Christ and His Church

Gradually we are building heavenly foundations. Most basic of all, and to be built most carefully, is that of the conscience. Purifying the clay that is the vessel of this age. As Gideon's army broke the clay vessel to reveal the light within, so must we.

Jer 18:2-6
2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
　
The potters field was purchased by the Pharisees with the 30 pieces of silver that Judas had received from them to betray Jesus. It was used to bury foreigners, those belonging to a different allegiance. Obviously those who killed Jesus were not of the same allegiance.
　
"Matthew 27:3-10
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
　
1 Chronicles 4:21-23 it says the descendants of Judah "were the potters" who "dwelt with the king in his service" and were " the house of those who worked with fine linen."
　
Rom 9:21
Or has not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?
　
But, in the present world, God says this of the clay
　
Isa 29:16
You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?

It seems the clay is not always as resilient as the potter would have it be.

Psa 2:9
Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.
　
God gave Christ authority to rule over the nations and in the 1000 yr millenium Christ gives the same authority to His overcomers.
　
Rev 2:27
They will rule the nations with an iron rod...
　
The Potter builds His House of clay, surrounded by a cloud of Witnesses
　
YouTube - Clay Incubator
　
How many people have actually said to the Father of the All, the creator of you and me
"You are the creator, the Potter, the Husbandman of the Your garden that is me, I yield to You ALL of me so that You may mold me as You would have me be"?
The rewards are in the thankfulness for each and everything God has placed on your plate each day. Nothing can hurt a thankful heart. God does ALL for your good. His ways are high above our own.
　
Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.


2 Corinthians 4

Treasures in Jars of Clay

1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

There's 30 references to 'conscience' in the New testement. God didn't remove the law, He replaced the tutuorship of the law with the rule of the conscience. The law of the Spirit.


John 8:9
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:8-10 (in Context)


Acts 23:1
Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
Acts 23:1-3 (in Context)


Acts 24:16
This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Acts 24:15-17 (in Context)


Romans 2:15
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
Romans 2:14-16 (in Context)


Romans 9:1
[ Israel’s Rejection of Christ ] I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 9:1-3 (in Context)


Romans 13:5
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
Romans 13:4-6 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 8:1
[ Be Sensitive to Conscience ] Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 8:7
However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
1 Corinthians 8:6-8 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 8:10
For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
1 Corinthians 8:9-11 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 8:12
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 10:25
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
1 Corinthians 10:24-26 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 10:27
If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
1 Corinthians 10:26-28 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 10:28
But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
1 Corinthians 10:27-29 (in Context)


1 Corinthians 10:29
“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
1 Corinthians 10:28-30 (in Context)


2 Corinthians 1:12
[ Paul’s Sincerity ] For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:11-13 (in Context)


2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:1-3 (in Context)


2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:10-12 (in Context)


1 Timothy 1:5
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
1 Timothy 1:4-6 (in Context)


1 Timothy 1:19
having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (in Context)


1 Timothy 3:9
holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (in Context)


1 Timothy 4:2
speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context)


2 Timothy 1:3
[ Timothy’s Faith and Heritage ] I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
2 Timothy 1:2-4 (in Context)


Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
Titus 1:14-16 (in Context)


Hebrews 9:9
It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—
Hebrews 9:8-10 (in Context)


Hebrews 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:13-15 (in Context)


Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:21-23 (in Context)


Hebrews 13:18
[ Prayer Requested ] Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
Hebrews 13:17-19 (in Context)


1 Peter 2:19
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Peter 2:18-20 (in Context)


1 Peter 3:16
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
1 Peter 3:15-17 (in Context)


1 Peter 3:21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 3:20-22 (in Context)

Base that on the concept that merits are full at the time of down payment of the Holy Spirit. Any reward system is not acheivements, it's de-merits of not accepting the pardon by not bringing it to the throne of grace to recieve forgiveness. The exonerated prisoner not accepting the pardon, thereby remaining in prison, when all he had to do was sign the papers. In the same way our conscience must be witness to the forgiveness to recieve the effect of the blood of Jesus clearing our conscience from the effects of sin.

The law of the Spirit is in effect in the conscience. While it can be seared by continually ignoring the pull, the instant access to the throne it provides is available to all.

Faith tells us that God exists and is a rewarder. The reward is peace of mind. There is no higher commodity.

The Altar of Sacrifice

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

The altar was the place for burning animal sacrifices. It showed the Israelites that the first step for sinful man to approach a holy God was to be cleansed by the blood of an innocent creature.
By laying his hand upon the head of the offering, the person was identifying with the sacrifice. His sin and guilt was being moved from himself to the animal. The priest would then slaughter the animal, sprinkle its blood in front of the veil of the Holy Place, burn the sacrifice, and pour the rest of it at the bottom of the altar. Blood is a significant agent of atonement (covering for sin) and cleansing in the Old Testament. The animal sacrifices bore reference to the Passover lambs, which the Israelites slaughtered in like manner to save their firstborns from the last plague of God's judgment on Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13). Similarly, as the Passover lambs were eaten after they were slaughtered, some of the sacrificial lambs also were eaten. Just as the sacrificial lambs were sacrificed and eaten, so Jesus' body was sacrificed and "eaten." It was no coincidence that on the night before the Passover when Jesus was crucified, He "took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body’" brazen_altar
　
Romans 5:10-12
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
　
Hebrews 9:22 "The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
　
John 6:53-56
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him."
　
Every day, dying daily to Him, we can offer up our experiences and get edification in bringing all to Him.
　
Romans 8:36
Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter
　
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
　
　

Psalm 96:7-9
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.

The First Day of Creation

Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

The heavens were made to support the life of mankind. Jesus is the Light, He is our God of Glory, and He desires His people to build a tabernacle for Him in this life, so that He can dwell within us here; while He builds one for us in eternity, where we dwell in Him.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:22-24
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

John 14:2, 3
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
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Quench not the Spirit
　
Songs 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
　
1 Thes 5:18-19 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.

The river of life is the water of the New Jerusalem that runs thru the city from the throne and to the nations. God is the source of the river. It's the life blood of the garden that maintains life (as the Holy Spirit) and the tree of life to feed and heal.(as our Christ) The garden of Eden had 4 rivers that were to water the garden and to quench the thirst of the living creatures. The divine life flowing within us brings gold into us, like the streets paved there with. No divine life, no gold. Something precious and weighty is now flowing within us.

Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life. It was shining like crystal and was flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street of the city. The tree of life was on each side of the river. It produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of all the nations.
　
The waters of Eden actually describe the heavenly state and parts of the foundations of the new city.
　
Genesis 2:10-14 A river flowed through Eden and watered the garden. From there the river branched out to become four rivers. The first river, named Pishon, flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is excellent. Bdellium and onyx are also found there. The second river, named Gihon, flows around the whole land of Cush. The third river, named Tigris, flows out of Assyria toward the east. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

Compare
　
Rev 21:10-11 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

This water will be a torrent flowing within us to regenerate us, transform us, and to make us sweet and fruitful. By this flow we will become gold, pearl, and precious stones for the building of God's habitation, the New Jerusalem, like water flows thru wood to bring it to a pertrified state of stone.
　
Psalm 36:8-9
They eat the rich food in your house,
and you let them drink from your river of pleasure.
You are the giver of life.
Your light lets us enjoy life.

The benefits are sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual life. Full satisfaction is reserved for the future state where joys shall be constant.


Psalm 46:4
There is a river that brings joy to the city of God,
the holy place where God Most High lives.
　
Confidence in God.
"Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us trust and not be afraid."
　
John 4:14 but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life.
　
The living water is the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah had been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul. The human spirit, influenced by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, if we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (Jn 4:27-42)

John 7:37-38 On the last and most important day of the feast Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person's heart, as the Scripture says."

There is fulness in Christ, the Spirit dwelling and working in believers, is as a fountain of living, running water, out of which plentiful streams flow, cooling and cleansing as water.

Never quench the Spirit, many waters will never quench His love for us.
　
　
　
　
　

There are three areas of teaching that are sadly neglected; Christ in the tabernacle (furnitings), 7 New Testament names of God and creation in seven days (including the rest).

The fact that there were 7 of each really piqued my interest!

The Sky, Washing of Feet and our Patient God.

I love, more than any type of study, to find foundational truths that fit into a nutshell. Things that can be meditated on in simple, but extremely complex concepts that are easy to remember.

Day 2 of Creation:

Gen 1:
6-8 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

The "Second Day's" work was the Readjustment of the "Atmosphere" to the needs of the present earth. It's worthy of note that God does not say of this Day's work that it was GOOD, as He did of the work of the other days.

Ephesians 2:2 …..in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

The "Powers of the AIR" over whom Satan is the Prince, and it may have been that as soon as the atmosphere of the earth again became habitable the "Powers of Evil" swarmed into it.
　
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
　
Laver of the Tabernacle
　
The laver, or basin, was a large bowl filled with water located halfway between the brazen altar and the Holy Place. Although God did not give specific measurements for the Laver, it was to be made entirely of bronze. The priests were to wash their hands and their feet in it before entering the Holy Place.
The laver was located in a convenient place for washing and stood as a reminder that people need cleansing before approaching God. The priests atoned for their sins through a sacrifice at the brazen altar, but they cleansed themselves at the laver before serving in the Holy Place, so that they would be pure and not die before a holy God.
The application for believers today is that we are forgiven through Christ’s work on the cross, but we are washed through His Word. We need to be washed daily in His Word to cleanse ourselves, so that we can serve and minister before Him.
　
Ephesians 5:25-27 "…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
　
Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [with blood] to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water"
　
Our sins are washed away at the laver as we daily wash our hands and feet, meaning our work and our walk, of the daily dust of being in the world. A cleansing that God requires before entering into the priestly work of intercession, enlightenment and feeding on the bread of His Word. Why was that needed? Because even the dust of being in the world needed to be washed away before coming into the Presence of God’s holy place.
　
When Jesus washed the disciples feet He said

John 13:10
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.

Those who keep themselves clean still come into contact with sin, the world and satan’s ways. The lavar keeps us from including satan in our priestly work by washing away the smut from ourselves and our fellow travelers.
　
John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

God of Patience and Consolation
　
Ro 15:4 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus
　
Presiding over this day is our God of patience towards one another, without the walls of double mindedness in which we would live half in God's truth and half in satan's lies. What God doesn’t condemn, neither should we.
　
That the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus, does not have reference to opinions or views of doctrines, but does have reference to gracious dispositions of spirit; for God is not spoken of here as the God of wisdom and knowledge, but as the God of patience and of comfort. It is God's acting in these blessed graces toward the saints that will enable them to be "of one mind together according to Christ Jesus."
　
When the Spirit of God is freely operating among a company of believers, the eyes of all of them, first, are toward Christ Jesus.
They are thinking of Him, of His love, of His service, and of what will please Him.
　
They are conscious of their blessed place in Him.
Then follow, naturally, patient dealing with one another, comforting one another.
Some of the company may know much more truth than others; many may hold varying judgments or opinions concerning particular matters.
But this does not at all touch their unity--their conscious- unity, in Christ; and it does not in the slightest degree hinder their being of one mind, and working- together with one accord, and, in the vivid words of Scripture, be with one mind together according to Christ Jesus.
　
　

Just as a sidenote for anyone who wants to study this out. Note the precious stones in each of these

The OT priests

Ex 28
The Breastpiece
15 "Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span [a] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; 18 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; 19 in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; 20 in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. [c] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

The 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem

Rev 21
18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

Lucifer

Ezek 28
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.

The sequence is lucifer,then the priesthood, then the bride, like a uniform being passed along.


edit: the garden/lucifer (before his fall )

Ok, we're regressing to brass tacs of the facts. We ain' in da Nile no mo'.

Adam and the garden = created
Eve and the new Jerusalem = built

Jesus first became man (Jn 1:14) typified by Adam (Rom 5:14) Adam's sleep while Eve was being made (Gen 2:22) typified Christ's death to produce His counterpoint, the church (Eph 5: 25-27)
The building of Eve from a rib typifies the building up of the church to become the new jerusalem.

The mother of all living (Gen 3:20) typifies the heavenly mother (Gal 4:26)
Christ is the church's Adam, we are His Eve, the bride. He has named us 'whitestone' each with our own particular name.

1 Cor 12:12
The Body of Christ Works Together
A person's body is one thing, but it has many parts. Though there are many parts to a body, all those parts make only one body. Christ is like that also.

Eph 5:28-30
In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself. No one ever hates his own body, but feeds and takes care of it. And that is what Christ does for the church, because we are parts of his body.

What we're seeing is the transformation of the new creation at the hand of God. The new jerusalem is typified by layers of foundations and the pearl gates that stand for the nations of Israel and the disciples. That's the sum of God's process of transforming the people of dust into diamonds, His crowning achievment. The old body of death metamorphed into the butterfly of life to use a different analogy. The seeds of Genesis have matured in Revelatons.

When we come to Revelation 21 and 22, we don't find a garden, but a city. A city is not created; it is built. It still contains the river of life and the tree of life as the lifeforce. The natural materials of the Eden's rivers have been transformed to pearl, and precious stones. I'm sure they will be polished to perfection. The gold is the same and can never be refined further because that is the divine nature.

Between the garden and the city a long process must transpire, and a great deal of work must be accomplished. Nevertheless, the seed sown in the garden becomes the harvest in the city. This seed includes the tree of life, a river of water, and the three precious materials. No wood or stubble, which is a tree w/o fruit and plant w/o grain.

At the time of harvest in Revelation, the materials are no longer in a natural state, but become a building fitly joined together. The New Jerusalem is a building of gold, pearl, and precious stones, built up together to be a habitation for God. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul says that as a masterbuilder he laid the unique foundation, Jesus Christ, and that we all must take heed how we build upon it. That's the foundationstone that the builders rejected. Paul's building was the basic outline of Christ and the church that drew a pattern to man and woman. As followers of patterns we have to extend that to God or the lines are falsely drawn to exclude glory to God.

If your wondering what's wrong with your picture it's probably because your building on the wrong cornerstone. Work it out with fear and trembling at the throne of grace, letting your Holy Spirit controlled conscience be your guide. You'd be surprised at the word pictures thru-out the bible of what stones God rejects. Those are the unmarked graves that we walk on and don't even know that we are unclean.

3rd day meditations (Resurrection)
The Earth, the Lampstand and our Pro Visions

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Day 3

Gen 1:9-13
And God said "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place
and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground
"land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it
was good. Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing
plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according
to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced
vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees
bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw
that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the
third day.
　
Speaking the word, the world has become full of God's riches, and they are still His--His corn and His wine, His wool and His flax. Though He has allowed us the use of them, the property still remains in Him, and to His service and honor they must be used. The earth still remains under His command, to bring forth its annual products. These are not considered miracles, yet they are evidence of the unwearied power and unexhausted goodness of the world's great Maker and Master, who provides for both the good and evil occupants of His domain. The hirelings and the heirs. Mat Henry commentary
　
Hosea 2:9
"So I will come back and take away my grain at harvest time
and my new wine when it is ready.
I will take back my wool and linen
that covered her nakedness.
　
Though the precious fruits of the earth are usually brought forth by the influences of the sun and moon yet here we find the earth bearing a great abundance of fruit, probable ripe fruit, before the sun and moon were made.
He deemed it good to provide things necessary before we have occasion to use them, God dealt wisely and graciously with us; let not mankind then be foolish and unwise for him.
　
Deuteronomy 33:14
with the best fruits that the sun brings,
and with the best fruits that the moon brings.
　
Thru God's grace we speak to Him who is the fountain, giving glory and honor.
He unblocks the dried up streams and the winter figs show blossom.
　
Hosea 2:21-22
"At that time I will speak to you," says the Lord.
"I will speak to the skies,
and they will give rain to the earth.
The earth will produce grain, new wine, and oil;
much will grow because my people are called Jezreel.
　
Jezreel means 'God saves or God sows' Hosea named his first son Jezreel.
It signifies the overthrow of Ahab and Jezebel, the town in which that took place,
and the illegal siezure of power.

*********************************
The God of Hope
　
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in
Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
　
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

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The Lamp stand

After washing their hands and feet at the laver, the priests could
enter the Holy Place, which was the first room in the tent of the
Tabernacle. There were three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place:
The lamp stand had a central branch from which three branches extended
from each side, forming a total of seven branches. Seven lamps holding
olive oil and wicks stood on top of the branches. Each branch looked
like that of an almond tree, containing buds, blossoms and flowers. The
priests were instructed to keep the lamps burning continuously.
　
The lamp stand was the only source of light in the Holy Place, so
without it, the priests would have been moping around in the dark. The
light shone upon the table of showbread and the altar of incense,
enabling the priests to fellowship with God and intercedes on behalf of
God’s people. Just as the lamp stand was placed in God’s dwelling place
so that the priests could approach God, Jesus, the "true light that
gives light to every man" (John 1:9) came into the world so that man
could see God and not live in spiritual darkness anymore.
　
The main branch of the lamp stand represents Jesus, and we as the six
branches that extend from original branch represent believers. Having
believed, we are now living as "children of light" As the moon reflects the sun we reflect His glory.
　
Ephesians 5:8
In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord.
So live like children who belong to the light.
　
Matthew 5:14
"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.
　
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, you should be a light for other people.
Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
　
John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
　
Two other significant symbols that can be seen from include the fact
that it was made of pure gold (not gold plated, as was the acacia wood overlaid in the rods that carried the ark fi) and had seven branches.
Pure gold is a representation of the deity and perfection of Jesus
Christ, and seven is the number of completeness in the Bible. The
believer is made complete by the perfection of Christ.

Sunshine, Bread of Life and God of Mercy
Day 4 Meditations

The Table of Showbread of the Tabernacle

The table of showbread stood on the right side of the Holy Place across from the lamp stand and held 12 loaves of bread, representing completeness."Showbread" also was called "bread of the presence" because it was to be always in the Lord’s presence. The table and the bread were a picture of God’s willingness to fellowship and communion (literally speaking, sharing something in common) with mankind. It was like an invitation to share a meal, an extension of friendship.
　
Jesus exemplified this when He ate with tax collectors, prostitutes and the sinners of Jewish society. But this was more than just a gesture of friendship on earth. Jesus came to call sinners to Him, make them right with God, so that they could enjoy everlasting fellowship with God.
　
John 6:35, 49-50
"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. … Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a person may eat and not die."
　
Jesus’ broken body is our only access to fellowship with God. Today, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or communion, to remember this important truth. And today, as in the day of Moses’ tabernacle, God still desires to have fellowship and sit down for a feast with His people.
　
Revelations 3:20
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
　
　
The 4th love feast being prepared is for "the God of all mercy; Who comforted us in all our tribulation"
　
2 Corinthians 1:4-6
who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
　
　
The "tribulation" of believers is not inconsistent with God's mercy, and does not beget in them suspicion of it; for in the end they feel that He is "the God of ALL comfort," that is, who imparts the only true and perfect comfort in every instance. His strength is perfected in our weaknesses. Ya, though He kills me, I will trust in Him.
　
　
Psalm 146:3
Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
　
In learning ie: eating of the Word, reveals the mercy of God in all situations.
　
Day 4 Creation
　
Gen 1:14
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
　
The lampstand's light shines onto the shewbread just as the Holy Spirit shines light onto the Word of God and illuminates it for us to feed on.

Proverbs 1:20-32
　
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
　
The Holy Spirit is wisdom and she is given as our guide.　
　
I don’t know about anyone else but I find this very enlightening.
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Love, Incence and like Begets Like
Day 5 Meditations

"The God of love"
　
2 Corinthians 13:11
Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, and live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
　
Genesis 28:20–22
"If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."
　
A tenth of all he had. To my wayof thinking the only thing that truly belongs to us is the time allotted to us. One tenth of the time given would mean about 2 ½ hours per day. Quite possibly the amount of time a priest would be about God’s business in a day, maybe they did more. Jesus said to work while it was still day.
　
Jacob’s response to his dream at Bethel was one of awe and fear , but then he made a vow. I will believe, Jacob is saying, no matter what transpires, and if the Lord [Elohim] will protect and clothe me, and I’ll return to my father’s house in peace. "Then shall the Lord [JHVH] be my God [Elohim]..." and I’ll be able to worship You not only as the God of justice and power but also as the personal God of love and compassion.
　
Golden Altar of Incence
　
The golden altar of incense in the Holy Place was where the prayers of priestly work rose to heaven, to the throne of God.
The golden altar of incense, which is not to be confused with the brazen altar, sat in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This altar was smaller than the brazen altar.
God commanded the priests to burn incense on the golden altar every morning and evening, the same time that the daily burnt offerings were made. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
The incense was a symbol of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God as a sweet fragrance. God wanted His dwelling to be a place where people could approach Him and pray to Him.
　
Isaiah 56:7
"…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

The picture of prayers wafting up to heaven like incense is captured in David’s psalm and also in John’s vision in Revelations:
　　
Psalm 141:2
"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
　
　Revelations 8:3-4
"Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand."

The golden altar, furthermore, is a representation of Christ, who is our intercessor before God the Father. During His days on earth, Jesus prayed for the believers. He was like the high priest of the tabernacle, who bore the names of each of the Israelite tribes on his breastplate before God. Just before He was betrayed and sentenced to death, Jesus interceded for His disciples and all believers, asking God to guard them from evil and sanctify them by His Word, and that they may see God’s glory and be a witness to the world (John 17:1-26). Today, Jesus still is our high priest at the Father’s side,
interceding for God’s people:

Romans 8:34
"Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us"

Since we have been forgiven of our sins through the blood of Christ, we also come boldly in prayer in Jesus’ name. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are praying based on the work He has done and not on our own merit. It is in His powerful name that we are saved and baptized, and in His name we live, speak and act.

James 5:15-16
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"
　
The 5th day Life Begets Life

Gen 1:20
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
　
The work of the "Fifth Day" was the CREATION of fish and fowl. Here is the first time we come across the word "CREATE" since we read of the original creation of the earth in verse one.
And God rblessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
That is, by the virtue of his word he gave power to his creatures to reproduce.
　
Of ourselves we have no power to create, but with ourselves given to the God of Love He works in us what is impossible any other way.

Day 6 Meditations
Creation of Mankind, the Promise of Peace and the Holy Veil
　
　
Day 6
　
Gen 1:26-29,31
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
　
This is the first promise in the bible. Edification. Eating is the intrical part of life. Feasting continually on the Lord, in His garden, walking with Him, that is what God created a human being to be. He created human beings, not humans doing. We are made to be with Him, feasting on Him, fulfilling the promise.
　
　
Feast #6 "The God of peace"
　
　
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
　
　
Philippians 4:9
the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
　
　
A PROMISE OF GOD’S PRESENCE

we need to learn and receive instruction in God’s Word. We need to hear and see God’s Word lived out by others. Yet it is only when we "do" that we live close to our Lord and that we experience the God of Peace with us.
　
　
Romans 16:20
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Amen.
　
　
A PROMISE OF FINAL VICTORY

it takes courage and character to face adversity, and the only One who can prepare us to do that is our heavenly Father working through His Son and Spirit.
　
　
　
A Promise to Complete the Great Work in You

Wait in peace for that hour when "the God of peace shall sanctify thee wholly, so that thy whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!"
　
　
　
Psalm 122:6-9
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
7"May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces."
8For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, "May peace be within you."
9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.
　
　
　
A most appropriate prayer for a city whose name means peace and is the residency of the God of peace
　
　
　
　
The Holy of Holies and the Veil
　
　
Within the Holy Place of the tabernacle, there was an inner room called the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place. Judging from its name, we can see that it was a most sacred room, a place no ordinary person could enter. It was God’s special dwelling place in the midst of His people. A thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This curtain, known as the "veil," was made of fine linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn. There were figures of cherubim (angels) embroidered onto it. Cherubim, spirits who serve God, were in the presence of God to demonstrate His almighty power and majesty. They also guarded the throne of God. These cherubim were also on the innermost layer of covering of the tent. If one looked upward, they would see the cherubim figures.
　
　
　
The word "veil" in Hebrew means a screen, divider or separator that hides. What was this curtain hiding? Essentially, it was shielding a holy God from sinful man. Whoever entered into the Holy of Holies was entering the very presence of God. In fact, anyone except the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies would die. Even the high priest, God’s chosen mediator with His people, could only pass through the veil and enter this sacred dwelling once a year, on a prescribed day called the Day of Atonement.
　
The picture of the veil was that of a barrier between man and God, showing man that the holiness of God could not be trifled with. God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and He can tolerate no sin (Habakkuk 1:13). The veil was a barrier to make sure that man could not carelessly and irreverently enter into God’s awesome presence. Even as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had to make some meticulous preparations: He had to wash himself, put on special clothing, bring burning incense to let the smoke cover his eyes from a direct view of God, and bring blood with him to make atonement for sins.
　
"But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance." (Hebrews 9:7)
　
So the presence of God remained shielded from man behind a thick curtain during the history of Israel. However, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross changed that. When He died, the curtain in the Jerusalem temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom. Only God could have carried out such an incredible feat because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached it, and too thick to have torn it. (The Jerusalem temple, a replica of the wilderness tabernacle, had a curtain that was about 60 feet in height, 30 feet in width and four inches thick.) Furthermore, it was torn from top down, meaning this act must have come from above.
　
As the veil was torn, the Holy of Holies was exposed. God’s presence was now accessible to all. Shocking as this may have been to the priests ministering in the temple that day, it is indeed good news to us as believers, because we know that Jesus’ death has atoned for our sins and made us right before God. The torn veil illustrated Jesus’ body broken for us, opening the way for us to come to God. As Jesus cried out "It is finished!" on the cross, He was indeed proclaiming that God’s redemptive plan was now complete. The age of animal offerings was over. The ultimate offering had been sacrificed.
　
　
Hebrews 6:19-20
We can now boldly enter into God’s presence, "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
　
　
Hebrews 10:19-22
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body …let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith."
　
　
Revelation 21:16
The Holy of Holies is a representation of heaven itself, God’s dwelling place, which we have access now through Christ. In Revelations, John’s vision of heaven — the New Jerusalem — also was a perfect square, just as the Holy of Holies was. The 4 living creatures of Ezekial 1 are also a picture of that 4 squared Holy of Holies of human beings now in interaction with God.
　
　
Hebrews 9:24-26
"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. …But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."
__________________

Hebrews 12:18-19
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire. You have not come to darkness, sadness, and storms. You have not come to the noise of a trumpet or to the sound of a voice like the one the people of Israel heard and begged not to hear another word.

The new creation is not of the old covenent

Hebrews 12:22-24
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands of angels gathered together with joy. You have come to the meeting of God's firstborn children whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people who have been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the One who brought the new agreement from God to his people, and you have come to the sprinkled blood that has a better message than the blood of Abel.

Eight in four pairs
1st The elevated Mount Zion and the beautiful heavenly Jerusalem are the first pair
2nd The angels and the firstborn of the church form the second pair.
3rd The spirits of the righteous and the Old Testament saints are linked as the third pair
4th The Lord Jesus and His precious blood compose the last pair.
　
The 7th day
　
Genesis 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
　
The day of rest for God was Saturday. The day of rest for the Lord was sunday because God's day of rest was one complete day of mankind's existance. The eight day is the day of resurrection power because the son of man rose to give existance to the new creation on the new day of rest. But the new creation's day of rest is in the resurrection of the eigth day.
　
Feast # 7 to the God of All Grace
　
The Feast of "The God of all Grace"

1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
　
While the title "God of all grace" occurs only in 1 Peter 5:10, "grace" in the developed sense discussed above is found no less than 106 times in 98 verses. It is indeed a defining term of the Christian faith, for the Father, as the "God of all grace," has chosen to call "us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus."
　
　
The ark of the covenent

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
　

The three items in the ark that served as a sore reminder of man’s shortcomings have taken on a different meaning since Jesus Christ redeemed us from our sins. Let’s review the three articles and see how they point to Christ.

Click to expand...

First, the pot of manna: When Jesus came and walked on earth, he didn’t reject God’s provision. Rather, He became God’s provision to us. Manna, the bread from heaven, in itself did not impart life. But Jesus told us that He is the true bread from heaven.
"Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.’" (John 6:32, 48-50)
Second, Aaron’s budding staff: Jesus didn’t reject God’s authority. Instead, He submitted Himself to the Father’s will and died on the cross.
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38)
But He came back to life like Aaron’s budding rod, "the firstfruits from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:20).
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:15-26)
Third, the Ten Commandments: Jesus didn’t reject God’s right standard of living. He lived a sinless life and obeyed God’s law perfectly, becoming our perfect sacrifice and intercessor. His sacrifice instituted a new covenant that was not based on the Law.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." (Romans 3:20-22)
http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/tabernacle_articles/tabernacle_ark_of_the_covenant.aspx

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The ark in Heaven
　
Hebrews 9
1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
　
Notice that the golden altar of prayer is within the Holy of Holies because the outer court no longer appears at the throne in heaven. We are in the second covenent.
　
　

Faith is the principal that we operate from when reckoning ourselves as children of God. The more we see God act in our life the stronger the base of faith is. The more we can act because of faith because we know God rewards that faith. Grace is the life that we gain from acting from the base of faith. Jesus, on the mount, said to do good deeds in secret so that the heavenly Father could see and reward. But the rewards of things done in the sight of mankind recieve the rewards of mankind, which gives glory to self and rewards of self righteousness. So faith is the principal acted on and grace is the life recieved. Glory to God! Saved by faith through grace. The Bible says clearly that after we have been saved according to the principle of faith, we must fulfill all the requirements of the new morality. Aligning ourselves to God makes that happen.
　
1 John 2:1-10
My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:
he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
　
We are redeemed, we are reconciled and our faith assures us of that. Grace is the Godward act of propitiation which the value of the cross bought for us. The love of God is now unloosed and the Father is free to act on our behalf.
　
Romans 3:24-26
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
　
1 John 2:1-3
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
　
1 John 4:9-11
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Incense, Perfume and Wine
　
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.
That is abiding.
Abiding is for the purpose of producing fruit
stemming from being rooted in the Father,
but Jesus wants the new wine, the finished product.
　
Exodus 30:37-38
37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves;
consider it holy to the LORD.
Whoever makes any like it to enjoy its fragrance
must be cut off from his people."
　
Song of Solomon 2:12-13a
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
　
Song of Solomon 7:12-13
12 Let us go early to the vineyards
to see if the vines have budded,
if their blossoms have opened,
and if the pomegranates are in bloom—
there I will give you my love.
13 The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
that I have stored up for you, my lover.


Hosea 14:5-7
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 Men will dwell again in his shade.
He will flourish like the grain.
He will blossom like a vine,
and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.
　
John 12:2-4
2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint[ of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
　

2 Corinthians 2:13-15
14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.


New Wine vs the Wrath of His Winepress
　
Luke 23:35-37
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Luke 10:33-35
33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
　
John 2:8-10
8 Then he said to them, "Now take some out and give it to the master of the feast."
So they took the water to the master. 9 When he tasted it, the water had become wine. He did not know where the wine came from, but the servants who had brought the water knew. The master of the wedding called the bridegroom10 and said to him, "People always serve the best wine first. Later, after the guests have been drinking awhile, they serve the cheaper wine. But you have saved the best wine till now."
　
Revelation 19:15
15 Out of the rider's mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will crush out the wine in the winepress of the terrible anger of God the Almighty.
　
There were many excellent vineyards in Palestine
and wine was made for common use. Water was scanty,
especially at some seasons, and likely to be infected.
Milk and wine were therefore the common beverage.


Heb 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby
and knows nothing about right teaching.
14 But solid food is for those who are grown up.
They are mature enough to know the difference between good and evil.
　
Bringing in the Ark

1 Chronicles 16:3
3And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman,
to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
　
2 Samuel 6:19
19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.