Wednesday, December 21, 2016

CAPRICORN The Goat-Fish: Mazzaroth Series 2, Part 1

Leviticus 9:3
"And to the children of Israel you shall speak, saying, ‘Take a kid of the goats as a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering, also a bull."
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What a strange conjunction of creatures we see in the constellation of Capricorn, "The Goat Fish."  Here is another improbable creature like the Centaur; one that has never existed in nature.
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Dual Nature.
Caprocorn has the head and upper body of a goat who's right foreleg is tucked back under its body as though injured.  The back part of this strange creature is the lower half of a healthy fish with a flourishing tail.  These two creatures incorporated into one body depict the dual nature of Jesus as fully God and fully man.  
But there is more that is new in this Sign.  
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Sacrifice Of Atonement. 
Why a goat?  The goat is an animal that was used in the sin offering and on Yom Kippur..  In the opening scripture, God is speaking to Moses about the offering that is most precious to Him:  The Burnt Offering, which depicts Jesus, not as carrying our sins, but as the spotless Lamb of God. This was an ascending offering which went up to God as a sweet aroma or "savor of rest," to His heart.

The ascending offering benefits God first and man second.  It is through this offering that Jesus' righteousness is conferred on us!  It depicts His atonement, or covering, and the sacrifice by which that atonement was accomplished
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(Hebrew letter, "nun).


Why A Fish?
"Ok.  I understand the goat part, but why a fish?
The fish is a symbol, not only of the individual believer, but also of the Church.  
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You've seen, no doubt, the "fish" symbol which was ascribed to the early Church?  There's a very interesting reason why the symbol of a fish was chosen.
In the Hebrew alphabet, there are 22 letters.  Like Chinese, Hebrew is a form of picture writing.  Each letter is a picture of something, and these pictures are very consistent.
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The letter, "nun [נ]" is a picture of a fish.  From earliest times, it was symbolic of the believer.  You see this theme echoed throughout the story in the stars from here on out.  Of course, Jesus is the first-born of all these "fish."  
You recall in Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17, Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you (become) fishers of men."  Human beings are often likened to fish throughout the Bible. 
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Jesus went down in death and sprang up (hence the fourishing fishtail) to everlasting life as the first among many brethren.  From Him  sprang the Church!
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Jesus also speaks of believers being born of water and of the Spirit.  In Biblical typology, water refers to the Word of God.  Jesus Himself is "Living water."  How does someone come to know about Jesus?   "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Who speaks truth to us and quickens that living water?  The Holy Spirit.
So we see, in this beautiful story in the stars, God speaking to us things that would be written in the New Testament about Jesus.

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Ancient Names Of The Stars.
The ancient Israelites called this sign, "Gedi," meaning "the Kid," or "cut off."  It carries the additional thought of being "hewn down or a sacrifice slain."
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Remember Isaiah 53:9?  It reads, "He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living.” 
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He certainly was.  
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The name we know it as today, "Capricorn," comes from the Latin name, "Capricornus," which means, "The Goat." 
The Arabic and Syriac names are the same as the Hebrew, interestingly enough. 
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The Planisphere Of Denderah.
Then we come to the oldest planisphere of them all:  Denderah, belonging to the Egyptians.  They named it, "Hupenius," meaning "The Station of Bearing (or the Place of Birth). 
It's an apt description of this star grouping for out of Jesus' death and resurrection was birthed the Church. 
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Ancient Names Of The Stars.
Some of the ancient namesof the stars have come down to us.  As in earlier portions of this series, the names serve to add to and further our understanding and appreciation of the work Jesus did at the cross.
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The brightest star in the constellation is located in the left horn area.  It is named, "Al Gedi," in Arabic, which means, "The Kid or Goat." 
The next most prominent star, for which we have a name, is located in the tail.  It was known to the Arabians, "Deneb Al Gedi," which means, "The Lord, Judge, or Sacrifice Cometh."

