Category: Jesus the Tabernacle


A CRUEL TRICK

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Golden Altar, Jesus the Golden Lampstand, Jesus the Holy Place, Possess the Vision, spirtual warfare — Leave a comment
May 23, 2014

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

One of the important traditions our family kept was our frequent visits to my grandmother’s house. I remember one such occasion when I was probably three or four years of age. For some reason my uncle set out to test my intelligence. To accomplish this, he held a new shiny dime in one hand and a new 1943 penny in the other. The unique characteristic of the 1943 penny was that it was made of steel, not copper like other pennies, apparently due to the shortage of copper during the war. These pennies when new were just as shiny and bright as a new dime. Here is a picture of one of these penny’s that will give you an idea of just how much they looked like a dime.

1943 Steel Penny photo: 1943 Steel Penny SteelPenny.jpg

He held the dime between his right thumb and forefinger and the penny between his left thumb and forefinger. He carefully explained that the dime was much more valuable than the penny (although I was not sure of what this meant.) He then placed them both directly in front of my face and asked me to choose the
one I wanted.

Initially, I reached for the dime based on what he told me. But when my hand moved toward it, he moved the penny closer to me and then jiggled it back and forth in front of my face. The penny flashed streams of light before my eyes when he did this. My thoughts were that the penny seemed to be much more fun than the
dime. I picked it out of his hand.

He rushed to proclaim my stupidity to everyone else in room, stating that I would never amount to anything. I felt duped and betrayed. I became extremely angry at my uncle. In fact, I wanted to punch my uncle right in the nose and teach him a lesson about playing such a cruel trick on me. But then, somehow I knew that it would do me no good, so I held back.

In retrospect, this event was just a precursor to the truth that life would always present me with choices. Some bad choices would look good and some good choices would look undesirable. It would be up to me to discern the truth and make the right choice and receive the best possible reward. I was beginning to find out that poor choices would result in paying the consequences. As you read on you will find that much of this book is dedicated to communicating the horrible consequences of my poor choices as well as the wonderful rewards for the wise choices I made in my life. These stories communicate the spiritual truth of the world around us.

Please note that even Jesus was tempted and had to make choices that were pleasing to the Father.

Jesus is Tempted on the Mountain

Jesus is Tempted on the Mountain

So the lesson here is that there are misguided people in the world that will
attempt to deceive the children of God and destroy our creditability. In order to protect ourselves we must have spiritual discernment because the proper choices in life are critical to our overall welfare, our relationship with God and ultimately, our salvation. Anyone seeking guidance in this regard, may find the following series of hyperlinks very helpful. I pray that Jesus enlighten your pathway.

Love,

Papa Joe

 

Jesus the Light of the World is Transfigured before His Disciples

Jesus the Light of the World is Transfigured before His Disciples

Jesus-is-the-Light-of-the-World

Applying-Jesus-the-Golden-Lampstand-to-our-Lives

Jesus-and-the-Golden-Altar-of-Incense

Jesus-is-the-Golden-Altar-if-Incense

Jesus-Resists-the-Devils-Temptation

Jesus-Heals-the-Sick-and-the-Lame

Jesus-Casts-Out-Demons

Jesus-is-Victorious-over-an-Evil-Establishment

Jesus-is-Victorious-on-the-Cross

The-Victory-of-Jesus-Empowers-us

Victory-in-Spiritual-Warfare-Through-Jesus-our-Golden-Altar

Spiritual-Warfare-Requires-Prayer-and-Fasting

Jesus-Prays-before-Battle

Your-Prayers-at-the-Golden-Altar-have-Great-Power

Put-on-the-full-Armor-of-Jesus

Jesus-Leads-us-to-the-Spiritual-Promised-Land

Jesus-our-Tabernacle-Leads-us-to-the-Promised-Land

Jesus-Leads-us-to-the-Promised-Land

The-Purpose-of-Spiritual-Warfare

The-Spiritual-Warfare-of-Jesus-Requires-Unity

Why-we-Should-enter-into-the-Spiritual-Warfare-of-Jesus

Have-Perfect-Faith-in-Jesus

Perfect-Faith-brings-down-the-Giants-before-us

Jesus-is-the-Holy-Place-of-Empowerment-and-Truth

Tags: , ,
Comment

The Tabernacle Foretells of Jesus, “the Way” to the Father

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle, Spirituality, Tabernacle — Leave a comment
May 6, 2013

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

The Tabernacle Foretells of Jesus, “the Way” to the Father

This posting is the third in a series of communications designed to reveal what Jesus was referring to when He stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14: 6.)” Today’s posting is going to focus in on the spiritual meaning of “the Way.”

In our first posting we looked at the parables of Jesus and gained insight into the reality that we can best understand them by looking for their spiritual interpretation. We also learned that all the words of Jesus are to interpreted as parables. To review this posting please follow this link:  The-Messages-of-Jesus-are-Understood-by-the-Spiritual-Interpretation-of-His-Parables

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

In the second posting we analyzed the words of Jesus,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14: 6,)” from a parabolic perspective (an analogy that uses earthly objects as references in communicating a spiritual truth.)

In doing so we identified that the Tabernacle was the only possible earthly reference to John 14: 1-6 above. This is because the Father dwelt deep inside the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, and for that reason it was the only place for man to come into the Father’s presence.

the-holy-place

Next we identified a spiritual analogy to the Tabernacle in the book of Revelations:

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Rev 21:2-4,)”

We used the this scripture to prove the existence of a spiritual Tabernacle in Heaven. Accordingly, we concluded that this is the spiritual truth that Jesus was communicating to His disciples in John 14: 1-6. We also concluded that that Jesus is stating that He is the fulfilment of the Tabernacle and therefore we must drill down into the details of the Tabernacle for answers to the meaning of “the way, the truth and the life.”

the bride of christ

To review this posting in detail, simply follow this link: The-Way-to-the-Father-is-Through-the-Spiritual-Tabernacle-Called-Jesus

The Parabolic Nature of “the Way” is Revealed in Hebrews

Let’s start by looking at a scripture from Hebrews as it validates the parabolic nature of the Tabernacle:

Hebrews 9: 8-15

New King James Version (NKJV)

the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

Priest Before The Ark Of The Covenant

Priest Before The Ark Of The Covenant

This scripture states that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first Tabernacle was still standing, but rather, it was symbolic for the time of reformation, which is the spiritual reformation brought by Jesus. Accordingly, this scripture validates the symbolic or parabolic qualities of the Tabernacle.

The term, “Holiest of All” used in the scripture above is a reference to the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle. It is  synonymous with the terms, “Holy of Holies,” and “Most Holy Place.” It is in this chamber that the Father would speak with Moses and Aaron, in accord with God’s covenant with Israel.

Now, some interesting things become evident when comparing this scripture to John 14: 1-6. Both scriptures describe “the way,” into the Father’s presence. Hebrews 9: 8-15 uses the phrase, “the way into the Holiest of All,” while John 14: 6 states that “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The Hebrews scripture communicates that “the way,” to the Holiest of All (where the Father is) through the entrances into and through the three chambers of the Tabernacle (the only possible way into this area of the Tabernacle – see the diagram below.)

On the other hand the scripture from John communicates that the way to the Fathers is through Jesus (the way, the truth and the life,) the spiritual Tabernacle in heaven. Consequently, when we look at the scriptures that define the Tabernacle components leading to the Holiest of all, we gain insight into the spiritual pathway that Jesus called Himself “the way, the truth and the life.”

In addition, there is a word in John 14: 6 that provides insight into the attributes of the Tabernacle that we should be looking for, and that word is “through.” This word indicates that we must enter at some external entrance, and then navigate through the internal components of the structure to get to the intended destination.

Applying this concept of “through,” to the earthly Tabernacle would provide us the earthly analogies necessary to decode the spiritual interpretation of “the way, the truth and the life” as defined by Jesus in John 14. It would also do the same for “the way to the Holiest of All,” as defined in Hebrews 9. So lets take a look at what passing “through” the Tabernacle means at a very high level.

First it means that we must enter at the gate that leads into the Courtyard and then navigate through the Courtyard until we came to the entryway into the Holy Place. Then we would have navigate through Holy Place until we came before the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This time we would have to pass through the veil and then navigate to the Father (presence is above the Ark of the Covenant.)

In this regard, it is clear that the things that must be passed through are the entrances to the three Tabernacle chambers and the chambers themselves. Now, if the entrances are each considered to be a part of the chamber they lead into, then at a high level we have just have three major component of the Tabernacle. This corresponds to the three words that Jesus used in John 14 to describe Himself, which are “the way, the truth and the life.”  For that reason these three chambers of the Tabernacle are a primary focus in getting a better understanding John 14: 1-6, and subsequently Jesus.

A cautionary note is required here, as this information taken by itself does not show that these three chambers are the objects of Jesus’ parable. For now they are simply the focus of our search. To acquire a definitive proof we will need to delve deeper into these chambers, looking for clues in the scriptures that reveal the spiritual truths that either verify or disprove this premise.

This is where we plan to pick up with our next posting.

It should be noted that a major portion of this website is devoted to correlating the attributes and functions of the Tabernacle to the words and actions of Jesus. These articles can be found by scanning the index contained on the homepage of this site: Possess-The-Vision.

God’s blessings be with you.

possess-the-vision-front02.jpg

Tags: , , , ,
Comment

The Way to the Father is Through the Spiritual Tabernacle Called Jesus

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle, Jesus the Tabernacle Courtyard, New Jerusalem, Spirituality, Tabernacle, Uncategorized — 5 Comments
March 5, 2013

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

The Way to the Father is Through the Spiritual Tabernacle Called Jesus

In our previous posting we look at the parables of Jesus and gained insight into the fact that we can better understand these analogies of Jesus by looking for a spiritual interpretation of them. This principle provides the critical foundation necessary to answer a number of questions I have received from readers. To review our posting that delves into this subject in more detail, please follow this link:  The-Messages-of-Jesus-are-Understood-by-the-Spiritual-Interpretation-of-His-Parables

Questions About the Tabernacle and the Claims of Jesus

This postings is just one in a series of communications that are designed to address a number of questions we referenced above. These questions ask for authoritative scriptural references that support the proposition that Jesus is proclaiming to be the fulfillment of the Tabernacle when He stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14: 6.) These questions also ask for scriptural references that support the proposition that the entryways into the Tabernacle are called the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In addressing these requests the establishment of a scriptural foundation is required, that is best provided in a line upon line fashion. Our first posting (link identified above) started the building of that foundation and we continue to build upon it here. All of this is necessary to provide the insight that many of our readers are asking for.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Tabernacle

We start by taking a look at the cornerstone of the questions above, namely, the Jesus, “I am…,” scripture:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:1-6)

Now in our last posting we learned that: All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them (Matt 13: 34.) Since the parables of Jesus are spiritual references delivered by way of analogy to worldly things, we should start by looking for a real world object that will help us understand the spiritual truth of Jesus. In other words, we need to find the real world analogy that Jesus is referring to when He states; “I am the way, the truth, and the life No one comes to the Father except through Me?” Well, since Jesus and all the disciples were Jews, one must consider that their worldly view would have been that the only way to the Father was through the Tabernacle.

The Glory Cloud Covers the Tabernacle

The Glory Cloud Covers the Tabernacle

The following scripture validates this statement:

17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. 20 And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel (Exodus 25: 17-22.)

Priest Before The Ark Of The Covenant

Priest Before The Ark Of The Covenant

In this scripture Moses has recorded the words that God gave Him on the mountain top. In it God communicates with him about how the Most Holy Place (the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle) is to be furnished and arranged. What is clear from reading this scripture is that the Father intends to communicate with Moses from this specific area, deep inside the Tabernacle, as the Tabernacle was built to be the place where God would dwell with man on Earth.

Now, if Jesus was communicating a spiritual message by way of parable in John 14: 1-6, and we know that without a parable He did not speak to them (Matt 13: 34), then the Tabernacle had to be the only possible analogy of His parable. This is true because His dwelling there was a part of Israel’s covenant relationship with the Father.

Moses and the Ten Comandments

Moses and the Ten Comandments

Also, by association, if Jesus is claiming that He is the only way to the Father, and the Tabernacle was their existing way to the Father, then not only is Jesus claiming to be the fulfillment of the Tabernacle; but the terms, the Way, the Truth and the Life, must somehow refer to the pathway through the Tabernacle as well.

To add some support to these conclusions, lets look at John 14: 6 once again: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14: 6.) The word “through” is very important as it gives us a sense that we enter into Jesus at a certain point, and then pass “through” to the other side of Him, where we then come into the presence of Father. This adds support to our case as this is precisely the structure of the Tabernacle built in the time of Moses. At that time the tribes of Israel aligned on all sides of the Tabernacle. There was an entryway that lead into what was called the Outer Courtyard. In the middle of this courtyard was a tent like structure that was called the Holy Place, and it also had a single entrance. The inside of the Tabernacle was divided by a curtain and the area behind the curtain was called the Most Holy Place where the Father dwelt. By the way, this curtain or veil as it is sometimes called, is the same one that was torn in two at the time of the death of Jesus on the cross. In any event, what we see here is that there is a pathway to the Father defined here, and interestingly, there are exactly three entryways that must be passed through to get to the Father. Could these be the spiritual Way, the Truth and the Life that Jesus was referring to? More details on this will be coming in future postings.

The Chanbers of the Tabernacle

The Chanbers of the Tabernacle

So, at this point we have correlated this parable of Jesus to the Tabernacle. We have seen that there is substantial evidence supporting such a proposition. But the Tabernacle is an Earthly object and since we view the words of Jesus as parables, then we must look for a spiritual interpretation, especially since a purely physical interpretation seems unrealistic. So, at this point one has to ask if there is scriptural support for a spiritual Tabernacle? A Tabernacle that resides in a spiritual place like heaven, because if there is, then that scripture would validate much of what we are presenting in this post.

Jesus, the Spiritual Tabernacle

Here is an authoritative scriptural support for a spiritual tabernacle in heaven:

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Rev 21:2-4.)

the bride of christ

So, this is what Jesus was talking about. The disciples did not know this at the time as the revelation did not come to John until many years after the death, resurrection and the ascension of our Lord into heaven.

In our next posting we will attempt to dig deeper into the correlations between John 14: 1-6 and Revelations 21: 2-4 and find further strength to support what we have presented here today. We will also take a closer look into what is meant by the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Until then, may all of God’s blessings be upon the readers of this post!

possess-the-vision-front02.jpg

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

A Visit to Heaven

Filed under: Bride of Christ, heaven, Jesus, Jesus is the Most Holy Place, Jesus is the Most Holy Place, Jesus the Holy Place, Jesus the Tabernacle, Jesus the Tabernacle Courtyard, Spirituality, spirtual warfare, Tabernacle, Tabernacle Courtyard, The Holy Of Holies, The Holy Place, The Most Holy Place — Leave a comment
March 23, 2011

 

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

 

A Visit to Heaven

In several of my prior postings I have talked about I have used the Tabernacle to help us understand that there are three levels of relationship we can have with God. Recently I saw a video of a man who claims that he has made several trips up to heaven and returned. I believe that he describes these types of relationships rather well. Prior to showing the video I thought it may be good to review one of our messages that delivers a high level review of these types of relationships. Here it is:

So, if we have lost our direction Jesus is the Way. If our life is a lie, Jesus is the Truth. If we are acting in a way that leads to death, Jesus is the Life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, just as He claimed. He is the passage way to the Father and is the way through which every form of relationship with the Father can be achieved.

This foundation of Jesus being our spiritual Tabernacle paves the way for us to enter into the Courtyard, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place.

This being the case, Jesus is also the veil (or passageway) through which we enter into all three types of relationships that we can have with the Father. It is through the Way (entryway into the Tabernacle Courtyard) that we enter into a relationship of grace with the Father. It is through the Way that we enter the Courtyard where Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin and where we are purified by reflecting on His life and seeking to become like Him.

It is through the Truth (or entryway into the Holy Place of the Tabernacle) that we enter into a relationship of enlightenment with the Father. The Truth leads us into the Holy Place where our pathways are illuminated with God’s direction. This illumination also leads toward communion with God and enables us to become victorious in spiritual warfare.

It is through the Life (or entryway into the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle) that we enter into a relationship of covenant with the Father. The Life leads us into the Most Holy place where we find peace from our enemies, talk with God directly, receive the protection of His angels, have His law in our hearts, become a royal priesthood and depend on God’s provision exclusively. It is hear that we can once again know only good, and in this regard we are restored to the garden once again.

So now that we have presented what we have said in the past, lets look at the video where the three types of relationship we can have with God in the spiritual realm are described:

So this is very consistent with our prior messages. Entering through the Way of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of grace. In this relationship our sins are forgiven through our repentance and the work of Jesus on the cross. In this relationship we come to see who Jesus is and seek to become like Him in preparation for ministry. In the video we find that the reward for our choices in this regard is to enter a place of peace through Jesus. In this place everyone feel like they are next to Him.

Entering through the Truth of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of empowerment. In this relationship our pathways are illuminated, we develop a closer relationship with the Father, and we become effective in spiritual warfare, or bringing down the bonds of evil here on this earth just like Jesus did. In the video the pastor described this area as belonging to those who worked for God.

Entering through the Life of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of covenant. In this relationship we have a special pact with God that is based upon His promise to us and in turn, our promise to Him. In it we can talk to God directly, receive the support of his angels and become a part of the royal priesthood. In the video this place is reserved for those who walk with God and was wonderful, although indescribable.

So, that is it for today. I am thinking on expanding this topic as there are quite a few scripture that have relevance but have not been discussed to this point.

Until then, may Gods blessings be upon you.

Papa Joe Gordon


 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST BRINGS DIVISION

Filed under: Bride of Christ, Jesus the Golden Lampstand, Possess the Vision, Spirituality, spirtual warfare, The Golden Lamp Stand — 1 Comment
January 18, 2011

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST BRINGS DIVISION

 

There are many components of the bride. This means that we all have a role to play in doing the will of God, who calls us to be one with Him. We all have a purpose. In support of this statement we offer the following scripture:

And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

 

Blessings come whenever we do what we are called to do.  

Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Jesus is the Light of the World

 

Do not be lured by the glamour of the world into abandoning your calling and ensure that that you continuously demonstrate the love of Jesus to all others.

But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. (Luke 12:42 – 51). 

The bride, the great city, the holy Jerusalem, comprised of God’s anointed people has her lamps burning brightly, which is to say that she is prepared to enlighten the earth. This enlightenment is frequently met with resistance as the darkness can not comprehend and light. In fact, when the darkness is pierced by the light and is about to disappear, with its dying breath, it will proclaim, how can this be. Jesus claimed to be the, “Light of the World.” He also called us to be a light to the world as well. Being a light to the world will cause great division among the peoples of the world, just as it was in the case of Jesus’ ministry.

 

Tags: , , , , ,
Comment

2010 in review

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle, Possess the Vision, Tabernacle — Leave a comment
January 2, 2011

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 100,000 times in 2010. If it were an exhibit at The Louvre Museum, it would take 4 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 67 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 251 posts. There were 22 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 1mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was April 3rd with 665 views. The most popular post that day was Jesus Is The Good Shepherd.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were search.aol.com, search.conduit.com, search.alot.com, en.wordpress.com, and facebook.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for tabernacle, tabernacle diagram, jesus on the cross, spiritual warfare, and diagram of the tabernacle.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Jesus Is The Good Shepherd January 2009
1 comment

2

The Tabernacle is Prophetic of Jesus October 2007
15 comments

3

The Holy Place of the Tabernacle February 2009
2 comments

4

The Tabernacle Courtyard Is Prophetic of Jesus – a review February 2009
6 comments

5

More on the Ark of the Covenant April 2009
3 comments

Tags: , ,
Comment

Becoming Like Jesus the Way

Filed under: Brazen Laver, Jesus, Jesus the Altar of Burnt Offerings, Jesus the Tabernacle, Jesus the Tabernacle Courtyard — 1 Comment
October 22, 2009

Becoming Like Jesus the “Way”

In our quest to become more like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we must also become the Good Shepherd to whom we are entrusted. We must take an ownership position by guiding them toward the green pastures of God. We must pray for them. We must always remember that the Good Shepherds’ love for His sheep is so great that He protected them with His own life.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Jesus the Good Shepherd

In a previous posting we were introduced to the Altar of Burnt Offerings (look at the index found in the right hand column of this page.)

The Tabernacle

The Fire Burning in the Brazen Laver of the Tabernacle

What we uncovered there is that this altar is prophetic of Jesus in several ways. We found that the Altar represented the cross of Jesus. We found that the blood of the slaughtered lamb was sprinkled on the Altar for the forgiveness of sins. This of course is prophetic of the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. Finally, the animals’ carcass would be burned on the Altar as a perfect sacrifice to God, and this of course is prophetic of Jesus’ passion that led to His death on the cross. In this way the Brazen Altar of the Tabernacle is perfectly prophetic of Jesus and His purpose of dying on the cross.

Jesus on the Cross

Jesus on the Cross

The sacrifice of Jesus gives us much to contemplate. If we are to follow in His footsteps then we must come to the understanding that sacrifices are required to help people. This often means giving up our own aspirations to ensure that others are loved, protected and looked after. In loving others we loose ourselves as we are no longer internally focused. In this regard we die to ourselves, but with the knowledge that we will gain a better life with God forever in the resurrection (as Jesus was also resurrected.) After all, this is exactly what Jesus did:

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:24-26)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He chose to save us rather than saving Himself. Jesus did not run from death at our expense but rather gave up His life for us. His life was not taken from Him but rather He gave it freely. He did not defend Himself even though He was innocent of all transgression. The following passages support this position.

Jesus Knew His Fate

Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:1-2)

Jesus Shed His Blood

Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. (John 19:32-34)

Jesus Sheds His Blood on the Cross

Jesus Sheds His Blood on the Cross

Jesus Did Not Run

Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” (John 18:3-9)

Jesus Did Not Defend Himself

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. (Mark 15:1-5)

In patterning our own lives after the life of Jesus, we find that there are many lessons to be gained by becoming like Jesus, “The Way.” First of all, Jesus was obedient to The Father in going to the cross. So, the sacrificing of our own way in obedience to the Father is something we should strive to achieve.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:24-27)

Second, we must strive to support the welfare and betterment of others.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)

Third, we must be ready to resist the status quo that will seek to derail our quest to do the good work that God has shown us to do.

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. (John 11:45-53)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle, Tabernacle — 1 Comment
October 19, 2009

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jesus made a number of statements about His own identity in scripture. However, the foundation of them all is the statement in which He correlates Himself to the Tabernacle built by Moses.

Jesus, Moses Discuss the Fulfilment of Tabernacle Prophesy

Jesus, Moses Discuss the Fulfilment of Tabernacle Prophesy

The statement is presented here:

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:5-6)

This statement is compelling in that Jesus is talking about being the only passageway to the God the Father. However, the terms that Jesus uses, (the Way, the Truth and the Life,) may not be clear to us today. What we will uncover in subsequent posts is that these names are corollaries for the passageways (the gate, the door and the veil) through which the chambers of the Tabernacle are entered. The following diagram is presented to show the structure of the Tabernacle and the position of its passage ways.

The Chanbers of the Tabernacle

The Chanbers of the Tabernacle

Interestingly, we will learn that each successive passageway leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Let us now present a scripture that confirms that Jesus viewed His body as a temple, like that of the Tabernacle:

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. (John 2:18-21)

In this statement Jesus is claiming to be the living Tabernacle and therefore the divine fulfillment of all prophesies regarding it. In subsequent posts we will validate this proposition by embarking on a detailed investigation of the Tabernacle. It will guide us to a complete understanding of the nature and attributes of Jesus.

More details can be found on this subject by looking at one of our prior postings entitled, The-Tabernacle-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus.

Until then, if you have any questions please drop us a line. We will be glad to hear from you and discuss this topic with you.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

The Prophesy of Christ is found in the Tabernacle

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle, Ministry, Tabernacle — 1 Comment
October 14, 2009

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”

The Prophesy of Christ is found in the Tabernacle

In our previous posting we laid out a plan that will help us to identify the nature of Jesus. The purpose of this is to get a better understanding of Jesus because we are called to do the works that He did, and even greater. The plan we presented identified one major task as being an adequate understanding of the proclamations that Jesus made about Himself. This then would be followed by presenting a case that God the Father supported these proclamations of Jesus with unmistakable miracles, and that they in fact, directly prove the truth of Jesus’ words.

Jesus "The Life," Raises Lazarus from the Grave

Jesus "The Life," Raises Lazarus from the Grave

Today we are going to extend this plan quite a bit as we plan to also present a considerable information pertaining to the Tabernacle of Moses. The reasons for this are present below, but for now let’s just say that the Tabernacle is prophetic of Jesus in every way.

Jesus, Moses Discuss the Fulfilment of Tabernacle Prophesy

Jesus, Moses Discuss the Fulfilment of Tabernacle Prophesy

By learning about it we will find that there are surprising revelations about the nature of Jesus. In addition, these revelations will help us in understanding the gospels about Jesus in more thoroughly. We will also gain a better understanding our own potential in Jesus.

From this point on we will present the reasons for our focus on the Tabernacle as a method for truly understanding Jesus.

To start with, God told Moses to build a Tabernacle so that He (God) could dwell on earth with men:

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)

To this end, God provided Moses with the specifications for this Tabernacle:

According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. (Exodus 25:9)

In addition, every detail of this specification can be found in scripture. In examining the artifacts produced from these specifications we will find that the Tabernacle and all of its components are prophetic of Jesus, who also came to earth to dwell with us. In essence, the Tabernacle is a model or a blueprint of the Christ who would come in human form thousands of years later:

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:11 – 12)

Jesus Sheds His Blood on the Cross

Jesus Sheds His Blood on the Cross

The scripture above is only a single reference to the correlation between the Tabernacle and Jesus. As we progress we will uncover that there is a direct correlation in every instance between them. We will find that the nature, attributes, functions and purpose of the Tabernacle precisely predicts the nature, attributes functions and purpose of Jesus the Christ.

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Our Call is to be like Jesus

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Tabernacle — 1 Comment
October 7, 2009

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”

Our Call is to be like Jesus

In our last posting we introduced the following scripture:

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)

Can you imagine doing greater things than Jesus? That would be a truly awesome thing to experience. Just think about doing things that are greater than walking on the water,

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:25)

Jesus Pulls Peter From the Water

Jesus Pulls Peter From the Water

feeding a multitude with a few fish and loaves,

So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”  Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”  So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala. (Matthew 15:32-39)

raising the dead,

And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”  Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:37 – 44)

or rising from the dead Himself.

Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ (Luke 24: 3 – 7)

The Resurrection

The Resurrection

All the same, if we believe that He calls us to do what He did and more, then we must look to Him as our Teacher who will enable us to be perfectly trained to accomplish what He has promised. In the following example, we see that training has an impact on our ability to be like Jesus in this way:

And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:39-40)

One of the objectives of this work is to look at the life of Jesus as never before so that we can see the prefect model that the Father has sent to us. The next few passages further communicate God’s desire for us to become like Him. Now it is up to us to take action by moving toward this goal:

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48)

I (Jesus) in them, and You (God)  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. (John 17:23)

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,…  (Hebrews 6:1)

Read the truly amazing life story about how the forces of good and evil battle over a man and the vision that God gives him. Joseph W. Gordon’s Possess the Vision (Xulon Press, $12.95, 140 pages, ISBN 1-59781-205-6) tells about the mysterious spiritual experiences that occur throughout his lifetime.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment