Tag: Mishkan

Who was Tsofnat Paneach part 2

In part one we paused the

Tsofnat Paneach

פַּעְנֵחַ צָפְנַת

narrative at the…

The scriptures indicate that the inner shekinah glory is hidden and obscured to those who don’t bother to seek Him.

Nothing on its exterior appearance gave any indication of the unfathomable glory it contained.

Rock hyrax/badger.

It was the unattractive outward appearance of the rough badger skins that covered the Mishkan which did not even hint at the value within.

Badger Skins – These were the outer covering that everyone saw…plain and uninviting

…just as those in the world saw Him then, the same is still true for many today. 

Then as now, the

Sometimes diamonds are presented in rough packages, their intrinsic value is obscured until the process of cutting, shaping and restoration is completed by the touch of the Masters hand.

These rough packages may be delivered into our lives, diamonds in rough disheveled wrappings…

outwardly damaged, torn and in need of attention.

 We come to Him as we are – in need of salvation and loving care.

All too often

We must trust Him for the goodness in that which He sends, even though it may look different, or uninviting and not appeal to our eyes and physical senses.

As we look by faith to that which lies within; we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence and the treasures of wisdom, kindness and love within the rough exterior.

Isaiah 53:4, NASB: “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.”

Isaiah 53:1-8 King James Version (KJV)  2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Also John 1:13,14

One translation puts it this way:

There was nothing attractive about Him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at Him and people turned away.

At that point in their history, the Jews were looking for a King and the Kingdom he would set up here; giving them freedom from the Roman rule.

Those that took the time to look, really look, saw beyond the badger skin/ the plain outer covering. In the same way today as those of us that take the time to look, read, study, pray, praise, worship, and fellowship with HIM in covenant relationship…see so much more. As John said, We see His glory, through Him the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth, John 1:14.

He had no dignity or beauty to make us take notice of him. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing that would draw us to him. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

Just as in 1 Cor.4:13, Paul said the same had happened to him: We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world–right up to this moment.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.

Amplified version: For [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground;

He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.

Scripture records while on the cross, Jesus/Yeshua quoted Ps. 22 and in so doing, was referring to Himself as a worm.

In an interesting side note:
For at least 5000 years in China, the worm (Bombyx mori), the larva or caterpillar of the Bombyx mori moth; has been producing the thread for luxury silk robes. Only God could create an uninteresting looking grub whose sole diet is mulberry leaves, that would make thread that clothes the wealthy!

When each cocoon is unwound it produces many 100’s of yards of thread.

However the worm Jesus/Yeshua was referring to is in Ps 22 we read:

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 
4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 
5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 
6 But I am a WORM and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 
8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 
10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 
12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 
15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 
16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 
17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 
18They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 
19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 
20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 
21Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 
22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 
24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever! 
27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. 
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 
31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

In Ps 22, Yeshua/Jesus was certainly the man referred to, but what did the psalmist mean when he wrote, “But I am a worm”?

Usually the Hebrew word for a worm is rimmah, which means a maggot or a worm. However, in Psalm 22:6, the word for worm is towla’ or tola’ath. – It is the same Hebrew word Yeshua/Jesus used for worm when He spoke, TOLA’ATH, which means Crimson worm or Scarlet worm. Both scarlet and crimson are the colors of blood – deep red.

Yeshua/Jesus, like the prophetic towla/tola’ath worm, gave His body for us. After the body of the towla/tola’ath worm had served its purpose, it fell off or was harvested from the tree.

Because the towla/tola’ath worm secreted crimson/scarlet body fluid as it died, a scarlet spot leaves a stain on the tree trunk.

For a period of three days the bodies of the female Scarlet Worm were collected as the worm can be scraped from the tree and the crimson gel can be used to make a fabric dye; but the worms had to be gathered up quickly because after three days, the red stain dries out and turns pure white!!

By invoking the image of a worm at His crucifixion, Yeshua/Jesus is not meaning to convey His human status, but rather the color of blood. He is describing the red-stained tree of His Crucifixion.

Nevertheless He chose to liken Himself here to a worm not a King or Savior.

The Red Dye of the Crimson worm (Tolaath of Psalm 22:6, Isaiah 1:18, and Isaiah 66:24) it was used for dyeing the curtains of the Tabernacle (Ex. 26:1) 

It was also used as the red in the robe of the High Priest of Israel (Yeshua our High Priest) and as the second covering of the Tabernacle in the wilderness was Rams skins dyed red, (Under the badgers skins,) most likely with the Tolaath – towla worms as representative of the substitutionary sacrifice and prophetically of the future Messiah.

Also used in the purification rites of a leper (Lev. 14:4–6) and of a house affected by leprosy ( ibid., 51–52); and it was added to the ashes of the red heifer (Num. 19:6)

More on the red heifer at:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-mystery-of-solomons-chok/

The life cycle of the Scarlet Worm, whom Jesus/Yeshua said He was, symbolizes much of what He accomplished on the cross and our relationship with Him. Messiah willingly chose death on a tree for the benefit of the new life His death would bring.

Jesus/Yeshua had to become the worm in order to defeat Satan and defeat every worm that crawls all over our souls and then give us His righteousness (2 Cor.5:21). He was crushed so that His blood might cover our sins.

More detailed explanation at  https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-secret-of-how-a-worm-preached-the-gospel/

There are many renditions and images. MMM hesitates to include ‘likenesses’ in posts and only then to aid our understanding of the content not to determine His appearance for we do not really know what Messiah looked like.

The images we have in our minds eye are often influenced by pictures created by human imagination and what we consider our savior resembled. Remembering His Middle Eastern mother may help our thinking. 

Included are a few of the traditional and non traditional artists impressions below:

The point is they rejected Him from what they saw and did not take the time to look deeper to see who He was on the inside.

Just like the Mishkan, nothing on His exterior appearance gave any indication of the secret and unfathomable mystery of the Glory contained within.

Tsofnat Paneach

פַּעְנֵחַ צָפְנַת

Yosef – Joseph – A Type of Mashiach.

There are parallels between Joseph and our Messiah.

A full list of parallels for further study at https://www.minimannamoments.com/yeshua-and-yosef-jesus-and-joseph-parallels/

The life of Joseph was an archtypical pattern for the other son – ben acher – who would be the fulfilment of Mashiach ben Yosef. 

Hidden within the TaNaKh are the principles, patterns, and foreshadows that all point to Messiah.

The New is in the Old Concealed, the Old is in the New Revealed.

Concealed in the Old Testament, is Revealed in the New.

The Mystery of Grace Revealed:

The Meaning below with which we are familiar:

This GRACE hid itself under a veil in the Old Testament, but it has been revealed in the New Testament according to the most perfectly ordered dispensation of the ages, forasmuch as God knew how to orchestrate all things.

The meaning of Grace – Chen in Hebrew from the root word Choresh – made up of the letters Chet (Ch) and Noon (N),

in the paleo Hebrew

pictograph alef bet is amazing.

The chet has a meaning of outside.

The pictograph is of a tent wall or fence = a private place of refuge and a protected Sanctuary, (as in the Mishkan at the center of the wilderness camp).

And Nun which has a meaning of life as well as fish, activity.

The pictograph is a picture of a seed sprout representing the idea of a new generation, continue, offspring and heir.

The concept that God produces new life in us at salvation and then places a fence or wall/hedge of protection around that life so that it will not be removed or destroyed. Wow!

(Secret Place of Ps.91

מִּסְתָּֽר – secret – mistar

Ha Makem’- ‘The Place’- המקום)

Chet has a numerical value of 8 = eternity, new creation, new beginning and

Noon has a numerical value of 50 = Jubilee, Shavuot/Pentecost-(Birth of new generation of believers).

Yeshua is our Jubilee

 מָשִׁיחַ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mashiach
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-shee’-akh)
Definition: anointed

He is also Yeshua

הַמָּשִׁ֛יחַ

hamashiach – the anointed

and Messiah Son of David

Mashiach Ben David

Strong’s Hebrew: 4899.

(mashiach)  מָשִׁיחַ

בֵּן – ben – son

בֵּן דָּוִד –  (daw-veed’) – David

as well as

בֵּן – ben – Son of

   יוֹסֵף  – Yosef – Joseph

ישוע – Yeshua – Jesus

David died at the age of 70 years old. The number 70 itself has significance, as it’s numerical value is equivalent to the word sod or secret.

70 = סוד
Sod/Secret = 70

386 = דוד בן ישי = ישוע
David ben Yishai = Yeshua = 386

“King Messiah”

מלך משיח‎,

or romanized: Melekh Mashiach

or malka meshiḥa in Aramaic.

Mashiach ben Yoseph or

Messiah ben Joseph

(משיח בן־יוסף  Mašīaḥ ben Yōsēf),

also known as Mashiach bar/ben Ephraim

(Aram./Heb.: משיח בר/בן אפרים),

Mashiach ben Yosef

is said to be of the tribe of Ephraim (son of Joseph), and is also sometimes called Mashiach ben Ephraim (Bavli Sukah 52b).

According to the Rabbis:

Mashiach ben Yosef will come first, before the advent of Mashiach ben David, to prepare the world for the coming of the kingdom of the LORD.

Of course we know He has already fulfilled the first.

Mashiach ben Yosef: we see that both (Joseph) Yosef and Yeshua (Jesus) were chosen or anointed for a special task.

Here are some of the many ways in which the life of Joseph typified the life of our Redeemer Yeshua.

Extended list at:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/yeshua-and-yosef-jesus-and-joseph-parallels/

When Jacob gifted his son Joseph with a coat of many colors,

(Hebrew : כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים ‎ ketonet passim)

lifting him up above his brothers, he reflected Joseph’s calling by the Lord for a life work as a leader.

The Hebrew term KETONET PASSIM means literally

a tunic of palms,

i.e. reaching to the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

The Hebrew word ‘pas’ literally means ‘extremity.’

Hebrew pas can refer to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot; here the idea is probably that of a long robe reaching to the feet and having sleeves reaching to the wrists.

In light of the real meaning of ketonet passīm as “a long robe with sleeves,”. It may also be translated as “a full-sleeved robe,” “a coat of many colors,” “a coat reaching to his feet,” “an ornamented tunic,” “a silk robe,” or “a fine woolen cloak.”

Ketonet means coat and is related to tunic;

Israelis, on the other hand, would probably say striped coat, since passim means stripes. 

In most versions it calls this coat, a coat of many colors.

 What this tells us is that this garment was actually one that reached to the hands and feet and maybe striped, not a technicolor coat. (The translation “many colors” comes from the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament.)

A ketonet passīm was a garment worn by royalty, Jacob, in giving Joseph this coat, was, in effect saying that Joseph was special and that he saw and treated Joseph as a royal person, a person whom he considered to be above all his other sons and would become royalty. He would not have to toil.

Whatever the robe’s precise appearance, it was a regal garment that honored Joseph.  A robe of distinction, which his brothers understood and so hated him for it.

Jesus/Yeshua came as the greater Joseph/Yosef to teach us that being in Him, we too have on that same spiritual garment that extends to our hands and feet – a robe of righteousness.

