Category: Holy Spirit

When This is That: I Will Put My Spirit in You

On By TimIn Ezekiel 36, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries. According to their ways and according to their deeds, I judged them. (Ezekiel 36:16–19, MEV)

Here is Ezekiel providing God’s word to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. The Kingdom has already been divided between the 10 northern tribes, usually called Israel who were overtaken by the Assyrians. There were also the southern tribes Judah and Levi, collectively called Judah. Ezekiel is a prophet speaking God’s truth to—Israel.

The northern kingdom had already been dispersed in judgment at the time. It consisted of ten tribes, which some call the lost tribes. These people became integrated among the Gentile nations. At the time of Jesus’ first advent, the name ascribed to those people was Samaritans.

Judah was also scattered into Babylon. After 70 years of captivity, those people returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They resettled the land. This was the Israel present during the physical lifetime of Jesus Christ.

In his speaking for God, Ezekiel uses some very strong language to demonstrate the detestable nature of the practices of the Israelis. Ones that brought the judgment of the Most High. He did not eradicate His people. Instead, He scattered them into the nations of the world. Where they have remained until modern times.

When they entered the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name, because they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord and have gone forth out of His land.” But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.  (Ezekiel 36:20–21, MEV)

This is the trouble with sin. It always has a penchant for suppressing the knowledge of God. When God judged His people and dispersed them from the land, it caused more damage to be done to His name in the minds of the Gentiles.

This may lack some context, as it reflects a common conception in the Ancient Near East. It is basically the connection between a god, his nation, and the people of that nation. These all possessed the land. When the land’s inhabitants were removed from it, the prevailing wisdom was that the god of that land dispossessed his people. They were driven away because their god abandoned them.

God had a different plan. He never intended to abandon His people.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the sanctity of My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified among you before their eyes.  (Ezekiel 36:22–23, MEV)

God’s plan from the beginning included the salvation of all the people of all nations. I know this text doesn’t say that, per se. Yet, the entirety of the Bible proclaims that the death of Jesus is for the whole world, and that anyone who wants eternal life needs only believe to receive it. This is why Abram and his descendants were chosen as a blessing to the whole world. This is not just the promise of the Messiah; it is to be their testimony to share this message with all people in all nations.

I will make of you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless them who bless you
and curse him who curses you,
and in you all families of the earth
will be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3

The Most High is protecting His Name among the other nations. If He abandoned His people, He could not keep His promises to them. When the Bible declares the hope that the nations shall know that I am Lord, it is not that they would acknowledge Him as that. It’s that they all might believe!

That was the primary mission of the whole nation of Israel. They were not chosen as His people to be saved, but to make Him, and salvation, known to the world. This is the hope that all the people of the world might be saved. They failed miserably at that mission and compounded that failure by rejecting their King. That’s for another time.

For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24, MEV)

God promises to bring back the lost tribes into the land He gave to Abram, as a possession. God made the covenant with Himself. It has no conditions or contingencies attached to it, and it certainly does not expire. When both the 10 Israeli tribes are regathered with Judah and Levi into the Land, this would be the ultimate fulfillment of the promise made to Abram. It would also be the catalyst for restoring His Name among the nations of the world.

Though Judah and part of Levi returned to Jerusalem and settled the Land, this particular promise of regathering the lost northern tribes has never happened in history. With the birth of the modern nation of Israel, it seems as if those of us alive today are eyewitnesses to God making this happen. Jewish people are being drawn to return to Israel.

The contemporary cultural zeitgeist blames the nation of Israel for the world’s problems. Anti-Zionism is increasing. That factor doesn’t surprise me. Jesus said it would happen as the end of the age approaches.

Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all your filthiness and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. Also, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you will be My people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:25–28, MEV)

It cannot be overstated, and it must be understood. This promise is made to Israel. It was not made for the church or even Gentiles. Some in Christian circles have usurped this and other Scriptures to claim that the church is the new Israel. That is not true, but it is an understandable thing, what with the absence of Israel for almost 2,000 years. How would anything the Bible says about the future of Israel make sense?

May 14, 1948, became an impetus for changing minds and increasing Bible study, and that quickly. I mean, how can a nation be born in a day?

The promise God made to maintain His reputation was given to the nation of Israel. God was going to remove the sin. All of it. They would be given a new heart and spirit that wouldn’t be so indifferent. The Holy Spirit would live in them, causing them to walk in the right ways. They would finally dwell in the Land God gave them as an inheritance.

Now, I know this may seem controversial. But none of those things are promised to any Gentile in Ezekiel 36. Yet the modern-day New Testament believer is gifted all of that (except for living in the Land.) The church is not some continuation of Israel, nor did it supersede or replace Israel.

Then, how is it that Christians have these things?

In a single parable, Jesus explains the situation. It is found in Matthew 21. Before Jesus concluded His account, He confirmed the answer the crowd gave to His question to them. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.  (Matthew 21:43, MEV)

Those present that day understood Jesus, and they tried to arrest Him. They were actually acting out the very words of the parable they had just heard. They proved Jesus to be right.

So the Kingdom of God was given to another. Paul tells us what that means…

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.  (Romans 9:3–5, MEV)

What it was to be an Israelite, that is, the adoption, glory, covenants, promises, and the service of God, is given to another nation. Collectively, that is the body of Christ, the body of believers today that began on Pentecost. What some refer to as the church, as in the universal church.

But before we get full of ourselves… The transfer would be temporary.

I say then, has God rejected His people? God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed Your altars. I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So then at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:1–5, MEV)

I encourage you to continue reading Romans 11. But for the purposes here, there is always a believing remnant.

As an aside, there are words in Christianese that are loaded with baggage. One is election. Most think election is for and to salvation. It’s not. It’s about service to God. Which is clear in this case.

The church body is a hybrid consisting of both Israelites and Gentiles. It benefits from all those promises and privileges given to Israel by being grafted into the Root. It is an agrarian reference. One that speaks of the privilege of service to bear fruit. Paul explains it.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the root and richness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you boast, remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. You will say then, “The branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.” This is correct. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.  (Romans 11:17–21, MEV)

When a horticulturist grafts a branch into a solid root, the goal is better fruit. Therefore, this passage is about bearing fruit, and connected with the earlier parable cited when Jesus spoke of the vineyard workers; today’s believers can bear the fruit God wants.

Again, as an aside, this passage is sometimes used to support a false teaching. That is, that salvation can be lost. That simply is not true. This is about working for the kingdom of God and bearing fruit. Yes, doing even that requires faith!

Most of those things Ezekiel wrote of are true for New Testament believers—Christians. When we believe, we are washed clean.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25–27, MEV)

We are also given a new heart and spirit. Basically, we become a new creation where old things pass away and we are made new.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, MEV)

Not really last, and certainly never least is the Spirit of God that indwells us believers.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you.  (Romans 8:9–11, MEV)

You see, this is that!

What I mean is all of those things Ezekiel promised to the Israelites are still for them. But New Testament Christians have some of them now. If we were to manifest these gifts the right way, and the Jewish people of today were somewhat familiar with their Tanakh, wonderful things could happen.

Perhaps they would recognize that the gifts promised to them are at work today in the body of Christ. Maybe that would be the impetus to provoke them to jealousy.

That’s not a bad thing. That’s how it is to be done.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?  (Romans 11:11–12, MEV)

As I think about that. I have some of the promises and privileges given to Israel. These are mine today.

If you are Jewish… Wouldn’t you want them today?

Why Did God Take His People Out of Egypt?

On By TimIn Exodus 29, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

That’s a question that reveals much more than one thinks.

I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Exodus 29:45–46

God took His people out of Egypt because He could not dwell with them there. This was revealed to Moses as he was given instructions for the people to build the tabernacle. That tent would be the place where the presence of God dwelt among the people.

As Israel wandered in the wilderness, God did dwell with them. When they crossed into the Promised Land, God dwelt with them there. When Solomon built the Temple, God’s presence dwelt in Jerusalem among the people of Israel.

Knowing the Tanakh, it is clear Israel as a nation stumbled much. The struggles Israel had with sin eventually made it impossible for God to dwell among them. It’s not so much that He couldn’t or wouldn’t… It’s that their sin made them forget about Him.

I’m not saying they forgot He was there or even Who He is, they forgot to maintain that intentional relationship with Him. As even we are prone to do today, even with His presence inside of us. The corrupting influence of sin is real. It suppresses the Truth.

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

Romans 1:18

Unrighteousness has a dangerous way of interference. With it we tend to forget about the goodness of God. In the place of that comes the reminder of the wrath of God. That knowledge can become burdensome if left to fester. As I said before, this can and does happen to believers today. We become caught in things, forgetting to maintain that relationship, and then procrastinate. The enemy uses it to shame us.

But… There is always a quick cure. Stop and fix it. Run to Him and confess your sins. Keep the tally sheet blank.

The patterns associated with this had some real consequences for the Israeli people. When the advent of their expected King came, they didn’t even know the time of visitation.

When He came near, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known even today what things would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

Luke 19:41–42

Eventually they were given over to their blindness. Just as the Temple and Jerusalem were sacked and the people taken captive to Assyria and Babylon, it would happen again just as foretold in Daniel.

Though Israel’s lament would eventually become a blessing to the entire world. In the day of her expected visitation, Jesus taught a parable of the vineyard and vinedressers. He used it to show how the leaders of Israel were actively plotting to kill Him. They clearly understood what He said. The relationship between the vineyard owner and the vinedressers was broken, despite all that the owner had done for them. With that in mind, Jesus followed was this declaration to them.

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.

Matthew 21:43

What did Jesus mean by that?

Well, just as God called His people out of Egypt, He is calling another people out of the nations of the world. All of the privileges of Israel would be taken away and given to another. Paul addressed this.

I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

Romans 9:1–5

One of those privileges is that God dwelt among the people. Another was that they had the privilege to share God with the whole world. The early church in Jerusalem knew this.

God, who knows the heart, approved of them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and made no distinction between them and us, and purified their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:8–9

But unlike in Israel of before the death of Jesus where the presence of God dwelt in a physical place, the presence of God would now be in the individual believer. Each of us is now the temple of the Living God.

He calls all of us out of the world. Egypt is idiomatic of the world. He does that so that He may dwell with us. The Holy Spirit is ours forever. Jesus said it.

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you.

John 14:16–17

The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire

On By TimIn Holy Spirit3 Comments

Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearby. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” Therefore, God led the people around, through the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up prepared for war out of the land of Egypt.
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely attend to you, and you shall carry my bones away from here with you.”
They took their journey from Sukkoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

Exodus 13:17–22

Having just spent the past few days at a conference where the Holy Spirit was emphasized, it seemed appropriate to adapt this part of a small group study presented on Exodus 13 and post it here. In all the typologies presented in Exodus leading up to the selection above, we have encountered the working of God Almighty (El Shaddai, the Father) and the Lamb (Jesus Christ.) As these have worked to free the Israelites from bondage, we meet this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. The question then comes… What (really Who) is this cloud?

I think the answer may surprise some. I think the cloud is the perfect typification of the Holy Spirit. I think the immediate text of Exodus clearly indicates this. Here is why.

Then the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them, and the pillar of the cloud moved before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and there was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night. Therefore, the one did not come near the other the entire night.

Exodus 14:19–20

Encountering this text is quite an eye-opener. The angel of God properly understood is none other than a Christophany. It is the person of Jesus Christ as He interacts with people as recorded in the Tanakh. In our minds, we may tend to think that Jesus is the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire. The text gives us a distinction. The use of the conjunction and joins the two ideas together. It would follow that if the angel of God has the attributes of a unique Person, then this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire must also. They Both move in similar ways. But the Angel of God moved to flank the Israelites, while the Pillar of Cloud moved before them and also stood behind them. It is like they were being commissioned.

If you know me. I like to discover patterns in the Scriptures. I consider this to be one of those things that patterns something yet future. The Israelis were saved from and called out of bondage. The purpose was to serve the Lord. We might tend to think of that as just them making animal sacrifices… But I think it is far more. It was to be a witness of Him to the entire world. In a sense, I see this as the same commissioning that Jesus gave His disciples.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

John 20:21–23

The account of the Exodus gives us the pattern Jesus repeats. Just as God sent Jesus, God sent the Angel of the Lord. Just as Jesus sent His apostles (picture Him behind them sending them out,) the Angel of the Lord flanks Israel. Just as Jesus was revealing the Holy Spirit to His disciples, we see the same action of the Angel of the Lord revealing the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The first thing we can know of the Holy Spirit is that He comes as a gift. Though the initial text from Exodus 13 does not call Him a gift, God gives Him as a guide to the Israelis. He guides and He gives light to them. The New Testament testifies to the fact that the Holy Spirit is a gift.

“Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38

This is the first place we encounter this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. I(t is clear that the Holy Spirit covers and guides these Hebrews. The Angel of God removed Himself to reveal the Holy Spirit. This is yet another pattern that is revealed in the New Testament.

“The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned. For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift, which came after many trespasses, leads to justification. For if by one man’s trespass death reigned through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:16–17

The Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb. Just as the Lamb was sacrificed for the Passover, the Holy Spirit comes to those saved from death. The Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb has given His life.

The evidence indicates that this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire typify the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What else can we know from the Tanakh about His work?

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The prophet Isaiah tells us overtly of how God’s Spirit works. But it is the Septuagint that is laser-focused, revealing Him precisely.

And God’s spirit will rest on him, a spirit of wisdom and intelligence, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and piety. He will fill him with a spirit of the fear of God; he will not judge according to reputation or reprove according to speech.

Isaiah 11:2–3 (Lexham English Septuagint)

The Holy Spirit comes to the believer with a sevenfold ministry of gifts and activities. These things are witnessed to us by the prophet Isaiah, and expounded upon by the Jewish scholars who translated the Hebrew text into Greek.

Somehow, I want to work the following into a numbered list of seven, and that may work out. I would rather just explore what the Bible says about the working of the Spirit, I think that would be more appropriate. So let’s check it out.

Comforter, Counselor, Advocate

“I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever:”

John 14:16

The Greek word paraclete is translated in that text as Counselor. Other translations use the words Comforter and Advocate, (not a conclusive list.) There is no single English word that suffices to encompass the meaning of the word. Paraclete is used much like the idea of a lawyer in court. One that comes alongside to help. Think of the lawyer for a moment. His skill is in knowing the intricacies of the law. He also offers advice and counsel to his clients. The lawyer is an active advocate for the person.

This serves as a unique starting point. It is easy to see how the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire comes alongside the Israelites. In how the cloud is present with the Israelites, day and night He provides comfort. His presence is as a Comforter. He covers Israel.

“He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night.” 

Psalm 105:39

In the same way that the Pillar, the Holy Spirit comes into each of us believers as cover and protection.

In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13–14

Paul calls Him the Seal of a believer. The earnest (or down payment) of a sure promise to be delivered. In that way, the Holy Spirit is both covering and protecting the believer in the same way the Pillar did for the Israelis. This text also conveys the idea that the Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb.

The Holy Spirit gives counsel.

“He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His statues and the ordinance that He gave them.” 

Psalm 99:7

Clearly, God speaks to Israel through the Cloud. He counsels them as a guide to keep His ordinances and to go His ways.

“But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come.”

John 16:13

One can trust the Holy Spirit to complete His minsitry in the believer. Just as the Pillar spoke to Israel, reminding them… The Spirit does the same in us

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

John 14:26

The Pillar advocated for Israel. He did not forsake them in the wilderness.

yet You in Your great mercy did not forsake them in the wilderness: The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them in the way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way they should go.

Nehemiah 9:19

His presence was a testimony to all. Even amongst those His presence supported Moses and the other leaders in their work. He worked through them, too… Testifying to their leadership.

“And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord spoke with Moses.”

Exodus 33:9

“The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood in the opening of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward.”

Numbers 12:5

Other Ministries of the Holy Spirit

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.”

Ephesians 4:30

It goes without saying that the ministrations of the Holy Spirit can be grieved. Even in this account of the Israelites with His very visible protection around them, they grieved Him by not trusting in Him.

When Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and indeed, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they were extremely terrified, so the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Exodus 14:10–12

Thank God that the leading of the Holy Spirit is never to a dead end. God parted the sea and made a way for them, keeping His presence in both the Angel of the Lord and the Pillar. When Moses spoke to Pharaoh the words of God, he called Israel His son. Paul tells us that those led by the Spirit are sons of God. It is He Who testifies to that fact.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:14

He is Darkness to His Enemies

Have you ever wondered why some just cannot see the truth witnessed by the Scriptures?

In the Exodus, as the Israelis were penned in between the advancing Egyptians and the Red Sea at the gaping mouth of a canyon, the Pillar was working.

“So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and there was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night. Therefore, the one did not come near the other the entire night.”

Exodus 14:20

The Egyptians had their perception of reality obscured. It happens in unbelievers. It is not that God blinds them so they cannot see, it is that they have not wanted to see the truth but only desired to satisfy their felt needs. The Egyptians became blinded by their own vengeance.

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, “They are confused in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.” So I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he shall pursue them. And I will be honored because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, so that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

Exodus 14:3–4

God is more than willing to oblige one’s folly by protecting His own. When the Egyptians decided to pursue Israel, it became darkness to them as their goal was obscured by the Pillar. They pressed on in that darkness of hatred to certain doom. One only has to look back at the longsuffering and patience God had for Pharaoh to change his mind. It seems he may have, but we know not really. There is a lesson there for those who do not believe… Eventually, there is a point in time where God removes His influences and all you will perceive is darkness leading to certain doom. That is indeed a scary path.

It is not a bad thing that God hides things.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

Proverbs 25:2

Pharaoh failed to pursue the hidden things of God. He failed the glory of kings. Yet there is a lesson he provides to the unbeliever who finds themselves reading this. You are reading this for a reason. You are pursuing the hidden things. Don’t give up until you find them!

It is this childlike approach to the truth. Pharaoh wanted it for his own exploitation, but they are revealed to those who humbly seek.

“At that time Jesus said, “I thank You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.”

Matthew 11:25

This is the same principle Jesus spoke of and attested to in His parables.

“He answered them, “It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For to him who has, will more be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Therefore I speak to them in parables: ‘Because they look, but do not see. And they listen, but they do not hear, neither do they understand.’ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘By hearing, you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing, you will see and shall not perceive; for this people’s heart has grown dull. Their ears have become hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to…” 

Matthew 13:11–17

He Rests in the Tabernacle

“He erected the courtyard all around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the curtain of the courtyard gate. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Exodus 40:33–35

This is one of my favorite things about the Holy Spirit. He rested in the Tabernacle. After those Hebrews followed the instructions of Moses, they erected the Tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The picture given to us is that of a cloud, just as presented inthe Pillar that led the Israelis in the wilderness.

Think about where the Tabernacle is today.

What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:19

The tent of meeting is within the believer. It is that first moment of faith, I believe that Jesus is the Redeemer Who died and rose again. Most of us believers know these things to be true. But if you are that person who might not quite believe, or perhaps one that scoffs, please don’t harden your own heart.

Always be Ready

On By TimIn Holy Spirit, Matthew 25, Olivet Discourse, SalvationLeave a comment

While the bridegroom delayed, they all rested and slept.

Matthew 25:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I cannot help but notice the word delayed. Ten virgins were expecting the bridegroom. They were ready for him, but only five had oil (provision.) The bridegroom was expected, but for some reason delayed or was delayed.

What is being said here is clearly that we may indeed sense an appointed time for Jesus to come. He will obviously not be late but delayed.

The lesson is to not stop expecting, always be ready.

Part of being ready is to know Jesus. You must be saved in order to truly be ready for when He comes. The context of the parable explains this.

“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.’
“The wise answered, ‘No, lest there not be enough for us and you. Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us.’
“But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:6–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The five were delayed because they weren’t saved. “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”

A Rainbow Like an Emerald

On By TimIn Holy Spirit, Revelation 04, Throne of GodLeave a comment

And the one seated was similar in appearance to jasper and carnelian stone, and a rainbow was around the throne similar in appearance to emerald.

Revelation 4:3 — The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

This fascinates me. John in His later years was given a revelation by Jesus. In the midst of it, he was caught up to heaven. He finds himself immediately before the throne of God.

One God is on the throne. Other translations use the pronoun He, as in He that sat on the throne. There is One God.

John doesn’t describe a human-like figure. Nor does he uses personal descriptions. Instead, He describes the appearance. He uses depictions of color based on three precious stones.

The first is jasper. While what is called modern jasper favors the earthy ruddy tones, this is probably not the stone being referenced. Other places this stone is referenced in the Bible it is considered most precious. Jasper is a predominating clear-to-purplish stone. Some say it is most likely a diamond.

Carnelian is the second stone. Carnelian (or Sardis stone) is fiery red.

The third stone is emerald. We know that is bright green.

It’s no mistake that John doesn’t see a figure He can identify. It is also no mistake that John sees three distinct visual brightnesses that He describes likened to precious stones. It is also no mistake that John uses the word translated to rainbow (iris.)

Now think of what is known of a rainbow. It is the spectrum of visible light humans can see. You might even recall the colors in order; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

These are the seven colors in the rainbow. Questions come to mind.

Why not six?

Why not eight?

The colors John sees are notably those of both ends of the rainbow and the exact middle color.

Think of it as one complete (seven) God with an appearance described in a distinct three ways.

The visual spectrum, what we see with our eyes, is only a small portion of the known electromagnetic spectrum. Sound waves and radio waves are also a part of that spectrum. The colors of the rainbow are as ordered from the lowest wavelength (red) to the highest (violet.)

There is order and beauty here that enthralls the mind. I cannot imagine what John saw. Yet God is described as filling the visual spectrum. God is not limited to that. We know there is far more there than what we can perceive.

The Surprising Way God Reveals Himself

On By TimIn Holy Spirit, Isaiah 48, Jesus, The Father, Triune God1 Comment

Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there I am. And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.

Isaiah 48:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Perhaps what is present here is clear to you. In this portion of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking the words of God. He identifies Himself in the previous context as “I am the First, and I am the Last.” (Is 48:12)

Clearly, we can identify the One speaking in First Person here as God. We also know from other Scriptures in this portion of Isaiah this Person is the Maker, and He also ascribes Himself as Redeemer, Savior, and the Lord of Hosts. If we could identify the Person speaking by New Testament names, it’s Jesus!

If that is not clear, read the last line…

“And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.”

One Person sent at least one other Person. I say that because it is clear in the text. Whether His Spirit is a person is not clear, but from the context it is hinted at.

What is apparent in reading through Isaiah, is there are two distinct Persons ascribed to God. The One speaking, Redeemer, was sent by the Lord God. And if the identity of the One sent is not clear, the next verse remedies that.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way that you should go.

Isaiah 48:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The first sentence tells you Who is speaking, and He gives not one, not two… not four… But three attributions to Who He is. Then He sums that up with the name of God YHVH.

Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the Trinity was made up by some New Testament “church fathers.” It is right there in the text. The old rabbis knew it, taught it and then suppressed it after Christ’s ascension.

Those Who are Sanctified are All of One

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Last Days, Return of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember how we discussed previously how our salvation will be revealed in the last time. This is a reference to a time yet future that will be the end of this temporal existence. But this salvation is not hidden from us or others but is continuously being received until its full revelation at the end.

The Old Testament prophets received from God the revelations of the Spirit of the Anointed One, Jesus. Though they didn’t clearly understand the mysteries hidden in the revelations they were given. That is, the grace extended to the gentile nations. Of which we benefit.

Paul also spoke of it. He called himself a steward of God over a commission given specifically to him for us gentiles.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was a truth hidden in the past.

Now, it’s almost fully revealed. What I mean is, those old-time Israeli prophets spoke of both a suffering Messiah and a triumphant Messiah. Though the prophets diligently sought to know what we know, His suffering has already been revealed to the world. It is recorded for us to read.

The glories to come are still for some future time when our salvation will be fully revealed. And that to the glory of Jesus!

We know the sufferings of the Messiah and in a similar fashion as they, we look forward to the glorious appearing and consummation of time when all is fulfilled. (The time when the New Jerusalem comes down from God.)

His triumphs and glories, though very real today and being revealed in us His saints… Are yet for a future time when He returns to Earth. When He defeats the evil that preys on humans and the world. He then takes the throne of David and rules Jerusalem and Earth. It will be as God had desired from the beginning, humanity having dominion over creation. After which Jesus will finally and gloriously put an end to the rebellion.

Those prophets knew they were serving a people yet future. Such things have resulted in your salvation. Those first-century Christians shared the testimony of the Jewish prophets who spoke of the sufferings of the Anointed One. They could show them this very same Jesus that was known among them and attested of long ago.

Why would angels want to look into these things?

Angels serve humanity. These are things also revealed by these messengers of God to men. These messengers desire to look in on. It’s salvation. The hope of glory that lives in each of us who are saints.

Considering that humans were made of the dust of the ground, with the breath of God breathed into us, we are not made in the same hierarchy as angels. We are made a little lower and intimately united with the physical reality we occupy. Humans are made of the very dust of which the earth is made.

We also have a spirit that connects to the reality that supersedes ours. Better said, it is the supernatural realm where spirits dwell. Because of sin, that reality has been veiled to us.

It’s these glorious heavenly angels who were assigned to serve the dirt creatures. It’s like that in God’s economy. The older serves the younger, the least is greatest.

That idea has been corrupted, though. When sin entered, the dirt creatures took upon themselves the desire to be like God. They fell away. And corrupted His order by serving their own selfishness. Not serving others, let alone the least.

What is this?

That the very Creator of these dusty men would humble Himself and add that very same dusty nature. He would step that low, placing Himself even under the angels.

I am thinking wholly of the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews and how eloquently it describes the suffering and then triumphant Messiah. This is how the author says it:

But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

Hebrews 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This speaks of how Jesus came to us as One of us, made lower than the angels. Yet at the same time, crowned with glory and honor. (Yet to be revealed in the last times and for which we patiently wait.)

It was that sin. Rebellion was taken on by creatures made of dust. That very thing would be used to defeat sin and death.

Sin earns wages paid in blood. The God of all paid His own blood to satisfy the wages of sin. Sin had no claim on Him, but death attempted to master Him.

The enemy, thinking this would be a perfect way to vanquish God, seized Him. He was crucified and died. Being perfect, death really had no claim on Him.

Yet His blood was shed.

His divine-human blood was the perfect payment for an infinite human debt. A debt He didn’t owe, but one that encumbered all of humanity was completely satisfied.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I can scarcely comprehend that. Even as I write this stuff. It’s above my pay-grade. Yet I know it is true.

There is more.

This Son of God is now (also) a Man. (I am writing it like that for lack of a better way to understand. The Son of God took on humanity. The divine and human United in One. I italicized the One to emphasize not only this but the Unity of Father-Son-Spirit.)

He has wrested the rights to dominion over the creation as God had intended at creation. Men will master it. In this case, One Perfect Man.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of One.

Hebrews 2:10–11a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look.

Now is the time to recall why One is emphasized earlier.

God becomes the Author of salvation by that suffering. The suffering that came by submission to His own creation.

It could only be done with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Blood that only exists in our temporal physical reality. Angels don’t have blood. Blood cannot be shed for them. That is why those fallen spirits tremble at the name of Jesus. Their destiny is sure and there is no hope for them.

Angels were made higher than humans. The Creator made Himself human. He placed Himself lower than them. He died, rose again. Setting humans higher than angels. (Do you not know you are going to judge angels?)

Just as Jesus partook of the nature of humanity, taking it wholly upon Himself… He invites us dirt-creatures to partake of the divine nature. It starts at our salvation when He comes to live in us.

Those who are sanctified are all of One.

We celebrate that every single time that we come to the Lord’s Table. As we hold in our hands the broken bread and the wine, these represent His human body broken for us and His human-yet-divine bloodshed from it. We are to take that inside of us. It’s a typification of what is yet to be revealed. We partake of the divine nature.

But to partake, one needs to be like Him. We all need to humble ourselves.

1. Acknowledge in our minds that the things written about Him are really real.

2. Believe that what He says is really real. That He rose again. That is for us. Trusting in it like you would trust a chair to hold you up by sitting in it.

3. Confess the truth out loud with our mouths. And the. Confess our sins to Him asking Him to remove them completely.

That’s the first step to partaking in the divine nature. You are then given new hope through the resurrection.

It is Impossible

On By TimIn Eternal Security, Hebrews 06, Holy Spirit, SalvationLeave a comment

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to be renewed once more to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and subject Him to public shame.

Hebrews 6:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Do not be deceived, there are those who will tell you that this verse says that a Christian can lose his salvation. It doesn’t say that.

In fact, it says the opposite. A person that once believed cannot fall away. Look at the construction of the sentence.

“those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come”

There is a list of qualifications given; once enlightened, tastes the heavenly gift, shared the Holy Spirit. That last bit is most important. Those who’ve been given the Holy Spirit clearly understand. He doesn’t just go away. Nor does He leave us. Therefore we cannot leave Him.

If one were to fall away, it is impossible to restore them to fellowship. One cannot again crucify Jesus to themselves, that was done once for all. It cannot be done again.

By trying to do something again, one cannot be restored to fellowship. This is speaking specifically to those who were returning to the working of the law, and sacrifices for sin. The writer is saying there is no other sacrifice available for sin. His is in the greater context leading to this statement.

We are being encouraged of a greater Way, One we can wholly rely upon to maintain fellowship.

That is why the Bible calls the Holy Spirit the seal of guarantee of one’s salvation (Ephesians 1:13.) None of us can order Jesus to do something, nor can we order God to do something, therefore we cannot order the Holy Spirit to leave. We cannot break His power that keeps us. Fellowship can’t be restored to a believer, because it really cannot be lost.

What of those who do leave the faith, calling themselves ex-Christians?

That has also been anticipated by God. He even gave us a way to measure the passing of time by them. Those who claim to have been a part of us, having left… Demonstrate they never were really a part of us.

Little children, it is the last hour. As you have heard that the antichrist will come, even now there are many antichrists. By this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us. But they went out, revealing that none of them were of us.

1 John 2:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He even calls those who leave… antichrists.

Whoa!