Pentecostal Journals of William C. deQuilettes

The Altar of Incense

2012-01-04T15:08:00.001-08:00

Back From Holland

2011-11-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

We spent three weeks in Holland and had a wonderful time with family and friends. Also had the honor of being the guest speaker in a couple of churches. I will tell you more in upcoming posts.

The Brazen Laver

2011-11-26T10:23:00.001-08:00

The 10th Commandment

2011-11-26T10:21:00.001-08:00

The 10th Commandment: Conclusion

2011-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

The Nineth Commandment

2011-11-26T10:19:00.001-08:00

The Eight Commandment

2011-10-20T22:50:00.001-07:00

The Seventh Commandment

2011-10-20T10:34:00.001-07:00

YouTube Episode: The Fifth and Sixth Commandment

2011-10-12T11:15:00.001-07:00

The Courtyard

2011-09-30T10:16:00.001-07:00

The Book of Matthew Continued

2011-09-30T10:15:00.001-07:00

Sunday Sermon

2011-09-09T13:39:00.001-07:00

The Video Ministry

2011-09-09T13:36:00.001-07:00

Table of Shewbread

2011-08-27T20:08:00.001-07:00

The Twenty-Seven Books of the New Testament

2011-08-27T20:07:00.001-07:00

The Brazen Altar

2011-08-18T16:49:00.001-07:00

Come to the Altar

2011-08-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

Video Series: Book of Matthew Part 3

2011-08-13T00:31:00.001-07:00

Video Series: Book of Matthew Part 2

2011-08-13T00:29:00.001-07:00

The Three Compartments of the Tabernacle

2011-07-21T13:00:00.001-07:00

In The Order of the Tabernacle (part 1): The Book of Matthew

2011-07-21T12:56:00.001-07:00

The Golden Candlestick

2011-06-29T22:26:00.001-07:00

The Human Nose

2011-04-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

The nose is the guardian of the lungs. It is a member of the body that is compared with the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle.

Breathing air is, obviously, literally vital to life as is prayer. Prayer is the fresh air from the Throne of God.

The processed air we breathe enters our lungs through three tribunates located in the sides of the nose passages.

3 Tribunes Called Turboses

1. Inferior Corridor -- Bottom
2. Middle Corridor -- Center
3. Superior Corridor -- Top

In adults 18,000 to 20,000 liters of air is warmed to body temperature before it arrives in the lungs. That little bump in the center of your face produces a clean new blanket of mucous every twenty minutes to remove the old mucous.

There are 7 major smelling receptors namely; 1. pungent; 2. putrid; 3. ether; 4. mint; 5. flower; 6. musk and 7. camphor.

It responds to the brain: The nose detects odors, so sensitive from 4000 to 10,000 scents.

Genesis 2:7 says, "and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: And man became a living soul."

"And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together. The floods stood upright as an heep, and the depths were concealed in the heart of the sea" (Exodus 15:8).

"And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils" (II Samuel 22:16).

And finally in Job 27:3 we read, "all the while my breath is in me, and the Spirit (wind) of God is in my nostrils."

**Image**

The Human Eye

2011-04-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

A special member in our temple.

Matthew 6:22, "The light of the body is the eye: If therefore thine eye be single, the whole body shall be full of light."

The eye is located in the socket of the skull, supported by 7 bones. The eyeball consists of 3 layers of tissue:
1. Outer protective layer . . . Cornea (transparent layer)
2. Middle layer . . . . . . . . Sclera (white layer)
3. Inner nervous layer . . . . Retina (tissue layer--a sheet)

The human eye has been called the most amazing complex organ of the body. It's like a camera. Light comes in through the Cornea, a clear cover that's like the glass of a camera. The amount of light coming in is controlled by the pupil, an opening which opens and closes somewhat like the camera's shutter. The light focuses on the Retina, much like the film of a camera, reacting to the incoming light and sending the information via the optic nerve to the brain.

Our eyes are the greatest of all miracles, yet it only covers less than a square inch. The Retina contains 137,000,000 light-sensitive receptor cells, 130,000,000 of which are shaped like rods for black and white vision and 7,000.000 shaped like cones for color vision.

The Iris (meaning Rainbow in Latin) is the colored curtain with 7 colors.

King David prayed in Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Open here mean, to unveil or uncover my eyes. Even though David was not blind, he prayed that God would open his eyes to see the depth of God's secrets.

Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life."

2 Peter 1 :16, "We have seen . . . We have not followed cunningly devised fables . . . But were eye-witnesses of his majesty."

Vision controls life.

Revelation 3:17-18, "Because thou say, I am rich, need of nothing. Thou art wretched, miserable, poor, BLIND, and naked . . . I counsel, buy gold tried in fire, to make rich, raiment to be clothed, anoint they eyes with eye salve.

In an average day, the eyes move about 100,000 times to bring objects into sharp focus.

The eyelids act like windshield wipers. The eyes blink 3 to 6 times a minute which keeps the Cornea moist and clean.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up

Shinin' in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up

Shinin' in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

We cry holy, holy, holy

You are holy, holy, holy

I want to see you

Holy, holy, holy

You are holy, holy, holy

I want to see you

Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy,

I want to see you

(Michael W. Smith)

***
eye image

The Knee

2011-03-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

The knee connects to the thigh via the Femur and Tabia. It supports nearly the whole weight of the body. Knee joints are most vulnerable to acute injury and development of Osteo-Arthritis.

Age also contributes to knee disorders. In the elderly pain can arise by the weakening of tissues around the knee. Excessive pain is the wear and tear of the knee in combination with muscle weakness and weight gain.

Many passages in the Bible describe or mention our knees.

Psalm 95:6, "Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our God our maker."

Philippians 2:10, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth."

"Things" in heaven means all the beings in heaven, earth and under the earth. The whole universe shall be on its knees to confess that He is Lord. Even the knees of fallen angels and the unbelievers shall bow down.

Ezekiel 7:17, "All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water."

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

Just like our knees support the body, so Jesus bears the weight of his body, the church. He connects us to God the Father through the resurrection--the cross, the Brazen Altar. The Femur (thigh bone) speaks of the resurrection represented by the Brazen Laver.

Brazen Altar . . . Death
Brazen Laver . . . Resurrection, New Beginning.

"Know ye that the Lord He is God: It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves: We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3).

The Two Kidneys

2011-03-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Kidneys, like any other organ, are very unappealing in appearance--reddish brown, shaped like a bean and about the size of a fist.

Blood passes through the kidneys continuously. It cleans, filters and gets rid of waste that are potentially dangerous. The kidneys watch over potassium, sodium and other substances that enter the blood. They control the vital water balance. Too much water and the cells will drown. Too little water, the cells will simply dry up.

Kidneys have more than a million filtering units which looks like a giant-headed worm with a twisted tail, called a Tubule. If the Tubule was untangled and stretched out it would be 70 miles long.

Your kidneys also keep the urine separate.

Kidney stones are a result of concentrated calcium salt that goes into the bladder. This produces intense pan and needs surgery. To avoid kidney stones you must maintain an adequate fluid intake of about 8 - 9 glasses of water a day. Most of which can come from food like watermelon and bananas.

Job 19:27 says, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; although my reins [kidneys] be consumed within me."

When Jeremiah lamented he said, "He hath caused arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins [kidneys]" (Lam. 3:13).

It seems that the kidneys are mostly mentioned in direct connection to the heart. It's function therefore being as vital as the emotions, power and intellect associated with the heart. "I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel; my reins [kidneys] also instruct me in the night seasons" (Psalms 16:7).

The kidneys constantly clean, protect and keeps us alive. Similarly, in the Tabernacle the Golden Lampstand's light had to burn every night of every day of the year. The tongs (or snuffers) the priests used to trim and clean the wicks. The snuffdishes were used to put out the lamps and refill the oil vessels. (Exodus 25:38)

kidney from Gray's Anatomy

The Human Liver

2011-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

The liver is the largest organ of the human body. It weighs about 3 lbs. and is reddish brown in color. This organ is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape.

The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity just beneath the diaphragm. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine, filtering harmful substances from the blood.

It performs more than 500 different important functions. We cannot live without this vital organ.

A Few of the Liver's Functions Includes:
1. Provides fuel to the muscles (to play sports for instance)
2. Can manufacture vitamins to help with vision
3. Produce 1000 different enzymes
4. Makes anti-bodies that protects from loss of blood (e.g when we accidentally cut ourselves)
5. Prevents poisonous drugs from reaching the heart

It is actually a very thrifty House Keeper. Tens of millions of blood cells die every hour. It is the liver that builds new red cells. Liver-working cells can be inflamed by Hepatitis. There are 5 kinds of Hepatitis--A, B, C, D and E. But the liver can continue doing its job even if 80% of its working cells are cut off. It has the ability to repair the damage and, in most cases, return to normal.

The liver is called "The Silent Organ" or "Jack of All Trades." So needless to say we cannot live without it. Such is our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ--difficult to function without Him when 80% of our life cells aren't working. When we don't seem to function well, when we feel attacked on all sides, He continues to "function" for us. His still small voice gets us through. He is more than Jack of all Trades, He is the Master of all.

The Golden Altar of Prayer represents the Human Liver. The Liver continually sends help for us to survive.

Psalm 4:1, "Hear me when I call, O God . . .: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; Have mercy upon me . . ."

Psalm 6:9 "The Lord hath heard my supplications, the Lord will receive my prayer."

Psalm 39:12, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry."
verse 13, "O spare me, that may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more."

Psalm 86:1, "Bow down thine ear, O lord, hear me: For I am poor and needy."

Psalm 102:1, "A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord."

Psalm 102:17, "He will regard the prayer of the destitute. And not despise their prayer.

Psalm 141:2--prayer is set forth as incense

The Liver provides fuel to our bodies. Prayer provides fuel for our spiritual body. The Liver (Prayer) is energy for building strong, healthy tissues.

The Human Brain

2011-02-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

The brain is a three-pound mushroom connected to 27 vertebrae and has around 30 billion neurons. Nothing in all the universe compares to it.

Our brains tell us when we are sick, when we are hungry or thirsty. We don't actually hear with our ears, nor do we taste with our tongues or feel with our fingers. Those merely gather information. It is the brain, the control tower of your entire being, that signals everything to the right place within and without the body.

Although the brain represents only two percent of the body weight, it requires twenty percent of oxygen. If there is a temporary shortage, the body faints. If the oxygen supply is cut of for a few minutes, paralysis or even death can occur.

When we lose a cell, it is lost forever. At around age 35 a thousand nerve cells are lost daily. The brain has a great reserve to compensate this but still; the sense of smell diminishes; the taste lessens and hearing fades.

A human being has a central switchboard, called hypothalamus, on the underside of the brain, just about in the center of the head, is the brain controller, the cerebellum.

The Hypothalamus: Keeps control of body temperature, so we can survive in heat and in cold. It can even control heat when the body flies into rage.

The Hypothalamus is the playground of good and evil.This is where we fight to be holy . . . for it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." Here the struggle continues.

Exodus 39:30, "Holiness to the Lord."
1 Peter 1:15, "Holy in all manner . . . be ye holy; for I am holy."
Revelation 22:11, "he that is unjust, let him be unjust still . . . But he that is holy, let him be holy still."

The Human Molecule

2011-02-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

It took thousands of years before anyone in our world knew anything about a molecule. It consists of proteins, weaved together from 26 - 28 elements which become a nuclear Lamina for a human being.

Scientists call it "Laminin": Like glue that holds one cell (atom) inside our bodies to the next cell. Altogether they form a cross. Ironic, isn't it, that our bodies from within take on the form of a cross.

It is not a Christian portrayal, but one of Christ (Son of man) who is the image of the invisible God (1 Colossians 1:13-15). Verse 17 says: "And He (Christ) is before all things and by Him all things consist; in Greek 'In Him all things hold together.'

Now we see that from a very literal viewpoint we are held together one cell to another by the cross.

It's Mind Boggling Really . . .

One person is held together by 60 - 70 trillion molecules. That's 60,000,000,000,000.

The Human Lungs

2011-01-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

Leviticus 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 veil:"

The lungs is a perfect picture of the Golden Censer with incense.

Hebrews 9:3, 4, "And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the. . .

2)golden pot that had manna, and
3)Aaron's rod that budded, and
1)the tables of the covenant;"

The lungs are the essential organs of respiration. We have two lungs, one placed on each side of the chest. They are separated from each other by the heart.

The right lung has three lobes called
1. Upper Lobe
2. Middle Lobe
3. Lower Lobe

The left lung has two lobes making a total of five lobes altogether. The lungs fill up our entire rib cage. It is 12 inches long and needs a minimum of 16 pints of air a minute, yet it can hold eight times as much oxygen per minute.

Our lungs are compared to the incense bowl which holds the incense. The incense are the prayers of the people (see Psalm 141:2).

Tiny air sacs (aveoli), approximately 750 million microscopic cells covers a surface of about 100 - 500 square feet. For adults that's about the size of a tennis court.

Our blood, roughly a little more than a gallon, rush through a network of blood vessels in our entire body in 27 seconds. Day and night. A pause of six minutes will damage the brain cells.

Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." ~~ (Day and night.)

Luke 1:10, "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense."

Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

Leviticus 16:12-14, "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 veil: 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: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times."

Revelation: 8:3-4, "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. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."

Romans 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."

We cannot fulfill our daily prayers "outside" of the Holy Spirit--We need the Holy Spirit, The Paracletos--Helper.

Image of Lungs

The Human Heart

2011-01-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

The most holiest place in the Tabernacle was surrounded by 20 Boards and 4 Pillars. Located inside this Room was the Ark of the Covenant with . . .

1. The Law of God . . . (Father)
2. The Golden Pot with Manna . . . (Son)
3. The Budded Rod of Aaron . . . (Holy Ghost)

And on top of the lid . . .

1. Cherub on left (pure gold) . . . (Father)
2. the Mercy Seat (pure gold) . . . (Son)
3. Cherub on right (pure gold) . . . (Holy Ghost)

The most holiest place in the human body is the chest cavity with 20 ribs and 4 floating ribs. Those 24 ribs surround the human heart. The human heart is the Throne of God or, like the Ark of the Covenant, the Glory of God.

Upon the Ark of the Covenant . . .

Exodus 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."

Numbers 7:29, "And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him."

1 Samuel 4:4, "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God."

The human heart works tirelessly--most vital. It's responsible for pumping blood through a network of blood vessels but is only the size of a man's fist. The heart is the first to beat and the last to die.

And most astonishing is that the human heart pumps 2000 gallons over 60,000 miles of tissue, arteries and veins, daily.

Psalm 139:14, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Psalm 9:1, "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works."

Collosians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

Ephesians 5:23, " . . . Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."

heart image

Bible Study Notes: The Golden Lampstand

2011-01-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

The Golden Lampstand illuminated the priest's view. It was the Tabernacle's only source of light. Without this light the Tabernacle stood in darkness. (God is light, there is no darkness within Him.) The Lampstand's light was a reminder that God was always with His people. It showed the way into God's presence and the path there was always open.

Without the Lampstand the Tabernacle remained in the dark, without Jesus our human heart is dark.

The Command of Exodus 27:20
"And thou shalt command the children of Israel that they bring thee pure olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always."

To give: Brilliant Light; a Bright Light; a Pure Light.

The Pure Olive Oil
Olives were beaten, not crushed to produce a smokeless light. The Lampstand provided its light continually, not only by night but also by day.

Note: The priests had to trim the wicks and replenish the olive oil.

Law: The Lampstand must keep burning or the world would be lost in darkness. This was kept throughout the generations. The light must not be hidden. If hidden the darkness would bring destruction and death. If shielded or extinguished people would follow after false gods.

Jesus Christ: He is the Light that cannot be extinguished. His Light is always burning.

John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall be the Light of life."

John 1:4, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men."

Jesus is the true light in John 1:9, "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Revelation 21:23, "And the city had no need of the sun, neither the moon, to shine in it: For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof."

Revelation 22:5, "And there shall be no night there; and they need no Lampstand (candle) neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light: And they shall reign forever and ever."

Virgin Oil
Throughout scripture oil is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. We must be filled with God's Spirit so that the world can see the Light which is Jesus Christ.

The challenge for every believer is to have a life marked by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

Matthew 5:14, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

Naphali or Naphtali: The Twelfth Stone

2011-01-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

"Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words" (Genesis 49:21)
"Rachel said, 'With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed:' and she called his name Naphtali" (Genesis 30:7-8).

Naphali means "wrestling."
Like his father, Jacob who wrestled with an Angel at Penuel in Genesis 32: 23-26), so is Naphtali. There God touched the hollow of his thigh and Jacob's thigh was out of joint.

We all have that same wrestling nature. As children, in tender years, we wrestle with temper. Man wrestles with conscience, bad habits and many temptations. But just like the oak tree which is made strong as it struggles against wind and storm, so are we made strong when we wrestle against such things.

Jacob would not let go until he received the blessing. That's when his name was changed from Jacob (Deceiver) to Israel (Prince). What blessing might we receive when we prevail against this wrestling nature. Remember this: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Jesus wrestled for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prevailed. Christ overcame death itself. On the third day after his crucifixion He rose and emerged as "the hind of the morning."

Genesis says that Naphtali is a hind let loose. A hind is a roe or gazelle. It is a graceful creature with a sure foot. The roe can live on the highest height of the rocky crag, beyond the reach of its enemies. That's an emblem of glorious freedom.

Psalm 18:33-37, "He maketh my feet like hind's feet . . ."
Song of Solomon 2:9-12, "The Bride said,'My beloved is like a roe.'"
Proverbs 5:19, "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe . . . "
2 Samuel 22:34, "He maketh my feet like hind's feet . . . setteth me upon my high places."

The Twelfth Stone of Naphtali is Jasper--it was the first foundation of the wall in N Jerusalem (Exodus 28:20, Revelation 21:19).

Jasper's color is emerald.

Jasper in Exodus 28:20 comes in many colors; yellow, scarlet, red, crimson, green, various browns, green with red spots known as bloodstone. Some were transparent and some opaque.

Naphtali was a man living in higher realms, a spiritual atmosphere, a living testimony, a prayer warrior. Prayer warriors should have wrestlings which leads to liberty and finally rest.
*****

Jacob Wrestling an Angel
Wild Roe Deer
Jasper

The Red Stone: Sardius

2010-12-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

The stone, Sardius, comes from the word Odem, meaning red. The Sardius's color is a color that always speaks of blood and of man. Inscribed upon the Sardius Stone was the name Judah which means Praise of HaShem. Out of the tribe of Judah came the Lawgivers and Kings. Judah was strong, blessed, and victory was something they partook of frequently.

Genesis 29:35, "And she conceived again, and bare a son: And she said, now will I praise the Lord: Therefore she called his name Judah: And left bearing."

God always puts praise first. Remember "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me" (Psalm 50:23). And "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4).

Praise brings blessing. The disciples were in the upper room praising the Lord when the Holy Spirit descended upon them on the day of Pentecost. Praise is infectious. We, who praise, can cause others to do the same.

The statement, "Thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies" was said about Judah. To get one's fingers and thumb into the back of the neck of another means you have him subdued and conquered. This means victory for Judah, a tribe whose people praised God. Every praising Christian will live a life of victory.

"Thy father's children shall bow down before thee." This was Judah's blessing. He became the royal tribe. Out of Judah came the Messiah--the Christ. And to him every tribe, kindred, people and tongue shall bow and confess that He is Lord of all.

Scripture tells us that the scepter shall not depart Judah, nor a lawgiver. The tribe of Judah is still spoken of when many other tribes are seldom, if ever, remembered. To have the same characteristics as Judah means to have Christ dwelling within the heart in all His fullness.

The Two Onyx Stones: The Priesthood

2010-12-01T09:48:00.000-08:00

Priests represented and carried all the burdens of the people upon their shoulders. This means that they were mediators and intercessors. The two onyx stones were the shoulder stones connected to Ephod and Breastplate by two wreathen chains of gold.

Exodus 28:9, "And thou shalt take two onyx stones and grave on them the names of the children of Israel."

Verse 10, "Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stones, according to their birth."

Verse 12, ". . . put the two stones upon the shoulder -- stones of memorial -- Aaron shall bear their names."

Verse 14, "Two chains of pure gold at the ends, of wreathen work -- fasten to pouches -- ornaments of gold."

Verse 24, "Two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate."

Jesus came to us, dwelt among us and became our High Priest. "Merciful, faithful High Priest." (Hebrews 2:17, 18) No matter how heavy or terrifying the burden might be, we can cast it upon Christ. His shoulders have unfailing strength. No burden can ever weigh Him down. "Casting all your care upon Him, for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:15, 16, "We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities . . "
Hebrews 7:25, "He is able to save . . . seeing He ever liveth to make intercession."

To all the children of God, He calls each and every one of you by name because He says "Thou art mine," and "I Am with thee. I will strengthen thee," and "I will be with thee."

Isaiah 43:1, 41:10, 43:2

Back To The Gardens

2010-10-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

The First Garden: Garden of Eden (Paradise, The Garden of God)

Ezekiel 28:13

You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz and emerald,
chrysolite, onyx and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise and beryl.
Your settings and mountings were made of gold;
on the day you were created they were prepared.

This garden contained all manner of delights. It lacked absolutely nothing. There was no need to water it nor did the perfect weather disturb it. The Garden of Eden was in harmony with its seasons. No sun could scorch the land or winter winds scatter the leaves of Eden.

But there in the midst of Eden grew a mysterious tree -- the Tree of Life -- of which we know very little. Spiritually we have fed upon its fruit and healed by its leaves. Close to it stood another tree -- the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The forbidden tree. And men rebelled and partook of this tree. They broke The Maker's law--we, through Adam disobeyed God and let sin enter our world.

That fall was huge and it polluted man's once-undefiled nature. Suddenly, Winter's winds howled through the Garden. Summer brought unbearable heat and the beasts of the field turned wild. They became hungry for flesh . . . flesh they devoured. A new Adam (generations later) would come to restore this insanity.

~~~~~

Second Garden: The King's Garden (next post)

Genesis 49: The Sons of Jacob And Their Blessings

2010-10-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

The sons of Jacob--fathers of Israel's 12 tribes. And these are the blessings of Jacob upon them.

^{(Genesis 49:1)} Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.
² Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;
       listen to your father Israel.

1. Reuben: (See a Son)
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it.

2. Simeon: (Hearing)
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers—
their swords are weapons of violence.

6 Let me not enter their council,
let me not join their assembly,
for they have killed men in their anger
and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.

7 Cursed be their anger, so fierce,
and their fury, so cruel!
I will scatter them in Jacob
and disperse them in Israel.

3. Levi: (Joining)

4. Dan: (Judge)
17 Dan will be a serpent by the roadside,
a viper along the path,
that bites the horse's heels
so that its rider tumbles backward.

18 "I look for your deliverance, O LORD.

5. Judah: (Praise)
8 Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father's sons will bow down to you.

9 You are a lion's cub, O Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.

11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

12 His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.

6. Naphali: (My Wrestling)
²¹ Naphtali is a doe set free
       that bears beautiful fawns.

7. Gad: (A Troop or a band of raiders)
19 Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders,
but he will attack them at their heels.

8. Issachar: (Hire or Reward)
¹⁴ "Issachar is a rawboned donkey
       lying down between two saddlebags.
¹⁵ When he sees how good is his resting place
       and how pleasant is his land,
       he will bend his shoulder to the burden
       and submit to forced labor.

9. Asher: (Happy or Blessed)
²⁰ Asher's food will be rich;
       he will provide delicacies fit for a king.

10.Zebulon: (Dwelling)
¹³ "Zebulun will live by the seashore
       and become a haven for ships;
       his border will extend toward Sidon

11.Joseph: {Increaser (Ephraim: Doubly Fruitful; Manasseh: Forgetting)}
²² "Joseph is a fruitful vine,
       a fruitful vine near a spring,
       whose branches climb over a wall.
²³ With bitterness archers attacked him;
       they shot at him with hostility.
²⁴ But his bow remained steady,
       his strong arms stayed limber,
       because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
       because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
²⁵ because of your father's God, who helps you,
       because of the Almighty, who blesses you
       with blessings of the heavens above,
       blessings of the deep that lies below,
       blessings of the breast and womb.
²⁶ Your father's blessings are greater
       than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
       than the bounty of the age-old hills.
       Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
       on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

12.Benjamin: (Son of My Right Hand, blessed child)
²⁷ Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
       in the morning he devours the prey,
       in the evening he divides the plunder.

The Young Man's Question

2010-10-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9)

How shall a young man become and remain pure and holy? He is but a young man, full of passions, poor in knowledge and experience. How shall he get right, and keep right? Never was there a more important question, or fitter time for our youth to ask it. And it should be asked at the beginning of their journey into manhood and taught at the beginning of life.

His ways are already unclean by sin. Herein lies the difficulty. The path is already darkened. How then is a young man to accomplish a good life? Let him not think that he knows the road. It is not an easy victory. Follow the Psalmist and become an earnest enquirer always asking how he might cleanse his way.

The question: The person spoken of is "a young man" and his work. From birth he is polluted with sin. Earnestly seeking a cleansing, a remedy is a must. For how can a young man who is impure and naturally defiled, live a holy and pure life? He himself cannot purge out natural corruption.

The answer is given: "By taking heed . . . " The remedy is God's Word. The manner is by taking heed to it. It is God's way, not the young man's way.

***
image

Harvest Time

2010-10-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

"We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22)

"The Whole Creation" is fair and beautiful, even in its present fallen condition. I've enjoyed the wonder of nature while wandering through the Grand Canyon. We have walked into the charm of a valley and enjoyed the shimmering blue of the sea. This world, though desecrated by sin, was created to be a temple of God.

(verse 23) "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."

Amongst the sons of men, the groaning and travailing of creation are deeply felt. But even the Sons of God are waiting for the full adoption -- redemption -- of spirit, soul and body.

We've experienced the freedom of our souls which was washed in the blood of Jesus--our spirit rejoices. Yet our bodies are still experiencing misery, sorrow, pain and an inescapable death.

Even those of us who have the first fruits of the Spirit, are still waiting for the Harvest time. Right now, all of God's children have but a handful of ripe ears. Like the Israelites plucked the first harvest of corn, it was not the final harvest.There is more to come.

Therefore, we know there is more to come. Enlarge your expectations. Seek great things from the God of Heaven. We have but received a portion of the whole, no more than a handful of wheat. We groan, for we have had a taste.

image from the Yorck Project

The Ermine

2010-09-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

Scientific Name: Mustela Urminea

The Ermine is a small, muscular, agile and very curious mammal. It is a carnivore, brave and bold, that lives in the forests of Northern Europe, in Asia, Northern United States and Canada.

In the summer this creature has a chocolaty coat on top and is white underneath, with the tip of its tail black. When winter comes it morphs into a snowball, except for the tip of the tail which remains black.

Instinctively, the Ermine protects its snow white fur against anything that might soil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this. They don't need to set a trap. Instead, the Ermine's home, usually a cleft in a rock or a den inside a hollow log, is sought out. The hunter's dogs are trained to find and then chase the Ermine. Obviously frightened, it heads for home. But the hunter has smeared the entrance with grime.

Rather than soil its white fur, the little Ermine remains in harm's way and refuses to go inside its house. Trapped by the dogs it is captured all because it tried to preserve the purity of its fur. For our Ermine, purity is more precious than life.

The Lord wants His people to keep themselves separated, refusing to enter the grime of this world . . . at all cost.

In Numbers chapter 15, verses 38 and 40 the Lord told the Israelites to put a blue thread on the borders of their clothes. When they saw the blue thread they were to remember God's holy purpose for their lives, and to keep a distance from sin. There is a high and holy calling on our lives. How often do we remind ourselves of this? How far have we kept ourselves from that grimy entrance into this world?

"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Because it is written, be ye holy; for I Am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Image credits
1. Chocolate/White Fur
2. White Fur
3. Sketch (public domain)

And We Shall See His Face: The Joys of The Future Life

2010-09-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

The Italians admire their city of Naples so much they say, "See Naples and Die." Even the Dutch love Amsterdam enough to say it's better than Paris or any other city. But the City of God is not to be compared.

It will be a city of "No Mores."

No more sea to separate us (a new heaven and earth, Revelation 21:1)
No more Sorrow (Revelation 21:4)
No more crying (Revelation 21:4)
No more pain (Revelation 21:4)
No more curse (Revelation 22:3)
No more night (Revelation 22:5)
No more death (Revelation 21:4)

And we will see Jesus in this city. Imagine the sight, the endless delight. Our bodies, forever changed, clothed with immortality and incorruptible. And finally our eyes can endure the blaze of His splendor. We'll see Jesus, God's glory and brightness.

The joys of this future life should allow you to forget your present cares; forget your sorrows, and all the obstacles life throws at us. You can rejoice for the future is bright. A veil separates us, parts us for now, from seeing Him completely. But the veil is thin and soon will be no more.

The Fruit Of Our Thoughts

2010-08-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

"Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it." Jeremiah 19:6

We in the US live in a free country. We have the freedom of speech and may express our thoughts, our opinions. It is our right to do so.

We have good thoughts that benefit and encourage community--let's spend a warm summer's day on the beach with our family and friends, our church family. Our thoughts can produce good fruit.

The Bible mentions that God is constantly watching our thoughts. He knows them before they are known to us . . .

Psalm 139:1 - 6

1. O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Do we have evil thoughts?
Genesis 6:5, "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

God was and is angry on account of evil thoughts. He speaks of "the fruit of the thoughts."

The thought in itself might not be a very great and awful thing, but what will it come to? Perhaps it's just the smallest or playful, "naughty" little thought. Yet again, what will be the end thereof?

The thoughts of evil paralyzes the finer faculties of the soul. The more we think upon the sin the more familiar we become with it. If we could examine the mind of a thief or murderer, we will, no doubt, conclude that his thoughts had long been in this School of Unspeakable Crime.

I don't believe a man becomes a killer all at once. The fruit of his thoughts took time to grow.

Oh, my friends, beware of all thoughts of sin. Our thoughts will arise when laying on our pillows. If we continually feed them, they will soon advise you what to do. It's a jungle where the monsters fatten and grow.

What must we do then? Search our hearts, for that is where our thoughts come from.

image copyright: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
image credit: Robert Fludd

Grasshoppers And Locusts

2010-07-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

These are the most widespread and damaging pests. Grasshoppers love to swarm in from the desert. In the summer of 2009, swarms of grasshoppers devastated over 7,000 acres of grassland in southeastern Oregon. And in the summer of 1874, western USA, experienced total devastation from a swarm that crossed the Rocky Mountains. Cultivated crops were consumed in its entirety; grain, fruit, vegetables and even bulbs and roots were eaten right out of the ground (onions being a favorite). After the tasty stuff was consumed the swarm devoured the grasses, weeds and the bark of trees.

In other countries, mainly Africa, grasshoppers/locust have destroyed over 2,000 square miles several times. A swarm that size consisted of about 400 billion individual grasshoppers.

Gratefully, the species of locusts that caused so much damage in the USA at the end of the nineteenth century is now extinct. Source: God of insects, Museum.com

Some of the grasshoppers mentioned in the Bible were quite edible (if you dare). Leviticus 11:22, "Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind."

They are small creatures as in Numbers 13:33, "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

. . . and they really like to gang up on us, they gather in swarms. "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every plant of the land, even all that the hail has left.'" (Exodus 10:12)

The Hebrews called locusts, "The Countless."
The Arabians knew them as "The Darkness of the Sun."

In the last book of the Bible, in Revelations 9:3, 7 we read, "And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Those creatures came out of the bottomless pit."

More scripture for you to read: Jeremiah 46:23, Joel 2:10 and Exodus 10:15s

Scorpions

2010-07-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals within the class Arachnida. They are venomous, shaped much like a lobster, and are relatives of the spider. The ones who live in hotter climates, such as Africa, can grow over 8 inches in length.

In the time of Exodus, scorpions inhabited the wilderness of Sinai. They are easily angered, usually found in the desert or dry, dark places.

Their tails are elevated as they moves with a threatening attitude toward their prey. At the end of the tail is a poisonous fluid. A scorpion's sting is terrible and often causes death. On occasion, most likely for food and sometimes after mating, they will kill and eat each other.

The scorpion is obviously not a creature who has found favor in the eyes of the Lord. When mentioned in the Bible, it is something to be avoided and certainly be suspicious of. Wicked people are compared to scorpions as is written in Ezekiel 2:6, "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."

More Scripture That Mentions The Scorpion:

Revelation 9:5, 6 talks about the torment of the scorpion: ". . . and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. And in those days men will seek death and will not find it, and they will long to die and death flees from them."

In Numbers 34:1-5 before Israel crossed the Jordan, the Lord specified (Akrabbim) the Scorpion Pass to Moses as one of the boundaries about the promised land. He later repeated the boundaries to Joshua in Joshua 15:1-4.

Deuteronomy 8:15, "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;"

Sermon Notes: Sin, Save Not One

2010-06-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

Firstly:
Secondly:

Don't try a rescue attempt. It's seems to be human nature to desperately save at least one sin. Like Saul, we like to let some of the Amalekites live if we think it might benefit us. Some men preach about drunkenness etc. but fail to attend church themselves. Or speak up against sexual immorality but continue to watch R rated movies.

Do we have a hardness of heart? Self-righteousness? Pride? Certain sins we attack ferociously but are we fond of others? Sin is sin. Remember, Christ cleansed you from sin with His blood.

Do not apologize for your sin, condemn it. Don't swim in that cesspool of sin, you'll drown in it. Jesus came to rescue us from that cesspool.

Sometimes only one sin can have fatal consequences. One sin ruined the human race. One fruit plucked from the forbidden tree hurled mankind into darkness. In Joshua 7:21 Achan stole a Babylonian garment and Israel was defeated at AI (ruin, the rubbish heap).

But do not say, in one sin there is no danger. Sin is not alone. It hunts in packs. If you see one of these wolves, you can be certain it has company. After all, the Devil's name is Legion--so it is with sin.

Sin is a thief. It robs you of joy, victory and life. It is a thief who, if he finds the front door locked will try the back door. If the back door is also locked, he will try every window. And if by chance he finds the smallest window ajar, too small for a full grown man, he will use an innocent child to let him in. Once the thief is in, many other thieves with him will follow.

Bondage for a Christian comes through a measure of yielding to just one sin. That one sin can keep you bound for all your earthly life. It brings spiritual poverty, a weak character, always questioning, never victorious, never joyful or can't feel forgiven. Saved by fire. They will reach the safety of the harbor, but are tugged in. Their masts are gone, their sails rent to pieces.

Jesus never smiles on any sin. He wept for them. He bled for them. He died for them. So save not one!

***
image credit

More Sermon Notes: The Sin Within Us

2010-06-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

FIRST

1. Sin Must Die, sin deserves to die. They are traitors to God. Your sins will betray God. We should slaughter the sin in our souls.

Take those foxes which spoil your vines. Let not one escape. All of them must be slain.

Sin has already done so much damage to a man's soul
Sin is man's worst enemy
Sin ended life in the wonderful Garden of Eden
Sin causes the barrenness on Earth
Sin brings death
Sin starts wars, births murder, broken homes etc
But who slew all this, who overcame sin and death?

2. There is no remedy for sin, except the Lord Jesus Christ. Sin was paid for on Calvary. He is the solution for every battle fought, every war all over the world.

Sin is a thistle on a ridge
a thorn on a stem
a sickness in a home
Sin has done it all

Whether it be pride, or sloth, or covetousness, or worldliness, or lust, or any other form of evil . . . it must die. The simple fact remains, sin will kill you, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Put it to death.

3. With A Known Sin You Cannot Walk With God
As soon as we tolerate sin within ourselves, we lose the power of prayer. Scriptures cease to be sweet as sin becomes pleasant. Sin is just like the worm at Jonah's gourd. It broke the eagle's wing and dimmed its eye. Sin stole Samson's strength. His blind eyes speak to us. Sin is like a moth who devours a garment or as thieves who come to steal your jewels. Sins are traitors . . . Let not one escape.

4. Sin Must Die
Jesus crucified our sins on the cross. His tomb is the sepulcher of our iniquities. Hew your sins into pieces, as Samuel hewed down Agag before the Lord. You have been baptized into that Name. You've buried that old sinful life. You rose up a new creature, a new creation, a new life. Don't let sin rule it once again. It was destroyed. Let his rain of blessings fall.

image: copyright wikimedia commons
credit: Angela Sevin

Sermon Notes

2010-06-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Let Not One Sin Escape

I Kings 18:40
"Elijah said unto them, take the prophets of Baal, let not one of them escape."

1. Elijah means Jehovah is God.
Elijah was a brave man and firm in his beliefs. He stood his ground like a rock in mid-current. Elijah became executioner when he seized the impostors. He purpled the river Kishon (Bending) with the blood of Baal's prophets.

Elijah was a prophet of fire with a thundering voice--"Let not one escape."

2. Jezebel: Chaste

She was a woman with status--a ruling woman who persecuted prophets, opposing the Word.

She is a picture of the last days as in Revelation 2:20, "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols."

Stay far away, do not associate with such a church. Leaven in the church must be destroyed. If it is given permission to stay in the church it will soon grow and threaten the truth of God altogether.

Remember that Baal's priests also had altars and made sacrifices. We are to hew them down--all false doctrines. Cast them into the fire. Let not one escape.

3. John 3:9
"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees, every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

Lay the axe on the root of the trees of sin--religious errors. Don't compromise. Religious errors are dangerous.

Our Kingdom is threefold: a) Spirit, b) Soul, c) Body
Keep this holy and dedicated to God not to Baal. Let sin not pollute your temple the house of God.

*****
Images copyright: Wikimedia Commons
Credit: José de Ribera, Sir Francis Dicksee

Dogs In The Bible?

2010-06-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

There are many dogs mentioned in the Bible, especially in the countries where the Bible was written. But for the most part the people did not like them, therefore dogs were not always brought up as good examples.

For instance, Psalm 59 which compares the dog to the bloodthirsty men who are constantly in pursuit of good men: "They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?" (verse 6, 7)

These are, no doubt, the homeless street dogs. When dogs can't find enough food to satisfy their hunger they are fierce and most likely cruel. Note: homeless dogs are entirely the fault of human beings, not the dogs themselves.

In verses 14 and 15 it repeats the dog analogy: "And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied."

In this case, it's fitting that dogs should be compared to sinners and thieves. Though, I'm sure, the Bible is not saying that all dogs are bad, but stray dogs (probably due to survival mode) can be a problem.

Here's a dog mentioned in the story of a woman asking Jesus' help to take away a demon who was in her daughter: Matthew 15:22-28 says . . .

22"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The woman was not a Christ follower (Christian) but she was willing to accept the Master. She was a lost soul, a stray, a puppy without a home and yet she had sense enough to seek help from the right master. This woman was rewarded for her blind faith and trust which, by the way, is a common trait in dogs.

Other negative references as in I Samuel 17:43 when Goliath rebuked David and said, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?"

Then Mephibosheth says to David in II Samuel 9:8, "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?"

Sad to say but our loyal friends were coupled with evil workers, sorcerers, witches and even unholy swine. In Matthew 7:6 we read, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine."

But, alas, there is redemption for our four-legged friends. The name Caleb, a fearless man of God, means dog. And Caleb was considered a faithful hero till the end. Caleb's gentle Spirit, made him a man who followed the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind.

And another good reference: Dogs were also mentioned in the Bible when the Hebrews used them as the "Watch." The dogs faithfully watched over their masters' homes. They were also guardians of the flock as in Job 30:1, "But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock."

Images from Wikimedia Commons

The Sheep And Shepherd

2010-06-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Sheep were possibly the first animal to be domesticated about 6000 years ago. The female sheep is called an ewe and the male, a ram or buck.

In ancient Egypt, the ram was the symbol of the god of fertility (a man with a head of a ram).

The Blood, the Sacrifice:
Genesis 4:2, 4, "And Abel was a keeper of sheep. And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offerings."

Abel, was a type of Christ Jesus (Shepherd), and Cain his brother, typified evil. Cain slew Abel in the field (this world). The shepherd Jesus (aka the Lamb) was later slain upon a cross. Abraham sacrificed a ram instead of his son, Isaac.

Shepherds:
"And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:4)

Many Biblical heroes were shepherds: among the patriarchs were Abraham and Jacob, the prophet Moses, King David, and the prophet Amos who was a shepherd in the rugged area around Tekoa.

In the New Testament, angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds.

The Sheep:
"We are the cattle, God Almighty is our shepherd." (Psalm 80:1)

Domesticated sheep of all breeds are universally timid and defenseless. They are also considered the least intelligent. Sheep don't manufacture wool, they simply bear the wool. Similarly, Christians can only bear a testimony to bless this world.

Sheep and goats are closely related. Both are in the sub-family Caprinae. The difference being that sheep give the shepherd little trouble and are easy to lead. Goats are stubborn and rebellious. Christians are referred to as the sheep of His pasture and are willing to follow Christ the Shepherd. Goats choose not to follow the Shepherd.

Generally speaking, sheep require clear water and might refuse to drink water that is covered in scum. All sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of the flock. They are extremely food oriented. Sheep recognize individual humans and ovine faced, and remember them for years. They have a good hearing apparatus and can also see behind themselves without turning their heads. Each of them can smell predators.

Note:
Flies lay their eggs in the wounds of the sheep's forehead or in the wet manure and soiled wool. When maggots hatch they burrow into the sheep's flesh which will eventually lead to death if not treated.

Sheep have little ability to defend themselves and are in constant need of their shepherd. In the United States alone, over one third of deaths among sheep (in 2004) were caused by predation.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 (KJV), "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour . . . "

Images: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: 4028mdk09, Jean Francois, Evgeni Dinev

The Bee

2010-05-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

In every bee hive there is a queen. She is much larger than the rest of the bees and they all follow and obey her. Bees are as busy as the ant. If left to themselves they are perfectly harmless, but if you dare to disturb them bees become very aggressive. Sometimes, in large groups, they will fly around the person who has disturbed them and sting.

David said: They compassed me about like bees, they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me." (Psalm 118:12, 13)

The bee is a personification of the Assyrians, the inveterate enemies of Israel. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria." (Isaiah 7:18)

In the early 1900's, Austrian naturalist, Karl von Frish, puzzled over he ways honey bees worked together. He studied the characteristics of bees and how they communicated in the insect world.

Bees are dancing creatures: In spring all dancing-worker bees are female and follow their queen. The dancer moves in circles, other bees begin to leave the hive and fly around the ever-widening circle until they find a new supply of flowers.

The leader then makes the dance in the shape of a figure eight. Every movement of the scout has meaning for the other bees. There is no confusion. She flies toward the sun in big circles--upward, go right. In small circles down and away from the sun; go left till he new food supply is found.

Did you know that eight is the number of the resurrection? It is new life, a new beginning.

Just for fun:
So bee-lieve in God and you will bee saved. A new beginning, a new life. Apart from God, you'll bee dancing in circles with no direction. Only He can direct your paths and give you a new supply of that spiritual flower field.

Our bees from God are good bees. There is no sting!
Bee obedient (Ephesians 6:1)
Bee kind (I Thessalonians 5:18)
Bee thankful (I Thessalonians 5:18)
Bee forgiven (Colossians 3:13)

The Fly

2010-05-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are." (Exodus 8:20, 21)

Egyptians did not like flies (who does?) because of Anubis, their jackal-headed god. This ancient god is the protector of Egypt and its people. Anubis was even their guide on their journey into the afterlife. So he is the god of the underworld (guess who that is).

In Exodus 8:24 the land was corrupted with flies. The Lord God of Israel was making a statement. He was and is the Almighty, even over the Egyptian jackal-headed god. He sent swarms of flies to attack and destroy the land.

Flies don't have a good reputation. House flies feed on feces, open sores, and most decaying organic matter such as spoiled food. They are annoying little creatures with bad habits. The female will mate only once, but stores the sperm to lay several sets of eggs. She can lay approximately 500 eggs. That's a lot of flies. But they will live for a short period--one to three weeks.

In Ecclesiastes 10:1 we read, "Dead flies cause the ointment of the Holy Spirit to sent forth a stinking savor."

Jesus makes it clear who the god of flies is, Beelzebub himself--chief of demons, Satan, god of the demons. (Luke 11)

Picture the god of flies laying his eggs on our head, festering our decaying thoughts. He loves to lay those eggs in open wounds. If we let him continue to fester our thoughts the anointing of the Holy Spirit is of no effect. Dead flies . . . a stinking savor. David, on the other hand, said, "The Lord is my shepherd, thou anointest my head with oil." (Psalm 23:1-4).

Don't let the god of flies nestle in your head. It will ruin your fellowship with Christ.

Images: copyright Wikimedia Commons
Credit: Jeff Dahl, George Flegel

The Rock and The Conies

2010-05-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

The conies were mentioned in Proverbs 30:24-28 as one of the four things that were little but wise.

"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces."

The Lord provided his creatures with wisdom which enabled them to survive. Conies are considered a delicacy in some countries, but they are hard to catch. They have found shelter in the rocks--built their houses upon the rock, so to speak.

God provided the conies with the rock for their homes--not only did He create it for nature's sake but He also provided it to preserve life.

Psalm 31:2, 3: "Be thou to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress." Well do the conies know this.

The Rock then, becomes a refuge: "O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth." (Jeremiah 48:28). The conies (a cross between a rabbit and a woodchuck or rock badger) certainly knew this. They found refuge in their rock.

Our spiritual Rock, of course, is Jesus. Think of the Rock in the wilderness when it provided water for the children of Israel. The Rock was smitten by Moses and out gushed forth, by the power of the divine Spirit, nourishment--living water. The Rock that followed the people in their journeys gave forth a never-ending stream for their supply.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this Rock and painted a beautiful and accurate symbol of Christ: "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

In Deuteronomy 8:15 we are asked: "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;"

And in Song of Solomon we are reminded of the Bride: "O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely."

And finally in Judges 13:19, 20 we read, "Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground."

Like the Conies, our refuge is in the Rock. He is our Rock of ages. He is Christ our provider of living water and protector of our lives.

*****
Images: Wikimedia Commons

The Olive Tree

2010-05-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Christians serve God because they believe God. We serve an unchanging God--His Word never changes. God and His Word are the same . . . God was, God is and God will be the same.

Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I change not . . . "

Now, God, like He did in the past, will also do in the future. He is still planting trees in the wilderness--in the desert. He is still at work, keeping His promises in a confused world. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

The Olive Tree:
Hebrew: Etz Shemen
There are wild and also cultivated olive trees.
Olive trees are green (alive) . . . Jeremiah 11:16, "The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken."

Olive trees are beautiful . . . Hosea 14:6, "His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." (also see Psalm 52:8"

Olive trees are fat and unctuous . . . Romans 11:17, "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"

More Scriptures References:
In Isaiah 41:19 we read, "The Lord promises to plant in the wilderness the olive tree (oil tree)." The oil was used for the Golden Candlestick. The Candle Stick without oil are as wells are without water, or as clouds without rain (II Peter 2:17).

Romans 11:17-21 and verse 24 . . . Before the crucifixion --Good Friday-- our Lord and Savior prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means "olive mill, a press for olives like a wine press." Here they trod the olives. The place where it pleased God the Father to bruise Jesus and to crush Him in order that the fresh oil might flow into all believers.

Luke 22:43, 44 . . . "And the Lord prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Prayer is never out of season.

Exodus 27:20 . . . The oil is for the lamp to burn. "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always."

Even the seed (pit) of the olive is combative--difficult to break. It must be pressed. Inside the pit is the nuclear--so is our God a consuming fire. "For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:24). (see also Hebrews 12:29).

Images: Copyright Wikimedia Commons
Credit: David Bruehlmeier, Chad Rosenthal, Franz Eugen Kohler

Fox The Destroyer

2010-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

The fox is considered most sagacious and crafty of all the beasts of prey. It has a long bushy tail, slanting superior teeth, and a pointed muzzle. She, like the wolf, is a constant object of persecution mainly because she preys on domestic animals and some fruit. The fox, from the earliest of times, is known as the Destroyer of grapes (The Joy of Living). She will devour poultry, search out the eggs, and even loves honey.

There is a saying, which I'm sure you've heard, "As cunning as a fox." She will hunt from sunset till early morning, and remains in her lair during the daytime.

The Fox is . . .
Very Active: "Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" (Nehemiah 4:3b)

Crafty: "The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." (Luke 13:31, 32)

She dwells in holes; Matthew 8:19, 20 and Luke 9:58.

As illustrated in Psalm 63:9-10: "But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes."

More Scriptures About Foxes
The scribes and pharisees were compared to foxes. They used the questions to entrap Him . . . (Mathew 22:17: "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?" Jesus replied: "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?"

Jesus spoke in parables and caught all the foxes--even the Herodians in Matthew 22:16.

In Judges 15:4 Samson caught 300 foxes (real ones). It is very difficult to catch a fox, yet Samson did it.

Song of Solomon 2:15, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."

False prophets in Ezekiel 13:4 were found in the deserts: "O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts."

So don't be fooled by Satan, the ultimate sly fox. He will rob you of joy and happiness. Remember he is crafty and cunning. Build your tower around the vineyard. Keep watch!

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower." (Proverbs 18:10)

The Ant

2010-05-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

The ant is held up as an example of industry and forethought--teaching us wisdom. They are providers of food, stocking up in the summer months for the cold winter days.

The ants of Palestine are great robbers of grain in harvest. Well-marked paths are often seen throughout the Palestinian threshing floors. The paths sometimes extend far beyond their nests.

There are two scriptures in the Bible that teach us about the ant.

Proverbs 6:6-9, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise; Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provide food in the summer, and gathers her supplies in the harvest. How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?"

Proverbs 30:24, 25, "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they lay up their food in the summer."

In the book of Job we are told that God set the beasts of the earth as our teachers, so He sends the sluggard to the school of the ant.

Ask the animals . . . the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea. They all will declare and teach us how to prosper and to be secure in life (Job 12:7).

The ant is a picture of diligence. She is persistent, she holds on and keeps going. In our spiritual lives we should gather when we are young (our summer time), it is the day of grace.

Jesus said in John 6:27, "Work for the food that shall not perish." This means, strive and work and produce for the lasting food--eternal life.

Images: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: L. Shyamal, Mariana Ruiz

Like Spiders Like Hypocrites

2010-04-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

The spider has four pairs of legs and its body is two-part. On the underside of the head are two sharp, pointed appendages with which the spider captures and paralyzes its prey. She injects her meals with her venom, produced in the poison glands.

The spider weaves her web. From her abdomen comes a fluid that hardens on contact with the air to form a thread.

In Job 8:13 and 14 we read: "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web."

Hypocrites are compared to a spider in her web. The hope of a hypocrite is woven out of his own bowels. It is a creature of his own fancy, and arises from a conceit of his own sufficiency.

There is a great difference between the work of the bee and that of a spider. A diligent Christian, like the laborious bee, fetches from the heavenly dews of God's Word. But the hypocrite, like the subtle spider, weaves his life from a false conception, his own conception concerning God.

The hypocrite is very fond of his hypocrisy, as the spider is of her web. He pleases himself with it, wraps himself in it and calls it his house. He leans upon his tangled webs of deception and holds fast to it.

It is said of the spider in Proverbs 30:28; "The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces." (KJV). So is a hypocrite. He prides himself in that house as his palace. Fortifies himself in it as his castle to ensnare, just like the spider does, his prey.

Hypocrites forget God easily and their hope perishes. Like a web, already broken by a gentle breeze, so is the life of a hypocrite. They are likened to the spider, always weaving a web. "But their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands." (Isaiah 59:5, 6).

Images: copyright Wikimedia Commons

credit: Matthew Field, Michael Hartl

The Sparrow

2010-04-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Birds of the Bible:
Psalm 84:3,"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God."

These little birds (by instinct, directed by nature), provide habitation for themselves and their young. Even the Psalmist envies them. He would rather live in a nest such as the Sparrow's, near God's altar than in a palace. The confidence and trust the Sparrow places in the human race is extraordinary. They build their nest within the reach of our hands.

King David sometimes wished he had wings like the dove in order to fly through the wilderness. Here he longs to have the wings of a Sparrow so that he might fly, undiscovered, into God's courts. The Psalmist is in exile and longs to be nestling in the dwelling place of God. Even though, the Sparrow perched upon a roof top paints a melancholy picture, David would gladly exchange it for his lot in life if he could but be near to God's altar. It is far better to serve God in solitude than serving sin with a multitude.

God's tender care for the "least" of His creatures should give us confidence how much more He cares about us. We can rest in that. The believer has the perfect home and can rest beside God's altar.

The Altars:
" . . . even thine altars." There were two altars, the Brazen Altar, and the Golden Altar, to which the Psalmist, no doubt, referred to. Both were of shittim wood, which sets forth the holy humanity -- the perfect manhood of the Lord Jesus. Here lies the foundation of all His work for us and all the blessings for us through Him.

The one altar was overlaid with brass, the other with pure gold. In the one, humiliation and suffering; in the other, exaltation and glory.

The custom: Birds whose nests perchance were built on the temples, or within its boundaries, were not allowed to be driven away, much less killed. These birds found a secure and undisturbed abode.

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord."

Psalm 102:7, "I Watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top."

Matthew 10:29, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father."

Luke 12:6, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"

Birds of the Bible Slide Show

Images: Wikimedia Commons

The Dove

2010-04-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

Birds of the Bible:

The first reference to the Dove occurs in Genesis 8:8-12 when God flooded the earth. When the Raven did not return, Noah looked for another bird that would return to him. He chose the Dove and not only did it come back to the ark, but it was concerned for its mate. When it found food on its journey outside the ark, the Dove brought some back for its companion.

The Dove is loving . . . it came back to the ark.
The Dove is loved . . . this is why it had to be used for sacrifice (Leviticus 1:14; 5:7; 15:14 & 29).

The Holy Spirit is like a dove, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him." And He will also come upon us.

Doves have the ability to fly with remarkable speed, covering long distances. They are gentle and lovely birds. King Solomon compares his brides eyes to the Dove in Song of Solomon 1:15, "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves."

More Scripture References:
The sound of a Dove is peaceful. The Dove is a symbol of Spring and life . . .
"See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land." (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)

The olive branch is a symbol of peace;
"When the dove returned to him in the evening,
there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!
Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth." (Genesis 8:11)

Doves typify purity;
"My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her . . . " ( Song of Solomon 6:9 KJV).

Now we must suppose that Christ graciously returned to His Bride (the church), from whom He had withdrawn Himself. But He returned to converse with her (for He speaks to her and gives her joy and gladness), returned to favor her. He forgave and forgot all her unkindness, as He speaks very tenderly with her.

If the church is pure, than Jesus will take her as His Bride.

Matthew 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

The Spirit of Christ is a dove-like spirit--innocent. The Spirit descended, not like an Eagle (though a regal and royal bird), yet a bird of prey, but like a dove--harmless and inoffensive. Such must be the life of a Christian, as harmless as doves. Such was the Spirit of Christ.

The Dove mourns (Christ also wept often) . . . "Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me." ( Isaiah 38:14)

The Dove was the only fowl that was offered as a sacrifice, "And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons." (Leviticus 1:14) and Christ by the Spirit, the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God.

Then the voice came, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, said the Lord God."

Images copyright, Wikimedia Commons
Birds of the Bible Slide Show

The Raven

2010-04-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Birds of the Bible:
In the days of the flood, we read in Genesis 7:10-12, "The windows of heaven were opened, the rain began, and the waters rose and prevailed until even the mountains were covered."

And so it will be when the judgments of God will come against a world that is ungodly and wicked. Remember, Noah received God's command to bring in all sorts of creeping thing, birds or fowls of the air, cattle, beasts of the field and so on. They were all taken into the ark.

Noah, in selecting the Raven as the first to scout for land, made an excellent choice. This black bird is powerful and has great endurance. They will survive where weaker birds perish. Its steady wings fly without rest for long periods of time, covering immense distances. Storms do not frighten them. Their beaks are strong, therefore they can eat almost anything including carrion.

Feasting upon carrion -- carcasses -- dead bodies -- they also have a diet of good food. The Raven then, would compare to a Christian who seems to live for Christ but also for the world.

Scripture concerning the Raven"
Genesis 8:6, 7, "After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth."

I King 17:4 & 6, "You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there. So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook."

Proverbs 30:17,

"The eye that mocks a father,

that scorns obedience to a mother,

will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,

will be eaten by the vultures.

Luke 12:24, "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"

He cares for the Raven . . . how much more will he care for you?

The Raven is a bird that is known from Iceland to Japan, all over Asia, Europe, Africa and America. It prefers to eat the young of other birds. It is noisy, with a loud, rough and emphatic cry.

The To And Fro Syndrome:
The Raven is known in Genesis to have flown to and fro until it found dry land. In Job 1:7, the Lord asked Satan where was he coming from. Satan answered, from going to and fro in the earth, from walking up and down in it. And in I Peter 5:8, "The evil, the devil is as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
*****

Birds of the Bible Slide Show
Images from Wikimedia Commons

The Eagle

2010-04-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

The Birds of the Bible:

The Hebrew word for Eagle is Nesher which means, "To tear with the beak."

The eagle family cannot be separated from the vultures. But one distinction is that eagles never flock. They select the tallest tree in the forest or the topmost crag of a mountain.

A pair of eagles will live in solitude. They hunt and feed singularly and whenever possible carry their prey to the nest so that their young may gain strength and experience the tearing process of feeding themselves.

Vultures are friendly. They collect and feed in flocks. Whenever it is recorded that a flock came upon a carcass, we may assume, or expect, that it was a flock of vultures. The Eagles are hunger driven--birds of prey. The Vultures, however, are carrion feeders only.

The first Bible reference to the Eagle is in Exodus 19:4, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." (NIV)

By the strength of its wings, the Eagle can carry quite a load with its talons. Vultures, on the other hand, never carry anything. They just feasted on their find and regurgitated whatever they had eaten to their young.

The next reference is found in Deuteronomy 32:11, "As an eagle that stirreth up her nest, that fluttereth over her young, He spread abroad his wings, he took them, He beareth them on his pinions."

In Job 9:25, 26 the arrow-like downward plunge of the hunger-driven Eagle is used in comparison with the flight of time. "Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey."

Job 39:27-30 contains the natural history of the Eagle.

"Does the eagle soar at your command
and build his nest on high?

He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night;
a rocky crag is his stronghold.

From there he seeks out his food;
his eyes detect it from afar.

His young ones feast on blood,
and where the slain are, there is he."

Psalm 103:5 is a reference to the long life of the Eagle. "who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." The bird has been known to live to an astonishing age even in captivity under natural conditions.

The Eagle's powerful wings enables it to hang, as if frozen, in the sky. For long periods of time, it appears immovable as it sails and soars into the sun. It seems to rejoice in its strength of flight and the security as well as the freedom of the air.

Isaiah 40:31 is a reference to the Eagle's flight.

"but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Jeremiah 49:16 refers to the inaccessible heights where the Eagle loves to build its nest and raise its young.

"The terror you inspire
And the pride of your heart have deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rocks,
who occupy the heights of the hill.
Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's,
from there I will bring you down,"
declares the LORD."

Verse 22, talks about the Eagle's power in flight.
"Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down,
spreading its wings over Bozrah.
In that day the hearts of Edom's warriors
will be like the heart of a woman in labor."

The parable of the Eagle . . . Ezekiel 17:3, 4, "Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar, he broke off its topmost shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders.." (NIV)

Eagles have beaks nearly as long as their heads. They are solitary birds, and have one mate for life.

More Scriptures regarding the Eagle
Habakkuk 1:8 . . . swift flight
Revelation 4:7 . . . a symbol of strength
Revelation 8:13 . . . the Eagle speaks
Revelation 12:14 . . . it's last appearance--in the vision of the woman and the dragon

Image 1: Credit Robek, Copyright: Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: Credit Jarlhem, Copyright: Wikimedia Commons

The Willow Tree

2010-04-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

Trees of the Bible:

Biblical references to the Willow are numerous. It is quite a common tree. The Willow grows in almost all climates and in every country. It favors moist places and, in the words of Isaiah, thrives best in the regions of rivers and brooks.

This tree grows very rapidly. It is easily propagated by cutting off slivers which, when pushed into moist earth, take root almost at once and spring up quickly.

Thus Isaiah compares the weeping Willows by the water courses with those Godly people who make quick progress in attaining spiritual wisdom. The Willow has beautiful long, narrow leaves: its upper surface is a clear rich green, and the underside is white. The leaves hang downward as do the catkins which are its flowers.

Isaiah 44:3,4
"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry grounds: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses."

The tree grows as high as forty five feet. Its abundant leaves cause the tree to droop and hang, continually swaying back and forth--weeping and wailing.

Psalm 137:1-5 says; "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song . . . How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning."

By the Rivers of Babylon:
The children of Israel sat at the stream of the weeping willows.
The streams of Babel. There they sat in misery, in captivity.

Babylon was a prison to the Israelites. The captives lived in misery. Did not the Jews weep continuously? Yes, they even hung up their harps and instruments. What are the waters of Babylon? Nothing but the pleasures and delights of the world, the waters of confusion.

Theirs was an earthly, old, robbed, spoiled, burned and sacked Jerusalem. Ours is heavenly, new, into which we may enter gladly.

My friends, do not stay in captivity, always weeping in Babylon. Don't let the Devil carry you into captivity, away from Zion.

The Shittah Tree

2010-04-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

Trees of the Bible:

The Shittah tree is mentioned in the Bible only once, but its wood is referred to many times as Shittim--plural form of Shittah in Hebrew. It is one of the thorny trees of the Holy Land, and very sweet smelling, with soft green leaves. The Shittah tree was abundant in Egypt, and existed in limited quantities even in the deserts.

The Lord said: "I will plant in the wilderness the Cedar, the Shittah tree . . . " (Isaiah 41:19)

On another occasion, the Lord spoke unto Moses: ". . . And they shall make an ark of Shittim wood . . . " (Exodus 25:10)

This is the Ark of the Covenant, 45 inches in length. It was the first piece of sacred furniture fashioned for the Tabernacle. The Shittim wood is orange and very beautiful, close-grained, and heavy. It darkens with age and is not attacked by insects--the only useful wood in the wilderness.

The wood of the Shittah was used . . .
for making the ark (Exodus 25:10, 13)
for making the Table of Shewbread (Exodus 37:10)
the Alter of Incense (Exodus 30:1)
the Altar of burn offering (Exodus 38:1, 6)
and the Tabernacle boards (Exodus 26:15-37)

Shittim was an important encampment of the Israelites in the plains of Moab, east of Jordan and opposite Jericho (Numbers 22:1 and 25:1).

While the Israelites were encamped there, Ballaam attempted to curse them when the people committed sin with the daughters of Moab and Median.

Joshua was publicly proclaimed the successor of Moses. War was waged here with the 5 Midianite tribes. After the death of Moses, Joshua sent forth two spies from Shittim to examine and report on the defenses of Jericho (Joshua 2).

The camp was broken at Shittim, and the people crossed the Jordan.

Joel 3:18 says, "A valley, dry and unfruitful, where only the Shittah tree grows."

Psalm 1:3, "A tree--there is one tree only to be found in the valley of the Jordan, with its evergreen leaves, which bringeth forth his fruit in due season, and whose leaf shall not wither."

The Lord's trees are all evergreens. No winter's chill can destroy their verdure. Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Outward prosperity, if it follows a close walk with God, is very sweet. One of the greatest miracles is the inward prosperity in the Lord.

(read "The Poetry of Cedar Trees")
Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
Credit: Florian Prischl

The Cedar Tree

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Trees of the Bible:

The Cedar is the most mentioned tree in the Bible. It is named 70 times. This beautiful tree is a picture of power, might and excellence (Ezekiel 31:1-18).

Judges 9:15, I Kings 4:33 and II Kings 14:9 all state that the Cedar is the most distinguished and most important tree amongst all other trees. God Himself planted the Cedar tree in the beginning. Psalm 104:16, "The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted." It's simply called the tree of God.

The wood is very durable and free from insect attacks. When burned, there is no smoke and it spreads a pleasant aroma. The fragrance resin is well known as cedar oil.

It is the favored wood in the building industry as it was for King David. He used Cedars to build his palace. "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David" (II Samuel 5:11).

King Solomon built the temple, the first and the second, from Cedar wood. (I King 5:1-12, Ezekiel 3:7)

The Cedar tree is an evergreen tree. At first glance it might seem that the Cedar is not impressive. At a slight height the tree begins its branches. With growth, the branches form horizontal floors. Each year another floor begins. The average height of a Cedar is approximately 75 - 90 feet high.

Saints as trees:
Psalm 92:12-14

¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; ¹³ planted in the house of the LORD,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

Jeremiah 17:7, 8

⁷ "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.

⁸ He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Cedar Facts:
1) Was made to glorify God (Psalm 148:7-9)

⁷ "Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

⁹ you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,"

2) Mostly imported by Solomon (I Kings 10:27)
3) Was used in building temples (I Kings 5:5, 6; I Kings 6:9,10)
Was used in building palaces (II Samuel 5:11; I Kings 7:2,3)
Was used to make the masts of ships (Ezekiel 27:5)
Was used to made wardrobes (Ezekiel 27:24)
Was used to make chariots (Song of Solomon 3:9)
Was used to purify the leper (Leviticus 14:4-7 and 49-52)

The Cedar tree is described as a spreading (Psalm 80:10, 11); a fragrant (Song of Solomon 4:11); graceful and beautiful (Ezekiel 17:23); strong and durable (Isaiah 9:10); and is considered the first of trees (I Kings 4:33).

The Cedar tree is the glory of Israel (Numbers 24:5, 6):

5 "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob,

your dwelling places, O Israel!

6 Like valleys they spread out,

like gardens beside a river,

like aloes planted by the LORD,

like cedars beside the waters."

Trees Of The Bible

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The Palm Tree:

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree" (Psalm 92:12).

Palm tree facts:
1) The palm tree's roots go deep to seek out water--a hidden source of life. It requires constant moisture yet it flourishes in the desert. It finds the groves of the oasis--a place of rest and refreshment. The palm tree is a sign to the traveler that there is water.

2) Its roots hold strong in the time of storms. It is steadfast. The palm tree withstands tremendous wind and holds its own in violent storms. It will sway back and forth but won't break. And all the while it is inexpressibly graceful.

3) Its life is within . . . if cut it doesn't die because it has a deep hidden life. The palm tree's growth is internal. It can be cut but it won't be injured.
Colossians 1:27, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

4) Its fruit supplies man's need for food. The palm tree is a source of blessing; dates, sugar coconut, oil honey and sago.
Joel 1:12, "The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree—
all the trees of the field—are dried up. Surely the joy of mankind is withered away."

5) Its branches and trunk make a shelter--protection. The leaves of a palm can reach up to 20 feet in length. All of its parts are useful for building . . . fences, roofs, mats, baskets, couches, bags, clothing etc.. In the Middle East they say that the palm tree has 360 uses.

6) It can subsist in a desert--endurance. Even in barren soil the palm tree flourishes. It seems that it is always green and bears fruit continuously. As a matter of fact it is exceeding fruitful. Date palms can produce 100 pounds a year for 100 years.

7) The leaves of a palm tree signify victory and joy--joyous triumph. John 12:13 says "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the King of Israel!'"

8) It will appear on a lonely, deserted island and multiply--prophetic.It will be one of the first signs of life on a newly-formed island and seems to grow in groups.
Matthew 28:18, Mark 16:15

9) The palm tree grows straight and is a very lofty tree. It has a determined growth upward, resisting every attempt to press or bend downward. The palm continues its growth toward heaven.
Jeremiah 10:5

10) Israel encamped at Elim where there were 12 wells and 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27, Number 33:9). So we encamp around the 12 apostles and the 70 disciples.
Luke 9:1-12, 10:1-70

11) Jericho was called the City of Palms (Deuteronomy 34:3, II Chronicles 28:15). "the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar." and "The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow countrymen at Jericho, the City of Palms, and returned to Samaria." Israel's had its first great victory here over Canaan.

The Bride of Christ is compared to a palm tree (Song of Solomon 7:7)

Illustrations, copyright Wikimedia Commons

1st picture, credit Monedula

2nd photograph, credit Stan Shebs

The Nose: Camphor Odor

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Receptor Number 7

Camphire (old English form of camphor): The Greeks called it Kuprus, from the island of Cyprus where it grew. In Palenstine its special seat was the tropical region of En-gedi. In Song of Solomon 1:14 King Solomon probably planted Camphor in his vineyards of En-gedi.

One of the earliest known spices and perfumes is the camphire or henna flower, sometimes called the Cyprus flower. The henna, reaching in height of 10 feet is greatly valued. Camphire has been traded for centuries and have been found on mummies entombed for 3000 years. The mummies still retained the dye used in life on their nails.

A camphor tree (or shrub) has bell-like flowers, known as the Bride's Flower in the East. It has a very strong scent.

The word Cyprus (Copher in Hebrew) means atonement.

Song of Solomon 1:14, "My beloved is unto me a cluster of camphire in the vineyard of En-gedi."

Song of Solomon 4:13, ". . . pleasant fruits, camphire, with spikenard."

Cyprusses are planted, they do not grow of themselves. They are pleasant, a sweet savor to God and man--a strong aroma.

Christ must dwell in the heart (Ephesians 3:17).
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love."
In order to do that, the adulteries must be put from between the breast. Hosea 2:2 says that no pretender must have his place in the soul.

Sniff & Stupefy
Medical dictionary: Camphor: a white crystalline solid, tough, with a characteristic pungent odor and taste, obtained by steam distillation of the wood of camphor tree. It is used in the manufacture of some perfumes, disinfectants, explosives and as a moth repellent. It is used in medicines as a stimulant, and an inhalant. Camphor is practically insoluble in water.

To the Bridegroom the bride says:
He is the only one . . . . no other gods, no rivals , no competition
Draw me!
He is my well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13, I Peter 2:7)
He sits at the Table . . . (John 12:3, She poured out spikenard.)
He sits at His table . . . (Song of Solomon 1:12, spikenard from the bride.)

The Nose: Musk Odor

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Receptor Number 6

Musk-deer; It is the most unusual member of the deer family This small, antler-less deer lives in the high forests of central and eastern Asia, in parts of Siberia, Tibet and the Himalayas.

From the shoulder it is about 20 to 24 inches high. Males have long, dagger-like tusks which are used as protective weapons since these deers have no antlers. The Male also has scent, or musk, glands (about the size of an hen egg) just beneath the skin on the abdomen. The powerful musk taken from the scent gland is used as a base for many perfumes.

It is one of the most valuable perfume fixatives--believed to have been introduced into Europe from the Orient. The animals need not be destroyed to obtain musk.

Very soon after taking the gland, the secretion hardens and has a very strong odor called muscone. Musk stimulates, excites and spurs on the nerves of the flesh. Our musk odor receptor has a strong impulse to the lusts of the flesh--mainly a sexual desire.

Man thirsts and hungers to satisfy the flesh . . . But flesh cannot be satisfied.

Sniff and Faint:
Exposition of the Bride of Christ

Psalm 42:1 reminds us, "As the hart (deer) panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O Lord."

The deer instinctively seeks after the river. Like all of us, it must have water or die--we must have God (living water) or die.

David's heart palpitates like one who gasps for breath. Thirst cannot be ignored.

verse 2: "My soul." All my nature, my innermost self, which is more than hungering and longing for God. David was never so much at home as in the House of the Lord.

Other verses about the deer:
Isaiah 35:1-6, "The lame shall leap as a hart . . . "
Psalm 18:33 talks about the swift hind . . . and "my feet like hind's feet."
Genesis 49:21 Naphali (when wrestling) is a hind let loose.

(musk deer image: Credit, etxrge, Copyright, Wikimedia Commons)

The Nose Continued: Flower Odor

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Receptor 5:

We know, from scientific research, that healthy lungs float and sick lungs sink in water. Similarly, a healthy prayer life will overcome the flood waters of life. On the other hand, a sick (or weak) prayer life will cause you to sink, most likely drown you, when you find yourself in the turbulent waves of an ocean storm.

Before we get to receptor number 5, the flower odor, we need to quickly talk about the lungs. The lungs (as well as the heart), lie inside of the chest cavity. The walls of the chest cavity are formed by the ribs.

Inside, the heart of the Tabernacle is the Ark of the Covenant (the throne of God). The lungs (part of man's respiratory system) is surrounded by the ribs which are like the boards in the Tabernacle.

Lungs that breathe dirty, polluted air cause them to turn an unattractive, unhealthy slate gray. There are 3 separate sealed compartments in our right lung; one for the left lung, one for the right lung, and one for the heart.

Good air quality is needed for our lungs to function properly.
Good incense (prayers) is needed for our spiritual life.

You probably wouldn't fill your lungs with polluted air. Therefore, don't fill your spiritual lungs (life) with the polluted, corruptible things of this world. That will make us sick and unattractive before the Lord.

Interesting Fact: Lying quietly in bed requires 16 pints of air a minute: Sitting up takes 16, walking 24 and when running you will need 50.

The more active a person is, the more air that person needs. Likewise, the more we work for the Lord, more prayer is needed--fresh air from God. If we don't have a healthy prayer life we will run out of air.

Sniff And Be Fragrant:
The smell of flowers is but for a short time. Man's glory is also short (James 1:19). So does the Word of God compare man's life.

"Man born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble" (Job 14:1,2). "He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeteth also as a shadow, and continueth not."

Let us continue the fragrance of Christ with the days we have left.

"Woe to Samaria, the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim (the 10 tribes), and to the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome and smitten down with wine" (Isiah 28:1).

"Omri bought the hill, Samaria . . . " (I Kings 16:24) . . . "And Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (verse 25).

Samaria became a burying place of kings (I Kings 16:28, 22:37, II Kings 10:35, 13:9, 13, 14:16).

John 4:7, "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water; Jesus saith unto her, 'give me drink.'"

verse 20, 21, "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain . . . Woman, the hour cometh and is now, that we all shall worship in spirit and in truth . . . "

The Nose: Mint Odor

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During breathing, the size of the thoracic cavity is alternately increased and decreased. During inhalation the size of the chest cavity is increased by movements of the ribs.

the 24 ribs move up and out, increasing the front to back and the side to side diameters of the chest cavity. Exhalation is a more passive phenomenon during which the chest cavity returns to its former dimensions through the lowering of the ribs. Air is forced out of the lungs.

During exhalation we give from the abundance . . . this happens by the 1) heave-offerings, 2) forward and up . . . meaning a presentation to God, 3) backward and down . . . meaning, receiving from God.

According to Exodus 29:27, the heave-offering is the consecration offering.
In Malachi 3:7, 8 the prophet sharply reproves he priests for profaning the covenant given to them.

God said: "Even from the days of your fathers, ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return?"

Verse 8: "Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings (heave-offering)."

Numbers 18:24, The tithes are as a heave-offering unto the Lord.

Interesting facts: Did you know that our planet consists of 9/10 water and 1/10 earth. Our human bodies consists of 9/10 water and 1/10 our earthen vessel.

Personal opinion: The law of God requires 1/10 of all income. It belongs to God. We haven't yet given. Jesus, however, has given all. He poured out His life, that we may have life eternal.

Mint Odor (Receptor 4)
Mint (Greek: Heduosmon), sweet smelling
Mint mentioned in Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42 as one of the small things which were tithed. The Pharisees observed smaller duties, but omitted the greater ones. They were exact in paying tithes when it came to mint, anise, and cumin (Luke 18:12).

According to history the Jews served mint at the spring feast of the Paschal lamb (Exodus 12:8)--the Bitter herbs (remembering the bitterness of slavery--sin), and going out to the sweetness of deliverance in Christ.

Sniff . . . so Agreeable
Woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites. For ye pay tithes of mint, anise, cumin and all herbs.
The woes to the hypocrites . . . God restricts to Israel that all the tithes of the land, seed of the field, fruit of the land, and the cattle etc. is from Him.

Jesus said not to neglect this (Matthew 23:23).

The Nose: Ether Odor

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Our respiratory system consists of the nose, throat, windpipe and the lungs. Air enters the body through the nostrils. The mucus membrane, in the upper part of the nose, contains the smell cells (olfactory) which functions in the sense of smell. One of the reasons when food does not taste good is when a person has a bad cold. When a "stopped up" or stuffy nose occurs the odor of the food in the mouth does not reach these smell cells. So, please, take care of your nose, won't you? (It's Like Taking Care of Our Prayer Life.)

Our lungs, part of the respiratory system, where the exchange between the carbon dioxide in the blood and the oxygen in the air take place, is called LEAVES--carriers of air.

There are about 750million leaves. The 2 lungs are not alike. The right lung has 3 lobes and the left one has just the 2 lobes.

3 right lung lobes . . . pure healthy blood
2 left lung lobes . . . unclean blue/black blood
______
5 lobes altogether.
the number 5 in God's Word has to do with blood . . . with Calvary.

The lungs fill a great deal of the chest cavity, with the heart and the walls of which are formed by the 24 ribs.

Revelation 4:10, "The twenty four elders fall down before Him that sat upon the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying . . .
verse 11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory . . . "

The lungs are compared with the Altar of Incense's Bowl or Censer. In that Censer is the incense--our prayers before Thee (Psalm 141:2).

Remember, the incense fills the whole Holy Place and also the Most Holy Place like the lungs fill almost the whole chest, surrounded by the 24 ribs.

Lubricating the lungs means breathing fresh air. Don't close yourselves in an enclosed room, it's very unhealthy--lack of oxygen. Medical science (scientists) have discovered that healthy lungs float and sick lungs sink in water.

Sniff And Delight:
Ether Odor (Receptor 3)

Ether means "pure upper air." It is a highly inflammable colorless liquid. In the upper regions of space, where the sky is clean, it is fresh without odor. This is opposite of the first two odors--pungent and putrid.

Ethereal beauty means entering a heavenly celestial (the atmosphere of space as opposed to earth). Ether is a city in Judah, given to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:42). It means abundance. And through praise (which is Judah), we enter into a deeper worship.

Putrid Odor Receptor

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Putrid: Decomposed and foul-smelling, Morally rotten; corrupt
Putrefy: To cause to decay and have a foul odor
Putrefactive process: the rotting process

Putrid odors can make you sick in the stomach. Inhaling a putrid odor can even make you vomit. It is like that old life, before you knew the Lord--it is a stinking, rotting, a dead-in-sin life that needs to be buried.

Sniff and Vomit: Judgments over God's people.
Isiah 1:6, "From the sole of the foot even unto the head wounds, bruises, and putrefying sores . . . "

verse 13, "Your incense is an abomination unto me."
verse 16, "Wash you clean . . . "
verse 18, "Come now and let us reason together, thus saith the Lord . . . "
verse 19, "If you be willing . . . "

Exposition of misery: the old life.
Psalm 38:5, "My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness."
This is a sad picture of our diseased bodies. Man certainly appears to be a horrible creature when living by our own wants and needs. The Holy Spirit shows us how we continually pick up our old life--a rotten nature, a dead carcass.

Remember, Israel (except for the new generation) never entered into the promises of God (the promised land. They died and rotted in the wilderness.

David said he was rotting because of his foolishness. Our nostrils know when we don't smell good. But no ulcers, cancers, or putrefying sores, can match the utterable pollution of iniquity in our souls. We shudder to think that so much of the evil, old life lies deep within our nature.

The Lord overthrew the Egyptian army and buried them in the Red Sea.
Exodus 15:8, ". . . and with the blast of thy nostrils . . . the waters were gathered together . . . "

verse 13, "Thou in thy mercy has led forth . . . guided them in thy holy habitation."

Pungent Odor Receptor

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Pungent: Affecting the organs of taste or smell with a sharp acrid sensation. The pungent odor receptor is likened to the Brazen Altar.

When we sniff a pungent odor (spices or pepper) we will probably sneeze. A genuine, born again believer should reject anything from this "pungent" world--it's hard to breathe in.

Sniff and Sneeze:
Inhale the fresh air that gives life to our bodies and breathe out the bad air.

"If we always (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just and will forgive our sins, dismiss our lawlessness, and continuously cleanse us from all unrighteousness, every thing not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought and action" (I John 1:9).

Verse 8: "If we refuse to admit that we are sinners, we delude and lead ourselves astray and the truth does not dwell in our heart."

Verse 10: "If we say we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar and His message is not in our hearts."

Breathing in the clean air makes blood circulation possible and let's us breathe out the carbon dioxide--the pungent air. Our bodies are cleaned by the blood circulation. Jesus cleanses our spiritual bodies daily with His blood.

The Olfactory System

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above illustration: Credit Patrick Lynch, Copyright: Wikimedia Commons

The Human Nose

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The Five Senses:
1) Smell . . . Nose
2) Vision . . . Eyes
3) Taste . . . Mouth
4) Hearing . . . Ears
5) Touch . . . Feeling (skin)

The Nose:
The upper respiratory tract runs from the nose to the larynx (throat). The respiratory center acts like a computer in calculating ventilation requirements from receptors.

The olfactory is located over the upper part of the nose. Exact details of olfactory mechanisms are still uncertain. One thing we do know is that for every major type of air there are 7 specific receptors--namely:
1) Pungent Receptor
2) Putrid Receptor
3) Ether Receptor
4) Mint Receptor
5) Flower Scent Receptor
7) Camphor Receptor

. . . these respond, and also affect, the brain's interpretation. Again, it follows the pattern of the Tabernacle.

The nose, as a member of the body, is compared to the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle. Breathing (the air) is vital to life. Important note: Do not allow to narrow your airways. The nose, apart from the body, also follows the pattern of the Tabernacle in the wilderness (seen in Heaven and built accordingly).

The nose is the organ of breathing and of smell. It is the most prominent feature of the face. The internal nose is a hollow structure above the roof of the mouth. It's divided into two parts by a wall and each part is divided into 3 compartments which form 3 small canals called nose corridors; 1) Top nose corridor, 2) Center nose corridor, 3) Bottom nose corridor.

The corridors are covered with fine hairs that help to filter dust and impurities from the air before it reaches the lungs. A membrane of coils of blood vessels warms the air to near body temperature.

Prayer is the fresh air from the throne of God. Without prayer it is impossible to survive.

Smell: The smell surface is as big as a normal postage stamp. The nose differs from ears and eyes
(I Corinthians 2:9).

Ears and eyes can only register limited vibrations, but the nose can sense different smells without limit. As we know, there are 7 major receptors that detect odors.

Not every nose, however, is the same. The average person can recognize 4000 scents. The really sensitive nose can go up to about 10,000. Beside the major receptors there are roughly 10 million receptor cells, all connected to the brain , an inch away.

Speak To The Mountain

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Side Bars and Ending Notes

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The Burn Offering:
Exodus 29:25

The consecration offering is taken out of the hands of the High Priests and priest and added to the burn offering (or fire offering). It is surrendered for satisfying the Lord. There must be a continues (a daily) consecration.

The Peace and Thanksgiving Offering
Exodus 29:26-28

The breast/shoulder of the ram is first presented as a wave offering and after that is presented as a peace, or thanksgiving, offering.

The Priests' consecration comes from a life that is thankful to God and a desire from a thankful heart, and not pressure.

Exodus 29:29, 30
The holy garments from the High Priest must be passed on from his descendants (priest who succeeds the High Priest), meaning that our character will become, in time, like that of our High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Exodus 29:31-35
The apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 9:13 & 14: "Do you know that those men, the High Priests and priests, who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple?"

verse 14: "On the same principle the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (Gospel) should live (receive wages) by the Gospel."

I Timothy 6:7, 8
"But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

It Won't Rain Always!

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The Tabernacle (part V) The Second Ram

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Exodus 29:19 - 35)
In this offering we see the true consecration--all the actions done for a real, true service to the Lord. The presentation, the order, is as follows.

Bullock . . . reconciliation
First Ram . . . surrendering
Second Ram . . . consecration

Exodus 29:19, 20
Once again, the High Priest and priests lay their hands on the head of the ram, slay it, take the blood and put it upon the right ear, the right thumb, and right toe of Aaron and his sons. The rest of the blood is sprinkled about the altar.

The spiritual meaning: Laying on of hands on the animal; 1) contacting the substitute, 2) feeling the vibrations of the offering.

We have to realize, that we who are consecrated to the Lord should fully consecrate our whole life, every part, to Him.

Ear . . . thoughts
Thumb . . . deeds
Great Toe . . . walk

This means our thoughts, deeds and our walk is under complete control of the Holy Spirit. They are under the precious blood of Jesus. Our lives must be completely crucified. "Not my will, but thy will be done." The second ram offering is the perfect obedience to our Lord.

Exodus 29:21
Blood on the altar . . . clothes from the High Priest and priests must be sprinkled.

Also, our spiritual clothes (like character) must be sprinkled with the blood of reconciliation and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A service of a priest, where the character is not deeply cleansed cannot be anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 29:22 - 24
The Consecration Offering
From this sacrifice was taken the following; fat, tail, inwards, caul of liver, kidneys, right shoulder (thigh), and also; one loaf of bread, cake of oiled bread and wafer. All this in the hands of the High Priest and priests to present before the Lord as a wave-offering.

Our inwards, outwards and our anointed character are washed in the blood. And with the power from on high we are consecrated--it is a good consecration.

The Tabernacle (part IV) The First Ram

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Exodus 29:15 - 18)
The first sacrificial animal was a bullock for reconcilation. The second animal, which was the first ram, was an offering of surrender.

Once again the high priest and priests must lay their hands on the head of the animal. They must slay the ram, take the blood and sprinkle it around the altar. Then they were to cut the ram into pieces, wash the inwards and its legs and the pieces were placed upon its head. The whole ram had to be burnt upon the altar. It was a burn offering, or a fire offering, unto the Lord.

The sign of the bullock was a sin/reconciliation the offering of the first ram we see the sign of complete surrendering (verse 18).

This offering is a sweet savor unto the Lord. It is the surrendering that the Lord desires, completely consumed as a burnt offering.

Our blessed Lord and Savior, our High Priest, is our perfect example. He sprinkled His life blood as a sacrifice. Likewise, the believer (priest) who is in God's service, will have to experience to take on all the reproach.

Hands on the head of the ram--in complete contact with the offering. Every priest (child of God) who serves must be in close contact with Christ.

No priest is able to surrender if the question of sin in life is still unresolved. That's why the sin offering is first and afterward, the fire or burnt offering.

Washing of the inward and outwards is a clean inward and outward life--required in order for the priest to serve. May we all desire sanctification.

All the offerings were a shadow of our High Priest, of good things to come (Hebrew 9:11) by the greater and more perfect Tabernacle; not made by hands, not a building, neither by the blood of animals, but by His own blood. He entered into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The blood of Jesus purged our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God.

Remember it's a burnt, or fire offering.

The Spinal Column

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The spinal column is one of the most vital parts of the human body. It supports the trunk and makes all of our movements possible. Humans are born with 33 separate vertebrae. by adulthood, most have 27 due to the fusion of the vertebrae below the lumbar spine, which leaves the sacrum with 2 and a coccyx-tailbone.

7 Cervical Vertebrae . . . neck bones
12 Thoracic Vertebrae . . . chest bones
5 Lumar Vertebrae . . . back bones
Total=24 . . . plus
2 Sacrum
1 Coccyx-tailbone
Total=27 all together

The spinal column, our backbone, is a powerhouse for the entire body, supporting our trunk.
Number one cervical vertebrae is called the Atlas. Its function . . . up and down movement.
Number two cervical vertebrae is called the Axis. Its function . . . goes left and right.

The 12 Thoracic Vertebrae (chest) connected to the "2x12=24" ribs, protects internal organs.
1) the stomach with the 12 fingered (duodenum) intestine.
2) the liver (largest gland) plus 13% of human blood
3) the intestines

As the spinal column is flexible and carries the whole body, so is the structure of the church. The congregation of priesthood carries the holy work and sacred instruments . . . the Temple Music (I Chronicles 6:33)
Under King Jehoshaphat the Kohathites lead the song of victory (II Chronicles 20:19-30).
Under King Hezekiah the Kohathites cleansed the temple (II Chronicles 29:14, 15).

Levites . . . . were called to service
Singers . . . were leaders in songs
Body of Christ . . . in one accord

I Timothy 3:16 says: "And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness."
God was manifest in the flesh. Godleness is a mystery. God put on a cloak when he lived in a body (Hebrews 10:5). "A body has thou prepared me to destroy the works of the evil" (I John 3:8).

"For this purpose the Son of god was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

"The boards in the Tabernacle were standing upward (Exodus 26:15). They were standing on 2 silver sockets which represents redemption (Exodus 26:21). Today, each member in church should be standing up, and be side by side protecting God's Kingdom.

The Tabernacle (part III) The Bullock

2010-03-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

Men are holy through their relationship with God. As in the Old Testament, nothing is holy in of itself, but anything and anyone becomes holy by consecration to God (II Timothy 2:21, Ephesians 5:26, 27).

I Peter 1:15, 16
"But as the One who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all conduct and manner of living."

1) The Bullock (Exodus 29:10-14)
"The high priest and priest shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock and the animal shall be killed before the Lord by the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation and the blood shall be put upon the horns of the alter."

All the actions in the ceremonies are pointing to Calvary. Men must experience the forgiveness of sin.

Horns represent power: (Deuteronomy 33:17), "With them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth."

The brazen altar is a picture of Calvary. The first man who received forgiveness of sin was the thief (murderer) on the cross next to Jesus. He got a hold of the power of the horns of salvation (Psalm 132:17), and said: "Lord Jesus, remember me when when Thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42).

Murderer, thief or adulterer . . . any person can escape the wrath of God, escape punishment at the altar
(I Kings 1:50-53). The bullock is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:8, 9).

But God has a place of refuge. Isaiah 45:22 says: "Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth."

In Exodus 27:2 God told Moses; "Thou shalt make an altar with 4 horns upon the 4 corners thereof."

The Inward Suffering:
1) Fat that covereth the inwards (fat is the best part)
2) Caul, above the liver
3) Two kidneys and the fat upon them

Outward Suffering
1) Flesh of the bullock
2) The skin
3) The dung

We need to confess every sin to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our characters must be changed from day to day. The Bible says, seven days shall thou sacrifice.

Remember, it is a sin offering.

The Tabernacle (part I)

The Tabernacle (part II)

Human Skin

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I am not a very interesting wrapper, yet I am a manufacturer of chemicals. I produce, at least, one important vitamin (vitamin D), keep water in (or you might die quickly if I didn't), and even keep water out (so you can swim for hours). My complex nervous system detects pain, touch, heat, cold and instantly passes the findings along to your brain. I am the frontier of your body and protect you against deadly invaders such as bacteria that live on your skin.

I am made up of 3 layers:

1) Epi-Dermis . . . outer layer

2) Middle-Dermis . . . middle layer

3) Hypo-Dermis . . . bottom layer

My outer layer is paper thin. Each day millions of baby cells are formed in the innermost part of your Epi-dermis and begin pushing their way outward, changing as they go. And each day, millions are washed away when you shower. Or they are rubbed away by clothing.

Our outer skin renews every 27 days. Again the number 27.

The Dermis -- real skin -- underneath the bottom layer -- fatty overstock -- absorber to protect the internal organs.

So my tough hide (Dermis) is a strong elastic envelope that holds everything together. The Dermis contains an collection of nerves, blood vessels and glands.

This is marvelous. An average square centimeter (about 1/8 inch thick), there are about 100 seat glands, 12 feet of nerves.

100's of nerve endings

10 hair follicles

15 other glands and

3 feet of blood vessels

When heat comes I open up my system so you will sweat. When cold comes I close my skin. So I am a detector. When you are angry, I open up and when you are afraid I close up the doors and your feet get cold.

An average adult has 2,000,000 sweat glands over a surface of 80 square feet. All my nerves ends up in your finger tips. So your touch is your alarm system.

Genesis 3:3, "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."

Before Eating . . . is Touching:

Jesus' Touch:

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

Matthew 8:3 (Cleansing of a Leper), "And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, 'I will be thou clean,' and immediately his leprosy was cleaned."

Matthew 9:28-30 (Blind Men), "Blind men came to Him and Jesus saith unto them, 'Believe ye that I am able to do this?' They said unto him, 'Yea Lord.' (29) Then touched he their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be it unto you.' (30) And their eyes were opened."

We also may touch Jesus:

Touching Jesus is all that matters

And you life will never be the same

And there is only one way to touch Him

Just believe when you call on His name.

The Tabernacle: Part II

2010-02-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

Click here to read Part I:

The 3 Sacrificial Animals

(Exodus 29)

Subject: The Priesthood:
In the Old Testament, when the law was proposed, the promise to perfect obedience was that Israel should be unto God "A Kingdom of Priests" (Exodus 19:6).

"And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation."

But Israel violated the law.

In the New Testament, all believers are unconditionally constituted "A Kingdom of Priests" (I Peter 2:9).

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, God's own (a purchased and special people) , that you may set forth the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness unto His marvelous light." (Amplified Bible)

Revelation 1:6 (Scofield Bible)
"And hat made us kings and priests unto God and His Father to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen."

The priesthood of the believer is by birthright, just as every descendant of Aaron was born into the priesthood. The chief privilege of a priest is access to God. The priests are intercessors.

Colossians 4:12 (Amplified Bible)
"Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, sends you greetings. He is always striving for you in his prayers, pleading that you may as persons of ripe character and clear conviction, stand firm and mature in spiritual growth, convinced and fully assured in everything by God."

3 Sacrifices for the priesthood:
1) Bullock . . . Reconciliation
2) First Ram . . . Surrendering
3) Second Ram . . . Consecration

The Lord demands these sacrifices fro the priests . . .
A sin offering for reconciliations
A fire or burnt offering for surrendering and
A consecration offering for consecration

But before these actions took place they had to be washed with water, likewise we must be cleansed by the water of the Word of God (Acts 22:16, Hebrews 10:22, I Corinthians 6:11)

Than they had to put on the coats, girdles and bonnets. The coats (garments) point to our justification (Romans 5:1), than we have sanctification and holiness.

The Human Tongue

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Open your mouth and say, "Aaah." Yes, there's your tongue--a pink flexible muscle.

Our tongue has 4 basic buds:

--Sweet, on the tip of the tongue

--Salt, behind the sweet

--Sour, at the sides of the tongue

--Bitter, at the back of the tongue

The tongue tastes and is one of the 5 sensory organs; 1) The seeing eye, 2) The hearing ear, 3) The smelling nose, 4) The feeling skin, 5) The tasting tongue.

But not all tasting buds were created equal (Some people have more taste receptors than others found on the surface of their tongues). Taste buds are little organs all over our tongues that interpret the sense of what flavors are in foods and drinks.

The average person has about 10,000 taste buds and they are replaced every 2 weeks or so. As a person ages, some of those taste buds (cells) do not get replaced. An older person may only have 5000 working taste buds.

Yet, before you give taste buds all the credit for your favorite flavors, it's important to thank your nose which is sending messages to your brain. So remember next time you chomp on an apple or slurp up some soup, thank your tongue . . . and your nose. Without them, life has no flavor. Taste buds can even make you happy or on occasion sad.

Taste, however, is the weakest of the 5 senses.

1) Sweet:

Exodus 15:24,25, "People murmured against Moses, saying, 'What shall we drink?' For the waters were bitter at Marah. Moses cried unto the Lord and the Lord showed Moses a tree. Moses cast the tree into the waters and it became sweet."

Psalm 119:103, "King David said, 'How sweet are thy words unto my taste, ye, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (See also, Revelation 10:9 and Exodus 30:6,7)

2) Salt:

II Kings 2:21, "And he (Elisha) went forth unto the spring of the waters and cast the salt in there and said, 'Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shalt not be from thence any more death or barren land.'"

Matthew 5:13, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

Mark 9:50, "Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourself and have peace with another."

Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

3) Sour

Jeremiah 31:30, "But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge."

Ezekiel 18:2, "What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?"

Hosea 4:18, "Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredome continually: her rulers which shame do love, give ye."

4) Bitter

Genesis 27:34, "And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, bless me, even me also, O my father."

Colossians 3:19, "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

James 3:14, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."

Bible, Tongue Anatomy

James 1:26

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

James 3:3

"Behold, we put bits in the horse' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."

verse 4, "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever the governor listed."

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

ver 6, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature: and it is set on fire of hell."

verse 7, "For every kind of beasts, and birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.

verse 8, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is ran unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

verse 9, "Therewith bless we God, even the Father: and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."

Tongues can only be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The Tabernacle

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The Tabernacle in the wilderness, which became the center of worship for the children of Israel during their journey, was designed by God Himself (Exodus 25:40).

It was, therefore, a perfect replica of the one that existed in heaven. The Tabernacle is the place where God meets man, and where diety and humanity meet in one person (Hebrews 8:1-2).

John 1:14 says, "and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth."

Jesus was the Tabernacle in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily (Collosians 2:9). The Tabernacle becomes secondarily a picture of the believer. The believer in Christ is a dwelling place for God. As the Tabernacle was a dwelling place for God, consisting of 3 compartments, so too is the believer a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Our being is composed of:
1) Body . . . the Outer Court . . . visible part of our personality
2) Soul . . . the Holy Place
3) Spirit . . . the Most Holy Place . . . the deepest hidden life of perfect, personal communion with God beneath the blood.

So, as we are a blue print designed by the Almighty God Himself, so we believe that evey member of our Tabernacle, tent or temple of the Holy Spirit, must correspond with the furniture in the Tabernacle. Even the Bible follows the pattern of the Tabernacle. Starting with the New Testament.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John . . . The 4 pillars in the gate (The Outer Court).
Acts . . . The Court (the anointing oil).
Romans . . . The Brazen Altar
I Corinthians and II Corinthians . . . The Laver
Galatians . . . The Door

Ephesians . . . The Table of Shewbread
Philippians . . . The Golden Candlestick (The Holy Place)
Colossians . . . The Altar of Incense
I & II Thessalonians . . . The garments of the High Priest and Priests
I Timothy . . . (the Priesthood) Sin offering (Exodus 29:14) Bullock
II Timothy . . . (the Priesthood) Burnt offering (Exodus 29:18) First Ram
Titus . . . (the Priesthood) Consecration offering (verse 22) Second Ram
Philemon . . . the boards and bars

Hebrews . . . The Veil
James . . . The first covering (Faith) . . . Twined linen
I & II Peter . . . The covering (Hope) . . . Goat's hair
I, II and III John . . . The third covering (Love) . . . Ram's skin dyed red
Jude . . . The fourth covering (Judgement & preserve . . . Badger's Skin
Revelation . . . The Ark of the Covenant . . . THE MOST HOLY PLACE

The Human Rib Cage

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The human rib cage consists of 24 ribs, 12 on each side of the body. These ribs are elastic arches of flat bones--all attached to the spinal column.

This protective cage surrounds the heart (the Throne of God) and lungs (worship).

The number three is again involved in this part of the body (the Trinity 1 John 5:7, I Thessalonians 5:23)

There are, on each side . . .
7 true ribs
3 false ribs
2 floating ribs

12 ribs on one side and 12 on the other

Ribs help us to breathe. The muscles between our ribs lift the rib cage up when we inhale allowing the lungs to expand. Exhaling moves the ribs down, squeezing the air out of the lungs.

Psalm 139:14, "I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well."

The Tabernacle and the number 24:The Board in the Tabernacle are 24 in number in the Most Holy Place and 24 for the Holy Place.

The Israelites who were numbered (about 603,550) were to pay 1/2 a shekel of the Sanctuary--redemption money.

According to Exodus 26:31, 32 The Tabernacle in the wilderness stood on 96 + 4=100 sockets of silver--96 for the 48 board (2 sockets for 1 Board) + 4 pillars at the vail standing on 4 sockets. Each foot consist of 1 talent of silver (Exodus 38:37); that makes 100 talents of silver for 100 sockets.

One talent of silver=300,000 shekels of 600,000 1/2 shekels.

Now, the numbered Israelites were 603,550 (Exodus 38:25). Remember 600,000 1/2 shekels were used for the Boards and pillars; and the rest 3.550 1/2 shekels (or 1.775 shekels) were used for the hooks at the pillars and the chapitars (Exodus 38:28).

Peter said in I Peter 1:18, "We were not redeemed with corruptible silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot."

*****
Rib Cage Image
Credit: Mikael Häggström
Copyright: Wikimedia Commons

The Ears

2010-02-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

This is another fascinating part of Bible and the human body's anatomy. It is in the order of the Tabernacle that all the parts of our bodies speak for themselves. The ear, for instance, tells us how we hear. The organ of hearing is divisible into three parts.

1. External ear . . . . . Court-yard
2. Middle ear . . . . . . Holy Place
3. Internal ear . . . . . . Most Holy Place

The external ear consists of a tissue on the side of the head. The outer ear, however, is a sound-gathering device. From it, a one-inch canal runs to the eardrum. In this canal a profusion of hairs and 4,000 wax glands act as a trap for dust, insects and other irritants, and it warms the air to keep things cozy.

The eardrum is like the door of the Tabernacle of God. At the door starts the hearing business. Sound-bearing airways strike, like a stick beating a drum. There's a vibration--step through the drum head toward a hazelnut-size middle ear. Here are three tiny bones called the hammer [Word of God (Jeremiah 23:29)].

Table of Shewbread, the Anvil (Exodus 25:31)), beaten gold for the Candle Stick. And the stirrup represents the Altar of Incense. And finally, the oval window is likened to the Vail.

Now Step through the third entrance, the inner ear. The hardest bone here, filled with a watery fluid, is called semicircular bone--also three in number, describes the Ark of the Covenant.

Without the ear we have a solitary confinement. Nowhere in our bodies is so much crammed into such a small space as in the ear. The middle ear disturbances is usually a result of chronic middle ear infections. So an ear ache is caused by the delicate nerve connections between ears, eyes, nose, throat and mouth.

Hearing the Word of God gives us faith.

Romans 10:17, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear."
Proverbs 25:12, "Better than earring of gold and ornaments of fine gold is an hearing ear."
Acts 7:51, "Uncircumcised ears cannot hear . . . never will enter rest."

Feet

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Our feet are a combination of bones and muscles--a flexible and durable structure. They function as a spring when you take a step and they are perfect shock absorbers. The feet can sustain enormous pressure -- several tons over a course of a mile run. Just like the hand, feet are divided into 3 segments.

Tarsal . . . 8 hindfoot bones (bearing bone included)
Meta-Tarsal . . 5 midfoot bones
Phalanges . . . 14 fore-foot bones
27 Bones in total

Since our feet and ankles are small, relative to the rest of the body, the impact of each step exerts tremendous force upon them.

The Number Three
The Trinity: God is One yet Three--Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Noah's Ark was three stories high (God was the architect)
God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle with three sections
1. The Courtyard
2. The Holy Place
3. The Most Holy Place

Bible Anatomy Regarding Our Feet

Genesis 8:9, "But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him (Noah) into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth."

Exodus 3:5, "And He (The Lord) said, draw not right hither: Put off thy shoes from off they feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."

Psalm 18:33, "He maketh my feet like hind's feet, and setteth me upon my high places."

Psalm 40:2, "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings."

Psalm 56:13, "For thou hast delivered my from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling that I may walk before God in the light of the living."

Psalm 119:101, "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word."

Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet . . . "

Proverbs 4:27, "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. Remove thy foot from evil."

Song of Solomon 7:1, "How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O Prince's daughter!"

Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth."

Hebrews 12:13, "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. but let it rather be healed."

Romans 10:15, "And how shall they preach , except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

Ephesians 6:15, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace."

Foot Image
Credit: VonTasha
Copyright: WikiMedia Commons

Hands

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From birth up to our death our hands, except for those restful and sleeping moments, are almost never still. According to medical journals and science text books, during our lifetime we flex the joints at least 25 million times.

Our legs, arms, shoulders, feet and other parts tire with sustained activity. But we never seem to complain about tired hands. And yet, in no other parts of our body is so much machinery packed into such a small space.

We have:
8 bones in our wrist
5 bones in our palm
14 finger bones
Which is a total of 27 bones.

So the 27 bones of our hands are divided into three-part segments called:
1. Carpus
2. Metacarpus
3. Phalanges

So check out this Little Bit of Bible Anatomy:
27 Old Testament Books
27 New Testament Books
12 Minor prophet Books
66 Total Books of the Bible

See our left hand has 27 bones
Our right hand has 27 bones
Than Christ Jesus with the 12 parts of the shaft of the candle stick
Makes 66 in total.

We also have thousands of nerve endings per square inch, most of them heavily concentrated in our fingertips. We can do such common things as feel our way around in the dark, or perhaps moisten the fingertips to check the direction of the wind. There's a thousand tasks our fingers do that we most likely take for granted.

For instance, let's discuss the thumb. Without the thumb it might be difficult to grip something--a glass perhaps, or a pen to write with? Take away the thumb and it's like a pair of pliers with one jaw missing.

Judges 1:6-7, "But Adonibezek fled and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. Adonibezek said, 'Threescore and ten kings having their thumbs and their great toes cut off . . . '"

They can no longer be useful in battle. If we, by accident, lost our thumbs, it is quite a calamity. Our hands are indeed a wonder--a sophisticated and indispensable piece of body machinery.

More Bible Anatomy Regarding Our Hands:

Matthew 8:1-3 (The Leper)
"When Jesus was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, 'I will, be thou clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleaned."

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

Mathew 9:13,25, (The Ruler's Daughter)
"Behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped him (Jesus) saying, 'My daughter is even now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live.' Jesus took her by the hand and the maid arose."

Acts 28:8 (Publius' Father)
"Publius' father lay sick, fever and a bloody flux and Paul laid his hands on him and healed him."

Holy hands, anointed hands, filled with oil like the Golden Candle Stick, must be refilled daily. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit every day to be able to minister to others.

The Sheep And Shepherd

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1. Isaiah 31:4, "For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof."

2. Egyptian men are not God
Their horses are flesh not spirit
What the Lord was saying : "My people don't need protection from them."
The Lord will protect Jerusalem like a mother bird protects her young.
The Lord will deliver.
The Lord will help His sheep.

But verse 6 says: "Return to him you have so greatly revolted against, O Israelites."

3. Sheep don't know where to go. The shepherd has to call them. The Lord likens His people to sheep;
Sheep walk behind the Shepherd.
Sheep never walk before the Shepherd (John 10:4)
Sheep listen to the shepherd's voice.
Sheep need guidance
Sheep need a Shepherd to watch over them, even at night (Luke 2:8)

4. King David was a good sheep, that is what made him a good shepherd.
He said in Psalm 23:1-5, "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want."
It is not enought to know, but we must also have that experience.

5. I need not to protect myself against attacks of the enemy. The Lord is my defense. My Shepherd is my protector.

(I Samuel 17:34,35) ". . . When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it."

Veil

2009-12-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Notes from Sunday morning sermon, December 17, 1978

Hebrews 10:20
"By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, opened for us, through the separating curtain (veil of the holy of holies) that is through His flesh.

1. The veil is the third entrance. The entrance to the most holy place. We've experineced the first entrance.
a) the gate -- to be born again
b) the door -- to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
c) the veil -- to be alive and more abundant.

John 14:6 says: "I am the way, I am the truth, I am the Life."

2. The difference between a born again believer and a religous person is that the born again believer has a personal relationship with the Creator. A religious person has not experienced relationship and religion cannot change him. It is experience through fellowship. A born again believer has become a new creature, is changed for the better from the inside out. He is no longer a friend (connected, or in relationship) with the world, but is now a friend of God (James 4:4).
"For what part has he that believeth with an infidel?" (II Corinthians 6:15)
"What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" (verse 16)
"What communion hath light with darkness?" (verse 14)
"What fellowship harh righteousness with unrighteousness?"

Like John said in John 1:16; "Out of His fulness (abundance) we all received; all had a share; one grace after another; a spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing; unearned favor upon favor; His way, the trugh and the Life.

3. But like it is written in Exodus 34:34, when Moses spoke to the Lord he removed the veil. In verse 33, however, when Moses talked to the people he left the veil around his face. The outward glory of God was present, and Isreal could not stand before Moses. They could not bear it, and were afraid to come near. Why?

4. II Corinthians 3:14
"Their minds were blinded; for until this day remainth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is done away in Christ."

verse 15: "But even unto this day, Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart."

verse 16: "Nevertheless, when they shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away."

Turn to the Lord means, don't harden your hearts. Isreal is an example, but Christians do the same. People cannot stand the inside glory of the presence of God. The truth, the revelation of God in His Word. It is not accepted, it has been rejected because of the hardness of man's heart, the veil, the flesh.

5. Exodus 24:7. Moses read the book of the covenant in the hearong of the people, and they said, all that the Lord has sai we will do, and we will be obedient.

verse 8: "And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, behold, the blood of the covenant."

6. Even in this present age, believers (Christians) say, "All what God says, we will do. God speaks through His Word as in Hebrews 10:25: "Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is, but exhort one another."

7. Matthew 13:18-23
Light (moon, stars) -- is the Courtyard
Light (Candle Stick) -- is the Holy Place
Light (Glory of God) -- is the Most Holy Place

Inner Veil: Continued

2009-12-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

Last post we ended off with the Christian who lives triumphantly within the glory of God . . . is always satisfied and joyful.

12. This kind of Christian yields to Christ willingly. The Word of God is continually in his thoughts and flows from his mouth. Christ's thoughts are his thoughts. We consider Paul to be such a man. He was heard saying, "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Not me that liveth anymore, but Christ that liveth in me." Christ speaks through lips, thinks through minds, sees through eyes, acts through temperaments.

13. Into the most holy place the high priest in the Old Testament went once a year. To get there he must have walked righteously.

He had bells and pomegranates on his garment, and as he walked, they played, "holy , holy, holy unto the Lord." Then he had charger with blood -- the blood of the lamb, the blood of atonement, and walking into this inner court, into the presence of God, behind him the veil fell, and he was shut in. He was hidden from the outer world.

14. Aaron had the right to go in. He was invited by Jehovah God. But, when Jesus died on Calvary, the veil was ripped from top to bottom. Now the entrance to the most holy place had been cleared . . . stood wide open and you and I are invited in.

15. Outside the presence of God, in the holy place or in the outer court, the lights are different. In the outer court is justification, man walks by daylight . . . some of his days are still gloomy. This type of Christian depends on the weather. If it's foggy, he's miserable. If it's cloudy, he's confused. If it's sunny he gets a headache. When night come he sleeps.

16. Sure you are a believer, sure you are eating manna, you have eternal life, you are going to heaven. You are His child. But what kind of life are you living for Him.

17. The second type lives in a holy place. Here we find the light of the seven golden candle sticks. In this second stage we really have a picture of sanctification.

The lights are burning because of the olive oil which represents the Holy Spirit. The fire is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but you are not hidden away yet. There are many days when only smoke appears on those lamps, and the flame has to be relit. You have to borrow a little from your neighbor perhaps. It is still not good light. We are thankful for it, but it is not The Light.

These lights from the candle sticks are dull. True, it's a better light than the ones outside the holy place are experiencing, but we still need that light from behind the veil at the golden pot of manna.

18. Therefore, get yourselves into the most holy place. There where the ever presence of God Himself resides. God invites us to come with blood in our charger, our justified lives. We must then walk through to the holy place -- our sanctified lives -- where life is filled with the Holy Spirit. There, between the Cherubim, we can lay down our lives completely.

That is the requirement of God -- lay down your character. Then God will drop the veil around you, under the wings of the Cherubim, the great shekinah glory. This light will never dim, will never go out. Now storms may comer with clouds and thunder, the moon's light will fade, stars will disappear, but it won't matter. You are living under the shekinah glory of the Livng God.

19. This is that "mystic" light. The darkness of the night cannot diminish it.

20. There is plenty of manna in the golden pot. All believers partake of this manna. It will not rot in this place. The ones who live in this abiding place of God is truly alive. Even Aaron's dead almond stick came back to live here.

Such a man or woman, boy or girl, living under this beautiful perfect light, is filled with life. Speak to them and you will see them blossom like the almond branch--it's refreshing, a sweet fragrance of yielding fruit.

21. Leave the first stage where you are trying to live on your own power by only doing the best you can. Don't be miserable and always defeated. Yes, Jesus said you are a brother, His child, but you seem to have to fight for live each.

22. Let us also ask the Lord for grace to leave the second stage. There is more light in this realm Seven branches of golden candle stick keep burning by olive oil. Ask the Lord to take away the veil, the flesh.

23. Enter the most holy of holiest place. The inner life. Don't be tossed about by every wind (every new doctrine or belief). Look at Eve. She sought new light when Satan convinced her to eat of the one tree God had forbidden.

O to be hidden behind the inner veil, away from this world. Aren't you tired of living by starlight, or a pale moon? Or by candle light? Today He invites you to live under the most brilliant sunlight . . . beneath the shekinah glory!

Inner Veil

2009-12-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 10:19
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter in the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having a High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

2. Our faith cannot rest upon nothing. A Christian has to have faith, a solid resting place. His rest is upon the unmovable Word of God. The Christian faith is based entirely upon rest. A Christian does not run from place to place, or fuss and worry about things. He has rest.

3. Our faith rests upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Storms may come, troubles are expected, but on that stormy sea of life we have an anchor. That's all . . . we will never sink.

4. Many Christians, however, are so often tossed about. Could it be that they claim to be religious and seem to have a deep desire for the things of God. But they continue their search, they hunt and seek for God but never settle. There was no anchor.

5. There are, of course, three different types of Christians. First we have the intellectual who know of Jesus Christ through knowledge. Secondly, there is the experimental ones and third are those who have outgrown experiences and found rest. Theirs is an anchored life coming before the throne of grace and glory in the presence of Jesus.

6. The first type of Christian is always hungering. He is feasting on God. But his feast doesn't last long. He believes the Word of God with his brain while others believe with their hearts. They constantly debate, argue and would like to be known as God's children but think of themselves as all grown up . . . "I'm the adult, I know better."

7. When the children of Israel were crossing the Red Sea on their way to the promised land, God (by sovereign grace), sent forth manna from heaven each morning. And the people would gather the manna and eat. Manna sustained their lives on their journey. If the manna was left alone too long it would melt away. It would not hold together.

8. Much the same is happening in Christianity. Many people go to church and rejoice there. The Spirit of God is upon them, condemnation has left their hearts. But soon after the service, they find themselves back in that old grin again; yet they partook of the manna.

9. Yes, a strange thing, there is a mixed multitude eating the same manna. People who do not except or believe in Jesus can still enjoy the miracles of God. There are those who rejoice on Sundays and live utter defeated lives throughout the week. When the first storms of life hits them their manna has melted, vanished.

10. Notice that the only manna that did not fail, or rot and vanish was the manna God demanded Moses and Aaron to put in a great golden pot. The pot was filled and put in the most holy place by the ark. There it never got old, it never lost its sweetness. It remained "well" inside that pot by the ark.

11. Have you ever met a person who's been there, inside by the ark, living on the manna that cannot pass away. On any day of the week, he is joyful, whether it be cloudy or sunny. If things go wrong, he remains calm, always full of love and peace. That's the Christian who is living inside the glory of God. He never gets hungry.

Truth Misunderstood

2009-12-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

Sunday Morning Service, November 19, 1978

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 NIV).

1. Using the picture of the Tabernacle in the wilderness we see the entrance -- the gate to the courtyard -- which is the first door.

The entrance to the residence of God where we have fellowship with Him is the second door.

Then we have the third entrance; the door (or veil) to that secret place -- the most holy place where God is present with His glory.

2. There are many gates (Deut. 16:5), There is a Pentecostal gate, a Presbyterian gate, the Baptist gate, Wesleyan, Lutheran and so on. Which one is the right gate?

Jesus said, "I am the way . . . I am the entrance . . . I am the gate."

There is only one gate where He will speak to us (Exodus 29:42). Only one place is provided for worship, the place He has chosen. Not our choice but it must be His choice. Meet Him at His gate. Accept His sacrifice. Accept Him as Lord and Savior.

3. Today, it seems, we are staying at the second door, and we need to find out how to walk through and get inside.

4. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (Prophecy for today)
verse 26) A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
verse 27) And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and you shall heed my ordinances and do them.

5. The Holy Spirit cannot enter into a stony heart. God makes no mistakes.

Man will make new plans, new lifestyles, higher education, create new organizations, new programs, new music, and even new doctrines. What mankind really needs, however, is a new spirit.

6. We need a new spirit--the Holy Spirit who was from the beginning (Genesis 1:2) "The earth was without form and an empty waste. And the Spirit of God was moving."

Psalm 33:6, "By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made and by the Holy Spirit all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

That sweet, sweet Holy Spirit. He brings life, creates. He created man on earth and had fellowship with them in the cool of the evening. He kissed them good night. O sweet Holy Spirit. Then man wanted a new thing, something God forbade.

7. God always wants fellowship with man. But after the fall, man had to come via reconciliation, through the blood of Jesus--new life, new creation. This had to be done before God could once again fill man with Himself.

8. So, how to receive the Holy Spirit? Let God take away that stony gate, our heart.

9. The Holy Spirit will enter anyone who is willing to receive Him . . .
housewives like Mary or Martha . . .
fishermen like Peter, John or Andrew . . .
tax collectors like Matthew . . .
and doctors like Luke.

10. They received the new wine as it is written in Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37 because of a new heart. They received a new life, a born-of-God life. Matthew 9 verse 17 says, "No one puts new wine in old wineskins, for if it is, the skins burst and are torn in pieces and the wine is spilled. But new wine is put into new wineskins."

11. Old leather -- old skins are tough. It has no power, no flexibility, and is ready to break. If it is not new God will not put His Holy Spirit in it. Many claim to have the Holy Spirit (new wine), but they show old leather. Their lives have not changed--is still filled with hatred, strife, selfishness, envy, pride. Those cannot dwell with the Holy Spirit. Jesus will not pour the new wine into old leather. But He will let it flow into a new heart.

Elijah and the Meal-offering: Continued

2009-12-03T16:06:00.000-08:00

I Kings 17:14-16

9. God tried Job to see what He would find in this man. After Job's sheep were taken, then his camels, oxen and eventually his children, he said: "The Lord gave and the Lord taketh it away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

10. God tested the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace--heated seven times hotter than it usually was. They said: "God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning furnace." But even if He would not, they were willing to walk into the fire.

11. And the widow woman saw her jar of meal did not run out and the oil in her bottle flowed endlessly. God was working on her testimony while testing her.

So the Lord dried up the brook which provided water for Elijah. God told Elijah, "I've commanded a widow woman to feed you."

Though, it did not seem like it, God was answering her prayers.

12. When Elijah came, he beheld a horrible sight. People were starving and dying of thirst. The widow God was talking about was already thinking of death as she prepared a last meal for her and her son.

13. Can you hear her feebly say, "I will fix a little cake. I know I have just enough. We will eat and then wait to die."

Meal represents Christ in the Old Testament meal offering.
Remember the "death in the pot" of the prophets--Elisha in II Kings 4:41 threw a handful of meal in the pottage. Then there was no harm in the pot. Healing power of God.
What did the meal do? It changed the pot from death to life.

14. Even today, when there is death in your vessel bring Christ into it and he will save you from death. Like the widow who received the never ending supply of meal (which represents Christ), you can receive life and be saved from certain death.

Christ is the Word. And in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1) And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us--Christ, the Meal Offering.

The widow also got new oil. Oil represents the Spirit. So she put the Word and the Spirit together and began to mix. God had commanded her to do so, whether she knew it or not, something was about to happen.

15. Many people have the Spirit but are without the Word. Some have the Word without the Spirit. Both are needed and together, there's wonderful bread (Living Bread) to be made.

16. There is drought in the land. What could she do. She walked outside to gather dry sticks, while her son lay dying. Suddenly, she hears a voice.

17. "Dear Woman, would you fetch me a little drink of water in a vessel?" She turned, and even though water was scarce and food was running out, she said, "Yes. I will share my water with you."

Again she heard his voice. "Could you also give me a morsel of bread?"

18. Her last hope of life is now gone. Given to a stranger. And yet she says, "Of course."

And as she went, Elijah reminds her; "Thus saith the Lord." That was the Word she was waiting for. "The barrel will not go empty, neither will the cruse go dry, until the day that God sends rain on the earth."

19. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you. It is so simple.

Elijah and the Meal-offering

2009-11-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

I Kings 17:14-16

"For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, the jar of meal shall not waste away, or the bottle of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth."

"She did as Elijah said; and she, and he, and her household ate many days."

"The jar of meal was not spent nor did the bottle of oil fail, according to the word which the Lord spoke by Elijah."

2. This happened during the reign of Ahab, Israel's most cruel and wicked king. He married a sinner, Jezebel, who was an idolater (idol worshiper). And since the nation was prospering, they though that their prosperity was a sign that God was with them. That's not altogether the truth. Verse 1: when God sent Elijah (a man like Melchizedek) who burst onto the scene, into a wicked world with a grain of salt to prevent further deterioration . . . he came saying;

3. "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."

Here is a man who spoke like God, even nature listened to his word. He had the keys of heaven, and he could close it or open it.

4. And God said to Elijah, "I Want you to go out of the chaos, after you've preached judgment and they won't listen. So the Lord separated Elijah and used the crows (ravens) to feed the man of God in the mornings and evenings with flesh and bread. And he drank water of the brook."

5. Then approximately a year later the brook dried up and the Lord sent Elijah to Zarafath, where a widowed woman resided and sustained him. And we can see that this was an honorable woman. She herself did not have enough food to feed her family, and it seemed her prayers were not being answered. There was no hope in sight.

6 God looked like He was silent. He does that many times to test us and see what kind of reaction we will have. Let faith take its everlasting grip around the Rock of Ages even when times seem so dark.

7. The Scripture says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, O teach me Lord how to wait." (Isaiah 40:31). God tries you. Every son that cometh to God must first be tried, chastened, to see if he can stand chastisement. Satan is going to shoot every dart and arrow. So be tested!

8. God testes every son of Abraham like he did to Abraham himself. For we are Abraham's seed. Remember then, that we are also heirs according to the promise. The promise was given, but it took twenty five years before the promise was manifested to Abraham. The Bible says that Abraham was getting stronger and stronger all the time.

Meet Me At The Gate

2009-11-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Exodus 29:42,"For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD. There I will meet you and speak to you;"

1. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

At the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. It is the first door, the gate to the residence of God. Like a house, the first entrance is the gate. There we have to pay the entrance fee to get in the King's palace -- to meet the King of all kings.

"I will meet you at the gate." (at the entrance.)

2. Now God said to Abraham in Genesis 22:2, "Take thy son, thine only son Isaac, who thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee off."

Abraham has to pay his entrance fee with a burnt offering. On their way to that meeting place with God; Isaac, his son, asked, "Dad, where is the burnt offering?"

Abraham answered: "Son, God will provide himself a lamb." Then Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order, and took Isaac, stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

3. Then God called out of heaven. Yes, God speaks at the entrance of the gate. "Abraham, Abraham!" And Abraham said, "Here am I." God said; "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, for now I know that thou fearest God."

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. The death of the ram was Isaac's freedom. The Lord provided.

4. In the first book of Chronicles, the 21st chapter, the 15th verse, we read that God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it because of David's sin of pride. And as he was destroying, the Lord beheld and said to the angel that destroyed, "It is enough." The angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor or Ornan the Jebusite.

Then David set up an altar unto the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (verse 26). And offered burnt-offerings and peace offerings and called upon the Lord. And the Lord answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering. The threshing floor is upon the Moria.

5. We read in Chapter 3 verse 1 in the second book of Chronicles. "Than Solomon, began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite."

On Mount Moria, God provided Abraham with a sacrifice--an offering. At the same place God answered David as well as Solomon by fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices.

6. As King Solomon sent prayers at the consecration of the temple in II Chronicles 7:1, he had made an end of praying, fire came down from heaven to consume the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house.

God accepted the sacrifices, the entrance fee to the same meeting place with the sinner. The world is at the entrance, the gate. At God's gate, on one of the mountains in the land of Moriah. Jesus suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:12). He paid the penalty, the entrance fee and invites us in (verse 13).

7. O, God's place of meeting -- God's place of refuge. Isaiah 45:22 says, "Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth. All the four corners of the earth."

In Exodus 27:2 God told Mose, "Thou shalt make an altar with four horns upon the four corners thereof."

Horns are apicture of power; with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth (Deuteronomy 33:17).

God's demands are met in Jesus Christ -- on the cross -- at God's altar. Get a hold of the horns of Calvary. The first man that had received the power of forgiveness was a murderer. God provided--Jehovah-Jireh.

In Luke 23:42, the penitent thief said, "Lord Jesus, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom -- in thy palace. He met Jesus at the gate.

Kadesh Barnea

2009-10-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Evangelical Services, September 17, 1978

1. Hebrews 6: 1, 2

"Therefore let us go on and get pass the elementary stage in the teaching of the doctrine of Christ, going on unto perfection, that belongs to spiritual maturity. Let us not again laying the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.

verse 2: of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago."

2. Like Israel coming up out of Egypt -- out of the world -- believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Justified by faith.

Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord."

First stage. Then going on into perfection we see another stage . . . Sanctification.

Ephesians 5:26, "That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word."

Hebrews 13:12, "Sanctified through the offering of His blood.

1 Peter 1:2, "Washed from sins, and become a pilgrim. Then claiming and seeking a land, a city that's coming, our promise, our inheritance.

3. . . . like Israel led by the pillar of fire to the promised land where they settled. They walked right up to the spot where they could see the beauty of the land filled with clusters of grapes, and they turned back. Many have tasted the heavenly gifts -- the grapes, the milk and honey -- but many will settle for onions and garlic pots in Egypt.

4. We must not stop. We must go on unto perfection. The cloud stopped in Kadesh Barnea.
Numbers 10:12 -- 12:16

Promised Land
Abundant Life -- New Experience

Walled Cities Strong People
Strong Cities. . . . . . . . . . . . Giants

The Cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran

Old experience -- End of journey -- Kadesh Barnea

God's purpose--to lead the congregation till Kadesh Barnea. They stood before the door to enter the promises of God. they came to the crossroad of final decision. Israel had not yet received the promises of God, but they were on their journey.

5. Kadesh Barnea (Bitma), the place where they sent the 12 spies out, and they brought good reports. "The land was great." Listen, we have seen the miracles during our journey, we have seen the red sea part for us, we saw manna come down from heaven like rain, and water pour forth from a rock. We've seen so many supernatural happenings around us.

But some of them said; the cities are walled, they are great cities with strong people. We have seen giants.

Number 14:1, "We cannot take it. The cities are walled up. And all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried."

6. Then Caleb and Joshua tried to hold the peace. They witnessed to them and told them that God had given the land to them. "Let us go and take it (go unto perfection)," they said.

Don't stop at justification, sanctification, but go on to perfection. Don't look at the obstacles. The Lord promied us, no one will get hurt, you can tackle the giants. We can tackle lust, pride, selfishness, selfrightousness, and all that stops us from reaching the promises of God.

Peter said on the day of Pentecost . . .
7. Acts 2:39, "For the promise is to and for your children, and to and for all that are far away, even to as many as the Lord our god invites and bids come to Him.

verse 40, And with many other words did I testify and exhort, saying save yourself from this untoward generation."

The New Testament christian already have a God-given hope.

Hebrews 7:19, "the law make nothing perfect, but draw night to God and He will make you perfect."

Hebrews 8:6, "A better covenant with better promises, God is no longer above us nor with us, but in us."

Hebrews 10:34, "A better possession in heaven."

Hebrews 11:16, a better country and in verse 10 a better city whose builder and make is God.

8. But Israel cried all night. They didn't believe it. Though they received the knowledge of the truth, it could not take them into the promised land. The truth must be experienced. The Holy Ghost is the truth.

9. Why Kadesh Barnea?
God promised--enemies shall fall at our feet. No one will get hurt in the battle. Yet Israel wanted to return to Egypt.

Numbers 14:4, "And the Lord said, 'how long will this people provoke me? How long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?'

verse 28, "The Lord said; 'as truly as I live, so will I do.'"

verse 29, "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. Your bodies shall rot in this wilderness."

10. Back to Hebrews 6:5
"For it is impossible for those which were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gifts, and turned away from their faith."

It is impossible to enter in. For they have counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing. They have nailed again God on the cross for a shameful public disgrace.

Shewbread or Bread of His Presence

2009-10-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

Evangelical Services, September 3rd, 1978

Text: Matthew 26:26-28

1. "And as they were eating Jesus took the bread, and blessed it and brake it, and gave it to the disciples and said: 'This is my body.'

And He took the cup, and gave thanks and gave it to them saying: 'Drink ye all of it.'

For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins.'"

2. Jesus spoke these words to the believers -- to His disciples -- to you and me -- His followers -- His children. He said: "This body which is broken for you is food." It is living bread.

John 6:49
"Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead."

Jesus said: "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof (verse 50) and not die."

Verse 63: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."

"Spiritual meat and spiritual drink" I speak as unto wise men.

3. To partake is to eat and drink in absolute faith; to believe that the sacrifice of the cross is able to meet every human and spiritual need, and is able to cure every human illness. So to partake is life and life is victory over death.

"God bless thy bread, and thy water, and take sickness away from the midst of thee" (Exodus 23:25).

There is healing in the Bread. There is healing in Jesus Christ if we partake in faith. "For faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

That bread taken in faith by the prophet Elijah gave him strength for forty days and forty nights (I Kings 19:4-8).

6. This covenant is made by God. It covers all sin, all sicknesses and all human failure if we take it in faith.

The Lord's supper gives us strength, life till the next communion. The more battles we have, the more spiritual energy we need, the more we need that Living Bread. The first christians had communion services every day. During the three and a half years of great tribulation, saints will be taken out of this world, having three and a half years of comunion services with the Lord--Feasting on the Lord.

5. Let us go back to the first communion service. Melchizedek served Abram with bread and wine.

Who is Melchizedek? Genesis 14:17-21 tells us that Melchizedek, King of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, served Abram, and strengthened Abram who then gained victory over the four kings.

Hebrews 7:2, 3 said that Melchizedek was the King of Righteousness, King of Peace, and was without father or mother, without decent--having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the son of God.

6. God made a body of flesh for Himself, dwelleth in it. Call Him Jesus, god with us, with one purpose to destroy the works of the enemy. God in Flesh. A body, composed of potash, cosmos, light and other elements to make up that temple, tent, body, and to fill it with the Spirit of Himself (the Living God).

But Abram always recognized Him. Once, he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. And he lift up; his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground and said: "My Lord." (Three men he called Lord.) God in flesh recognized by Abram (Genesis 18:1-4).

7. Abram dwelleth in the land of Canaan. And because of that, the Lord said in verse 14, "Lift up thine eyes and look for all the land which thou seest, to thee (to thy seed I will give it) forever.

Now, then the Bible tells me that Abram was involved in a battle between four and five kings.

The four Kings:
1. Amrafel
2. Arich
3. Kadar-Laomer
4. Tideal

The five Kings:
1. Bera
2. Birsa
3. Sinab
4. Semeber
5. Bela

And the four kings made war against the five kings. And the four kings represents the world in its fullness (four is the number of the four winds: the North, South, West and the East.) The powers of darkness--used to oppress, to depress, trying to occupy the five senses.

It is always warring against the Spirit. The person ruled by the senses is alway trying to overcome, but it cannot.

8. We need to put our senses (James 4:7) under control.
Submit yourselves, therefore, to God.

Galatians 2:5
"We have liberty in Christ, and we don't want to give place for the flesh, not for one hour. But we want to put ourselves under subjection of the Spirit of God."

1 Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."

9. Flesh is always warring against the Spirit. Our senses are always in contradiction. The Bible declares that the mind of the flesh is death (Romans 8:6). The Flesh is of no profit. It cannot gain spiritual things.

10. Than Abram came on the scene. He fought the battle (one against forty), the flesh, and overcame. He was always a conqueror. He lives in the plains of Mamre, in Canaan.

Communion: Ephesians 1:18
That your eyes of your understanding, being enlightened, and that you know . . . . inheritance.

Verse 20: "He raised Christ from the dead. That bread went through the furnace on Calvary. Set up in heavenly places.

How To Overcome

2009-09-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Evangelical Services, August 20th, 1978

Revelations 3:21

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. "

2. As old age arrives, people seem to reflect more and more on the question: "Where am I going?" Whether you are young or old, we are all heading toward the end of the road. Everyone must die once (the physical death). What are we struggling for? To live longer? Some people do live a long life, but constantly, day by day, with every heart beat, we come closer to eternity. Wouldn't it be most foolish if we didn't accept God's provision for eternal life? There is no winning touchdown for us. We are on the losing side. Furthermore, we've got to lose. But remember the promise in Luke?

3. Luke 17:33, "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

Is there anything better, is there a greater treasure, than life?

4. Now, we're speaking of overcoming. Speaking of the last church age (the Laodicean church age). Christ has been put outside the church and was trying to get back on the inside. That's love. (Rev. 3:20). After He had been put out of His own house, was trying to come back in and said, "He that will open the door, I will come into him."

Paul said he had to die daily so that Christ could live. Christ lives, if we die. And when we die, we are overcomers. Only then we live and Christ grants us to sit with Him in His throne.

5. It is not on the throne, but in it. His Bride will be ruling with Him from in the throne, from within the entire domain--no boundaries. It is from eternity to eternity.

6. Overcoing is keeping life in a person. How can we overcome if there is no life? Or even when life went out? Scripture tells us that when the unclean spirit has gone from a man, he walks in dry places. Now we all believe in justification by faith and sanctification by the same Holy Spirit. Jesus said, the unclean spirit that went out returns back to the body and finds the house swept clean, living pure, clean lives. But if that house (body) is not filled or occupied it will come in with seven other demons. "And the last stage of this place (person) is seven times worse than it was at the first stage" (Matthew 12:43).

7. Let's talk about a few overcomers.

Noah: Jesus referred to Noah's days and said, "As it was in Noah's time, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of man."

Eight people overcame. How did they do it? They listened to the Word of God. The only way Noah overcame . . . he went into the ark.

Our ark is the Holy Spirit. We can get into this ark, not by good works but by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is the only way to overcome.

8. How do you know then, that you are inside the ark? Don't try to do it yourself. Just surrender to Jesus, he'll guide you in.

9. Daniel: There were four overcomers in the days of Daniel. They stood the test of fire and lions. The lesson? "He that cometh to God must firest be tested! Must believe the Word." And when the test is given, it's to see whether you can overcome or not. Jesus said: "To him that overcometh." And Peter said that our test or trials are worth more than precious gold. God tests us to see whether we belive the Scriptures or not.

10. The Four: Shadrach, Mesach, Abednego, Daniel. All the other believers in Daniel's days were not overcomers. They set a trap for Daniel and the others. Daniel probably knew that.

And they made a law--if any man pray within a certain amount of days, that man will be thrown into a lion's den. But Daniel was not afraid. He knelt down, raised his hands to God and prayed. Why" Live or die, he had the victory; he was an overcomer . . . the lions' mouths were shut.

Meshach, Sadrach and Ebednego had much victory also. The fire of the furnace could not burn them. Their overcoming spirit could not be burnt away, or torn to pieces.

11. Remember that Israel started with a two-million-strong congregation and wound up with two men. They all saw the miracles in Egypt, the manifestation of the Spirit, but it wasn't in their hearts to overcome. They perished in the wilderness. Only Joshua and Caleb were overcomers. They were on the front lines as two generals who led the people down to the river and crossed over into the promised land. Why? Because they believed the Word.

12. The water lily toils, yet does not spin. Solomin in all his glory was not arrayed like the lily. The prettiest flower was a little seed first, striving daily, dying daily when it was in the mud. But it pressed its way through the mud and waters, stuck its head above into the light. It overcame the mud, the hardships of life and experienced the glory.

13. Jesus gave us an example of how to do it. He was tempted in every way but did not sin. Overcoming means to recognize the Devil's tricks. Many people don't believe there's a devil. You must know him. He's that push and shove you feel when no one's there . . . always striving against you.

14. To overcome the Devil and his trickery we must understand, and acknowledge, that God who is in you is greater and mightier. By His grace you are more than a match for the evil one. Darkness cannot stand in the presence of light. No matter how dark it gets, God is Light. And as light overcomes darkness os the person that is in Christ shall overcome the darkness. An overcomer reflects the beauty and glory of God, as the lily overcomes the mud, and the water reflects its beauty.

15. That's the way of the believer. That's how Noah did it, as did Moses, Daniel, Mesach, Shadrach, Abednego, and even Zacharias, Elizabeth, Simeon and Ana. They stuck their heads above the things of this world and shone forth the glory of God.

16. Jesus showed us how it's done. By the Word. and the Lord said, "If you abide in Me, and My words in you . . . " Satan attacked Jesus three times with temptations.

First Attack: satan wanted the Lord to feed himself. Jesus was hungry and when a man gets hungry, the devil gets a freebie. A man will steal, rob, beg or borrow. The devil said to Jesus, why don't you use your power, your authority, and command the stones to turn into bread. But the Lord (the Word Himself) said, "Man shall not live by bread alone . . . " He could have done it. He could easily have changed the stones to bread, but he didn't. Why not? He would never use his authority simply to show off or satisfy his hunger. He used it for others.

The devil will always make a seemingly innocent proposition. At one time he did so with Moses.

17. The Lord told Moses, "Speak to the rock!" You have smitten it, don't do it a second time. But Moses, in the snare of the evil one, smote the rock for a second time and that was against the Lord's command. Moses took God's power to show off. He said as he struck the rock, "Come forth! I command you to come forth!" And the waters came forth. But then God said, "Come up Moses, here. you glorified yourself. Now, you are not going over into the promised land. "

18. Second Attack: Satan said to Jesus, "Come up here on top of the temple. If you want to be something before the people, stand up and jump." The Devil even quoted scripture. "It is written, he had given the angels charge over thee lest at any time thoud dash thy foot against a stone. They would bear you up." But Jesus said, "It is also written, don't tempt the Lord thy God."

19. Third Attack: Satan said, "All these kingdoms of the world are mine. you can have it." What a proposition. You could be king without a cross. A king without a battle. But not an overcomer.

Are we willing to die to ourselves? Are we willing to give ourselves up to God? Just leave your life at the altar of God and walk away. Leave your life there in God's hands. Because He lives you are an overcomer.

Nikita

2009-09-15T11:14:00.000-07:00