Monday, May 14, 2018

The Holy Place (SD16)

Let's continue to see how our Lord Jesus can prepare us to be a body (temple) just like His own Body, in the Holy Place in the Temple of God.

Eph 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word
    Before the priest entered the holy place of the Temple, he must be cleansed with water from the bronze laver. Similarly, every Christian who wants to be immersed in the Holy Spirit (holy place) must first cleanse himself from the defilements of this world. So when a Christian keeps His commandments, he is cleansed by His word, becomes His royal priest and only then he can enter into the holy place.

There are three types of Articles in the Holy Place.

1. Table of Showbread
Exo 39:36 the table, all its utensils, and the showbread
   The showbread (word of God) was the food for the priests.
    Our Lord Jesus was made flesh. After His birth, He was placed in the manger as food (folder) for His sheep. He was the Bread of life from heaven given to all His disciples. So all His disciples (priesthood) must feed (meditate, obey, preach and keep) only on the showbread (pure word of God - including His teachings, will and commandments).
Note the showbread was unleavened i.e pure word of God and without the defilement of demonic and worldly wisdom.

2. Golden Lampstand
Exo 39:37 the pure gold lampstand with its lamps (the lamps set in order), all its utensils, and the oil for light
   The fire from the burning oil of the lamps on the lampstand gave light (revelations, knowledge, guidance, instruction, understanding), to the priests in the holy place.
    Similarly, all disciples of Jesus will be enlightened by the light of the Holy Spirit. In this Holy Place as the disciples meditate on His words, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth and understanding to them.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:8 "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
    The presence of the Holy Spirit always filled the Holy Place and was upon the priests giving them wisdom, revelations and understanding. Similarly, when His disciples are immersed in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Lord has actually baptized them with the Holy Spirit or Spirit of Truth, who will
1. Guide them into all truth,
2. Speak the Father's will, words,
3. Reveal to them Endtime Truth,
4. Glorify the Father
5. Give to them Jesus' gifts
John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

3. Altar of Incense
Exo 40:5 "You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle."
    The Altar of Incense was the place where the priest offered sweet incense to the Lord.
    Our Lord Jesus Christ willingly offered Himself to lay down His life for all mankind as the sweet incense to God.
Eph 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Baptism with Fire
    Having been empowered with the Spirit of truth, we will be ready to suffer persecution, imprisonment, torture and martyrdom for His name's sake, and also to lay down our lives for our brethren as a living sacrifice of sweet incense to God.