There are some other stars for which we have names, though we don't know their position in the constellation.  Their names are quite significant, however: 
"Al Dabih," in Arabic, means, "The Sacrifice Slain."
"Al Dshabeh"  is another and means, "The Slaying of the Sacrifice." 
"MaAsad," means, " The Slaying, The Destroying."
"Sa’ad al Naschira," means, "The Record of the Cutting Off."
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These all bring to mind the scriptures that say,
“He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” Isa. 53:8b 
“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5
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That's the beautiful picture our Father drew in the stars when He formed the Constellation of Capricorn, the Goat-Fish.





Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Four-Times Covered

Exodus 26:1  "“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them."

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Every facet of the Tabernacle of Moses has wonderful and amazing things to teach us about Jesus!  The beautiful pictures of Him and explanations of spiritual truths therein tell of His finished work, His great love for us, and our position in Christ. 
The most wonderful storyteller on the planet, the Holy Spirit, loves to draw us pictures of whatever it is He wants us to understand so our hearts will be at peace.  That's the beauty of the Old Testament.  It is filled with His stories, types and shadows, all depicting our Lord Jesus. 

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Structure Of The Tabernacle.
In this study, we'll be looking at the construction of the Tabernacle and, in particular, the coverings and curtains.  This is critical information to understand, especially in these last days, whether you travel far and wide or stay closer to home.  When you go out your door, you need to be assured that you are protected!

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Coverings And Curtains.
One of the best descriptions of how protected we are is found right here, in the coverings and curtains.  There were four in all, each made of very different materials, with individual meanings and significance.  



Badger Skin?
The outermost covering was made of animal skin.  Below is the Hebrew word which, in some Bibles, is translated as "Badger skin."
Tachásh: [תָּ֫חַשׁ]


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There seems to be great differences of opinion among Bible scholars about the meaning of this word.  Martin Luther translated it as "badger skin," and many scholars agree with him.  
But, there are others who have quite a different take.  Some believe its correct translation is "porpoise."  Now, obviously, a porpoise is not at all the same kind of animal as a badger.  Not even close!  Wait; It gets even more bizarre!
Some scolars argue that the word means, "Dugong."  That's a type of manatee!  Still other translate it as "antelope!"  What gives?!
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Purposeful Confusion.
Hmmm.....It doesn't appear that there's any real consensus at all as to the actual meaning.  Why?
Because the Holy Spirit is at it again!  He is painting pictures of Jesus, being purposely ambiguous.  Whenever the language of the Bible is unclear, there is something wonderful to unveil about Jesus for our benefit that will bless and encourage.

So, we have four possible things this "skin" could be:  Badger, porpoise, dugong and antelope.  Is there anything, anywhere else in scripture that can shed some light here?
YES!

Turn with me to Matthew 16 where Jesus asked His disciples the following question. 

("Who do men say that I am?")



Who Is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-17
"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
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Most people in Jesus' day, and even today, don't quite know what to make of Him. Some said He was John the Baptist (Badger?); some thought He might be Elijah (porpoise?); others, Jeremiah (dugong?); and still others, one of the prophets (antelope?).  
But Simon Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”


Behind The Veil.
God the Father revealed this to him.  It did not spring from natural human reasoning.  He drew back the "curtain," if you will, and allowed Peter to peer into the Holy of Holies.  He saw the pure gold of His divine nature and glimpsed for a moment who Jesus really was.  Unfortunately, that picture didn't stick with him as he later betrayed Him 3 times.  
But, that's so human, isn't it?  You and I need to be continually reminded of Who Jesus is.  

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He wasn't the only one who saw behind the Veil.  There were others.  Remember the Roman Centurion whose servant was paralyzed?  He came to Jesus and begged for him to be healed.  Let's follow the story.
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Matthew 8:5-7
"Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
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Jesus offered to come and heal him.  But the man refused.  Let's continue in verses 8-11:

"The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."
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We see the same thing in the case of the Canaanite woman who's daughter was severely demon-possessed.  She, too, saw Who he really was.  She came begging for healing for her daughter and she got it.
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(For more on her story, follow this link:
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Amazing that two Gentiles pierced the veil of His flesh.  They knew Who He was.  It amazes Jesus as well.  Most of His own people didn't recognize Him.  


