Reverence

Our society in general has lost a sense of reverence towards God, and the things of God. If society reflects a lack of reverence, it is likely, as we will see, that it is the people of God who failed to reverence the Lord first. This week's Sabbath reading brings up this question to us, the believers. The title of this Sabbath's reading is sh'mini, meaning "8th". According to Jewish teaching, the "8th" represents a step above and beyond the perfection of the number "7", which refers to the perfection of the natural creation as written in Genesis. The 8th also symbolizes resurrection and spiritual regeneration and renewal. Eight/eighth is represented by the Hebrew letter cheth which means "inner room or chamber, to separate, to cut off, to protect". So we can say that the term 8th represents God's desire to bring us to the next step in supernatural perfection, deeper and closer to Him. "The 8th day" is mentioned often in scripture. There is also a change involved in the concept of 8th, the same change that is found in resurrection and renewal, as a result of this next step in progressing perfection. The Sabbath reading starts in Leviticus 9, where God is about to bring His people into that next level. God commanded that there be seven days of consecration of the tabernacle and the priests, Aaron and his four sons, "...that you may not die." (Lev. 8:33-35). Moses had just received these commands from God on the mountain. On the 8th day, the priests were commanded by the LORD through Moses to prepare specific sacrifices "for today the LORD will appear to you...and the glory of the LORD will appear to you." (Lev. 9:4-6)). The priests were to make sacrifices of atonement for themselves and the people (v. 7). The presence of the LORD, therefore, was to be ushered in with sacrifice and reverence so that they might live. Moses and Aaron blessed the people: "Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." (v. 23-24). However, the reverence and awe of the LORD experienced on that day did not last long. Immediately afterward, two of Aaron's sons burned incense in their censers that had been ignited by "profane/strange fire" (zur - strange, of an enemy, a foreigner, of one alienated, turned from the way). The fire that they used was not holy to the LORD. As a result, fire went out from the LORD and killed the two priests (Lev. 10:1-2). This is the explanation that the LORD gave to Moses and Aaron: "By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy. And before all the people, I must be glorified." (v. 3). We must approach the LORD with reverence, and glorify Him before the people, not for His benefit, but for our benefit, and the benefit of the people. He said that His priests must "distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses." (v. 10-11). We cannot expect the people to reverence the LORD, or the things of the LORD, if we do not reverence Him. Those who believe in Christ are also considered priests before Him (1 Peter 2:9-10, Rev. 1:6, 5:10), who offer spiritual sacrifices in His spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). The Apostle Paul also warned us against an attitude of irreverence concerning the things of the Lord. He was correcting the Church at Corinth regarding their irreverent attitude and actions involving The Holy Communion, or Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:17-26). He told them the revelation that He received directly from the Lord regarding this remembrance of the Last Supper, which was a Passover Seder, that Jesus had with His disciples. At that time, Jesus revealed the necessity of His body and His blood, represented by the bread and the wine, as a sacrifice, and as a new covenant for them. The Church at Corinth was treating the Communion as if it were an occasion for food and drink. Then Paul gave us this warning that brings to mind the deaths of the two sons of Aaron, which we read above: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup in an unworthy manner (anaxios - "irreverently") will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself...For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner (irreverently) eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (are dead). (v. 27-30). As the LORD told Moses and Aaron, when His priests are not reverent in their ways before Him, they rob the LORD of His glory before the eyes of the people. Paul wrote, "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31). In another example from this week's Sabbath reading, David and many from Judah, were attempting to bring the ark of the covenant into the City of David, or Jerusalem, in 2 Samuel 6. Although this account does not mention an "8th day", if we look at the Hebrew key words used in verses 1 and 2, there is an underlying meaning of resurrection, and even the Rapture, the catching away of the living believers (see 1 Thess. 5:14-18 for a description). If you wish to see a breakdown of these Hebrew words and their meanings, I will add them to the bottom of this entry*. We find out in this account from 2 Sam. 6, that the ark of the covenant has a name: "...the ark of God whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of hosts, who dwells (between) the cherubim" (v. 2). The ark was moved on a cart, which is against the command of the LORD that it must only be carried on poles. One of the movers, Uzzah (meaning "strength, power, might"), reached out with his hand to steady the ark when the oxen pulling the cart stumbled (v. 6). He died immediately. David became angry, and was afraid (yare - "fear, reverence, honor, respect, awe") of the LORD that day, and then asked, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?" (v. 8-9). Now David sought the proper way to handle the holy thing of God that bears His Name. On the second attempt, men, not a cart, bore the ark. Not only did David bring up the ark with joy and praise, as he had done the first time, but David now also wore a linen effod (a change of clothes to white linen, which symbolizes the LORD's righteousness), but also had sacrifices made every six (the Hebrew letter vaw, meaning "nail, nailed to, joined") paces. "So David, and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet." (v. 13-15, see also 1 Thess. 4:16-17). David's wife, who was the previous king's daughter, had contempt for David and the manner by which he brought up the ark, and because of that, she was barren for the rest of her life (v. 16, 20-23). So David, who loved the LORD and was already familiar with the power of praise, learned the power of reverence also, and the danger of neglecting it. He successfully brought the ark into the city of Jerusalem. God's people were brought a step above and beyond in perfection, and it was accomplished through reverence. The author of the Book of Hebrews wrote: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:28-29). We can see that there is a connection to being taken above and beyond the natural perfection into the supernatural perfection of God, and our continued reverence for Him, and the things that are called after His Name. Our reverence also glorifies God before the people. Perhaps there are holy things that we have begun to take for granted in our faith, such as the name of God, the Word of God, Communion, and the resurrection and rapture of the believers. All of these things incorporate the principles of the 8th day, which include change, resurrection, renewal and regeneration. However, there is also the necessary ingredient of reverence that must accompany these things. If you would like to know more about reverence toward the LORD, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You are great, and holy, and worthy of our praise and reverence. You desire to bring us into Your inner chamber, and to a higher level of perfection in You, and into the exact image of Your Son, Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can walk in reverence before You always, as You change and perfect me. I ask these things in Jesus' Name, AMEN." *An addendum to this entry: First we will read 2 Sam. 6:1-2, and then the meaning from the key Hebrew words: "Again, David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God...". One meaning of these two verses might also be: "Again the Beloved (denotes the Messiah) assembled, collected, took away, harvested, received the company or family which is under a leader, of the taught, yoked, and lifted up, the elect, the selected, the tried, the examined, the proven, that which is the same as, or an exact copy. The Beloved was raised up and caused to come forth, and carried away, led forth, the lords or citizens of praise, the flock, the kindred, the attendants who were with Him, in order to bring up, ascend, take up, carry away and fetch up the chest, especially a coffin, of the Lion, pierced, piercing."

Culture

The word "culture" has several definitions. The first: "Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. It encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, what we believe is right or wrong...the way of life". In other words, the culture of a group of people reflects the content of their souls - their minds, their wills, and their emotions. We have certainly seen how our culture has changed radically in the last few generations. Many would say that this cultural change has not been for the better. There is also a biological meaning to the word culture which is also interesting: "cells, tissues or organisms grown in a medium either for scientific purposes or to get the substances these living things produce". In a culture of this kind, something grows, multiplies, and produces. Like the biological definition, I think the things that make up our culture in our society have found a medium in which they can grow, multiply, and produce a substance within our lives. Our culture becomes a living thing, in a way. In 1995, the Chicago Tribune reported the following: "...Pope John Paul II condemned a growing and widespread "culture of death" in which moral crimes ...are viewed as individual rights." Over twenty years ago, the Pope made this remark, which was considered shocking at the time, about what he saw as an alarming and growing trend in our culture, which was a disregard for life. Our current times have certainly verified the Pope's comment and concern. Violence of all kinds has increased and become more bizarre. I live near a major city where reports of violence and murder has become a daily occurence, even against innocent people just walking down the street, or waiting for a train. Has our culture indeed become a "culture of death"? If so, how and why did that happen, and what can be done? In this week's Sabbath reading titled Tzav, or "Command!", the prophet Jeremiah wrote the Word of the LORD about a culture gone wild. The Sabbath reading related to the topic of giving offerings to the LORD. The commands given to the people concerning offerings were given in Leviticus Chapters 6-8, which are also part of this week's reading. In the reading from Jeremiah, the offering had been turned from a holy expression of worship and obedience into a horrible abomination before the LORD. What had been meant to be, through the obedience of God's people, a prophetic picture and promise of the sacrifice and atonement of Christ, became an act of disobediance instead, and a profane doctrine of devils. The offerings commanded by God gave His people an opportunity to express their obedience to the commands of God. This obedience was to their benefit and blessing in every way. However, as Israel offered their sacrifices and offerings to idols instead (Jer. 7:17-19), the LORD spoke to Jeremiah: "For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices, but this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." (Jer. 7:22-23). The LORD's commands were not for His benefit, but the obedience to them benefitted His people. The Lord said the same in 1 Sam. 15:22-23, and Hosea 6:6. The Lord was establishing a culture, or way of life, among His people of obedience to His voice. The LORD continued: "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward...they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers...This nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished (abad - perish, destroy, die, be exterminated, kill, put to death) and has been cut off (karat - cut down, destroy, to cut off a body part, behead, to permit to perish) from their mouth." (v. 24-28). As we can see, the first consequence of the disobedience of God's people was a death by murder- the murder of the truth according to the meanings of the Hebrew words used in the verse, and haven't we seen this very thing in our time also? Truth has become difficult to find in our culture. Because of this death consequence of the culture of disobedience, the LORD warned that many would die. First, the people of God killed their own children, offering them by fire at a place called Tophet ("place of fire"; contempt, spitting, smiting, to strike, kill), also called the Valley of Hinnom (meaning "lamentation"), as an abominable sacrifice to their idols. We see a form of this abomination in our own culture today. We have made the killing of children a choice, a protected liberty. The physical place where they burned their children was referred to later as Gehenna, and Jesus used it as an analogy to describe the eternal and abominable burning of Hell (Mk. 9:42-50). God did not command their children to be destroyed there, but they sent their children there by their own choice. This is what grows in the culture of disobedience - death. The LORD told His people through Jeremiah that as a result of their disobedience, that valley would become too full of dead bodies to bury: "...for they will bury in Tophet until there is no room. The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away." (v. 32-33). From the place of that valley, the deaths will multiply and spread to their cities, and then to the whole land (v. 34). In the culture, or medium, of disobedience to God, death was the product that was grown and multiplied: "Then death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of those who remain..." (Jer. 8:3). The Sabbath reading from Jeremiah concludes: "Thus says the LORD: 'Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field...and no one shall gather them...Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment/justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD." (Jer. 9:22-24). The LORD also said that the disobedience of His people had grown so pervasive that He knew they would not listen to His warning by the words of Jeremiah (Jer. 7:27). This is a grim message from God for His people, but there is a remedy to the culture of disobedience that we, His people, have chosen. It is not too late to change our culture of disobedience and death. God waits patiently and rejoices and glories in the return and restoration of His people, and has provided the way of return. Psalm 85 says: "LORD, You have been favorable to Your land...You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin...Restore us, O God of our salvation...Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly...that glory may dwell in our land...Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway." (Ps. 85). In this psalm, as His people ask for forgiveness, restoration, and salvation, the LORD begins a revival work in them and in their land. Truth is restored, and mercy, righteousness and peace are established. The psalmist is determined to listen to the voice of the LORD, and follow the path of righteousness that His footsteps has established. The culture of the land is changed. As Jesus urged His Church to repent, He promised that He is right outside the door knocking. If anyone hears His voice, and opens the door, "I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20). Second Chronicles 7:14 assures us that if His people will repent, pray, humble themselves, and turn from their wickedness, God will hear, and heal their land. WE have the remedy in our hands, and in our mouths to the culture of death. Since we started with the Pope's warning in 1995, we can end with his declaration of truth spoken against the culture of death. The truth that he declared was called "Evangelium Vitae", or the Gospel of Life. He based his declaration on the following said by Jesus: "The thief does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (Jn. 10:10). Jesus came to "cancel" the culture of death with the way of LIFE in Him. He came to restore not just life, but abundant life. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (Jn. 14:6). Life and restoration cannot come any other way. This is the blessing that God has provided through His Son, and our Salvation. Let us return to the way of obedience and life. Why would we choose anything else? If you would like to be part of the culture of life, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to cancel the power of death. Forgive me, Father, when I have refused to hear Your voice, and have chosen my own way. Fill me with Your Spirit to guide me and remind me of the paths of righteousness, and the way of obedience to You. As I turn back to you, LORD, heal my land, and restore it to Your peace. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN."

SecondDay

One title applied to this Sabbath is Zachor, because it is a Sabbath of Remembrance. It is the Sabbath before Purim, and it is set aside to remember the story of Esther. Purim is a feast that was created by the leaders of the Jewish people of Persia (now Iran/Iraq) to memorialize the day when God's people were delivered out of the hands of an evil, Satan-like character named Hamen by the favor of the king. The king of Persia (which means "pure, splendid") was named Ahasuerus or Xerxes (meaning "lion king, great warrior"), and he "... reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia." (Est. 1:1). As we can see, this king was the ruler of a great empire. His kingdom is described as "glorious", with the "splendor of his excellent majesty" (v. 4). The Book of Esther has an important meaning to the Church, both Jew and Gentile, because Esther was the bride of this (Lion) King, who ruled with excellent majesty, a glorious, pure kingdom of splendor. This puts us in mind of Christ, His Bride the Church, and His kingdom. I think, however, there is also an important message here to the individual believer in Christ as well. Although Esther was married to the king, and had the title of queen, she did not have a close relationship with the king (Est. 3:11). The king had not summoned her for the past thirty days. She told her uncle that anyone who comes into the king's presence unbidden can be pur to death. Her uncle, Mordecai, told her that unless she sees and speaks to the king, she and her people will perish as a result of Haman's plot against them. He suggested to Esther that this is even her life's purpose: "...who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Est. 4:14). The Jews, Mordecai said, would fast and pray on Esther's behalf, and Esther decided to go before the king: "...and if I perish, I perish!" (Est. 4:16). So Esther changed her garments, put on her royal robes, and stood at the door of the king's court (Est. 5:1-2). Esther was willing to risk her life to fulfill her kingdom purpose. The king saw her, and extended his mercy and permission for her to enter. He must have wondered what motivated Esther to risk her life to come before him unbidden. He must have then been very surprised to hear that she took such a risk merely to invite him, and Haman also, to a banquet! On the second day of the banquet of wine that Esther had prepared, the king said to her: "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!" (Est. 7:2). Jesus said the same to us: "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (Jn. 14:13-14). We do not just chant Jesus' name as if it were a magic word, but we ask in what His name represents, His identity as the Son of His Father. We can also understand what happened for Esther in the phrase "second day" that we see above, which has a special meaning. The Hebrew root word sana means to change, alter, transmute/change into another state or form, to fold, to transfer to another place, to change oneself as in changing garments. As we can see from the root meaning of the phrase used above, it indicates a complete change, even into another state or form. Esther then revealed Haman's plot on that second day of the banquet, and how it would affect her and her people. The king said to Haman, who had fallen across Esther's couch appealing to her for mercy: "Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?' As the word left the king's mouth, they covered (hapa - "overlaid, veiled, encased") Haman's face." (Est. 7:8). So on the second day of Esther's banquet of wine, Haman was condemned by the king. In the Song of Songs, the bride says of her Beloved: "He brought me to the banqueting house (house of wine), and his banner over me was love." (Song of Songs 2:4). In the Book of Esther, we see Esther in several forms: First as Hadassah, the Jewish orphan. Then we see Esther, hiding behind a Gentile identity. We see her then given the title of "queen" by marriage to the king, but it was an empty title without a relationship with that king. She was a queen without access to the king, and relegated to the women's chamber. It wasn't until Esther became queen in royal purpose, which came after her reunion and dependence upon the king, that he offered to give her anything she asked even up to half of his kingdom. In this relationship with the king, she was given permission to ask for whatever she wished. What does this mean to us? We saw a change or transmutation in Esther and her position, in the king's feelings towards Esther, and in the circumstances that were within the power of the king. The same type of transmutation is necessary for us according to scripture. It is one that we resist, however, as we cling in our minds to the natural view we have of ourselves. Do we think of ourselves as no longer belonging to ourselves, but to Christ, our King and Husband? (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The transmutation necessary to change from royalty in title only to royalty in purpose and fact as Esther did requires a new way of thinking. This is the necessary change that Paul spoke of: "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Cor. 5:16-17), and also, "For in Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." (Gal. 6:15-16). The transmutation comes from being IN Christ. My identity ends, and Christ's supernatural identity is what exists instead. Esther's identity went from being the Jew, to the Gentile, to the wife/queen who waited in the women's chamber, into being a reigning queen in her husband's presence, who was offered up to half the king's kingdom upon request. After this "change", the king even let Esther compose the decrees that went throughout the kingdom, sealed with the king's own signet ring (Esther 8:7-8). Paul also wrote of enthroned authority already accomplished in Christ: "...and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:6-7). Paul said this: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:27-29). Have we changed our natural garments, and put on Christ instead, in agreement with the meaning of "the second day"? Or are we still clinging to our natural identities - identities that we cannot imagine being without? We are heading for the "third day" spoken of in regard to Christ's return, but we have not yet made the change necessary of the "second day". We did not exist in eternity with God in our natural identities according to scripture: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..." (Eph. 1:3-4). We are not to think of ourselves, or others, by our natural identities: "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3). There are Haman types in the world today doing much damage to the people of God. It is not our own natural identity, but the identity of the King, Jesus Christ in whom we exist, that enables our kingdom purpose to be accomplished. We have to allow that change to take place. If you would like to learn more about being in Christ, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You came as the firstfruit of many brethren. Our existence began in You before the foundation of the world, and You died and rose from the dead to reconcile us back to the Father in Your Being. Fill me, Lord, with the Holy Spirit to help me to be conformed to Your image. the image of the dear Son (Rom. 8:29). I ask this in Your name, Jesus, AMEN."

Glory

Last week we looked at the instructions from God given to Moses, regarding the skilled workmen and materials needed to begin to construct the furnishings of the tabernacle. The LORD spoke these instructions to Moses when he was in God's presence on the mountain. Moses then assembled the elders and all of the children of Israel to give them the instructions of God. Only those with a willing heart and spirit were to contribute to this work of the tabernacle. These things brought to mind what Paul later wrote about the building of a living tabernacle by master builders, made from all of the believers in Christ (see the previous post titled "Assembled"). This week's Sabbath reading, called P'kudei, meaning "accounting of/for", from Ex. 39 and 40 deals with the completion of the work of the tabernacle, and its assembly. When the furnishings, curtains, incense, robes of the priesthood, outer coverings of the tabernacle, and more, were completed, they were brought before Moses (Ex. 39:32-41). Then: "According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it. And Moses blessed them." (v. 42-43). This brought to mind the New Testament scriptures in which the saints, the believers in Christ, are being equipped or perfected for "the work of the ministry" (Eph. 4:11-13). There is a work to be accomplished by the believers in Christ. Paul wrote that Christ Himself "gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping (katartismos - complete furnishing, perfecting; perfectly joined together, put in order, arrange, complete, to mend what has been broken, to prepare") of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." According to the Concordance, the use here of the word fulness (of Christ) means "the body of believers as that which is filled with the presence, power, agency of God and Christ". Our personal salvation is just the beginning of the story. There is a great work of God being built of all believers that, when assembled together properly, results in the manifestation of that fulness of Christ as defined above. Don't we all want to see the completion of this great living building project? We also see a shadow of this in the events that took place with the assembling and completion of the tabernacle by Moses and the children of Israel. Moses and Israel began assembling the tabernacle on the first day of the first month according to the specific order and directions given to Moses by God (Ex. 40). First was the placement of the ark of the covenant containing the stone tablets of the commandments, and then the partitioning off (sakak) of the ark by the veils placed around it (v. 3). As something for consideration aside from our main topic, I would like to offer a thought about the placement of the ark, and its veiling or partitioning (sakak), as a possible addition to what we already believe about the purpose of the ark. The Hebrew word sakak used here means "to weave, to entwine as a screen, to hedge, fence about, shut in, stop the approach, to block, to screen, cover, thorns, to protect or guard, to cover with armor". We may also then be able to look at the partitioning off of the ark containing the Word of God, which is Jesus (Jn. 1:1-3, 14), as the covering and protecting of the Christ in the midst of the children of Israel until the time when He would be revealed to Israel and all people. We can see this necessity to hide Christ as a mystery in the following from Paul: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory." (1 Cor. 2:7-8), and also, "...the stewardship...given to me for you to fulfill the word of God, the mystery (hidden truth) which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory...that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Col. 1:25-28). Paul also wrote that God sent forth His Son when "the fullness of time had come" (Gal. 4:4-5). If we can consider the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle to be a shadow of this hidden mystery, the children of Israel carried Him in their midst wherever they traveled (the tabernacle was