Psalms 127:1: A song of Ascent for Solomon: “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”
Labor in vain in Hebrew is: שׁוא עָמְל֣וּ
עָמַל amal labor
בּ֑וֹ bow in
שָׁ֤וְא. šāw vain
This Psalm refers to Solomon and in the scriptures the Second Temple is known as
Solomon’s Temple.
The point is as we read about it we may think that It really should be known as
Our Heavenly Father’s Temple,
however history records it as being Solomon’s Temple.
Historical Hebrew literature says that there was a good reason it was called Solomon’s Temple because with regard to the plans and resulting construction it was more Solomon’s temple design than it was the Lords.
Since the return of the Jews to Israel in 1948 and more recently their gaining control of Jerusalem in 1967; there has been extensive research on Solomon’s Temple so up until recently all that was really known about the first temple was what we were able to find in the Bible.
One thing we do know is that the temple was built by slave labor and that Solomon taxed the people to finance the temple pushing them to the point of rebellion.
It has been made clear that although the Lord God commanded that certain things be made of silver, there was no silver used in the temple because Solomon decided to make them out of gold instead. Furthermore some of the items for the Temple that should have been made of gold, Solomon chose to have them made from brass or copper. He was not obedient to the heavenly pattern and the result was that the temple ended up being more of a monument to King Solomon than to the King of the Universe. He was disobedient in other ways as he had married several pagan wives who brought idolatry with them into Israel, all by the time the temple was ready to be dedicated.
After Solomon died, it was a mere 5 years before his son Rehoboam took much of the gold from the temple to bribe the Egyptians; sadly in less than a lifetime after the temple had been dedicated, it was in decline.
Because of the condition of the nation, God sent His Prophets to warn of coming judgment, but the people mocked the warnings pridefully declaring they were not only Gods people but that He would not suffer the Temple dedicated to Himself to be destroyed.
They were all wrong.
It is worthwhile noting that when the temple was dedicated it was recorded that God’s presence filled it with His Shekinah Glory so strong was His presence that the priests could not stand to minister. Eternal weight of glory … Many experience that real feeling of heaviness when the presence of the Lord manifests.
2 Cor. 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
The historical Hebrew writings teach that after this 1st temple was destroyed and the 2nd temple was built, the 2nd temple did not have things that were present in the 1st temple. The 2nd temple did not have the presence of God, the ark of His covenant was gone, nor did it have the fire of our Heavenly Father. Originally The Lord God sent fire from heaven that was never extinguished and the priests would faithfully feed this flame on the temple menorah daily with pure olive oil.
Lev. 9:24 and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
So fire fell and consumed Solomon’s sacrifice at the dedication of the temple. Jewish tradition reports that the fire was always kept alive until the reign of Manasseh, when it became extinguished.
The western lamp was to be kept burning at all times. If it were ever extinguished, it was relit from the continuous fire on the sacrificial altar.
2Chronicles 7:1-2. Tradition assures us that the sacred fire which thus issued forth from the immediate presence of God continued to be nourished on the altar with the fuel especially provided by the congregation, and constituted the perpetual fire. See Leviticus 6:13.
However, when the 1st temple was destroyed the fire of the Lord went out and He never replaced it by sending more fire from heaven. The 3rd thing missing in the 2nd temple was the Fathers’ Holy Spirit and the 4th was that the prophetic power of the Urim and Thummim ceased to give guidance and answers through the High Priest.
The Hebrew Rabbis teach that these 4 things will not return to the temple until the Messiah comes and is glorified:
Messiah had to come to earth as a human, He had to be persecuted and tortured, be sacrificed and then be raised from the dead. He had to ascend to heaven and on the day of Shavuot/Pentecost when He would be given His throne and His glorification would be complete. We know this has already come to pass being fulfilled over 2000 years ago and one day soon the scales will fall from the eyes of the Israelites just as they did from Pauls.
AMP version
I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God’s previously hidden plan]—so that you will not be wise in your own opinion—that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;
AMPC version
Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in,
What a blessed day of rejoicing that will be!
Gods blessings are poured out into our lives continually however the reality is, if our Heavenly Father had to wait for perfection before He could bless His children; it’s probably true to say that no one would receive blessings, or experience the glory of His spirit of Holiness.
The word glory in Hebrew is kabod
or sometimes spelled kavod,
(b and v being the same Hebrew letter)
which means a heaviness.
The word comes from an ancient Semitic root meaning:
to bear a burden
through the process of reaching the Hebrew language it represented:
the bearing of a burden of love.
Our Heavenly Father God is love 1John 4:8
and so overflowing with perfect unconditional love that He continually pours it out to people with the supreme act so well known in John 3:16 God so loved the world..
HoweverMalachi 2:2reminds us that if a person does not take that love to his heart, he will not appreciate the blessing.
Our Heavenly Father still allowed His presence to stay in the temple, even though it hadn’t been built according to His specific plan. His glory/loving presence filled the house and even though there was corruption among the priesthood many people journeyed to Jerusalem to worship God in the temple with a heart of sincerity and reverent respect.
Psalms 127:1
“Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”
The first word of the Psalm which is translated as unless
is the Hebrew word im
אִם
which is more commonly rendered as if.
Strongs 518
im: if
Original Word: אִם Part of Speech: conjunction; hypothetical particle; imperfect; infinitive; interrogative particle Transliteration: im Phonetic Spelling: (eem) Definition: if
אִם conjunction (= Aramaic if [1. hypothetical particle if.
construction (see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143 FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) with imperfect (continued by perfects & waw consecutive; apodosis usually begins with perfect & waw consecutive or bare imperfect; or, if necessary, with imperative or jussive) (a) of future time: For more details ref online at
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/518.htm
The syntax or sentence construction, is a little confusing because there are two constructs together:
If Jehovah and he is not building.
the KJV is correct with the
sentence construction, however there is no definite article on the word house but there is a pronoun; so we could add the pronoun and it would read:
If Jehovah is not building His house.
