Temple

 

The Tabernacle and the Temples of God given to us in scripture all are a type and shadow of many spiritual truths. Much can be learned from the study of these places, and it would be a study that could take years.
The imagery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is very much a part of these places of sacrifice and worship. It would take pages and books to write all the things that are revealed to us by a study of the tabernacle and the temples of God. For the purpose of this entry, I would like to look at the reflection of the believer in Christ that can be found in the Temple. What is reflected about each of us by the temples of God?
Scripture tells us that we believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the temple of the living God (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:16), because Christ dwells in us. This is not a temple made by human hands, but a temple built out of living stones, us, as we contain the presence of Jesus.
There are certain items that were given by King David and the people of Israel for the building of the Temple. If these items express a spiritual truth about us, we should look into it. The listing of materials is in 1 Chron. 29:1-2. When God was teaching Israel about the contents of His Temple, what wonderful things He was prophesying about us! These are the items listed to be used in the Temple:
Gold- pure, brilliant, precious, splendor in Hebrew.
As we contain Christ, we are to be pure in heart, and spirit, full of His glory and splendor.
"And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one."
                                                                                     Jn. 17:22
The brilliance of gold shines from us as we have been commanded to be the light of the world (Mt. 5:14).
Like gold, we have attained a precious faith  through the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Pet. 1:1).
When we are tested by our Father, we are refined and come forth as pure gold (Job 23:10).
We are exhorted to be pure in thoughts, word, and deed, as we are pure n faith. The purer gold is, the more luster and value it has. When I lived in the beautiful state of Arizona, I had the opportunity to pan for gold. If you have ever panned for gold in a river or stream, you know that the luster, even from the smallest flake of gold, stands out in the pan taking your breath away. You know when you see it, that it is unmistakeably gold. As we reflect Christ in us, we walk in that beautiful luster. Imagine how that luster would stand out in a world of darkened understanding.
Silver- Unlike gold, silver is a white color. Silver was more often used for making coins through history. The Hebrew word for silver means "to long for, or to be longed for". It is a symbol of redemption. It is the money used to redeem something lost. We are to be spiritual silver. Instead of being something used for exchange in this world, we represent the fact that there was a cost to redeem us. We were bought with the price of Jesus' blood:  
"For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" and "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men."   (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23)
Every time we shine as silver, we show how we long for the ways of God, and that He longs for us. Many traditional Jewish brides were and are adorned with silver, and Jesus tells the parable of a woman who loses a silver coin that was part of her bridal jewelry (Lk. 15:8-10), and how she rejoiced with all of her friends when she found it again. Jesus said this is the same with repentance in the Kingdom of God.
Bronze- In Hebrew, bronze has a meaning "to shine". Its root meaning deals with a bell, and ringing. Bronze is connected therefore, with a sound, and it is a sound that all humans recognize. The ringing sound of a bell, travels over long distances, and draws the attention of a community to listen. Its sounding has a significance, whether it be to call, to warn, to celebrate, to mourn, to alert to a time, and it is difficult to ignore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOQwvMY3wo). All believers should be a bell sounding in their communities. We should be sounding in the background of everyday life, calling, alerting, celebrating, warning, reminding of the time.
Iron- Iron refers to strength. Iron rubbed against iron sharpens. In this case, a believer's strength is not their own, but comes from the presence of the LORD as part of our life. He strengthens us to withstand and overcome. He strengthens us to endure. Iron combined with Him becomes steel in the furnace of testing. Iron is associated with warfare, and as all believers know, spiritual warfare is part of our calling. And our greatest spiritual weapon is our endurance. Our faith is of iron in strength, not because it is our faith, but because it is the faith of the Son of God (Gal. 2:20).
Believer it or not, the word "iron" in Hebrew also refers to the choicest of olive trees. Olive trees are not only valued for their abundant fruit, but for their valuable oil that comes forth in the press. Olive trees can endure, and live to very old age. They can withstand difficult conditions. As believers, we must have the same character as the olive tree, and produce the same abundant fruit and oil of anointing.
Wood- The source of wood is a tree: a Tree of Life, a tree of the Kingdom of God, a fruitful tree, a shade tree, an evergreen tree. Wood is used as a building material. Wood is used as fuel for fire. We are to fuel a spiritual fire that burns in the hearts of men, the salvation of God. A tree is also used as a place of death: a gallows, a crucifix. Our lives end at a tree, the cross, and begin at the same tree. It is death to our flesh, but life to our spirit. The root meaning of "wood" in Hebrew, is to shut, like a door, to make firm. In the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we are in the image of Christ, a door. Many will enter the Kingdom of God through us. Once entered, the door is shut to all of the tools, schemes and lies of the devil. The door is shut, even as the bridegroom and the bride celebrate their marriage together (Mt. 25:10). The door is the place where the lovers of Christ are identified. It is the place of separation between those who are known, and those who are not known (Lk. 13:25-27). The door is the place where Jesus first approaches a person's heart and knocks. We are to be that place in a person's life, where Jesus is able to knock for the first or last time.
Onyx Stones-  Onyx is a stone that is named for a whitish color, and refers to being "blanched". Blanching is a process of whitening, even as our souls are whitened as we are purified and perfected. Onyx is unique also because of the striped effect that exists across the stone. All forms of this mineral, even though they may vary in color, have that striping effect to some degree. The stripes of Christ from His suffering have an effect upon us, not just on the surface, but a deep effect that scores to the inward part of us (Isa. 53:5, 1 Pet. 2:24, Prov. 20:30). We carry the effects of His stripes in our lives, to be clearly seen by others. His stripes identify us, even as onyx stones are identified by their striping.
Stones to be set- These stones are stones that are set in place. They refer to the installation of the order of the priesthood. They also refer to abundance. We, as stones to be set, do not go in and out of the temple. We are set in order, and remain to serve God. Those who remain and are steadfast are a firm and fixed supply to the temple. Many of us go in and out of the church we attend as if it is our choice where and how we serve and worship. God has fixed us, and we need to remain constant where He has set us. He has set us there for a reason. We will not be removed.
Glistening Stones of Various Colors-  This is an amazing description of us. Stones of various colors woven together as a weaver, or embroiderer would use variegated threads to create a whole. These stones were used to decorate the walls and floors. They glistened and reflected light. We should be so closely woven together as believers that we do not know where one ends and another begins, working together to create a whole. The Body of Christ is described as being "knitted together". The weaving or knitting together is the same as God describes regarding the forming of the embryo in the womb. This whole reflects and glistens with light, made up of many different colors. How beautiful.
All Kinds of Precious Stones-  Those who are the Temple of the Holy Spirit are precious and costly. It cost the blood of our Father's only begotten Son to redeem us. We are precious in His sight. These stones are splendid, costly, glorious in the eyes of our Father. He esteems us and holds us most dear (Ps. 72:14). The meaning also refers to one of a quiet spirit. The world clamors with discord, but the Temple of the Holy Spirit is a haven of peace, quiet before the LORD to hear His voice, and in worship, with the sound of musical harmony.
Marble Slabs in Abundance- Marble here is the word "alabaster". In the natural, marble is a white stone, highly polished and porous. It is smooth and cool to the touch. In believers, to be that smooth, white stone, is to be a cool refuge in times of fiery trial. The coolness comes from our faith. We absorb the faith of the Son of God through every pore of our spirit, as marble absorbs. We need to make sure, that as porous beings, we do not absorb the stains of this world. The artist, Michelangelo, would search the marbles of the quarry looking for a piece that was as purely white as possible. It was from such a piece of marble that he sculpted his beautiful "Pieta", Mary holding the crucified Christ across her lap (see link below). But the alabaster I think of was the alabaster used in worship. A certain woman, who was a sinner, in gratitude to Jesus, came to a house where He was dining. She approached Him, broke open an alabaster box, and anointed Him with precious oils (Mt. 26:7, Lk. 7:37). One account mentions spikenard as the precious oil contained by the alabaster box. Spikenard was the essence that was used at the Incense Altar of the Temple. It was known as "HaKetoret", The Incense. We are the alabaster that contains the precious, costly, anointing oil of the Holy Spirit. We are the perfume that rises to God through our prayers, and deep spiritual worship.

