Yesterday we were discussing the Most Holy Place...
What was found in the Most Holy Place?
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Heb 9:4
Which had the golden censer
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold
wherein was the golden pot that had manna
and Aaron's rod that budded
and the tables of the covenant
-
We talked about the golden censer …
The golden censer inside the second veil, the golden censer only went into the Most Holy Place on the day of Atonement when the High Priest brought it into the Most Holy Place-
Lev 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
Lev 16:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not
Once the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place he had in his hands incense and the censer. The incense representing the prayers of the saints, once put upon the fire a cloud of smoke would be created covering the mercy seat. The prayers of the saints presented before God.
Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Heb. 9 mentions the mercy seat but first it mentions the ark of the covenant upon which the mercy seat rests. Beneath the mercy seat, inside the ark were objects-
The golden pot that had manna
Aaron's rod that budded
Tables of the covenant
Manna-
Exo 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
Exo 16:32 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
Exo 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
Exo 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
The bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. Food from heaven. Food directly from God where no food existed.
Aaron's Rod-
Num 17:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 17:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod.
Num 17:3 And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.
Num 17:4 And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Num 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.
Num 17:6 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
Num 17:7 And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
Num 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
Num 17:9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
Num 17:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
Num 17:11 And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Num 17:12 And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
Num 17:13 Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
Num 18:1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
Num 18:2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
Num 18:3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
Num 18:4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
Num 18:5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
Num 18:6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 18:7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Aaron and his tribe- Levites- are chosen for the priesthood inside God's sanctuary.
Tables of the Covenant-
Deu 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
Deu 9:10 And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.
Deu 9:11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.
Deu 9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
Deu 9:13 Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
Deu 9:14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.
Deu 9:15 So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands.
Upon the tables of the covenant were written the following--
Deu 5:6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Deu 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deu 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
Deu 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Deu 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Deu 5:12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
Deu 5:13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
Deu 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
Deu 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Deu 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deu 5:17 Thou shalt not kill.
Deu 5:18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Deu 5:19 Neither shalt thou steal.
Deu 5:20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Deu 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Deu 5:22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
The covenant being - the children of Israel would follow the commandments given by God, and He would be their God.
Any covenant takes two or more people.
COVENANT, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]
COVENANT, v.i. To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed it has for before the thing or price.
COVENANT, v.t. To grant or promise by covenant.
To have a coming together, to have a meeting of minds, to enter a formal agreement, to bind ones self by a contract all requires at least TWO parties, right?
A covenant between two people is broken when the agreed upon terms are violated. Does the violation mean the terms were wrong? Or does the violation simply mean one chose to no longer follow the terms that they once agreed were fair and just enough to follow? To enter into a covenant that you don't agree with is PURE foolishness. You enter into covenants you agree to. The people of Israel- God's chosen people KNEW the terms of the covenant and agreed to them. Then they violated the agreement over and over and over again. It wasn't that the agreement, the covenant, was to blame- it was the weakness of the people that led to the constant violation. The covenant was full of fault because while it revealed God's love fully, it also revealed a people incapable of following it, people who HOPED to follow it, but failed. The realization being only ONE person would be able to NEVER violate the covenant and that ONE person would be the faultless, sinless Son of God who took on OUR nature, our propensity to sin and did NOT sin. Through HIM alone do we find salvation. That doesn't mean the terms of the covenant were at fault- they were agreed upon. It means HE alone could fulfill the terms of that covenant and THROUGH HIM (the NEW Covenant- that through HIM we could fulfill the terms of the old) we would find our hope, our salvation by His grace and mercy.
So… inside the Most Holy Place--
We have manna- food from heaven, food from God. We have Aaron's rod that budded- the sanctuary priesthood of the Levites enacted. We have the tables of the covenant- the covenant between God and man- God's commandments man were to keep, commandments of love.
God provides us heavenly sustenance, God provides us a High Priest, God provides us love. Precious and holy these symbols were kept inside the ark of the testimony in the most holy place, a place that a High Priest could only enter once a year. Heavenly symbols- the ark itself patterned after the heavenly as all things in the sanctuary were patterned after.
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Exo 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Exo 25:10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
The ark was the first pattern given for construction of the Sanctuary.
Above the ark… in the most holy place… where God would meet with His people.
Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The heavenly sanctuary exists today and our High Priest is in the heavenly sanctuary. What a glorious, wondrous God we have who has provided for us in all ways. The day will come when all sin will be done away with once and for all. The day will come when our Savior returns to take us with Him to heaven. The day will come when the new city Jerusalem will come down from heaven to earth and God and His Son will be the temple of that city!
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Praise God for His amazing LOVE!
By His grace may we learn more and more of His love as we study the deep things of God.
In His love!
Amen.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
After the second veil
Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
The first covenant wasn't faultless- it left room for man to fall far short, to disobey. The second covenant would leave no room for man to fall short because the second covenant- the perfect covenant relied on the Son of God. Yes, man could still choose to NOT accept the second covenant, God does NOT force anyone to love Him. The second covenant could not fail, there would be NO need ever for another covenant because the second covenant was perfect.
The first covenant also had ordinances of DIVINE service and a WORLDLY sanctuary.
Heb 9:2
For there was a tabernacle made the first
wherein was the candlestick
and the table
and the shewbread
which is called the sanctuary.
Heb 9:3
And after the second veil
the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all
Heb 9:4
Which had the golden censer
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold
wherein was the golden pot that had manna
and Aaron's rod that budded
and the tables of the covenant
Heb 9:5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Heb 9:6
Now when these things were thus ordained
the priests went ALWAYS into the first tabernacle
accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year,
NOT WITHOUT BLOOD
which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people
Heb 9:8
The HOLY GHOST THIS SIGNIFYING
that the WAY into the holiest of all was NOT YET MADE MANIFEST,
while as the first tabernacle was yet standing
The Holy Ghost signified, the Holy Ghost declaring. What exactly was the Holy Ghost declaring?
The PRIEST always went into the first tabernacle (the Holy Place)
The HIGH PRIEST ALONE NOT WITHOUT BLOOD went into the second tabernacle (the Most Holy Place) once a year
As long as the FIRST tabernacle was standing- as long as the Holy Place- the place where the common priest enter always was standing- FULL ACCESS to the MOST HOLY PLACE was not yet available.
What was found in the Most Holy Place?
Heb 9:4
Which had the golden censer
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold
wherein was the golden pot that had manna
and Aaron's rod that budded
and the tables of the covenant
Heb 9:5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat of which we cannot now speak particularly.
The golden censor
The ark of the covenant
Inside the ark- manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.
Lev 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
Lev 16:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not
On the Day of Atonement - once a year a censor full of burning coals from the altar of incense outside the vail was taken INTO the Most Holy Place- inside the vail.
What do the burning coals - the incense- represent?
Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Incensed offered with the prayers of all saints.
Psa 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Prayer set before God as incense.
Prayers continually going up to God. Prayers of the saints.
We know how important prayer is… we are to pray always…
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint
Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you
Prayer is very important, prayer is acknowledging God as Creator, as Redeemer. To pray to God is to believe He is. To pray is believing in God's power, accepting that we have a God who LISTENS to us, who HEARS us when we speak to Him.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.
But the SPIRIT itself maketh intercession for us…with GROANINGS which cannot be uttered.
Prayer is vital. Is it no wonder it's represented INSIDE the Most Holy Place; a place that was not yet made manifest in the first covenant?
Our prayers, prayers on our behalf, communication with our Heavenly Father is very important, we cannot pray enough.
More on the inside of the Most Holy Place tomorrow…
By the grace and mercy of our most holy Lord and Savior may we ever pray before Him, may we always be in communication with our God, honoring our God always and forever, without end.
Amen.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
The first covenant wasn't faultless- it left room for man to fall far short, to disobey. The second covenant would leave no room for man to fall short because the second covenant- the perfect covenant relied on the Son of God. Yes, man could still choose to NOT accept the second covenant, God does NOT force anyone to love Him. The second covenant could not fail, there would be NO need ever for another covenant because the second covenant was perfect.
The first covenant also had ordinances of DIVINE service and a WORLDLY sanctuary.
Heb 9:2
For there was a tabernacle made the first
wherein was the candlestick
and the table
and the shewbread
which is called the sanctuary.
Heb 9:3
And after the second veil
the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all
Heb 9:4
Which had the golden censer
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold
wherein was the golden pot that had manna
and Aaron's rod that budded
and the tables of the covenant
Heb 9:5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Heb 9:6
Now when these things were thus ordained
the priests went ALWAYS into the first tabernacle
accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year,
NOT WITHOUT BLOOD
which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people
Heb 9:8
The HOLY GHOST THIS SIGNIFYING
that the WAY into the holiest of all was NOT YET MADE MANIFEST,
while as the first tabernacle was yet standing
The Holy Ghost signified, the Holy Ghost declaring. What exactly was the Holy Ghost declaring?
The PRIEST always went into the first tabernacle (the Holy Place)
The HIGH PRIEST ALONE NOT WITHOUT BLOOD went into the second tabernacle (the Most Holy Place) once a year
As long as the FIRST tabernacle was standing- as long as the Holy Place- the place where the common priest enter always was standing- FULL ACCESS to the MOST HOLY PLACE was not yet available.
What was found in the Most Holy Place?
Heb 9:4
Which had the golden censer
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold
wherein was the golden pot that had manna
and Aaron's rod that budded
and the tables of the covenant
Heb 9:5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat of which we cannot now speak particularly.
The golden censor
The ark of the covenant
Inside the ark- manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.
Lev 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
Lev 16:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not
On the Day of Atonement - once a year a censor full of burning coals from the altar of incense outside the vail was taken INTO the Most Holy Place- inside the vail.
What do the burning coals - the incense- represent?
Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Incensed offered with the prayers of all saints.
Psa 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Prayer set before God as incense.
Prayers continually going up to God. Prayers of the saints.
We know how important prayer is… we are to pray always…
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint
Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you
Prayer is very important, prayer is acknowledging God as Creator, as Redeemer. To pray to God is to believe He is. To pray is believing in God's power, accepting that we have a God who LISTENS to us, who HEARS us when we speak to Him.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.
But the SPIRIT itself maketh intercession for us…with GROANINGS which cannot be uttered.
Prayer is vital. Is it no wonder it's represented INSIDE the Most Holy Place; a place that was not yet made manifest in the first covenant?
Our prayers, prayers on our behalf, communication with our Heavenly Father is very important, we cannot pray enough.
More on the inside of the Most Holy Place tomorrow…
By the grace and mercy of our most holy Lord and Savior may we ever pray before Him, may we always be in communication with our God, honoring our God always and forever, without end.
Amen.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A More Excellent Ministry
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Is God long suffering?
Exo 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth
Psa 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
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?
God IS long suffering. Yet that long suffering does not mean unending suffering. When you suffer long you endure for a LONG time, not forever without end. If a person endures an abusive relationship they endure it until it's over- the relationship has ended, or until they're dead.
Long suffering, you suffer only as long as there is something to suffer from. God is LONG suffering towards humanity. Looking at His people- the descendants of Abraham- God heard their cry and answered it, sending a deliverer in Moses to take them from the captivity of the Egyptians to freedom in Him.
With His people freed God sets up a covenant with them. He will watch over them, He will be their God and they will be His people IF they accept and follow His covenant- something they PROMISED to do.
Yet we read this…
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
BECAUSE they continued NOT in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
The covenant is broken and when a covenant is broken the promises are no longer valid. Why would God regard a people who do not hold up to their promises? God, knowing the condition of man - knew that sin would not disappear. God gave them a way to understand that with sinning comes a penalty. Again, God is long suffering but sin has to end. For sin to end there need to be a covenant that could not been done away with- a final covenant, a perfect covenant, a NEW covenant doing away with the old, a more excellent ministry would be introduced.
Let me ask you something- does doing away with something old mean that the something new contains nothing of the old? As a rule when we get something new it's something that has its origin in something old. A new HDTV -television set for example. The newness comes from the fact it is introducing a new technology- HDTV. The fact it's a television is old. I'm not saying there aren't new inventions- and that everything didn't at one time have to be discovered or invented. Harnessing electricity, producing plastic… each has it's beginning, but those beginnings exist from something already existing. NOT one thing has been created from NOTHING, from thin air, or no air-- you know what I mean.
The point I'm trying to make here is --a better covenant was to be made, a new covenant from the old. A better covenant, a changed covenant.
Being extreme, people like to imagine that Jesus came and DID away with EVERYTHING pertaining to the previous covenant, that's not true.
The older covenant had laws administered to the people by priests.
The new covenant- the better covenant has the laws administered to the minds and hearts of the people.
The older covenant relied upon a sacrificial system.
The new covenant relies upon One Sacrifice for all.
The laws were NOT totally wiped out with the new covenant. The administering of the laws was changed. The need of a Sacrifice was NOT totally wiped out, the Perfect Sacrifice was made and is applicable for us.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
The new covenant….fully realized will NOT be done away with, ever! The new covenant has promises that will NEVER be done away with. The new covenant with its better ways will last through eternity.
Fully realized without sin- the Lord will be to US a God and we to Him a people. There will be NO separation between us, none!
The new covenant replaces the old, the old covenant had fault, the new covenant would have NO fault.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY- Jesus has obtained this. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, established upon BETTER promises.
A covenant will forever exist between God and man.
COVENANT, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]
COVENANT, v.i. To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed it has for before the thing or price.
COVENANT, v.t. To grant or promise by covenant.
God and man- Creator and creature. A covenant does away with that which separates God and man. A covenant allows the breach that separation created to be closed.
Christ is THE MEDIATOR of a better covenant.
MEDIA'TOR, n. One that interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them.
The work of our Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary is important to understand and we will continue to study God's word and pray for enlightenment. May God bless us as we seek Him fully, by the grace of Jesus Christ our SAVIOR in all ways, in all things!
Amen.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Is God long suffering?
Exo 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth
Psa 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
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?
God IS long suffering. Yet that long suffering does not mean unending suffering. When you suffer long you endure for a LONG time, not forever without end. If a person endures an abusive relationship they endure it until it's over- the relationship has ended, or until they're dead.
Long suffering, you suffer only as long as there is something to suffer from. God is LONG suffering towards humanity. Looking at His people- the descendants of Abraham- God heard their cry and answered it, sending a deliverer in Moses to take them from the captivity of the Egyptians to freedom in Him.
With His people freed God sets up a covenant with them. He will watch over them, He will be their God and they will be His people IF they accept and follow His covenant- something they PROMISED to do.
Yet we read this…
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
BECAUSE they continued NOT in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
The covenant is broken and when a covenant is broken the promises are no longer valid. Why would God regard a people who do not hold up to their promises? God, knowing the condition of man - knew that sin would not disappear. God gave them a way to understand that with sinning comes a penalty. Again, God is long suffering but sin has to end. For sin to end there need to be a covenant that could not been done away with- a final covenant, a perfect covenant, a NEW covenant doing away with the old, a more excellent ministry would be introduced.
Let me ask you something- does doing away with something old mean that the something new contains nothing of the old? As a rule when we get something new it's something that has its origin in something old. A new HDTV -television set for example. The newness comes from the fact it is introducing a new technology- HDTV. The fact it's a television is old. I'm not saying there aren't new inventions- and that everything didn't at one time have to be discovered or invented. Harnessing electricity, producing plastic… each has it's beginning, but those beginnings exist from something already existing. NOT one thing has been created from NOTHING, from thin air, or no air-- you know what I mean.
The point I'm trying to make here is --a better covenant was to be made, a new covenant from the old. A better covenant, a changed covenant.
Being extreme, people like to imagine that Jesus came and DID away with EVERYTHING pertaining to the previous covenant, that's not true.
The older covenant had laws administered to the people by priests.
The new covenant- the better covenant has the laws administered to the minds and hearts of the people.
The older covenant relied upon a sacrificial system.
The new covenant relies upon One Sacrifice for all.
The laws were NOT totally wiped out with the new covenant. The administering of the laws was changed. The need of a Sacrifice was NOT totally wiped out, the Perfect Sacrifice was made and is applicable for us.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
The new covenant….fully realized will NOT be done away with, ever! The new covenant has promises that will NEVER be done away with. The new covenant with its better ways will last through eternity.
Fully realized without sin- the Lord will be to US a God and we to Him a people. There will be NO separation between us, none!
The new covenant replaces the old, the old covenant had fault, the new covenant would have NO fault.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY- Jesus has obtained this. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, established upon BETTER promises.
A covenant will forever exist between God and man.
COVENANT, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]
COVENANT, v.i. To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed it has for before the thing or price.
COVENANT, v.t. To grant or promise by covenant.
God and man- Creator and creature. A covenant does away with that which separates God and man. A covenant allows the breach that separation created to be closed.
Christ is THE MEDIATOR of a better covenant.
MEDIA'TOR, n. One that interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them.
The work of our Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary is important to understand and we will continue to study God's word and pray for enlightenment. May God bless us as we seek Him fully, by the grace of Jesus Christ our SAVIOR in all ways, in all things!
Amen.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
From Milk to Meat
Exhorted to move on from milk to meat it would seem almost senseless to be given more milk and not get any meat. We are given meat. The meat is delving DEEPER into the things of God.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath REVEALED them unto us by his SPIRIT: for the Spirit searcheth ALL things, yea, the DEEP things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
If we don't receive the spirit which is of God we will NOT know the things that are freely given us of God. We need to learn in the words which the HOLY GHOST teaches- not the words of man's wisdom. Spiritual with spiritual- having the mind of Christ. We need to have God reveal to us by His Spirit- ALL THINGS, YES, the DEEP THINGS of GOD.
Going from the milk to the meat we continue on in Hebrews...
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum-
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
We have a High Priest in heaven.
We have a Minister of the Sanctuary in heaven.
We have a Minister of the TRUE tabernacle.
We have a Minister of the tabernacle which the LORD pitched not man.
We have a High Priest who offers- for this is what High Priests are ordained to do.
On earth He would NOT be a High Priest.
The Earth has the whole Priesthood- given prior to HIS arrival.
The earthly priests EXAMPLES of heavenly.
The earthly priests SHADOWS of heavenly.
The priests on earth do their duty as they were given it- the law dictating their actions- the law of God, the law of God's love.
The priests on earth were given a duty that pointed to the coming of the great HEAVENLY High Priest.
The priests on heaven were patterned after ALL things shown to Moses in the mount, examples of the heavenly, shadows of the heavenly.
When the example met reality, when the shadow met the reality- how much better is the reality?
This is a lot to digest spiritually. To treat it all offhandedly would be ignoring spiritual meat. To shrug this off as not being important is to denied ourselves spiritual sustenance.
People tend to believe that the Jewish sanctuary long destroyed leaving the Jewish people without their temple, without their sacrificial services was the end of it all. It wasn't. Think about it… would God create something so binding to HIS people only to simply end it? There is nothing simple about it. Every piece of furniture in the earthly sanctuary has a counterpart in the heavenly. Every piece of furniture in the sanctuaries has a meaning. The sacrificial system pointed to the Great Perfect Sacrifice. Yet there remains a Sanctuary in heaven where our High Priest dwells. That Sanctuary will remain 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.
NO temple in the great city, the holy Jerusalem that descends OUT of heaven from God.
The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it!
When all is said and done, that is when there will be no need of a temple, no need of a sanctuary or the services it portrays. All the work of salvation will have been completed entirely when that holy city descends out of heaven. Every single human being alive and dead will have been judged - some to eternal life, some to eternal death.
There is so much for us to study, to learn, to know and by the grace of God we'll do so.
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
So much to learn and learning takes time. I'm not rushing this study, I want to chew the meat I'm being given and eat my meal slowly getting as much from it as I possibly can.
By the grace of our Savior, by the mercy of our Lord, in His love and His righteousness may we see and not be blind, may we have faith to believe, may we cling to Christ and His righteousness forever!
Amen.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath REVEALED them unto us by his SPIRIT: for the Spirit searcheth ALL things, yea, the DEEP things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
If we don't receive the spirit which is of God we will NOT know the things that are freely given us of God. We need to learn in the words which the HOLY GHOST teaches- not the words of man's wisdom. Spiritual with spiritual- having the mind of Christ. We need to have God reveal to us by His Spirit- ALL THINGS, YES, the DEEP THINGS of GOD.
Going from the milk to the meat we continue on in Hebrews...
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum-
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
We have a High Priest in heaven.
We have a Minister of the Sanctuary in heaven.
We have a Minister of the TRUE tabernacle.
We have a Minister of the tabernacle which the LORD pitched not man.
We have a High Priest who offers- for this is what High Priests are ordained to do.
On earth He would NOT be a High Priest.
The Earth has the whole Priesthood- given prior to HIS arrival.
The earthly priests EXAMPLES of heavenly.
The earthly priests SHADOWS of heavenly.
The priests on earth do their duty as they were given it- the law dictating their actions- the law of God, the law of God's love.
The priests on earth were given a duty that pointed to the coming of the great HEAVENLY High Priest.
The priests on heaven were patterned after ALL things shown to Moses in the mount, examples of the heavenly, shadows of the heavenly.
When the example met reality, when the shadow met the reality- how much better is the reality?
This is a lot to digest spiritually. To treat it all offhandedly would be ignoring spiritual meat. To shrug this off as not being important is to denied ourselves spiritual sustenance.
People tend to believe that the Jewish sanctuary long destroyed leaving the Jewish people without their temple, without their sacrificial services was the end of it all. It wasn't. Think about it… would God create something so binding to HIS people only to simply end it? There is nothing simple about it. Every piece of furniture in the earthly sanctuary has a counterpart in the heavenly. Every piece of furniture in the sanctuaries has a meaning. The sacrificial system pointed to the Great Perfect Sacrifice. Yet there remains a Sanctuary in heaven where our High Priest dwells. That Sanctuary will remain 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.
NO temple in the great city, the holy Jerusalem that descends OUT of heaven from God.
The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it!
When all is said and done, that is when there will be no need of a temple, no need of a sanctuary or the services it portrays. All the work of salvation will have been completed entirely when that holy city descends out of heaven. Every single human being alive and dead will have been judged - some to eternal life, some to eternal death.
There is so much for us to study, to learn, to know and by the grace of God we'll do so.
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
So much to learn and learning takes time. I'm not rushing this study, I want to chew the meat I'm being given and eat my meal slowly getting as much from it as I possibly can.
By the grace of our Savior, by the mercy of our Lord, in His love and His righteousness may we see and not be blind, may we have faith to believe, may we cling to Christ and His righteousness forever!
Amen.
Monday, September 20, 2010
May We Be Able to Stand
Eph 6:10-18 The Armor of God
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Prepared for Christ
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Kingdom of Heaven like--
Ten virgins. Pure, undefiled people of God.
Ten virgins with lamps moving towards the bridegroom- our Savior. We live our lives with the realization that Christ's second coming is what we are living for. We live with the hope of salvation found in our loving Savior. We live awaiting the day we will be joined with our Savior, the bridegroom and bride together at last.
All of these people have lamps to hold the oil which brings forth light.
All of these people have oil in their lamps to begin with and their lamps are burning as they wait.
Those waiting for their Savior prepare for His second coming.
Let's imagine--
You are invited to a wedding and the wedding is prepared so that you'll need to have a lamp with oil in it ready to meet the groom before he goes on into the wedding ceremony. You believe that you'll only need an hours worth of oil because logic tells you that the groom will be prompt. However you want to be ready to have your lamp burning longer just in case something happens to delay the groom so you bring extra oil. Half the people around you are of the same mind, but the other half just bring enough oil for the prearranged time for things to get under way. So there you all are with your burning lamps waiting, and waiting, the time comes and then passes. While waiting every one grows sleepy and eventually falls asleep. The lamps are still burning using up the oil in them. By the time the cry that the bridegroom is coming is given, waking everyone up, there is a rush to get your lamps filled and burning again. Of course those with foresight have extra oil, those who thought they had enough had none and desperately want your oil so they can go meet the bridegroom too. You can't give them your oil though or you won't have enough. You tell them to go and get more oil elsewhere.
We ALL have to be ready for Christ's second coming.
We all have to have lamps.
We all have to have oil in those lamps.
We all have to have extra oil for those lamps.
The reason for this parable is to show that some will be ready for Christ's second coming and others will not be ready. The wise and the foolish. The prepared and the unprepared. Those who think they are all prepared and find out later they are not. Those who wait till the last moment to try and get what they need to be ready, but won't be able to.
We want to be prepared and we believe if we can understand what the lamp and the oil is we will make sure we have that lamp and have extra oil for it.
Jesus is the light.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
As long as Jesus was in the world… He was the light of the world.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Holy Spirit comes to us, the Spirit of truth. The world CANNOT receive the Spirit of truth, or know HIM but we will know Him and He will dwell with us and in us.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The light of the world- JESUS.
The Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus.
Lamp and lights - enlightenment, knowledge of our Lord and Savior through His word… Jesus in the Word.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life
Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light we need is our Savior-the Word, the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life- and ALL of this is given to us through grace, the grace of our Savior.
We have to have Jesus in our lives- real, living, guiding, saving, loving, active, alive and we have to have Him and His grace ALWAYS. We can NEVER believe we can EVER on our own-- live. We can never expect to meet our Savior by our own means, our own devising. We have to have Christ with us ALWAYS not sporadically. We have to trust in His Righteousness, we have to trust in His grace, never in our own- we HAVE NONE. We need to believe, to have faith. We live here and now on earth with the promise of Christ living in us. We live here and now with the promised Comforter, the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We can all have the Holy Spirit.
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
To meet the Bridegroom when He comes we need to be prepared through love, His love. Our faith needs to be alive, our faith needs to be active, our walk with Christ needs to be something very real to us, a reality like no other.
All sleep.
All wake.
All have lamps.
Some have enough oil for those lamps.
Some don't have enough oil for those lamps.
Some go on to meet the Bridegroom.
Some who desperately want to meet the Bridegroom will not.
Some are ready.
Some are not ready.
Some will have Christ - a living belief, brightly burning by the grace of our Savior the Word made flesh, through the gift of the Holy Spirit all by our Lord's righteousness.
Some will have a living belief but that living belief will NOT last, for them it is only temporary, they will trust in their own righteousness not Christ's, they will not trust in the Lord forever and ever through all things.
Our Savior is the only thing that matters.
People speculate on what things mean all the time, but in the end, all the matters is the Love of our Savior and us having faith in Him always for All things.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
By His Love, by His Grace, through His Righteousness now and forever!
Amen.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Kingdom of Heaven like--
Ten virgins. Pure, undefiled people of God.
Ten virgins with lamps moving towards the bridegroom- our Savior. We live our lives with the realization that Christ's second coming is what we are living for. We live with the hope of salvation found in our loving Savior. We live awaiting the day we will be joined with our Savior, the bridegroom and bride together at last.
All of these people have lamps to hold the oil which brings forth light.
All of these people have oil in their lamps to begin with and their lamps are burning as they wait.
Those waiting for their Savior prepare for His second coming.
Let's imagine--
You are invited to a wedding and the wedding is prepared so that you'll need to have a lamp with oil in it ready to meet the groom before he goes on into the wedding ceremony. You believe that you'll only need an hours worth of oil because logic tells you that the groom will be prompt. However you want to be ready to have your lamp burning longer just in case something happens to delay the groom so you bring extra oil. Half the people around you are of the same mind, but the other half just bring enough oil for the prearranged time for things to get under way. So there you all are with your burning lamps waiting, and waiting, the time comes and then passes. While waiting every one grows sleepy and eventually falls asleep. The lamps are still burning using up the oil in them. By the time the cry that the bridegroom is coming is given, waking everyone up, there is a rush to get your lamps filled and burning again. Of course those with foresight have extra oil, those who thought they had enough had none and desperately want your oil so they can go meet the bridegroom too. You can't give them your oil though or you won't have enough. You tell them to go and get more oil elsewhere.
We ALL have to be ready for Christ's second coming.
We all have to have lamps.
We all have to have oil in those lamps.
We all have to have extra oil for those lamps.
The reason for this parable is to show that some will be ready for Christ's second coming and others will not be ready. The wise and the foolish. The prepared and the unprepared. Those who think they are all prepared and find out later they are not. Those who wait till the last moment to try and get what they need to be ready, but won't be able to.
We want to be prepared and we believe if we can understand what the lamp and the oil is we will make sure we have that lamp and have extra oil for it.
Jesus is the light.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
As long as Jesus was in the world… He was the light of the world.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Holy Spirit comes to us, the Spirit of truth. The world CANNOT receive the Spirit of truth, or know HIM but we will know Him and He will dwell with us and in us.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The light of the world- JESUS.
The Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus.
Lamp and lights - enlightenment, knowledge of our Lord and Savior through His word… Jesus in the Word.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life
Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light we need is our Savior-the Word, the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life- and ALL of this is given to us through grace, the grace of our Savior.
We have to have Jesus in our lives- real, living, guiding, saving, loving, active, alive and we have to have Him and His grace ALWAYS. We can NEVER believe we can EVER on our own-- live. We can never expect to meet our Savior by our own means, our own devising. We have to have Christ with us ALWAYS not sporadically. We have to trust in His Righteousness, we have to trust in His grace, never in our own- we HAVE NONE. We need to believe, to have faith. We live here and now on earth with the promise of Christ living in us. We live here and now with the promised Comforter, the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We can all have the Holy Spirit.
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
To meet the Bridegroom when He comes we need to be prepared through love, His love. Our faith needs to be alive, our faith needs to be active, our walk with Christ needs to be something very real to us, a reality like no other.
All sleep.
All wake.
All have lamps.
Some have enough oil for those lamps.
Some don't have enough oil for those lamps.
Some go on to meet the Bridegroom.
Some who desperately want to meet the Bridegroom will not.
Some are ready.
Some are not ready.
Some will have Christ - a living belief, brightly burning by the grace of our Savior the Word made flesh, through the gift of the Holy Spirit all by our Lord's righteousness.
Some will have a living belief but that living belief will NOT last, for them it is only temporary, they will trust in their own righteousness not Christ's, they will not trust in the Lord forever and ever through all things.
Our Savior is the only thing that matters.
People speculate on what things mean all the time, but in the end, all the matters is the Love of our Savior and us having faith in Him always for All things.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
By His Love, by His Grace, through His Righteousness now and forever!
Amen.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
This is the sum....
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.
This is the sum.
We like when we reach the sum don't we? We like conclusions. We like to have things all wrapped up in neat little packages and sometimes we don't even mind having a pretty bow on top. To have the end product is ideal, isn't it? At the end of a story we want the ending to tie up all the loose ends. When we finish watching a movie we don't want to be left hanging, we want a satisfactory conclusion. We want to hear -even if it's only in our private thoughts- this sums it all up.
We hear these words right here in Heb. 8:1.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum.
We're going to condense this and give you the sum of it all…
'We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. '
We HAVE such a HIGH PRIEST.
This High Priest is SET on the right hand of the throne of the MAJESTY in the heavens.
A MINISTER of the SANCTUARY.
A minister of the TRUE TABERNACLE.
A minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the LORD PITCHED AND NOT MAN!
This is it, this is what we're telling you, listen…this says it all… we have a High Priest ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
People often make the mistake of stopping in their Christian walk after they learn the basics--
Our Savior was promised.
Our Savior was born.
Our Savior died.
Our Savior rose.
Our Savior lives.
We live through forgiveness of our Savior.
We will have eternal life through our Savior.
The End.
The milk of the gospel. The first principle oracles of God. Babes. Remember that?
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
People keep on suckling the milk never growing and people will be accountable for not maturing in Christ for not ever eating strong meat. It's all well and good to take the milk- but only as babes. We ought to be teachers, not be as those who need to be taught again. We ought to be hungry and eating the meat that is there for us to eat and some of this meat is going on to acknowledge that our Savior lives for us, and that He lives for us as our HIGH PRIEST in Heaven. A Minister in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Jesus did not go to heaven and sit down at the right hand of God becoming a permanent statue in the Heavenly museum housing God who sits there as well. We have a LIVING God, a LIVING Savior, a MINISTERING HIGH PRIEST! Our Savior is NOT a pretty portrait hung in the heavenly museum. He's not a magnificent sculpture cold and lifeless. Our Savior is alive and busy! Yes, busy. He is not bored upon the throne ho-humming while the years of our lives are ticked off. Our Savior lives for US, everyone that would have Him know them will be known by Him. Our Savior is just that… OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. We make much about having personal trainers, personal dieticians, personal physicians, personal advisors, all people that can be called on to do their jobs for us personally. We have a PERSONAL SAVIOR! Our personal Savior needs to be MORE real to us than any other person in our lives. We have to believe in Him as a reality! We need to stop being babes only feeding on the milk of the gospel never growing. We have to sink our teeth into the strong meat of the Word of God.
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.
We have to realize our Savior is our High Priest in a very real way. If you've never thought of your Savior as your High Priest, now is the time to start.
There is a lot more we are going to study on this, there is a lot of meat ready for us to eat. Our Savior would have us fully understand and by His grace, by His mercy, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the Righteousness of our Lord we will become the spiritual adults He would have us be.
Amen.
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
This is the sum.
We like when we reach the sum don't we? We like conclusions. We like to have things all wrapped up in neat little packages and sometimes we don't even mind having a pretty bow on top. To have the end product is ideal, isn't it? At the end of a story we want the ending to tie up all the loose ends. When we finish watching a movie we don't want to be left hanging, we want a satisfactory conclusion. We want to hear -even if it's only in our private thoughts- this sums it all up.
We hear these words right here in Heb. 8:1.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum.
We're going to condense this and give you the sum of it all…
'We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. '
We HAVE such a HIGH PRIEST.
This High Priest is SET on the right hand of the throne of the MAJESTY in the heavens.
A MINISTER of the SANCTUARY.
A minister of the TRUE TABERNACLE.
A minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the LORD PITCHED AND NOT MAN!
This is it, this is what we're telling you, listen…this says it all… we have a High Priest ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
People often make the mistake of stopping in their Christian walk after they learn the basics--
Our Savior was promised.
Our Savior was born.
Our Savior died.
Our Savior rose.
Our Savior lives.
We live through forgiveness of our Savior.
We will have eternal life through our Savior.
The End.
The milk of the gospel. The first principle oracles of God. Babes. Remember that?
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
People keep on suckling the milk never growing and people will be accountable for not maturing in Christ for not ever eating strong meat. It's all well and good to take the milk- but only as babes. We ought to be teachers, not be as those who need to be taught again. We ought to be hungry and eating the meat that is there for us to eat and some of this meat is going on to acknowledge that our Savior lives for us, and that He lives for us as our HIGH PRIEST in Heaven. A Minister in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Jesus did not go to heaven and sit down at the right hand of God becoming a permanent statue in the Heavenly museum housing God who sits there as well. We have a LIVING God, a LIVING Savior, a MINISTERING HIGH PRIEST! Our Savior is NOT a pretty portrait hung in the heavenly museum. He's not a magnificent sculpture cold and lifeless. Our Savior is alive and busy! Yes, busy. He is not bored upon the throne ho-humming while the years of our lives are ticked off. Our Savior lives for US, everyone that would have Him know them will be known by Him. Our Savior is just that… OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. We make much about having personal trainers, personal dieticians, personal physicians, personal advisors, all people that can be called on to do their jobs for us personally. We have a PERSONAL SAVIOR! Our personal Savior needs to be MORE real to us than any other person in our lives. We have to believe in Him as a reality! We need to stop being babes only feeding on the milk of the gospel never growing. We have to sink our teeth into the strong meat of the Word of God.
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.
We have to realize our Savior is our High Priest in a very real way. If you've never thought of your Savior as your High Priest, now is the time to start.
There is a lot more we are going to study on this, there is a lot of meat ready for us to eat. Our Savior would have us fully understand and by His grace, by His mercy, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the Righteousness of our Lord we will become the spiritual adults He would have us be.
Amen.
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