The word house in Hebrew thought has the idea of
the place of the heart.
This reminds us of our saying:
“Home is where the heart is.”
With this in mind we could say, “
If Jehovah is not building a place within His heart…”
the last part of the verse says,
they labor in vain who build it.
labor עָמְל֣וּ(‘ā·mə·lū) Verb – Qal – Perfect – third person common plural Strong’s 5998: To toil, work severely and with irksomeness
in בּ֑וֹ(bōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong’s Hebrew
The temple was meant to be a place, our Heavenly Fathers house where His presence and love lived and so you were also entering His heart. Tragically it was corrupted because Solomon had filled it with his own designs however, the Father still mercifully allowed His presence to be known and experienced, despite everything in Israel being in a steady downward direction. In 1Cor.6:19 Paul tells us our bodies are the temple of God, actually the sanctuary, the holy of holies, where the glory was manifest over the ark of His covenant.
The heart of God, His Presence in the form of His Holy Spirit, is meant to reside in the very innermost part of us, the heart of our being.
עָמְל֣וּ ‘ā·mə·lū they labor 5998
It’s true that we do work hard and labor to build and maintain this temple/sanctuary.
Work out your salvation. Phil. 2:12-13
Many times our labors are in the form of bringing glory by ministering to our Father declaring our overflowing love to Him. However due to the un-crucified ego in human nature, we like Solomon, cannot resist putting a bit of our own plans and design into this temple, our bodies. It seems that we simply can’t help but to build a monument to ourselves. We are honestly seeking to bring honor to God in our ministry and to give Him the glory, but somewhere deep inside there’s a part of us that wants a little of that honor and recognition for ourselves. It could be that maybe we want to make a good living at it, and have the dream life we see others have in the world, or we may desire to build a great reputation and a develop a large following of admirers. Is there anything wrong with receiving a little praise and kudos for our labors?
Prov. 16:2 all a mans ways are pure in his own sight but Adonai weighs the spirit.
Prov. 27:2 “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips”
We all need encouragement from time to time, so maybe nothing is wrong with that except; we do run the risk of a leaving something behind us that becomes
a Solomon’sTemple and not God’s Temple.
Praise is dangerous because it can produce pride. This scripture is best understood as a person is tested by those who give the praise. Praise is often flattery and at other times it may simply be courtesy, or for encouragement. Because of insecurity a person can also take praise as an affirmation of his/her own importance. The Bible warns against pride since that often results in forgetting about God.
If that is the case, all our labors
whether in ministry or at secular jobs,
are in vain.
The word vainin Hebrew is Strongs 7723
שָׁ֤וְא
shave, pronounced: shawv
which has the idea of
desolate or waste,
falsely, lie, lying, vain, vanity
Or shav {shav}; from the same as show’ in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain) — false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
This would mean that:
all our labors to build a place within God’s heart is all wasted.
One other scripture which speaks of a dwelling place is inJohn 14:2 when Messiah said: “In my father’s house are many dwelling places. I go to prepare a place for you.”
He spoke this in Aramaic and used a word identical to the word for house that was used in Psalms 127:1 which is speaking of His heart/The innermost part of a dwelling.
(Aramaic) corresponding to bayith — house. A place of the heart.
Jesus/Yeshua spoke in the old Galilean dialect of Aramaic. The Aramaic Bible, called the Peshitta, uses the word
bt
which we render as house, yet, like the Hebrew, bt could also be used to express the idea
of the place of the heart
which is identical to the Hebrew word
bayith (house)
which is the word used in Psalms 127. Jesus/Yeshua may very well have said: “In my Father’s heart are many rooms.”Only He can build that place in His heart for us. If we try to build that place with all our ministries and monuments to ourselves, our labors are all wasted.
We are not to be using our days in “building” something apart from God, for our own selfish goals and agenda’s with wrong motives and without faith in our Heavenly Father. Jeremiah 10:23 warns us
O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].
Why do we think we know better than the Creator of Heaven and Earth and indeed the universe Who made us from the dust of that same earth?
Yet in His great compassion, empathy and unconditional love in Psalm 103:14 He reminds us 14 For he knows our frame He remembers that we are but dust 15 and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, 16 blown by the wind and gone forever.
That is, He knows that we are made of dust; that we are frail; that we are subject to decay; that we soon sink under a heavy load. This is given as a reason why He loves and pities us – that we need Him more than we realize.
Our Heavenly Father is the only One Who can build that place in His heart for us. If we try to build that place ourselves with all ‘our ministries’, our books, our talents and creative abilities through great works and monuments to ourselves, our labors are all wasted, desolate and as useless as a ruin.
Time to make sure nothing we do for our Heavenly Father in the name of our Precious savior is prefixed with I, me, my or mine. He deserves ALL the honor and ALL the glory, let’s make certain we do just that.
Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.
Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are very precious in His sight.
Not sure ..you can be…
SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,
SAY IT RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name
We were looking at the actIONs of the apostles and the attributes noted in the scriptures which identified them as: little christs/christians/disciples/apostles.
These are words that should also describe us, and be evident in our lives for the world to see as we follow Messiah Yeshua/Jesus.
Chet/Chen is represented by the fence and describes a protected garden (Eden), private place, an inner room or a sanctuary…
Recall the pictograph depicting grace as a place, the place of our hiding and the womb where we are conceived and develop before birth. We are in His grace now also and in ‘a womb’ waiting to be reborn into a new resurrected glorified body; then we know we shall be like Him.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:19
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. 1John 3:2
And we will become aware of a new desire in our hearts placed there by our Fathers’ Spirit.
A new direction maybe?
New instructions?
New Fire for His Word?
and the Lord He gives the increase.
Hearing about Him is insufficient.
Reading about Him is not enough.
Thinking we know is not fullness.
We have to be doers,
this is ACTions of the sent ones.
Not readers, talkers and thinkers, but doers of His word.
Just reading will not benefit, especially speed reading! We have to take it in, like real food, chew it and digest it for it to give any benefit of its’ nutrients into our bodies; both physical and spiritual.
We are told to Consider Our Ways in Haggai 1:5-7
Not Make Excuses.
The people were saying, and giving reasons not to act.
“ The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt ” (Haggai 1:2).
We Must Get Our Priorities in Order.
The people said that it was not time to rebuild the temple
(Haggai 1:2). …
Remember Our Dependence Upon God. …
Obey the Word of God… Not what people are saying!
5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts;Consider your ways.
Acts 5:36 and 2:39
The CALL is by His spirit and we have the choice to accept or refuse it.
By doing nothing we have refused and usually go on to live a life just like our peers saying to ourselves, ‘this is Gods’ plan for me’…is it because its an easier more comfortable and familiar way?? Four decades ago our Heavenly Fathers’ call came to this life and the message He gave for this servant to share has not changed… Repent… Turn around …come out from the world be saved, delivered, healed, filled with His spirit and make disciples; teaching them to do the same.
Imagine, if we, all of our generation had done this, just think how many would be in the Kingdom today…but we always think it’s someone else’s job… we just want to live a nice, comfortable life….BUT… It’s not too late, we have today to share freely what we freely received.
The mission field of a ready harvest is right where you are…
We are not man appointed (vs. 38, 39) and if it’s not by His Spirit, it will fail.
The anointing of His spirit of holiness
by His grace brings the power
manifest through boldness
to witness and to DO
what God has called us to do in His Word.
Obedience in the name of Yeshua/Jesus and by His power we work the works of Him who sent us Yeshua/Jesus.
And by His power to destroy the works of the devil… this is what the power is for and why He came.
Acts 4:13 Holy BOLDNESS it was obvious they’d been with Yeshua/Jesus…. do people see that in us?
5:29Obey God rather than man OBEDIENCE
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Then Peter . . . answered.
1 that God must be obeyed rather than earthly rulers;
2 God raised up Jesus whom they hanged on the cross;
3 exalted him to his right hand;
4 to be a Prince and Savior, to grant Israel the opportunity to repent, and to obtain forgiveness;
5 that they were witnesses of these facts, and so was the Holy Spirit.
To Hear and Obey
are the essence of the
shema
with which they were all familiar.
6:6,7 Brought INCREASE and BLESSING 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
6:10 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
the POWER of His Spirit of Holiness is IRRESISTIBLE brings anointing /POWER
BOLDNESS attracts GLORY/anointing.
Prov. 28:1+12
The Boldness of the Righteous.
1 The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion
Proverbs 28:1 doesn’t have in mind that kind of boldness when it says the righteous have it and the wicked don’t. The boldness here is the boldness required for a just/righteous cause. What is it about the wicked that makes them so often flee (in the presence of justice) when no one is pursuing?
מְשִׁיחָה. More Hebrew words for anointing. noun מְשִׁיחָה. unction, band, cord, strand, thread
The high priest’s anointment is otherwise designated by the verb kadesh ( qaddesh; “to sanctify”). Indeed, the anointment “sanctifies” the high priest by removing him from the realm of the profane and empowering him to operate in the realm of the sacred, i.e., to handle the holy items.
Thus the Hebrew word mâshach that means to rub with oil also, by implication, means to consecrate. Mâshîyach (a derivative) is translated into the English adjective ‘anointed’ and thus means a consecrated person or thing.
Anointing stands for greatness (Sifre, Num. 117; Yer. Bik. ii. 64 d ): consequently, “Touch not mine anointed” signifies “my great ones.” All the vessels of the tabernacle, also, were consecrated with the sacred oil for all time to come (Num. R. xii.).
From chrio; an unguent or smearing, i.e. (figuratively) the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit — anointing, unction.
The sick were healed, miracles were wrought, demons cast out…
Boldness with great power and grace and obedience
they were told to leave serving tables and give themselves to prayer.
We too must put the Word first place!
Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Acts 6:4 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Our Heavenly Father has a due time and season.
Be ready to do, or to stop doing, that which He is telling you.
Be open to change, to move on and serve in a deeper way.
Be a doer of His Word – not a hearer only…
ACTS of the apostles and disciples they ACTED.
מעשי השליחים
The Apostles were Hebrews.
Born and raised Jewish/Hebrew
so they were taught the language of their families. When Messiah appeared to Paul on the Damascus road, he said that Yeshua/Jesus spoke to him in Hebrew.
Acts 21, it is written about Paul, “He spoke to them in the Hebrew language.” And on his way to Damascus, Paul says, Jesus spoke to him in Hebrew: “I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”
We need this same anointing now and its as available to us today as it was 2000+ years ago.
WHY?
It’s to work the works of Yeshua/Jesus and by so doing, destroy the works of the devil; which is why He came.
All we have to do is ask and receive
because we are to work while it is still day
for the night is coming
and very soon
when no man can work.
John 9:4
Grace
Boldness
Obedience
Power
Glory
Yeshua/Jesus told them in His own words when the promise of the power was given in v8;
to receive the power
to be witnesses
unto Him
not
for Him
but of Him about Him.
Gk. dunamis – authority
We can read in the following verses:
The call is by His spirit v. 39 43
signs and wonders done 3:7
vs 42 43 means 100% commitment
47 praising God
3:12 not by our own power or holiness
4:7 by what power
4:12 bold declaration by Peter vs. 13 & 29 & 19
Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and” Acts 4:29: “unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,” Acts 4:31: “the word of God with boldness.“
v. 5:29 obey God not man
boldness with actions
v.v31 spoke the word of God with boldness
v.v33 great power they gave witness of the resurrection
and great grace was upon them
v. 5:12 power also manifests in unity of one accord
v. 15 Peters’ ‘shadow’/anointing.
The door of grace is closing, the end of the opportunity for salvation is coming close and then it’s over.
Choose today… will we be counted in that number?
6:8 Stephen was one of His Disciples,
he was full of faith and power;
he did great wonders and miracles
and loved not his life unto physical death.
Most significantly…Jesus/Yeshua stood up for him as he transitioned.
Deliverance brings Joy.
8:8 6-8
In the cities where they ministered. 9:27 and 29
Boldness in v.34 Aeneas had palsy and was raised up.
40 Tabitha was raised from dead.
10:38 anointed with His Holy Spirit POWER there were
healings,
deliverances
and salvations.
Their obedience and His grace brought power from their boldness, giving glory to the Father in Jesus/Yeshuas Name.
Boldness, Power, Grace, Glory, Obedience,
they are essential
ingredients for a walk/halak bearing much fruit.
The GRACE of His Spirit of Holiness infused them with the BOLDNESS to preach in POWER and demonstration bringing GLORY to the father by their OBEDIENCE.
The BOLDNESS came through the GLORY
and the POWER of His spirit of GRACE,
anointing them
to be OBEDIENT to their CALLing.
10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth.
Let’s shake ourselves out of complacency;
let’s deliver ourselves from the spirit of entitlement which gives us ‘self time’ we think we deserve.
Procrastination will kill the anointing of the spirit of God in us.
They were all
changed
unto
obedient, bold, witnesses,
full of grace, power and truth
bringing glory to the Father...
we can be too…simply accept His call and
receive ALL that He has for you…
These words may assist you..
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua. I truly desire to be obedient to your call on my life, so I lay down my life right now and dedicate the remaining time you grant me on this earth to work in and for your Kingdom. I desire to work the works of Jesus/Yeshua and be a witness unto Him and humbly ask for You to equip me, in order to fulfill that which You have for me to do. Forgive me for procrastinating and putting off what I know has been in my heart. Strengthen me to make the step of faith that I need to take to be right in the center of Your will for me. Thank you for doing abundantly above all I can ask or even think and showing me the direction to take so I too can be changed. Thank you for the grace to be obedient so that the boldness and power of Your Spirit can bring glory to your Name through my life.
May His true Shalom/Peace
rest upon each one in Jesus/Yeshuas’ Name.
‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa Mish-pa-KHa
you are greatly loved and prayed for daily..
NOT SURE if you are part of His Family?
YOU CAN BE..
Say the following and mean it from your heart…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He came in the flesh and He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life.
Because your word is truth, I say that I am now forgiven and born again in my spirit and by faith I am washed clean with the Blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
The meaning of the Hebrew paleo pictographs tell us something:
Hey – Man with raised arms = Behold or, pay attention to what follows.
Yud – Arm and hand closed = a work or, a mighty deed.
Kaph – palm of hand = to cover, to allow, to open, to atone.
Lamed – shepherd staff = to shepherd, control, to have authority or the voice of authority.
The picture it gives could be:
Behold pay close attention
the temple is a place where
the mighty works of the one in authority
will be revealed.
This work or mighty deed is of course:
the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua/Jesus.
Each letter also has a number value:
Hey – 5 = Grace
Yud – 10 = something ordained in heaven
Kaf – 20 = Redemption
Lamed – 30 = points to a blood sacrifice.
It could be interpreted as the following:
The great work (Kaf)
we will behold (Hey)
is the blood sacrifice of Yeshua (Lamed)
which was
ordained by the Father in Heaven (Yud)
And:
This (Yud/10) work was carried out
under the Authority of His Father(Lamed/30)
and by His Grace (Hey/5)
will result in Redemption (Kaf/20)
The HEYKAL
is where God and His people
developed their relationship
and was prophetic…
the mystery which Paul revealed in
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
There is no need of a rebuilt Temple/Hekel/Sanctuary for those who have His Ruach dwelling within… however all scripture must be fulfilled and the rebuilding of a 3rd Temple is in accordance with Gods’ plans to be carried out prior to Messiahs return.
Namely the situation described by Paul in
2 Thess. 2:3,4
This structure will not be for the benefit of our Heavenly Father or for Yeshua/Jesus return, but it is to fulfill prophecy as concerns the false Messiah and we are reminded by Paul that:
His Sanctuary is now is IN us.
The Sanctuary is the portion of the temple (and previously the wilderness tabernacle/mishkan); that was
set apart – Holy to the Lord.
Not the Holy Place but the Holy of Holies.
John 2:18 and 19 – 21. Jesus/Yeshua answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
In Greek, Temple is ‘ieron.
The Letter h is the accent ‘ mark and is called
the hard breather.
Hieron
So what’s in a word? … does it matter?
Yes, because…
We are not to be like the Tabernacle/Mishkan building or the Temples of stone, where there was an outer court where sin was acceptable.
1Corinthians 3:16, 17; 16:19
Our bodies are now the sanctuaries – Naos – the set apart place – His holy of holies….
This Naos/ Sanctuary is for His Holy Spirit to dwell/ abide.
Ruach HaKodesh.
The Holy Spirit of a Holy God cannot dwell where there is sin…
1 Corinthians 3:16 King James Version (KJV) 16 Know ye not that ye are the Naos of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2 Cor. 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The more that we commune with Yeshua/Jesus and come into His presence,
more of the veil that divides will fall off
and we will be able to see more clearly.
Then more of His glory will abide within us, and then be reflected through us.
His glory will be seen upon us.
Glory
In Greek – doxa: honor, glory
Original Word: δόξα, ης, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: doxa Phonetic Spelling: (dox’-ah) Definition: opinion (always good in NT), praise, honor, glory Usage: honor, renown; glory, an especially divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, splendor.
Glory in Hebrew:
ū·ḵə·ḇō·wḏ
וּכְב֣וֹד
kabowd
Faith has its’ seat in the heart.
The kind of faith which believes in the God who created the Universe and Who also created us and a belief that He loves us enough to give His life for us.
John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:3.
It is engraved there. It is not written in ink, or engraved on stone, but it is written on the heart by the Spirit of God.
With the heart man believes with the mouth we confess
Therefore any professed belief that does not reach the heart, and has its home there, is most likely to be false and delusive being more head knowledge of the intellect and mind.
The Hebrew word for sanctuary is
mikdash (מקְדָּשׁ),
which comes from the root word
kadash (קָדַשׁ),
to be set apart as sacred.
A mikdash is therefore a
set apart space, or a holy place
that represents something treasured – a place of beauty and worship, a refuge, a place of rest.
from qadash; a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum — chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.
implying a distinction between space that is sacred versus profane; commonly refers to the worship sanctuary (e.g., Exod 25:8), where the Israelites offered their various kinds of offerings and sacrifices to the Lord under the supervision of the priesthood.
[The] Sanctuary
is a term in the Hebrew Bible which refers to the
inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle
where God’s presence appeared.
According to Hebrew Tradition, the area was defined by:
four pillars which held up
the veil of the covering,
under which the Ark of the Covenant was held above the floor.
Tabernacle, Hebrew Mishkan, dwelling, in Jewish history, the portable sanctuary constructed by Moses as a place of worship for the Hebrew tribes during the period of wandering that preceded their arrival in the Promised Land.
Moreover, the English translation becomes even more confusing when interpreters translate two entirely different Hebrew words
(אהל and משׁכן, ohel and mishkan, H168 and H4908),
by using the exact same English tabernacleword.
In the case of Exodus 26:7, this translation is especially hard to understand, as the two different Hebrew words are used so close in the same sentence.
Another word for
tabernacle or tent is:
OHEL
the Hebrew letters:
alef – hey – lamed
In the middle of a word h or hey
or man with raised arms means:
to reveal the heart or the core of.
Placed in the middle of the word for God it becomes the word
o-hel or
lamed hey alef (reading right to left)
this word for a tent or the tabernacle is presented as:
the heart of God revealed.
This shows that both your home and where you worship, reveals your god.
Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle?
Who shall dwell in your holy hill?
Psalm 15:1
OHEL –
The heart of God revealed.
God is EL = the letters alef and lamed
and H = hey behold revealed.
The tabernacle was the place of God’s revelation.
Our tent or home where we live is where our God is revealed.
Strongs#168
Again, when the letter H/hey is
in the middle of a word
it reveals all, especially the heart.
The god that we follow is revealed in the tent/home and in the tabernacle, the place of worship.
It is relevant not only for the home/physical structure or building we live in; but also the home within ourselves that we create for His Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit to live/abide/dwell.
Our physical bodies become the home of spiritual power; the seat of spiritual influence and it can be the opposite of holy as Jesus/Yeshua warned in
Matthew 12:43-45
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.
Impure/unclean spirits call peoples bodies their house!
What’s In our Naos/Sanctuary/tabernacle /house/home?
What’s in our OHEL?
Let the Lords words in John 14:23 be our desire and goal as Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
The Tabernacle no longer served a purpose after the building of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem in 950 B.C.
His Holy Spirit cannot be where there is sin, so any where there is sin there is no presence of His Spirit/Ruach
This is recorded in
1 Samuel 4:21,22
Ichabod the glory has departed for the ark (dwelling place) of God has been taken
Ichabod definition is — used to express regret for departed glory.
Ichabod was born after his father’s death. His mother gave him this name on her death-bed to indicate that the “glory (had) departed from Israel” (1 Samuel 4:19)
and it was what Samson realized when he tried to do as he had always done and in Judges 16:20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
Sin is manifested rebellion against God’s commands and will for our life. It can be in many and take various forms in our lives.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1Samuel 15:23
Consider this for a moment that: In other words, God deems rebellion to be the same or equal to witchcraft and stubbornness is just as good as kneeling or falling down before and worshipping a statue of another religions god or any other idol for that matter.
Another translation says:
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Rebellion definition is – opposition to one in authority or dominance.
Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority.
A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and then manifests itself by the refusal to submit or to obey the authority responsible for this situation.
Sin must be dealt with because we cannot approach a Holy God with any sin in us.
Jesus/Yeshua said He was the temple/ sanctuary when He referred to Himself and that when His body would be destroyed He would rebuild it in three days. Speaking of His future resurrection and glorified body.
He had the Ruach/Spirit without measure because
He was without sin and
His Fathers Spirit could dwell within Him to the fullness.
Mishkan is spelled
Mem, Sheen, Kaf and Noon.
מִשְׁכָּן
noon kaf sheen mem
(Read right to left)
Mishkan is the Hebrew word we translate into English as Tabernacle.
The Mishkan was a Pattern, showing the children of Israel
the process to approach the Holy presence of Adonai/YHVH.
Sin has to be dealt with before that can take place because, God and sin cannot coexist.
The life is in the blood and sin requires a price to be paid and wages of sin is death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
So a sacrifice must be made and blood has to be spilled
Life has to be forfeit to cover the sin. And that life must be innocent without sin and without blemish clean and acceptable to the Lord.
Jesus/Yeshua became that innocent, clean, without blemish life.
He willingly gave His life, allowing His blood to be spilled.
His life was forfeit to cover our sins once and for all time.
The Pattern of the Mishkan and later both temples,
show God’s redemptive plan
in the structure of the building
and in all the furniture within.
Also in the priests clothing
and in the format of each of the ways
every action was carried out.
Jesus /Yeshua was literally the fulfillment of the Mishkan/Tabernacle and the Temples.
Both were just as our bodies are while on earth:
temporary physical dwelling places for God’s presence,
His Ruach HaKodesh/ רוח הקודש ,
Ruach HaKodesh is God the Creator:
In the Tanakh/Bible, the words breath and Spirit are 2 different translations of exactly the same word: רוח /ruach.
Of the 348 times ruach appears in the Tanakh, it is translated 321 times as spirit and only 27 times as breath.
It would seem that the Ruach Hakodesh is divine inspiration or prophetic inspiration and is not the same as what is generally taught in Christianity. No place in the Hebrew Scriptures is there any reference to a spirit divine in itself, or Holy Ghost, as distinct from a spirit that comes from God to inspire human beings.
His Ruach HaKodesh is called the Comforter, which is the word used for the advocate who goes before the judge on behalf of someone to plead his case.
We are told in this verse that this pleader, who comes from the Father at the request of Yeshua/Jesus, will teach us all things.
Ruach Ha-Kodesh (ROO-akh hak-KOH-desh)
Holy Spirit; the Holy Ghost
(Luke 3:16; 11:13; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 1 Thess. 4:8;
Titus 3:5; 1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 1:20).
Occurs more than 90 times in the
ReNewed Testament/Brit Chadashah.
Hebrew: רוח הקודש, holy spirit
also transliterated ruacḥ ha-qodesh
is a term used in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish writings
to refer to the spirit of YHWH (רוח יהוה).
He fulfilled the pattern of the process to approach the Father’s presence with His Own Blood as the sacrificial atonement for all sin for all time, for who so ever will accept that that is exactly what He has done.
As High priest He entered into the
Holy- NAOS/ miqdash place –
the Holy of Holies
and placed His own blood on the
Mercy Seat of The Ark of the Covenant.
The kapporet.
This required Him going through the veil that hung between the Holy Place where the menorah/ showbread/ bronze altar of incense were and the Holy of Holies where the Ark was.
It is recorded that the temple veil/ curtain was torn at the moment of His death, opening the WAY to the father’s presence the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant was located.
I AM the WAY
His death was the acceptable sacrifice and we can now access God’s presence without any further sacrificial death needed and that means, no more priests are needed either; as
Jesus/Yeshua is our High Priest.
He became forever the WAY to the Father – the truth and the life.
The Life in His blood is eternal it will never die and He is alive for evermore.
Now we can also enter in through the veil
because it was torn for us.
The blood of bulls, goats, lambs and birds dries and decays; His blood contains the eternal nature of the God of all creation who sits on the eternity of eternities.
This is life everlasting, full of glory.
The blood continually speaks and cries mercy for us.
The Blood still speaks because it still has a voice.
Ever speaking from the Mercy seat of the ark… His blood covenant with us.
How is it possible? Because the very life of God is in The Blood of His Son.. His blood is still alive it has not dried up and never will, The life of the creator is eternal in nature so it is alive forevermore just as His Son is life everlasting and full of glory.
Hebrew Scriptures devote more time and attention to the Tabernacle, and everything contained inside the Tabernacle than to any other single thing. So it would seem we need to pay more attention to this pattern too…
Significant items found inside the Tabernacle would include
the Altar of Burnt Offering,
the Laver,
the Table of Showbread,
the Lampstand,
the Altar of Incense,
the Ark of the Covenant with
the Mercy Seat.
the Ark of the Covenant contained
the stone tablets on which were written the ten commandments,
the manna preserved in a clay jar,
the budding staff of Aaron
As we have already noted:
Mishkan is spelled
Mem, Sheen, Kaf and Noon.
Mishkan is the Hebrew word we translate into English as Tabernacle.
Noon Kaf Sheen Mem
Transliteration: mishkan
Phonetic Spelling:(mish-kawn’)
There is one major theme revealed in the pictures and numbers of the Hebrew word pictures that we translate as Tabernacle.
It is interesting to see that all the other mysteries contained in all the sacrifices, ceremonies furnishings, construction and architecture of the Tabernacle have their root in this one Eternal Truth.
The Tabernacle was built on the earth
but
it is actually a Shadow, a Type,
of something everlasting in the heavenlies…
and it was shown to Moses in the book of Exodus!
Conclusion in Part 2..
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
Please don’t leave this page before making certain Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
He is coming back very soon – so let’s keep looking up!
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
Its all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Having just completed the 49 days of Counting the Omer.
This season runs from the First Fruits – בִּכּוּרִים – Bikkurim/Resurrection
to
Pentecost/Shavuot/שָׁבוּעוֹת which begins on the 50th day from פסח – Pesach/Passover.
We remember Yeshua/Jesus was with them for 40 days after His Resurrection and appeared to many during that time, up to the day He returned Home to heaven/shamayim.
1Cor. 5:16. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
In John 20:17 we are told that on the first day of the week after Passover/Pesach, Jesus/Yeshua appeared to Mary Magdalene, (Miriam of Magdala).
The women that came to the tomb (Mary the Mother of James, Salome, and Joanna), then a first appearance to Peter. He also appeared to the rest of the 12 Disciples with Thomas absent, later He appeared to them with Thomas present.
The occasion recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, to 500 at one time, then to James (presumably James the brother of Jesus), then to all the Apostles, and last to Paul himself.
There was also the meeting with the 2 disciples on the Emmaus road.
The 40th day of the Omer was when His Ascension took place and the promise was given to those present that He will return the same way they saw Him go.
His second coming shall be in like manner as Acts 1:10-11 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.
His Cross is the door/Dalet by which whosoever will can enter into the eternal life to be with the Father.
Because of His resurrection, Jesus/Yeshua, has the right to give eternal life to anyone, and by His ascension our Savior entered heaven, keeping the door open for humanity.
His previous Transfiguration which began on another Mountain was completed on the Mountain of Ascension.
The Transfiguration was a manifestation of His glory a powerful demonstration of His divine nature, which He possessed prior to coming to earth in a human body.
Before Abraham was I AM. John 8:58
Undoubtedly, the purpose of His transfiguration, into at least a portion of His heavenly glory, was so that those of His disciples who were closest to Him, could gain a greater understanding of Who He was. Surely He underwent a dramatic change in appearance when the disciples saw Him in His glory.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them “his face did shine as the sun,” “and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.”
Luke 9:27; Matthew 17:1-8.
One of the purposes of the Transfiguration may have been to strengthen the faith of the disciples in His divine nature before they experienced the shock of the difficult days ahead of them.
In early times, the mount of the Transfiguration had become known as the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:18). It seems to have been known by the faithful, and one tradition identified it with Mount Thabor/Tabor.
The other view, and probably more likely one, is that Mount Hermon was the site of the transfiguration.
Hermon means: Devoted or Sanctified!
Mount Hermon from the Sea of Galilee
It is in the far north, the location of Caesarea Philippi, at the southwestern foothills; 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee to the Golan Heights.
It is situated on a terrace 1,150 feet high overlooking a lush fertile valley. Here also, is the easternmost source for the Jordan River.
It is one of the four major headwaters.
During the Hellenistic period (323 to 31 B.C.), this city was originally called Panias (also spelled Paneas) because of its close association with the Greco-Roman god Pan. The modern name, Banias, is an Arabic corruption of the original.
In order to distinguish it from the harbor city on the Mediterranean called Caesarea Maritima, it became known as Caesarea Philippi. Philip, one of Herod the Great’s sons, renamed it so in honor of Emperor Augustus in 2 B.C.
Here in Caesarea Philippi, there was once a magnificent temple which dominated the landscape, constructed of white marble by Herod the Great to the godhead of Caesar. An earthquake in 363 C.E likely destroyed the city.
There is a cave immediately to the north of Caesarea Philippi.
This cave was said to be the birthplace of the Greco-Roman god Pan/Faunus, the god of nature, fields, forests, mountains, flocks and shepherds.
The pagan worshipers would make sacrifices at the mouth of the cave where they had built a sanctuary to Pan/Faunus.
It would seem to make sense for the transfiguration to take place in that region where Messiah had been ministering and where Peter made his confession.
Not coincidentally, at the base of this mountain was the place known as the gates of Hades, (gates of hell).
To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld (Hades), where they believed fertility gods took up residence during the winter.
This location was especially unique because it stood at the base of a cliff where spring water flowed. At one time, the water ran directly from the mouth of a cave set in the bottom of the cliff. This region is referred to in the Old Testament by the name Baal-gad, which is described in the northernmost conquest of Joshua as being in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon (Josh. 11:17; 12:7; 13:5; also see: Judges 3:3; 1 Chron. 5:23).
The name Baal-gad meant literally Master Luck, the name of a god of fortune who may later have been identified with Pan. One good reason the Bride of Messiah should refrain from using the term good luck when offering encouragement to one another; but rather offer shalom and blessings to each other in Jesus/Yeshuas name.
This region was the northernmost extent of Yeshua/Jesus’ ministry and no doubt He found some privacy here with His disciples in this non-Jewish region, no less, because it was beyond the jurisdiction of Galilee’s ruler, Herod Antipas. It was here in the district of Caesarea Philippi, not long before before His final journey to Jerusalem and crucifixion that He asked the 12 disciples,
Who do you say that I am?
Matt.16:15.
It is a very important point that Jesus/Yeshua chose to ask this question here, since there were few areas anywhere else with more religious significance; and because it was filled with the temples of ancient Syrian Baal worship. Historians have identified at least 14 such temples, it was a place beneath the shadow of ancient gods.
Imagine the scene, Jesus/Yeshua was standing in an area with the temples of the Syrian gods, a place where the Greek gods were believed to look down, and the place where the most important river in Israel has its source, (the Jordan river), and asked them Who they thought He was.
Messiah knew what He was doing when choosing the 3 disciples, Peter, James and John to follow Him to the summit of Mount Hermon. His choice was not random and because of His well-defined objective, He was not concerned the rest would feel rejected or resentful but did what needed to be done. Peter would testify later, saying:
“for we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory: “this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” and we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the HOLY MOUNTAIN.” 2 peter 1.16-18
Some may wonder why He didn’t choose His beloved Mount of Olives, or where He heard the prayer of His servant/prophet Elijah, and responded with fire on Mount Carmel? Or even the Mount of Beatitudes, where He taught, revealing the secrets of eternal life? Why did He choose the highest and most difficult mountain to climb in Israel?
Psalm 133 gives us an answer:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”
Yeshua/Jesus chose Mount Hermon, because He wanted to point out to His disciples what it represents, as described in the Psalm.
It was prophetic because it spoke of unity, harmony and perfect peace/shalom, among the children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven; and accurately portrays the picture of our Heavenly Fathers’ family gathered around His throne. He expresses His joy and delight in seeing His children around Him, the fruit of the sacrifice of His first born, Jesus/Yeshua.
Comparing the joy to: like the precious oil upon the head.
This precious oil upon the head represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the form of a physical anointing/Shavuot/Pentecost; and it is something that can only be understood by those who have had this experience.
Like the dew of Mount Hermon is the reference to the sources of water that form the rivers, which merge together forming the River Jordan. Mount Hermon is the water source for all of Israel. Water is life/chaim, it is impossible to live without its existence and in those days, the greatest wealth of a community was water, for that reason, settlements were always built around wells/water sources. Another reason He said, John 4:14; but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
When the Psalmist writes, the dew of Hermon that descends upon the mountains of Zion, he is portraying the fullness of life that Gods’ children enjoy in His presence.
Mount Hermon could be said to be a sanctuary that is invisible to the eyes of the wicked, being revealed to the chosen ones, because of its splendor and spiritual significance, no wonder the Messiah chose it from among the others and,
from it,
God commands the blessing
and life/chaim/lifes, forevermore!
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”
Small wonder the devil tried to usurp it for his own!
Because of this significance, no doubt Messiah deliberately set Himself against the world’s religions and was asking to be compared with them. Here in this setting, is where Peter boldly replies with his great confession,
You are the Messiah/the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16:16.
Now the significance of this tremendous statement of faith becomes clearer and it changed everything for the disciples.
Then Yeshua/Jesus responds in Matt. 16:17-18 Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell [literally, Hades] shall not prevail against it.
Here His reference to the cave and the gates of Hades at Mount Hermon, makes complete sense!
It is plain from Scripture that His ascension from another mountain, that of Mount of Olives; was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by the disciples. Straining to catch a last glimpse of Yeshua/Jesus, when a cloud hid Him from their view, then, 2 angels appeared and promised the onlookers…in just the same way that you have watched Him go. Acts 1:11.
The daily route Jesus/Yeshua took in and out of the city passed over the Mount of Olives. From ancient times the revered rise overlooking Jerusalem from east was seen with importance.
The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge east of and adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City. It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. He led the disciples over the summit and onto the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Interestingly, the journey was what is defined as a Sabbath’s journey; or a little more than 1/2 mile.
Mark:11:1; [Luke:19:29];[Luke:24:50
The ascension was the ultimate, indisputable evidence that Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach was triumphant, conquering ha satan/the adversary and all his hosts. Here is the extent of His victory, but it also reveals the measure of the power which has been bestowed upon His saints to carry out His work on earth until He returns.
It emphasizes the fact that we are given the serious responsibility of putting His will into effect on earth, as He reigns from heaven.
Matthew 6:9-13 verse 6:10.
The Rabbi/Teacher’s parting words commissioned His people to make disciples of every creature among the nations throughout the earth (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47).
This was 10 days before Shavuot and the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh outpouring.
Pesach/Passover is incomplete and Shavuot/Pentecost obstructed and the Second Coming of Messiah impossible without His Ascension!
Acts 2:5 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Click below for previous posts which focus on Shavuot/Pentecost.
This reference to Cloven Tongues may have been an indication to them that the fire was not strange fire but Holy acceptable fire from heaven.
Leviticus 11:3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
However one of the main meanings to them was that Pentecost/Shavuot was the celebration of the giving of Torah in the wilderness and the manifested presence of God came as fire and remained with them by night for 40 years; and furthermore, fire was always known as a cleansing agent.
This was the presence of God, the impartation of His spirit infilling the properly prepared vessels; igniting that zeal to go and make disciples of all nations.
One final interesting point is that, a critical scene was repeated post resurrection but pre ascension.
The location was beside the Sea of Galilee in Luke 5:1-11; Matt.4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20.
Here in Matthew 4:22, Yeshua/Jesus called them and they left everything to follow Him….. (Have we?)…
But not until after He told them them to let down their nets for a catch. Which they did and pulled in a huge haul of fish.
He stated He would make them fishers of men. Then in John 21, He is again in Galilee beside the sea and tells them to let down their nets for a catch.
Once again the nets were filled to overflowing.
He tells them to come and eat.
Again the reference to feeding them for He is the bread of life.
This is at the end of His time with them.
We see the reference to
the beginning and the end
the first and the last
the Alef and Tav
the Alpha and Omega,
(Rev.22:13)
start and finish of their time with Him.
The catch of fish to becomes the catching of men,
catching souls for the kingdom of the Heavens.
The 2nd time was the place of commissioning.
A question arises always where did the fire, hot coals, fish and bread come from?
The coals/ Stones were hot so it would seem that He had been there a while.
Bring some fish He says.
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. John 21:10
The bread wouldn’t have been the flat crisp sort so that it could be broken, not a soft loaf like we usually think of.
This makes another question. Where did He get the bread from, was it another miracle?
Did He turn some of the stones beside the sea of Galilee into bread?
Stones that look very much like bread!
This was the very subject of an earlier temptation the devil used against Him, to prove that He was the Son of God/YHWH.
Now it was no temptation, but instead, a provision to feed His children-mishpachah/disciples-talmidim/friends-cheverim.
He was and is the Son of the Living God, the Creator of the universe, who took the elements of the dirt of the earth He created to form us. Surely then, as the devil came testing/ tempting Him, He was able to do just that… or it would not have been by its’ very definition – a temptation?
What we do know is everything points to Jesus as Messiah, savior and He points always to the father. Everything has meaning whether we fully understand it or not.
Pentecost/Shavuot was a ‘second giving’, of the Torah.
A giving of Himself, of His risen Spirit/Ruach;
to fill them and fire them up.
His Torah/Word is no longer written on stone but in their,
and our,
hearts of flesh.
He is the living Torah, the living Word made flesh and is still living amongst us.
Knowledge is not the end goal here in these posts… but Relationship is.
Knowledge and understanding, are simply an aid to a deeper understanding of the One who gave His life for us.
This Shavuot /Pentecost allow the Ruach/Spirit of Holy Fire to do His complete work in us that we become vessels fit for the Masters use.
The purpose being that so many more souls are added to His kingdom.
As we are climbing the mountains with Him following His lead know we are soon leaving for home too. It’s possible that when He said earlier meet me in Galilee it was also related to meet me in the kingdom of God because Galilee was a home where the meeting could go on without any distraction! Did Yeshua/Jesus choose Galilee to show them how they would also join Him in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of His Heavens?
Keep your eyes upon Jesus/Yeshua.
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.
Be ready… Look to the Son!
When we look at this do we see son rise or sun set?
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family and cheverim/friends! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing and if you haven’t already, please sign up for free email notification, like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths. MMM will continue as long as the platform is accessible… meanwhile let’s remember
it’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Are we laboring in vain?
Boldness
8:8 6-8
Having just completed the 49 days of Counting the Omer. 
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