We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the House of God. We are to reflect the qualities of the precious items mentioned above, used to build and beautify the Temple. We are the Living Stones that house the Presence of God.

Our Father fills the Temple.

"The Pieta"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkS96E7gfFI

"God is Here"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOUSbLehBhA

"Sanctuary"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxB9VH3cCN4

Marriage

 

This is a tough one, and you're not going to like me much when you read this.
Our world today is a place where people decide marriage is whatever they want it to be. There's a lot of confusion, debate, rancor, pointing of fingers, quoting scripture, accusations and agendas. We think marriage is defined by the law of man, by a legislature, by the dictation of what the society thinks at any given moment, by what is new fashioned as opposed to old fashioned, tolerance versus intolerance. But the fact is, marriage is defined by our Father. The reason that society rejects the definition of marriage as given by God, is because the people of God reject the definition of marriage as given by God. We don't believe what our Father says about marriage, we don't understand it, we don't live it and we don't walk it. In many cases, instead of creating marriages, we, in the Body of Christ, create Frankensteins. Something that should have been a divine creation, has instead become a blasphemy. What was meant to be an image of Jesus Christ in the earth, has, instead, become an image of self. Of course we are very quick to tell others what marriage is, and is not, but unfortunately, we His people, for the most part, haven't got a clue. And the world is very much aware of this.
Do I know what marriage is as defined by God? I have a theory, but I can't say that I always walk in the understanding of my theory. Again, that makes me part of the problem, and not part of the solution, as the saying goes. But, for my own training, I will try to write down what is speeding through my spirit regarding marriage.
Marriage is a place where an individual goes to die. Are we having fun yet? Marriage is a place where I give up everything that I think and feel, everything that is to my own benefit, a place where I sell myself out. Let me look at some scriptures:
"And Adam said: 
This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, and were not ashamed."                  
                                                                                                     Gen. 2:23-25
Some very interesting things happen in these verses. First of all, Adam, who has been given the authority to name creation (Gen. 2:19-20), renames himself in these verses. In the passage above, The Hebrew word used for "Man", above is "iysh". Prior to this point, the Hebrew word "adam", had been used for man. "Adam" refers to a redness of color, to be rubbed red, to be red like wine and sparkle. This may refer to the soil from which he came. It may refer to a living being filled with blood. It may be because in the handling and forming of man, God rubbed him, or caressed him. It also means "handsome". It seems to deal with the outward appearance. But Adam renames himself "Iysh". This refers to an inward character or quality. The Hebrew word can mean "husband, servant, champion, great man, valor, leader, king". In gaining a wife, Adam has become more than he was. He has become different than he was. Physically, he lost part of himself in the creation of woman, but spiritually, he gained a kingship, a kingship received out of servanthood. He gained a purpose and a character that surpassed what he had been before. He goes on to say that a man leaves his father and mother. He walks away from his worldly identity, the thing that made him what he was, and he becomes a new identity. Adam has died. Iysh has been born. The event that changed him was marriage to Woman.
Who is "Woman"? In Hebrew, she is "Iyshshah". This means "woman, female, wife". But, as you may have guessed, there is a deeper meaning. The fabric of which she is made is bone and flesh from Adam. "Bone" means "essence, body parts, or limbs, vast, mighty, numerous, strong, make strong, make mighty". "Flesh" here means "kindred, relative, glad tidings, gladden with good news, preach, announce, salvation, beauty that comes from a face of joy and cheerfulness". The fabric of which she is made contains the essence of his strength, even that part of his spiritual strength, salvation, not only for herself, but for all mankind, the numerous generations to follow. And even as Adam separates from the character of the world, he joins himself to his strength, his joy, the good news of  salvation. The two become one flesh - "echad", becoming the same, alike. They both are naked, but unashamed. To be naked is to be uncovered. They are not covered by the clothing, possessions, outward identity of this world, but they are uncovered and open to the eyes of God. They do not, at this point, have to hide anything from Him, or from each other.
The principle of sacrifice in marriage is also seen with our Father, who considers Himself married to Israel, and will never divorce, or separate Himself from her.
"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you...."                                                                                                                      Deut. 7:6-8
"For your Maker is your Husband, The LORD of Hosts is His name...."      Isa. 54:5 
"I spread My wing over you...swore an oath to you...entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine....I washed you in water, I anointed you with oil...I clothed you and covered you..."
                                                                                                            Ezek. 16:8-9
This marriage cost the Father. He gave up precious things for this marriage"
"I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you. And people for your life."                                                                         Isa. 43:3-4

God had to sacrifice lives that He held dear for His love of Israel. Do we think this was an easy thing? Do we think it is easy for Him even now, as He sees the love of His wife has grown cold and distant from Him, even after He has given nations and peoples for her sake? But He has cleaved unto Israel.
Jesus, likewise, has taken unto Himself a bride, a wife. And He has made great sacrifice of Himself to achieve His marriage. Like Adam's "Woman", Jesus has filled His wife with the good news, He has made her numerous. He has called her beautiful, and a joy. He gave up everything of this earth to receive His bride unto Himself, and cleave unto her. And He has gained His Kingship, and He has become our Champion. He has made Himself "Husband". He has told us that this same marriage that He has made with His bride, is the same marriage we are to have with one another. The whole point of our marriages is to be a reflection of the truth of Christ's marriage to us. Formed with the same sacrifice. Committed to the same truth. Supernatural in nature, and in strength in Oneness. Changing our old identities into something new and holy. Changing us into a combined something so different from what we were as individuals, that we aren't even known by the same name anymore.
At His last supper here on earth, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and told them to wash each others' feet in the same manner. He was about to give His blood for this union. Even so, his disciples were debating who among themselves was the greatest. Jesus told them they just didn't get it. No, we don't.

Our Father is marriage.

"Comfort Ye My People"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZvpbBD75M

Thoughts

 

The thoughts of our Father are wonderful and amazing! The thoughts of humans? Not so much. Even we who think we know God, and have studied His Word and His will for years, do not often have amazing and wonderful thoughts. While our Father's thoughts create great things, our thoughts often do nothing but magnify our own "body of death", our flesh. Often we have prideful thoughts, doubting thoughts, self-pitying thoughts, vengeful thoughts, unforgiving thoughts, critical thoughts towards others, judgmental thoughts: thinking we know the will of God in every situation, selfish thoughts, resentful thoughts - you get the picture, and it is not a pretty one. Our thoughts are not always this ugly, but, if we are honest, we cannot deny the attraction our flesh feels towards this thinking. These thoughts make our flesh feel better, even if they are horrible thoughts about ourselves, and others. If it is part of the flesh, then it is part of death. We are magnifying death with our thoughts, instead of magnifying our gracious Father, Who gave everything for us. The Word tells us to be thankful to God in all things. This is our victory. This is the full stature of Christ. But, this generation especially, is not noted for thankfulness in our thoughts.
We really must change how we think. The Word of God is to wash and regenerate our minds. Yet, as soon as we read His Word, how often our thoughts immediately return onto those things that do not glorify God. In fact, often the fruit of our thoughts cause others to mock and blaspheme God, because they see what we think and do. We will have to give answer for every vain thought. As Paul says in Rom. 7:4:

"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Are we concerned yet? Let us do a comparative study between God's thoughts, and man's thoughts. GOD'S THOUGHTS "For I know the thoughts (esteem, value, regard, to invent) that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."            Jer. 29:11 "O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep."      Ps. 92:5 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,  Nor are your ways My ways", says the LORD, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."                                              Isa. 55:8-9 MAN'S THOUGHTS Jesus said: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart preceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man..."                 Mt. 15:18-19 "And He (Jesus) said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts (doubts) arise in your hearts?"                                                                                            Lk. 24:38 "The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile."           Ps. 94:11 "And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."                                                                                                            1 Cor. 8:2 RECONCILING MAN'S THOUGHTS TO GOD'S THOUGHTS "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."                                                                                                           1 Chron. 28:9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy - think on these things."                                                                                                          Phil. 4:8 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."                                                                                                               Ps. 139:23-24    AMEN. Our Father's thoughts are wonderful and amazing. "Teach Me Thy Way" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY6848ZQeo "My Words, My Thoughts, My Meditations" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFu9Cm08kEU "Our God is Greater" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc