JESUS!

Oh Worship the KING!

I Make All Things New!

Part 10 of 10

As we conclude our study of the New Covenant, and all that pertains to it, the following quote becomes especially significant: "Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow" (Aesop).

The sum of our study can be found in the following verse: "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make ALL things new" (Rev 21:5).

Church history has proven the fact that human nature likes to revel in old wineskins. For the most part, the old has been good enough. Men naturally resist the emergence of the new, even if it is far superior. But I want to encourage us to press into and seek the substance of the shadow. Why cling to the mere shadows when the substance beckons us onward?

Friends, let's wholeheartedly partake of this New and better covenant! The precious blood of Jesus has thoroughly effected it for us! Concerning this covenant, Jesus' advice is to "drink ye ALL of it" (Matt 26:27).

As we fully partake of these precious covenantal benefits, the Bible tells us that we'll become a NEW Creature (Gal 6:15), a NEW man (Eph 4:24), pressing into a NEW priesthood (Heb 6:19-20; 7:12), by a NEW birth (1 Pet 1:23). We'll offer NEW sacrifices, have a NEW temple (Eph 2:19-22), and celebrate NEW feastdays (1 Cor 5:7). We'll put on a NEW garment (Matt 9:16; Rev 19:8), and a NEW wineskin (Prov 3:10; Matt 9:17). We'll begin to speak with NEW tongues (Acts 2:1-4; Mk 16:17), and we'll have a NEW sabbath rest (Mk 2:27)! We'll partake of NEW commandments (Jn 13:34; 2 Jn 5), walk upon a NEW way (Heb 10:20), with a NEW name (Rev 2:17; Isa 62:2), and a NEW song (Rev 5:9). We'll have a NEW heart (Ezek 18:31), a NEW spirit (Ezek 11:19), and NEW mercies (Lam 3:23). We'll have a NEW Jerusalem (Rev 3:12; 21:2), a NEW testament (Matt 26:28), and a NEW Covenant (Heb 8:8; 12:24)! And we'll soon find ourselves in the NEW Heaven and earth (2 Pet 3:18; Rev 21:2; Isa 65:17)! Don't you want to partake of such glorious New Covenantal benefits? I sure do!

"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare" (Isa 42:9)!

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?" (Isa 43:19).

The End..

Israel..

Part 9 of 10

What has happened to the identity of Israel, under the New Covenant? Has it changed? As with everything else we are seeing, the answer is yes. Israel was once a literal and natural people, but at the emergence of the New Covenant, Israel became a spiritual truth, a spiritual people, with a spiritual identity - no longer merely natural.

Old Covenant Israel?

In the Old Testament, the term "Israel" is used collectively. It refers to the patriarch Jacob (Gen 32:27-28; 35:10), the twelve tribes of Israel (Exod 19:3), the ten-tribed house of Israel (1 Kgs 2:21), and the two-tribed house of Judah (Ezra 6:21). Therefore, the term "Israel" in the Old Testament may refer to any of these people/groups.

The first use of the word "Jew" in Scripture is when Judah is fighting against Israel. The word "Jew" is actually a corruption of the name "Judah" (2 Kgs 16:6).

After the division of Israel as a nation, it was only the house of Judah which included in itself the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. These were the ones who became known as "Jews". Therefore, it is error to refer to the entire nation of Israel as "Jews". It's a very common misunderstanding.

So then, with the emergence of the New Covenant, who is the real Israel? Who is the real Jew?

New Covenant Israel?

For some reason, modern day Christians want so bad to be Jewish! I don't understand that. The New Covenant speaks of a spiritual Jew - that's the only Jew I care to be. I want to be of "the Israel of God", and of "Jerusalem above"!

"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Gal 6:16).

"But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all" (Gal 4:26).

The Bible calls Gentiles and Jews the "seed of Abraham" (Gal 3:29).. and did you know that Abraham was not a Jew, nor was he an Israelite! He was of the line of Eber from Shem, the son of Noah (Gen 10:21-31; 11:10-32; 14:13). Abraham's seed became the nation of Israel. But Abraham himself received the promises of God by faith, apart from the covenantal rite of circumcision (Rom 4:11). And why? So that he could be the father of ALL that believe! "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (Gal 3:9).

At the cross of our Lord, the literal identity of Israel was elevated to a higher, greater and spiritual plane. No longer are we deemed Jew and Gentile, male and female, bond and free. We now are a new species "in Christ", not "in Judaism" (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15). We have a new name, a new covenant, and a new identity! We aren't to put on Judaism when we get saved - that's crazy! Rather, we're to "put on Christ":

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:27-28).

A real Jew is one inwardly: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom 2:28-29). Yet many Gentiles still strive to incorporate prayer shawls, yamukah's, shofar's, etc. Friends, he is not a Jew who is one OUTWARDLY! All those external instruments do not make us more spiritual - rather, they display our ignorance to the New Testament.

The real identity of spiritual Israel has always been those with a clean heart: "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart" (Ps 73:1).

Jesus identified a spiritual Jew when he saw Nathaneal: "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile" (Jn 1:47).

Under the New Covenant, even natural Jews miss out on their genuinely spiritual relationship with God, because they have rejected the Messiah. This is a hard pill to swallow, but it's true: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9). Paul said, "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel" (Rom 9:6). What did he mean? He meant you can easily be a natural Jew, but a spiritual Jew is a whole different story altogether. Jesus rebuked the Jews of His day because they claimed to be in relationship with God, but were not; they claimed to be real Jews, but were not: "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham" (Jn 8:37-39).

Has God Cast Away His People?

Many will take these truths to the extreme and say because Israel is now a spiritual identity, that natural Israel is to be forsaken. But this thought is error. The Bible is very clear that the natural Jew will have a place in the eternal plan of God; He has not forsaken them even though they have been "a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Rom 10:21). If God hasn't forsaken their salvation, therefore neither should we:

"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew..." (Rom 11:1-2).

There will be a plan for "the natural branches": "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom 11:17-29). Note how Paul calls this instance a "mystery" (vs. 25).

We need to be praying for the peace and salvation of natural Israel (Ps 122:6), for we owe them a great deal of gratitude: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen" (Rom 9:1-5).


We see, therefore, that to strive to revert back to the identity of literal, natural Israel is to actually revert back to the Old Covenant. God has done a new thing - He has given His people a new identity - we are no longer Jews and Gentiles - we are "Christians" (Acts 11:26), the Israel of God! How marvellous that God has made all things NEW!

Feastdays?

Part 8 of 10

The feasts of Israel have been celebrated for thousands of years, and each one has great natural significance. But for the New Testament Christian, have these significances changed with the emergence of the New Covenant? Yes, they have. What was a natural feast and celebration for the natural Jew has now become a spiritual truth and celebration for the spiritual Jew, the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16). The feasts of Israel have been elevated to a higher, greater and spiritual plane.

Old Covenant Feastdays?

To the natural Jew, the feastdays were very, very significant. There were three major feasts that were celebrated each year: the Feast of Passover, the Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

The Feast of Passover celebrated the deliverance from Egypt (Exod 12). Each house was to take a lamb, sprinkle it's blood upon their doorposts and the upper lintel of the house, and then feast upon the roast lamb inside. At midnight, when the angel of the Lord came to smite the firstborn of man and beast, he would pass over the houses with spilt blood. After this event, Israel was miraculously taken out of Egypt by their crossing of the Red Sea, guided by the glory-cloud. The Feast of Passover also included unleavened bread and the sheaf of firstfruits. The flesh of the Lamb had to be eaten with unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. When they arrived in the land, they were to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest, and wave it before the Lord (Lev 23:10). This feast was held in the first month of Israel's sacred year.