Both Joseph and Yeshua (Yahushua – His Name means Salvation through YHWH); were the highly favored sons, beloved by their fathers.

They were both firstborns, Joseph by Jacob’s Rachel and Yeshua by Mary. Their brothers hated them and conspired to kill them.

Joseph was sold as a young slave for 20 pieces of silver while Yahoshua was betrayed for 30, the price of a mature slave!

Both were stripped of their clothing, their robes covered in blood, and falsely accused.

Joseph’s brothers threw him into an empty cistern while Yahoshua was placed in a tomb. Both were raised from those places.

Joseph was 30 when he was placed into the service of Pharaoh, ultimately placed in a position to deliver his brothers, and revealed himself twice to his brothers. Yahoshua began His ministry at approximately age 30.

Joseph’s name was changed by Pharaoh to “Tsofnat Paneach” which as already noted, means “Decipherer of Secrets.” Yeshua or Yahoshua revealed His Father, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. And while many Jews and Gentiles have missed the Messiah the first time, He will be revealed – unmistakably – the second time.

Joseph left Pharaoh’s court, and he made an inspection tour of the entire land of Egypt.
VeYosef ben-shloshim shanah be’omdo lifney Par’oh melech-Mitsrayim vayetse Yosef milifney Far’oh vaya’avor bechol erets Mitsrayim.

Joseph was given honor and glory by Pharaoh and made ruler over all Egypt. Yeshua/Yahoshua was crowned with honor and glory because of His suffering death (the Suffering Servant whom Joseph prefigures).

“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9

The preparation for this role was grueling. Joseph endured the fires of testing, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, and seemingly abandoned by God he must have wondered to himself, “Why is this happening?” It seems clear from hindsight that Joseph was learning the deep humility required for God’s kind of leadership.

We also see the humility of the Son of God in His Incarnation and crucifixion. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” So as Joseph saved the whole world from physical death by starvation, Yeshua saved the whole world from spiritual death, the judgment of sin.

Our Messiah will return, soon, as a Mighty Warrior (whom Joshua also prefigures), and as our King, Mashiach ben David (whom King David prefigures). Ruler over all and to whom every knee shall bow!

The multi-colored coat Joseph wore with which we are most familiar, is only one small part of a bigger story. Within the bigger story of Joseph as a foreshadowing of the Messiah are the many prophecies, both fulfilled and those yet to be.

We need to pray for ears to hear, eyes to see, and the desire to know Him better through His divinely-inspired Word.

If we have seen signs of our own anointing for a specific task, and find ourselves in the midst of painful and unexplainable trials and tribulations, we’re in good company. God gives responsibility to people of character. Both Joseph and Yeshua are beautiful examples of the kind of leader God loves – a humble one.

Yeshua/Jesus at his first advent coming as the suffering servant or otherwise known as

Mashiach ben Yosef

also came

revealing secrets;

not as an interpreter of dreams, but as one who disclosed the secrets of men.

Yeshua’s teaching consistently exposed the innermost thoughts of the heart, forcing them into the light. As the living Word of God His words are like a sword, which cut through deception and went straight to the motives of men. Exposing sin through deep conviction, He presents the opportunity for real and sincere confession and repentance. He can then remove those sins through His atoning death.

Jesus/Yeshua’s insight and the conviction of His word are a gift. If He probes us in the secret places it’s only because He loves us so much, and because He wants to reveal His GRACE and power to cleanse us.

When we read His Word or seek Him in prayer, we shouldn’t be surprised if we discover some of our own secrets, things you may have even hidden from ourselves. He will reveal what He wants us to see, what He wants us to confess, and what He wants to help us change.

Dan. 2:22 records another instance of apocalypse/revealing.

He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king.

Dan 2:28 “However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the [fn] latter days.

We are charged to be good stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1), and that the wisdom of God is spoken by the Spirit of God among those who are made after the Order of Melchizedek; i.e. among those that are perfect (1 Cor. 2:7).

Among the many Mysteries we have the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven,

the Mystery of the Kingdom of God,

the Mystery of the gospel, etc.

The seed of the Word of God also reveals the Mystery of Iniquity (2 Thes. 2:7) and last but not least…

Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth’ (Rev. 17:5).

MYSTERY~noun : a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand.

Finally and briefly are 5 well known yet amazing Mysteries that were also full of Joy.

Mysteries were secrets hidden by the Fathers hand until the Appointed time of revealing/apocalypse. They made no sense to most yet now we hardly give them a second thought!

1st: The Annunciation

 The Angel Gabriel announces: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee.” Mary wonders at this greeting. The Angel assures her: “Fear not . . . you shall conceive in your womb, and give birth to a Son.” Mary is greatly troubled for she has made a vow of virginity. The Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit, and that her child will be called the Son of God. The Incarnation awaits Mary’s consent; (free will). Mary answers: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word.” The Word/Yeshua/Jesus was made flesh and dwelt among us.

2nd: The Visitation

 Mary’s cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age, for nothing is impossible with God. Love prompts Mary to go quickly to Elizabeth in the hour of her need. The journey is about 80 miles taking 4/5 days. Even though long and arduous, the journey is filled with joy, for Mary carries with her the Living Word and at Mary’s greeting, John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb. Elizabeth exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” Mary replies: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior.” For 3 months Mary serves her cousin in all humility until the birth of John the Baptist.

3rd: The Birth of Jesus 

Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus.

The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn. In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave.

She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.

The angel announces to the shepherds: “Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” The angelic chorus sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.”

The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus. Later the Magi come to adore the Him and bring gifts.

4th: The Presentation 

Observing the law of Moses they take Yeshua/Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord. According to the Law the firstborn male child of every family should be consecrated to the Lord. Mary offers her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid by the poor.