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The Eye Of Man vs. The Eye Of God.
This outer covering is what the eye of man saw, which was the guise of a rugged man, the son of an obscure carpenter from the seedy little backwater town of Nazareth.  In their eyes, seemingly a "Nobody from nowhere."  No one knew what to make of Him, including His own disciples at times.  
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People today who are outside of Christ are no less perplexed.  Some call Him a great teacher, some a great philosopher, a great prophet, and others, simply a good man.  They don't see what you and I see, Church:  The Son of the Living God Who redeemed us from our sins!  Flesh and blood has not revealed this to us but the Holy Spirit. 

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Ram's Skin Dyed Red.
Exodus 26:14
"You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, (above the goat's hair) and a covering of badger skins (tachash) above that."

The next covering under the "Badger skin," was that of "Ram's skin dyed red."  A ram, of course, is a male Lamb.  Ram speaks of Jesus' sacrifice.  Red speaks of His work on the cross.  He was literally covered in blood in the process of redeeming all of us.  What a picture!
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The ram also depicts Jesus in His determination to save all of us.  You've heard of a battering ram?  That term was used because Rams are very determined.  They use their horns, a depiction of strength and authority, to get their objective.  
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, KNOWING ALL THINGS, stepped forward with heavenly dignity, strength and authority when the soldiers came to arrest Him.  He was DETERMINED to go to the cross.  He was fully aware of what was to come, yet He did not shrink from it.  
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Here's another famous ram incident.  Remember when Abraham was about to kill his son and the Angel stopped him?  He turned around and saw an incredible sight:  A RAM CAUGHT BY ITS HORNS IN A THICKET.

Now, Abraham was a shepherd by trade.  He knew that rams are not just unlikely to be caught by their horns in a thicket:  It's practically impossible.  Yet, here he was, "conveniently" caught by its horns, not his wool as one would expect, which would make it unfit as an offering. 
Had he been caught by his wool, the more he struggled, the more lacerated his skin would become from the thorns, blood everywhere.  
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How careful God is to guard the "Type" of His son.  This is a Holy Spirit picture of Jesus!  Horn is a picture of strength.  This ram was caught by his "strength," and when he was pulled out of the bush, what remained?  A CROWN OF THORNS AROUND HIS HEAD, just like Jesus in John 19:5.  "Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe." 
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Ram Of Consecrecration.
The ram brings to remembrance the "ram of consecration," in Exodus 29.  The priests placed their hands on its head, killed it, and put some of the blood on the right ear lobe, the right thumb, and right toe.  
These things depict believers who are washed by the blood.  You are consecrated; set apart; separated unto God as Holy.  The blood of Jesus covers everything you "HEAR (right ear lobe), what you do (right thumb), and where you walk (right toe.)


As I said before, the outer covering is what the eye of man sees.  All the people were able to see it.  Only the priests and high priest could view the innermost covering of fine linen.  
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They are a portrayal of Jesus, as Great High Priest, and all the priests under Him.  That's you and me, Church!  We are just like Him:  Priests forever after the order of Melchizedek!  We see the fine linen, our exalted Great High Prest in heaven.
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This layer of ram's skin dyed red could only be seen God.  You see, the full measure, appreciation and estimation of what Jesus did at Calvary will forever be known only by the Father and the Son.  
Remember that very first Passover when the children of Israel put the blood ON THE OUTSIDE of the door?  It was OUTSIDE, not for them to see, but for God so that, when the Angel of death passed by, He would "pass over" them.

Even in eternity, Church, you and I will never fully know, understand or esteem the price Jesus paid for us that day.

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Curtains Of Goat's Hair.

Exodus 26:7-
"You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent."
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Though we haven't yet covered the fine linen curtains of the inmost layer, it is very similar in construction to the goat's hair layer except that there are 10 linen curtains.  In this layer, however, there were 11, each measuring 4x30 cubits.  Why?
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As you know, nothing in scripture is arbitrary or there just to make the book thicker.  The Holy Sprit specifically mentions numbers.  He does so to lend greater depth, meaning and understanding of any passage.  
Jewish rabbis refer to this phenomenon as, "Gematria: The meaning of numbers."  It is not numerology which is based on superstition, mind you.

(Those interested in further study on the meaning of numbers in the Bible, follow this link:
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Gematria.
It should interest you to know that ALL the measurements of the entire Tabernacle are in multiples of 5.  5 is the number of grace!  That's because everything about the Tabernacle, Jesus, is full of grace!  4 is the number of creation; 6 is the number of man.
One of the reasons for this is there are four Hebrew words for man In the Bible and two Greek words:
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Let's do some Holy Spirit Math!
The numbers "11 and 30" are related in that they share the numbers "5" and "6."  
5+6 = 11 
5x6 = 30.  

6 is the number of man; 5 is the number of grace.  It's a perfect Holy Spirit message"

Jesus became a man full of grace to bring grace to us. 
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Amazing Properties Of Goat's Hair.
Many Bedouins in the Middle East today use goat's hair to weave cloth for their tents.  Goat's hair, in particular, has the amazing ability to contract when it rains to keep out the weather.  It protects from the wind and it expands when it's hot to let air flow in so that it is cool inside the tent.  That's the wisdom of our God!  He knows what animal to put where!
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Our Sin Offering.
The curtains made of "Goat hair" also depict Jesus as our "sin offering."  From the time of His birth, He grew in grace and knowledge. For 30 years (6x5) He was prepared to be offered up as a sacrifice for us all.  But this time period of His life, other than the incident at the temple when He was 12, is not recorded.  


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You'll notice in the picture above that these curtains of goat's hair cover the top part of the golden pillars.  There was a 6th curtain, that was folded over, covering part of the golden boards.  

Here's why.  Jesus grew up subject to His parents.  For 30 years, He lived a normal, hidden, human life. He did nothing miraculous or out of the ordinary until, as the Holy Spirit records, the miracle at the wedding of Cana in Galilee!  He calls it, "The beginning if miracles."
The 6th curtain was folded over to hide the top third of the golden pillars in front, depicting that hidden life.
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Women Artisans.
According to Exodus 35, verses 25 & 26, skilled women artisans wove the goat's hair and the fine linen curtains.  Notice the order in which they are mentioned.
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"25 All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 26 And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair."
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The linen curtains are mentioned first, then the goat's hair, in that order.  But look what is also recorded.   
Most of the time, it is only men who are mentioned in scripture.  But here, in Exodus 35, the Holy Spirit points out, in particuar, that WOMEN wove these curtains.  The reason why will soon become clear. 

Construction of the entire Tabernacle, from the golden boards, the implements, menorah, table of shewbread, altar of incense, Ark of the Covenant, to the curtains and coverings took "Nine months" to complete.  
What does that sound like?  Human gestation!  Mart was pregnant with Jesus for nine months.  THAT'S WHY WOMEN SPUN THE YARN.
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The Entrance Of The Tabernacle.
Before we get to the linen curtains, let's look at the Tabernacle itself and check out some other really amazing details.
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As you approach the outer court, there are FOUR PILLARS with curtains of fine linen hanging on them.  But at the entrance to the Tabernacle itself, notice that there are FIVE GOLDEN PILLARS.  Bet you'd like to know why.

Why Four Pillars?
Ok; Tell me:  Where do you find all the stories and accounts of Jesus'life on earth?  
YES!  THE FOUR GOSPELS.  You are introduced to Jesus through the Gospels and become "born again" when you accept Him as our Savior.  This gains you admittance into the outer court where the Bronze Altar is located.  
Bronze in the Bible is a picture of judgment.  The altar is in the shape of a cross.  Your sins were "Judged at the cross!"  But in order to go deeper, the Holy Of Holies is the place to be.  

(For more information on the Bronze Altar, follow this link:

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Five Pillars.
Now think again:  Where in the Bible do you find everything you want to know about Jesus?  In the New Testament!  But where are the teachings of the risen, exalted, glorified, seated-at-the -right-hand-of-the-Father Jesus?  In the letters and epistles of the New Testament!  The FIVE PILLARS represent the FIVE AUTHORS of those epistles:  
Peter, James, John, Jude and Paul.  

Five is the number of grace!  
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No More Veil.
Under our dispensation of the Covenant of GRACE, Jesus has shed His blood.  Now that Jesus has died, there is no more Holy Place and Holy of Holies because the Father ripped the veil in two! There is only the Holy of Holies, surrounded by 48 golden boards seated in silver sockets, all facing the Mercy Seat.  
That's right, Church.  You and I are golden pillars in the house of the Lord!  

Those who are most intimate with Jesus have passed through "Grace:  The five pillars," into the Holy Of Holies.  They are secure in their "Redemption: The silver sockets," (silver depicts redemption) and continually behold the face of Jesus.  They are the ones who remain seated, resting in His presence.  It's the place of greatest protection and peace.

Curtains Of Fine Linen.

Finally, we come to the curtains of fine linen.  You already know that they were woven by the women and why.  
Look at the picture below.  As you enter and look up at the curtains over your head, you see the colors of blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen.  They are woven with artistic designs of Cherubim with wings unfurled.  
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When David wrote Psalm 91, he was referring back to this.  When you walk into the Holy of Holies, you are literally "under the shadow of His wings!"

Now, in the opening scripture, you are reading the only time "fine linen" is mentioned first, then "Blue, purple, scarlet.  Everywhere else, it is recorded as "Blue, purpe, scarlet are first, then "fine linen" last.  Ever notice that?  Why is the order reversed?
As usual, the Holy Spirit has a purpose for every seemingly insignificant detail.  Remember, the badger skin is what the eye of man sees.  The ram's skin dyed red is what only the eye of God sees. The goat's hair curtains depict what God made His Son to be on earth, and the fine linen represents what Jesus is in heaven. 
He is fine linen:  Heavenly, regal, royalty, beloved of the Father, seated at His right hand.


Order Reversal.
The reason the order is reversed is this:
In the Gospels, you see Jesus called or referred to as "Jesus Christ."  Jesus is first, Christ, His title, is second.  But in the epistles, you often see it reversed.  You and I are sanctified "in Christ H
Jesus."
 Why?
Jesus' literally means, "Salvation;" Christ means, "Messiah."  In the Gospels He was the "Promosed Messiah," but after He shed His blood, He was "the Promise FULFILLED!"  You and I are referred to and "IN Christ Jesus."


The entire structure is a picture of the Person of our Lord Jesus.  Bear in mind that, as He is, so are we in this world.  He is our true identity. 
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Church, that means you and I are just as covered and just as protected:  Four-times covered, in fact!  We don't walk around in this dangerous world, vulnerable like unbelievers.  We are safe under His wings. 


Our Father wants you and I to walk through life and KNOW that you are not uncovered.  You are loved, warmed, protected, secure.  You are under His wings.  You are four times covered.  


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Gideon's 300

Judges  6:11-12
"Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
 
(The Angel of the Lord Visits Gideon.)
 
How awesome!  THE Angel of the Lord visited Gideon and even called him a mighty man of valor!"  Sounds like he's off to a pretty good start, doesn't it?  But then he starts going through a laundry list of complaints.
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Now, the Bible calls this Visitor, "THE ANGEL of the LORD."  It wasn't Gabriel and it wasn't Michael; it was Jesus Himself in a pre-incarnate appearance....and Gideon was whining and complaining to Him!  Let's follow the story:
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Judges 6:12-15
"Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
 
I'm sure you noticed the names in bold font in the opening passage?  Most of you who have read my articles know that there are 4 levels of Bible study.  This story is all about Jesus and how he defeated our enemies at the cross!
 
The Trinity is mentioned in these verses.  "Joash (Ya-esh)" literally means "God Fire."  Who is like a burning fire?  The Father!  "Abiezer (Av-ezer)" means "Father Help," literally.  Who is that?  The Holy Spirit, the Helper!  And you already know that "The Angel of the Lord," is Jesus!
 
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Encouraging Words.
That's quite a list of woes. But, our gracious Jesus was non-plussed.  He sat there and listened to his laments, and then spoke to him the following encouraging words:
14 "Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord,  how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
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Notice the Angel said to him, "Go in this might of YOURS."  Wait, what?  Who's might?  You mean, scared-to-death Gideon's?  Why, he even admitted to being a weakling! What might could he possibly have? 
But that's just like God, isn't it!  He does things for you then gives you credit for what He did.  Don't think for a minute it's you, though.
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Gideon goes on to say, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
Now, there's an offer for you!  But it still wasn't quite enough to convince Gideon.  So, he asked the LORD if he might test and see if he was really the man for the job in the famous story of the fleece that he threw out.....twice!
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We're not going to go into that here.  Please refer to the link below for more on that story:

https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/the-real-meaning-of-gideons-fleece/)


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The Trouble Of Israel.
All the trouble Israel ever was in started when they left the God of their fathers and began worshipping other gods.  At this point in time, they were being oppressed by the Midianites, as well result, and faced a horde of their troops so great, no one could number them!  
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Every time in their history that they got in trouble or were oppressed by other nations, and this happened many times, God raised a champion to lead them.  This time, it was Gideon.  
(For more on the topic of their indiscretions, please follow the link below.  It demonstrates how God really sees things!https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/gods-math-is-not-like-ours/)
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Secrets In The Hebrew.
Gideon's name means, "One who hewed down (the enemy.)"  Apt description!  In Hebrew it is spelled like this:
[גדעון]
The letters from right to left are "gimel-dalet-ayin-vav-nun."

Hebrew is a language of picture writing, like Chinese.  Each letter is a picture of something.
[ג] Gimel is a picture of a camel, a form of transportation.
[ד] Dalet is a picture of a door.  The "Door" is Jesus!
[ע] Ayin is a picture of the eye.
[ו] Vav is a picture of a nail or hook, depicting Jesus' sacrifice when He was "nailed" to the cross.
[ן] Nun is a picture of a fish which depicts believers.

Gideon wasn't God's man because of anything special in and of himself.  He was a man who had "TRAVELED through the DOOR, who SAW the SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS and became a BELIEVER!
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When you trust in Jesus, He goes before you and "Hews down the enemy" for you.....and gives you the credit!
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TOO MANY!
He started out with 32,000 men.  But God said that there were "too many." 
WHAT?!  The Midianites were so numerous, they couldn't be counted!  That's quite a tide of evil, not unlike what we are facing today as election day 2016 draws near here in America.  
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So why did the LORD say there were too many? Let's follow the story:
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"And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites (Media-nites maybe?) into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained."
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God wanted Israel to know that He was the One Who defeated their enemies for them.  It wasn't because of any strength or intelligence they possessed.  That's how we know without a doubt that our Abba loves us!  He isn't content to tell us:  HE ALLOWS US TO HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF IT!   That is what bolsters and cements our faith.  We may start out "fear-FULL," but we end up "fear-LESS."(For more on the Hebrew words for "fear and fearless" and God's perspective on the subject, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/fear-%d7%a4%d7%97%d7%93-and-fearless-%d7%9c%d7%90%d7%a4%d7%97%d7%93/)
 
So, anyone who was "fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead."  It's interesting to note that the root word for "Gilead," is the Hebrew verb, "galal," which means, "to roll some object on, upon or away."  Figuratively, it carries the idea of rolling oneself onto the Lord.  These folks did not have great faith or trust in the Lord, hence their fear.
 
