. Faith. Love.


May God keep us in Him always! May our faith be helped… Lord we believe, help our unbelief…just as the father cried out to Jesus. Mk 9:24. Bless us oh Lord, bless us and keep us safe from evil because we are not taken out of the world, we live in this world and need the safety only YOU can give us.

By Your grace!
By Your love!
By Your mercy!
In Your righteousness!

Amen.

Cloudy Water

Have you ever set up a fresh water aquarium? I've set up a few over the years and recently I was blessed with a large aquarium so I could get my 3 large fish out of a smaller tank and into a bigger one. The process isn't a difficult, but one thing which occurs when setting up the tanks is the crystal clear water grows cloudy, very cloudy as the tank is transitioning, getting it's balance of good bacteria to grow. I'm not going to go into details of the whys and wherefores about it all but I'll tell you one thing-- I dislike the cloudy water immensely when it's going through that transitioning. The murky water is ugly making the entire tank look unsightly, not to mention how obscure the fish inside the tank become. Not only is it difficult for me to see the fish, the fish themselves aren't seeing all that well either. My three fish are very shy fish but when the water is murky they appear more outgoing, the reason being they can't see us so clearly- just like we can't see them easily. This new tank transitioning took about a month and a half this last time and I kept hoping it'd be quicker. Daily walking by the tank which is centrally located in the house and very hard to miss, just made me cringe. I wanted to hurry the process, I wanted that water clear! My beautiful fish tank was an eyesore and driving me crazy. The fish store has a lot of products out there to help you with cloudy water as well as numerous test kits to test your water to get it just right for the fish, however using them won't make that transition any easier and some say they even make it take longer for it to happen.


What's the point my relating all this to you? Well, we are all in a state of transitioning. We live in a filthy, cloudy, ugly world and it's only through Christ that we'll make the full transition to clarity and come out of this dark world we are born into. All around us are endless reminders of the decay in our world, contrary to that we also get endless reminders of the beauty that is in store for us in the perfect world. Just like a newly set up tank and it's crystal clear water, the beauty of the tank is seen but it's only temporary and the tank begins its transition. The hope of the beauty's return is there, the knowledge that it will be beautiful again exists, but for a period of time the tank seems hopeless, just one big mess. This world is a big mess but there is hope for the beauty of a new world one day. As long as we hold fast to our Lord and Savior no matter how murky life's waters get around us, no matter how much the ugliness tries obscure any and all beauty, we will prevail in Him.


Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.


Our only hope is in Christ, there is no hope in us, no salvation in us, no righteousness in us, and people who try to get you to focus on yourself rather than pointing you to the only source of our righteousness are only hindering you. We have to rely on Christ so fully, so completely that we are living our lives continuously connected to our source of life. We can't just grab God on the go and get a God fix when needed. We are in constant need of God, an unending need. We can't live in Christ if we set Him aside until our night time devotion, or our morning prayer. No, I'm not saying night time devotions and morning prayers are wrong, no, no, no. What I'm saying is this… our night time devotions shouldn't be like a reunion with one we've not seen all day but rather a special cuddling time with one you've worked side-by-side with all day long. Living in this murky sin-filled world we need Christ by us always in all we do if we're to get through our transition period, going from a sin-filled world to our eventual sin-less world. Unlike my fish tank when there was nothing I could do but wait as the natural process unfolded, we have Christ to cling to and He's seen through all the murky waters to the crystal clear water. We have to hold fast, trusting in Him as the answer to all of life's murkiness.


Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.


By the grace and mercy of our loving Savior, in Him ALWAYS!


Amen.