God had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah. Recognizing the Child, he prays: “Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word. This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed.” And to Mary, Simeon reveals: “And your own soul a sword shall pierce.” After they fulfill all the Law required, they returned to Nazareth.

5th:The Finding of Yeshua/Jesus in the Temple

When Yeshua/Jesus is 12 years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Pesach/Passover.

After the feast of the Pesach/Passover, Joseph and Mary set out to return to Nazareth. At the end of the first day’s journey they discover Yeshua/Jesus is missing. They return immediately looking for Him.

This loss must have caused grief and anxiety to Mary and Josephs hearts. On the 3rd day, they find Yeshua/Jesus in the Temple among the Rabbis/Teachers, who were astonished at His wisdom.

Mary asks, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” Yeshua/Jesus says, “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Yeshua/Jesus returns with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them. Mary keeps and ponders all these things in her heart.

Who are we following?

A full list of secret and mystery scripture references is available at https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-and-secrets-scriptures/

Romans 16:25-26. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according

to the revelation

of the mystery

that was kept secret

for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith..

Shalom Alecheim ‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

as He continues to reveal His

Mysteries and Secrets

to us all!

Please don’t leave this site without accepting

the revelation

of the mystery

that was kept secret

which is an apocalypse to you today.

You can know for certain that Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply 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 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.

Keruvim? Not Quite Like We Imagined?

What has a flaming sword at a garden gate, a golden box, keruvim, a lion, an ox, and an eagle to do with mazzaroth, the Tribes, two visions, the mishkan and Yeshua/Jesus?

Investigating more mysteries that connect from Genesis to Revelation.

 Keruvim כְּרוּבִים

CHERUBIM

Angels but not what we thought!

Hebrew: keruvim   כְּרוּב‎ kərūv, pl. כְּרוּבִים, kərūvîm;

Latin cherub, pl. cherubin, cherubim;

Depiction of the cherubim of glory shadowing the Mercy-seat (χερουβιμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον) of Hebrews 9:5 (Julius Bate 1773).

In Hebraic angelic hierarchy, cherubim have the second-lowest rank according to Maimonides Mishneh Torah (12th century).

Cherubim are discussed within the Midrash literature. The two cherubim placed by the Father at the entrance of Eden (Gen. 3:24) Angels were created on the third day, and therefore they had no definite shape; appearing either as men or women, or as spirits or angelic beings (Genesis Rabbah xxi., end). The cherubim were the first objects created in the universe. (Tanna debe Eliyahu R., i. beginning).

The Cherubim angels are occasionally confused with the Seraphim rank of angels, as there are many kinds of angels; the highest being the Seraph, next the Cherub.

They are actually different categories of beings. Cherubim have four wings and do not look human, (seraphim, have six wings and also do not look human). The Bible also refers to Angels as men, since that is exactly what they look like and they do not have wings or halos, (nothing in the Bible has a halo). Angels, as their name denotes, are messengers. If a being is not delivering a message, does not look like a human male and has wings then it is not an Angel.

For one example, see Genesis 18:2 three men and 19:1 which identifies two of them as Angels. (Many scholars say that the other was pre-incarnate Yeshua/Jesus).

The Cherubim, similar to the word Seraphim, is plural. The word Cherubim refers to more than one Cherub angel.

Cherubim are said to be about 18ft (5.4864 Meters) tall have four faces:

one of a lion (representative of all wild animals , one an ox (domestic animals), one a human (humanity), and one an eagle (birds).

They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, a lion’s body figure, and they have ox’s feet.

Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).

and also to the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14-16).

Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end: you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. Ex. 25:19

“And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of the Almighty God when He speaks.” Ezekiel 10:5

A Cherub is a supernatural being referenced throughout both the Old and New Testament of the Bible. Like the Seraphim, the Cherubim were originally a Judaic rank of angels, and they eventually were incorporated into Christian scripture, appearing in numerous books including the Book of Revelation. Other notable examples of them in literature are in John Milton’s 17th century epic poem, Paradise Lost.

Cherubim are first mentioned in connection with the expulsion from Eden in Genesis 3:24 here there is no information given of their shape or form.

The Cherubim and flaming sword were to keep Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life while in an unregenerate state; or mankind would have been forever separated from the love and blessings of the Father.

They are next mentioned when Moses was commanded to provide furniture for the tabernacle Ex. 25:17-20; 26:1,31.

God promised to commune with Moses from between the cherubim. 25:22

They represent the mercy of God, which is always above the testimony.

Exodus 25:22, “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”

2 Samuel 6:2, “And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.”

Numbers 7:89, “And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims; and he spake unto him.”

The Cherubim are not just allegories.  They are actual beings in heaven guarding the way to the Mercy Seat.

This expression was afterwards used to denote the Divine abode and presence. Num. 7:89; 1Sam. 4:4;  Is 37:16; Ps. 80:1; 99:1.

In Ezekiel’s vision they appear as living creatures supporting the throne of God. From Ezekiel’s description of them 1:5-10;41:18-19 they appear to have been compound figures each one having 4 different faces, the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

Unlike any real object in nature, possessing the features and properties of several animals.

The closest word we have to describe them is chimera; an animal whose body contains different cell populations derived from different zygotes of the same or different species, occurring spontaneously or produced artificially; i.e. an individual composed of a mixture of genetically different cells.

Man- This face spoke of mind, reason, affections, and all the things that encompass a human being.

Lion- The lion was always recognized as strong, fierce, and majestic. It was the most royal of all animals.

Pro 30:30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any;

Pro 20:2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

Ox- The Ox was recognized as the animal who patiently labored for his owner. He was strong, able to bear a burden, and knew its owner.

Pro 14:4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Ps 144:14 That our oxen may be well-laden; that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets.

Is 1:3 The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not consider.”

Eagle- The divine bird that flew above the storms, while below there was only sorrows, dangers, and distress. A swift bird strong and powerful, never becoming weary.

Pro 30:18-19 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.

Is 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Ps. 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Ex. 19:4 `You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Ezek. 17:3 “and say, `Thus says the Lord GOD: “A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, full of feathers of various colors, came to Lebanon and took from the cedar the highest branch.

Hos. 8:1 “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

King David probably knew about God’s chariots/cherubim, as apparently he a rode in one of them.  This is recorded in two accounts in scripture, 2 Samuel 22: 7-22 and Psalms 18:6-17. 

A record of a divine deliverance, when he was trapped between Mount Carmel jutting out into sea and the Mediterranean ocean as he was cornered by the army of Saul. 

Two cherubim were placed on the mercy seat of the ark and two of COLOSSAL size overshadowed it in Solomons Temple.

“In the inner shrine he [Solomon] carved two cherubim of wild olive wood, each ten cubits high . . . and he overlaid the cherubim with gold.” (1 Kings 6:23-28) “The cherubim, whose wings were spread over the place of the Ark , formed a canopy above the Ark and its poles.” (1 Kings 8:7)

The illustration below depicts Solomons Temple and the Kohen Gadol (High Priest.) On the day of Yom Kippur ( Day of Atonement); he was presenting incense before God, a few steps away from the Ark of the Covenant which was resting between the outstretched wings of the towering figures of the two Cherubim. This was the only day of the year the Kohen Gadol ever entered the Kodesh haKodashim (Holy of Holies). He is shown wearing a simple linen garment specially made for the day. 

The main hall of the Temple which is reported to be 20 cubits wide (9 meters or 27 feet) and 30 cubits high (13.5 meters or 40 feet).  The Holy of Holies, with the Ark of the Covenant and the two giant Cherubs in it, is described as a cube 20 x 20 x 20 cubits. 2 Chron 3:13; they stood on their feet and faced inwards their wings spanned 20 cubits overall.

Converting the measurement of the biblical cubit as approximately 18 inches, the cherubim were 15 feet tall and the wing measurement from the tip of one wing to the other was also 15 feet. 

Together, the two cherubim covered a span of 30 feet in the Holy of Holiest in the Temple of Solomon.  

Ezekiel 1:4-14 speaks of 4 and also this number, 4, of living creatures is mentioned in Rev. 4:6.

Those on the ark are called the cherubim of glory. Hebrews 9:5;

Hebrews 9:1-5  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. (KJV)

These cherubim of Glory were the appearance of the Glory of the Lord.

That is the Shechinah, or cloud of glory, for on them the visible glory of God rested. They were placed one at each end of the mercy seat, with wings stretched upward, and their faces toward each other and toward the mercy-seat. They were anointed with holy oil, like the ark itself and the other sacred furniture.

The cherubim were symbolical.

They were intended to represent spiritual existences in immediate contact with The Father. Some have regarded them as symbolical of the chief ruling power by which God carries on His operations in providence. (Ps.18:10). Others interpret them as having reference to the redemption of men, and as symbolizing the great rulers or ministers of the church.

Their office was: first, on the expulsion from Eden, to prevent all access to the tree of life;

and second to form the throne

and the chariot of God in His manifestation of Himself on Earth.

He dwelleth between and sitteth on the cherubim (1 Sam 4:4; Ps. 80:1; Ezek.1:26,28).

The 2 cherubim were on the mercy-seat with wings outstretched.

Ex 25:18-20 “And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. “Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. “And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.”

They represent the judgment of God.

Their position indicates that God’s judgment upon Israel was averted because of the blood-sprinkled mercy seat.

John also in Revelation sees a vision of the cherubim:

Rev. 4:6-8 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Though artistic interpretation can be fairly relaxed when it comes to the Seraphim, it is also extremely varied in regard to the Cherubim.

The original Jewish depictions of them are thought to resemble an angelic or mythical being similar to that of a griffin, possessing a lion’s body, and an eagle’s wings and head.

In Christianity however, the Cherubim are often portrayed in artistic iconography as a four winged creature with more than one head, usually that of man, lion, eagle, and ox. Some of the gothic interpretations can be quite fearful in appearance.

During the Renaissance a tremendous amount of confusion arose over the attributes and characteristics of the Cherubim, when on numerous occasions they were confused with putti angels, winged children who are generally depicted holding small golden trumpets.

In Western Christian tradition, cherubim have become associated with the putto (derived from classical Cupid/Eros), resulting in depictions of cherubim as small, plump, winged boys.

So the scripture shows that a Cherub is a mighty and fearsome winged beast and guardian of Eden, not the image of an innocent childlike being. The confusion is still widespread even in this day and age, and we can blame the Renaissance artists for it. So now when we call a small child a little cherub we may want to change the adjective for something else!

In chapter 1 Ezekiel the prophet designates them as living creatures (chayyoth); the chart above shows the difference between the cherubim described in Ezekiel, with the one that John gives in the book of Revelation.

Do they appear the same on earth as in Heaven??

This is a possible explanation for the differences.

The wings being raised would cover the view of the other faces. Due to Heaven existing in another dimension parallel to ours, it makes sense that they would probably appear differently there.

Time is cyclical. Time as we know it exists only in this earthly dimension.

When we recognize the fact that God has more dimensions of space and time than just the 4 dimensions we tend to think in, it makes it easier to understand how God is able to be omnipresent and that this plural God is singular.

We tend to look at life in 3 dimensions of space and one dimension of time because of the way we have been educated.

Time, that for us, seems to travel forward and is linear.

God however, is not limited to 1 dimension of time or He would not be 1 God who is omnipresent. The chart below on the left depicts 2 dimensions of time; one of length and one of height. If time has just 2 dimensions, then within every moment of time there is an infinite amount of time. Paper, for example, is only 2 dimensional, and so we can only show 2 dimensions at once.

In the diagram above pictured on the right, simulated are 3 dimensions of time in which it implies that time has depth as well. If God is above time, at this point He can not only see the past, the present, and the future consecutively but He can also influence and interact with them all simultaneously. This is why He can say His Name is I AM (not I WAS or I WILL BE); and why He is the same yesterday today and forever. Heb.13:8

When John saw Messiah in Heaven for example, He appeared as a lamb that was slain, with 7 eyes and 7 horns.

Seven is the number of perfection and horns represent power. In the same way eyes are how we perceive things, so they represent wisdom. This is picturing Messiah with perfect power and perfect wisdom. In Ezekiel, the cherubim are depicted with 4 wings and 4 faces.

The number four is the signature of the Earth, depicting our four seasons and 4 corners giving us 4 directions; East, West, North, and South.

Ezekiel 41:18 And it (the paneling of the holy place of the temple) was made with cherubs …and two faces were to a cherub, the face of a man, toward the palm tree from here, and a young lion’s face toward the palm tree from there. It was made to continue all around on the wall of the temple.

The Keruvim/Cherubim are the connection to the flaming sword at a garden gate, a golden box (ark of the covenant/mercy seat), a lion, an ox, an eagle and the two visions of Ezekiel and John. However the conclusion to the mystery with mazzaroth, the Tribes, and Yeshua/Jesus is coming in part 2.

The Scriptures tell us that angels watch over us make sure that you are saved and that they can be of optimum assistance in your life

For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven Matt. 18:10 

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Ex. 23:20

Shalom Mishpachah/Family!

Please, don’t leave this page until..

you are awakened to Messiah..

we all need to born again from above..

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

Its 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.

Mysteries and Miracles

One mystery miracle that is sometimes overlooked is:

The Rending or Tearing of the Temple Veil.

Recorded in three places in the gospels of Matt 27:51,

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His Spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The earth shook and the rocks split.

The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life” (Matt.27:50-52 NIV). 

Luke 23:45 and Mark 15:38 – “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

In the Temple, The Holy of Holies is also called the Most Holy Place, inner sanctuary, oracle, and inner house and represented the dwelling place of God here on Earth, or the Throne of God.

It was only to be entered once a year, on the Day of Atonement, and only by the High Priest.

In Solomon’s Temple, the Holy of Holies was 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 20 cubits high.

(Note: A cubit is approx. 18 inches, so the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple would have been about 30 feet by 30 feet by 30 feet in today’s unit of measurement.) The height of a 6ft man = 4 cubits.

The temple complex was huge and to understand the scale of it, makes the torn veil of greater significance. To get a better idea compare the size of the people.

Entrance into the Holy of Holies.

To enter into the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple, the High Priest had to pass through a curtain, or veil (2 Chr. 3:14), gold chains (1 Kgs. 6:21), and two doors (1 Kgs. 6:31).

The veil separated the Holy Place or Temple, where the High Priest made the sacrifice and the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place.

The sacred veil or curtain, called the peroketh, represented an inter-dimensional veil that shielded the Unseen, Unfathomable Lord of hosts, from the rest of His creation. 

The curtain in Solomon’s Temple is in 2 Chronicles 3:14: it was described as a “veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work and worked cherubim on it” which separated the Holy of Holies, the Kodesh Hakadashim, from the rest of the Temple.

This is very similar to the description of the veil leading into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.

Exodus 26:31 “And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:”

The veil was then hung on four pillars like the

 Throne of God which rested on the four cherubim in heaven.

The Curtain of Separation

History seems to indicate that there were two curtains in Herod’s Temple: One at the huge gated entry into the Temple and the other separating the Holy of Holies and the main sanctuary.

God Himself thought so much of the importance of the type, as shown by the tearing of the veil:

Matt 27:50-51 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.”

If we don’t understand the meaning in Scripture of the Holy of Holies and the veil, we miss out on extremely significant information concerning exactly what Messiah’s death meant to sinful mankind.

To comprehend why it was a miracle we need to understand that the curtain separated the Holy Place from everyone but the High Priest.

The Holy Place was where the presence of God dwelled on the mercy seat.

The curtain was a constant reminder to the Israelites that their access to God depended on another physical human, and that this access was only granted through the physical works of the sacrificial system. 

Exodus 26:31 – “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.  It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim.

You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold.  Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver.  And you shall hang the veil from the clasps.” 

At the Moses tabernacle replica the high priest worships just outside of the Holy of Holies.

“Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil.  The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place the Most Holy.  You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy.”

According to Israelite Hebrew teachers /rabbinic sources, the Sacred Veil that was made for the Temple of Solomon was actually made by layering multiple sheets of colored linen together.  The curtains overall thickness was said to be over three feet.  The highest and most Holy of days in the life of a Israelite/Hebrew, is the Day of Atonement, on this day, the Lord of hosts left His throne of justice and moved to the seat of mercy to meet with the Tzaddik of Israel, the High Priest as he entered the Most Holy Place.

One can only imagine the High Priest blindly navigating through the maze of thirty layers of linen sheets, together with the censor smoking incense in one hand and the blood of the ram in the bowl in the other hand.

As his world became darker and darker, he soon found himself standing in the presence of the Lord in complete darkness.

Without any sensory sight to help him, standing in the presence of the Lord would have been very disorientating.  He had to lean on faith and trust explicitly on the Lord to shield and protect him, for to touch the ark of the Lord would mean instant death. Then as the Lord promised the High Priest, “I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat”.

In the temple of Herod, (in Jesus’ day), the massive temple veil(s) were 60 feet long, 30 feet wide with multiple woven layers the thickness of a man’s hand (approx. 4”).

(See account of Historian Josephus at the end.)**

These curtains/veils were not the flimsy material we have as window dressings today.  

It was woven in 72 squares and was so heavy that over 300 priests were needed to move or change the squares.

The curtain itself was hung in the Temple on a huge stone lintel. It was over thirty feet long and estimated to weigh about thirty tons (60,000 pounds).

In a Letter to Hedibia, the early church father, Jerome, wrote that the during the rending of the temple Veil, the lintel that held the Veil was splintered, broke up and fell to the ground.

The lintel was an enormous stone, being at least 30 feet long and weighing some 30 tons!

Though this event was in the midst of a great earthquake, the portents to the High Priest and the Sanhedrin occurring at the moment of the death of Jesus/Yeshua were ominous.  Even with the collapse of the lintel, the huge curtain would have fallen to the ground, but the historical testimony states that “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”. (Matthew 27:51)

The unseen Hand of the Almighty One sent a message to Caiphas, Ananias and all the other temple rulers.

The curtain being torn from top to bottom was a foreboding omen, indicating that God’s hand had torn it in two and that His presence was leaving that Holy place.

The judgments of God, as portrayed over the preceding three hours as Jesus hung on the cross, would be visited upon His own temple, His own people, and upon the evil followers of the temple rulers.

The rending of the veil is recorded in the gospels as if it were observed from the site of the execution of Jesus.  It seems the only place in the vicinity of the Temple of Herod, that had a visual view of the Eastern Gate looking down upon the temple, with a view of the veil in front of the Holy of Holiest, was on the western slopes of the Mount of Olives near the Miphkad Altar, where the ashes of the red heifer were burnt.

Consistent with the Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus and the independent testimonies of the Hebrew Talmud, Josephus, Tactitus, and early ante-Nicean fathers of the Christian Church, the final moments of the life of Jesus were surrounded with cataclysmic events and fateful portents.  These portents shadowed the esteemed high priest’s family, the House of Ananias and the temple hierarchy all the way to the final destruction of that glorious temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. 

It is also significant how the natural world was rent and torn, while the agony of the Suffering Servant was demonstrated on that cross before the Jewish people.  We must understand again, that the death of Jesus was not a human event but a cosmic event.  The Book of Job gives us a heavenly scene where in the Council of heaven the ‘sons of God’ met and deliberate.  It was here in this council that Satan went to represent this earth.  How?  There in the Garden, when Adam chose to disobey God, Satan wrestled away from ‘this’ son of God his dominion as ruler of this planet and his role to sit in that cosmic council in heaven.  There Satan known as ‘HaSatan’, which translated means ‘the Accuser’, has been representing this planet before the throne of God.

It was not just the followers of Jesus, the rulers of the temple and the Roman soldiers that watched the unfolding of this great “Drama of the Ages”. The other dimensional hosts in the universe; the sons of God and the angelic hosts all watched with bated breath and horror as the Son of God gave up His life. This was evident in the darkness of those hours.

Here, was THE moment of time, when Jesus/Yeshua cried out again with a loud voice, “It is Finished and bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19: 30) or as Luke testified, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46) and “yielded up His spirit”.  (Luke 27:50)

“It records the rending of the Temple-Veil in two from the top downward to the bottom; as the second, the quaking of the earth, the rending of the rocks and the opening of the graves . . . while the rending of the Veil is recorded first, as being the most significant token to Israel, it may have been connected with the earthquake, although this alone might scarcely account for the tearing of so heavy a Veil from the top to the bottom.” 

The only place where a Passover (Pesach) lamb could be killed was in 
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

Mount Moriah, the exact same place where Abraham and Isaac had been willing to offer his life.

On the fourteenth of Nisan, at the third hour of the day (9:00
a.m.), the high priest (Cohen
 HaGadol) took the lamb and ascended the altar so he could tie the lamb 
in place on the altar. Exactly the same time on that day, Yeshua was tied
 to the tree on Mount Moriah (Mark 15:25).

The time of the evening 
sacrifice was (3:00 p.m.) for Passover (Exodus [Shemot] 12:6), the high 
priest (Cohen HaGadol) ascended the altar, cut the throat of the lamb
 with a knife, and said the words, “It is finished.”

(These are the
 exact words said after giving a peace offering to G-d.)

At this same 
time, Jesus/Yeshua died, saying these exact words as recorded in John (Yochanan) 19:30.
 Yeshua died at exactly 3:00 p.m. (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:45-46,50). 

 

Roman time was calculated on 6 a.m. as the first hour of the day, as day breaks. Jesus/Yeshua died at the ninth hour, which is 3 p.m.

Between the evenings (Plural) is when the Passover lamb was killed.

This is a Jewish term. There are two evenings in the Jewish day. The first is the beginning of the suns waning, which is Noon. The second is the beginning of the darkness as the new day begins, avg. 6p.m. (Don’t think this strange, for in most of the western world the day begins at midnight, in the middle of the darkness.) Between the evenings as given in Exodus means 3 PM.


Picture Jesus’ loud and painful cry “it is finished” (Jn.19:30), as the Roman solder plunges a spear deep into His side and His life Blood drains to the ground.

At the same instant, the Temple veil tears apart as a powerful earthquake shakes Jerusalem.

Furthermore, picture the high priest who, having just condemned Jesus to death the night before, was splashing the blood of Passover lambs against the altar of God.

When Jesus cried out “it is finished” and the curtain tore, the relationship between God and humanity was altered forever. The tearing of the curtain of separation from top to bottom, forever opens the way for all humanity to eventually fellowship directly with God the Father. 

The significance that Jesus/Yeshua dies at the same moment that the lamb in the temple was killed cannot be over emphasized. It was God’s perfect timing, because it was at this point the earth quaked and the veil tore right where the High Priest was standing.

Their shock and astonishment was understandable.

   None of these events ‘just happened’, it was all part of God’s plan and His plan is still in motion.

The colors of the veil are very significant and are the same colors that are used in the garments of the High Priest.

Blue: We have learned about the significance of the color blue representing the Law of God.

Red: The color red represents the blood of Jesus Christ as our Passover sacrifice. It also represented the red ribbon of Rahab, which pointed to the inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation.

Purple: The color purple, which combines both blue and red, points us to the Royal Priesthood, which combines both the salvation given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus and our love of God shown through our obedience to the Law.

White: on the High Priest’s garments represents our clean garments as we prepare ourselves as the Bride of Christ and also the perfection of Jesus Christ.

Gold: To these four colors was added gold. In the Tabernacle in the Wilderness we see that the Ark of the Covenant located in the Holy of Holies was also made of gold. God’s presence was in the Ark and it was also the receptacle of the Holy Spirit. As the High Priest symbolizes the living Holy Holies/ Sanctuary, that we are today, the gold represents the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in us. Just as the gold was interwoven amongst all the other strands of material, so too Holy Spirit ties all the members of the Body of Messiah together.

Therefore, by passing through the four-colored veil, it was looking forward to our perfect High Priest, Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah.

The symbolism of the veil was, that it was there to exclude all mankind, UNTIL the sacrifice of Jesus as High Priest. Jesus the Messiah could enter once and for all with His own blood to provide access for us, so that Holy Spirit, as the tangible power of God, could dwell among men.)

When Jesus died and the veil in the Temple was torn in two it ensures that we all may boldly approach the Throne of God in prayer, through our High Priest, Jesus the Messiah (Heb. 4:14-16).

Consider the enormous significance of this monumental and historical event in the following references:

This is the moment in time that Jesus spoke of to the woman of Samaria when he foretold that the existing worship system would be abolished, and that those who wanted to worship God would no longer need to travel to a specific location to worship:

“The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary to worship. Jesus said to her, Woman believe me that an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem . . .. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn.4:19-23 Para.).

No longer would a physical man be required to offer animal sacrifices for sins. Any who truly worship the Father can now stand before him and present their own cause to him, knowing that he will hear and consider their prayer because of the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.

With the tearing of the curtain, all who worship God, whether Jew or Gentile, have access to the throne of mercy by the one and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

See Heb.4:15-16; 6:18-19; 9:1-15; 10:19-22.

“For through him we both have access by one spirit to the Father. Now therefore you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph.2:18-19 KJV).

 

Historical References of interest:

** “Josephus reported that the veil was 4 inches thick, was renewed every year, and that horses tied to each side could not pull it apart.  It barred all but the High Priest from the presence of God, but when it was torn in two at the death of Jesus of Nazareth (see Mark 15:38), access to God was made available to all who come through him.”  (Even at face value, this is an enigmatic note, in that Exodus 26 describes the Tabernacle, and the veil that was torn in two was part of Herod’s Temple.  Ryrie’s representation of “the veil” certainly implies that the veil that Exodus describes is the veil that Josephus describes, which is to be identified with the veil that was torn in two.) before these doors there was a veil of equal largeness with the doors. It was a Babylonian curtain, embroidered with blue, and fine linen, and scarlet, and purple, and of a contexture that was truly wonderful. Nor was this mixture of colors without its mystical interpretation, but was a kind of image of the universe; for by the scarlet there seemed to be enigmatically signified fire, by the fine flax the earth, by the blue the air, and by the purple the sea; two of them having their colors the foundation of this resemblance; but the fine flax and the purple have their own origin for that foundation, the earth producing the one, and the sea the other. This curtain had also embroidered upon it all that was mystical in the heavens, excepting that of the [twelve] signs, representing living creatures. (Historian Josephus Wars of the Jews: Wars 5.5.4)

Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.

The Veils before the Most Holy Place were 40 cubits (60 feet) long, and 20 (30 feet) wide, of the thickness of the palm of the hand, and wrought in 72 squares, which were joined together; and these Veils were so heavy, that, in the exaggerated language of the time, it needed 300 priests to manipulate each.  If the Veil was at all such as is described in the Talmud, it could not have been rent in twain by a mere earthquake or the fall of the lintel, although its composition in squares fastened together might explain, how the rent might be as described in the Gospel.

Maurice Henry Harris, Hebraic Literature (M. Walter Dunne, 1901).

Three hundred priests were told off [sic; the idea is that they were designated] to draw the veil (of the Temple) aside; for it is taught that Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel declared in the name of Rabbi Shimon the Sagan (or high priest’s substitute), that the thickness of the veil was a handbreadth. It was woven of seventy-two cords, and each cord consisted of twenty-four strands. It was forty cubits long and twenty wide. Eighty-two myriads of damsels worked at it, and two such veils were made every year. When it became soiled, it took three hundred priests to immerse and cleanse it.     Chullin (Harris, pp. 195-96)

The veil was one handbreadth thick and was woven on [a loom having] seventy-two rods, and over each rod were twenty-four threads.  Its length was forty cubits and its breadth twenty cubits; it was made by eighty-two young girls, and they used to make two in every year; and three hundred priests immersed it.