The Feast of Pentecost celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. This feast was also known as the Feast of Weeks. It was the feast of the fiftieth day ("Pentecost" means, "fifty"). It was after the seven weeks journey from Egypt (on the fiftieth day) that Moses received the two tablets of stone (the Ten Commandments). This great feast took place in the third month.

The Feast of Tabernacles was the most solemn feast. It took place in the seventh month, the close of Israel's sacred year. This feast celebrated the great Day of Atonement, when the high priest would (once a year) enter into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the Mercy Seat with sacrificial blood, making atonement for his sins and the sins of the people. After this event, the people would leave their homes and dwell in booths (tabernacles). This was to celebrate the ingathering of the final harvest, and their continued deliverance from Egypt. This feast is also associated with the blowing of trumpets (to call forth the people to prepare their hearts for the great Day of Atonement).

Not surprisingly, New Testament writers expound and interpret these feasts for us, as to their New Covenant application... each of these feasts are fulfilled in Christ and His church.

New Covenant Feastdays?

There are Christians today who make "pilgrimages" to Jerusalem, and sometimes during one of these three noted feasts. I do not believe this is at all necessary. We will see tomorrow that Jerusalem is from "above" - it is no longer earthly (Gal 4:26). Of course the geographical place still exists, but the spiritually significant Jerusalem is a heavenly truth. Friends, travelling to literal Jerusalem does not make one spiritual.

These three major feasts have been elevated to a spiritual plane, in which they are experienced in a spiritual manner, by spiritual Israel.

The Feast of Passover simply represents justification by faith in the blood of the Lamb of God, slain for our deliverance: "...when I (the angel of death) see the blood, I will pass over you..." (Exod 12:13). Paul interpreted these events for us when he said, "...Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). The Gospels also present Jesus as the eternal Passover Lamb. In fact, He was actually crucified during the natural feast of Passover. Furthermore, Jesus is said to be our unleavened bread (1 Cor 5:7-8): He is our separation from sin unto God (baptism, Red Sea, burial, death of the old man). He is also our sheaf of firstfruits - giving us resurrection, birth of the new man, and newness of life (1 Cor 15:20-23; 2 Cor 5:17-18).

The Feast of Pentecost represents the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the establishment of the church of God (Acts 7:38; 2:41). New Covenant Pentecost is the coming of the Holy Spirit to baptize the believer, and write the spiritual law upon our hearts and minds (Rom 7:1-6). This event actually occurred fifty days after the sheaf of firstfruits - the resurrection of King Jesus. Each time someone receives this baptism, they are moving in the spiritual Feast of Pentecost (2 Cor 3)! Why would Christians continue to celebrate the coming of the law when Paul clearly instructs us that our New Testament Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Spirit? "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor 3:6). Sadly, there are entire denominations of believers who have forsaken this great feast. How can we expect to progress towards Tabernacles (the culmination of these feasts) if we haven't yet properly appropriated Pentecost? We cannot!

The Feast of Tabernacles is the only feast that has yet to be fully experienced by the body of Christ. As I mentioned earlier, this feast is also related to the Blowing of Trumpets (occurred on the first day of the feast - to prepare for atonement), the great Day of Atonement (occurred on the tenth day of the feast), the ingathered harvest, and the Feast of Booths (occurred for seven days after their atonement).

New Testament writers explain the fulfillment of the Blowing of the Trumpet as the prophetic call that sounds forth - prepare ye the way of the Lord - prepare your hearts to receive God's mercy and forgiveness (1 Cor 11:28-32)! Trumpets, in Scripture represent the prophetic voice: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isa 58:1)... "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law" (Hos 8:1). This "trumpet", as related to the Feast of Tabernacles, was to call the nation to cleansing, in preparation for the great Day of Atonement. This trumpet call is the call of the bride (Song 2:10)!

The New Testament writers also describe for us the significance of the New Covenant great Day of Atonement, for spiritual Israel. Jesus is our great High Priest (Heb 2:17; 3:1; etc.), and He has entered within the veil once and for all with His own blood (Heb 10:14). There is absolutely no doubt that the Lord Jesus has made full and complete atonement on His cross. But there is also no doubt that the church, His body, has failed to enter into and fully appropriate this atonement. In other words, there is a coming day when spiritual Israel will appropriate all that Calvary's cross has provided. It will not be a new day of atonement, rather, it will be the appropriation and futuristic fulfillment that is founded upon the work of Calvary past. I believe the prophet Zechariah speaks of this event when he says, "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness" (13:1). And again in 3:9: "I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day". I believe this will occur in spiritual Zion, "in that day", "in one day" - the day of the Lord: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov 4:18). We're on "a path" towards the Most Holy Place, waiting to enter in, just like Jesus - the pattern Son (Heb 6:19-20; 2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pet 1:19; ). The experiential day of Atonement for the church will be fullest manifestation of the power of the blood of Jesus - it will bring us to perfection (Heb 6:1)! We will move from "judicial truth" into "experiential truth"! Hallelujah!

The final facet of Tabernacles is also yet to be experienced: This includes the dwelling in booths (tabernacles), and the final harvest of the year (Exod 34:22). The dwelling in booths is simply commemorative of our wilderness wanderings, and ultimately points to the great glory that will be revealed in us once these pilgrims and strangers find their rightful places in the glory-realm (Heb 11:10-16; 1 Pet 1:17), as the dwelling of God: "And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Prov 24:4). A people (a bride) will become the full habitation of God. He will dwell in every chamber (Mk 5:9)!

The final harvest will occur when God's people (His remnant) attain to His pattern, and enter in within the veil themselves! In other words, when they experientially appropriate the atonement and fullness just mentioned. Hebrews 6:19-20 tells us that "the forerunner" has entered in already - He has paved the way for us to follow. Will we die daily, and enter in to His rest? When this happens (in the spiritual 7th month - the month of fullness), the early and latter rains will fall together: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month" (Joel 2:23). In other words, there will be a double portion of rain (symbolic of the Spirit and Word of God: Duet 32:1-3; Isa 55:8-12) in order to usher in a great harvest: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain" (Jas 5:7). Rains are to ripen the harvest; rains and harvests are simply inseparable.

But friends, this won't happen willy-nilly. God has always utilized a human vehicle to move in and through. The fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles will be no different. This great move will occur via the manifestation of the sons of God - those believers who have likewise entered within the final veil, following King Jesus, and attaining to the order and rank of Melchizedek (Rom 8:18-20). As we said a couple days ago, this priesthood will minister the bread and the wine (the resurrection life and power of God) to a broken and weeping creation, even as Melchizedek ministered these elements to Abraham, the father of many nations (Gen 14). This spiritual feast will usher in the final reconciliation of mankind (2 Cor 5:20-21).. Hallelujah! Come Lord Jesus!

There are many, many more vital aspects of the Feast of Tabernacles to be discussed. But that will have to wait. In our final observance, I want to see the New Covenant identity of Israel. You just may be surprised what we discover!

To be continued...

Temples..

Part 7 of 10

We've just seen what encompasses a New Covenant Sacrifice - but where does this sacrifice take place? In a temple! A New Covenant temple, of course.


Old Covenant dwelling places?

A temple is simply a dwelling place. A tabernacle too. In the Old Testament, under previous covenants, tabernacles and temples were the places where God chose to have His glory dwell and abide. This is also where the priesthood would function, where the sacrifices would occur, etc. As we are learning, however, many of these Old Covenant truths are simply shadows of the New and more glorious Covenant. The New Covenant, and all that it contains, is the truth which the figure simply pointed to: "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb 9:24). It is no different with Old Covenant tabernacles and temples. All were but a type and shadow of the eternal reality.

There were three structures in the Old Testament that housed the presence of God: the tabernacle of Moses, the tabernacle of David, and the temple of Solomon. The many truths contained within these three structures are voluminous in and of themselves. For now, therefore, we will simply peer into these tabernacles and temples with the sole purpose of contrasting them between the Old and New Covenants.

The tabernacle of Moses was built via divine revelation from God, according to the pattern that was shown to Moses upon Mt. Sinai. At this tabernacle, the glory and presence of God dwelt upon the Mercy Seat (the Ark), in the Most Holy Place. You can read about the structure's details in Exodus chapters 25-40. This tabernacle was placed in the center of Israel's camp, and all of their movements were determined by the Lord in the glory-cloud over the tabernacle. This tabernacle continued through the 40 year wilderness wandering, and on into Canaan. It lasted up until the time of King David.

The tabernacle of David was built to replace that of Moses. David's tabernacle existed upon Mt. Zion, while Moses' tabernacle continued to carnally operate upon Mt. Gibeon (even though it was void of the presence and Ark of God). The one and only Ark of the Lord was placed in David's Tabernacle, after it returned from captivity in the land of the Philistines. At this tabernacle, David established a whole new order of worship in Israel. The details concerning this tabernacle can be found in 1st Chronicles chapters 15-16, 2nd Samuel chapter 6, and 2nd Chronicles chapter 1.

The temple of Solomon was the final physical structure that would house the Ark (presence) of God. David was the one who received the revelation and divine pattern of this temple, but Solomon is the one who built it. It was built once Israel had rest from all her enemies. The main details of this temple are found in 1st Chronicles chapters 28-29, 2nd Chronicles chapters 1-7, and 1st Kings chapters 1-8. This temple was destroyed under Babylonian captivity, and rebuilt years later.

New Covenant dwelling place?

As I said, the temple of Solomon was the FINAL physical structure that would house the Ark of God. There are some who believe in another physical temple to be rebuilt in the future, but we will see how this simply cannot be true.

Even before the New Covenant was officially established, Jesus spoke repeatedly about "the temple of His body" (Jn 2:18-22, etc). The material temple was steadily approaching it's final end. In Matthew 23:38, Jesus said to the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate"! In other words, it was no longer God's house! It was devoid of a divine inhabitant, devoid of the glory of God - the whole reason for the temple's existence in the first place. Jesus even prophesied that the material temple would soon be destroyed (Matt 24:1-2). This event occurred in A.D. 70, by the Roman armies and Prince Titus.

Scripture informs us that the eternal Godhead set their seal to the fact that material and earthly temples were to be forever finished. By the rending of the temple's veil from top to bottom, God the Father was signifying the end of all material temples (Matt 27:50-52). Jesus signified His rejection of a material temple when He cleansed it twice, at the beginning and the end of His earthly ministry, and by prophesying of it's imminent destruction. It was no longer His father's house (Matt 23:38). The Holy Spirit too confirmed this truth when He bypassed the material temple on the subsequent day of Pentecost. At the material temple, the Old Covenant priests were keeping this feast according to the letter of the law. But in the upper room, New Covenant kings and priests were keeping the spirit of the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). There, the Holy Ghost came to fill and indwell New Covenant temples, that is, individual believers. Now, under the New Covenant, the individual believer houses the presence of God! We have become "little sanctuaries":

"Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come" (Ezek 11:16).

All New testament writers unmistakeably declare that believers (both personally and corporately) are now God's temple. We are God's New Covenant dwelling place. Why would the Holy Spirit leave us to re-inhabit a material temple in the future? It's a ludicrous thought.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Cor 3:16-17).

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor 6:16).

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5).

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:19-22).

Friends, the Lord Jesus is now "in you", as the hope of glory (Col 1:26-28).. He dwells ("tabernacles") in our hearts (Eph 3:16-17)! Paul told Timothy that the church of the living God (a people, not a mere building) is the house of God (1 Tim 3:15)! Oh what a wonder!

To be continued...

Let My Prayer Be As Incense!

Part 6 of 10

We couldn't rightly talk about New Covenant sacrifices without also looking at New Covenant incense, for this too was to be a sacrifice in and of itself. The morning and evening sacrifice, the lighting of the lamps and the burning of the incense were vital components of the entire Old Covenant economy.

The burning of the incense occured at the altar of incense. Here, different spices would be burned and the smoke would waft upward toward heaven as a sacrifice. It is important to note that every piece of furniture found in the tabernacle finds it's ultimate New Covenant fulfillment in Christ and His church (the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Shewbread, the Golden Lampstand, the Brass Laver and the Brass Altar). For now, however, we will only look at the altar of incense, as related to our New Covenant sacrifice.

Old Covenant Incense?

The altrar of incense was the piece of furniture right before the veil, in the Holy Place of the tabernacle structure. It had four horns and rings of gold for staves to carry it through the wilderness wandering. The details of it's construction can be found in Exodus 30:1-10, and 37:25-28.

The only purpose of this altar was to have incense burnt upon it, morning and evening. Also, once a year (on the great Day of Atonement), sacrificial blood was sprinkled on it. It was the blood of atonement that gave power to the incense before the Lord for the nation of Israel. Even so today, it the blood of the Lamb that enpowers our incense and worship. Without Him, there would be no worship.

Only Aaron, the high priest, was permitted to offer incense at this altar (Exod 30:7-10; Heb 5:1-5). Anyone who presumed to offer incese directly to God was judged (Lev 10:1-3; Num 16; 2 Chron 26, etc).

Was it to be eternal?

Some Scriptures would seem to imply that Old Covenant incense was to be a perpetual practice. However, this conclusion can only be arrived at by a cursory glance.. A more thorough study of New Covenant principles will show us that, once again, these truths have been elevated to a higher, greater and spiritual plane at the cross of the Lord Jesus. This elevation is the only means by which they can be deemed eternal.

"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts" (Mal 1:11).

These things are often said to be fulfilled in the coming restored Mosaic economy. But as we have seen, there will be no restored Mosaic economy. God would never forsake the eternal antitype to revert back to the mere type. That would be taking a step backwards, in the wrong direction.

New Covenant Incense?

The Bible is clear as to the interpretation of literal incense. Notice these Scriptures that interpret it for us:

"LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps 141:1-2).

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints" (Rev 5:8).

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand" (Rev 8:3-4).

"According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense" (Lk 1:9-10).

We see therefore, that our New Covenant incense is not a literal thing. God no longer accepts the wafting upward of burning ground spices. Rather, He wants the altar of incense to be found in one's heart! New Covenant incense is simply Godly communion!

To be continued...

Sacrifices..

Part 5 of 10

We've just seen the imminence of the New Covenant priesthood. But did you know that every priesthood had a sacrifice to offer? If a priest did not offer sacrifices, then he basically either wasn't a true priest, or he wasn't properly doing his job.

Old Covenant Sacrifices?

You may be surprised to know that God's sacrificial system actually began in Genesis. It continued on through the Old Testament, up until the coming of the Lord Jesus. Sacrifices and oblations were clearly ordained of God - atonement from sin was temporarily provided by the body and blood of a substitutionary sacrifice. Without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sins. It was blood that made atonement for the soul (Lev 17:11-14; Heb 9:22).

The coats of skin provided by God for Adam and Eve were from the death of a substitutionary sacrifice (Gen 3). The sacrifice that Abel brought in faith before the Lord was too (Gen 4; Heb 11:4). Noah built an altar of sacrifice unto the Lord (Gen 8). Abraham did too (Gen 28; 35). The Levitical priesthood continually sacrificed different animals (all with different significances) to atone for sin (Lev 1-7).

Clearly therefore, we see the Old Covenant sacrificial system served it's purpose, although God was never pleased with it (Isa 1:11). Primarily, these things were but a shadow of "the lamb slain from the foundation of the world", the Lord Jesus (Rev 13:8). The sacrifice of the sinless body and blood of the Lord Jesus on the altar of Calvary's cross was the supreme sacrifice of time and eternity.

Were Old Covenant sacrifices to be perpetual?

Jeremiah tells us that "Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually" (33:18). Does this imply that the Levitical sacrificial system would somehow remain forever, or be reinstituted at some point in a future Jewish temple? No. Those who teach the future reformation of the Levitical order do not understand the New Covenant. Concerning this covenant, Scripture says of Jesus, "Behold, I make ALL THINGS new" (Rev 21:5)! Simply said, Jesus would not die upon His cross to effect a New Covenant if it were only to be temporary and passing like all the others. To revert back to the Levitical order of sacrifices is to reject the eternal and perfectly effectual sacrifice of our Lord! Why would any sincere believer do that? People who teach such a ridiculous reversion do so out of the Old Testament alone. There are no New Testament Scriptures to support such an erroneous view. Primarily, this viewpoint is blamed on the misinterpretation of Old Testament prophecy, such as Ezekiel's visionary temple (Ezek 40-48), Zechariah 14 (concerning the Feast of Tabernacles), etc.

To be honest, the New Testament teaches the exact opposite: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb 10:14). The Levitical order was forced to continually offer animal sacrifices, because the imperfect offerings could never "make the comers thereunto perfect" (Heb 10:1). They had to be re-atoned for, year by year. This was a corruptible redemption (1 Pet 1:18-19); it was utterly ineffectual! The only good thing the Old Testament sacrificial law did was usher in a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God (Heb 7:19)! Why should we ever revert to an imperfect, incomplete sacrifice? Jesus' sacrifice alone can save us "to the uttermost" (Heb 7:25)!

"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:13-14).

The perfect, sinless body and blood of our Lord Jesus would surely "cause the [animal] sacrifice and oblation to cease" (Dan 9:24-27). For the Levites, the day would come that any who offered an animal sacrifice would be committing an abomination (Isa 1:10-15; 66:1-4; Ps 50:10-14; Mic 6:6-9)! We are sanctified by the sacrifice of our Lord, "once for all" (Heb 5:10).

New Covenant Sacrifice?

Jesus is "the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world" (Jn 1:19, 26). The sacrifice of God's Son is the ONLY sacrifice that God was pleased with, concerning sin:

"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb 10:5-10).

The Believer's Sacrifice?

We say yesterday that we are deemed kings and priests unto God, a royal priesthood. But what do priests do? One thing they do is offer sacrifices, and this has not changed. Part of the confusion with the supposed restoration of the Levitical order is the fact that sacrifices have not been altogether deleted from the scene. Rather, they have been elevated to a higher, greater, and spiritual plane! As we are noticing, this is true for most everything in the New Covenant. We will see, that even under the Old Covenants, the truth of spiritual sacrifices yet existed (Ps 107:22). Men were often sadly ignorant of it.

Concerning "sacrifices", of course we cannot perform an offering for sin, as was largely performed under the Old Covenant, that would be unnecessary. Rather, our sacrifices are spiritual sacrifices, based upon the once for all offering effected by King Jesus. Many believers may assume "praise" to be our only sacrifice, or our most important.. but Scripture gives us many New Covenant sacrifices. No one sacrifice is sufficient by itself for this New Covenant royal priesthood. Observe:

The sacrifice of thanksgiving: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing" (Ps 107:21-22). "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess 5:18).

The sacrifice of joy: "And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD" (Ps 27:6). We see therefore, that New Covenant sacrifices are largely related to praise and worship, the fruit of our lips!

The sacrifice of praise: "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Heb 13:15). Notice that our sacrifices of praise are "by Him".. we offer sacrifices of praise to God based upon Jesus' eternal sacrifice for sin.

The sacrifice of righteousness: "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD" (Ps 4:5).

The sacrifice of obedience: "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams". Also read Romans 5:12-21.

The sacrifice of a broken spirit: "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Ps 51:16-17).

The sacrifice of love: "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Heb 13:16). Not only do we sacrifice toward Jesus, but we sacrifice toward our brethren too. With such sacrifices, God is well-pleased - love is the bond of perfection (Col 3:14)!

The sacrifice of lifted hands: "LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps 141:1-2).

The sacrifice of giving: "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" (Phil 4:15-18).

Our bodily sacrifice: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12:1-2).

All Old Covenant sacrifices pointed to the ultimate antitypical sacrifice of Jesus and of His church.

The Priesthood..

Part 4 of 10

Most believers easily understand the concept of New Covenant temples. The Bible plainly states that we "are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). No longer does God dwell in a structural temple, He dwells in mankind: "for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor 6:16).

But we cannot accurately talk about a temple without discussing it's priesthood - and for some reason, this seems to confuse us! Every tabernacle or temple in Scripture had a priesthood to minister there. If there was no priesthood, then the temple itself was insufficient. And it's no different for the New Covenant. Now, there is a superior priesthood. We've seen this in part here, but today I want to examine this priesthood in a bit of a different light: the light of the New and Old Covenants.

Old Covenant Priesthood?

What was the Old Covenant priesthood? Basically, under the operation of all old covenants, from Genesis to Malachi, we see the unfolding of priesthoods: the Patriarchal priesthood, the Melchizedekian priesthood, and the Aaronic, also known as the Levitical priesthood.

The Patriarchal priesthood, as one author has called it, concerns men such as Adam, Job, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These men were priests in their households and exercised priestly functions long before the more recognized Levitical priesthood came into existence. Adam performed priestly functions (Gen 3; Heb 11:4), and so did Job (Job 1), and Noah (Gen 8-9), Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 12, 13, 15, 28, 35). These priestly functions simply consisted of worship, building altars, offering sacrifices, and calling upon the name of the Lord - this is what a "priest" does.

The Melchizedkian priesthood is briefly mentioned in Genesis. Melchizedek (a mysterious king-priest) appears to Abraham. He ministers bread and wine to him, and receives tithes. His significance is taken up in the epistle to the Hebrews.

The Levitical priesthood was the dominant priesthood in the Old Testament. This priesthood is related to the tabernacles of Moses and David, the temple of Solomon, and the Levitical tribe that ministered there, as priests. This priesthood belonged to the Mosaic Covenant, with Aaron and his sons as high priests (Num 18; Exod 28-29; Lev 8). It continued on into the time of Christ. At His coming, this priesthood would change (Heb 7:12)

Was it to be Everlasting?

The reason some people believe and cling to the Levitical order (or the coming restoration of the Levitical order) is because Scripture promised Phineas an "everlasting priesthood" (Num 25:10-13). How could this be if Phineas was of the order of Aaron, and of the tribe of Levi? Furthermore, Jeremiah tells us "Neither shall the priests the Levites lack a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually" (33:18). But how could this be? The Levitical priesthood simply could not be everlasting, for the Bible tells us it's been disabled (Heb 7:18-19), done away with (Heb 10:9), and changed (Heb 7:12). The ONLY way for the priesthood to be everlasting is for it to be elevated to a higher, greater and spiritual plane. When this happened, the priesthood became known as the Melchizedek priesthood, and was far different than any preceding priesthood. The Melchizedek priesthood is the only priesthood that is eternal (Ps 110:4). We will see this in more detail soon.

New Covenant Priesthood?

What is the New Covenant priesthood? Is there one? YES!

Basically, every covenant has a priesthood. The New Testament clearly shows that there is to be a change of priesthood for New Covenant believers. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was rent (Matt 27:50-51). The high priest at the time (Annas or Caiaphas) also rent his garment, which was against Levitical Law (Lev 21:10). When the veil of the temple was rent, and when the high priest rent his garment, this was, in essence, pronouncing the end of the Aaronic and Levitical priesthood. The Old Covenant priesthood has been fulfilled and forever abolished (Heb 8:7-13)! It will never be reinstituted again.

"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb 7:18-19).

"Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Heb 10:9).

Under the New Covenant, Jesus has become eternal High Priest: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:14-16).

The Priesthood of Believers:

At the Cross, there arose a great change of order for God's people too. No longer are we under Aaron as high priest, but Christ Jesus (Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15). No longer are we under the order of Aaron, but rather the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:6-10; 6:20; 7:15-17, 21; Ps 110:4). No longer is it solely the tribe of Levi. Now, Christ Jesus is King-Priest of the tribe of Judah (Heb 8:8).

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:5, 9).

Under the Old Covenant, only one tribe was chosen to be priests: the tribe of Levi (Deut 10:8-9). We've seen in an earlier blog how this event was simply typical of God choosing an eternal bride for Himself, as she endures His sanctifying fire. This bride, however, will not be solely from the tribe of Levi. This bride will be a chosen company of believers, out of all nations (not only the chosen nation, as was so with the Old priesthood), out of both Jews and Gentiles, out of all believers in Christ. The bride of Christ will be composed of the Melchizedek priesthood of believers, the New Covenant priesthood. This is an eternal priesthood, and is the substance of the mere shadow found in Levi: "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Ps 110:4).

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever" (Rev 1:5-6; 5:9-10).

Priestly Potential?

Did you know that Jesus is beckoning us to share His mercy seat? Of Jesus, Scripture tells us He "entereth into that within the veil", as a "forerunner...after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb 6:19-20). The word "forerunner" in the Greek is "prodromos", and means, "a runner ahead; a scout; one who comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow". What an astonishing thought that Jesus actually wants us to follow Him though the veil, into the Most Holy Place, as king-priests, sharing in His mercy seat ministry! You see, under the Levitical order, kings could not intrude into the priestly office, and priests could not sit on the kingly throne. Levi produced the priests, and Judah produced the kings. But a new and living order has arisen in Jesus! He is a King-Priest, and has made His sons a "royal priesthood" in His glorious image (1 Pet 2:9).

But why? What is the purpose of this new-found glory and authority? Again, it's to share in His mercy seat! We find this glorious truth elaborated upon in Genesis chapter 14.

Here, Melchizedek (of whom this New Covenant priesthood is named after) is found bringing forth bread and wine and blessing Abraham, whose name means "the father of many nations". The bread and wine are the elements that speak of the body and blood of Jesus, and are the very things that He gave His disciples at the last supper: "Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt 26:26-28).

These glorious elements were never brought forth during the 3 and a half years of Jesus' earthly ministry. Only at the time of Calvary were these elements ministered to the disciples. This tells us that this ministry of Melchizedek's priesthood will be likewise ministering the LIFE of the crucified and resurrected Christ! Hallelujah!

Friends, Jesus could never bring forth sons of God in His own glorious image until after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. For until He ascended, He could not pour out His Spirit upon them: "For the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" (Jn 7:39). The amplified version of Romans 8:15 tells us, "But you have received the Spirit of adoption - the Spirit producing sonship"! You see, everything brings forth after it's own kind: cattle brings forth more cattle, birds bring forth only more birds, etc. Adam could only bring his own nature into being upon the earth: "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth" (Gen 5:3). And it was for this reason that Jesus came: to bring into being a new race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. He was "the beginning of the creation of God" (Rev 3:14). And if any man be in Him, he too is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

But Jesus did not choose to have this race in the image of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of man in His limited humanity. Rather, He chose to wait until after His glorification before pouring His Spirit upon us to produce sons. Thus He brings "many sons unto glory" (Heb 2:10). But these are "sons of God", conformed to the image of the Son of God. Sons of His resurrection, sons of His eternal glorified state! In Revelation 21:7, Jesus says that "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son". A Son of God! Who? He that overcometh!

And Oh what a ministry these overcoming sons will have! As king-priests, they will deliver the resurrected life of God to a dying and broken creation. They will possess the New Covenant "more excellent ministry" of Melchizedek (Heb 8:6)! How interesting then that the "order of Melchizedek" can also be translated the "rank of Melchizedek".. Hallelujah!

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God... Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Rom 8:18-19, 21-22).

To be continued...

Circumcise Your Hearts!

Part 3 of 10

What other "shadows" exist? What other "figures of the true" have been elevated to a higher spiritual plane? Circumcision too is an Old Covenant truth that has gone to the Cross of our Lord, been nailed to it, annulled (as to it's literalness), and divinely reshaped into a glorious spiritual truth, vital for all believers.

In these days, circumcision is no longer a religious issue. However, in the early church, it surely was! Acts 15 describes the tension and strife that circumcision laws brought to the early church: to circumcise, or not to circumcise? The Christians from Judea had followed Paul, and caused much confusion over this matter. They taught the Gentiles that they couldn't be saved "except they were circumcised, after the manner of Moses" (Acts 15:1, 5).

The church in Galatia was also "bewitched" by these Judaizers. In his letter, Paul had to deal with the matter of circumcision (Gal 5:1, 6, 11; 6:12-15).

Old Covenant circumcision?

The rite of circumcision was given to Abraham. For him, this was a very important covenant. Anyone who failed to keep this rite would be "cut off" from the people (Gen 17:14).. No pun intended!

Circumcision was to occur on the eighth day. The boy would also be named at this time.

In the Old Testament, when the act of circumcision occurred, the male was then in covenantal relationship with God: blood had been shed. They could now partake of the privileges of the covenant. Now we see why God sought to kill Moses for neglecting to circumcise his own seed (Exod 4:24-26). This is why Moses said he had "uncircumcised lips", even after he was called of God (Exod 6:12, 30).

Circumcision was also a part of the Mosaic covenant (Exod 12:43-50). It was continued and further confirmed through this covenant.

This Old Covenant rite became yet another hypocrisy for Israel and Judah. They exalted the physical aspect, and forsook the deeper, spiritual truth behind it.

Was it perpetual?

The rite of circumcision is a part of Abraham's "everlasting covenant" (Gen 17:7, 13, 19). How then does Paul say this ordinance has been "nailed to the cross" and taken out of the way (Col 2:14)? Circumcision is ONLY eternal because it becomes an elevated, spiritual truth once it comes to the cross of Christ Jesus. It's literalness was nailed to the cross, similar to the Sabbath, as we saw yesterday. It's spiritual virtue continues, however, and is "everlasting".

New Covenant circumcision?

What spiritual virtue does circumcision possess? A lot!

Even in the Old Covenants, circumcision was meant to be a physical sign of a spiritual change, similar to how water baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. The people, however, neglected the spiritual truth that circumcision was meant to impart, and it became a distorted and despised thing (Est 8:17; Gen 34:14-31; 1 Sam 18:22-27). The spiritual truth that circumcision was intended to imply was to "circumcise therefore the skin of your hearts, and be no more stiffnecked" (Deut 10:16). Similar prophetic words were given to those already naturally circumcised (Jer 32:39; Ezek 11:16; 36:26). The Lord even lamented through Jeremiah that Judah was uncircumcised in heart though circumcised in the flesh, and that He would punish both "the uncircumcised with the circumcised" (Jer 9:25-26). The circumcised in flesh was Judah, and the uncircumcised were Egypt, Edom, Ammon and Moab. God was looking upon their hearts.

Paul gives the fullest and clearest interpretation of New Covenant circumcision. Circumcision becomes uncircumcision if a Jew fails to keep God's law, and uncircumcision becomes circumcision for a Gentile if he keeps the law. A Jew is not one outwardly by circumcision of the flesh. Rather, a Jew is one inwardly, by that circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:24-29).

Abraham "believed God" while he was yet uncircumcised. In other words, he was a Gentile, and yet believed God - therefore, he can be the father of ALL who believe, not solely the Jews. The issue is belief. Anyone can become the seed of Abraham, all they must do is believe - natural circumcision is no longer the issue.. it has been elevated to a higher, spiritual plane: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:28-29).

To the Galatians, Paul wrote that natural circumcision does not profit. If a man is circumcised, he becomes a debtor to perform the whole law; he brings himself under the curse of the law. So why do it? It's fruitless! His helpful admonition was, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal 5:1-6).

He goes on to say: "As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Gal 6:12-16). We should never glorify in the literalness, but in the spiritual aspect of God's commandments. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised just so they could glorify in the flesh! How absurd! In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avail, but a new creature! As many as walk by this New Covenant understanding, peace be on them!

To the Philippians, Paul wrote: "For we are the circumcision which worship God IN THE SPIRIT, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH" (3:3). He also warns them of Judaizing "dogs", "evil workers", and "the concision" (Phil 3:2). Paul wrote to the Philippians as a circumcised man, yet he realized that there was no spiritual value in natural circumcision. The ONLY act God wanted to see was a spiritual circumcision, circumcision of the heart - this is the circumcision "made without hands", because it is an operation of God, by the Spirit, upon the human heart (Col 2:11)! There is to be no confidence in the mere flesh.

The circumcision of Jesus?

Why was Christ Jesus circumcised (Lk 2:21-24)? Again, it was because He was born under the law to redeem those under the law (Gal 4:4-5). His physical circumcision pointed to a greater circumcision yet to come: the circumcision of the cross!

"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Col 2:10-17).

Jesus' cross was His greatest circumcision - His greatest "cutting off" of the flesh. There, at His cross, He was "cut off" for our sins. When Paul speaks here in Colossians of "the circumcision of Christ", he isn't referring to His circumcision as a baby, when He was eight days old. Rather, he's referring to His cross. On the cross, Jesus' flesh was broken for our sins, and His blood shed.

So we see, therefore, that the cross of Christ was His ultimate circumcision. He was cut off on Calvary, for you and I. Rather than this occurring only on the eight day after His birth, He too resurrected on the eighth day. And rather than Him being only named "Jesus" on the eighth day, He was here given the triune name: the "Lord Jesus Christ", the name above every name (Phil 2:9-11)! The rite of circumcision was fulfilled both literally and redemptively!

Similarly, the New Covenant believer is to be "cut off" in heart: baptized into Christ's death, "cut off" from the old man (Rom 6:3-5). We are then to be raised to walk in newness of life, by the Spirit. We receive of His triune name at the baptism (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:37-38), and become partakers of His divine nature! Hallelujah!

Will you be re-born, re-cut, and re-named? This is God's New Covenant desire for you!

To be continued...

Sabbath..

Part 2 of 10

"The law" consisted of three components: the moral law, the civil law, and the ceremonial law. The moral law consisted of the ten commandments. The civil laws consisted of legislation for the community life of Israel. It included health and hygiene laws for their society (Exod 24:7-8; Heb 8:19-20; Deut 31:24-26). The ceremonial laws were detailed laws concerning the priesthood, sacrifices, offerings, the service of the sanctuary, festival occasions, Sabbaths, etc.

The Bible tells us that "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us" was blotted out, and nailed to the cross of Christ Jesus (Col 2:14). Paul tells us we're not "subject to ordinances" (Col 2:20). He tells us that Jesus has abolished in His flesh the enmity, even "the law of commandments contained in ordinances" (Eph 2:15). But which "ordinance" does this refer to? Which law? The moral, civil or ceremonial? Well, we've seen how the New Testament reiterates the moral law to New Covenant believers. Christians are still expected to walk with a high moral standard - not because we have to for fear of death, but because we love Jesus, and are being transformed into His same holy likeness (2 Cor 3:18). This radical love is the fulfilling of the moral law (Rom 13:8-10), and therefore this cannot be what was referenced as being nailed to the cross, and done away with (Col 2:14). Was it the civil law? I don't believe so. These laws were only used to properly govern a nation. Without civil law, there would be absolute chaos! Civil law is referenced in 1 Timothy 1:8-11. Therefore, by the hand-writing of ordinances the apostle most evidently means the ceremonial law: this was against them, for they were bound to fulfill it; and it was contrary to them, as condemning them for their neglect and transgression of it. This law God himself has nailed to the cross and blotted out. These laws were nothing but a figure of the true - a shadow of the substance - a type of the imminent antitype.

Just one of these "shadows" was the Mosaic Covenant Sabbath. Are we still obligated to remember the literal Sabbath day? The simple answer is "No".

What was the Old Covenant Sabbath?

The word "sabbath" simply means "rest, cessation from work". Under the Mosaic Covenant, the people of God were to observe a weekly sabbath (Exod 31:12-18; Lev 23:1-3).They also had sabbath years (Lev 25:1-24), and festival Sabbaths (Lev 23:2, 4, 7, 8, 21, etc). The weekly sabbath was to be a time of rest where no work was to be done. This is because, during creation, God rested from His work on the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3).

Is the Sabbath perpetual?

The Bible does indeed say this was to be a perpetual covenant (Exod 31:12-17), so why don't we observe it in the same manner today? Should we? Again, the answer is no.

This commandment is perpetual, however , upon the emergence of the New and better Covenant, it has gone to and through the cross of Christ Jesus and been elevated to a higher plane - an eternal, perpetual, and spiritual plane. The natural and literal Sabbath has become an eternal spiritual truth now for New Covenant believers. The Bible is very clear regarding the New Testament application of Sabbath rest (Col 2:16-17). It has gone from shadow to substance, type to antitype, literal to spiritual, dead to living, all the while remaining perpetual.

Did Jesus keep the Sabbath?

Some will argue that Jesus kept Sabbath, and therefore so should we. But is this accurate? Jesus was consistently ridiculed for the manner in which He observed the sabbath. He kept sabbath, not according to the letter of the law, but the Spirit. He did this by teaching and preaching on the sabbath, worshipping the Father, healing the sick and diseased, and ministering to the poor and needy. He broke the Talmudic sabbath rituals that were created by men. This is why the Pharisees hated Him (Mk 7:1-13). All of these "violations" were simply the commandments of men (Matt 12:1-14; Lk 6:1-5; 13:10-17; etc). Therefore, even though Jesus honored the sabbath, He did it according to the Spirit in which it was always intended. He said, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath" (Mk 2:27-28).

Furthermore, Jesus kept sabbath because He was born "under the law"; the moment He was circumcised, Jesus became a debtor to fulfill the whole law (Gal 5:3). Such an entire fulfillment was necessary to redeem those under the law: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal 4:4-5). He fulfilled the literal Sabbath law in His own person!

Did Paul and the Apostles keep the Sabbath?

The apostle Paul consistently taught on the sabbath (Acts 13:14, 27, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4). He taught Jews the spiritual truths of the Sabbath. He taught that the Mosaic Sabbath was simply a shadow of a coming, greater, spiritual reality. The primary reason that Paul did this was to fulfill the Gospel commission: "To the Jew first, and then to the Gentile" (Rom 1:16). Paul was a Jew, and therefore knew that the sabbath day was the best time to teach the Scriptures.

Secondly, the early church was in a transitory period, between the Old and New Covenants (from A.D. 33 until A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed and scattered). This is why Scripture records their adherence to "the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2). The book of Acts covers this transitory period, from A.D. 33 up through around A.D. 63.

Furthermore, you may be surprised to know that while Paul taught on the sabbath, he actually taught against it's Mosaic observance: "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (Gal 4:9-11). Notice how he correlates the unnecessary observance of a day to being "in bondage"! Why? Because Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. For New Covenant believers, everyday is Sabbath rest!

Again Paul says, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Col 2:16-17). The evidence really couldn't be any clearer. Our covenantal obligation has been elevated to a superior, spiritual plane! Those believers who strive to impose the Mosaic Covenant Sabbath on New Covenant believers are covenantally confused.

New Covenant Sabbath?

As already mentioned, the New Covenant believer has a spiritual Sabbath every day of the week (Matt 11:28-30; Heb 4:3-11). Sabbath has become a state of mind - a persistent state of communion between lovers!

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jer 6:16).

The veil has been rent, we now have perpetual access to the presence of God, wherein we find rest. We have the privilege of coming together for worship and teaching on a set day (Heb 10:25), but this privilege is an honor to perform - it is not a Mosaic duty. An Old Covenant duty has been elevated to a New Covenant honor and privilege! Even David prophesied of this coming eternal Sabbath (Ps 27:4).

Our Sabbath is in a Person, not a mere day! "In Christ", there is spiritual and eternal rest. It isn't in the keeping of a day, but in the receiving of a Person - the Lord Jesus.

Are we to honor the Mosaic Sabbath?

Therefore, as we have seen, the answer is "no". We are free from the Mosaic Sabbath for a number of reasons:

(1) Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for man (Mk 2:27). Therefore, the day is at man's will. Man was not made for the Sabbath, and therefore man is not at the will of a mere day.
(2) Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Mk 2:28). Therefore, He can alter the day(s) in which rest is given. New Covenant believer exalt the Lord of the Sabbath, not the Sabbath itself.
(3) Even in Old Testament days, the Lord rebuked Israel for their hypocritical Sabbath observances (Isa 1:10-17; 58:13-14; Lam 2:6). He spoke through the prophet Hosea that He would cause their feast days and Sabbaths to cease (Hosea 2:11). He did this at the Cross of Christ Jesus, when He died and fulfilled the literal Sabbath as a passing shadow.
(4) Paul taught that no day is better than another; he never imposed the literal Sabbath on anyone. Rather, he emphasized spiritual Sabbath rest and communion. He told the Romans to be fully persuaded in their own minds and regard everyday (and everything) as unto the Lord (Rom 14:5-7).
(5) The fourth commandment (honor the Sabbath) is never once repeated or reemphasized in the New Testament. It wasn't even listed at the Jerusalem council for the Gentiles to keep (Acts 15:20, 29).
(6) The only people who enforced the Sabbath in the New Testament were Judaizers. Paul called them "foolish" and "bewitched" Galatians, a mixture of law and grace (Gal 3:1).
(7) The Sabbath was a sign and seal of the Mosaic Covenant (Exod 31:12-18; Ezek 20:1-12). It ended there. It wasn't a sign nor a seal to any previous, nor further covenants.
(8) New Testament Christians abide under a New and better Covenant. Our covenant Sabbath rest is found in a Person - the Lord of the Sabbath. It's never to be found in a mere day. Hallelujah!

Friends, the choice is always our own.. Will we cling to Mosaic traditions for religion's sake? Will we chase after mere figures of the true? Or will we recognize the fleeting and passing shadows of the Old Covenant economy, and cling to the ever-glorious Antitype - King Jesus?

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).

To be continued...

The New Covenant..

Part 1 of 10

A good friend of mine, Mark Shubert, is a missionary to Brazil. He does a lot of different things there, but one of his primary purposes is to travel the country and teach the good news of Jesus, making disciples, and raising up churches and Bible schools. I admire him greatly.

One of the things he constantly comes across is the issue of legalism. For whatever reason, a lot of the people there strive to maintain Old (Mosaic) Covenant principles. Things such as Sabbath day, feast days, Israel, etc. are all regarded in Old Covenant light, rather than new. Talking with him made me think.. Does America have this same misunderstanding? Are we trapped in an Old Covenant mindset? To a degree, I believe we are. Our thinking, often times, is influenced by an old wineskin - and if the old wineskin is good enough, why allow a new one to emerge?

What is the New Covenant?

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer 31:31-34).

Jeremiah prophesied of a coming covenant - one which would be written in our hearts. This will be an entirely new covenant, far different than any other.

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives" (Matt 26:26-30).

Jesus Himself was born under the law of the Old Covenant and fulfilled in Himself all the details pertaining to it, in both letter and Spirit. He came under the law so that He could rightly redeem all those who were trapped (Gal 4:4-5). How would He redeem them? By the power of His coming New Covenant! He took bread (symbolic of His broken body), and wine (symbolic of His shed blood), and said "This is the New Covenant in My blood"! Jesus instituted His new and better covenant even in the midst of betrayal!

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor 11:23-27).

Paul received this covenantal revelation from Jesus Himself. His eyes were opened to the meaning and power behind the "table of the Lord". How wonderful that a man who was legalistically raised under the Old Covenant would now be the chosen vessel to reveal the meaning behind the New Covenant of grace!

"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away" (Heb 8:6-13).

"Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb 10:15-17).

At the time of the Hebrew epistle, the believers there (Christian Jews) were in a transitional period from the Old Mosaic Covenant into the New. As Jews, they were under great pressure to return to the types and shadows of the Mosaic Covenant, and forsake the true substance of the New. The writer to the Hebrews instructed them that the New Covenant, and all that pertains to it, far out-shined the Old Covenant.

The Old Mosaic Covenant has passed away. It's been dis-annulled (Heb 7:18-19). It is ready to vanish away (Heb 8:13). God has taken away the first covenant, that He may establish the second (Heb 10:9).

Therefore, the Bible is clear.. The Christian church is under the New Covenant, and all that pertains to it. Jeremiah prophesied it, Jesus instituted it, Paul confirmed it, and the writer to the Hebrews interpreted it.

What the New Covenant is NOT:

For some reason, the body of Christ seems to like extremes. We're either legalistically bound by Moses' law, or we practice "greasy grace" and live like hell! It's pretty rare that we find a group of believers who are suitably balanced (Prov 11:1). This is because Christians often don't habitually study their Bibles. If we read the Bible and see that it tells us we're not "under law" (Rom 3:19; 6:14), we automatically assume that's a licence to sin - a free pass to live in lasciviousness. But that is not so. Paul makes it very clear that grace is not a permit to sin: "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid" (Rom 6:15). Shall we abuse our high and holy calling because we are not under that old law which makes no provision for pardon, but are now under that Gospel which has opened the fountain to wash away all sin and defilement? Shall we sin because grace abounds? Shall we do evil that good may come of it? This be far from us! On the contrary, such loving grace is to teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (2 Tim 2:11-12).

Interestingly, all of Moses' commandments (with the exception of number 4 - honor the Sabbath day) are repeated in the New Testament:

- No other gods before Him: Mark 12:29-30; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6
- No graven images: 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:20-21
- No taking God's name in vain: Romans 2:24; 2 Timothy 2:19
- Remember the Sabbath - never repeated
- Honor one's father and mother: Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:1-4
- Do not murder: Matthew 5:21; Romans 13:9; 1 John 3:15
- Do not commit adultery: Matthew 5:28-32; Romans 13:9
- Do not steal: Ephesians 4:28; Romans 13:9
- Do not lie: Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 13:9
- Do not covet: Romans 7:7-8; Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:5

Therefore, just because we see the commandments as a part of the "Old" Covenant economy, that doesn't necessarily mean the truth that they represented is old and dead, and doesn't still apply to us. Many will say that the law was "nailed to the cross" and abolished (Col 2:14), and is now waxed old and decayed (Heb 8:13). However, those "laws" that were nailed to the cross were not the moral laws, they were the ceremonial laws. The epistle to the Hebrews makes this clear (Heb 9:9-10, 23; 10:1-10). The ceremonial laws were those things pertaining to the priesthood, sacrifices, offerings, etc. The major purpose of the ceremonial law was to shadow forth the coming revelation of grace. Therefore, when the New Covenant emerged, the old ceremonial laws (shadows of things to come) became obsolete, and thus were "nailed" to the cross of Christ with Him. The birth of the New Covenant was "the time of reformation" spoken of in the Hebrew epistle (9:10).

As far as the moral law is concerned, this was not nailed to the cross. Why would Paul and others teach Christians to be morally pure if the moral law was extinct at the emergence of the New Covenant? He would not.. The moral law has simply been elevated to a higher plane. When Paul taught that the tables of stone (moral law) were a ministration of death, he was simply contrasting the superior power of God's New Covenant law now written upon our hearts, at New Testament Pentecost. He was only comparing and contrasting Old Covenant Pentecost with New Covenant Pentecost. New Covenant Pentecost had a superior mediator (Jesus Himself, as opposed to Moses), pertained to a superior covenant, was a ministration of life (as opposed to death), was written by the Spirit of God upon the fleshy tables of man's heart (as opposed to tables of stone), and provided a way towards real and lasting righteousness and glory! The old, by comparison, was nothing but a passing, veiled, ministration of death!

Under the New Covenant, we obey Jesus because we're in love with Him, His law is written upon our hearts - we follow a higher moral law, law on a superior plane, a love-law. This is why Scripture tells us if we follow after love, the law is fulfilled: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:8-10).

Love is the glory of the New Covenant law. For the believer, the law is no longer an external ordinance telling us what to do, but without the power to do it, and condemning us for not doing it well. Rather, the law of love is now internal, written on our hearts and minds, written by the Spirit of God, who enables us by His grace to fulfill it. Therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Hallelujah! Aren't you grateful?

So just what was nailed to the cross?

To be continued...

Winning Christ Jesus!

David's army consisted of many ranks. At the top of these ranks were David's three mighty men (2 Sam 23:8-17). This Old Testament instance is typical of the ranks now present in the Body of Christ: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Cor 15:22-23). The Greek word used here for "order" is "tagma"; it only occurs once in the New Testament. It's a military term that literally means "a rank; an arrangement; a troop; a body of soldiers; a corp". This terminology is easily cohesive with other themes of Scripture. Paul has likened the Christian life to a race to be run (1 Cor 9:24-27; Heb 12:1-2), with a prize to be won: "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Phil 3:8).

Did you realize there is something (Someone) to be won? Paul sought to win Christ! We're to be moving up in rank, growing from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18), from faith to faith (Rom 1:17), being emptied from vessel to vessel (Jer 48:11). As we've seen in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, there will be many differing levels of glorification (ranks) in the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:41-42; Dan 12:3). Some will shine brighter than others. The bride of Christ, I believe, is the highest honor, rank and prize that can be attained to - this bride will have won Christ Jesus (Rev 19:7; Matt 25:10)! Interestingly, David's mighty men are typical of this bride: They attained to a certain rank, or degree of glory, and were rewarded.

When we use words such as "attain" and "reward" we are prone to automatically think of working towards, or earning, our salvation. But this is not at all what I'm referencing. Salvation is the free gift of God (Eph 2:8). Scripture makes this perfectly clear. There is nothing you and I could ever do to be worthy enough. Our reward, however, is indeed earned; That's what a reward is, by definition. Hebrews tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Paul told the Corinthians that we would all be rewarded according to the sort of work accomplished here on earth: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward" (1 Cor 3:13-14; 1 Cor 3:8). Those who have neglected their walk with God will still be saved and heaven-bound, but their reward will be lost (1 Cor 3:15). That's not my mere opinion, that's what the Bible says. For the bride of Christ, their reward will be God Himself: "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen 15:1).

Just what made these men "mighty men"? What separated them from the rest of David's army? What granted them a higher rank and reward? Well, let's find out...

"And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men" (2 Sam 23:13-17).

All throughout the Bible, King David is a type of the Lord Jesus. Like Jesus, David was a shepherd, king, prophet, psalmist, worshipper, the "well-beloved", and king-priest (2 Sam 23:1-2; Heb 2:12; Acts 2:25-36; etc). Therefore, when we observe the behavior of David's mighty men, we can easily discern the behavior of the bride of Christ, Jesus' "mighty men" who have likewise attained to the highest rank and reward.

What did these mighty men do? Why were they so near and dear to David?

These men heard the sigh of David, even from outside his tent. They were close enough to his heart that they knew what he wanted. And not only that, they fetched his desire. Likewise, the bride of Christ is mighty because she too remains closely attached to the heart of God. Though separated physically for a season, they yet are united as one. From this intimate place, she can hear the longing of God's heart. She can go after His desire! In short, the bride is of the highest rank simply because she is continually beside the Lord Jesus, ministering to Him (Ps 45:9). God is thirsty, will we hear His desire and fetch Him a drink? He wants to partake of the fountains of your heart, will you allow Him? Will we willingly lavish our love upon Him, and satisfy His craving? The bride will always be ready and willing. This is what makes her "mighty". This is what affords her an exceeding great reward (Gen 15:1)! She is a friend of God!

Notice also that this occurred at the Cave of Adullam. The men who were gathered there were those in debt, distress, were discontented, etc (1 Sam 22:2), yet they chose to give David his longing! What selfless men! They weren't at all concerned about their own carnal thirsts, but only that which their King was craving! Likewise, the bride of Christ will be a people who count their own lives as loss for the sake of King Jesus, and all that He desires (Phil 3:8)! Are we able to forsake our own will, desires and wants so that God's purposes can come forth? For the bride of Christ, a resounding YES is her continual answer! For the bride, her life's mission is to die, and allow Jesus to come forth in and through her: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Her suffering isn't even worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed IN her (Rom 8:18)! Is this our heart today? Is this the heart we long for?

Come Lord Jesus, and make us Your mighty men!