transportable)- hidden, covered, protected, until the time came for Him to be revealed. We also know from scripture, that at the moment of Jesus' death, the covering veil in the temple was ripped in half by a great earthquake, and the ark of the covenant was revealed (Mt. 27:50-53). It is something interesting to think about anyway. Now back to the tabernacle reading from this sabbath - After the placement of the ark in the tabernacle, the order of the placement of the other furnishings was also accomplished according to the directions given by God. Then the Lamp was lit, the sweet incense was burned, and sacrifices were offered on the altar of burnt offering. Moses and Aaron washed their hands and their feet in the water of the laver (see also Jn. 13:5-12), and the people raised up the outer hangings around the tabernacle court, and finally, they set the gate or door to the outer court (v. 21-33). In their assembling of the tabernacle, they started at the most inward place of the tabernacle, and worked their way outward. I think this is the pattern that God follows as He builds each of us as well. When this assembly of the tabernacle was completed, something amazing happened: "Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory (kabod - "glory, honor, abundance, riches, splendor, reverence, majesty, magnificence") of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." (Ex. 40:34-35). Previously, Moses had met with the LORD on the mountain, and after returning to the camp of the children of Israel, his face would be shining from having been in the presence of the LORD. He had to wear a veil, because his shining face frightened the Israelites! (see Ex. 34:28-35). However, this same Moses could not enter into the kabod glory of the tabernacle - no one could. There is a similar account in another part of this week's Sabbath reading from 1 Kings 8 that occurred later in history. After Solomon completed the building of the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, the glory of God filled the newly built temple: "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD." (1 Kings 8:10-11). The priests, who were consecrated for service in the House of the LORD, could not enter into this glory. However, a great change was accomplished in a prayer spoken by Jesus, before His crucifixion, to His Father in heaven: "...I have finished the work which You have given Me to do, and now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." Jesus continued in prayer: "...I do not pray for these alone (meaning the disciples with Him), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me...I desire that they also...may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (Jn. 17:5, 20-24). Through the prayer of Jesus, not only can we enter into the glory, but He gave us the same glory that He was given by His Father. It is the glory found through oneness with Them. The meaning of "glory" written in these verses is from the Greek word doxa, which means "splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, majesty (a thing belonging to God or Christ), the kingly majesty of the Messiah, the absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ". It is the kabod glory that fills the tabernacle of God. It is interesting that the Greek root word for glory is dokeo, meaning "to be accounted". The Sabbath reading is titled P'kudei, or "accounting of/for". As every item was accounted for by Moses before being placed in the tabernacle, there is also an accounting for every living stone, or believer in Christ, that is being built into the living tabernacle/temple of God (1 Pet. 2:4-5, 1 Cor. 6:19-20), because this living temple contains the Spirit and kabod glory of God. Paul wrote about what God has given to us: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:28-31). Nothing can prevail against the living tabernacle of God, and the glory within it. The pattern established by the tabernacle of God, and later, the temple of God, is of a dwelling built to His specifications, which He then filled with His glory. If God will fill a building of skins or stones and lumber with His glory, how much more will He fill his living temple, the believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, with His eternal glory? When I think about this great work of God for us and in us, I have to see also that our calling in Christ was never meant to be a common calling, or a part time, half-hearted calling, but it is the highest calling there is. Paul wrote: "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward toward those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12-14). If you would like to know more about the living temple of God, and the filling of it, and of us, with His glory, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You made it possible through Your Son, Jesus, that I can be one with both the Father and the Son. Your Son has given me the glory that He had with You from before the world was made. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can be built together with all the believers in Jesus into a living temple, and into the fulness of Christ. By Your Holy Spirit, I want to press toward the upward calling in Christ. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus, AMEN."

Assembled

This week's Sabbath reading is titled Va-yakheil, which in English is "and he assembled". In Exodus 35, Moses assembled or gathered the elders and the congregation of Israel to give them the Word that the LORD had given to him on the mountain. It involved the construction of the tabernacle. The instructions ordained all of the materials, spices, metals, and so on, that would be needed in order to make the outer and inner curtains of the tabernacle, the furniture, utensils, and priestly robes that would be used within it. The LORD had already told Moses to be suure to follow the pattern of the tabernacle shown to him on the mountain, and we read in scripture that the pattern given to Moses by God was a copy and likeness of the tabernacle in heaven (Heb. 8:5). We know that the furnishings of the tabernacle represent the sacrifice of Christ. There is an additional meaning to consider in this Sabbath's reading, which we will look at. In any case, Moses was not to come up with his own design, or change the design of the tabernacle given to him by God. There was also an important condition in the building of the tabernacle that the LORD insisted upon: "Take from among you an offering to the LORD, Whoever is of a willing (nadib - "willing, noble, generous, princely, ready; to offer willingly and freely") heart (leb/labab - "mind, heart, understanding, wisdom; inner part, soul; 'ravished my heart', to make cakes or bread"), let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet thread, fine linen and goats' hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins and acacia (thorn tree) wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate...Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments." (Ex. 35:5-9, 21). Other offerings are brought to the LORD by commandment, but the things concerning the tabernacle were to be offered only by free will and a generous heart, a heart that has been inspired to do so, even a ravished heart. This reminds us of Jesus who said that His life was not taken (by force) from Him, but He offered it freely (Jn. 10:11, 15, 18, 1 Jn. 3:16). Notice also the great variety of items that went into the assembly of the tabernacle: from small colored threads and stones to gold and bronze. None of the items were considered of lesser importance in the construction of the tabernacle, but were necessary to it. Moses was instructed to use certain artisans (see Ex. 35:30, 34) who had been gifted by God with design and crafting skills named Bezalel ("in the shadow of God"), the son of Uri ("fiery, light of fire; shine"), and Aholiab ("Father's Tent/Tabernacle/Dwelling"), the son of Ahisamach ("My brethren are sustained/established/standfast"). One of these craftsmen, Bazalel, had also been gifted by God in the wisdom to teach others. Others, like women, who were gifted, "whose hearts stirred (nasa - "stir up, lift up, forgive, pardon, exalt, armorbearer, marry, be carried off") with wisdom" spun yarns with their hands out of goats' hair, and brought it for the tabernacle (v. 25-26). God gave the special gifts or talents to those who were to build and contribute to His house. No detail was overlooked, no need of the tabernacle went unmet. Let's apply these same truths to the living tabernacle made for the indwelling of God. Addressing the Church of believers in Christ, Paul wrote: "You are God's building...Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?...and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price..." (1 Cor. 3:9, 16, 6:19-20). Peter wrote: "Coming to Him (Jesus) as to a living stone...you also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Pet. 2:4-5). Paul wrote about the building of this spiritual house: "...members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22). We can see that this living spiritual temple or tabernacle is something being built. The various pieces must be fitted together according to the pattern established by God for His dwelling place. The instructions or pattern has come from God through the prophets and apostles (as He did with Moses), who are still necessary and continuing to minister to the church until the building is finished according to plan, which is the equipping of the saints to do the work of ministry, the unity of faith, the knowledge of the Son of God, the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). This is the very pattern of the tabernacle. In fact, The Lord gave the gifts (Eph. 4:11) for the purpose of this living building project, as He gave ones among the children of Israel to not only bring their gifted artisan skills to the work of the tabernacle, but to have the ability to teach others, as we saw above. Paul also called himself "a wise master builder" by the grace of God given to him (1 Cor. 3:10). We have already seen that the tabernacle shown to Moses, and its furnishings, represent the identity of Christ. That tabernacle, patterned after the tabernacle in heaven, was also a prophetic representation of the living tabernacle that is being built with us now on earth. Jesus said, "...on this rock (the revelation from God that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18). This spiritual building called the Church will withstand and overcome even the gates of hell. How important it is that this building be built by Christ! As we saw above, all of those who had a stirred, willing heart and spirit brought those things that were necessary for the building of this tabernacle, as specified by God's pattern. Also regarding this living spiritual tabernacle, "...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:15-16). Each one of us individually is the living temple of the Holy Spirit, but we must keep in mind that our purpose doesn't end there. We are being built together into a spiritual structure that will, as reflected in the tabernacle of Moses, become the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. This living tabernacle cannot be built in whatever way that we want to build it. Skilled master craftsmen have been gifted to the church by God to build us up after the pattern established by God. For us that pattern is Christ, who is the Word of God. Paul begged the believers: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy , acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1). We are not built together into this structure by the way the world thinks or acts, for the world is built upon the spirit of self, and selfishness. The only way that we will be able to be built into this living tabernacle is by the mercies of God, and through the transformation accomplished by the renewing of our minds by the Word and Spirit of God (see Rom. 12:2). The title of this Sabbath's reading, translated into English as we saw above, is "and he assembled". This is the very meaning of the church, which is the Greek word ekklesia, and means "gathering, assembly; an assembly of Christians gathered for worship". The Greek root words mean "called forth by name out of, or out from, a place, time or cause, incited by word". We are individual members, but we are also to be a gathered assembly into which we willingly contribute our individual gifts (see Rom. 12:4-8). This is the pattern of the living tabernacle established by God, the assembled believers, being built into the fulness of His Son. If you would like to understand more about being built into the living tabernacle of God, you can join me in prayer: "Lord Jesus, You are building Your Church, Your called out by name and gathered assembly, into the living tabernacle of God, unified in the faith, and having grown into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Against this Church, the gates of hell cannot prevail. I come to You with a willing heart and spirit. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who teaches me to be transformed, and who shows me where and how I fit into the building of this living and holy tabernacle. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. AMEN."

Delay

We don't always react well to delays - delays in plans, expectations, in satisfying needs, or wants. As we wait for answers to our prayers as well, we can jump to false conclusions if the answer does not come in what we view as a timely manner. No matter whether the delays that we experience are of small or great importance, we don't like to wait. The children of Israel suffered a delay that brought out a shocking response. This week's Sabbath reading includes Exodus 32: "Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come make us god(s) that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Ex. 32:1). Moses was up on the mountain in the presence of the LORD. He had been on the mountain for forty days and nights (Ex. 24:18). Moses was considered to have been overdue in the Israelites' view, and they were evidently in a panic caused by his continued absence. The use of the word "delayed" in this verse is the Hebrew word bus, meaning "to delay, paleness, terror, to fail in hope and expectation, shame, put to shame, overwhelmed with unexpected calamity, to be deprived of hope; troubled, disturbed, confused". The reaction of the people to the delay of the return of Moses reflected this extreme meaning of the word, as we will see. There is even shame attached to the word meaning "delay" here. The Concordance mentions that an opposite idea to this meaning is found in the example from scripture, "O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed...Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed..." (Ps. 25:1-3), and "For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame'." (Rom. 10:11). In this case, the people became exceedingly troubled and afraid at Moses' delay in his return, and asked Aaron to fashion a god to lead them. Aaron agreed, and told them to "break off" the golden earrings that they wore in their ears, and bring them to him. He melted them down, and fashioned (sur - besiege, distress, bind, confine, to press upon, to be an adversary) a molten (masseka/nasak - pour out, anoint, offer, cover, image, covering, vail, pour out blood/wine of victim, make a libation) calf. He told the people, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Ex. 32:4), and he built an altar before it. The fact that Aaron ordered the golden (zahab - splendor, brilliant, shimmer) earrings (nezem - ring, nose ring, earring) of the people to be taken out of their ears (ozen/azan - hearing, ears, to reveal, receiver of divine revelation/ to listen and obey; of God: to listen to prayers) has a special meaning. According to the Hebrew meanings of the words, we can say that in removing the golden earrings, they were removing their shining glory in God, and giving it to something else. They exchanged their glory in God for shame (Hos. 4:7, Hab. 2:16). We can see why the LORD said in the Psalms: "They made a calf in Horeb (meaning "dry, waste, desert, desolate, destroyer, decay, to attack), and worshipped the molded image. Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior Who had done great things in Egypt..." (Ps. 106:19-21). God brought His Word of life and revelation in the middle of a place of waste and destruction, but His people gave that glory to the image of an ox, something common that they could see with their eyes and immediately attain. According to the Hebrew meanings, they were rejecting His divine revelation in their lives, and they were refusing to continue to listen and obey Him. It was also, as a result, a rejection of their covenant, or marriage to God, because as told in scripture, a golden nose ring, (also meaning earring), was given to Isaac's future bride, Rebekah, generations before as a promise of marriage (Gen. 24:22-30). When Aaron received from their hand the golden earrings from the people, this also carries a meaning of marriage: received being the word laqah - "accept, take, taken captive, take a wife, take in marriage". Instead of receiving the Word engraved on stone tablets by the finger of God (Ex. 31:18), they desired the calf that Aaron fashioned with an "engraving tool" (Ex. 32:4) by the hand of man. Aaron had built an altar in front of the golden calf, and the people brought offerings to burn before it (v. 6). They also rose up to "play". This word is sahaq - "laugh, mock, make sport, play, jest". The LORD then said to Moses on the mountain: "Go, get down! For your people...have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them..." (v. 7-8). God's wrath was set to destroy them, and make a great nation of Moses instead, but Moses pleaded with the LORD on their behalf (v. 10-11). This perceived delay of Moses in the minds of the Israelites began a sad set of circumstances that revealed the true hearts of the children of Israel, and became a prophetic lesson for us. In the same way, Jesus prophesied of a "delay" in His return that would also lead to events that revealed the hearts of men. Jesus told the parable of a master delayed from his expected time of return. His servants began to act in a corrupt and abusive manner. The master, Jesus said, will return when they are no longer looking for him, or expecting him, and those corrupt servants will be punished (Mt. 24:44-51, Lk. 12:40-47). Jesus also told a parable about a bridegroom who was delayed, and only half of those who were to take part in the wedding remained expectantly prepared. The others were no longer keeping themselves prepared for the bridegroom's appearing (Mt. 25:1-13). He told His disciples to "watch therefore". Peter warned that there will be those who stop believing that Christ will return in judgment because that return is seemingly delayed. They walk instead according to their own immediate desires, and scoff and mock at the idea of the Lord's return and judgment, not understanding that the "delay" is caused by God's desire to give all an opportunity to repent, and return to Him (2 Peter 3, also Jude v. 17-18). Revelation talks about an angel in heaven who will call out, "There should be time (delay) no longer" in the fulfillment of God's prophesied plan (Rev. 10:5-7). This statement tells us that there was a perceived delay, but that delay is now ended. False Christs will take advantage and declare themselves to be Christ and deceive many, as Christ's return seems to be delayed (Mt. 24:4-5). False teachers flourished in Paul's day as believers looked for the return of Christ. As a perceived delay in the return of Christ caused this fear and confusion, false teachers said that the Day of the Lord, and the resurrection of the dead had already occurred, and those who lived and died afterwards had "missed it". Paul had to give the Church the correct order of events that would occur before the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the catching away of the living in Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-2, 2 Thess. 2:1-8). Delay, even a planned (by God) and prophesied (by Jesus) delay, can cause even the elect of God to believe heresies and false teachers and prophets. With these warnings from Christ and the apostles, comes the instruction to "wait": "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master...that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately." (Lk. 12:35-36), and "...if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Rom. 8:25), and "...to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (1 Thess. 1:10). Finally, Isaiah prophesied about a future time of great testing: "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40:30-31). Even while warning us to wait, Jesus promised, "Surely I am coming quickly'. Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20-21). If you would like to become someone who waits for the Lord, you can pray with me, "Heavenly Father, Your people are called to wait upon You with trust, and we will not be ashamed. The world looks for instant solutions, and quickly fulfilled desires, but Your glory is found in the trust of Your people. Deception heresies may come, but You have told us to remain steadfast in truth. I do not want to exchange Your glory in my life for shame. Your Son prayed that I would share in His glory, and His Father's glory. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to keep me in the paths of righteousness and truth, with all patience and perserverance until the day of Your return. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Incense

Last Sabbath, we read about the golden lampstand, or menora, that was to be placed in the first chamber of the tabernacle called the Holy Place (please see previous post, "Lampstand" for more information). In this week's Sabbath reading portion titled T'tzavveh meaning "You shall command", which includes Exodus 30, another piece of furniture of the tabernacle is discussed. It is the Altar of Incense, and it was placed directly in front of the veil that leads into the second chamber of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies, which contained only the Ark of the Testimony covered by the Mercy Seat (Ex. 30:6). The Altar of Incense was also connected to the use of the lampstand. Twice a day, in the morning (boqer/baqar - split, penetrate the darkness, the end of night, breaking forth of light), and at twilight (ereb/arab - sunset to deep twilight, the time when the paschal lamb was slain, to give as security as a kind of exchange, to be surety for the life of another, to be liable for another's debt) , when the priests attended to the lampstand, they would burn incense at the Altar of Incense at the same time (Ex. 30:7-8). By doing this, there would always be "a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations." (v. 8). As we can see above, the timing of the offering of incense on this altar, morning and evening, also carried the meaning of resurrection (Lk. 24:1, Jn. 20:1), and Jesus offering of Himself as a surety for us, in exchange for us, and in the exchange of Himself for our debts. The Altar of Incense was a very special item in the tabernacle, which we will see. First, these are some of the commandments that God gave to Moses regarding the Altar of Incense: Aaron could only burn "sweet incense" (sam - sweet spice aroma, sweet perfume, fumigation, sweet smoke of sacrifice) upon the altar, and no "strange incense" (zur - turn aside, to depart, foreigner, stranger, estranged, one alienated, an enemy, profane, of adultery) was allowed. The incense to be burned on this altar was made of very fragrant sweet spices made from certain aromatic gum resins tempered together with salt. While we don't usually consider the burning of incense as a noisy event, the root meanings in Hebrew of the resins used in the making of this fragrant incense (Ex. 30:34-38) are very noisy! One is associated with the roar of a fierce lion. Another means a concussive sound so loud, it can peel off outer coverings. A third root means to speak by inspiration in prophecy. These spices make a great deal of noise in the Spirit. Jesus' sacrifice is described in terms of fragrance also: "And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Eph. 5:2). This incense used on the Altar of Incense is for use in the tabernacle only, because it was holy for the LORD (Ex. 30:34-38). Once a year, on what is called Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, before the High Priest entered behind the veil to sprinkle the atoning blood upon the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Testimony, he first had to place the atoning blood on the Altar of Incense. This was to be done because the Altar of Incense "...is most holy to the LORD" (v. 10). On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would also take some of the burning incense from this special altar with him as he entered the Holy of Holies behind the veil to apply the atoning blood there. The incense created a cloud in front of the Ark of the Testimony/Mercy Seat. If the priest did not do this, he would die from being in the presence of God (Lev. 16:12-13). So the cloud of incense also served to cover and protect, and to sanctify. What made this incense so precious to the LORD that the High Priest must also bring it with him in order to enter the Holy of Holies? This sacrificial incense represented the prayers of God's people. David wrote: "LORD, I cry out to you; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening (ereb/arab - see meaning above) sacrifice." (Ps. 141:1-2). In the Gospels, Zacharias was serving as priest before the Altar of Incense, when he received an angelic visitation promising him a miracle son, who would be John the Baptist: "...according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense, when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense." (Lk. 1:9-11). The importance and holiness of our prayers before the Lord cannot be overstated. Jesus is alive in order to make intercessory prayer for us to the Father (Heb. 7:25). His prayers for us save to the uttermost. In His last hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for all those who believed in Him, and would come to believe in Him in the future (Jn. 17). Peter called us a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9), and as such it is our role to pray and intercede. Paul wrote: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4, excerpt). Our prayers for all men impact their opportunity to receive salvation. Do we understand the power of prayer? Why aren't we more constant in prayer? There are many, many references to the prayers of God's people in scripture. We know that all of the tabernacle and its furnishings were given to Moses after the pattern of those things in heaven (Heb. 8:5, Ex. 25:40). We are given a further revelation of the importance and value of the prayers of the saints as incense before God, in the events that unfold in heaven and on earth in these end times. As Jesus the Lamb, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, begins to open the scroll in heaven that will unleash the events, "..the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp (for praise), and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:5-8). Great praise to the Lamb then began to break out in heaven. Also: "Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar (in heaven). He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand." (Rev. 8:3-4). After this, judgment in the form of fire breaks out on the earth. The prayers of the saints played a role in both events as an offering. Often times, we believers look to do the miraculous works of Christ, even the greater works that He promised. One of the most important of these works according to scripture is the offering of the sweet-smelling incense, which is our prayers. As the times become more troubling and dangerous before Christ's return, the sacrifice of prayer, rising as incense before the throne of God, and before the Lamb, Jesus, plays a central role. The pattern of the Altar of Incense in the tabernacle teaches us the truth about how God treasures our prayers. Incense from the golden altar represents our prayers, and we discovered how "noisy" incense is within its root meaning (see above). Therefore our prayers, even the silent ones said in the secret place of our hearts, create great noise in the Spirit! If you would like to learn more about the importance of prayer, you can start with a prayer! We can pray together: "Father, You called the Altar of Incense, and the incense burned upon it, "most holy to the LORD". Your Son, Jesus, lives to pray continually in intercession on our behalf. He prayed for us while He was on earth, and He prays for us in heaven. You called Your house a house of prayer for all people. I am Your living house. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who guides me in prayer, and makes my prayers holy before You. Let Your Spirit quicken me to pray always, and for all men, not just for a few, and not just in moments of convenience. Help me to understand the role that my prayers have in affecting all men, and all circumstances, in heaven and here on earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN."