It has been said that Jesus is the chief of a pioneer priesthood (Heb 7:12), even the "order of Melchizedek". The Bible calls Him a forerunner: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb 6:19-20). In other words, Jesus is the first fruits of human nature that has entered into the heavenly kingdom; the first human body that was ripe for glory, and ripe long before the rest of the children who are partakers of flesh and blood. And He is entered for us, as the first fruits of all who have found redemption in His blood (Jn 14:2; 1 Cor 15:20). This word "forerunner" is not only a title, but is also a duty.. The Greek word "prodromos", does not merely signify one that goes or runs before another, but also one who shows the way, he who first does a particular thing, in this case, entering in within the veil, into the Most Holy Place. What many people do not realize is that Jesus paved the way with full expectancy for us to follow. We're not to sit by and simply watch Him enter in, rather, we're to chase behind Him, and enter in ourselves (Heb 4:6)!
I believe that only a remnant will ever properly recognize this great potential, and follow through. This pioneer priesthood will follow Jesus where He goes, and will subsequently minister to those who chose to stay behind (Lk 22:31-32).
Joshua chapter 3 gives us some insight into this instance of "chasing the Ark", and progressing through the veil, after the order of Melchizedek:
"And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it" (Josh 3:1-3).
Prior to these instances, we see that "Moses is dead" (Josh 1:2). In other words, the old has come and gone.. Our response to this truth should be as it was for Joshua: "now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel" (Josh 1:2). These verses speak the same truth as those in Hebrews: we are to ARISE, ENTER IN and GO AFTER the Ark of God! These verses illustrate the process by which we possess what God has for us! Now, there is a new dispensation to enter into, a new priesthood! Will you cling to the old and dead, or will you follow King Jesus within the veil? The choice is yours.
As always, however, there are certain requirements that the people of God must suffer through in order to apprehend this call (Phil 3:12). Notice the qualifications of this new priesthood with me:
- They must be "removed from Shittim" (vs. 1): Shittim is a type of wood (Exod 25:5). In Scripture, wood is symbolic of one's humanity (Isa 61:3; Ps 1; Ex 7:19; 26:15; Lev 1:7-17; 14:4-6; 1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Tim 2:20; Rev 9:20). Jesus was likened to a root out of dry ground, of the stem of Jesse, of David's family tree (Isa 53:1-3), thus denoting His humanity as the "Son of Man". Therefore, to fully partake of the benefits of this new and emerging priesthood, one must forcefully decide to leave his human and carnal tendencies. A man who is concentrated on carnal efforts will be a man who forsakes the calling of God; you cannot serve two masters.
- Similarly, in possessing this Ark, they must go onward "to Jordan" (vs. 1): Jordan means "descending", and primarily communicates the same truth as we saw prior: the descending of self-will, and the ascending of God's will: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (Jn 3:30). Friend, do we find it strange that a large majority of God's truth concerns the destruction of "self" and the preeminence of the Holy Spirit? We shouldn't be surprised, rather, such a "decrease" is to be the the testimony of our Christian lives. God has purposed it in such a way that this perpetual "decreasing" will be proportionate to our inheritance in the hereafter (1 Cor 15:41-42a).
- The people were to cross the river for the 2nd time (vs. 1).. they had already crossed the Red Sea once (typical of water baptism).. but now they were asked to cross the Jordan River. This 2nd crossing is symbolically referencing a "2nd experience", that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Such is absolutely essential to a progressive walk with God! I simply cannot emphasize that enough. Why should we neglect something that was a perpetual pattern for the characters of Scripture? It's spiritually irresponsible.
- Furthermore, in following the Ark, the people were to come to "Gilgal" (Josh 4:19). This word means "rolling away, heap". This is the location where the children of Israel had their circumcision renewed (Josh 5:2-9). Clearly, this speaks of a yet further "rolling away" of the flesh: "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked" (Deut 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4).
- Only after these instances were the children of Israel permitted to go onward towards "Jericho" (Josh 3:16). Jericho means "moon city; fragrant place". This title was given to the bride in the Song of Solomon (Song 6:10), and speaks of worship and glory, as the moon has no light or glory of its own, but only reflects the light and glory of the bright-shining sun. What fruit! This wonderful place is only recognized and assimilated as we pass through the prior places: Shittim, Jordan, Gilgal, etc.
How interesting (and appropriate) that the children of Israel were perpetually asked to roll away their flesh, and renew their minds, as they journeyed onward, chasing the Ark of God! One can never realize his full inheritance (within the veil) while purposefully tarrying in sin and uncleanness. The refusal of sinful tendencies is a daily exercise: "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal 4:19).
Friends, let's move forward, following the King within the veil! Will you chase the Ark of God with me?
Let's endure! Let's decrease! Let's "follow...holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).
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