 
Still Too Many.
But there were still far too many, God said.  So He had Gideon weed out more of the Israelites in this way:
 
Judges 7:1-8
"And the Lord said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.”And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.” 
 
 
300.  That's the number God was aiming at. Very interesting number!  300, in Bible numerics, is the number of VICTORY!  Now, finally He reached a number He could use to defeat this innumerable horde, bring great glory to His Name and BLESS HIS PEOPLE!!!
-Hmmm.....300.....VERY interesting number!  As many of you know, numbers in the Bible have meaning.  The Holy Spirit doesn't have His "secretaries" write them down in scripture on a whim.  They are there to teach us something important about Jesus.
The rabbis call this phenomenon, "Gematria:  The meaning of numbers."  300 is the number of VICTORY!(For more on the subject of numbers in the Bible, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/bible-numerics/)-Bear in mind, this is NOT numerology or some other superstitious nonsense.
 
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God Encourages Gideon.
 
Joshua 7:9-12
"It happened on the same night that the Lordsaid to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, 11 and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp. 12 Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude."
God knew that there might still be just a "little bit" of fear on Gideon's part.  So, He told him to take his servant and sneak down into the camp of Midian.  They would overhear something that would totally turn the tide and encourage them.  Let's continue the story:
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Judges 7:13-15
13 And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, “I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.”
14 Then his companion answered and said, “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon 
the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.”

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15 And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” 16 Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. 17 And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’”
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The Hebrew word for "trumpet" here is literally, "Shofar."  Do you know what a Shofar is?  It's a ram's horn.  And how do you get it?  BY KILLING A MALE LAMB.  It's a remembrance to God of the death of Jesus!
It is said that demons tremble and flee in terror at the sounding of the Shofar.  Well, as we shall soon see, indeed they did flee.....IN ABJECT TERROR!

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The Darkest Time Of The Night.
Judges 7:19-21
"So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” And every man stood in his place all around the camp;"
This whole scene occurred just as one watch was coming off duty and the next coming on.  It's the darkest time of the night.  The guys who were coming off shift were really tired and the ones coming on duty were just waking up, most likely still not fully awake.
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Now, when it's REALLY dark, even the tiniest light can be seen for miles.  Well, imagine the confusion when, all of a sudden, you see your encampment surrounded by torch lights from presumably a great army and you hear shouting and sounding Shofars all around!  What do you do?  YOU PANIC, that's what!Yep.  That's exactly what they did!  They started killing each other in their confusion or fleeing in terror, leaving everything they owned behind.
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VICTORY!

Judges 7:22-25
"When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
23 And the men of Israel gathered together from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.
24 Then Gideon sent messengers throughout all the mountains of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites, and seize from them the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.” Then all the men of Ephraim gathered together and seized the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan. 25 And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
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Wow!  It was a complete rout!  Not only that, but they captured the two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, killed them and brought their heads to the OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN."
More Secrets In The Hebrew Language.
 
The name, "Midian," means "Strife."  Oreb and Zeeb are also very telling.  "Oreb," comes from the root word that means "evening: Erev."  The other name, "Zeeb," means "wolf."  What do wolves go after?  SHEEP!
In the last days (the "evening").....like NOW.....there will be ravening wolves that go around looking to devour the sheep of God's pasture:  The Church."
But our "300," few by comparison to the number of "Midianites," will shout and lift up the Name that is above EVERY name:  JESUS!  She will be completely victorious over the enemies that have sought to steal, kill and destroy.


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So Church, earthen vessel of the Light of God, let your light...no matter how dim...shine through the darkness of this fallen world.  Sound the Shofar! The enemy has to flee when he hears it! Righteousness will again rule our land if we will follow Jesus, the Greater Gideon.
The Battle belongs to the LORD, just like in the story of Gideon's 300!

Sunday, November 6, 2016

No Longer Disciples: SONS AND DAUGHTERS

Luke 14:26-27
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."




According to Jewish tradition, a rabbi is "a teacher of the Torah."  The word rabbi is derived from the Hebrew word "rabi" (רבי) which is the way a student would address a master of Torah.  The word master (רב):rav, literally means "great one."

Jesus was most often addressed as "Rabbi" (Teacher) by the religious leaders, leading citizens and people of His day and His followers were called "disciples."  
Back then there were many different "teachers or rabbis," each with their various followers who were called "disciples: students."


As Christians, you've heard it said time and again that you are to "go into all the world and make disciples," I'm sure. All through your growing-up years, you heard about discipleship, the cost of discipleship, about denying your father, dwhying mother, your, brother and that you must "take up YOUR CROSS and follow Jesus;" and, don't forget: "Put Jesus first!!"  Then a scripture like the one above is referenced, right?

Of course, ABSOLUTELY:  WE MUST PUT JESUS FIRST!  Now, I understand the what we all mean when say, "Go into the world and spread the gospel to every nation and make disciples."  Nothing wrong with saying that; but let's remember who and what we really are.




When you accepted Jesus, you already did ALL the above.  You already denied everyone to follow Him.  You already died at the cross with Him.  You are not like someone who needs to "take up your cross" as if you are on the way TO death: YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD!  And dead is dead.

Rabbis And Disciples.
Let's take a closer look at the word "disciple."  Whether singular or plural, "disciple" appears 200 times in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. 
In the very last chapter of John, it is used a total of 10 times!  

In stark contrast, in the entire book of Acts, it is used only 30 times. The very last time it appears is here in Acts 21:16:
"There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an OLD DISCIPLE, with whom we should lodge."

Notice that in this last appearance of the word it says "OLD disciple."  Would you care to guess how many times the word appears in the rest of the New Testament? 

ZERO. Why?

Because the days of "rabbi" and "disciple" are OVER!
What??? 
Yep. Let me explain.   
First of all, understand, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG with using the word or calling ourselves "disciples." I understand the reasoning.  But if you really want to foster grace-New-Covenant-sonship mentality, perhaps it's wiser to stick to scriptural guidelines. After all, Abba writes EVERYTHING in our Manufacturer's Handbook with only our greatest welfare in mind. That being said, let each of us walk before Him as he or she is lead.

The word "disciple" in Greek simply means "learner or pupil."  While it is true that we never want to stop learning, the word "disciple" implies there is a "rabbi."
You see, in Jesus' day, and even in modern-day Israel, there are "disciples" of various "rabbis." You can even tell who their mentor is by their clothing, their mannerisms and the teachings of each particular disciple because they don't merely listen to their mentor, THEY INTERNALIZE THE CHARACTER, MANNERISMS, EVEN THE DRESS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RABBI.  That's why, when Jesus came, they called him "Rabbi" or teacher; same thing.

 

   

Son's And Daughters.
After He rose from the dead He said, "I go to your Father and My Father; your God and my God," meaning "WE are now all in the family of God."  We are no longer disciples, like the Jewish people were. There is a clear distinction between that model and our
dispensation.  We are now identified as as "sons and daughters of God."

  
Paul and the other writers of the New Testament call us either "sons of God" or "servants."  The Greek word used here is "doulos" which means "glorious servant." Only a son can be a "glorious servant;" like Jesus.

Think of it this way:  If, say, Prince William were to walk into a room as a lady tripped and fell, instead of waiting for an usher to come and help, he stooped down to help her to her feet. Since He doesn't have to bow down and serve but chooses to, there is "glory" in his action because he's a prince.  An usher, on the other hand, would be expected to help, and would not be accorded any special honor.

That's why we do not call God "Jehovah"...although He is...or "Almighty God"...although He most certainly is.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There is a place for those titles, but "Abba:Father" is His FAVORITE NAME because we are no longer merely friends of God or disciples of our teacher:
WE ARE FAMILY!


That is why, Church, you are no longer merely disciples:  

YOU ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS!