Old Testament Illustrations Of New Testament Truths

Colossians 2:16-17
"the shadow of things to come."

The sacrifices were prophetic shadows. We need to know the prophetic truths. With seven times more Scripture on His second coming, as there is on His first coming, shouldn't we be seeking to become prophetically aware and anxious to see Him come for His own?!?!?

People had lost the complete meaning and teaching of the sacrifices. The whole concept of the sacrificial plan of the Lord has been corrupted. However, in the last days we are to receive a fresh revelation of prophetic truth. This study will open your eyes to many misunderstood, forgotten, or ignored truths in the Word of God. It will astound you what the Lord has revealed in the Bible.

Isaiah 42:9
"BEHOLD THE FORMER THINGS HAVE COME TO PASS, NEW THINGS I DECLARE UNTO YOU, BEFORE THEY SPRING FORTH, I TELL YOU OF THEM."

The Bible begins and ends with prophecy.

Genesis 2:17
"THOU SHALT SURELY DIE."

Revelation 22:20
"SURELY, I COME QUICKLY."

Too many have for too long assumed that God is not willing to share prophetic revelation with His own people... Some have turned to quija boards, fortune tellers, psychics, and other forms of learning the future... The Lord does reveal to His own....

Amos 3:7
"HE REVEALETH HIS SECRETS UNTO HIS SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS."

Revelation of prophecy starts in the Word with what God has already revealed. Therefore, we can by study of the tabernacle, the priesthood, the covenant, and even the sacrifices of the Old Testament... to find out prophetic truths.

Daniel 9:2
"I, DANIEL, UNDERSTOOD BY THE BOOKS, THE NUMBER OF YEARS WHEREOF THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO JEREMIAH, THE PROPHET, THAT HE WOULD ACCOMPLISH 70 YEARS IN THE DESOLATION OF JERUSALEM."

Daniel 9:3
"I SET MY FACE UNTO THE LORD GOD..."





Daniel 9:11
"THE CURSE IS POURED UPON US AND THE OATH THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES..."

Leviticus 26:18
"AND IF YE WILL NOT YET FOR ALL THIS HEARKEN UNTO ME, THEN I WILL PUNISH YOU SEVEN TIMES MORE FOR YOUR SINS."

Daniel 9:22
"I AM NOW COME TO GIVE THEE UNDERSTANDING... 70 WEEKS ARE DETERMINED..."

Thus, Daniel was led from Scripture to Scripture, and understood much prophecy. Then he was given more revelation from the Lord directly. We cannot ignore His written Word, and then expect Him to speak and reveal directly to us.

Isaiah 28:10
"FOR PRECEPT MUST BE UPON PRECEPT, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT, LINE UPON LINE, LINE UPON LINE, HERE A LITTLE, THERE A LITTLE, THAT THEY MIGHT..."



In these last days we have a whole stack of lines, and precepts. God wants to tell us more... In these last days we have a choice...

1. OUTPOURING OF REVELATION

Habakkuk 2:14
"FOR THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA."


2. or FAMINE, THIRST, IGNORANCE OF GOD'S REVELATION

Amos 8:11-13
"LAST DAYS... FAMINE... OF HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD... THEY SHALL WANDER FROM SEA TO SEA... RUN TO AND FRO TO SEEK THE WORD FROM THE LORD AND SHALL NOT FIND IT ...IN THAT DAY THE FAIR VIRGINS AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL FAINT FOR THIRST..."

In these last days you may choose which group you will be. Choose to study the Word, and learn all it can tell us...let the Lord lead us to new understandings and revelations that He wants us to see in these last days.

Joel 2:28
"...YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS..."

This lesson will show you a side of prophecy that has been too much ignored. There were five great offerings of the Old Testament. Too often we have just ignored the revelations of these sacrifices.

The five offerings are:
1. BURNT OFFERING
2. MEAL OFFERING
3. PEACE OFFERING
4. SIN OFFERING
5. TRESPASS OFFERING


The offerings all involved blood except the meal offering. This meal offering represented Jesus in His life, not in His death. The other four give us a four fold picture of His death.

The Scripture showed truth in each offering.

BURNT OFFERING

This showed Christ offering Himself to God...

Hebrews 9:14
"Christ through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God..."

MEAL OFFERING

This shows Christ as the Mediator between God and man.

I Timothy 2:5
"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus."

THE PEACE OFFERING

This shows Christ reconciling us to God.

II Corinthians 5:18
"God hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ..."


THE SIN OFFERING

This shows Christ giving Himself for us.

II Corinthians 5:21
"He hath made Him to be sin for us..."

John 1:30
"Behold, the Lamb of God, Who beareth away the sins of the world..."


THE TRESPASS OFFERING

This shows Christ making provision for our failures along the way.

I John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..."



This offering presents to us the symbols of the person and the character of Jesus Christ.

It was composed of fine flour, no unevenness (lumps)... and this represents the balanced humanity of Jesus.... For instance, the word "genius" is usually not applied to Jesus, because "genius" usually denotes overbalance. As one may be a genius in math, or as an orator... but not in many fields. People said of Christ, "He hath done all things well." "Genius" is not adequate to describe Jesus. For Christ Jesus had perfect forgiveness, perfect compassion, and was perfect in everything...

Oil was mingled with the flour, and poured upon the flour. The oil was a symbol of Holy Spirit. The flour was a symbol of humanity. In combination, the oil and the flour represent the incarnation of Christ.

Frankincense was poured upon the oil and flour. The frankincense was a sweet gum, a fragrant oil... It represents the attitude of Jesus toward the Father. Jesus said:

John 8:29
"I do always those things that please Him."

Fire brought out the fragrance of the frankincense. In the same way, trial bought out the pleasingness of Jesus toward the Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said:
"Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt..."

The meal offering was seasoned with salt. Salt is a barrier against corruption. It is used in Scripture in connection with speech.

Colossians 4:15
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt."

Jesus said that "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life..." There was not a word that Jesus spoke that needed forgiveness. Nor was there a word to be forgotten, and never a word that He spoke that needed correction. How lacking is the speech of ourselves... and we must remember that we must someday "give account" of words we have spoken that deserve God's "condemnation...."

There was no leaven in this offering. Leaven is sour and a corrupt thing which is used as a type of sin... Jesus was sinless.

There was no honey in the meal offering. Honey is nature's sweetness. The honey in sin is pleasure... Christ did not fill His life with natural pleasures. The pleasures of sin are for a season... Many seek applause of the world, but Christ said: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you..." (Luke 6:26). Sooner or later, honey will turn sour, and the pleasures of many will become tomorrow's regret.

The meal offering was made by fire unto the Lord. Jesus endured the pain of calvary.

The remainder of the meal offering was eaten by priests... (Leviticus 6:14-16) This pictures the church feeding on Christ after His sacrifice...

continued after the Meal Offering...

BURNT OFFERING

All of this offering was burnt on the altar. God received all, the offerer kept nothing (Leviticus 1:9). This is a picture of Christ Jesus Who wholly gave Himself in death that He might reveal the love of God. He completely surrendered to the sacrifice of Himself for us.

The offering was to be without blemish. In the same way, Jesus was without sin.

Hebrews 9:14
"...offered Himself without spot to God..."

This was to be a voluntary offering. Jesus gave Himself willingly, and gave up the wealth of heaven to come and sacrifice Himself for us. He "emptied Himself" of all of His divine powers to walk and suffer as a man...

The offering was flayed and cut into pieces. That means that the outside skin was taken off, and the inner flesh was exposed and cut... Jesus' life was totally exposed, but found to be totally sinless and pure.
The innards and the legs were washed with water. The innards speak of motives, the legs speak of the walk of life... Both must be cleaned, and Jesus was pure in motives, and in His earthly walk. He demands that we do the same in our lives... and His sacrifice makes it possible.

Jeremiah 31:33
"I will put My law in their inward parts..."


SIN OFFERING
(Leviticus 4)

The burnt offering was all for God, but the sin offering was all for man. This is a picture of Jesus giving Himself to God for mankind. The sin offering was for sins of ignorance. Man is a sinner whether he knows it or not... "for all have sinned."

Matthew 15:19
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man."

The victim of the sacrifice had to be without blemish... for Jesus could not have died for mankind, had He not been sinless. This sacrifice was a substitute for the sinner.

II Corinthians 5:21
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

The blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar. In the same way, the precious blood of our Lord was totally shed upon that cross, and it flowed out until water then came out.

The sacrifice was then taken outside the camp and burned to ashes... Jesus suffered outside the camp. And our sins, and the remnant of them are removed from us... and the Lord sees them no more.

The offerer had to acknowledge his sin... He had to accept God's estimate of himself.

Leviticus 4:29
"And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering."

Only by acknowledging sin, does Christ sacrifice avail for us... for if we deny our sin... His sacrifice is denied to us.



PEACE OFFERING
(Leviticus 3, & 7:28-36)

The offerer and the priest each had part of this sacrifice. It was to be eaten before the Lord. Eating before the Lord is symbolic of communing with Him. This is a picture of God and the sinner being at peace with each other... Christ reconciled God and man.

II Corinthians 5:19
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Colossians 1:20
"Having made peace through the blood of His cross."

We have peace and should have fellowship with our Lord. We should talk with Him, listen to Him, commune with Him... and enjoy this great privilege that His sacrifice afforded to us.


TRESPASS OFFERING
(Leviticus 5)


The difference between the sin offering and the trespass offering was that the sin offering was for the nature of sin, and the trespass offering was for sins caused by that sinful nature. After, a sin offering is accepted, as it was for the Christian when he was saved... there is still the possibility to again sin... Each individual sin must be forgiven, and this offering was for specific sins that followed having made a sin offering.

Leviticus 5:5
"And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing."

The Christian can still sin, and when we do, we need to be forgiven. These sins can be confessed and forgiven.

I John 2:1
"And He is the propitiation for out sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

I John 1:6-10
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."


OTHER OFFERINGS....


The WAVE OFFERING (Exodus 29:24) was typical of the presenting of ourselves before God all the magnificence and excellence of Jesus Christ, in lieu of anything in ourselves. We are not perfect, and never can present ourselves before the Lord in our own perfection - for we have none. But we are part of the body of Christ, and we have partaken of the Bread of Life. In Leviticus 23:17, 20 shows that these loaves are baked with leaven, for they represent the person of the offerer, and there is still sin in us. As these loaves were waved before the Lord, we are presenting ourselves to God as partaker of the Lord's sacrifice, and as a part of His sinless glory and magnificence.

The DRINK OFFERING (Genesis 35:14) was a type of the utter consecration of the believer who pours out his own life in service for the Lord.

The HEAVE OFFERING (Numbers 18:24) was a type of our gifts, our talents, etc. that are offered to the Lord.

SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST'S SACRIFICE
OVER ALL THE O.T. SACRIFICES



All these sacrifices of the Old Testament were wonderful, and greater than any alternative then... but they were only shadows of what the Lord was going to do for us in His own sacrifice...

The sacrifice of Jesus literally TAKES AWAY SIN...

Hebrews 10:1-10
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For they would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience for sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 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 has 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 might establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified though the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

We need a better sacrifice than the old covenant sacrifices which were inferior. They had become empty rituals.

Isaiah 1:11-15
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not int he blood of bullocks or of lambs, or of he goats. Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me, when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes..."

They were only a "shadow" of the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The animal sacrifices could not deal with guilt, for they only covered sins, but Christ cleansed sins.

God had "no pleasure" in the old covenant sacrifices... God delighted not in the sacrifices, but He delighted in the obedient faith of the sacrificer... God longed for the time when Christ came to fulfil what these other sacrifices were only representative.

The sacrifice of Christ DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPEATED.

Hebrews 10:11-18
"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He had perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 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. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

Jesus "sat down" for His work of sacrifice was totally completed. The old sacrifices never were done... but His work is done... With Christ's sacrifice, all is forgiven, guilt is totally gone.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ OPENS THE WAY TO GOD. Before we could not enter into the Holy of Holies... but now we can "draw near... and hold fast"... (See Hebrews 10:19-39). A sacrifice of the Old Testament needed to often be repeated, but Jesus "sat down" and we can boldly now enter into the holy presence of God... There is a solemn warning (Hebrews 10:26-31) telling the hearers of Paul's message here in Hebrews that to despise this plan of God, and to prefer the former sacrifices will result in loss of salvation.

To sacrifice as they did in the Old Testament, was to "tread underfoot" the sacrifice of Jesus. This is a willful sin, and it is a horrible sin.

I John 5:16
"There is a sin unto death."

God deals with willful sinners... for God said "Vengeance belongeth to Me..." We should know that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Encouragement follows the warning...

Hebrews 10:32-39
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions..."

WE ARE TO LEARN FROM THE SHADOWS, TYPES AND EXAMPLES RECORDED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, WE ARE TO BE AIDED IN OUR RACE BY WHAT WE LEARN FROM THEM...


Paul used many references to sports in his writings. He referred to athletic contests, physical well-being. In chapter 12 of Hebrews, Paul pictures a race. He emphasizes the endurance needed in the race (12:1,2,3,7). The Hebrew Christians were weary and wanted to give up, they were seriously thinking of ending the race.


Paul tries to inspire the Christians who consider stopping their running in the race, to:

look at others who won the race

Hebrews 12:1
"great cloud of witnesses"

look at themselves

Hebrews 12:2
"lay aside the weight... and the sin that doth so easily beset us.

look at Jesus

Hebrews 12:2-3
"Looking unto Jesus... For consider Him."

Paul has shown in the book of Hebrews that Jesus is greater than the sacrifices, the Old Testament priesthood, the various Old Testament leaders, and then in chapter 11, all the heroes of the Old Covenant are shown to have been great. BUT, none as great as Jesus. And, what is more, Paul says that we, the New Testament saints should have greater faith in this age than even the faith of the heroes of the Old Testament period.

Hebrews 11:40
"God having provided some better thing for us, that they with us should not be made perfect."

The coming of Jesus, in His first advent, provided for us a better and greater ability to live our lives in great faith.


Hebrews 12:1-4
"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him that endured such contradictions of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."

These Old Testament heroes are still able to watch us here on earth... and as they watch, we need to avoid being weighted down by the hindrances of life, the sins that keep us from God's best. Instead we need to look to Jesus as an example.

Jesus looked to the joy set before Him.

Jesus therefore could endure the cross.

Jesus despised the shame.

Jesus now is set down at the right hand of God to intercede for us.

Jesus endured the challenges of sinners against Him.

That example of Jesus is meant to make us realize that we should not allow weariness to make us faint, give up, or cease the race. We may think that our troubles are great, but not as great as was our Lord's. We have not resisted unto blood in our striving against sin.

Hebrews 12:5-13
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him;
For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; be He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
In order to make us better in our race of faith, the Lord sometimes needs to CHASTEN us. To run the race, we need to be chastened by our loving Lord to be in shape for the race of faith. Chastening of the athlete involves child training, instruction, and discipline. Chastening is more of athletic training, not punishment.

The trials of life are like the "work out" in the gym, preparing us for the future battles. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties, we should be exercised thereby, to grow. The athlete who misses practice and training does not do well in the game or in the race.

It is the love of the Lord, and His desire to make us "heroes" of faith, that has Him chasten us. God does not want us to be pampered babies, spoiled rotten brats, or sniveling wimps, but wants us to develop faith, fitting the age we live in.

If left to ourselves, we will grow up in weakness and deficient in faith. A good father therefore will discipline his children. Why should we be spared? If there is no discipline, then we are "bastards".

Training hurts, but "afterward" it yields the "peaceable fruit of righteousness." This means that the "chastening" of the Lord will yield a faith that is at peace with the turmoil, hardship, patient awaiting of the promises of God. Rebellion and frustration against the trial of our faith.

THE BAD EXAMPLE OF ESAU​

Hebrews 12:16-17
"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

Esau, like many in the congregations of today, lived for the world, for self, for prosperity in carnal things... and did not value the spiritual things of God. Esau sold his birthright, and lost the blessing of having real faith.

Jacob suffered loneliness, betrayal, deception, and poverty, while Esau remained in control of great wealth... that could have been Jacob's. Many today, like Esau, seek a carnal prosperity, and think faith is measured by possessions. Esau is a warning to such people.


Hebrews 12:18-24
"For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more.
For they could not endure that which was commanded. And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart.
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceeding fear and quake;
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
And to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of the sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."


We are not seeking an earthly Mt. Sinai, as were the Old Testament heroes of faith... but we are seeking a heavenly Mt. Zion. The former goal held terror and unapproachability. Our goal is the city of God, our heavenly home... and we will soon be there, face to face with God.

There, we will come to the "general assembly" of all saints of all times... Also, we are part of the "church of the firstborn", which means we are the ones with the "double portion". If we do not sell out as did Esau, and we allow the chastening of the Lord to build our faith... we will have a 'double portion' of faith.

Some congregations hear little preaching about prophecy. The saints of today, to be strong in faith, need to know the hope of our faith. We know that Jesus endured the cross, for the "hope that was set before Him..." and we need hope also in what is before us. Abraham "looked for a city..." and that hope allowed him to endure for a long time in faith.


GOD IS SHAKING ALL THAT CAN BE SHAKEN

Hebrews 12:25-29
"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.
Whose voice then shook the earth, but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more, I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet, once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom, which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
For our God is a consuming fire.


God is shaking all the congregations of our day... He wants to find those with faith... real faith... He does not want to bless the Esau's of today... but the ones who have a double portion of Abraham's faith, Abel's faith, and Enoch's faith... He will shake all that is shakeable.

THE CLOTHING OF THE PRIEST

The clothing of the priesthood had great significance. Today, we, in Christianity, have paid too little attention to it. But it is to be our ‘spiritual clothing’... and the typology of the garments of the priesthood shows us much of what the Lord wants us to know about our spiritual dress. The High Priest, Joshua, spoken of in Zechariah, had to have his ‘filthy garments’ removed, and priestly garments put upon him. We too, in these last days, need to remove our soiled, inappropriate garments removed, and re-dress into the garments, prescribed in shadow, in the Old Testament.

At a very early time, man learned to spin, to weave cloth of hair, wool, cotton, flax, etc. Certain simple styles were continued from generation to generation. Our way has changing styles, hemlines, materials, etc. but in that land there have been few changes. Many of the same type of garments worn in that area today, are like those worn in Moses’ day.

The clothing was not drab, but colorful and beautiful. It was graceful and modest. The clothing was exceedingly significant. The clothes told who they were, what position they had in life, their religious beliefs, and their emotional state.

The types of clothing of the priests of that day were, breeches, broidered coats, girdles (belts or sashes), ephods, robes of the ephod, and mitres.

BREECHES were inner tunics. They were long pieces of cotton or linen worn as an apron, inner skirt for warmth or protection.

BROIDERED COAT were tunics, a long shirt like garment, usually with long sleeves, and extended down to the ankles. It was held in place by a girdle.

GIRDLES were made of cloth or leather. Usually, it consisted of a square yard of material, folded into a triangle, and then folded into a sash-like belt, 5 - 8 inches wide. It not only held the garments close to the body, but formed a pocket-like part to the garments, holding money, food, etc.

EPHOD was a vest like garment of gold, blue, purple, scarlet and linen. On each shoulder piece were onyx stones. Attached to this, by golden chains, was the breastplate. It was worn over the robe.

ROBE OF THE EPHOD was a mantle or cloak. It was a large, loose fitting garment. It came in different styles indicating different professions. The high priests were to have pomegranates and bells on the fringe of such a garment.

MITRE was a headdress, a turban, skull-cap. The mitre was made of thick linen wound around the head.

SHOES AND SANDALS ... The shoes were usually soft leather. The sandals were hard leather, and it was customary to have two pairs.

Exodus 28:2-4
“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, who I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle; and they shall make holy garments fo r Aaron, thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto Me in the priest’s office.”

The garments dignified Aaron’s person with glory and beauty. The office they represented gave dignity to Aaron. The office of a priest is glorious and beautiful.

The garments of the priest typify the various powers, responsibilities, and qualities of a priest. A number of meaningful garments were used by the priest.

1. The embroidered coat...

Exodus 28:39
‘And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen...”

This was really a tunic, the innermost garment, completely hidden by the other garments. It was placed on the priest first, after his cleansing wash (Lev. 8:7). It was interwoven, as a net. Fine twined linen was linen that was twisted into a strand of many threads, to give it strength. That material was interwoven to make this garment. This tunic, in type, showed the purity of the priesthood ministry. He had to cleanse himself, before putting on this garment... and we, the saints, cleanse through repentance, and then put on the righteousness of Christ. As coats were made for Adam and Eve, to hide the shame of their nakedness, there is a need for a personal cleansing, and a clothing of righteousness to be put upon us.

2. The ephod...
Exodus 28:5-6
“And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.”

There were two materials, gold and fine twined linen, and three colors of the linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. The method of using the gold is described in Exodus 39:3:
“And they did beat the gold into thin plates, anc cut it into wires, to work it in the blue.... the purple..., the scarlet, and the fine linen, with cunning work.”

3. The ephod girdle...

Exodus 28:7-8
“It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof, and so shall it be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod which is upon it shall be of the same, according to the work thereof, even of gold, of blue, of purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.”

The ephod was made of two pieces joined together at the shoulders and bound to the high priest by a girdle or belt. The girdle was like a belt of our day, holding the garments tight to the body, so work could be done without the garments interfering with movement.

Exodus 28:4, 39
“A broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle... and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.”

This girdle was made of the same materials as the vail. The girdle represents ‘TRUTH”...

Isaiah 11:5
“Righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness (truth) the girdle of His reins.”

Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washed His disciples’ feet, and then wiped them with that towel. That towel was like a ‘belt’ or ‘girdle’ to Him, and it represented the cleansing nature of ‘truth’ to our lives. The girdle bound other garments to the body, as a belt, and the towel-girdle wiped away the defilements of the earth by the righteousness and truth of Jesus.

In the Biblical description of the armor we are to wear in our spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:13-17), we find mention that we should have our ‘loins girt about with truth.” The armor with which the Lord clothes us spiritually, helps us ‘stand’ and ‘withstand’ the attacks of our enemy, the devil. Truth of God is what keeps our other garments from interfering with our battle, without truth, the garments of life would hinder ius... Without truth, the other armor is invalidated, made useless, and worthless. If the armor is not snug, it is hard to fight... truth keeps our armor snug.

4. Robe of the ephod...

Exodus 28:31-32
“And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod, all of blue. And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof, it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of a habergeon (a breastplate of armor), that it be not rent.”

This is the first occurrence of the word ‘robe’ in the Bible. The robe is a special garment, showing special dignity, a robe indicating ‘office’. It was to be ‘blue’, the color of the heavens, typifying the heavenly nature of the priestly office given to saints. It covered the priest from head to foot. It was all of one piece, woven, and the top was reinforced so it could not be torn. It was tradition in that culture that when blasphemy, or terrible tragic news was heard, one would rend their garment by grabbing the garment at the neckline, and tearing... This was not to be possible ... for the ‘heavenly nature’ was not to be spoiled or denigrated by unpleasant events... Despite failings, wanderings, sins all about us... the nature of the priesthood is still of God, His nature clothes us. The robe of the ephod represents the heavenly peace that is to clothe us, it often passes understanding. Jesus’ first words said after the resurrection to the disciples, was ‘Peace be unto you”.

Once we were enemies of God, now forgiven, and at peace with God, so all the lack of peace in the world cannot disturb that peace we have from God.

At the hem of this robe, were golden bells and pomegranates.

Exodus 28:33-35
“And beneath, upon the hem of it, thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, of purple, of scarlet, round about the hem thereof, and bells of gold between them round about... his sound shall be heard when he goeth into the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not.”


The only adornings of the robe were these pomegranates, and golden bells.

Pomegranates were fruit of the promised land.... Numbers 13:23 “land of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates...” Springing from the peace of heaven is the fruit of the Spirit. It is due to the peace with God that we have fruit. Fruit is the spontaneous manifestation of life within us. The works may be a result of a servile nature, but fruit demand inner life to bud forth.

The bells were between the pomegranates. The sound was to be heard as testimony to the priest’s work... And the sound was to be heard, so that he ‘die not’. It was not just proof of life, it was to insure life... The bells speak of testimony... speaking forth the praises and worship of the Lord... We cannot approach God without worship.... if we would try, we would die in failure...

If you notice, in the verse, the sound of the bells was to be heard, ‘that he die not’. Silence would bring death... To keep the bells ringing, movement was necessary... The High Priest could not nap, rest, or become immobile... He had to keep moving, working, ... Our testimonies also, need to be constant, not a re-telling of old things, but a constant testimony of what work we are sharing with the Lord, and what blessings are being received due to our constant service to Him. The bells speak of a heavenly ring. Out in the camp, there were the rebellious, the stiff-necked, the murmuring people... but in the holy place, there was to be the sound of ‘golden bells’, testimony of the deity of God.

In the vision of Revelation, the Son of Man is seen clothed in a priestly robe of blue. The ‘robe’ is the Greek word ‘podeerees’, which is a garment down to the foot, and is the name given the robe of ephod by the translators of the Septuaguint in Exodus 28:31. So, Jesus is ministering still today as our High Priest.

5. Mitre

Exodus 28:39
“And thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen.”

This word ‘mitre’ is the Hebrew word ‘mitznepheth”, meaning to roll and wind around. It is like a turban, a soft linen cloth that was rolled about the top of the head. It identified a person of that time, as one who had authority to judge... This is a position not often given to mankind. It is reserved for the High Priest, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Upon this mitre, was put a ‘golden plate’.

Exodus 28:36-38
“And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet— HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things... shall always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.”

If we were to judge or be judged for sin, without the ‘golden plate’ upon the head... it would be disastrous. We deserve judgment, we minister to sinful people... but the ‘holiness’ of the Lord is upon the mitre. The word ‘plate’ when speaking of the ‘golden plate’, is the Hebrew word ‘Tzeetz’, meaning “flower”.... The holiness of the Lord is upon us, as a flower blooms in the garden, so the ‘holiness’ of God is blooming in the lives of the saints of God...

6. Linen breeches...

Exodus 28:42-43
“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness, from the loins even unto the thighs shall they reach. And they shall be upon Aaron and his sons, ... that they bear not iniquity and die... it shall be a statute forever unto him and his seed after him.”

These ‘breeches’ seem to have been like aprons, wiping towels... They were to be used in certain service, while ministering in the holy place... Blood, incense, oil, bread were handled... and dust of the earth, dust that accumulates upon articles of furniture could defile and dirty the hands of the priest.... The laver was to be used to often wash, but in between washings, some dirt and soil could be wiped with the breeches. We need frequent wipings and washings from the defilements of this sinful world.

These represent something added after salvation.. There are additional cleansing that we need for failures that follow salvation. God wants continuous cleansing, especially when we notice the defiling caused by being in the midst of a sinful world.

In Zechariah 3:1-10, we read of a vision that speaks of the priesthood of the last days (of which we are)... Joshua, the High Priest of that day was seen in the vision to be clothed in ‘filthy garments’... And the priesthood of the current days, have lost the purity of vesture as shown to be necessary to properly do our priestly ministry. The filthy garments are removed, and the proper garments and mitre are placed upon the priest. Today, we need to ‘re-dress’. and every morning awaken, re-cleanse, and put on the garments provided for us by our Lord. We need the ‘righteousness of the Lord’ (broidered coat), we need the ‘deity of being the family of God (robe of the ephod). We need to remind ourselves of our royalty, sonship of relationship, the sacrifice of Christ for us (ephod). We need to remind ourselves of the intercessory work we need to share with the Lord (breastplate). We need to remember we are ‘subject’ to our Lord, and are judged by our High Priest (bonnets and mitre). The pomegranates should remind us to be fruitful, the bells should remind us of our necessity to be testimonies for the Lord. The breeches should be reminders of the necessity of frequent cleansing.

It is time the priesthood of the current times, remove, or have removed by our Savior, the ‘filthy garments' and then let our Lord, our High Priest, re-clothe us in the proper garments.

THE BREASTPLATE
IS AN O.T. SHADOW TEACHING FOR US...

A special piece of clothing, worn by the high priest, is called the ‘breastplate’. It had twelve stones on it. It was attached with golden chains to the ephod. On the shoulder piece were two onyx stones with six of the tribes inscribed on each stone. The twelve tribes represent the children of God, for we are priests, but we are also God’s children.

Our priestly ministry engages us in the ministry to others. These ones we minister to, have a nature that we are to understand. The stones reveal, in type and shadow, the natures of the children of God. We need to understand the various natures represented amidst the children of God.

The onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest, were engraved with the names in the order of their birth. The breastplate had the names inscribed by camp order, showing no order of preference. Reuben might prove ‘unstable as water’, yet he was first in birth order, and fourth in camp order. Benjamin and Joseph were third in camp order, and in the last row of birth order. Each of us are loved equally by the Lord.

They were enclosed in ‘ouches’ (settings). They were fastened to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. They were on the shoulders, indicating ‘strength’, for God’s people rest in God’s strength. The onyx stones were not the onyx stones of modern times, but the words actually means ‘to shine with the lustre of fire.’ On the left stone was the names ‘Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.’ On the right stone were the names ‘Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, and Naphtali.”

Exodus 28:9-14
“And thou shalt take the two onyx stones and grave on them the names of the children of Israel. Six of their names were on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth... thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold... And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod... and Aaron shall bear the names before the Lord for a memorial. And thou shalt make ouches of gold. And two chains of pure gold at the ends... fast the wreathen chains to the ouches.”

Two stones on the shoulders show that we are ‘borne of God.’. We are carried by the Lord. The gold ouches indicates that we share deity, by being the sons of God.

Exodus 28:15-29
"And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work... foursquare it shall be, being doubled, a span shall be the length... the breath... thous shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones... stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel... And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.”

The word ‘breastplate’ means (in Hebrew) ‘ornament”... And it was an ornament, but it had more purpose than to simply be ‘beautiful’ and decorative. Gesenius who originated this idea of it meaning ‘ornament’ was only making a ‘guess’... for the word was not an easily translated one. The Septuaguint translators chose the Greek word ‘logeion’ meaning ‘oracle’, or ‘speaking voice’ to translate the Hebrew word. This translation by Hebrew scholars, so long before Gesenius ventured his ‘educated guess’ seems more plausible. The purpose of the breastplate was not to be decorative, but to be a vehicle of communication of God to man. The breastplate was covered with stones, but inside this pocket-like necklace, were the urim and thummin. These were taken from the pocket, to find God’s answer to questions posed to the High Priest. So, God, somehow, with these two stones, spoke to His people.... The breastplate was a method of God speaking. Too often we get stuck on the beauty of the stones, the gold, and the colorful linen... but that was the wrapping for the urim and thummin, to which we need to pay more attention. The confusion of how these stones worked, and the method or means of God speaking, has caused most theologians to avoid the subject, and miss the marvelous truths taught by this part of the garments of the High Priest.

This ‘breastplate’ was made of the same material as the ephod, doubled to form a bag or pocket, and was about nine inches square. The ephod, the onyx stones, and the breastplate were all linked together. The stones were arranged in four rows of three.



The arrangement is as such:

first row..
Zebulun Issachar Judah
carbuncle topaz sardius

second row
Gad Simeon Reuben
diamond sapphire emerald

third row
Benjamin Manasseh Ephraim
amethyst agate ligure

fourth row
Naphtali Asher Dan
jasper onyx beryl

(Since the Hebrew language is written right to left, Judah is first, and Naphtali is last.)



The first stone is called the sardius.

This is from the Hebrew word ‘odem’, from the same three letters that form the name ‘Adam’, which meant ‘red man’, and this stone was a ‘red stone’, actually a carnelian, blood red..

The name “Judah” was inscribed upon it. ‘Judah’ means ‘praise’. Praise, worship, glory to God are desired by the Lord, from His people. Some of the saints, seem to be more given to praise than others... but praise is due from all of us... Jesus said, at the time of the triumphal entry, that if the disciples and crowd did not praise Him, the stones would cry out...

Genesis 49:8,11,12
“Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes into the blood of grapes... His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk...”

‘Binding his foal unto the vine’ shows we are to, like Judah, bind ordinary pursuits to be ready to praise the Lord.

‘Washed his garments in wine’ shows we are to, like Judah, purify and cleanse our daily life with praise...

“Eyes be red with wine’ shows we are to have our countenance reflect our life of praising the Lord. In the same way as wine reddens one’s eyes, so our praise should be reflected in our eyes.

The second stone is called the topaz .

This is the Hebrew word ‘pitdah’, and was a rich yellow color. The stone was actually the peridot, which is the dark yellowish green. The Septuaguint used the word ‘topazion’ which was a stone from the island of Topazios in the Red Sea.

“Issachar” was inscribed upon it. Issachar means ‘hath given hire, recompense, or reward...’

Isaiah 40:10, 62:11
“Behold, His reward is with Him.”

God is Himself the reward, and the rewarder of the faithful. We partake of this reward. Jesus said ‘the glory which Thou gavest Me, I have given them.’

Genesis 49:14-15
“Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens. And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.”

These are the kind of Christians who resolve for the sake of the reward from the Lord, to serve and bear burdens. As Christ Jesus Himself, Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. We can serve and bear burdens now, knowing there is great reward for our labors.

Abraham would not touch the spoils of the enemy, lest he be indebted to Sodom. He was faithful to be searching only for the heavenly promises that God promised him. We should not seek ‘reward’ or simply the ‘mammon’ of this world... but, as instructed, we should ‘seek’ heavenly rewards.

The third stone is called the carbuncle.

This is the Hebrew word ‘baraketh’ meaning ‘flashing or glittering’... The color of this was an emerald green. This was the color of the ‘rainbow’ aura that is about God’s throne in heaven.

Revelation 4:3
“... a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald’ (Greek, smaragdos).

“Zebulun” was engraved upon it. “Zebulun’ means ‘dwelling’.

Genesis 49:13
“Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and he shall be for a haven for ships.”

Zebulun, while having a permanent habitation on the land, became a haven for ships to dock and find safety. Saints are to be secure dwelling place ‘glittering out to others, that we have a safe haven for others to come and find rest and safety. The carbuncle and Zebulun together speak of a offering of hospitality and acceptance, that saints are to offer to others, and this is like a flashing light out to others.

The fourth stone is called the ‘emerald’.

This is the Hebrew word ‘nophech’, meaning ‘to transmit, or pervade’. It is not the emerald as we know it today, it is the ‘chrysoprase’. Its color was red, and we commonly call it today the ‘garnet’.

“Reuben’ was engraved upon this stone. ‘Reuben’ means ‘see a son’. God calls us to ‘see a Son’. The stone being ‘red’, reminds us that it is the blood sacrifice of this Son, that we are to notice. Of Reuben, we are told, that he was ‘unstable as water.” (Genesis 49:3-4). Water, when cold, becomes ice; when hot, becomes steam; when windblown, becomes waves... and when moving, always flows downhill, the way of least resistance. Many saints are poor, feeble, weak, failing, unstable. Instability pervades and spreads (nophech) very easily. Instability spreads through churches easily. Instability of the flesh is a trait of many saints... and when we find ourselves in such instability, we need to ‘see the Son.”

The fifth stone is the ‘sapphire’.

This is the Hebrew word ‘sappeer’, meaning ‘to scratch, or to polish.’ It is the lapis lazuli stone, which is a deep blue with specks of iron pyrite. In Ezekiel, we find it forms the base of the throne of God (Ezek. 1:26, 10:1). In Exodus 24:10, it is shown as the pavement under the feet of God. The word ‘sappeer’ is used to speak of the polishing, or separation of defilements from those of the Nazarite vows. The verb from which ‘sappeer’ is taken means ‘to cut off’, ‘to divide’.

This stone refers to the ‘separated life’ of saints. The cutting off of that which is impure, the polishing of the life is a trait of many people of God. The blue color of the stone reminds us of the heavenly nature of the saints, and should be the ‘heavenly minded’ reason for the ‘separation from defilements.

“Simeon” was inscribed upon this stone. ‘Simeon’ means ‘hearing’. God hears when we cry out to Him. And as we separate from the defilements of the world, we hear God’s responses more clearly.

“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship, one with another.”

In hearing from God, the saints find God will instruct, comfort, perfect the saints with His words.


The sixth stone is called the ‘diamond’.

The ‘diamond’ was actually rock crystal, a clear stone. It is from the Hebrew word ‘yah-ghalohm’ meaning ‘to break in pieces or bruise’.

The name of ‘Gad’ was inscribed thereon. ‘Gad’ means ‘a troop’. God’s children are a countless number. Revelation 19 shows that Jesus will return as Captain of the troop of saints. The saints form an army that breaks the enemy in pieces. The enemy actually are a ‘troop’ that attack saints. But, it is we, the saints, who are victorious.

Genesis 49:19
“Gad... a troop shall attack him; but he shall drive them back at last.”

The three stones on this row show that we are to ‘see a Son,’ and be ‘hearing’, and then we will be a ‘troop’ of the Lord... to ‘break the enemies in pieces.’ God shows us to be an ‘unstable son’, but hearing and being polished by God, we finally will form a conquering multitude.

This troop has power. The Bible tells us that ‘where two or three’ agree, there is powerful miracles. We are also told, that ‘one shall chase a thousand, and two shall chase ten thousand’... so what shall a troop do???!

There are saints, who find that a troop of the enemy attacks, and attacks... The burdens, troubles, and trials seem overwhelming. But, if we are ‘overcomers’ (as exhorted to be in Revelation chapters 2 and 3), we shall be conquerors, breaking the enemy in pieces.

The seventh stone is called the ligure.

This is the Hebrew word ‘leh-sham’, and the stone which it is, is unsure. The most likely answer to the mystery is the jacinth, a fiery yellow stone. ‘Ephraim’ was inscribed thereupon. ‘Ephraim’ means ‘double fruit, double increase’.

John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.’

God has chosen for us to bear much fruit. The fruit described in the Bible is ‘love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, kindness, meekness, temperance, and faithfulness. This fruit is to be found in the Christian life, ‘without measure’.

Like the almond rod, cut off, and yet, in the morning, it is found covered with fruit, blossoms, and buds. There are saints, who are great testimonies to the world, for they show forth fruit of the Spirit, in such abundance, that the world marvels at the impossibility of such happening in the natural. The obvious miraculous nature of fruit being in such a person, with all the trials, burdens, and troubles in their lives, makes the world realize that Spirit of God has to be the Author of such fruit.

END OF PART ONE... SEE PART TWO OF 'BREASTPLATE'

The eighth stone is called the agate.

This is the Hebrew word ‘shvoo’. It is the banded sky-blue agate. It reminds us of the ‘blue’ sky, speaking of our heavenly nature.

The name of ‘Manasseh’ was inscribed thereupon. “Manasseh” means ‘forgetfulness’. One trait of the saints is meant to be ‘forgetfulness’. We often berate or denigrate ‘forgetfulness’, but it is a necessary feature we are supposed to have. Remembering some past things can be disturbing... Paul said he was ‘forgetting the things which are behind’... and pressed on toward the mark of the high calling of the Lord.

The sinfulness of the past, even the sinfulness of ‘earlier in the day’, need to be forgotten. The sins are forgiven, once we have repented to the Lord. He then forgets, and we are to train ourselves to do likewise.


Genesis 41:51
“And Joseph called the name of the firstborn, Manasseh, for God, said he, hath made me to forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.”

Joseph forgot two things, ‘his toil’... and ‘his father’s house’. Saints, likewise, are to cast off remembrance of the past. The old habits, regrets of former mistakes, murmurings of the past, old associations that brought us shame... are to be cast off, and forgotten. By doing so, we find a new liberty in the Lord.

Paul said he had to crucify himself daily. Putting old memories and shameful past deeds to death, is necessary. As ‘Saul, this man we call ‘Paul’, had been self righteous, a persecutor, a murderer. But He forgot the things which were behind, and occupied his mind with the glories that he saw in paradise, when shown those things there. The Lord had to put a present thorn in the flesh in Paul, or his whole time would have been consumed with the future blessings he saw were to come. The present work was all that the Lord wanted to remind Paul of, not the former, past things, that Paul had already forgotten, and refused to think about.

If saints would push into forgetfulness, many of the past injuries, hurt feelings, past sins, past times of being ‘abused’ ... how wonderful the services could become in those churches... But in too many, old memories of such things, fill the minds of saints, and the joy and victories cannot come to such church congregations, for the memories of past things shut out the joy of possible victories.

Lot’s wife, remembered some things of Sodom, that she hated to leave, and that past thinking... made her turn back and longingly gaze toward Sodom... God had instructed for all of them to not look back... and we too, are told to be forgetful, of ‘old things’... We are warned to ‘Remember Lot’s wife’. Lot’s wife, and we too, should forget the things and events that the Lord delivered us from at the moment of salvation.

“Old things are passed away, and all things have become new...” Abraham had to forget his former country (Ur), his kindred, and his father’s house... that he left to follow the Lord to the promised land.


The ninth stone is called the amethyst.

The Hebrew word is ‘agh-lah-mah’. This oriental amethyst is a stone of great hardness, purity, and beauty, of a fine violet or purple color.

‘Benjamin’, meaning ‘son of my right hand’, was inscribed thereupon. All glory is ascribed to the right hand of God... and it indicates power. Rachel, mother of Benjamin, had envy against Leah, who had born children to Jacob. Rachel said ‘Give me children, or else I die.’ She bore Joseph first, before Benjamin, and “Joseph’ means ‘the Lord shall give me another son.” So, even in the birth of Joseph, Rachel was looking forward to another son. She was pressing her will for that second son, and in giving birth to Benjamin, she died. If God grants all our petitions, we would likewise find some bring grief, and hurt. We are to be like ‘Benjamin’... and be God’s right hand and power. But we must yield to God’s will. Israel was self willed later, and wanted a king... God gave them Saul, a Benjamite, and they suffered the consequences. In mercy, God does not want us to have all ‘our’ desires, but we are to desire that which is the will of God.

The first name given to Benjamin, was ‘ben-oni’, meaning ‘son of my sorrow.’ There are some saints, who are so zealous of some things that are not the will of God, that the seeking for them brings sorrow and pain to many. Jacob, renamed Ben-oni, to Benjamin, making the ‘last’ to be the first... and Benjamin was given the pre-eminence of being the son of the right hand.

God’s saints are given pre-eminence... We are not literal ‘sons of Abraham’... but are the branch grafted into the vine... and become ‘heirs’ with Christ, and can come ‘boldly unto the throne of grace’, and we can now call God to be ‘Abba Father’.

The tenth stone is called the beryl.

The beryl is the Hebrew word ‘tarshish’ meaning ‘to break or subdue.’ It is the citrine quartz. The “wheels’ that moved in all directions in Ezekiel 1:16, 10:9, were the color of beryl.

On this stone was inscribed the name ‘Dan’. ‘Dan’ means ‘judgment’. Dan was to judge his people. He was also to be a ‘lion’s whelp, leaping on the prey from Bashan.’ (Genesis 49:16, Deuteronomy 33:22) This means he was to be changing from the prey, to the conquering of the prey... From being a lion’s cub, to being the devourer and judge of others.

In this world now, we, the saints, are the lion’s whelp... Children of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and yet someday, we shall become judges of this sinful world.

I Corinthians 5:12
“Know ye not, that the saints shall judge the world.’

We are not judges yet, but we shall someday make a great leap, and someday soon, be judges. In Revelation 5, following the rapture, we find saints sitting on thrones.

Jesus did not come in His first coming to judge, but to take our judgment. In His second coming, He shall come as Judge. Saints are not in this time to be judges of others, we are told to ‘judge’ ourselves (I Corinthians 11)... Soon, when we return with Jesus at the second coming, we will be judges. In this time, we are to prepare for the later judgment duties, by ‘judging or examining ourselves’... discovering our shortcomings, infirmities, and corruption.

Too many saints get their later duty of judgment in operation too soon... We have all found saints who try to be judges of every one else. Others are not our servants, but we all answer to the Lord. Until that judgment seat of Christ, we are not to take on ourselves the job of judgment.

The eleventh stone is called the onyx.

The onyx is the Hebrew word ‘shoh-ham’. It was a white and brown layered stone. The name ‘shoh-ham’ means ‘a flashing forth of splendor.’

Two other onyx stones were on the High Priest, they were part of the shoulder pieces. The names of all the twelve tribes were inscribed on these stones, in order of birth. The saints, all of them, have ‘flashes’ of splendor and blessedness. Mercy, pardon, forgiveness, and blessedness are found in all saints.

The name of ‘Asher’ was inscribed upon this stone. ‘Asher’ means ‘blessedness’. The word ‘blessed’ in Psalms is the plural of ‘asher’.

Psalms 32:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.’

Leah gave this name ‘Asher’ to her adopted son (son of Zilpah, her bond maid), because of her own joy... she felt blessed by the adoption of this son. We, the saints, are blessed sons of adoption to the Lord... We, who were once ‘of our father the devil’ are now ‘sons of God.’

Mary, mother of Jesus, said ‘all generations shall call me ‘blessed’” This is the same word ‘makarius’, which is the word the Septuaguint translates ‘Asher’. Likewise, the believer is ‘blessed, and should flash forth as a blessing to others, and be a blessing to each other (I Th. 2:19-20, Philippians 4:1, III John 4).

Psalms 68:19
“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.”

The twelfth stone is called the jasper.

This is the Hebrew word ‘jahsh-peh’. It is the plasma jasper stone, which is nearly emerald green with black spots or yellow patches on it.

“Naphtali’ was inscribed thereupon. “Naphtali’ means ‘wrestling, to twist’. It is not the same word as used of Jacob when he ‘wrestled’ all night with the Lord. But it is the same idea as ‘prevailed’. Rachel gave this name to her son of Bilhah (her maid). She had prevailed to have a son, finally, even if it had to be the son of her maid.

Revelation 4:3
“He that sat on the throne was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone.’ This shows that Jesus has ‘prevailed’ to be enthroned.

Genesis 49:21
“Naphtali is a hind let loose, he giveth goodly words.’

A ‘hind’ that is let loose, prevails, and continues to live. We can prevail with Christ, and even though sins may bind us, troubles may surround us, and burdens may weigh us down, we can prevail, and speak words of joy and testimony for the Lord.

Habakkuk 3:19
‘The Lord God is my strength; and He will make my feet like hind’s feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.’

We wrestle, fight, and struggle in life... but we are to be overcomers, conquerors, ... Paul said, ‘when I am weak, then am I strong’... The wrestling, the battle, and the weariness thereof, should not hinder our zeal and message. The last stone on the breastplate emphasizes a prevailing battle, and a message of ‘goodly words’.

The Breastplate of Judgment... a voice of God

The ephod, its shoulder stones, the breastplate, and the two stones inside that pocket, formed the prophetic dress of the High Priest, the speaking voice of God to His people. By means of these items of clothing, the High Priest could learn the counsel and judgment of God on various problems the nation would face. He could then declare the course of action that the people should take. He could sometimes then tell what events were about to happen.

Abiathar (the only surviving priest of the line of Eli) fled to David with the ephod, having escaped being killed at Nob. David, using these parts of the High Priest’s garments, ascertained the purpose of the men of Keilah was to deliver David up to Saul. (I Samuel 23:6).

At Ziglag, David again consulted the Lord’s answer through Abiathar and the garments, and obtained a favorable answer. (I Samuel 30:7-8)

Later, David enquired of the Lord, and obtained favorable answers. (II Samuel 2:1). In these three cases, the ark of the covenant was not with David, only the priest and the breastplate on the ephod, with the urim and thummin within it.

God spoke to His people, answered their questions, gave judgment of situations, via the garments of the High Priest... The breastplate, is called the ‘breastplate of judgment’... and yet, too many have viewed and studied such breastplate, as though it were only a decorative item of clothing. It was so much more, and we need to see what God is showing us in ‘shadow’, in type, and in symbolism... with the breastplate, and the two (seldom mentioned) stones that were carried within it.

THE URIM AND THE THUMMIN
BESTOWMENT GIFTS OF SPEAKING


From the Breastplate ... a voice of God



The ephod, its shoulder stones, the breastplate, and the two stones inside that pocket, formed the prophetic dress of the High Priest, the speaking voice of God to His people. By means of these items of clothing, the High Priest could learn the counsel and judgment of God on various problems the nation would face. He could then declare the course of action that the people should take. He could sometimes then tell what events were about to happen. This is a gift that all of us in ministry today need also. Jesus is still bestowing gifts to the ministries.

Abiathar (the only surviving priest of the line of Eli) fled to David with the ephod, having escaped being killed at Nob. David, using these parts of the High Priest’s garments, ascertained the purpose of the men of Keilah was to deliver David up to Saul. (I Samuel 23:6).

At Ziglag, David again consulted the Lord’s answer through Abiathar and the garments, and obtained a favorable answer. (I Samuel 30:7-8)

Later, David enquired of the Lord, and obtained favorable answers. (II Samuel 2:1). In these three cases, the ark of the covenant was not with David, only the priest and the breastplate on the ephod, with the urim and thummin within it.

God spoke to His people, answered their questions, gave judgment of situations, via the garments of the High Priest. The breastplate, is called the ‘breastplate of judgment’, and yet, too many have viewed and studied such breastplate, as though it were only a decorative item of clothing. It was so much more, and we need to see what God is showing us in ‘shadow’, in type, and in symbolism, with the breastplate, and the two (seldom mentioned) stones that were carried within it.

We do not receive a literal breastplate to wear, nor do we receive literal urim and thummin. Yet, there is the spiritual gifts, that those things represented, that we can receive in this age. We need to see what they represent, what they teach to us, so as to be cognitive of the blessings Jesus bestows to us, ministered to us by the Holy Spirit, and planned by God for us.


The URIM and the THUMMIN


Exodus 28:30
“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment, the urim and thummin; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart when he goeth in before the Lord; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart continually.”

The breastplate and its contents, the urim and thummim, were over the ‘heart’ of Aaron. The ones to whom we minister must be upon our hearts, must be carried as something for which we have a great loving burden, if we want to have these gifts bestowed upon us in these days.

The breastplate was folded so as to form a bag, a pocket, and the urim and thummin were placed within it. (See Exodus 28:30, Leviticus 8:8, Numbers 27:21, Deuteronomy 33:8, I Samuel 28:6, Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65)

“Urim” means ‘lights, enlightenment”. It is the Hebrew word ‘uwriym’, the plural of ‘uwr’. ‘Uwr’ means ‘light, flame, to enlighten, to set on fire.’ Urim is also translated ‘fire’ in Isaiah 24:15 ‘wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires.”, and in Isaiah 31:9 ‘his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose ‘fire’ is in Zion.” (See also Isaiah 44:16, 47:14, and 50:11).

“Thummin” means ‘perfection, integrity.” This is from the Hebrew word ‘tummiym’ which is the plural of ‘tom’. “Tom’ means ‘completeness, innocence, and integrity, upright, perfect.’

In the Septuaguint, these words are translated with the Greek words ‘delosis’ and ‘aletheia’, meaning ‘manifestation and truth”.

These were already made when Moses told about them, and who made them, from where they came, is not told.

The High Priest, with the urim and thummin, became the channel by which God would speak and manifest His opinions and decisions. The High Priest could have been judged harshly for decisions he would have to make. He could have been charged with favoritism, harshness, leniency, etc. But God made the urim and thummin, which in some way revealed God’s judgment. The High Priest became only the conveyor of the Lord’s message. The High Priest was given enlightenment and integrity.

James 1:17 shows that God is called ‘the Father of lights, from Whom every good and every perfect gift cometh down.” These urim and thummin represent the presence of the Lord, in our hearts, there to give enlightenment, and perfect wisdom and counsel freely to us.



Operation of the urim and thummin

Supposedly, Joseph Smith received plates and instruments called ‘interpreters’ (urim and thummin) which helped him translate the ‘reformed Egyptian’ and made from that the ‘Book of Mormon” on September 22, 1827. This is, of course, not truth, and a misrepresentation of what the urim and thummin were, and how they operated. For the reason of this ‘Mormon’ story, many in Christian circles have avoided studying the urim and thummin. In fact, many in Christianity, have never heard of these stones.

There are three channels by which God spoke in the Old Testament.

We find them revealed in I Samuel 28:6:
“When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by urim, nor by prophets.”

Abiathar used the urim and thummin to answer David’s questions and concerns (I Sam. 22:20-23, 30:7-8). But we see that Saul had no dreams to answer his quandry, the urim would not answer him, and no prophet was given a message from God to answer him.

In Numbers 27:21, Eleazar, the priest was to ask counsel for Joshua ‘after the judgment of the urim, before the Lord.’ Moses had authority over the High Priest, but Joshua was to ask counsel of the High Priest through the urim and thummin. Joshua later failed to get such counsel later (Joshua 9) and was deceived by the Gibeonites.

Many in ministry today, try to use their textbooks from learned ministers of the past, their psychology books from educated scientific minds of the recent past, and from self help books of wise? advice. These pale in comparison to the available counsel of the Lord Himself, our urim and thummin.

The tradition told by the Rabbi’s was that the High Priest put on his robes and went in to the inner veil. Facing the veil, all alone, with the person wanting to know the answer standing outside. The High Priest would inquire of God, speaking audibly. Then he would withdraw the urim and thummin, and somehow receive the answer. The rabbis indicated that the shining of the stones, one or both, in some way indicated an answer.

Josephus said– ‘Now the breastplate and this sardonyx left off shining 200 years before I composed this book.”

The Jewish encyclopedia suggests that the urim and thummin were in the form of sacred dice. Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible also claims that the urim and thummin were two stones, used by the High Priest in casting lots.
Some have in great error thought that we can substitute these ‘urim and thummin’ with the ‘flip of a coin’, or the ‘tossing of dice’ to get answers. That may be an easy way to get ‘an’ answer, but these stones represent the wise, personal, direct, and perfect enlightenment that the Lord Himself wants to convey upon those who carry His people upon their heart in love.

A story involving Saul gives us an idea of the modus operandi of the urim and thummin.

I Samuel 24:41:
‘And Saul said, Lord God of Israel, why hast thou not answered thy servant this day. If this iniquity be in me; or in my son, Jonathan; Lord God of Israel, give urim. But if it be in Thy people Israel, give thummin. Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot.”

Some things we can note from this story are that the urim and thummin were recognized as a method to find and discern guilt. One question seems to be answered at a time. There was an agreed upon interpretation of the stones beforehand.

In Jesus, we find all the lights and perfections, all the grace and truth, all the mercies and righteousness.

Jesus is the LIGHT, and Jesus manifests forth that light.
He is urim.

Also, in Jesus, we find ‘PERFECTIONS’.
He is the thummin.

Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of God. He lived a sinless life, tempted of the devil himself, but unblemished, unsoiled by sin. Jesus, as the great High Priest, made manifest the counsels and purposes of God. He is the light to our lives, He has no darkness at all. He is the brightness or shining forth of God’s glory. He dwells within His people, as the urim and thummin were within the breastplate of the twelve stones. And looking to Him, we find all the answers to our problems.

The word ‘urim’ begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the ‘aleph’.

The word ‘thummin’ begins with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the ‘tau’.

Jesus spoke saying ‘I am the alpha and omega’ (Rev. 22:13).
These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

Likely, Jesus spoke it in Hebrew, and it was translated into the Greek by John. So, what Jesus said, was “I am the aleph and the tau.”

Jesus said also:
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Rev. 1:8
“...saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” Rev. 1:11
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Rev 21:6...

Is there correlation between the urim and thummin, and the words of Jesus there? Jesus said He was the ‘beginning’ (arche, Greek)... and He said He was the ‘first’ (protos, Greek)... He also said He was the ‘end’ (telos, Greek) and the ‘last’ (eschatos, Greek) ‘Arche’ means ‘the first cause, the opposite of ‘telos’. ‘Protos’ means the ‘first of several, the earliest, the most important.’ These words bear a striking similarity to the words ‘urim and thummin’, and the fact that both sets are the first and last letters of the particular alphabet, also bears noting.

So, Jesus seems to be showing us, that He is the fulfilment of the ‘urim and thummin’. He is the ‘first’ (the original picture type, and He is the ‘last’, (the final fulfillment of the type.) He is the One predicted to come, Who would speak for the God of heaven, giving mankind the answers they desire to have.

Jesus is seen in the vision of the Son of man in Rev. 1:12-16, to be the High Priest, in the midst of the seven churches, and the ‘eyes’ are seen to be as a ‘flame of fire’ (‘urim’ means ‘fires’). The ‘eyes’ of the Lord, there, searched the ways of the ‘seven churches’, judging their works and faith.

The breastplate was called the ‘breastplate of judgment’, for the urim and thummin were used to judge.

Revelation 19:12
“...eyes were as a flame of fire...”

Daniel 10:6
“... eyes were lamps of fire”

The urim and thummin were types of Jesus as He was to come.
He is our Judge, He answers our questions, He sees as with eyes of fire into our souls, and He dwells amidst His people, as the urim and thummin dwelt within the breastplate of twelve stones.

The urim and thummin were instruments ordained of God, kept hidden within the pouch of the breastplate. This breastplate was worn only when the High Priest was clothed with the ephod. The urim and thummin were used to find God’s will and guidance. God’s decisions were ascertained with the use of the breastplate and the hidden stones within, were the most vital part of the breastplate.

We, in this age, in the various ministries to which we are called, have Jesus dwelling within us. He has all the answers to the various problems we encounter with those that are on the breastplate. We need enlightenment and wisdom from the Lord, and Jesus is there to speak to us, His guidance, His judgments of the situations. How blessed we are to be in this kind of ministry. The answers are there, abiding within us, upon our heart.

THE O.T. COVENANT FORESHADOWED
THE N.T. COVENANT

Hebrews 6:17-20
17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge (as to the cities of refuge, or to the horns of the burnt altar at the tabernacle) to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:22,24
22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
24. But this Man, because He continueth forever hath an unchangeable priesthood.

These verses tell us that the Lord has given us a new covenant, one that includes:
1. a Promise (6:17)
2. an Oath (6:17)
3. a Hope (6:18-19)
4. a Forerunner (6:20, 7:22)
5. and finally the covenant that made us a Continuing priesthood (7:24)


THE PROMISE AND OATH OF THE COVENANT

In His Word, the Lord has given us a promise of a new covenant. He has desired that we "obtain the promise". The Lord wants us to have faith in His promises. Therefore, He made an oath to us in His Word to confirm to us His intention to fulfill His promises.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
"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... 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. ...I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

When the nation of Israel had sinned so badly that God was about to start a terrible judgment against them, He gave them a promise of a new covenant. We are now in the age of the new covenant, and can enjoy its blessings. Jesus spoke of this new covenant:

Luke 22:20
Likewise, also the cup, after supper saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you..."

God's new covenant is definitely grace, and was provided for us by our Lord on the cross. He gave His body and blood on calvary for us, and now His death can atone for our sinfulness. The old covenant caused the people to strive, work, and do sacrifices for atonement. The new covenant brings an inward change, and provides a divine nature within its recipients.

II Peter 1:1-4
"... whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust..."

Paul warns of the tendency of many people in the new covenant to return to the old covenant. There is still that inclination in our day. Many seek to justify themselves by good works. This makes the new covenant of no effect for them.

Galatians 5:4
"Christ is come of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

Jesus' new covenant is much better than the old covenant. In the old covenant, the sinners could run for the cities of refuge. We can run to Jesus... The cities of refuge are mentioned in Hebrews 6:18, as referring to the fact that Jesus is better than these "cities of refuge..." These cities were places where a person charged with serious crime could flee to find refuge and safety until a judgment could be made. If the person were apprehended before reaching the city of refuge, he would be slain.

There were six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan. The elders there could investigate the case. If the person were found guilty, he could live safely in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest, then he could return home.

We, in Christianity, are often attacked, abused, and falsely accused. We need a refuge, and Jesus is that Refuge. The cities of refuge of the Old Testament were a temporary, perishable refuge that has since been eliminated.

Jesus is the permanent, eternal refuge. His message to us, is to reveal His way to find such refuge in Him. Jesus is eternal, and will never die as the High Priest did.

Jesus is the "Anchor" that can hold us from drifting, from being blown into dangerous shoals by the stormy winds of the day. He holds firm, and gives us security and safety. When a storm comes, the ship needed a bay or harbor in which to hide. If no such safe place can be found, an anchor was the only hope. The anchor was an early and popular symbol of Christianity. At least 66 pictures of anchors are found in the catacombs.

THE HOPE OF THE COVENANT

Because of the fact of Jesus being a refuge for us, an anchor for us... we have hope in the promise and oath of the Word. The Word offers us a covenant. This covenant is vital, necessary, and mandatory for Christians.

In the old covenant, Israel lost hope, and wanted to return to Egypt. If we lose hope in this covenant, we will be drawn back to the sins of the past. We must patiently hope during these long days until the rapture, just as the nation of Israel awaited the promised land as they crossed the wilderness. We do not want to lose hope and to die in a wilderness of despair, as did sinful Israel. If we want to inherit the promise, we need to maintain hope.

Hebrews 6:12 NIV
"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

THE FORERUNNER OF THE COVENANT

Jesus was the "forerunner" of the covenant. He entered into the Holy of Holies of God's presence. We, through the covenant can also enter into this Holy Presence.

Jesus took on a human nature in order to regain man's lost dominion and relationship with God. Man had lost his priesthood relationship with God. Sin had robbed mankind of that relationship. Adam and Eve originally had dominion over creation. Man had been crowned "with ...glory and honor..." (Hebrews 2:7) Man became a slave to sin. Jesus, our forerunner, came to regain that crown, that relationship. Now that we have seen that Jesus has gotten the crown and glory, and we have been promised by this forerunner that we can be His joint-heirs...

A forerunner is one who precedes, to prepare the way for those who come after. Our Forerunner, Jesus, prepared the way for us to receive the blessed new covenant.

THE ETERNAL AND CONTINUING PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

The covenant that God is offering to us is an eternal priesthood. We can fellowship with the Lord, come right into His presence at any time. He will listen to our intercession. Jesus is our High Priest. He is the "surety" of this covenant. It is a sure, eternal, unchangeable covenant with God.


BENEFITS OF THE COVENANT

Hebrews 10:19-25
19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
20. By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.
21. And having an High Priest over the house of God.
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.
23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised
24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works;
25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.


Let us realize what these verses are promising us:

1. Entrance into the Holy of Holies of God's presence
In this new covenant, we are no longer shut out by the veil that separated the priesthood of the Old Testament period from the Holy of Holies. The veil, now rent... the new covenant now given... the priesthood of this covenant can enter into God's presence whenever we desire. This is a blessing beyond measure...
2. Having a High Priest in Jesus
Many will not realize until heaven, when they take remedial training courses up there for failing to have studied down here, that the Lord Jesus is a High Priest Who can mediate our requests for us. Some may want "St. Christopher", or some one else to do such... But we have Jesus Himself, Who died for us, Who made access for us to heaven... to actually be our intercessory High Priest in this new covenant. This is a wondrous covenant blessing.


3. Purity from sin and a guilty conscience

The old covenant could only have lambs, turtledoves, goats, and bulls to give a covering of blood for sin. When we are in the new covenant, we are totally washed clean in the blood of Jesus Christ Himself. His blood atones, and completely washes away our sins.

Hebrews 10:1
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."

The "shadow" only reflects the nearness of the actual substance. The law and its sacrifices only reflected the image of the true embodiment of our faith, Jesus Christ. This new covenant provides through Jesus real forgiveness, real change, and freedom from the bondage of sin.



4. A profession of faith

Isaiah 61:6
"But ye shall be called the priests of the Lord, men shall call you the ministers of God..."

We can make a profession of our status, for it is not a mystery any longer, it is a realized, and actual, fact. We can take a stand on our faith, and know with assurance that He Who promised will continue to perform it, and to bring it to completion. Never be ashamed of this new covenant. It is magnificent.


5. A fellowship with others of the faith

We are not alone in this covenant. Many others also share this wonderful, incredible, and fantastic blessing. We are placed with them in the covenant to work together.

I Peter 2:5-9
"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."


6. Exhortation from and to others


This ministry in the new covenant makes us necessary to each other. We cannot feel isolated, but must bear each others burdens, intercede for one another, exhort, and encourage each other.


Hebrews 10:25
"Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another..."


7. A day approaching of greater fulfillment of the covenant

The new covenant is wondrous now, but soon it shall become even more awesome. We walk in newness of life now, but soon we shall stand with Him in glory. We shall then begin to rule and reign with our Lord.


Revelation 20:6
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but that they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him 1000 years."

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